Christians: The story of Balaam - explain something to me.?
I'd actually never read the story but had heard something that I'd like you guys to confirm or deny for me.
Okay, so Balaam tried to curse the Israelites, God sent His angel to stop him, God succeeded as Balaam blessed the people rather than cursing them and later on, Balaam was "killed by the sword."
So my question is this: I'd heard that even after God told Balaam not to curse the Israelites, he did, which was why he was killed. Is this true? Or did Balaam NOT curse the Israelites at ALL after God told him not to?
THE BATTLE AXE: Without Pointing A Finger? (10/14/2013)—Often the discomfort and embarrassment listeners feel when someone preaches or testifies to them regarding Christian belief is not because the Holy Spirit is operating in the speaker. The Spirit is now operating within the listener. Where the listener acknowledges the action and presence of the divine agent within their own awareness and conscience, there is no angry accusation of finger pointing, insult, judging others, or slander. Among the special works performed by the Holy Spirit men must be made undeniably aware of their own errors, flaws, and shortcomings as created beings and living creatures who are fashioned to serve as companions to eternal deity. The sinfulness of sin must become visible. (We say, they must be convicted of sin.) Additionally, men must repent. They are moved to recognize the wrong they have done, break off any further error, display changes within their inner person, and acknowledge the atonement made on their behalf. (We say, they must return to GOD.) For these reasons, the message to mankind that believers in Jesus Christ openly proclaim to all must contain admonition, cautions, and warnings. The Gospel can not be delivered as abstract, academic, impersonal, speculative, or theoretical; and there absolutely must be depictions of the consequences for indecision, negligence, procrastinating, and further sin. It is the Holy Spirit that insures full truth will be shared showing balance, energy, kindness, and thoroughness. (We say, there must be conviction of divine love, righteousness and wisdom.) All believers accept the duty and obligation to share warnings with others who may be spiritually unprepared and unsuspecting. See 2nd Chronicles 19: 4-10, Isaiah 58: 1-14, and Ezekiel 3: 17-21 and 33: 9, 1st Thessalonians 5: 14 and John 8: 1-11, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? (2nd Samuel 7: 21-23, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Utterance is Spirit (09/08/2013); A Start for the Idea of GOD? (09/09/2013); Errors of King Solomon? (06/13/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); The Adversary? (12/05/2012); “Soul Food” (12/06/2012)
“Anthony20”, here are a few points that many find useful for understanding the account of Balaam:
(1.) Balaam is a prophet or seer, and is presented as a contrast to Moses. Also, Balaam depicts the ancient priesthood that was handed down from Adam through Cain, and that had brought the seven tribes into covenant occupying the Promised Land before the sons of Jacob and those who left Egypt.
(2.) Balaam was used by GOD as a divinely sent spokesperson who did provide authentic and legitimate utterance from the Creator. However, the anointing upon Balaam is not abiding and continual as would later be established through the ministry of Jesus Christ through the falling of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. (The sacred spirit content within Balaam comes and goes in spiritual episodes, so to speak.) Balaam therefore depicts the conflicts between flesh and spirit that typically undermine divine service.
(3.) For many, Balaam is a figure of Satan, and represents spiritual error that comes through covetousness, deception, pride, and subtlety (like the serpent in the Garden). Balaam did not discern and give warning against the operation of sin among the Moabites, or in his own attitude and response to GOD. When Balaam finally accepted that he could not speak a curse upon Israel, he encouraged a plan whereby the new covenant people would lose divine favor through fornication and the worship of idols.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) The report that Balaam’s jackass spoke to warn the prophet of divine displeasure is neither a parable (a short narrative used to provide an object lesson), nor is the account a fable (a story to amuse and entertain that uses animals and objects as speakers). Readers are to understand that the authority and power of GOD extends over the many forms of flesh and spirit that exist within the full realm of Creation.) I trust this fragment will be useful. Even so, be it unto you according to your faith. Jesus is coming.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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