As we continue to examine the errors of Balaam,it is pertinent that we revisit his conversation with his visitors.The opening sentence of his reply is a declaration that is impressive and high sounding. Balaam as we are aware, is given another opportunity as the enemy comes to check on his word based convictions.Although he declares to the men that he would not do anything great or small beyond the command of the Lord my God , in the very next verse he is making preparations to do just that. If he truly meant what he said with his lips, then there would have been no need for these men to spend another night in his house especially as they had the same request which was not favourably looked upon last time(Numbers 22:7-14).
It is also interesting to note that as Balaam starts to deviate,he begins to sound more spiritual(Numbers 22:18).This time,when he speaks to his guests ,he not only addresses God as Lord but said "the Lord my God".Prior to this ,he had always referred to God as his "Lord". Ironically whenever God liaised with Balaam,he is not referred to by his covenant name "Yahweh;Lord" but by the name "God".This makes me wonder whether the writer was trying to let us know that there was a disconnect between the relationship portrayed by Balaam of himself and God compared to that which was really in existence.Severally he referred to God with the covenant name "Lord"(Numbers 22:8,13) while the writer always used "God" and not the covenant name (Numbers 22:9-12,20) in his dealings with Balaam.
The error of lip service which we see here is another common one we sometimes make, when we call him "Lord" and do not all that he says(Luke 6:46).Jesus during one of his teachings talked about importance of following through our speech(Matthew 21 :28-32) and he still requires our obedience (John 14:15)Although we proclaim him as Lord, he does not have the full rights and ownership over our lives, as we still choose to follow our own ideas in some areas of our lives.And because we sometimes have become quite familiar with church language "Christianese", we may actually be declaring one thing while our lives may be quite the opposite(Matthew 15:8).This is not to say that we will never make a mistake(1 John 1:8;2:1) but what distinguishes a sheep from a pig is their reaction when they fall into a muddy puddle(1 John 3:9,5:18. Living Bible).But language alone is not what identifies us as children of God rather our whole lifestyle should be affected(1 John 2:4-6;2 Corinthians 5:15).
Today, are there areas in our lives where our walk is not matching our talk and we are merely offering lip service?The death of Jesus on the cross which we commemorated last week was a culmination of a life whose talk matched his walk(Hebrews 5:8). He came to do the will of the father (John 6:38),at the greatest inconvenience(Luke 22:42) and misinterpretation(Matthew 27:41-44).Who said Jesus did not want to claim the Scriptures of long life(Exodus 20:12) when he went to the cross at 33(Luke 23:44-46).He died at an unpopular age just because he had come to do the will of the father.
The good news is the victory which the death of Jesus brought two thousand years ago is still very much available for us today to ensure that sin does not rule over us as Christians( Romans 6:10-14,Titus 2:12).Or are we like Balaam, may have been around church for so long and now become familiar with the language but know deep within that there is no true relationship with God.
You can ask Jesus into your heart,repent of your sins.he is waiting for you and if you do make that decision today,there is more.This is just the first step,tell a Christian you know about it and you can also contact me for some resources to help you in the new journey.
Yours in His Service,
Grace Tom-Lawyer
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