RTW March 6

Refuse To Be Used

So Balak, king of Moab sent messengers to call Balaam son of Beor, who living in his native land of Pethor near the Euphrates River.  Numbers 22:4b-5a

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

I can’t be double minded: having the ways of the world and the ways of God.

Something New

  • Balaam sought God…. We should seek God.
  • Balaam obeyed God… We should obey God.
  • Balaam wanted it both ways… We should want only one way… God’s way.

 

Balaam’s motives weren’t pure.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23

Guard: to watch, guard, keep, to preserve, guard from dangers

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21

Something to Do

Guard my heart from all dangers.

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12 Comments

  1. This lesson was somewhat confusing for me….
    I didn’t understand that Balaam’s motives weren’t pure. I was saying huh, no disrespect for the word of God but I thought Balaam only agreed to go after God instructed him to go and told Balak from the beginning I will only say what God puts in my mouth.
    Proverbs 4:23
    Is one of my favorite scriptures and often times I think we discredit the power our heart has over our actions.
    Something to do
    Pray that my motives are for the advancement of Gods kingdom.

    1. I agree with you that it appears Balaam was obedient until Ch. 24:1. However even when he didn’t meet God, v. 2 states that the Spirit of God came upon him. Don’t know if that helps or not.

      1. Thank you, I see that he did not resort to divination as he did other times?
        I sometimes have to read a couple of times…
        I’m guilty of you know Holy Spirit I sought you for this or that already now in my simple mind I think ? I’ve got this figured out. Low and behold I know he has sent Donkeys of some sort to block my way, yet I push past thinking I have the go ahead….

  2. This was a very convicting message for me today. I found myself backing up and replaying several parts. I never saw the connection before about guarding my heart and the desires of my heart in such a clear way. Thank you for your teaching today.

  3. Thanks for this lesson! It reminds me to obey God and not disobey Him. And that I should put on the full armor of God everyday for all of the attacks that Satan throws my way. I want God to be the treasure of my heart everyday.

  4. While reading this, I had the feeling that I was missing something. Even through rereading. I went to First5 to reread this and the message there and that’s when I saw that Balaam was trying to live in 2 worlds. He thought he could obey God and still get his money.

  5. I also listened to the lesson a couple of times … While I didn’t understand how Balaam was of two minds when I read the scripture, the lesson resonated greatly on several points! My To Do is multifaceted today: Look and listen for God in unusual places … Make God’s Word the treasure of my heart daily … Guard my heart from the evil one daily.

  6. Beautiful Message Wendy!
    God help me to make You the treasure of my heart.
    Refuse to be used by the enemy.

  7. Thank you guys for all your comments. I totally was lost with this, but with your help, I finally got it. It’s hard for me most of the time to get full understanding, but you my study family always help with your comments. Thank you and Wendy. Thank you God.

    1. Hi Nima,
      I echo you post! I look forward to the comments as well. While I was saved when I was a little girl, I never read the Bible front-to-back. I learn more from Wendy’s lesson and the comments some days than I ever would if I were reading on my own! Adding my appreciation to our community and our Lord as well! ??

  8. I’m running a few days behind so my comment is coming late; however, I must say that I too was confused by this teaching. I just didn’t see Balaam wanting things both ways. I saw him being obedient. He said at least twice (22:18 and 24:13) that even if offered the king’s palace filled with silver and gold he would be powerless to do anything against the will of God. Balak told Balaam in 24:10-11 that the Lord kept him from getting a reward and Balaam accepted it. So what am I missing?

  9. My Takeaways: Balaam, is he a prophet for God or a religious racketeer? I’m a bit confused today. A talking donkey–who sees an angel– sounds like he has more spiritual discernment then Balaam.

    Something Old: Balaam’s donkey made him look foolish.

    Something New: I wanted to learn more about this so called Prophet Balaam today. Is he really wanting to serve God or is he a fake? So I did a little researching. First through the scriptures where he was mentioned several times ( Numbers 31: 7, 8, 16; Deuteronomy 23: 4, 5; Joshua 24:9,10; Nehemiah 13: 2; Micah 6:5; 2 Peter 2:15, 16; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2 :14). Through my reading and searching I discovered that Balaam is mentioned in scripture more times than Mary the mother of Jesus. Guess what else I discovered? There is more said about him then about 10 of the apostles all put together. The Bible definitely puts some emphasis to him, which I found to be interesting. In the New Testament it seemed that every time they referred to Balaam it was to warn us of the way, error and doctrine of Balaam. My conclusion- Balaam was a Prophet for Profit. He was ready to obey God’s command as long as he could profit from doing so. Balaam wanted to look good on the outside, but on the inside he was corrupted. Sounds a bit to me like Judas. Hard to understand these guys, but at the end, I’m not sure if either made it into heaven. What kind of Christian am I today? The Bible says that I ought to examine myself if I am God’s child, I am not under condemnation before Him, and he won’t accept Satan’s charge against me. But He Himself will search my heart. What a great feeling in knowing this.

    Something To Do: Why do I attend church? What is the motive behind my service in the church? Am I seeking applause? Am I seeking power? Maybe even wealth? What is my motive in the things that I do? Too often I catch myself wanting to be a Christian, but I want to go just as far into the world as I can. Who and what I am will someday come to the surface, destroying any mask I may have put on to cover up my real self. I must realize that God is willing to accept me, forgive me and literally make me over from within. I can’t have this world and God too. I must continue to look at the long range benefits of following God and stay on the path that leads to everlasting life.

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