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Balaam Tries to Curse Israel
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chance on lingering with temptation and urged the messengers to
stay that night, declaring that he could give no answer until he had
asked counsel of the Lord. Balaam knew that his curse could not
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harm Israel, but his pride was flattered by the words, “He whom
you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” The bribe
of costly gifts inflamed his covetousness, and while he professed to
obey the will of God, he tried to go along with the desires of Balak.
In the night the angel of God came to Balaam with the message,
“You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they
are blessed.”
How One Sin Opened the Door to Satan’s Control
In the morning, Balaam sent the messengers away but did not
tell them what the Lord had said. Angry that his visions of wealth
and honor had been dispelled, he exclaimed, “Go back to your land,
for the Lord has refused to give me permission to go with you.”
Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (
2 Peter 2:15
).
The sin of covetousness had destroyed his integrity, and through
this one fault Satan gained complete control of him. The tempter
constantly presents worldly gain and honor to lure people from the
service of God. This is how many people are persuaded to leave
the path of faithful honesty. One wrong step makes the next one
easier, and they become more and more careless. They will do the
most terrible things once they have given themselves to the control
of greed and desire for power. Many tell themselves that they can
set aside their honesty and faithfulness for a while and change their
mind when they please. They are tangling themselves up in Satan’s
trap, and usually they do not escape.
When the messengers told Balak of the prophet’s refusal, they
gave no hint that God had forbidden him. Supposing that Balaam’s
delay was to obtain a richer reward, the king sent a bigger group
of princes who were more honorable than the first, with authority
to accept any conditions Balaam might demand. Balak’s urgent
message was, “Please, let nothing hinder you from coming to me;
for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say
to me; Therefore please come, curse this people for me.”