“These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD’s people. [Numbers 31.16]
The Bible gives no direct record that Balaam gave any advice to anyone. In fact, Balaam only blessed Israel with his words. However, Balaam's actions accomplished something entirely different.
“But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. [Revelation 2.14]
Balaam taught Balak by showing him how to trip up Israel. In other words, it was not what Balaam said, but what he did that taught Balak how to hurt Israel. In Revelation 2.14, Jesus said Balaam did two things that betrayed Israel: he ate food offered to idols and committed sexual sin. Here is the only circumstance we have in the narrative about Balaam that might have provided that opportunity:
Balaam replied, “Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth.” Then Balaam accompanied Balak to Kiriath-huzoth, where the king sacrificed cattle and sheep. He sent portions of the meat to Balaam and the officials who were with him. The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see some of the people of Israel spread out below him. [Number 22.38-41]
Balaam accompanied Balak for what became an overnight stay at Kiriath-huzoth, and, Balaam dined on food Balak had offered to idols.
We can only assume that an overnight stay with or near an idol-worshiping king and his entourage would place Balaam in or very near a place of sexual compromise, not to mention the matter of food offered to idols. This is especially true as Balak would have been a worshiper of Chemosh, who promoted all manner of sexual perversions and the sacrifice of children.
Did Balaam actually consume the food offered to idols and participate in the sexual practices of Balak's idols during his overnight stay? It would only be an assumption to believe so had Jesus not said Balaam did so. The overnight stay alluded to in Numbers 22.38-41 would most likely have provided that opportunity.
Regardless what we think happened in Balaam's time with Balak, Numbers 31.8 ranks Balaam high in his offense against Israel as he is included in the list of those who were significant enemies of Israel (and therefore killed):
All five of the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. [Numbers 31.8]
The point is, however, that Balaam, by his actions, showed (demonstrated to) Balak how he could trip up Israel: by offering them food offered to idols and by seducing them into sexual sin. It is entirely possible that Balaam was none the wiser to the magnitude of his indiscretion. Whether it was Balaam's tolerance of or full-blown participation in this night of food and sex didn't matter to God and Israel - Balaam betrayed Israel and died for it.
Now, before we discount the harshness of the implications of this story as "Old Testament" and begin our thanksgiving for Jesus, we should be reminded that it is Jesus speaking to John after His Advent to earth Who, in Revelation 4.12, defines Balaam's indiscretion as a New Testament Church problem for which they will be accountable at the end of time!
The Church today may indeed be saying all the right things. But what is the New Testament Church doing? Is the New Testament Church sending people to hell by its actions regardless of its words?
Father, may Balaam's story be a wake-up call to the Church today as Jesus warned of Balaam's indiscretion in New Testament times. Help us understand that holiness still matters today. So be it.
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