Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

Paul probably wrote the book of Hebrews. He was believing that we were going to go from where the ancient church was to the deeper, more mature things of God, but we still haven’t gone further. In these last days of the church, the church has functioned with an emphasis on the needs of individuals. We have done a shoddy job of communicating the Gospel. We have become a “Me” generation. There has been a spread of gifts and manipulations for administration. In the United States if you preach prosperity, a feel good message, and emotional health you can pad a church. If you kiss the behinds of the parishioners, telling them what they want to hear, never focusing on tough topics, giving the feel-good gospel message, only focus on topics that help people to look good and feel good about themselves, and teach how to get along with yourself, you can have a mega church, also called a seeker friendly church, an emo church. So often economic pressures cause pastors to focus this way.

What is being fed to the people doesn’t tell the complete truth. People want a feel good gospel without a cost. They want to pick up their new car and follow Jesus. They don’t talk about pick up the cross.

We need to understand the fundamentals of the Gospel so that we can move further towards God’s purpose. The message of the current church is constantly on ME, not what can I DO FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Many bargain hunt in church the same way that we do in stores. Some think that they can buy themselves into the good graces of God by what they donate. If I donate and do not know the message of salvation and the tenents of faith we have missed the mark. Our job is to give people a reason to die (to know that to be absent from the Body is to be present with the Lord), but the world only focuses on giving people a reason to live. God gives us something so valuable that it is worth dying for. We are not going to be fulfilled by the things of the earth.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

The first principle is repentance for dead works and faith toward God. Dead works are fleshly works – I, Me, acts that may appear good on the outside, but are done without a heart for God. Dead formalism. For example, the scribes and pharisees questioned Jesus about why the disciples ate without the ceremonial handwashing and Jesus replied: Mark 7:6-7 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘ This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

This occurs today, for many of the doctrines of the Church denominations are man made, without Biblical backing. Man made doctrines have people dress a certain way to go to church. Pastor Don said that in 90% of all churches there are three seats on the altar, one with a high back and two flanking it with lower backs. The Church has told us that we are all brothers, equal under the Lord. But have someone enter the church and go and try to sit in one of those seats and they would be removed from that seat and told to sit somewhere else. The truth is, this three seat arrangement comes from a pagan practice that the highest pagan judge would sit in a high back chair flanked by his wife (or queen) and the prime minister. No one will come against this practice – even though it is a tradition of men. In our church all pastors, before they talk (including Pastor Don) sit within the congregation to worship God who is the only One accorded high honors. Then the Shekinah glory came out of the Temple (after the crucifixion), and the veil was split, the Shekinah glory came to all men. Pastor Don refuses to be called “reverend” because he does not want to be reverenced. He will allow people to call him pastor, teacher, etc, but not reverend. There is a lot of outward pomp, kissing of rings, etc. That does not mean that the office of pastor or teacher is not to be respected, but it is the office that is respected, not the person. Is this a small thing? NO, not in the eyes of God. Ministers of the Gospel hide behind the authority of the Bible, but often the things that they are promoting are not biblical, but are commandments of men. They put up a wall of separation.

Mark 7:8  For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”

Many people in the church do not even know the Ten Commandments. All the laws of our nation are based on the Ten Commandments, but most people do not know that. Great colleges and law schools were started as Bible colleges. Now they have long gone away from their roots, and we find ourselves just washing pitchers and cups in the tradition of men.

Mark 7:9-11 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God),

The Ten Commandments tells us to honor our father and our mother. But in Jesus’ day children were to support their elderly parents. If a child did not want to support their parent, they could go to the temple and give the priest the amount of money that they had put aside to support their parents and announce that this was “corban”. They gave the gift of that money to the temple and that absolved them from having to take care of their parents. The priests of those days did not tell the people that this was not according to the commandments, they took that money and used it to line their coffers. But the Israelites were to make sure their inheritance covered their children to the third generation.

Mark 7:12-13 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

Hebrews 6:1-3Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

The sinful acts such as corban are not considered “good” acts in God’s eyes. Nor are any of our acts that are done without a heart for God. Charity acts, such as giving money to someone you know will use the money to buy liquor, is not the heart of God. Giving just to get a tax write-off is not the heart of God. Giving so that your works are noticed, giving for advancement, is not the heart of God.

James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

James 3 talks about our tongue. The words we speak and what comes out of our mouth are also works. When we say certain things it sets into motion things in the Spiritual realm.

