Will The Real Balaam Stand Up!

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold 

the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before 

the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Revelation 2: 14

     Why take so much time about Balaam? First, and foremost, Jesus had this recorded about him and that this He opposed this doctrine of Balaam. Secondly, there is much confusion over this narrative, especially about a talking donkey, and the seemingly words about not cursing Israel as Balak wanted him to do. In fact, it sounds, when a person reads this narrative that Balaam was not a bad person. So why this condemnation towards Balaam? Thirdly, how are we to understand this narrative and how does and how can we apply it to our own lives? 

     Let us review this narrative: Moab and Ammon were descendants of Lot and Israel was living in their land and had defeated the Amorites and Balak was in great fear of Israel. One must wonder, however, just why the Moabites were so frightened. They should not have feared for their lives. The Ammonites and the Moabites were the offspring of Lot, and thus related to the Israelites. This kinship with the Moabites had a command given to the Israelites not to harm them (Deuteronomy 2:9,17-19). The war by the Israelites that had destroyed the Ammonites was fearful but the Moabites were concerned economically as well for the were fearful that the Israelites would consume the natural resources leaving less for themselves (Numbers 22:4). Balak sought a way to rid his land of the Israelites and he sent for Balaam. Why Balaam? Were there not other seers in the land? Yes! Why then Balaam? To achieve their plan to rid their land of Israel Moab conspired with the Midianites to find a man who had connections with the spiritual underworld and who could by those connections have a curse placed upon Israel. The best of the diviners was Balaam who was from Pethor, a city located along the Euphrates River. A discovery in 1933 in the city of Mari that was located in the Euphrates Valley a great number of cuneiform tablets revealed a large number of the existence of a complex cult of prophets and seers whose practices resemble those of Balaam. This makes this narrative about Balaam more understanding. Make notice of this: Israel did not send for Balaam to aid them in this struggle, it was Balak the king of the Moabites. By the use of Balaam king Balak thought that he would prevail for Balaam apparently was known to be one of the cult of seers in the Mesopotamian Valley. Albeit that this is true God can use whatever, even bad things to accomplish His purposes and we will see how God did just that with Balaam. 

     I believe that Balaam was not a true prophet of Jehovah and in fact was not even a true believer in Jehovah. What he was was a well-known diviner with a reputation for effectively cursing other nations. If Balaam did not have a reputation for effectively cursing others then why did God forbid him to do so towards Israel? Balaam's powers did not come from God but from Satan.

     Balak sent men to Pethor where Balaam lived and offered to pay him for his services (Numbers 22:8). We now begin to learn something about Balaam. Balaam did not commit at the first but had the delegation to spend the night with him and giving him the opportunity to inquire Jehovah about their offer. Balaam must have known something about the God of Israel for he used the word Yahweh instead of the generic word Elohim. He was a descendant of Abraham and Lot and would know something about the people of Israel. He would certainly know of the blessing given to Abraham and for Abraham's seed, the nation of Israel, he did live in the land where Abraham dwelt. So why ask God if it was alright for him to curse Israel? It seemed as if Balaam was asking God if it was alright for him to curse Israel. How could Balaam asked God if it was alright for him to go back to Balak so that he could curse Israel? 

     Will the real Balaam stand up! Well he will and we will come to know more about him and this narrative and why the doctrine of Balaam is opposed by God. The book of Numbers is too often passed over and not read or taught in depth but it needs to be so for in it God reveals much for us. The speaking donkey: what about that? Really, a speaking donkey? Many laugh at this narrative but it is a part of the story about Balaam and we must come to understand its truth. As I stated, I will take time to examine what is written in the Bible, its truths, and its application. 

But upon mount Zion

    shall be deliverance,

and there shall be holiness;

    and the house of Jacob

shall possess their possessions.

                 Obadiah 17

You have come to Mount Zion

Richard L. Crumb

 

Who Is This Balak? Who Is Balaam? We Need To Know Before Learning Of The Doctrine Of Balaam

But I have a few things against thee,

 because thou hast there them that 

hold the doctrine of Balaam, 

who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block 

before the children of Israel, to eat 

things sacrificed unto idols, 

and to commit fornication.

Revelation 2:14

     Who is this Balak? Who is this Balaam? What was their doctrine that was wrong? How did this doctrine of Balaam cause a stumbling block? How did this doctrine cause the Israelites to sacrifice to idols, and to commit fornication? Is there any remnant of this doctrine in our present day Churches and are you doing that which this doctrine teaches you to do or allow when in fact it is abominable to God? The answer to these questions are of the utmost importance for if they were not then the Holy Spirit would not have included them for us to read, and to avoid. 

