Numbers 22:31-32 (ESV Strong's)
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.
God Knows Our Hearts!
The above verses are taken right out of the middle of the story of Balak, the King of Moab, who set out to hire the prophet Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam, listening to God, had originally told him no. God told Balaam no, so Balaam told Balak no. However, Balak came a second time, with more money and more honor on the line for Balaam. God gives Balaam permission to go with Balak, but ONLY if he spoke what God wanted him to speak. This is where Balaam gets dreams of riches and honor. He mounts his donkey and heads out, thinking there was a big payout at the end of the journey. But, God knew his heart. God knew he was in it for the riches and not for obedience to God. Note how Peter uses Balaam as an example of those who evil hearts, when he writes to the early church:
2 Peter 2:15
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.
Peter states the Balaam was full of “madness” in his going to Balak. God knew his heart and stopped him from cursing Israel for money. Balaam would eventually give Balak the advice he needed to defeat Israel, however. He would follow the evil, madness of his heart and get his earthly reward. But, Balaam is forever known as the prophet who forsook God for money and personal gain. God stopped him once, because God knew his heart. But, the evilness in his heart eventually won out. God knows our hearts and gives us the Spirit of God to empower us to follow Him. But, He does not force us to follow Him. Balaam loved gain more than God. It was deep in his heart.
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