Mark 11:22-24 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

If you look in the mirror and say how “ugly” you are, you shall have what you say. We need to begin to speak God’s truth about ourselves, who we are in Christ, because as we speak it, we will become what we say.

James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

We will be judged for what we teach, and we need to do what we teach.

James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

This is a powerful principle. Our mouths have the ability to control our bodies. Months before Pastor Don began dieting, he started speaking words about health, willpower, diet, and permanent life change. The ability to do comes from the power to speak. If you speak it, you will do it, for the words we speak give us power to do. We can bridle our whole body by our mouths.

James 3:3-5 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

A little match can set a big fire, with our tongues it is the same thing. Whole wars have been started by one or two words.

James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

The implanted word and sound doctrine helps us to grow fruitful. This statement from James reminded Pastor Don of the parable of the sowers. The word will not come back void. It needs to be planted in the right soil at the right time. Sometimes we give up too easy. We sow the word on rocky ground, and a year latter brambles have grown over. Years later, finally the seed ends in fertile soil and grows. God prepares the heart to get the truth of His word, and then the person will be ready to receive it.

Pastor Don shared that as a child he was always told he too would be a pastor. Those words were rejected by Pastor Don who did not want to be a pastor. He went out and did his own thing, played in Harry Belefonte’s band, traveled, and lived a wild lifestyle, but one day those words grew, and now he is pastor of our church.

I am going to stop here because my husband needs the computer. I will continue this study tomorrow. I am also praying that I get some time to get to your sites today and tomorrow. I have missed spending time with you.

Hoping your day is blessed

Heather

What a whirlwind week this has been, but oh so wonderful. I have been having the opportunity to facilitate one of the small groups at a local church in a Beth Moore Bible study – Believing God. What a wonderful study, but this week the homework kicked up a notch! I also was privileged to help out at our church’s harvest party on last Wednesday – at least 100 children were fed and allowed to play carnival games, hearing the Gospel message as well. A fun time was had by all – and I have to confess especially by me because I love doing things like this.

This coming up Wednesday I have been preparing a presentation for the Sunday school teachers at our church on games. Having been a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, I have used games for those last few minutes of a meeting when the planned activities are completed – this keeps the kids having fun, but not running wild. Cynthia who is the head of our Sunday School also thinks games are a great idea, and asked me to share some. If you deal with Sunday School at your church I thought you might like to learn a few of the indoor games that I am going to share on Wednesday. Games can be good incentives and bargaining chips for children’s attention. If they like a particular game you can say, “We can play that game AFTER we finish our work.” Oh, and Cynthia and Pastor Don feel that for this meeting the grownups are going to PLAY the games, not just talk about them. Once they play the game then they know how fun they are.

Balloon races (balloons, straws and string and masking or scotch tape) Run a string through a straw and tie the string between two far-spaced chairs. Blow up balloons and tape to straw. Let go and watch jet propulsion work. Two or more chairs with strings permits racing to see which balloon goes the furthest or the fastest. Make sure you have a few adults with good lung capacity to blow up balloons for the little ones – and make sure each child has one balloon of their germs are not passed.

Hula hoop relay – people hold hands in a circle. A hula hoop is hung on the wrist of one of the participants before they grab hands with the person next to them. The people have to, through cooperation, work the hula hoop around the circle without letting go of their hands - which is kind of funny when adults are playing. To do this people have to bend over, putting one leg through, then their head, then the other leg, etc. Trust me, a lot of giggling goes on with this game.

Find the Puzzle Pieces. A good gathering game. I will hide the individual pieces to a 24 piece children’s puzzle around the room in plain sight. The people will gather the pieces and put the puzzle together. It is a good game when you are trying to get organized for your meeting or class and teaches cooperation.

Dice Baseball – Place four chairs around a room to represent bases. The children roll one dice – 1 is a base hit, 2 is a double, 3 a triple, 4 a home run, 5 and 6 are strike out. They play, keeping score One tosses the dice and moves to the proper base chair. The next person rolls the dice and the children move from base to base according to the roll of the dice, until one child’s rolling of the dice causes runs to come in. (For example – if one child hit a double, and the next child “hits” a triple the person on the second base will then cross home plate.) When three strike outs are rolled, the next team comes to “bat” Play keeping score. 

