5. This will affect a whole nation

People worry about global warming and various social issues, but there is something that affects a nation far more than global warming and that is… fornication. In Numbers 22 to 24 we read a very interesting story,

Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho. 2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites. 4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land. Balak said: “A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.” Numbers 22:1-6 (NIV)

As the story continues, Balaam could not curse Israel because God did not allow him to do so. Numbers 24:10-14 tells us, 

Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands togetherand said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. 11 Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.” 12 Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,13 ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’? 14 Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come.” (NIV)

It seems that for the most part the story is over, and that Prophet Balaam was a man of great integrity; but the story is far from over. Numbers 25:1-3 tells us,

While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, 2 who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. 3 So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the Lord’s anger burned against them. (NIV)

It looks like this is a separate incident; it looks like Balaam has nothing to do with this; however, Balaam has everything to do with this. Balaam could not curse Israel; God did not allow him to do so, but in Revelation 2:14 we find the second-best thing; if you can’t curse them, encourage fornication,

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. (NIV)

This is Jesus speaking to the church of Pergamum; as Jesus is dealing with this church he is also showing us the complete work of the prophet Balaam. This advice worked well for Balak; it caused the Lord’s anger to burn against Israel (Numbers 25:3). Fornication can and will affect a whole nation. God released a plague as punishment to the people of Israel that killed 24,000. Fornication brings forth the true death of a nation. Notice that fornication and idolatry dance together. It is a short step between fornication and allowing our spirit to fall into idolatry. 

To be continued…