The world knows how to get what it wants. How’s it said? Flattery will get you everywhere. That’s tongue-in-cheek, of course, but we follow the practice, anyway. Speak nicely to someone, and we can often get them to do as we wish.
Does it work with God?
In Numbers 23, Balaam the prophet certainly thinks so. At his side is Balak the Moabite king, anxious to take immediate action, if Balaam is willing to pronounce a curse against Israel.
Why was a curse so important? Israel had already defeated multiple cities nearby, and Balak was convinced his city was next. Where did Balaam fit in? He had a reputation for bringing down curses on others. Balaam was the man to do the job Balak required.
In Numbers 23:3 we read Balaam’s words of encouragement to Balak:
“Perhaps the Lord will come to meet me, and whatever he shows me I will tell you.”
There was a flaw in the plan. Balaam convinced Balak to erect seven altars to YAHWEH, the one true God of the Israelites, who would then give him a prophetic word.
However, to the one true God, only one altar was to be lifted up. More than one altar was the badge of idolatry.
It didn’t work out as either man hoped. After Balaam spoke the prophecy given by the Lord, in Numbers 23:11, Balak said to Balaam:
“What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them.”
No matter how many sacrifices Balak offered, Balaam received only words of blessing for Israel, and Balaam was later killed in revenge for showing King Balak how to entrap the Israelites in spite of God’s prophecy.
Building numerous altars didn’t get these men on God’s good side. Rather, it brought them to a bad end.
Do we do the same? We want something from God, and we come to him repeatedly, trying to find something we can do differently to convince him to do what we want. We offer God our money, then our time, and if he doesn’t come through, we drop our summer vacation, then our Saturday tee times on the altar. Whatever it takes, God, just give me the answer I want.
We are trying to get on God’s good side. What we need to realize is that it doesn’t work like that. Balaam and Balak found out the hard way.
Let’s do it God’s way. Repent. Be baptized. Love our fellow man as we love ourselves. That’s the only altar we need. When we do that, we will find ourselves on God’s good side. When we have a need, we won’t have to ask a second time.
Flattery feels good, but obedience to his Word is what God demands.
Copyright © 2015 MyChurchNotes.net
Code: FGO.A.31.15.vp.esv