Topical Bible: Covetousness: Balaam

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Topical Encyclopedia

Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet mentioned in the Old Testament, is a complex figure whose account is intricately linked with the theme of covetousness. His narrative is primarily found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 22 to 24, and he is later referenced in other parts of Scripture as a cautionary example of greed and disobedience to God.

Background and Context

Balaam, son of Beor, was a prophet residing in Pethor, near the Euphrates River. Despite not being an Israelite, he possessed a reputation for effective divination, and his services were sought by Balak, the king of Moab. As the Israelites encamped on the plains of Moab, Balak feared their presence and sought to curse them, hoping to weaken them before a potential conflict.

The Temptation of Wealth

Balak sent messengers to Balaam with the promise of a handsome reward if he would curse the Israelites. Initially, Balaam sought God's guidance, and God instructed him not to go with the Moabite officials, stating, "You are not to curse these people, for they are blessed" (Numbers 22:12). Despite this clear directive, Balaam's heart was swayed by the allure of wealth and honor offered by Balak.

When Balak sent more distinguished officials with promises of greater rewards, Balaam's covetous nature was further revealed. He entertained the possibility of going with them, saying, "Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God to do anything small or great" (Numbers 22:18). Yet, he still sought God's permission again, indicating his desire for the material gain promised by Balak.

God's Conditional Permission

God allowed Balaam to go with the Moabite officials but only to speak what He commanded. However, Balaam's journey was marked by divine displeasure, as evidenced by the incident with the angel of the LORD and Balaam's donkey. The angel stood in Balaam's path as an adversary, and the donkey, seeing the angel, refused to proceed. Balaam's eyes were eventually opened to the angel's presence, and he was reminded of the seriousness of his mission and the importance of speaking only God's words (Numbers 22:22-35).

Balaam's Prophecies

Despite his covetous intentions, Balaam was compelled by God to bless Israel rather than curse them. Over the course of three oracles, Balaam pronounced blessings upon the Israelites, affirming their divine favor and future prosperity (Numbers 23-24). His prophecies included the famous declaration, "How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!" (Numbers 24:5).

Legacy and Warnings

Balaam's account does not end with his prophecies. Later biblical references reveal that he advised Balak to entice the Israelites into sin through idolatry and immorality, leading to a plague among the Israelites (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14). This act of treachery underscores Balaam's covetousness and willingness to compromise his prophetic gift for personal gain.

The New Testament further condemns Balaam's actions, using him as a symbol of greed and false teaching. In 2 Peter 2:15 , it is written, "They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness." Similarly, Jude 1:11 warns against those who "have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error."

Balaam's narrative serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of covetousness and the importance of obedience to God's will. His account illustrates how the desire for material wealth and honor can lead to spiritual downfall, even for those who possess spiritual gifts and insight.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 2:15
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jude 1:11
Woe to 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
... and with the proffer of great honors and rewards, his ambition and covetousness
were inflamed ... Balaam sinned in asking a second time for liberty to go and curse ...
/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

Thankfulness to God.
... God had forbidden him to go and curse the chosen people of God, but Balaam, moved
by covetousness, and eager for honours from the king, started on his way to go ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lxiii thankfulness to god.htm

The Wine of Prayer
... came into Canaan. Old Giant Covetousness told me all about a silver-mine
which Balaam opened and Demas worked in. I could easily ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter twelve the wine of.htm

Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts
... and more truthfully, and at other times he exhibited the most mean and sordid
covetousness that could disgrace human nature. Think you see Balaam; he stands ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/confession of sina sermon with.htm

Tenth Commandment
... Weren't they a snare? Think of Balaam. ... Up to a certain point his character shone
magnificently, but the devil finally overcame him by the bait of covetousness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

Internal Foes.
... Covetousness enticed Lot into Sodom. It caused the destruction of Achan and all
his house. It was the iniquity of Balaam. It was the sin of Samuel's sons. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/part ii internal foes.htm

The Routing of Giant Doubt
... operates an opiate factory in a hollow that runs directly down into Egypt; Giant
Covetousness, who decoys pilgrims to the silver-mine run by Balaam and Demas ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter eleven the routing of.htm

Topical Index
... Backslider, 17, 22 Balaam's ass, 102 Bible, 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 29, 34, 44 ... 35, 52,
77, 109 Conversion, 25, 80, 88 Conviction, 21 Courage, 20 Covetousness, 27, 35 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/topical index.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... of Israel for a stumbling-block, according to the word of Balaam, to cause ... possess
them alone like money; it is not money, but mere covetousness, which thou ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

V. ...
... All that this class practices and pursues is simple, pure covetousness, and must
all be ... And have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm