8th.: Balaam’s Counsel to the Moabites
Balaam obeyed God.
Then he subverted God's plans.
Balaam taught Balak how to make the nation of Israel sin.
The following Bible verses tell us how he did this.
Rev. 2:14, “… Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.”
Numbers 31:16,
“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 Israel.” (Num. 31:16)
Numbers 25:1
“... the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.” (Num. 25:1)
The Moabites learned their lessons well.
The daughters of Moab seduced the men of Israel to worship Baalpeor and not God (Num. 25:2).
Why did Balaam do this?
2nd Pet. 2:15 tells us that Balaam wanted the money.
Jude 1:11 repeats Peter’s claim.
In conclusion, Balaam honored God with His lips.
But his heart went after the Moabite money and honor.
Do we draw near to God with our prayers,
while subverting God’s plans with the advice we give to others?
“This people draws near unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” (Matt. 15:8)