2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
As you know from yesterday’s message, Peter spends considerable time describing false teachers for the dispersed early church, the first recipients of his letter. Today, we will continue looking at the part of this description in 2 PET 2: 14-16. “They want to look at nothing but immoral women; their appetite for sin is never satisfied. They lead weak people into a trap. Their hearts are trained to be greedy. They are under God’s curse! They have left the straight path and have lost their way; they have followed the path taken by Balaam son of Beor, who loved the money he would get for doing wrong and was rebuked for his sin. His donkey spoke with a human voice and stopped the prophets’ insane action.” In reading (14) the name of Jimmy Swaggert popped into my head. Of course, he is not the only church leader who went wrong, but his example really fit the bill. This is a charismatic man who had quite a following. Some rag sheet reporter got wind of the fact that he was visiting a prostitute and published that fact. Swaggert was in no position to refute this report, so he decided to get on TV and tearfully “repent” of his actions. His congregation gave him a second chance, until proof was once again presented that he was continuing to commit the same sin. The sad part of this is that his congregation had supported him with a great deal of money. If you reread RO 1: 18-32 discussed in yesterday’s message, it isn’t hard to see Swaggert’s behavior fitting into the pattern it describes.
The story of Balaam of Beor can be found in the Torah in NU 22: 1-35, which I hope you will read. Let me give you the gist of it here. The Israelites had just won a battle with the Ammorites led by King Sihon, capturing the land between the Arnon River north to the Jabbok River (a portion of modern day Jordan east of the Jordan River) [NU 21: 24]. This included the capital city of Heshbon. Later, they moved north to Bashan (east of the Sea of Galilee) and captured that territory, killing its king Og [NU 21: 33-35]. Both of these victories are examples of God keeping his promise that the Israelites would be able to vanquish their Canaanite enemies. These recent victories were the reason King Balak of Moab, south of the former Ammorite territory, was in no mood to welcome the advancing Israelites. When Balak was speaking to the leaders of the Midianites in NU 22: 4, he described the situation by saying, “This horde will soon destroy everything around us, like a bull eating the grass in the pasture.” That is what prompted Balak to send for Balaam son of Beor who lived at Pethor near the Eurphrates River [NE of Moab] with the message, “I want you to know that a whole nation has come from Egypt; its people are spreading out everywhere and threaten to take over our land. They outnumber us, so please come and put a curse on them for me…when you pronounce a blessing, people are blessed, and when you pronounce a curse, they are placed under a curse” [NU 22: 5-6].
As the story unfolds, Balaam is on his way to Moab on his donkey, having been met by some of Balak’s men. God speaks to Balaam in (12), “Do not put a curse on the people of Israel. They have my blessing.” When Balak was informed that Balaam was refusing to come, he promised to reward him with silver and gold (17). Balaam said he would not disobey God. But God came upon him that night and told him to get ready to go, but to do only what He instructed him to do. The next morning Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite leaders who had come to fetch him (18-20). Suddenly, the donkey came to a stand still on the road, as the angel of God stood before him. The donkey couldn’t see the angel, and Balaam beat the donkey in an effort to get it to move. Then the angel stood in a narrow place where there was no room to pass on either side. This time, the donkey saw the angel and laid down on the road. Balaam was furious and began to beat the donkey with a stick. Then the Lord gave the donkey the power of speech, and it spoke to Balaam. “Why have you beaten me these three times? What have I done to you?” (26-28). “You have made a fool of me,” Balaam answered. “If I had a sword, I would kill you!” (29-30). NU 22: 31, “Then, the Lord let Balaam see the angel standing there with his face downward on the ground….’I have come to bar your way, because you should not be making this journey,’ the angel said (31-32). Balaam acknowledged his sin and said he would return home. But the angel told him to go on his way, but to say only what God tells him to say (34-35).
Balaam goes on to offer several prophecies directed by God which bless Israel, something that displeases Balak greatly. One in particular is of momentous importance to us. NU 24: 17-19. Let me share the KJV words, so that those of you who sing will have the fun of recognizing where the words of that incredible Christmas piece [“A Star Rising From Jacob”] come from. These words are such a wonderful gift to all of us. “I shall see Him, but not now: I shall behold Him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. And Edom shall be a possession for His enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come He that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.” Obediah [see OBAD 4] tells us what happened to Edom, and we know that Israel, with God’s help, eventually vanquished all her Canaanite enemies.
The most powerful lesson that comes out of all of this is the reminder that God is supreme and has the power to overcome the lies of false teachers. When we put our faith and trust in Him, when we are willing to open our hearts to the words of the Scriptures and communicate with God in prayer, He gives us the discernment we need through the Holy Spirit to recognize the lies of false teachers. He also gives us the courage to reject them. PHIL 4: 13 gives us comfort in this process. “I have strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.”
PRAYER: O Lord, You want us to understand and recognize the qualities of a false teacher, so You can protect us. That is why You have given us Peter’s letter and all the examples in the Scriptures that deal with this subject. These are the actions of a loving Abba Who cares deeply about the welfare of His children. We were led today to read that all important prophecy of Balaam, the man who meant to curse Israel and who instead, by Your intervention, blessed her. In this example You not only revealed Your love for Israel, but demonstrated it to all mankind. The prophecy of Your Son, the “Star rising from Jacob,” has come true and will come true again. The first time, the people didn’t recognize Who He was, and so they rejected Him. Because of the faith You have given us, we know His true identity and eagerly await the day when He will come again to meet us in the clouds. In the meanwhile, we pledge to You that we will strive to remain obedient to and trusting of You. We humbly offer you our worship, adoration, thanks, praise, and all the glory for being the Parent You are. In Christ’s name, amen.
Peter takes up the subject of the fate of false teachers in 2 PET 2: 17-22, the subject of tomorrow’s message. I hope the remarkable teachings of Peter’s letter bless your life as they are blessing mine. Our Lord’s love for us is threaded throughout them. His desire to equip us to do spiritual warfare and to protect us from these “wolves in sheep’s clothing” is there for us to see. Join me in basking in the warmth of His love today and every day. My husband, Peter, and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn