Monday | 13 July 2026
When Balak first sent dignitaries to Balaam, asking him to curse Israel, God expressly said to him, ‘You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.’ Num 22:12. Balak then sent more noble princes to implore Balaam to curse the people, promising him great riches and to do whatever he said. Balaam responded saying, ‘I will not go beyond the word of the Lord.’ However, God had said, ‘You shall not go.’ Balaam invited them to stay with him while he waited to see if there was another word.
Although Balaam knew what God had said, he hoped for another word because he coveted the riches and honour that Balak and the princes were offering. This desire revealed the idol in his heart. Significantly, God began to speak to him through his idol, saying, ‘If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you – that you shall do.’ Num 22:20.
God was still speaking to Balaam, and he was exercising his prophetic gift; however, it was now for his destruction because of his stumbling. We know this because the Scriptures say, ‘God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord stood against Balaam as an adversary, standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand.’ Num 22:22-23.
The doctrine of Balaam belongs to those with a gift who, themselves, stumble at Christ’s word, which is a two-edged sword proceeding from His mouth through the ministry of the presbytery in His right hand. Rev 2:12. These men may stumble because of their desire for gain or to maintain a ministry profile; or because of some discontent with the word direction in the presbytery; or because of a relational offence. The word that they speak may be true, but it is not the word proceeding from the fellowship of the presbytery on account of confession and testimony. It is a word that belongs to their own sense of ministry or purpose.
Further Study:
Numbers 22
References:
Num 22:12
And God said to Balaam, ‘You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.’
Num 22:20
And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, ‘If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you — that you shall do.’
Num 22:22-23
Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So, Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.
Rev 2:12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword’.