Men of Renown
Part vii
Balaam
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Genesis 6:4) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)
  This series called Men of Renown will begin with these verses in Chapter 6 of the book of Genesis because it is the perfect scene setter for whatever and whoever follows that enables men of renown to act in conflict against God and His Word. Genesis 6 verses 4 and 5 are an accurate definition of men of renown.
  The phrase ‘men of renown’ occurs in the Bible only two times. The second and last mention can be found in the 4th book of the Pentateuch in the book of Numbers, Chapter 16. This last mention of ‘men of renown’ goes beyond the definition of men of renown and expands what ‘men of renown’ are not only capable of, but what lurks in the inner most recesses of their thoughts.
  Although most readers will probably not begin with Men of Renown Parts i, ii, iii, iv and v, I suggest that to get more from this particular article, Part vii, you should first read Men of Renown, Balaam Part vi. But that’s just my suggestion . . . but what do I know?
Balaam
—The Religious Hypocrite —
  The voice of God commands, and He speaks, yet, mankind hears Him not. His voice speaks in power and in truth; yet, man believes Him not.
Religion and Christianity are not synonymous. Â Christianity is about God and His will. Religion is about man and his will.
  Become familiar with this phrase — Balaam represents ecclesiastical corruption — because I will be repeating this phrase many times throughout this series on Balaam. However, within the hearts of ALL of mankind there beats the heart of a hypocrite but ranked with the soulless hypocrites of politics is the one who hides hypocrisy behind religion, and in the pages of the Word of God. Again, and again, I write that religion and Christianity are two different concepts. I HAVE to repeat this because religion and Christianity have become so ingrained into the very fiber of society for being the same, and they are not the same. Religion and Christianity are not synonymous.  Christianity is about God and His will. Religion is about man and his will. Religion is man’s invention of control and power over the souls of others. Cain was the first noted man of religion who was a murderer. Religion attempts to replace God’s will with the will of man. Religion sets its own way to God, it pretends to follow God and His Word, but doesn’t. Religion decides what and how man can interact with God. Religion sets the conditions to approach God. Religion claims authority to act as the spokesperson for God. Religion is all about religion. Christianity is about God and His Christ. Note the difference: Christianity is REVELATION and RELATIONSHIP. God reveals Himself to the person of His choosing, and through His revelation of Himself then there is a relationship formed between God and man. Christianity is about God and His will. Religion is about man and his will.
 Balaam could be called ‘the poster child of people of the cloth.’ I can’t write ‘men of the cloth’ because in our age of insanity there are others who are draped in robes of religious ostentatiousness. What’s the point of being above everyone else spiritually if you can’t flaunt it? I have often thought that maybe a plain, pure white T-shirt with the words printed in bright garish red ‘I AM GODLY’ would probably work just as well as hot sweeping robes or tight white starched collars. (But that’s just me.)
 The Holy Spirit of God does not give us a physical description of Balaam probably because he represents ALL ecclesiastical hypocrites. The following verses have been selected from Chapters 22 and 23 of the book of Numbers to show how devoted and faithful Balaam was to God’s words . . . NOT . . . that was sarcasm. Balaam sure could talk a good story about being tremendously faithful to the word of God.
And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. (Numbers 22:8)
Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. (Numbers 22:19)
And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. (Numbers 22:38)
And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth? (Numbers 23:12)
But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? (Numbers 23:26)
  Balak sent men to Balaam to request that he would return with them to curse the people of Israel.
