Balaam's Abuse
of Privilege
Balaam,
a Prophet none the less took advantage of a people’s ignorance. There were
these pagans who felt threatened by God’s people camped nearby, and rightly so,
for they would not cooperate with them. They had seen another people’s demise
for not cooperating with God’s people and they feared their God.
The
Bible says that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and is wisdom.
But that is not the case for those not chosen of God. They do not become wise.
As in this case, instead of attaining salvation and joining them, they sought
after Balaam to destroy them.
In
their ignorance, or lack of wisdom that only comes from God, they believed
Balaam could get God to do what they asked Balaam to have God do. After all,
Balaam could have an audience with the LORD when he desired to speak with Him and
Balaam Prophet-ed financially from them, by approaching God with their
requests.
The
pagans did not even have enough understanding, which also comes from the LORD,
to accept it when Balaam told them he could not change God's mind. So they
tried to persuade Balaam by lavishing him with gifts and by giving him a
position of authority. They believed his attempt would be worth the investment
and by their persuasion they could get their desired results. And Balaam took
advantage of their ignorance for profit.
Balaam
truly was a Prophet. And Balaam truly could have conversations with God. He
would talk to God and God would talk to him. But unfortunately for Balaam, God
talked to him in the same manner as he talked to Cain. Both did not serve God
in his decreed order.
This
is abuse of privilege at the highest level. Well, maybe almost. Balaam was a
problem because he profited from the ignorance of pagan's. God would never listen
to them anyway. They serve gods of their own creation and imagination, gods
that do not exist. There is only one God in three persons, the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
But
wait a minute. Let’s think about this for a while. Perhaps a Prophet that
profits financially from believers is even a greater abuse of privilege. In
fact, if that prophet is not a Prophet after all but a false prophet he is in
big trouble. It will be worse for him than if a millstone were tied around his
neck if he were to harm one of God’s children. There is prophecy that states
that there has and will be false prophets, teachers of error, and false
Christ's, until the end of the age.
Do
you study the Bible as you have been instructed to do, to show yourself to God
and others, and to show yourself that you are in fact approved of God? Are you
in a constant state of refinement as you come into greater knowledge of his
word?
We must all be teachable.
