Numbers 24:2, "and the Spirit of God came upon him..." Balaam was a soothsayer and a false prophet. His motive was to make money and he did what he did to make money, not to serve God. But when it came to Israel, he could not curse the people of God, the Israelites. He said on three occasions, "How can I curse what God has blessed?" In verse 2, the Spirit of God comes upon him and he blesses Israel when Balak has asked him to curse it. On this occasion, Balaam did what was right in the eyes of the Lord but this was not his way of living. In the New Testament (Jude 11) warns the church about the false doctrine of Balaam. Balaam's error was thinking that he could disobey God and get away with it and lead others to do the same. John also warned the church about those who follow the doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14).
My takeaway from this: a man may have a respect and reverence toward God, that doesn't mean he knows God and honors God with his life. One must not tip his hat to Jesus, but must bow the knee in surrender.
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Numbers 24:2, "and the Spirit of God came upon him..." Balaam was a soothsayer and a false prophet. His motive was to make money and he did what he did to make money, not to serve God. But when it came to Israel, he could not curse the people of God, the Israelites. He said on three occasions, "How can I curse what God has blessed?" In verse 2, the Spirit of God comes upon him and he blesses Israel when Balak has asked him to curse it. On this occasion, Balaam did what was right in the eyes of the Lord but this was not his way of living. In the New Testament (Jude 11) warns the church about the false doctrine of Balaam. Balaam's error was thinking that he could disobey God and get away with it and lead others to do the same. John also warned the church about those who follow the doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14).
My takeaway from this: a man may have a respect and reverence toward God, that doesn't mean he knows God and honors God with his life. One must not tip his hat to Jesus, but must bow the knee in surrender.