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. (Numbers 22:7)
And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. (Numbers 22:8)
And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? (Numbers 22:9)
And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, (Numbers 22:10)
Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. (Numbers 22:11)
And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. (Numbers 22:12)
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. (Numbers 22:13)
And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. (Numbers 22:14)
  What was wrong with that? Nothing! God spoke. Balaam obeyed. End of story. Not so quick, Balaam knew quite well that this king, or should I write MOST kings do not take kindly to rejection. The Holy Spirit doesn’t tell us what happened with the rewards of divination that these men most likely offered to Balaam. I assume that they did not give these rewards to Balaam, but his eyes had seen the rewards of divination. Consequently, Balak sent more honorable men with the promise of being promoted with very great honor. Now, this promotion wasn’t a title of royalty, no way, Balak knew that to move ‘spiritual men’ to accommodate requests required one thing: money. The current standard among ‘spiritual leaders’ to accomplish or to have your desires fulfilled (whether it is a marriage annulment, or a position within a church organization, or anything within the control of ‘spiritual leaders’) is to approach the ‘right spiritual leader’ with the scent of gold or silver on your palms, and voila, it is accomplished. This is a reality. This is a truth especially in our contemporary age of ALL religions. They may call it by many names, but it is a payoff, a system of payment for a service performed. Am I being too hard on ‘spiritual leaders?’ NEVER . . . not me!!!
And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. (Numbers 22:15)
And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:Â (Numbers 22:16)
For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. (Numbers 22:17)
And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. (Numbers 22:18)Â
Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. (Numbers 22:19)
And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. (Numbers 22:20)
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. (Numbers 22:21)
  The offer that Balak made to Balaam was very enticing. For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. (Numbers 22:17) The next verse (Numbers 22:18) appears to be very honorable, but verse 19 puts the icing on the cookie. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. (Numbers 22:19) God had originally said, Thou shalt not go with them. What part of this did not Balaam understand? Now Balaam wanted more, maybe wishing that God might add something else to His Words that Balaam could use as a wedge or leverage to somewhat change the meaning of God’s Words . . . Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
Side Note: Politicians, lawyers and ‘those of the cloth’ know exactly how to change words and turn phrases to gain an advantage. The master thought manipulator was/is Satan: in the garden scene he left out a very important connection when he spoke to Eve, and he also lied to her as well.
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1)
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:Â (Genesis 3:2)
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Genesis 3:3)
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:Â (Genesis 3:4)
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:5)
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6)
  This is what he left out . . . For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and BECOMING evil.
  The lies: Ye shall not surely die: and ye shall be as gods. Notice also that she entirely missed a very obvious smoothed over concept . . . knowing good and evil. She equated knowing good with wisdom . . . and a tree to be desired to make one wise, but she had no reference for evil because everything that she knew, saw, and possessed was GOOD. (Goodness was what God her Creator had given to her.) Of course, this subtle serpent wasn’t about to enlarge her understanding about good and evil because his conversation wasn’t based on merely good and evil it was about DISOBEDIENCE. It was about getting her to DISOBEY God’s Word. Satan’s plan was founded on making her believe that God LIED. (Satan never works in a straightforward manner in his attacks. Distraction, lies, half-truths (are half lies) and confusion is his method of operation.)
Politicians are experts with thought distraction. Lawyers are experts with word distraction, and ‘those of the cloth’ are experts in turning words, thoughts and deeds into distractions from the truth in the Word of God to another gospel, another Jesus, and another spirit. It is the flimflam game known as thimblerig, or the three shells and a pea con.
  Balaam (as many individuals in our age) desired to add more to the Word of God . . . that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. God is clear in His Word, yet, His Word is not enough for unstable minds and hearts. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (2nd Timothy 4:3) Itching ears are never satisfied with the Word of God, for they need to know what the LORD will say unto me more. More translations, more novels about Christian personalities, more spiritual videos, more spiritual retreats, more spiritual social teas, more spiritual conferences, more religious programs, more fun church programs, more church building programs, more Hebrew and Greek studies, more time-consuming activities, more . . . more . . . more rainbows to follow, and more yellow brick roads to travel. No matter how much more they follow after, and lust after, they are Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2nd Timothy 3:7)
For I am the LORD, I change not;Â therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6)
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)
But thou [art] the same, and thy years shall have no end. (Psalm 102:27)
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Hebrews 1:12)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
  As God never changes, His Word also never changes. After having written that God NEVER changes, let us read more about Balaam rationalizing God’s Word. And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. (Numbers 22:20) And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. (Numbers 22:21) God did not change His mind after first COMMANDING Balaam that Thou shalt not go with them recorded in Numbers 22:12. (I find it interesting that in the verse address location we have a triple witness in the number 2 and the number of Oneness, the number of God in Oneness, placed within the triple witness.) Thou shalt not go with them was a clear COMMAND; and now, however, we read of God saying, rise up, and go with them. WHAT? Did God change His mind? NO. But God had something in-store for this disobedient man. God also had something He desired to show not only to Balaam, but to us as well through His written Word.
