November 10, 1999

EXPLORE THE BIBLE SERIES:
Pity a man whose reputation
exceeds his integrity
___ Numbers 22:4-6; 23:18-20; 24:10-11, 15-17
___By Mark Bumpus
___First Baptist Church, Mineral Wells
___Distinctly I remember the layman's question during my ordination council: "What if an influential church member wants you to preach on one subject and you feel led to preach on another. What will you do?" (Incredulous, I thought: Pressuring a pastor's sermon content!) I responded simply, "I'll preach what I feel the Lord has laid on my heart."
___For some, there is a temptation to give in to pressure, bend to another's agenda, play to the crowd, seek to "tickle ears" (2 Timothy 4:3). I heard the well-known pastor of a wealthy Texas church preach concerning the pressure of affluence and money: "I have seen that snake slither in the back door of my church, side-wind its way down every aisle and every pew and have felt it stick its forked tongue in my face! Asking me to compromise my preaching, my convictions and the gospel."
___ Monetary manipulation (Numbers 22:4b-6a). Balak, king of Moab, tried to manipulate a well-known soothsayer, Balaam, to pronounce a curse on Israel so Moab would be victorious over Israel. Balak had good reason to be "in dread" of Israel (22:3)--they were numerous (22:3), strong militarily (22:4) and were under the blessing of God (22:12). Balak feared Israel within his borders. He sought to employ Balaam, whose wide-spread reputation as a wonder worker in Mesopatamia had spread 400 miles to Moab.
___A distinguished delegation with money traveled near the banks of the Euphrates River (22:5) to persuade Balaam to come and pronounce a curse on Israel. He played hard to get. Wouldn't go. Balak sent a second delegation, more distinguished, more numerous and with more money, and Balaam, due to his love for the "wages of unrighteousness" (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11), responded.
___Sounds like the lady distraught over the death of her dog. She went to a preacher and asked if he did graveside services for pets. Insulted, he told her, "No." Walking away, she said, "If you did, I was going to give you $500." Warming up, the preacher said, "You didn't tell me he was a Baptist!"
___ Blessing, not curse (Numbers 23:18-20). To Balaam's credit, he refused to speak anything contrary to what God told him (22:18; 23:20). Three times (23:7-10; 23:18-24; 24:3-9) "he took up his discourse" and blessed Israel.
___ Angry response (Numbers 24:10-11). Balak was so angry with Balaam he "struck his hands together" in extreme contempt and dismissed him to Mesopatamia without pay.
___ Messianic hint (Numbers 24:15-17). Before departing, Baalam predicts the fall of Moab in a fourth discourse (24:15-19). A star from Jacob and scepter from Israel point to a future great ruler who shall overcome Moab. It's a bifocal prophesy: David, the initial fulfillment, and Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment.
___Although Balaam would not curse Israel, before departing for Mesopatamia he advised the Moabites to ensnare Israel with Baal worship (Revelation 2:14). This was more disastrous than a curse. Israel succumbed to religious prostitution and syncretism. Balaam's harmful legacy is this: A reputation for spiritual power but defective in character. Reminds us of Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-24) and Jesus' warning (Matthew 7:22-23): Pitied is the man whose reputation exceeds his character.

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