After the death of Sarah, Abraham married Keturah and had six sons with her, one of whom was Midian. The Midianites lived in the East of Canaan (Gen. 25:1-6), in the Arabian Peninsula (gulf). When Moses fled from Egypt towards the East, he “dwelt in the land of Midian” and married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (Reuel), the priest of Midian (Exodus 2:15-22). The Midianites, therefore, knew and worshipped God, due to Abraham.
Among the Midianites was a great prophet called Balaam, who was called upon by the Kings and Elders of Moab and Midian to curse Israel. Israel had annihilated the Amorites and dwelt close to Moab. Angered and Afraid, the Moabites sought to use divination against Israel (Numbers 22-25).
Balaam was warned by God and angels through series of dreams and visions not to curse Israel. When Balaam did go, he only blessed Israel with some of the most sublime poetry in the Bible:
“How shall I curse whom the LORD HATH NOT cursed? God isn’t a man that He should lie…hath He said, and shall He not do it?…He hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it”
Balaam returned home sad and angry, for he was not allowed to curse Israel, and so he lost all the riches promised him by Balak, the King of Moab. Blinded by greed, this prophet failed to see that God could equally make him even richer. Secretly, he went back to the King and princes of Moab and gave them an evil plan! That’s how far a man can go when he is fueled by avaricious greed!
Under the tutelage and directions of Balaam, the Moabites organized a feast for Peor, their god. Balaam himself went and lured the Israelites to the feast. Owing to the trust the Israelites had in him as a prophet, he succeeded in bringing many Israelites into Moab to partake in the Feast of Peor. The Israelites drank wine, ate fatty barbecues, and watched sexy women dance…until they bowed down to their idols (Baal) and committed fornication.
Immediately, the spiritual protection of Israel was withdrawn and ~23000 died (1 Corinthians 10:8)! Oh Balaam, from a holy prophet to a false one!! Balaam represents many false prophets today, who sell the truths of God for money!! Many preachers only live to please the Princes and Kings of this world to earn their glory and praise🫂.
As Satan used Balaam to stumble Israel (Rev. 2:14) on the shores of Canaan, so will he use false prophets in these last days to deceive millions! Only those who read the Bible for themselves and follow its writings shall escape the deceptions that shall flood the earth in these last days. For false prophets shall abound with hellish miracles and shall deceive millions (Rev. 16:13-14)!
The Bible will be our safeguard, not the words of men. Greed for worldly gain and praise shall lead many to join Babylon (Rev. 14:8; 17 and 18). May God open our eyes to see false prophets who come to us in sheep skin, but are ravening wolves! By their fruits, you shall know them. A happy peaceful Sabbath to all the saints of God.
