If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold

When Balak realized how many Israelites were camped east of the Jordan River, and how they had conquered the Amorites, he sent messengers to Balaam to come and put a curse of the Israelites, so he could drive them out of his land. Balaam saddled his donkey and started off with the messengers. But God, who had already told Balaam not to curse the Israelites, was angry with Balaam’s eager attitude, so he sent an angel to stand in the road to stop him. The donkey could see the angel (Balaam could not) and shied away. After Balaam beat the donkey, the Lord caused the donkey to speak, rebuking Balaam for beating him. God then allowed Balaam to see the angel.

When Balaam realized he had sinned by traveling to Moab, he offered to go back home, but the angel told him to go on to Moab, and to say what the angel told him to say. When Balaam meets Balak, he blesses the Israelites instead of cursing them. Balak went into a rage, but Balaam reminded him that he could not go beyond the Words of god. Balaam then prophesies to Balak on the future destruction of Moab and other surrounding countries, by Israel. Balaam and Balak then return to their homes. Later when Moses and the Israelites fought Sihon and the other Kings of Midian, Balaam was killed in the battle.

Balaam is mentioned in 2 Peter 2:15, and Jude, verse 11, as one who would do wrong for the love of money. Jude 11 puts Balaam in company with some other compromised men. “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.” What a horrible way to be known. I fear that I am live and serve among a generation of ministers who are willing to change the message they preach for the love of money and fame.

I am glad to see that Balaam, after hearing from the Lord, realized that he could not “go beyond the commandment of the LORD” not even for a “house full of silver and gold”. I pray that as preachers of the prosperity gospel, compromise, and licentious living read the Bible they will hear from God and repent of these “error of Balaam”. They may be treating the Bible as an animal they use as a tool to get them where they want to go. They may be looking into their Bible to scripture to twist scripture to manipulate their congregation to follow their selfish ambitions. I pray that they will hear from God and repent! May they pray the prayer of Balaam.

If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? Numbers 24:13

I pray that I nor my fellow colaborers ever waiver as Balaam. With positions offered and house of silver offered to us may we also know we “cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord”. My we see money as worthless outside of its use to glorify our Lord!