THE MAN WHO COULD NOT MAKE UP HIS MIND

 

As Israel pitched their tents, one of their enemies was watching

them. It was Balak, the king of Moab. Balak was afraid of Israel because he

knew God fought for their army. He sent money to a man named Balaam to

persuade him to curse Israel. Balaam had a very greedy heart but he tried

to hide it by acting religious. Balaam also had heard about God fighting

for his people. He knew that Israel was blessed by God.

When the men brought the money to Balaam to persuade him to curse

Israel, Balaam said he would have to talk to God about it. This was wrong

because there are things that we know are against God's will and it is

foolish to pray about doing something wrong. God answered Balaam's prayer

anyway. He told Balaam not to curse the people and not to go with the men.

Balak didn't give up, instead he sent more messengers and more money to try

to convince Balaam to do what he knew was wrong. This was a test that God

allowed to come to Balaam. Balaam knew that God had already told him no but

he wanted to try any way he could to get the money.

First Balaam said, "I can't do anything against the command of the

Lord." When Balaam said this he was making a promise to obey God's will.

However, Balaam failed the test. That night he prayed again asking the Lord

what he should do. As if he didn't know what to do already! God was angry

and allowed Balaam to go with the men.

God had set a trap along the way to punish Balaam for his

disobedience. He sent a strong angel with a sword but Balaam's donkey saved

his life. After the trip into the hills Balaam still asked the Lord what he

should do pretending he didn't know. God would only let him bless Israel

so Balak the king was very angry and Balaam had to run for his life. He did

not receive the money or honor he was hoping to get. In fact, his name goes

down in history as a man who tried to make money by ruining the spiritual

life of others. Balaam could have had the respect of men if he would have

really lived for the Lord, instead he was killed along with God's other

enemies when Israel took over the land.

Taken from Numbers 23, 24

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