  God allows the rebellious to rebel. It is, of course, within the power and dictates of the Sovereign God to control His creatures to perform His will, BUT, God has chosen instead to allow His rebellious creatures to follow their own way to show His power. Is this free will? NO. (This link will add to your understanding of man and free will maybe in another way.) [What] if God, willing to shew [his] wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (Romans 9:22)
  To the bleeding hearts out there, this is a hard thing to realize, but haters of God willingly seek HELL. Haters of God (whether secretly or openly) fight against God, and His Word, constantly because they belong to a race of humans dedicated to the advancement of self, led by the master of self: Lucifer, the ‘I WILL’ of ‘MY WILL,’ and NEVER THE WILL of GOD. There is a HELL for a purpose. There is a HELL for a reason.
  What did God want to show to this pagan covetous prophet (called Balaam) who brazenly and irreverently used the name of God to enrich his bank account? The first thing that God revealed to Balaam is that His COMMANDS and His Word were not to be ignored, nor disobeyed.
And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. (Numbers 22:22)
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:Â (Numbers 22:32)
  God was angry! God was very angry because Balaam went with the men, even after God had originally forbidden Balaam to go. In essence we could say that God said, ‘I do not want you to go, but since you want to know MORE even after I said NO, alrighty then . . . go . . . but be warned for there will be consequences because of your refusal to obey my word, my first ruling, my command.’ What Balaam did can be compared to what Adam did in the garden. God spoke. God gave a command. Adam disobeyed knowing that he was in disobedience. The point is that Adam KNEW the full terms and conditions of his state and standing before God in the garden. Adam knew that he was responsible for his actions. In like manner, Balaam KNEW. He knew so much that he was very particular to inform others that he MUST be faithful to the words of God. But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? (Numbers 23:26) Balaam lied, All that the LORD speaketh, he didn’t do, did he? Hypocrite! Hypocrisy is so much a part of the nature of humanity that it is viewed as a minor flaw in the character of mankind, but there is nothing minor about sin. (The huge fad word of the day is ‘racism,’ notice how the word ‘hypocrisy’ is never mentioned by the specialists of propaganda concealed behind the banners of the news hawkers.)
  The word ‘hypocrisy’ is mentioned six times in the entire Bible, pointing, once again, to the number of man. Does not this word describe mankind (the number six) perfectly?
For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. (Isaiah 32:6)
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23:28)
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see [it]. (Mark 12:15)
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1)
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1st Timothy 4:2)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)
So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:Â (Job 8:13)
He also [shall be] my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. (Job 13:16)
That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment? (Job 20:5)
For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? (Job 27:8)
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one [is] an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still. (Isaiah 9:17)
  There . . . that about covers what we will learn through the following verses. Let us read the verses that have caused so much confusion and misrepresentation about God and His Word.
