Three More Examples
Three More Examples
Jud 1:11 KJV Woe unto 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 Korah.
I had intentions of passing over the rest of the descriptions of the false teachers, and have actually passed over the substance of an entire study that had intended to cover, but as I read over the book once again I was struck with the particular relevance of the examples given here to our own contemporary scene.
I am thankful for the variety that God saw fit to place in Scripture.
We must be aware of the nature of false teachers so that we may avoid their influence, doctrine, and fate!
I. Beware the way of Cain!
Cain’s story—Genesis 4. What was this way of Cain?
Heb 11:1-4 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (4) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
The way of Cain is the way of faithlessness! That is, the rejection of salvation through the blood of a sacrifice! The attempt to gain salvation or acceptance through the merit of works rather than receiving salvation with the empty hand of faith.
1Jn 3:11-12 KJV For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
A rejection of the way of grace often leads to a hatred of the vessels of grace. Consider the history of the persecuted church today. The way of Cain is the way of hatred and murder!
As we consider this in reference to false teachers today. Apostates do not possess true faith!
Furthermore, due to the trauma of holiness their path is the path of murder. They are by their message murderers of men’s souls!
Works salvation v. saving faith.
Hardness and hatred v. repentance before God.
II. Beware the error of Balaam!
Balaam’s story—Numbers 22-24
If we were to simply read this story we might come away with a picture of a flawed prophet who eventually obeyed God. Something like Jonah, perhaps. But the story of Balaam goes much deeper than this. Balaam was prevented by God from pronouncing cursing upon the children of God. Yes, but Balaam for gain, counseled Balak and the enemies of God as to just how to defeat the children of Israel.
In Numbers 24 Balaam and Balak go their respective ways, and that is the end it would seem. But in the next chapter we see this—
Num 25:1-9 KJV And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. (2) And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. (3) And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. (4) And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. (5) And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor. (6) And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (7) And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; (8) And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. (9) And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
- The woman was the daughter of a prince of Moab!
- The number whom God killed through the plague was 24, 000. (Probably 23,000 killed by plague and 1,000 executed.) Possibly a different episode than that of the golden calf, which may be the event to which Paul refers in I Corinthians 10:8. If that is the case then this was 1,000 more than God killed through the plague when Israel worshipped the golden calf while Moses was on Sinai. It was such a traumatic and violent judgment that it was well remembered and referred to years later as the nation of Israel was willing to go to civil war hoping to avoid the same fate. (The altar that the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built not to sacrifice upon but to have as a memorial or witness to their relationship with God and the nature of true worship)
- God told them to attack the Moabites even after this great loss of life.
Why did the Israelites and Moabites unite in idolatry and immorality? What was behind that? We are told in numerous places later in Scripture.
Num 31:16 KJV Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
Rev 2:14 KJV But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
So Balaam was the motivating force behind the sudden change of Moabite strategy. Why would someone who knew the greatness and power and holiness of God counsel the enemies of God in how best to defeat and destroy God’s people?
2Pe 2:15-16 KJV 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; (16) But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbade the madness of the prophet.
Just as this prophet’s motivation was greed and covetousness, so the false teachers were driven by this ambition!
- Example of Benny Hinn in the months leading up to Y2K. “There is a great time of struggle and danger coming upon the world; those who really show their faith by great giving will receive healing and safety!”
Covetousness v. faithfulness
Gain v. godliness (Yet “But godliness with contentment is great gain! [I Timothy 6:6]”)
III. Beware the gainsaying (rebellion) of Korah!
Core’s (Korah) story—Numbers 16:1-35
Korah came with persuasive and seemingly selfless arguments. “Hey, we are all equals here. Why are you exalting yourselves above everyone?” How often expressing equality is a cloak for pride!
It was actually a very calculating plan to seize and redistribute power! Korah and his crew (mostly Levites) longed for the duties and privileges of the priesthood (verse 10). Dathan and Abiram (from the tribe of the first born son of Jacob—Reuben) wanted political power.
But Moses recognized the attack for what it was. And more importantly, God recognized it for what it was!
God vindicated his servant before the entire nation Korah and his immediate circle of fellow rebels were swallowed by the earth. Fire from God came down and killed the 250 that had joined with him in rebellion.
Even after this incredible vindication, the Israelites continued to murmur against God’s appointed leaders. Were it not for Aaron making a propitiatory offering on their behalf, the entire congregation would have died of plague form the hand of God. As it was, 14,700 died in this plague.
- The man (or woman) who refuses to submit to the church leadership over him is not qualified to be in leadership himself.
Rebellion v. submission
Beware of wolves. Each of these traits considered today ought to be warning signs—warning us of others, and warning us of our own sin and propensity to error.