10 September, 2019
"The Great Story Of Balaam & Balak"
Potential Discussion Questions
Suggested Commentary on "Potential Discussion Questions"
(1) Often, via their own sinful nature (i.e., Exodus 32, etc) ...
Balak and his people are Israelites enemies. Balak is trying to attack the Israelities via spiritual warfare - He is trying to being curses upon them (i.e., Numbers 22:6). God did not accept Balak / Balaam's request to bring curse upon the Israelites (Numbers 22-24). However, Balak eventually succeeds, partly, by enticing many Isralites into sin (Numbers 25:1-9, Revelation 2:14), which resulted in the death of 24,000 Israelites.
Prominent enemies:- (1) Sinful natures of oneself and others around, (2) Satan and his army of fallen angels. Often Christians have natural enemies (i.e., John 15:20), because many also hate the message of the Gospel, which includes judgement against unrepentant sin (i.e., John 3:16, Revelation 20:7-15, etc).
Israelites even did not know that they were being attacked, by Balak via spiritual warfare (i.e., Numbers 23:11, etc). We, Christians, also often do not realize in what ways we are being attacked.
Notice how God is protecting the Israelites (Numbers 22-24). Likewise, God is also always protecting us Christians. However, one's sins can still enable enemies to bring upon harm, as we learn from Numbers 25:1-9, Revelation 2:14.
In a way, Balak would correspond to all those on who judgement is impending because of not being reconciled with God yet (i.e., John 3:16, Revelation 20:7-15, etc). Even more, among those, who are trying to persecute Christians.
Balak, foolishly thought, he can overcome the impending judgement of God (i.e., Numbers 24:14) by destroying the Israelites via spiritual warfare (i.e., Numbers 22:6). He partly succeeded in harming the Israelites by enticing many of them to sin, which resulted in the death of 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:1-9, Revelation 2:14). But none of such efforts can anyways stop God from bringing judgement on people, like him, who are not reconciled with Him (i.e., Numbers 24:14). Instead, Balak should have repented from his sins and reconciled with God!
Balaam's story is quite tragic / unfortunate. He had such gifts and privileges to be envious of. Yet, he foolishly got enticed by God's enemy Balak's riches & power, and went in the completely wrong direction of life (i.e., ended up bringing great harm upon God's people - Numbers 25:1-9, Revelation 2:14). In the beginning he clearly understood who God was and what the Israelites meant to God (i.e., Numbers 24:1,9,15-24 etc). Yet how foolishly he lost his way into rebellion with the al-mighty God. He must have become so much blinded by Balak's riches and power - to choose Balak over God, given Balak was nothing compared to God. How many have we seen in the history of humanity - completely loosing their way in life, despite having a great, privileged start in life?! So, there is lots to learn from Balak's life! In this world, you will be continuously tempted in many, great and powerful ways- be very careful!
(See above for Balak's mistakes)