Balaam
— The Cruel Man and The Beast in the Man —
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. (Numbers 22:21)
And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. (Numbers 22:22)
And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. (Numbers 22:23)
But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. (Numbers 22:24)
And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. (Numbers 22:25)
And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. (Numbers 22:26)
And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. (Numbers 22:27)
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? (Numbers 22:28)
And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. (Numbers 22:29)
And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. (Numbers 22:30)　
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. (Numbers 22:31)
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: (Numbers 22:32)　
And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. (Numbers 22:33)
  WOW. This is the only place in Scripture where we read of an animal speaking with the voice of a man. WHY? WHY in Numbers Chapter 22? Scoffers’ and unbelievers find delight with these verses; however, there is a specific reason why the Holy Spirit of God brings in this amazing event in Chapter 22. These three chapters of Numbers 22, 23, and 24 proclaim the greatness and the sovereignty of a POWERFUL Creator God. Chapter 22 is NOT about whether or not an animal can speak, but it is about the POWER within the Creator God who can control and cause His creatures to speak at His will. This is all about the POWER of God. What God will reveal to us in the following verses and chapters require that we must first understand that God is not limited in His power to affect a change in what we call ‘nature.’ There are, of course, many things that can be written about asses speaking, but God chose THIS particular animal to speak with the voice of a man. God disclosed that even over the lowest from of an animal of burden He has POWER. The ass has always been noted in Scripture as a creature oppressed and weighed down carrying the things of the world on his back. In this aspect, the ass symbolizes mankind oppressed and weighted down with his sin, and the sin of the world. There is another view concerning this animal, and it is compared with mankind, that a man is born like a wild ass: stubborn, obstinate, self-willed, defiant, and perverse, and the Spirit of God called Balaam in Numbers 22:32 perverse. God compared this perverse prophet to an ass. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: (Numbers 22:32). For vain man would be wise, though man be born [like] a wild ass’s colt. (Job 11:12)
  Here in this symbol of mankind in this burdened ass, we can understand why God untied the cords of speech to draw out in a very astonishing and shocking manner the condition that all creatures have fallen under the curse and weight of the sin of Adam. In the garden scene in Genesis Chapter 3, verse 1, the subtle serpent spoke to Eve, and they carried on a conversation between themselves. She was not shocked to hear a voice from another species, could it be that all animals could speak? I do not know, but we do have the evidence of Genesis 3:1. We also know that the creation (all of nature groans and moans over their painful condition of being enslaved by the curse of sin upon the world).
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (Romans 8:20)
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:21)
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:22)
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)
How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end. (Jeremiah 12:4)
  Mankind is not the only species to be subjected to pain and death, but ALL have been overcome, even the very earth witnesses within (through ground tearing, moving and being ripped apart by earthquakes, and the smoke and fire spewing from volcanoes) that it is in the throes of the result of sin and death. (God instructs mankind by parables within earth activities and landscapes shifting, but man refuses to observe that even the topography speaks of the constant unsettled condition of the nature of mankind.)
  The heartless aspect of humanity is seen daily not only in how he treats others, but how mankind treats everything around him with no thought of the consequences of his acts: not only does the earth suffer, but animals are recklessly mistreated and abused. A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel. (Proverbs 12:10) Balaam’s words to his ass showed his temper, his quickness to retaliate, and his disregard of his animal’s welfare. Does not this show that Balaam’s tendency in his care of his livestock was one of cruelty and wickedness? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. (Numbers 22:29)
  This record in Numbers 22:21 to verse 33 opens our eyes to the condition of both man and beast. One saw the Angel, one reacted to protect another, although one suffered abuse from the one who was being protected, the abused creature did not stop from attempting to protect the abuser. The man was the lesser of the two; thus, the man showed himself to be lower than the beast. This is not a harsh statement because mankind celebrates his beast like actions, he delights in beastly acts, he praises those who have become insane by their beastliness. Numbers 22:21 thru 33 reveals what is in man, and the condition and state of ALL of nature: man and beast.
