DOCTRINE of BALAAM

[larryt]

Balaam is mentioned 3 times in the NT, three different aspects of this person are used to warn us of things to avoid. To those who want to focus on Jesus here is what He said directly to the Church in Pergamos.

Re 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Is the doctrine of Balaam the mere fact that we shouldn't eat things sacrificed to idols and to keep ourselves from sexual sins? What do you think?

I believe there are principles that underlie the example that is for our learning.

LT

[tsth]

The doctrine of Balaam is one of deception and sellout by false teachers. They are described in 2 Peter 2 very clearly:

3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

It's about "sellout" to the world. It comes subtly, and comes by God's people forgetting that they are the Lord's and beginning to indulge in the lusts of the world. It is much the same way the church of today has gone the way of the world rather than remaining as a spotless bride. It is about today's false teachers who have gone the way of Balaam, and have hearts trained in covetous practices and who begin to align the church with the world in practice, therefore committing adultery to the Lord by not remaining faithful to Him.

Just as the Israelites were commanded to follow the Lord, they got distracted by the seductions of the Midianite women and their gods. They did not remain set apart from the things of the world (Numbers 23:9). They began to intermingle holiness with the world.

The doctrine of Balaam was one of coveteousness, desires of self over the commands of the Lord, and friendships/parnerships with the world moving into the church body. These are what we are to avoid, yet I'm sad to say that today's church has not done so.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[traveller]

Super response Suzanne!

[tsth]

By the way, thank you larry. I had not studied that before, VERY AWESOME study! I learned as well! Thanks trav, I never know what's going to be my manna for the day, that was it.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[other one]

I had never looked at that in that way. Thanks for bringing that up, for it really is relevant for today.

[tsth]

Here are some significant passages in this study:

Numbers 23:9 For from the top of the mountains I see him, from the hills I behold him; lo, a people dwelling alone, and not reckoning itself among the nations!

The picture of the people who are staying set apart OT........Also see (2 Cor. 6 11-17) for NT

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes and enemy of God.

Numbers 25:1 While Israel dwelt in Shittim the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. 2 These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel yoked himself to Ba'al of Pe'or. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel;

1 Cor. 10:6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;

Sounds like today's church. We go and partake of the Body of the Lord, then we immediately rise up, walk out the doors and go out to "play"

Number 31:14 But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, who had come from the battle. 15 And Moses said to them: "Have you kept all the women alive? 16 Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.

In His Love,

Suzanne

Edited October 15, 2004 by tsth

[amazedbyhislove]

JUDE 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

I was wondering what other people think "twice dead" mean?

[tsth]

I would think it pertains to dead in the body AND spirit even after they knew the Truth about Jesus Christ and are again entangled.

Much like 2 Peter 2:20

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

and

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

That sounds like twice dead to me.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[amazedbyhislove]

--------see below--posted twice by accident

Edited October 15, 2004 by amazedbyhislove

[amazedbyhislove]

Suzanne,

Are you of the belief apostates were never truly saved?

Also, as a frame of reference, do you believe in eternal security?

Love in Christ,

Tracey