Unnecessary Carnage

I was teaching the Balaam story when it dawned on me that Balaam actually caused deaths of people who were never supposed to be destroyed, even displaced by Israel.

And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession. (Deuteronomy 2:9)

It is therefore painful to imagine that Balaam’s greed changed God’s purpose not only or Israel but even more drastically for Moab. All because he became inward looking in his ministry.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1Peter 5:2)

He therefore failed to access God’s secret counsel that is reserved for those who are committed to His purpose.

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (Psalm 25:14)

But I am getting ahead of myself. I have posted that discussion under ‘Balaam and Politically Correct Answers’ and I think it would be useful if you read that post also.

God had no issues with Moab. The problem was that their king did not have that information. He needed a prophet to get him into God’s picture. Sadly, his offer to Balaam blinded the prophet from hearing from God, leading to a curse on Moab instead of a blessing. But it was even worse, it brought about their extermination.

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. (Numbers 31:16)

Balaam’s self interest had caused God to change His design for the Moabites. See what He said

An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. (Deuteronomy 23: 3, 4)

All because a prophet became so focused on himself to get God’s picture.

Why do I say so? I doubt that God’s order for Balaam not to curse Israel was the conclusion of the matter. He surely had a better design for Moab due to their links with Israel.

Had Balaam stopped thinking that God had blocked him from a ministry opportunity, he may have been able to hear God’s next order.

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. (Numbers 22:13)

He thought that God was denying him an opportunity to minister to a king, and of course benefit from his largesse. No wonder God allowed him to accompany them the second time. He looked at God with the theology many people have, the ultimate pleasure killer, forgetting that He created us out of love and not as objects to play with. He created us in His image to be His partners and not toys.

Sadly, that premise, faulty as it is, has very dangerous repercussions as we see with Balaam. You see, if in my mind God does not love me, I owe no loyalty or love to him. I will obey Him only to be safe from His whip and nothing else. I may even be looking for a way to get back at Him.

But it was not only Balaam who displayed that theology. Manasseh, the one whose sin God said no one could pray for forgiveness about, was the product of such a mindset.

And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 15:4)

Hezekiah wept bitterly when told that his life was over. Like Balaam he thought that God was denying him a good life after all that good work he had done. And like with Balaam he was allowed to live on, opening him to the disaster God was preventing by taking his life.

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. (Jeremiah 7:16)

His answered prayer had locked other prayers from being accepted by God. And the captivity was the direct product of that answered prayer and bitter weeping.

Could we be cursing generations in our search of comfort or relevance as we minister to God’s people? Could we be negatively changing destinies of those people following our leadership because we value the titles we hold above the One we pledge allegiance to?

How do I know whether I am pursuing Balaam’s ministry route as I minister?

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (Jude 1:11)

We look at the three errors in these Biblical characters. Cain loved prominence. He killed his brother instead of seeking to find out what he needed to obtain the favor Abel had obtained. If you are threatened when you see emerging ministers, it is very possible that you are operating in the same spirit.

Balaam sought a reward. If you think or seek greener pastures when you think of ministry, it is very possible that Balaam’s spirit guide’s you. Korah on his part probably thought he was a better leader than Moses. Again if you must always be a leader or be in leadership, it is probable that you are operating in his spirit.

Contrast that with Christ’s Spirit.

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10: 44, 45)

Use that as a guide to your ministry or other leadership. Use that to gauge your pastors and prophets.

If your prophet is keen only to see the fulfillment of his prophecy without caring for those he is prophesying to, if he delights more in the recognition he gets when his prophecy hits the bull’s eye, if his prophecy looks for prominence, if he only prophesies good and acceptable things, he is possibly using Balaam’s spirit.

If your pastor has a soft spot for the rich and powerful and shields himself from the needy or needs in his congregation, he also is operating in the same spirit.

But I write to remind us that such doctrine or practice have the capacity like Balaam’s to lead hordes to hell who are confident they are on their way to heaven. In Jeremiah God called such prophets teachers of rebellion. They sought to soften God’s blow on Judah’s sin instead of showing them the way to repentance.

Go to hell alone if you have to. Do not increase your punishment by loving your pocket or comfort too much. Probably that is why these verses are so important.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7: 21 – 23)

Do not feel bad that I am always quoting them. I only appreciate the gravity of their implications. I want to always remember that it is possible to succeed here and fail to make it to heaven.