THE ERROR OF BALAAM

The Error of Balaam• Balaam is notorious for his greed and the

lengths he went to earn his wage Jude 11• He was a prophet 2 Peter 2:15-16• From Mesopotamia Numbers 22:5• Had a reputation of effectiveness v.6• He used sorcery 24:1• Balak the king of Moab hired Balaam to curse

Israel 22:5-7• Balaam said for them to wait for God’s answer

God’s Will• Do not go with them v.12• Israel is blessed and not to be cursed• Balaam obeyed v.13• Balak sent more important men• Balak promised Balaam very great honors• Balaam’s answer: “Though Balak were to give me his house full of

silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.”

Balaam’s Dissatisfaction with God’s Will

• Unfortunately, Balaam did not stop there“Now therefore, please, you also stay here

tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me." v.19

• Balaam hoped God would change His mind• God told Balaam to go with them v.20• God did not change His mind• God used Balaam’s obstinacy to bless Israel

God’s Lesson for Balaam• The Angel of the Lord appeared• Balaam could not see Him (typical of sinners)• His donkey did and tried to evade destruction• Three times• Balaam beat his donkey• The donkey rebuked Balaam• The Angel rebuked Balaam• Balaam realized his error but still went on v.34

God’s MessageNumbers 23-24

• Balaam had no choice what to say1. Israel is blessed and cannot be cursed 23:7-102. God does not change like man 23:18-24• Balaam’s first error 22:193. God has already blessed Israel 24:3-9• God will bless Israel • Those who curse Israel will be cursed v.94. Israel’s triumph over Moab 24:15-24

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle• Prophecy about Christ 24:17-18• Over Moab and Edom • A spiritual triumph Amos 9:11-12, Acts 15:17• Against Amelek 24:20• Kenites until Assyria 24:21-22• Greeks will conquer the Middle East many

years later 24:23-24•

The Error of Balaam• Balaam did not go home permanently v.25• Killed with Midianite kings 31:8• He found a way to earn his money Rev. 2:14• This is why Numbers 25 follows Numbers 24• The Midianite women seduced the Israelite

men• God punished Israel 25:9• Though Balaam sounded good, he was carried

away by his greed and caused many to die