Cootie Goal is to draw a bug with one head, one body, one tail, 2 eyes, 2 antennae, and six legs. I found 3/4 inch wooden cubes at a local arts and crafts store and put the letters H, E, B, T, A, and L on each side to use as dice. I figure you can make two or three teams of 3-4 people. Each person on a team will take a turn tossing dice and draw the bug part that they earn from the toss of the dice. To speed up the game, I figured that once every team has a “head” the H can become a “L” temporarily so that the six legs are formed more quickly,

We also have a silly story sort of like Mad-Libs but one from a Boy Scout manual regarding car repairs with such silly items as rattlesnakes, two spiders, etc. 

Applause stunts: I am going to teach the “Turkey Applause” Walk around in a little circle saying “Gobble, Gobble.” Then rub your tummy saying “Yum, Yum”. I have taught them the Alligator applause – your arms out straight in front of you and open and shut them like an alligators mouth. And a round of applause, clap your hands moving your arms in a huge circle.

Applauses are good for fun – I have donated to the Church’s library a dictionary of various applauses. You can use a silly applause to have the children listen for a key word like “Covenant” “Ten Commandments” or any other term you want them to learn. You can use it to open up class. They like the silliness – and sometimes teach friends the silly applause.

Ping Pong balls: Several games with them – Ping Pong Ball and spoon – relay race. Blow ping pong balls across table with straw – don’t let the ball fall to the ground.

Simon Says

Games do have a place in Sunday School. Our church also offers a Biblical puppet show, and once a month arts and crafts. They also have a children’s dance team, and every month that has a 5th Sunday, each Sunday School class prepares a skit, dance, or song to share in front of the whole church. Our kids are so spectacular. Our church service runs from 9 to 11:45, and then we have an afternoon one from 12 – 2:45, so we need to vary the activities that the children do – moving them from activity to activity – all God based and fun.

Have a blessed day! Hope you find some games that you can use.

Heather

God’s Permissive Will and God’s Perfect Will

When reading the Bible, at times a verse pops out that causes me to question something, I ask and start searching for the answer and this Bible study is the result of my question regarding these verses. Numbers 22:20-22 The question I had was, why would God tell Balaam to go and then get angry? So I started researching this and you get to hear the results of my research.

Before we look at Balaam, a few principles need to be covered.

FREE WILL

God gives us free will. He loves us and wants us to love Him. If He forced us to love Him and choose His will then we would be little more than robots programmed. Instead God gives us free will. But HIS HEART is that if we choose HIS WAYS, He has the best plan for our lives. We, though often choose not to obey God, and the consequences of our disobedience do not bring God’s best into our lives. God knows the end from the beginning – Isaiah 46:9-11. God knows that for our own growth and development our free will to choose is crucial, and even though He knows that we will not always pick the correct way, He loves us enough to give us that free will. Examples – Adam and Eve, and even the choice we make for salvation is subject to our choosing Him.

JEALOUS GOD/ANGRY GOD

Deuteronomy 5:6-10 What is Godly jealousy? It is a jealousy FOR us. Because God knows the end from the beginning, He knows that what we need is to keep Him first, to love Him – if we get pulled to anything else, He knows that the result will not be good for us. So God is jealous of anything that He knows will cause us harm, for He loves us. Perhaps the key to dealing with God, his anger, his jealousy, his judgment is to know that all is motivated by PERFECT LOVE.

Yet again perfect love requires giving His people the freedom to choose. Deuteronomy 30:18-20 God told His people that if they walked in His commandments they would have blessings, if they disobeyed Him there would be curses. God cannot bless disobedience. He gives us the choice though. The same works with God’s anger – He wants the best for us and the best for His people, when we disobey, He is angry – for He knows the end from the beginning.

A BIT OF BACKGROUND HISTORY

Israel has been wandering in the wilderness, 40 years and God covers those 40 years in about 7 chapters of the Bible – when you are not in God’s perfect will not much happens. We find the Israelites in Numbers 20 doing the same thing that they did previously, murmuring, complaining and speaking words that will affect their futures. They have come to Kadesh and have no water. It is here that Moses will make a grievous error, but listen to the words of the people, Numbers 20:3-5.  Moses will ultimately strike the stone, not fully obeying God, and that will cause him to not be able to enter the Promised Land. These are the children of the Israelites who spoke similar words in Numbers 14:2-3 and 27-30. Sounds similar doesn’t it? Seems that we can become habitual in our complaints, and our mouth can really deter our blessings. 38 years pass, so we can realize that time doesn’t always make one wiser. We have to CHOOSE to change what we are saying, and that will change our outcomes.  Faith comes by hearing,

MARCHING ORDERS

The people are now on the move – they pass by EDOM, (Numbers 20:14) who refuses to let them go through the land, even after an offer to pay. From Edom’s point of view the several million Jews with their cattle would strip the land, and drink up water reserves, so there was some mercenary reasons for refusing them, but God promises to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. The EDOMITES are the descendants of ESAU – Obadiah tells us of the sins of EDOM, and the Edomites have no love for Israel, as they believe that Israel stole the blessing from Esau through trickery.