     Balak: Who is this man? Balak was the son of Zippor king of Moab. Balak in the Hebrew language means "devastator." The context in Numbers 21 describes the problem the Hebrews had with the Amorites when they needed to pass through their land and upon the request by Moses to Sihon king of the Amorites Moses was not allowed to pass through the land. In fact Sihon went to war with Israel but he lost and Israel possessed his land. A problem that the Moab people had was that the Amorites had fought against Balak. Moses fought the Amorites killing all, none were left alive. Moab being a land connected to the land of the Amorites caused great fear to Balak so he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor to speak to the Israelites. In fact before they did this they cried out to their gods and upon the divination they went to Balaam with the words of Balak. Here is where this story gets interesting: The Moabite's god was Chemosh (Numbers 21:29; Jeremiah 48:7,13,46) and the means "destroyer, or "subduer," of "fish god." This god  was the deity of the Ammonites as well. Later King Solomon introduced this worship to Israel (1Kings 11:7) but later it was abolished by Josiah (2Kings 23:13). Jeremiah reminds us this: "Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and they daughters captives" (Jeremiah 48:46). Chemosh is Mesha-melek meaning Chemosh is king and indicates that Chemose and Malik or Moloch were one and the same deity. Both are noted in Judges 11:24 that Chemosh and Moloch is their god (1King 11:7,33). Chemosh and Molech have the same origins and both the people of Moab and Ammon were descended from the two sons of Lot (they were half-brothers by his two daughters, Moab and Ben-Ammi. Remember, we are always having to deal with the consequences of our actions, beliefs, so we must be careful and any study about Lot and how there came to be these two sons is a good and beneficial study but I do not have the time to bring a study on this at this time for we are dealing with the narrative about the doctrine of Balaam. 

     Balak was fearful of the Israelites and sought help from his god and wanted to use Balaam in this effort to protect his people from the Israelites that had destroyed the Ammorites a neighboring people. Balak at first conferred with his ally the Midianites before sending his elders to seek Balaam's curse on the Israelites. The mission to have Balaam to curse the Israelites was in vain so Balak attempted to ally with the Midianites so that the Midanites would cause the Israelites to commit fornication with their maids. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham borne by the wife Abraham, Keturah (Genesis 25:1). They lived in the land of Moab so Balak had some relationship with them so that he could ask them to seduce Israel. We can read in Numbers 31:17-18: Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known a man intimately, spare for yourselves." Why spare the virgins? They would not be able to perpetuate the Midianites. But here is a problem: these virgins were believers in Chemosh and Molech and would be involved in seducing Israel to go after false gods. Israel would join in the worship to Baal of Peor angering God and Moses when coming to knowledge about this had the men killed who worshiped to Baal of Peor: (Numbers 25:1-5).

     I have taken time to give some historical information so that you can see that Balak while being afraid of Israel went to an ally who apparently knew that they were evil and would be willing as he thought to fight and seduce Israel. He was wrong that they would openly confront Israel but they did as they say in computer lingo, going in the back door. Balak had another plan and this was to use Balaam and Balaam was to curse Israel. Balak was hoping by this means to drive the Israelites out of their land. 

     Well, I did not get to the doctrine of Balaam that God resented and spoke against the Church at Pergamon. Monday I will address this doctrine and until then I suggest that you read about Balak and Balaam in Numbers starting at Chapter 22. I know you will have questions and I hope to be able to answer those questions. As you can see we must take time to understand historically so that we can decipher the meaning and how it applies to us. 

     Be preparing now for the Sabbath.

Behold, O God our shield, and look

    upon the face of thine anointed. 

For a day in thy courts is better than

    a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper

in the house of my God, than to dwell in

    the tents of wickendness.

                    Psalm 84:9-10

Your faith will grow and your salvation assured

Richard L. Crumb

 

Learning About Ourselves By Our Study Of The Church In Pergamon

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write: 

 These things saith He which hath the sharp sword 

with two edges; I know thy works, and where 

thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is:

 and thou holdest fast my name, and hast 

not denied My faith, even in those days 

wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, 

who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 

But I have a few things against thee, because

 thou hast there them that hold the 

doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast 

a stumbling block before the children of Israel, 

to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and 

to commit fornication. So hast thou also them 

that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, 

which thing I hate.

