Lessons from Balaam: Greed, Obedience, and Divine Warnings

Devotional

Day 1: The Perils of Greed Overshadowing Obedience

Balaam's story serves as a powerful illustration of the danger of allowing greed to overshadow obedience to God. Despite being aware of God's will, Balaam's desire for wealth led him to compromise his integrity. This narrative reminds us that true fulfillment cannot be found in material riches. Balaam's journey is a cautionary tale about the consequences of prioritizing material wealth over spiritual integrity. His willingness to seek ways to circumvent God's command, driven by the promise of riches, ultimately led to his downfall. This serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of wealth at the expense of spiritual truth is futile. [10:20]

2 Peter 2:15-16 (ESV): "Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness."

Reflection: In what areas of your life might you be tempted to compromise your integrity for material gain? How can you realign your priorities to ensure obedience to God comes first?

Day 2: Heeding Divine Warnings

The incident with Balaam's donkey is a vivid reminder of God's faithfulness in warning us of impending danger. Balaam's journey was marked by divine interventions, including the famous episode where his donkey saw an angel of the Lord blocking the path. This underscores the necessity of heeding God's guidance and recognizing that divine warnings are never given needlessly. Balaam's failure to heed these warnings led to his ultimate downfall, serving as a cautionary tale for us to remain attentive to God's voice and guidance in our lives. [32:03]

Numbers 22:31-33 (ESV): "Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. And the angel of the Lord said to him, 'Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me.'"

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you ignored a warning or guidance from God? How can you become more attuned to recognizing and responding to His warnings in the future?

Day 3: The Importance of Adhering to Divine Instructions

Balaam's willingness to go beyond God's word highlights the critical importance of adhering strictly to divine instructions. Despite knowing God's clear command, Balaam sought ways to circumvent it, ultimately advising Balak on how to lead the Israelites into sin. This act of disobedience brought a curse upon the Israelites and led to Balaam's downfall. The story serves as a reminder that adding to or taking away from God's word can lead to spiritual peril and must be avoided at all costs. [14:15]

Deuteronomy 4:2 (ESV): "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to alter or ignore God's instructions? What steps can you take to ensure you remain faithful to His word?

Day 4: The Dangers of False Teachings and Idolatry

The New Testament references to Balaam emphasize the ongoing relevance of his story, particularly in warning against false teachings and idolatry. The Church of Pergamos is criticized for adopting the doctrine of Balaam, which led to spiritual fornication and idolatry. This highlights the timeless relevance of Balaam's story, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and avoid the temptation of altering God's word for personal gain. The consequences of straying from God's prescribed forms of worship serve as a cautionary example for us today. [27:26]

Revelation 2:14 (ESV): "But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality."

Reflection: How can you guard against false teachings and idolatry in your own life? What practices can you implement to ensure your worship remains true to God's word?

Day 5: Prioritizing Spiritual Truth Over Material Wealth

Ultimately, Balaam's narrative is a testament to the futility of pursuing wealth at the expense of spiritual truth. His story encourages us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, trusting in His provision and guidance. Balaam's downfall serves as a reminder that material wealth is fleeting, while spiritual integrity and obedience to God are of eternal value. By focusing on our relationship with God, we can find true fulfillment and purpose in life. [26:10]

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV): "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your relationship with God over the pursuit of material wealth? How can you trust in His provision and guidance in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the intriguing story of Balaam, a prophet who, despite not being part of the Covenant people, was used by God to deliver profound prophecies. Balaam's narrative is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of adhering strictly to God's word. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Balaam was approached by King Balak of Moab, who sought to curse the Israelites. Despite God's clear instructions not to curse His people, Balaam's heart was swayed by the promise of riches, leading him to seek ways to circumvent God's command.

Balaam's journey is marked by a series of divine interventions, including the famous incident with his donkey, which saw an angel of the Lord blocking his path. This episode underscores the theme of divine warning and the necessity of heeding God's guidance. Balaam's ultimate failure was his willingness to go beyond God's word, advising Balak on how to lead the Israelites into sin, thus bringing a curse upon themselves. This act of disobedience and greed led to Balaam's downfall, serving as a stark reminder of the perils of prioritizing material wealth over spiritual integrity.

