7/11/19 

II Peter 2:15-16

¹⁵ Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, ¹⁶ but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

One, among others, true enigma of the Old Testament is Balaam.  As much of a mystery as Balaam is, we do not know how he knew so much about Israel and Israel’s God.  Or how he had gained such a mighty reputation.  But between Peter and Jude we do know something about his character and there is nothing good in it.

Peter tells us:

1.       His life and activity were dominated by greed.  “He loved unrighteous gain.”

2.      He was a transgressor.  His donkey rebuked him for his transgression.

3.      He was prone to great foolishness.  His donkey restrained “his madness.”

4.      He has become a proverb for all those who sell themselves into wickedness over their love for gain no matter how wicked their activity is.

There is nothing redeeming about Balaam.  He thought he was smarter than God and was proved to be dumber than a donkey.

Those who worry about a donkey speaking and fail to see the folly of Balaam is no better than he is.

It is noteworthy that Balaam”rose up early to go to his call to destruction.”