Numbers 25 THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM If we only read the previous chapters of Numbers, we would think Balaam was a pretty good fellow even though he was like a lot of other people - he liked money. But in reading on through the book and in other parts of the scripture, we learn what the man was really like. First impressions are not always sufficient to make wise decisions. A person can appear godly, personable and agreeable when we first meet them. However, when we hear how a person reads and explains the scripture, and can discern their attitude toward the word of God, it helps us to form a clearer opinion of a person's sincerity. When we read what people write in a book, we need to make sure we have a true understanding of who they are and what they believe before we pay attention to the message they convey. We are not able to get a clear picture of who a person is by facial expressions and the first or second conversation. What have been the results of their teaching? How have others been helped or hindered by their influence? Are the things they teach and advice they give, producing lasting and positive effects? Has their influence strengthened or weakened the people of God? "Lay hands suddenly on no man" means don't jump to conclusions to quickly. Not every person who has very clearly articulated a sermon or passed on information, can be trusted.
The spirit of apostasy can begin when one is discontented with what they hear or what is taught, even though it is scripturally sound. Usually ulterior motives are involved in the undermining of the truth that has been taught. When that happens there is often an attempt on the part of the one who turns deliberately away from the truth, to try to get others to agree with, and go along with the new course of action the discontented person advocates. It can happen in any place where the truth of God is taught and practiced. Often it comes from those who move into an area from some other place where they were discontented. With smooth words and friendly attitude, they attract people to themselves. Before long they will have formed friendships and a following, especially if they have a position of some importance in the secular world.
It is important that leaders among God's people keep in mind it is their responsibility to "Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock." When rumblings of discontent and demands to make changes arise, then seek out the causes or the ones from whom this comes, and see if there is any justification for planting these seeds of apostasy. When people deliberately turn away from what they have known to be the truth, and even held it, then there needs to be action taken to stop this movement away from revealed truth. If the leaders fail to act biblically in such a situation, they are held responsible, and there is a serious price to be paid. Blatant defiance and disregard for those who have proven by their life of consistency and faithful service, by those who raise the challenge against the practices of an assembly, is evidence of the spirit of apostasy. It is impossible for us to determine who is an apostate because only God knows the heart of people. But extreme disregard of those who are godly and a depreciating of any kind of the biblical practices of the decrees of God's word, is evidence of the danger of apostasy among God's people.
This whole chapter in Numbers gives an illustration of the danger that can come to any assembly. First Corinthians chapter ten verses six through eight, tells us specifically that this happened to the people of God in the past for examples to us, and it can happen today. Self-centered confidence, the appeal of the world's religions, popular opinion and discontent with the way things are among the people of God, led them to idolatry. Idolatry led them beyond eating and drinking in the religious practices of the world, to immoral "play" and the moral and spiritual downfall of men who became morally weak when they should have been spiritually strong. Moral standards given by God have not changed, either by the laws passed by governments, or by the passing of time. God's standards have been plainly stated as well as the consequences that follow when those standards are ignored. A covenant has been formed with the people of God and when that is ignored and the consequences are not faced, death comes. There is no other way to deal with apostates than death.
Those who lead God's people need to be able to interpret the mind of God lest the doctrine of Balaam, the mixing of the people of God with the idolatry of the world, becomes an actual fact. When the doctrine of Balaam leads the Lord's people to discontent and a desire to accommodate to the idolatry that is practiced in the name of God, we must act precisely on what God says, and quickly lest the wrong teaching and practice spreads. Twenty-four thousand people died as a result of the practice of a few. The whole congregation was brought to its knees before God. There is no substitutional sacrifice for apostasy.
When one Israelite acted in blatant disregard for the commands of God, all the weeping of the people meant nothing. There are times when action must be taken. To put off what must be done for fear of offending people is actually disregarding God's will. Phinehas knew what had to be done, and did it, even though it must have been very hard to do. His anger was justified and when anger is against sin, it should not be delayed. When a principle of God is being violated or the rights of God's people need to be defended, we need to act in controlled and holy anger. Peevish or petty anger is not the same as righteous anger against sin. The result of the doctrine of Balaam led to he death of many people and it also began the challenges of Israel against the Midianites and the Moabites who had promoted this apostasy. We are wise to learn and remember the outcome of the temptation to compromise with the ways and religious practices of the world.