  This religious prophet was a type of beastly mankind posing as ministers of righteousness (throughout time) while they are truly ministers of Satan cloaked in robes of religiousness, thus, shielding their depravity and perversion from their followers and victims. Read the following references from the 2nd epistle of Peter.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (2nd Peter 2:2)
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (2 Peter 2:10)
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;Â (2nd Peter 2:12)
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;Â (2nd Peter 2:13)
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:Â (2nd Peter 2:14)
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;Â (2nd Peter 2:15)
But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. (2nd Peter 2:16)
Balaam
— The Madness of Ecclesiastical Corruption —
  The last mention of ‘madness’ is connected to Balaam. It is not by accident nor is it coincidental that the word ‘madness’ is tied to Balaam. Peter, through the Holy Spirit, called Balaam ‘mad.’ It is madness to work against God. It is insanity to believe that mankind can achieve victory over the Almighty God. Madness cannot reason, madness cannot overcome insanity by refusing to accept truth. Madness can spread as a virus; strip the ability to reason, substitute common sense with nonsense, remove the Word of God from minds and thoughts, and humanity will cease to be human and become beastly mad. Honestly . . . truthfully . . . can you not say that at this junction in time that madness is rampant. Leaders (whether academically, politically or religiously) cannot ascertain whether they are men or whether they are women . . . this is without any doubt blatant MADNESS.
  It is not by accident that the Holy Spirit of God ties this ecclesiastically corrupt hypocritical prophet to madness. Mankind (through Adam) took his first step away from God by disobedience and rebellion against his Creator. The next step took mankind further away from God when (through Cain) mankind deliberately attempted to force God to accept another means to approach his Creator rather than how God had commanded; thus, it became man’s way to God instead of God’s way. This was the first religion of man, by man, and this religious act caused this very religious man (Cain) to commit murder (madness). When you follow the life of Cain and his descendants, madness is buried within their actions. You will see madness in action: building monuments to themselves, sexual perversions and confusion, and the praises and celebration of murder through odes and songs.
  I cannot see anything else but madness in anyone who acts believing that their actions can hinder or stop God’s purpose and plan. It matters not if hand join with hand, no one, neither confederation nor alliance can affect God’s sovereignty.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. (Proverbs 11:21)
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. (Proverbs 16:5)
  The deepest abyss of madness is realized when ‘the spiritual person’ is overcome and enslaved by their own evil imagination. I use the phrase ‘the spiritual person’ instead of ‘the religious person’ for a reason. Many confused souls consider themselves to be ‘spiritual’ because they like butterflies, unicorns, earth aromas, poetry and madrigals. This is a bit over the top I know, but I have met some very strange over the top individuals who claim to be spiritual for just those very reasons. Then there is ‘the religious person’ whose claim is based on where their parents went to church, or how many times they attend a building designated as a church, or even how good they are, and of course, everyone knows that all you have to do to go to heaven is to be good, well maybe not ALL good, but somewhat good, but no one can tell me what the percentage of goodness is needed: 90%, 80% or 53% good? (Everyone knows that seven-fifths of all people do not understand fractions, and 140% of all people have trouble with percentages.) (This has been a favorite question that I ask when anyone claims that they can go to heaven by being good. I always ask, How good? 90% good? 80% good? 53% good? what is the percentage of goodness that God requires?) It matters not whether anyone believes that they are ‘spiritual’ or ‘religious’ because both groups rely on their imaginations.
Note: Personal Experience: Dealing with people who are liars. While visiting family, we (my husband and myself) were invited to attend a neighborhood cookout. One of the attendees held the groups’ attention claiming that she had a spiritual nature because she saw angels and spoke to angels. (From past conversations with this woman it was obvious that she knew nothing about the Word of God, nor did she want to know anything about Scripture, as she thought herself to be an expert in spiritual matters because she spoke to angels.) She attempted to engage my husband (Michael, who was seated next to her) in a conversation around her spiritual nature, he spoke truthfully by saying, Madam, you are not spiritual, you are delusional! (It is amazing how quickly a loud lighthearted cookout can suddenly become subdued. Muted cookouts can be such fun, don’t you agree?)Â
This [is] an evil among all [things] that are done under the sun, that [there is] one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness [is] in their heart while they live, and after that [they go] to the dead. (Ecclesiastes 9:3)
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. (Hosea 9:7)
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21) 　
Balaam and Balak Allies
— Corrupt Religion and Evil Government United —
  We are about to read about an alliance between government and religion united against God and His people Israel.
