Greedy Men of God - Numbers 21-24

 Numbers 24:10-14 (ESV)

And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the LORD has held you back from honor.” And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the LORD speaks, that will I speak’? And now, behold, I am going to my people. Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”

Balak was the king of Moab.  He saw the nation of Israel outside his boarders and heading his way and wanted to find a way to stop them.  No other nation was able to defeat Israel in battle.  So, Balak thought, why not find the local prophet and have him curse Israel.  That prophet was Balaam.  He apparently was a prophet of God, but one for hire.  However, to Balak’s dismay, rather than curse Israel, Balaam instead blessed them, not just once but three times.  That, of course, infuriated Balak and instead of paying Balaam (this prophet for hire) he simply sent him away.   Balaam tried to explain that he told Balak he could only do what God told him to do.   In the subsequent chapters Balaam will find a way to secure his wanted treasures form Balak through the deception of Israel rather than a curse.   But, if the story would have ended as the above passage reads, Balaam would have been a great prophet of God.  But, if you read the next chapter you see he is just full of greed like many other “religious” leaders:

Luke 11:39 (ESV)

And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

Like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, Balaam was full of greed on the inside.  He talked a great game (as in the above passage) but he will soon simply be willing to sell his soul for a few bucks.  His words were pure as we read them above.  But his heart is only looking out for himself.   That is not a good combination for a man of God.