Numbers 24:10-24 – Loving wealth is incomparable with loving God

The continuous hearing of what Balaam said about Israel being blessed by God, not only irritated Balak but also wore his patience thin. His third oracle to the king in verses 3-9, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Who would blame the king for being angry? Obviously, his anger reached a crucial point. So he struck his hands together in disgust and contempt and ordered Balaam to leave his land. Mockingly he jeered Balaam saying that it was Yahweh who had deprived him of his reward. But what he said did not mean much to Balaam. We can almost imagine him shrugging his shoulders and said, “But I have told you so.” He said to Balak that even if he had given him a house full of silver and gold, he still could not do anything against the command of the Lord, either good or bad, on his own accord. He even emphasized saying, “What the Lord speaks, that I will speak.” This was like plunging a knife into his heart, where it truly hurts.  

Unsolicited, Balaam then offered one last oracle to Balak from verses 15-24. Asserting that the origin of his message came from God, Balaam foretold the rising of a king in Israel. Predicting the glorious future of the nation under him, he emphasized Israel's blessedness. He then predicted what would happen to Moab and the other nations. All nations who were Israel's enemies would be crushed. He predicted the defeat of Moab, and that both Edom and Seir would be possessed by Israel. He even went on to predict the downfall of the nation of Amalek which was a dominant force. So also would the Kenites be destroyed.  

At the conclusion of this chapter, we must consider one important lesson of life. The lesson: the mindless pursuit of worldly wealth and personal gain, and being obedient to God are conflicting. We see this in Balaam’s life and ministry. He tried to reconcile his pursuit of wealth and being obedient to God. They just simply could not work. He failed to receive the reward he went for. What he did leave Balak disappointed in deep frustration. What was worst for Balaam was God’s disapproval of his works. Let us hear afresh what Christ Jesus our Lord says in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Choose to serve God rather than wealth. The issue of greed is an issue of an unsatisfied heart. So, remember to guard our heart with all diligence, for out of it are the wellspring of life!