 |  |
"But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the
doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of
Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them
that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate" (Rev. 2: 14, 15).
A reference is made to this period in I Cor. 10: 8:--
"Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day
three and twenty thousand."
Two references are made to Baal-Peor outside the books of Moses:--
"They joined themselves also unto Baal-Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead"
(Psa. 106: 28).
"They went to Baal-Peor and separated (nazar, as Numb. 6: 7) themselves unto that
shame; and their abominations were according as they loved" (Hos. 9: 10).
As a detailed examination of the whole of the narrative is beyond our limits, these
references will enable us to appreciate the features that require consideration.
Just as Balaam comes upon the scene at the very end of Israel's period of wandering,
and just before they cross over into the promised land, so these N.T. Scriptures which
refer to Balaam, are Scriptures that deal with the last days, viz., II Peter, Jude and
Revelation.
II Peter is occupied with prophecy, both false and true, revolving around the second
coming of the Lord. Chapter 2: is taken up with the question of false prophets, and the
ungodly of ancient times. The angels that sinned, the old world in the days of Noah, and
the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, are examples cited of the ungodliness yet to come.
Even a passing acquaintance with the Scriptures that deal with these three subjects will
indicate the awful uncleanness associated with them, and this is immediately taken up by
the apostle (2: 10-14), and is followed by the reference to Balaam.
Jude follows very closely the same lines as II Pet. 2: He, too, introduces three
ancient examples of ungodliness: Israel, the angels, and Sodom & Gomorrah, and,
again, terrible uncleanness is indicated (Jude 7, 8). These three classes are balanced in
the epistle by three evil individuals: Cain, Balaam & Korah, and throw light upon the
character of the last days.
The book of the Revelation also speaks of the last days, and again we read of Balaam.
This time a special doctrine is associated with his name, and also with Nicolaitanes.
Now, inasmuch as both Balaam and Nicolaitan have the same meaning, namely, the
overcoming of the people, we see that Satan will once more introduce his unclean
doctrines at the time of the end to ensnare the people of God. Balaam's doctrine was
taught at Pergamos--"where Satan's throne is." Balaam stands before us as the great
typical false prophet: he sins against light and knowledge and is overcome of greed: He
was in league with the forces of evil, as may be seen by the references to enchantments
(Numb. 23: 23; 24: 1 and falling into a trance, 24: 4). Four times does Balaam