And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. (Numbers 22:34)
And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. (Numbers 22:35)
And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. (Numbers 22:36)
And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? (Numbers 22:37)
And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. (Numbers 22:38)
And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth. (Numbers 22:39)
And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. (Numbers 22:40)
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. (Numbers 22:41)
  There are many points that can be considered in this section of Scripture, but I would like to focus only on one point: the location, Kirjathhuzoth (Numbers 22:39). And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. (Numbers 22:36) Balak met Balaam in a city of Moab located on the border of a territory called Arnon situated on the coast which was a border between the Moabites and the Amorites.
From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.(Numbers 21:13)
Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon. (Numbers 21:14)
  We should take some time to build on this first location that Balak took Balaam to curse God’s people, Israel. There were four places that Balak took Balaam to offer sacrifices and to prophecy in cursings against Israel. This city of Kirjathhuzoth was located on the border of Arnon, also known as ‘the river of Arnon,’ or ‘the brooks of Arnon.’ The Arnon River is one of the larger water sources of the Dead Sea other than the Jordan River. (The spiritual connection here is very enlightening because although freshwater flows from the Arnon River it can only become part of a dead place, there is no other outlet, it has no other prospect but to flow into a place where nothing can live.) This place ‘the river of Arnon’ or ‘the brooks of Arnon’ is referenced in many prophecies in the Old Testament, so therefore, let’s take a peek at Kirjathhuzoth. The name of this city means ‘city of streets,’ and ‘city of broad ways.’ Arnon means ‘lion of perpetuity,’ and ‘I shall shout for joy.’ This territory was filled with rivers rushing through canyons and streams gently flowing directly into the Dead Sea (the lowest land-based elevation on earth). Can you not see pride in this name of Arnon? The strength of the king of the animal kingdom ‘the lion’ should be considered, but when this area was named by its inhabitants for being ‘perpetual’ they sadly believed that they never would cease to exist. The pride and strength of man again build for his own glory, and to his own glory, never for one moment thinking of God.
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Psalm10:4)
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. (Psalm 49:11)
And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. (Genesis 4:17)
  Can you hear the loud sound of rushing waters cascading downward crashing into towering rock formations? The force of waters can (through time) change the landscape quite easily. This can describe the pride and the seemingly unconquerable nature of the inhabitants of this area. And let us not miss the meaning in the name of Kirjathhuzoth: the city of streets, and the city of broad ways. This was the first place that Balak took Balaam to: ‘the city of streets, and the city of broad ways.’ Corrupt religion loves Kirjathhuzoth. All religions love Kirjathhuzoth.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: (Matthew 7:13)Â Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14)
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (2nd Peter 2:15)
 The first step in removing the people from the truth of God’s word is best accomplished in a city setting because this particular environment allows for more mind control and distraction, whereas, control is the central goal of all governments and of all religions. This specific city of many broad streets represents the numerous messages that authorities of both religion and government employ to cause confusion and disharmony. For example, Christianity has been splintered into countless groups and denominations: from many divisive doctrinal teachings to dissimilar ecclesiastical procedures, to numerous muddled books titled Bibles, from differences in form, practice and standing, Christianity has become unrecognizable as Christ has been removed, redefined and made into a powerless subject to godless men posing as His administrators. These are the many streets, boulevards and avenues that have overtaken and fractured the church into many fragments and pieces; (Kirjathhuzoth: the city of streets, and the city of broad ways is the city of the enemy) nevertheless, the Church (the Body of Christ) stands united because the Church is not of the earth, it is part of His Body and it is sustained by His Spirit through the POWER of the Almighty God.