Moses, although being led by the cloud and fire, chooses to skirt around Edom instead of marching through –

Aaron dies and a new high priest is appointed.

They continue marching –Chapter 21, and this time Israel turns to God, Chapter 21:2-3

God gives them a victory. They continue toward Mt. Hor  and go around Edom. But here their soul is discouraged. Sometimes I think discouragement occurs when we are not doing God’s perfect will for our lives. I am certain God would have gladly led the people through Edom if they had trusted Him, instead they went around Edom and discouragement set in. Listen to their words.

Numbers 21:5 sounds familiar doesn’t it? They are murmuring about the MANNA that God has faithfully supplied for 40 years – the people have been healthy. Manna facts – they had to collect 6 pints per person times 2 million people, making 12 million pints a day – 4,500 tons of Manna and water for the 2 million people. 360 days per year times 40 years equals 14,400 days of faithfully God has provided water and food for millions of people for 40 years, and now they complain.  God send fiery serpents to bite the people – and Moses is instructed to raise a serpent on a pole (the cross) so the people who were bit could choose to look to the cross and be saved – or choose not to look to the cross and die. They continue marching and then reach the Amorites – and King Sihon of the Amorites refuses to let the people pass through his land, so the Amorites are defeated – Numbers 21:4 with the edge of the sword – the Word of God. The people sing a song about this victory – Verses 27-30.

NOW WE COME TO BALAK – NEWS TRAVELS FAST

Numbers 22:1-4 BALAK means Devastator, waster. BALAAM means not of the people and he wasn’t an Israelite – He was from Mesopotamia – yet he spoke with God and had some knowledge of God, enough to be used as God’s prophet. Balaam’s’ father –BEOR – means burning.

Balak’s plan after seeing Israel defeat the Amorites, and knowing about the defeat of the Egyptians is not to go and negotiate with Israel, which might have been a logical plan of action.

Numbers 22:5-6 he figures he will get Balaam to curse the Israelites. This is the same promise given to Abraham Genesis 12:3 who was also a Gentile. Now know that this involves a trip of over 300 miles to get to Balaam, not a small undertaking.

The men come with bribes – Numbers 22:7-8 Balaam goes to God to ask – in reality, he would not have had to ask if he knew the Heart of God, for He would have known that the Heart of God was for the Israelites. Balaam is going hoping to get an answer from God that would allow him to take the bribe – as if God was going to change his affiliation with Israel over some riches for Balaam. Covetousness and loving the God of Mammon causes Balaam to go to God here. Balaam gives an answer – let me pray about this and hear what God has to say. Of course, like us, I think Balaam was not wanting to hear what God was going to say, he wanted to hear what he wanted to hear.

Numbers 22:9-12  Verse 9: God basically is saying, “Why do you even need to pray about this? These men do not have a covenant with Me, but are asking you to curse my covenant people. Why do you need to ask? What Balaam did is what our kids sometimes do to us – ask for something that they know that we are going to say “no” to, They want a different answer. It is a way of seeing that what we have taught them is still a restrictive law – they haven’t seen the heart behind the restriction – to realize that what we are saying “no” to is for their own best interests.  The reward that was offered to Balaam was great, financial and a position of honor and power. Balaam’s desire for this veiled his eyes from sound wisdom, but God took pity on Balaam and gave a clear response to Balaam’s question – NO, YOU SHALL NOT GO WITH THEM, YOU SHALL NOT CURSE THE PEOPLE, THEY ARE BLESSED. This was not an answer that was obscure.

BALAAM OBEYS, BUT LISTEN TO HIS WORDING. Numbers 22:13 – The LORD (Jehovah) has refused…The Moabites probably heard the reluctance “refused”.  It is like telling your child not to do something, and they don’t realize the heart of the parent – they only see that their desire was thwarted – if they are persistent, like Balaam, they will find a way to do what God has told them not to do – and Balaam will do this – because of his desire for money and position.

