How does Numbers 22:7 illustrate the dangers of seeking ungodly counsel? The Setting of Numbers 22:7 “So the elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand, and they came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.” What We’re Seeing • Israel is advancing toward Canaan; Balak, king of Moab, panics. • He sends respected leaders—elders—loaded with cash to hire Balaam, a pagan diviner, to curse God’s people. • Balaam, though aware of Israel’s God (see vv. 12–13), allows himself to entertain the request. Ungodly Counsel Unmasked • The counsel originates from Moab and Midian, nations hostile to God’s covenant community. • It is packaged attractively—“fees for divination”—promising reward, influence, and prestige. • It contradicts God’s revealed will: Genesis 12:3; Numbers 22:12. Danger #1: The Lure of Material Gain • 1 Timothy 6:10—“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” • Balaam’s openness to negotiation shows how greed cracks the door for ungodly advice. • Once compensation becomes the focus, truth is easily bargained away. Danger #2: Respectable Messengers Can Mask Evil Motives • “Elders” arrive, not common criminals. Their status lends credibility. • Psalm 1:1 warns of the subtlety: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.” • Ungodly counsel often comes clothed in authority, making discernment vital. Danger #3: Accommodation Leads to Compromise • Balaam invites the delegation to stay overnight (v. 8), signaling openness to negotiate with sin. • James 1:14–15 outlines the progression: temptation → desire → sin → death. • Lingering in dialogue with ungodliness erodes conviction. Danger #4: Disregard for Prior Revelation • God’s covenant promise to bless Israel was already clear. No further “consultation” was needed. • Galatians 1:8 echoes the principle: if a message contradicts what God has spoken, it is accursed. • Seeking fresh guidance when God’s word is plain invites deception. Danger #5: Partnership with God’s Enemies Hurts God’s People • Balaam’s readiness to curse Israel makes him complicit in Moab’s agenda. • Proverbs 13:20—“A companion of fools will suffer harm.” • Aligning with ungodly counsel never stays personal; it always affects the wider community. How to Guard Against These Dangers • Treasure God’s word as final (Psalm 119:11). • Evaluate counsel by its source and its alignment with Scripture (1 John 4:1). • Refuse to entertain offers that conflict with clear biblical commands (Matthew 4:10). • Seek wise, godly companions (Proverbs 15:22). • Cultivate contentment in God’s provision (Hebrews 13:5). Takeaway Numbers 22:7 is a vivid snapshot of how seemingly respectable, lucrative, and persuasive voices can draw believers away from God’s revealed will. The passage calls us to immediate, decisive rejection of any counsel that contradicts Scripture, no matter how attractive it appears. |
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