Beware of False Teachers - Numbers 21-24

Numbers 22:4-7 (ESV)

And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message.

Balaam was a non-Israelite sooth-sayer who was called upon the king of Moab, Balak, to curse Israel.    Apparently he was a pagan prophet that actually did have some powers to curse and bless people.  The pagan world was very much filled with this type of prophet for pay individual.  Balak thought to use this pagan ritual to destroy Israel.  

Balaam is the example of the word’s approach to their struggle to live along God’s people.   Balaam is forbidden from actaully cursing Israel.  Instead, he will bless the three times.  Put like most prophets for pay, he would not be undone.   He eventually earns his money and creates a compromise trap for Israel.   His thought was, “If God won’t let me curse them, I can at least use their debased nature to compromise them.”   That is what he does.   Peter calls Balaam the perfect example of a false teacher (as does Jude and John in The Revelation).  Note:

2 Peter 2:14-16 (ESV)

They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 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.

False teachers have many tools.  They don’t have to curse you and make your life miserable.   They can simply entice you and make your life a compromise.   Beware of the Balaams in life.