The elders make a 300 mile journey back to King Balak with the refusal.  Balak will send even more powerful men and bigger bribes. Numbers 22:14-18,  v. 18 hint, hint, hint

Both Balak and Balaam have heard the Word of God, but refuse to act on it. James 1:14-17  Jude 11  the error of Balaam – the way of Balaam – which is covetousness. HIS OWN DESIRES – any desire we have that is contrary to God’s will is covetousness, or idolatry. We can’t be ENTICED by something that we don’t desire. But we can be enticed by anything we don’t put under the cross. The enemy knew Balaam loved money and recognition, so he sent an ungodly king to offer more money- part of his plan to kill off the tribe of Israel.

Numbers 22:18 notice the words COULD NOT – imply being restricted by God from doing what he truly desires. Balaam knows you cannot willfully disobey God and still e blessed. But there is still a trap in this, if you can’t get it one way in the will of God, people tend to search for another way to get what they want within the parameters of the will of God. – that is where we start going down the slippery slope from the PERFECT will of God to the PERMISSIVE will of God. Sometimes, when we don’t get what God is trying to tell us, and don’t see His heart behind what He is telling us, God will permit us to do what is not in our best interests, so that we begin to see that FATHER KNOWS BEST. I know that there have been times in my life that I have not done God’s best for my life, and the consequences helped me to learn through EXPERIENCE. But sometimes Experience hurts. Think of all the good advice we give our kids.

Numbers 22:19 If Balaam REALLY WANTED TO OBEY GOD, he wouldn’t go back and question God to see if God would change his mind – God knows what He is going to do, and doesn’t change. Numbers 23:19 Balaam knows God will not change His mind – Did Balaam think that God was going to change his mind because of money? Did he think God wanted him to hold out for a better offer? His passionate desire to get what he wanted overrode his reason.  God knew Balaam’s heart, so He says

Numbers 22:20 I am certain that God was saddened to have to say this, for He knew what this would lead to – not only for Balaam but for his Children Israel.

Numbers 22:21-22 Here is where we came in – it seemed peculiar that God was ANGRY after he told Balaam to go. God is not schizophrenic. We an see why God is angry if we look at Ezekiel  14:4-9, Judges 21:25 If we really want something and continue to covet what God has already revealed His desire about, He will give it to us, even if it is against His will, but He also knows we will be judged.

Example Samuel when the nation Israel wanted a king instead of judges warns Israel, 1 Samuel 8:4-10 God was going to give Israel a King – THE KING OF KINGS, but in His timing, the people kept wanting a King like the other nations had, so God gave them a King – King Saul. Many of the kings brought ruin on the nation of Israel and Israel would end up in Babylonian captivity, but they clamored, and God gave them the desires of their heart. Oh, what a different outcome it would have been if the desire of their heart was for God. Psalm 37:3-5 Think of the trouble we would have escaped if we had obeyed our parents in certain areas, or listened to the advice of our pastor. Sometimes though we are brought to the point where we have to learn from experience. The sad thing is, when the marriage fails, when the problems fall, we forget the Godly advice and end up blaming God.

WHY WOULD GOD PERMIT DISOBEDIENCE IF HE LOVES US AND WANTS US TO DO HIS PERFECT WILL?  Again, freedom comes from being able to choose, and God loves us so much that He lets us make the wrong choices, hoping against hope that we will ultimately be drawn back to HIM. And He will be there with arms outstretched. Think of the Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32 The son asks for his inheritance, for his own self-seeking motives. The father does not deny his request, even though he knew his son would handle the inheritance in an incorrect way. The son leaves the father’s presence, wastes the money, and ultimately Verse 17-18 – comes to himself and comes back to the father. Where is the father, watching for the return of his son, and it is the only time we see God running – Verse 20 to meet His lost son and restore Him.

Balaam will not make this choice to get back into God’s perfect will, and his demise will be at the end of the sword.  Jude 11-12

Balaam sits on his donkey verse 23-30 – Balaam is so caught up in his desire, that He, a prophet who has seen God, does not notice the Angel of the Lord, it takes a donkey to speak with him. God will use whatever it takes to get our attention – and sometimes the most important messages are sent by a messenger that we would not expect. Notice Balaam wanted to press forward, but the donkey seeing the angel of the lord seeks to save Balaam by saying “naaaaay” Balaam is not awed by the fact that his donkey was talking – although I assume most donkeys of that day did not talk. Reminds me of Mr. Ed or Francis the talking mule.

Angel of the LORD – Joshua 5:13-15 worshipped him – angels not accept worship – Revelation  22:8-9 when the Angel of the LORD is mentioned it is a pre-incarnate vision of Jesus – This is another warning to Balaam that he refuses to see.