  The narrow way to God has been broadened (by the Balaam’s and Balak’s of the world) to allow the godless to imagine that they can wheel and deal their way into the presence of the Almighty God. The words of the Lord Jesus Christ show us that there is only one way to God the Father, and there is not another street, neither another boulevard, nor another avenue . . . Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
  Not only does authority assume that their role of power should be to rule as national authoritarians, but they also assume they have divine qualities entitling them to be worshiped. And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. (Numbers 22:40) Balak offered oxen and sheep; thus, he assumed that his kingly power also included priestly responsibilities. This certainly is not surprising as the history of mankind contains scores of kings, cesars, czars, emirs, khans, moguls and rulers of every nation and territory who has presumed to be as gods. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:5) Nothing has changed in mankind, their desire for control over their fellow beings is totally motivated by their insatiable lust to be as gods. Balakism (to act as both king and priest) is addictive especially among the ultra-wealthy, corporative and industrial elites. They decide what is said, what is reported, what is believed, what is accepted, what is not achieved, what is driven, what is eaten, what class loses or wins, what businesses fail or succeed, and even who becomes president or leader, or who works or who doesn’t work . . . they (the mighty men and women of extreme wealth and power) assume that they have the divine right to rule ONLY because they have wealth; thus, because they have inherited wealth, or stolen wealth, or created wealth they erroneously imagine that along with their wealth they have intelligence, knowledge and understanding. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. (Romans 1:22)
  From the city of broad streets to the high places of Baal is a short journey. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. (Numbers 22:41) The distraction and confusion from multiple contradictory messages lead, of course, to the worship of Satan. The broad street of imagination begins with the thought that here is more than one way to God, to all ways are acceptable and good to any worship is good as long as it is worship, to there is no God, to Jesus Christ was merely a man, to Jesus Christ is not King nor Lord leads to no King and no Lord. Once the true King and Lord is removed then everyone becomes their own king and their own lord . . . then all can be as gods.
  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6) As Israel became enslaved by their enemies while in their own land is documented in the book of Judges, the professing church (not true Christianity) has become enslaved by their enemies while in their own land.
  From the high places of Baal, the enemies of Israel (Balak and Balaam) looked down from the heights over the plains of Moab to see the utmost part of the people. This phrase the high places of Baal, occurs three times in the Scriptures. What happened in these the high places of Baal? What is happening on these high places of Baal today?
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost [part] of the people. (Numbers 22:41)
They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire [for] burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake [it], neither came [it] into my mind: (Jeremiah 19:5)
And they built the high places of Baal, which [are] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through [the fire] unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. (Jeremiah 32:35)
  Numbers 22:41 is the first time that we are made aware of this god called Baal. The worship of this god included the celebration of pain and the tortuous murder of babies and young children. The lowest form of pagan worship, of course, had to be carried out on prominent places not only on mountain tops, but also on gentle rolling hills, and under every cool and beautiful green tree. These heinous horrid acts of babies being sacrificed changed these places of beauty into vile venues of pagan worship. As their young children screamed in horrendous pain, their mothers, fathers and families lustily and joyously celebrated their own personal glory in their obedience, homage, devotion and passion to their god Baal.
These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 12:1)
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: (Deuteronomy 12:2)
And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. (Deuteronomy 12:3)
  Although God is long suffering, once any nation accepts the murder of powerless children (born or unborn) that nation is doomed for destruction . . . and rightly so.
  It was from this location, the worship of Baal, that Balak and Balaam looked over Israel from on high. From this point of unification, these two enemies of God, and enemies of God’s people (for the first time) saw the tribes of Israel in their tents resting on the plains of Moab. However, this was not the entire nation, as they were an innumerable company of people. This view only gave Balak and Balaam a partial view of a people that very soon would swarm over the land.
  As Israel went about their daily chores little did they realize that above them (on the tops of the mountains surrounding them) stood their enemy, plotting and planning their annihilation. As we also carry on our daily chores, our enemy (Satan) and his followers (corrupt religionists and evil authorities) plot and plan to destroy all of God’s children. But although we are targets, we have unseen weapons. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (2nd Corinthians 10:4) Chapter 22 of Numbers opens a supernatural event, and most miss the significance of what the Holy Spirit put into simple words that the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice (as confirmed by Peter in the New Testament) was revelatory. God’s power is beyond our comprehension level. Chapter 22 lays the supernatural ground under our noses, and under our feet. And because God has supernatural power far beyond our understanding, the blessings and prophecies that will follow in Chapters 23 and 24 should be accepted as already being accomplished. God’ supernatural power cannot only move and change the nature of the kingdom of animals, but God’ supernatural power can and will move, and change the plans of His enemies. Israel’s enemies may watch them (unseen and unrealized by Israel) BUT God also watches, and His will, purpose, and plan can never be annulled.
