This week we read about Balaam. Balaam the Prophet of God who is for hire. The word of God calls Balaam the Prophet of God. Yet when you read the entire story you realize that Balaam was created to be the Prophet of God. He traded his purpose for power and riches. If you read outside sources like the Book of Jasher you will learn about Balaam. Balaam would go from nation to nation looking for power and wealth. He became famous from a young age for his divination. He ended up in Egypt for a season. Pharaoh had a dream where he lost his kingdom. Balaam gives Pharaoh the interpretation of the dream. Balaam tells Pharaoh an Israelite will rise up and take Pharaoh’s kingdom away from him. Balaam then tells Pharaoh to kill all the male babies to prevent this Israelite from stealing his kingdom. When Moses comes back to Egypt and confronts Pharaoh Balaam is one of the magicians that throws down his staff and it becomes a serpent.

Balaam would go from kingdom to kingdom looking for power, fame and fortune. Balaam was hired by King Sihon of the Amorites to curse the Moabites. That is why after Israel defeated King Sihon Balak sends for Balaam to curse Israel. Here is Balak say to Balaam:

Numbers 22:6
“Please come and curse these people for me because they are too powerful for me. Then perhaps I will be able to conquer them and drive them from the land. I know that blessings fall on any people you bless, and curses fall on people you curse.””

Balak has experienced Balaam’s curses. Now he desires to do to Israel what the Amorites did to him.

Balaam and Balak are politicians they were created to serve people. They were created to lead people. They used the gifts God gave them for personal gain. The gifts and callings will make room for themselves. They used the gifts for power, fame, and fortune. Look at our politicians today, are they any different than Balak and Balaam? Balaam after he could not curse Israel which cost him riches showed Balak how to snare Israel. He told Balak to have the women of Moab seduce the men and have them join in their worship of their idols.

If we take the last 3 weeks of Parashats and put them together. We learn to be careful who you listen to. 10 men who served as spies cost a whole generation their promise. Loss of a loved ones caused Moses to become frustrated and he struck the Rock when God told him to speak to the Rock. Anger caused Moses to lose out on the Promise. No one is immune to disobeying God. Now be watchful of the seduction that is coming. Be mindful of who you allow to speak into your life. Be careful of the media you allow to influence you. Don’t let something to manipulate you and pull your strings. Be angry and sin not. It is a time of speaking not striking. Don’t let something seduce you into doing or saying something you shouldn’t do. Look at the events over the past week. Assignation attempt on a former President. Don't let anything move you unless it is the Lord, Himself. Don’t be seduced into anger, rage, or violence. We are in a speaking decade not a striking one. We do not war against flesh and bone. People are not the enemy. The spirits manipulating them is the enemy. Speak to them and pull down their strongholds.