Still Balaam did not see the heart of God Numbers 22:31-34 and is only motivated by survival to turn back, not by the heart of God. Isn’t it awesome how God gives us chance after chance after chance to change, but when we are “hell bent” on our own destruction, God lets us go forward. The angel warns Balaam verse 35

Balaam meets Balak, and they go to the high places of Baal to observe the nation of Israel Balaam has the king build seven altars, and get seven bulls and seven rams (pretty headstrong animals), and they sacrifice a bull and a ram on each of the seven altars. I wonder who they are sacrificing them to. Notice Balak – a pagan is not going to his god to ask for help, he must know that his gods are impotent, so they are sacrificing to God, but not at the spot God told them to sacrifice or even a sacrifice at God’s commands – remember the laws of Moses are in effect and sacrifices were done at a prescribed spot in a prescribed manner. So Balaam gives a blessing not a curse.

Balak then brings Balaam to the next mountain – they build seven more altars, sacrifice seven more bulls and rams – Is God going to be bought by multiple sacrifices or bribes?

And then the third mountain – with another seven altars, seven bulls and seven rams.

Chapter 24:1-9.

What did he see in verse 2?

EAST: Judah 74,600; Issachar  54,400; Zebulon 57,400 = 186,400

NORTH: Dan 62,700; Asher 41,500; Naphtali 53,400 = 157,600

SOUTH: Reuben 46,500; Simeon 59,300; Gad 45,650 =151,450

WEST: Ephriam 40,500; Manasseh 32,200, Benjamin 35,400 = 108,100

He saw the Cross! Formed around the Tabernacle.

Balaam makes a fourth prophesy, and all that he said will come to pass, including Numbers 24:17 which talks about Jesus. The ERROR of BALAAM is that he did not factor in the cross.

One last thing to look at Numbers 25:1-3 When Balak was angry at Balaam, Balaam hinted to  Balak that the only way to have victory with the Israelites was to get them to sin against God. He suggested camping near Israel and sending in the beautiful women to tempt the men, get Israel to intermarry and ultimately to begin to worship idols. This is called the DOCTRINE of BALAAM – Revelation 2:14 – compromising Israel for money. What Balaam did not factor in though was the Cross – God already had in mind a plan for redemption – and all the nations that came against Israel – the Moabites, the Edom, the Kennites, all perished and are no more. As Pastor Don says, does anyone speak Moabite? Or Edomite? No. Those nations perished.

THE END OF BALAAM

Deut 23:4-5 – curse-blessing
Joshua 13:22-children of Israel killed with sword

Joshua 24:10 blessed not cursed

Neh 13:2-curse to blessing

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US? HOW DO WE SEEK THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD?

Just like Balaam, God has given us the Cross, and it is only through falling at the foot of the Cross that we can begin to seek God’s perfect will. In Moses’ time the people approached God through the Mercy seat, but we have Christ. Balaam had a choice to obey God or not, we too have a choice. Do we accept the perfect gift of salvation or not?  Romans 3:23-25. It is not what we do, but WHO WE KNOW that matters.

After we have accepted Christ in our lives, and have His Spirit dwelling within us, He begins to work His perfect work in us. We will be renewed Romans 12:1-2. To renew our minds we need to keep in the Word of God and obey what we learn from His word.

We need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

When we get out of God’s perfect will, we need to stop what we are doing in our own understanding and begin to walk the way God wants us to walk. Proverbs 3:3, 5-6 God will direct our paths if we keep His word and seek Him with all our heart. 11-12, He will chasten us when we are out of His perfect will, and we need to seek to learn from what has happened.

You can’t do Gods will if you insist on doing your own thing. Psalm 37:23-29  The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…The Spirit of the Lord and the Word of the Lord have to agree.  If we do not have a peace about an action, if we keep having to come to God asking and asking, hoping that God will change His mind, we can pretty much assume that we are out of God’s perfect will for our lives.

James 4:7-10 resist the devil and he will flee.

Romans 13:13-14 If we put on Jesus, we will not be tempted by the Balaks of the world.

Isaiah 30:21 and when we have Jesus in our lives, He will direct our paths.

What is frightening is when we think that we can pull the wool over God’s eyes. We can’t . Ezekiel 8:9-12 God does see.

Let us be washed by the Word, by the blood of Christ, and walk the way He directs us, not turning to the left or the right.

Prayer

ASK – James 4:2-3

SEEK GOD 1 Cor. 2:4-5

Know who you are in Christ

Know His word so you will not be pulled astray.