  Yes, Israel WAS the target of Balak and Balaam, and Israel IS the target of all haters of God: the Balaks and Balaams of our day. And yes, true Christianity was and continues to be the target of the Balaks and Balaams of our age, BUT they (Israel) and we (the Church) have a GREAT GOD, a SUPERNATURAL GOD, and a POWERFUL GOD.
Say unto God, How terrible [art thou in] thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. (Psalm 66:3)
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. (Psalm 66:7)
Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. (Psalm 106:8)
Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite. (Psalm 147:5)
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)
The Supernatural
  Chapters 22, 23 and 24 of the book of Numbers are saturated with prophecy, history, relevancy, and instruction by the Holy Spirit of God through the pen of the ready writer Moses. We have speedily flown through Chapter 22 touching just on a few points; therefore, I need to remind you to stay focused on the broader picture. The next two chapters (23 and 24) will show us more about the enemy of God’s chosen nation Israel and how their enemies are also the enemies of the Church of the Living God and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a good thing to know about one’s enemies, but it is a greater thing to know about one’s Savior.
  Balaam stands out in Scripture as a personality that God writes about from the book of Numbers (the fourth book in Scripture) to the last book in the Revelation of Jesus Christ (the 66th book in Scripture). We are introduced to this corrupt ecclesiastical prophet and false self-proclaimed priest in the number 4. (The number of 4 represents darkness and the world, and all within this planet Earth. And the number 66 is a double witness of the true nature of mankind in his fight to be as gods and to one day live forever, and as the subtle serpent said, Ye shall not surely die. Long life as gods is the end goal of humanity.) Since God the Holy Spirit has written about this corrupt prophet so extensively, we should therefore follow the Holy Spirit as He guides us further on into the pages alive with power.
  Chapter 22 of the book of Numbers is treated by skeptics as proof that the Bible is a book of myths. This chapter, however, actually proves that the Bible is true from beginning to end. How does this Chapter prove that the Bible is the Word of God in all truth? Here is a safe link for you to follow for additional study about the Bible because I will not be diving further then I need to in this article about the Bible. CLICK HERE.
  This Chapter proves within itself that all in the Bible is truth and not mythical. First, our God is a Supernatural God. Secondly, He has written a Supernatural Book. Thirdly, this Supernatural Book (which He has preserved by His Supernatural power) is about a Supernatural Man: Christ Jesus. Fourthly, this Supernatural Man came to earth to supernaturally draw out a people for Himself. We have a Supernatural God, a Supernatural Christ, a Supernatural Book, a Supernatural Plan of Redemption, and a Supernatural future with this Supernatural God.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2nd Peter 1:3)
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2nd Peter 1:4)
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1st John 3:2)
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1st Corinthians 15:49)
  Chapter 22 of the book of Numbers is another teaching point by the Holy Spirit of God to force us to grasp once more the Supernatural power of God. How quickly the mind of mankind questions the ways and methods of God instead of believing in faith that nothing is impossible with God.
For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37)
And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. (Luke 18:27)
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: (Jeremiah 32:17)
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)
 Chapter 22 of the book of Numbers is a Chapter written not only to encourage and to instruct, but to teach that nothing is impossible with God. Believing God and His Word opens to us dimensions of the unseen and the unheard that unbelieving hearts cannot begin to fathom.
  Believe that our God is Supernatural. He is beyond all things natural and has reached into our frame of time – space – and dimensions with the language of words with The Word to reveal to His creation that He exists and because He lives, we shall live also.
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;Â (Titus 1:2)
Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. (2nd Timothy 1:9)
Men of renown is a companion piece to Giants in the Earth series.
© Copyright 2021, Mary Haigh
This article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)