Revelation 2:12-15 

     In these verses there are many things to consider so it will take time to do justice towards our study. Before we begin deeply let us take time to know something about Pergamon to help us understand why such things about Satan were spoken of in the letter to the Church located in Pergamon. Pergamon is located near the Agean Sea just before the Black Sea. Paul traveled through this city on his third missionary journey passing through Troas and on to Greece. Pergamon is located in Turkey in the land known as Asia Minor. Pergamon was briefly the capital of the Roman province of Asia, before the capital was transferred to Ephesus. At one point in history this city was a bustling prominent city. In this city was the Sanctuary of Ascelepius, the god of healing. I know about him not only from my studies but as a Corpsman in the Navy on my shoulder was the cadusa, two snakes wrapped around a staff the symbol of Ascelepius. In this city was a bath for healing, a sacred spring and people would come believing that Asclepius would appear in a vision to tell them how to cure their illnesses. Gifts and dedication, such as small terracotta body parts, no doubt representing what had been healed. Also another famous doctor, Galen and a personal physician of the emperor Marcus Aurelius, worked in the Asclepium. A great temple of the Egyptian gods Isis and/or Serapis was located in Pergamon. In 92 A.D. Saint Antipas, the first bishop of Pergamum who was ordained by John the Apostle, was killed in this temple and burned alive inside a Brazen Bull incense burner, which represented the bull god of Apis. Several sanctuaries were located in this city, and a shrine were the kings of Prgamon were worshipped. Also in this city was a temple of Dionysus. 

     There is much more about this city and its importance but it enough now about this city to understand that there were things occurring that needed to be addressed. As we come to know about this city, its warnings and admonitions we will grow in our faith, out dedication to Jesus adding to us assurance about out Authentic Christian Faith. 

     A two-edged sword: what is it? First, a sword is a bladed weapon that is intended to slash and to be able to be thrust. It is a weapon found in many cultures, a weapon of war, or defense, hard to defend, able to destroy the enemy. In Psalm the sword is mentioned: "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty" (Psalm 45:3). This verse speaks of Jesus Christ and we have reference to His glory and mightiness (Isaiah 9:6). We have reference for us to know what this two-edged swords represents: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of he joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of he heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Who is the word of God? John 1:1 tells us that it is Jesus Christ, and in Hebrews we find that the two-edged sword is Jesus Christ who knows all things, is powerful and mighty and divides all things. Jesus knows your works, your thoughts, and your motives. Motives are derived from the heart so God knows your heart. The seat of Satan is often in our hearts, for he does not have a chair, a seat, an object as such for he is a spirit but he is able to lead you to have for him a place, a seat in your heart. Jesus knows where the throne of Satan is, and so you too, making you to examine all things, especially things that are spoken of by men or women in the Church for it is to those in the Church that these letters are written. Church members in that day held to the faith of Jesus Christ and did not deny the name of Jesus even when Antipas was killed, in this city were Satan has thrones, shrines, and temples, and worship of those gods of Egypt. 

     With all their faith they still had problems that needed to be addressed. I will address those problem in the next blogs but until then we must see how what has been discussed today and how it applies to us now. We live in a world of sin, a world ruled by Satan and by his influence upon those who will not accept who Jesus is and that they need a Savior. Abortion, homosexuality, lust, coveting, the need for entertainment (not speaking of moral and good entertainment) even if it is promoting those who sing, or speak evil things, and those preachers who shout and scream and teach evil practices: this is the land in which we live. It is not all that different from living in Pergamon. We need to be on guard, to have a weapon to defend ourselves and we have this two-fold: 1: Jesus Christ, the word of God who knows our plight and struggles. 2: We have the written word of God by which we can know how we are to fight this fight of faith. One does not have to look far to see that Satan has influence cultures from the beginning of the fall of Adam and Eve. Satan has a seat in this world through many who will not believe and convert to Jesus Christ. Antipas was killed, not by Christians, but by those people who believed in false gods. False gods are not just some religious god, no some are made gods due to their celebrity. 

      With your faith albeit a true faith, it may, as it was in Pergamon, have faults that must be addressed. If one is to be an Authentic Christian and ensure that Satan has not found a place to sit in your heart, your motives, your emotions, and exercise of faith, then we need to examine ourselves: (1Thessalonnians 5:21). The question: will you do it? Do you have an ear to hear? I pray that this is so!

They that sanctify themselves, 

     and purify themselves in the gardens 

behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh,

    and the abomination, and the mouse, 

shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

    For I know their works and their thoughts:

it shall come, that I will gather all nations 

     and tongues; and they shall come, 

and see my glory. 

      Isaiah 66:17-18

Do not allow Satan to have a place in you

Richard L. Crumb