Plain Truth 1962 (Vol XXVII No 08) Aug - Lcgmn.com

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The PLAIN TRUTH
Augusr. 1962
wealthy overnight, and he hoped Balak would send mote messengers and persuade him
so forcefully that he would have to go with them.
After the caravan departed, Balaam's mind often dwelled on that chest of
gleaming gold and silver. Balaam felt that if only his fear of God wasn't so great,
he could have become possessor of the chest. Instead of desiring a king's ransom,
Balaam should have gladly rejected riches in order to serve God, as Moses and Paul
did. (Hebrews 11:24-26; Acts 20:33.)
A few weeks passed. Then another caravan suddenly showed up at Pethor. It was
made up of Moabite and Midianite princes of even higher rank than those who
had come before. (Num. 22: 15.) There were more servants and more animals. The
people of Pethor were excited and honored to welcome another assemblage of men of
high rank, and were proud that a resident of their city was famous enough to attraCt
such a group of officers from other nations. Balaam's sudden increase in popularity
made him even more desirous of the offered wealth.
He was quite impressed with the visitors, especially when some in the caravan
turned out to be musicians and dancing girls who performed in the street in front of
the prophet's home. He began to realize that if Balak made him rich, he could afford
to have his own private musicians and dancing girls. Balaam's love of money was leading
him into all sortS of evil desires. (I Timothy 6: 10.)
Following the stteet perfotmance, the head princes met with Balaam to inform
him that the king of Moab had been gteatly disappointed because his offer had been
turned down, but that he was so needful of Balaam's services that he would give him
great rank besides anything he asked if only he would come to Moab and call down a
curse on Israel.
Playing With Temptation
This was a severe temptation to Balaam. All that he had to do to be wealthy the
rest of his life was to go to Moab and utter a few words against Israel in the name of
God. What bothered him was the question of juSt how long his life would continue
if he should go contrary to God's will. He hoped circumstances would work Out so
that he could please Balak without ditectly disobeying God.
"I can't do anything my God tells me not to do," Balaam told the princes. "Even
if your king were to give me a whole house full of gold and silver, I cannot do any
mOre or less than God allows. However, I muSt contact my God tonight to see juSt
what His will is. If it pleases you to Stay overnight in our city, there is good lodging
in the adjoilling place down the screet. I shall be in touch with you tomorrow to re­
POrt what I am allowed to do." (Num. 22:16-19.)