The story of Balaam is further referenced in the New Testament, where it is used as a warning against the dangers of false teachings and idolatry. The Church of Pergamos, for instance, is criticized for adopting the doctrine of Balaam, which led to spiritual fornication and idolatry. This highlights the timeless relevance of Balaam's story, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to avoid the temptation of altering God's word for personal gain.

Key Takeaways

1. Balaam's story illustrates the danger of allowing greed to overshadow obedience to God. Despite knowing God's will, Balaam's desire for wealth led him to compromise his integrity, reminding us that true fulfillment cannot be found in material riches. [10:20]
2. The incident with Balaam's donkey serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness in warning us of impending danger. We must learn to heed these divine warnings, recognizing that God never cautions us needlessly. [32:03]
3. Balaam's willingness to go beyond God's word highlights the importance of adhering strictly to divine instructions. Adding to or taking away from God's word can lead to spiritual peril and must be avoided at all costs. [14:15]
4. The New Testament references to Balaam emphasize the ongoing relevance of his story, particularly in warning against false teachings and idolatry. The Church of Pergamos serves as a cautionary example of the consequences of straying from God's prescribed forms of worship. [27:26]
5. Ultimately, Balaam's narrative is a testament to the futility of pursuing wealth at the expense of spiritual truth. His story encourages us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, trusting in His provision and guidance. [26:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Opening Prayer
[01:36] - Introduction to Balaam
[02:47] - God's Instructions to Balaam
[03:27] - Israel's Journey to Moab
[04:26] - Balak's Request to Balaam
[05:21] - Balaam's Initial Refusal
[06:34] - The Temptation of Riches
[07:38] - Balaam's Journey and the Donkey
[09:01] - The Donkey Speaks
[10:20] - Balaam's Greed and God's Warning
[12:07] - The Deceitfulness of Riches
[13:18] - Balaam's Disobedience
[15:58] - Balaam's Prophecies
[18:51] - Balak's Anger and Balaam's Advice
[23:00] - The Consequences of Balaam's Actions
[26:10] - New Testament References to Balaam
[29:41] - The Dangers of Altering God's Word
[32:44] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Balaam

Bible Reading:

Numbers 22:20 - "And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do."
Numbers 22:35 - "And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that shalt thou speak."
Revelation 2:14 - "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication."

Observation Questions:

What specific instructions did God give to Balaam regarding his journey with Balak's men? ([02:47])
How did Balaam's donkey react to the angel of the Lord, and what was Balaam's response? ([08:14])
What was the reaction of King Balak to Balaam's prophecies, and how did Balaam respond to Balak's anger? ([18:51])
How is Balaam's story referenced in the New Testament, particularly in relation to the Church of Pergamos? ([27:03])

Interpretation Questions:

What does Balaam's willingness to go with Balak's men, despite God's initial command, reveal about his character and priorities? ([10:20])
How does the incident with Balaam's donkey illustrate the concept of divine intervention and warning? What might this suggest about how God communicates with us? ([09:01])
In what ways does Balaam's story serve as a warning against the dangers of greed and the temptation to alter God's word for personal gain? ([26:10])
How does the reference to Balaam in Revelation 2:14 highlight the ongoing relevance of his story for the church today?

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you were tempted to prioritize material wealth over spiritual integrity. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? ([10:20])
Have you ever experienced a "divine warning" in your life, similar to Balaam's encounter with the angel? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([32:03])
Balaam's story warns against going beyond God's word. Are there areas in your life where you might be tempted to add to or take away from God's instructions? How can you guard against this? ([14:15])
The Church of Pergamos was criticized for adopting false teachings. How can you ensure that your faith and worship remain true to God's word, avoiding the pitfalls of idolatry and false doctrine? ([27:26])
Consider the role of greed in Balaam's downfall. How can you cultivate contentment and trust in God's provision in your own life? ([26:10])
Identify a specific area where you feel God is warning you or calling you to change. What steps can you take this week to heed that warning and align your actions with God's will? ([32:03])
How can you apply the lessons from Balaam's story to help others in your community avoid the dangers of false teachings and idolatry? What practical steps can you take to support and guide them? ([27:26])

