Balaam

Numbers 22:27-35

Introduction

1.      Interesting questions raised by the story of Balaam in the book of Numbers

a.       At the top of the list, “How can a donkey speak?”

b.      How could someone who is not an Israelite become a prophet of God?

c.       How could someone who is a prophet make such a mess out of his life?

2.      Balaam furnishes some practical advice for living under the rule of God  

Discussion

1.      The story of Balaam and his donkey  

2.      The prophecies of Balaam

a.       Four separate “oracles”  

b.      Num 23:9 “shall not be reckoned among the nations”  

c.       Num 23:19 – the character of God  

d.      Num 24:5-7 – the great blessings to be bestowed on Israel  

e.       Num 24: 17 – the prophecy of a coming king  

3.      Balaam in the New Testament

a.       2 Peter 2:15 – “loved the wages of unrighteousness”  

b.      Jude 11 – “rushed headlong into the error of Balaam”  

c.       Rev 2:14 – “kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality (fornication)”  

Conclusion

1.       Things I would love to have seen:  the animals coming to the ark, the first rainbow in the sky, Jesus lying in the manger, the faces of the Jewish council when Peter and John defied their ban on preaching, and Balaam when the donkey began to speak

2.      Things that I will see:  the face of Jesus when I face him at the judgment

3.      I want to see a smile and not a frown

4.      Are you ready to face Jesus