Kyrios Tapeza
“The LORD’S TABLE”
March 8th, 2022
Jude 1:11 “Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.”
3 individuals mentioned in this morning’s verse : Cain; Balaam and Korah. What is their common denominator :
- What is the “path of Cain?”
- What is the “error of Balaam?”
- What is the “Korah rebellion”?
This morning, our daily manna leads us to the “error of Balaam”. You must read about this man in Genesis 22 – 25, 31. A prophet from Mesopotamia, in whom the King of Moab seeks help as they nation of Israel is advancing toward Moab after a victorious fight with the Amorites. The first delegation from King Balak arrives to enquire of Balaam and GOD tells him to have nothing to do with them. “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” Numbers 22:12.
After the first visit another, more prestigious delegation approaches with great riches. Balaam wants to go with them and GOD allows him to go. Balaam lusts after the riches and prestige offered to him and here we see that GOD gives Balaam over to his own sin. THE GREEDY ERROR OF BALAAM was that HE WAS WILLING TO COMPROMISE EVERYTHING FOR MONEY! This statement is true -“There is not a single sin that a greedy corrput woman and man will not commit for the sake of money”
GOD warns Balaam to turn back when he was on the way to see Balak. Yet his heart was set on the rich reward King Balak promised and he continued on. Balaam even ignors the talking donkey, sent to warn him to turn back.Is it true that, many Christians would never deny Jesus under persecution, but might deny Him if offered a large sum of money? I believe it is very true and it has been done – people will sell their own children and organs for money!
Balaam knew that he had done wrong. In Numbers 22:34, he said to GOD “I have sinned… Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back”. But he didn’t turn back. He continued on. When GOD has spoken to you and His answer is,no: please, in your finite stubborn head; No literally means, no! GOD gave Balaam what his sinful heart desired.
Remember the commandment, “”Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’. (Exodus 20:17).
When he was unsuccessful in cursing Israel, Balaam advised Balak on how to bring Israel under a curse. Instead of trying to have a prophet curse Israel, he should lead her into fornication and idolatry and then God would curse a disobedient Israel. King Balak did just that, sending his young women into the camp of Israel to lead Israel into sexual immorality and idolatry. Because of the people’s sin, God did curse Israel – He brought a plague of judgment upon Israel that killed 24,000
Covetousness is a dangerous sin and it killed Jesus – 30 pieces of silver helped put Jesus on the cross. This sin has also destroyed marriages, family relationships, ruined childhood friendships caused so much damage to people and nations!!
Balaam was guilty of the greatest of sins: he deliberately led others into sin and he did it for money. ARE YOU WILLING TO COMPROMISE CHRIST, YOUR SPOUSE, CHILDREN, LOVED ONES, EVERYTHING FOR MONEY?
In His Name,
Min.DeeAnne
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