Woe to them! …they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error;
The story of Balaam has always been a bit of an enigma for me. The parts of the story recorded in the Bible are both amazing and sketchy. Some people might say this is a shortcoming on the part of the Scriptures, but I don’t think so for two reasons. The first, as I have explained before, is that I believe the Bible is exactly the way God wants it to be. The second is that the apparent gaps in the story are consistent with God’s storytelling in other parts of the Bible. All of the Bible, whether Old or New Testaments, is written in a way that requires us to think.
So what do we know about Balaam? What was this “error” that Jude refers to?
The story of Balaam is a long one. Its origins go clear back to Sodom and Gomorrah. Moab, the original Moab that the nation was named after, was the incestuous son of Lot, the nephew of Abraham. So Israel and Moab are distant relations. Balak son of Zippor is the King of Moab in the days when Israel is preparing to come into their inheritance in Canaan. God has chosen to use Israel as his instrument of judgment on the sins of the peoples who live in Canaan. Moab is not on the list of peoples who are to be driven out of their land. In fact, God has given specific instructions to Israel not to harass the people of Moab. (Deuteronomy 2:9)
The king of Moab, not knowing that God has determined they should keep their land, is afraid. Israel has already wiped out two neighboring kingdoms. He is terrified. Camped on the edge of his kingdom, the nation of Israel is spread out so far that he is not able to see the whole people from any one vantage point. In his fear, he turns to the supernatural. He hires a spiritual gunslinger by the name of Balaam. The king knows whoever Balaam blesses is blessed, and whoever he curses is cursed. (Numbers 22: 6) The king offers to pay Balaam to curse Israel.
This is where the story becomes confusing to me. (You can read the entire story in Numbers 22-24.) Balaam appears to have a relationship with God. He is, for all practical purposes, a prophet of God. He can only say what God will allow him to say. (Numbers 22: 18) Eventually blesses Israel seven times, and that seems to be the end of the story, but it is not. In Revelation 2: 14 we learn that after Balaam was unable to curse Israel for profit, he found a different way. He, “…taught Balek to entice the Israelites to sin….”
When Jude refers to “Balaam’s error,” I think this is what he is referring to. Balaam knew God had blessed Israel, but he did everything he could to undermine God’s will. His motivation was simply money; money that he had been promised for cursing Israel, something it turned out he couldn’t do.
Balaam’s error is anything that undermines God’s will for personal gain. Whether that gain is money, power or revenge doesn’t matter. Causing God’s people to sin for any reason is bad. Doing it for personal gain is going up against God Himself. Not a good idea.
Application: What are your motives? Every mystery story is dependent on motives. The mystery of Balaam’s Error is a reminder that we owe Jesus everything and must remain humble before God.
Food for Thought: How does church growth increase the risk of Balaam’s Error?
That is an interesting question brother. I did not see you going there :). It is interesting that Balaam did succeed in hurting Israel by his advice to the Moabites (Numbers 31: 16). This advice somehow dealt with tempting or leading Israel into idolatry through sexual immorality (Numbers 25: 1 – 2; Revelation 2: 14). Balaam thought this would turn out well for him, but it did not (Numbers 31: 8).
What does this have to do with your question? Church growth is a great thing if by it we are talking about the gospel and missions and discipleship advancing. It is great if we are increasing the command to love God and love others.
However, if we are talking about stroking the egos of pastors and leaders, increasing the power of the church leaders, expanding the wallets of church leaders and church organizations, then it is going to end up poorly from a spiritual standpoint. Balaam’s error, in part, was that he wanted the reward of the world instead of being content with God’s provision. Even church organizations and leadership can become so enamored with the rewards of the world that they start working for the world and its goals as opposed to God. It is a deadly trap.
One question that must always be asked is: Am I content in Christ? Am I finding my value in Christ? Is Christ sufficient?
Rich,
I appreciate your thoughts on this. National church organizations can have budgets running into many tens of millions of dollars. The political and social power that goes with national leadership positions is beyond measure. Money and power is a powerful attractant for a certain kinds of human wolves. One of those kinds falls under the category of Balaam’s Error.
Jude 1:3b, I felt compelled to write and urge you to CONTEND FOR THE FAITH that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.
Contend for the faith: Dispute in debate, sharply reprove, oppose.
We are not perfect, we would be foolish to expect the new members to be perfect. It’s all a matter of degree to many. “Armor Up” and live in reality with uncompromising hearts. Every member of the church must be equipped and willing to share God’s uncompromising love with all.
Ron,
Thank you! The idea that we have to contend for the faith is a hard lesson. Keeping our faith requires constant diligence and attention.
Amen Ron.
👍🏻
“Jude 1:3b, I felt compelled to write and urge you to CONTEND FOR THE FAITH that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.
Contend for the faith: Dispute in debate, sharply reprove, oppose.
We are not perfect, we would be foolish to expect the new members to be perfect. It’s all a matter of degree to many. “Armor Up” and live in reality with uncompromising hearts. Every member of the church must be equipped and willing to share God’s uncompromising love with all.”
Appreciate this response…thank you!