Forsaking the right way

2 Peter 2:15-17 “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; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”

Numbers 22:1 Near the Jordan River across from the city of Jericho is where the book of Deuteronomy opens, as well as the book of Joshua.

Numbers 22:4–6 Balaam was essentially a prophet-for-hire.

Apparently, he had a reputation for getting results through the words he spoke.

But the Lord’s reputation is flawless: if he says something will happen, it will. This is important to understanding what happened next because God had promised Abraham many years before that he would, “make [him] into a great nation.… [He would] bless those who bless [Abraham], … curse anyone who treats [Abraham] with contempt” (Gen 12:2–3). These promises would extend to Israel.

King Balak’s plan, then, was failed from the start.

Numbers 22:8–12 “8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the Lord shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? 10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. 12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.”

Although Balaam practiced God-forbidden sorcery, he refused to go with the men Balak sent until he had received an answer from the LORD about it (22:8).

God comes to Balaam by night and says

Numbers 22:20 “20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.”

If they ask you in the morning you can go…

But Balaam decided to do his own thing and just go despite what God says

He goes his own way

Jude 11 “11 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 Core.”

It is on this was that we see some interesting conversation between Baalam and his donkey...

The donkey rebukes him for going against Gods way!

Numbers 22:22 “22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.”

Numbers 22:23-27 “23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.”

Numbers 22:28-30 “28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. 30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.”

Numbers 22:31-32 “31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32 And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:”

God hated Balaams way

We are warned not to be like Balaam!

2 Peter 2:15-17 “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; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”

What did Baalam do? He went his way not God’s way.

Go God’s way!

Let’s learn a thing or two from Baalam

way- who you obey

The right way

God’s way is the right way.

Psalm 18:30 “30 As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

Hos 14:9 “9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, And the just shall walk in them: But the transgressors shall fall therein.”

We find his way from his word!

His way to live

His way to go to heaven

God’s way is Jesus and faith in him too!

John 14:6 “6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

You want to go Gods way? Trust in Jesus.

The wrong way.

Balaam went the wrong way…his way.

He followed what he wanted

Jude 11 “11 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 Core.”

Thats what going our own way is. Is when we do what we want over what God wants and its not good.

Psalm 146:9 “9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; He relieveth the fatherless and widow: But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.”

Ezekiel 3:19 “19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”

The End of Balaams way was death.

Same for us

His way was iniquity

2 Peter

Going our way is sin

We have and are prone to go our own way.

Is 53:6 “6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

The Repentant Way

God rebuked Balaam by the Donkey

He put his word in the Donkeys mouth

Numbers 22:28 “28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?”

God still rebukes by his word too!

2 Tim 3:16-17 “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

How will you respond? Keep going your way or his?

Your’s will kill you.

Acts 3:19 “19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

Is 55:7-8 “7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”

His way is life

John 14:6 “6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Place your faith in Christ- God’s way

Conc. You have a choice like Balaam. You can stay your way or God God’s way. Your way will kill you. God’s way is life. Trust his way!