Sermon Clips

"Lord we pray that we will take Earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest we should drift away from them. We ask you Lord this day that our hearts would be open that you might speak to us, Lord of your truths and that you might establish our hearts in the word of God and help us Lord to take heed, that we would listen to what you have said and we would not add to it or take away from it." [00:34:38]

"Balaam is an interesting character. There's a lot of enigmas surrounding this man. I do not pretend to understand how it is that a man who is not of the Covenant people, a man who was involved in enchantments, divination, and yet the Lord spoke to him and he uttered beautiful prophecies concerning the Lord and concerning the Lord's people." [00:80:82]

"Looking at the background to this story, the children of Israel have completed the 40 Years of wilderness wondering, and they are now ready to move into the land that God had promised unto them. They've come to the area of Moab which is present-day Jordan. They are encamped on the Eastern side of the Jordan River opposite the city of Jericho which will be the first city that will be conquered in the land that God had promised unto them." [00:209:64]

"Jesus warned us against the deceitfulness of riches. He said that they can choke out your life from being fruitful for him. Jesus said that these things can just come into your life and keep you from bearing fruit. Riches are deceitful because we are led to believe that money is the solution to all of my problems. We are prone to think if I just had enough money, I could solve all of my problems." [00:650:88]

"God said do not go with them, that was God's direct will. After Balaam's insistence God said all right go, but when he went and said the anger of the Lord was kindled against him. But when the servants the second group had come from King Balak, and they were offering such great riches, this is the thing that triggered the lust in the heart of the prophet in order that he might become wealthy." [00:795:36]

"There is a real danger always when a person goes beyond God's word. As we read in Deuteronomy chapter 4 the Lord said don't add to it and don't diminish from it. Moses repeated that in chapter 12. He said whatever I have commanded You observe to do it and you shall not add to it or diminish from it." [00:849:30]

"At the end of the Bible, in the last book there is quite a warning there about adding to the words or taking away from the words of the Bible. He said I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in the book." [00:879:60]

"The error of Balaam was to think that he could better himself by going Beyond God's word, and instead of bettering himself it brought his death. He put his love for money above his love for the word of God. He thought that he could cause Israel to sin and God would completely destroy them, but he forgot his own prophecy where he declared that God did not see iniquity in Jacob or perverseness in Israel." [00:1579:20]

"In the Book of Revelation as Jesus is speaking to the Church of Pergamus, he again makes reference to Balaam, and he speaks of the Church of Pergamus as having fallen into error because they were following the doctrine of Balaam, which was causing the people of God to commit idolatry and fornication." [00:1620:54]

"Adding to taking away from the word of God is a dangerous thing. Peter said God has given to us all that is necessary for this life of godliness. We don't need to add to the word we don't need and should not take away from the word of God. There are so many times when people are asking concerning the interpretation of a particular scripture." [00:1777:08]

"God never warns you needlessly. I know a lot of times we sort of like to be gracious and we say well thank you Lord for the warning but I really didn't need it that's a area where I have no problems at all. Now there are other areas I could have brought but that's one Lord I've got that one wired, but God never warns you needlessly." [00:1893:89]

"Lord today we pray that you will help us to just take your word as it is, not try to change it modify it, add to it or take away from it, but just accept it and believe it and follow it. In Jesus name, amen." [00:1991:39]

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Lessons from Balaam: Greed, Obedience, and Divine Warnings

Devotional

Day 1: The Perils of Greed Overshadowing Obedience

Day 2: Heeding Divine Warnings

Day 3: The Importance of Adhering to Divine Instructions

Day 4: The Dangers of False Teachings and Idolatry

Day 5: Prioritizing Spiritual Truth Over Material Wealth

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Lessons from Balaam: Greed, Obedience, and Divine Warnings

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