[Biblemat] A> The Wages of Unrighteousness

[Steven C. Harper]

From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. 
Editor: Steven Harper 
August 11, 2007
The Wages Of Unrighteousness

     As the Israelites moved nearer to the Promised Land, they camped in Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho (Num. 22:1). Balak, the king of Moab, feared for himself and his people because the Israelites were numerous (vv. 2-4). In his efforts to spare himself and his people, Balak sent messengers to Balaam with the request that he curse the Israelites in such a way as Balak might be able to defeat them (vv. 5, 6). The messengers [the elders of Moab and Midian, v. 7] also carried with them what is called "the diviner's fee" in order to persuade Balaam to do this for them.

     When Balaam heard their request, he told them, "Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me" (v. 8). God asked Balaam about the men and why they were there, and then told Balaam, "You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed" (vv. 9-12). Balaam relayed this message to the princes of Balak and they left, but when they reported Balaam's refusal to fulfill their request, Balak then sent princes who were "more in number and more honorable" (vv. 14-17) in hopes they could persuade him to change his mind. Right along with these "more important" princes, Balak instructed them to tell Balaam that he would be "honored greatly" [more $$$$] if he would do this.

     At first, Balaam gave a good response in saying, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more" (v. 18). But, apparently, Balaam was not fully convinced God meant what He had said earlier when He told Balaam to not curse the Israelites, because he told them to again stay the night so he would know what the Lord would say (v. 19). If Balaam had only held firm to what he first said, this story might have a happy ending, but such was not the case.

     God did tell him to go with them this time - if they came to call him - but also added, "but only do what I tell you" (v. 20). God said this as a test of Balaam, because He had already given an answer; God was not going to change His mind on this matter, for this was His people they sought to be cursed! But Balaam did not wait for the men to come call him; he got up in the morning and went with the princes of Balak. Because of this, God sent an angel to stand in the way and demonstrated His great displeasure with Balaam (vv. 22-33). It seems it was only then that Balaam understood God was not happy with his actions and he vowed to do whatever the Lord would have him do, and upon meeting Balak, said plainly, "The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak" (v. 38).

     If we read on, we find that Balaam did indeed speak only what the Lord caused him to say, blessing Israel three times in three different places (chapters 23-24). Needless to say, Balak was not happy, but Balaam reminded him, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 'If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak'" (24:12). Balaam spoke the will of God, and for that we should be happy, but let us not forget that some of Balaam's actions were not pleasing to God. Later, Peter would write of false teachers among the faithful who had "forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness" (2 Pet. 2:15).

     Sadly, we are witnessing a few men within the Lord's church today who are following the way of Balaam and who love the "wages of unrighteousness." Let us consider how this is being done that we do not become partakers in their evil deeds and that we do not become the princes of Balak who bring them those wages of unrighteousness to get them to do our bidding.

     [1] They Voice Convictions That Are Denied By Their Actions. Balaam said the right thing (22:13), but when they pressed him later, he seemed to forget what God had already said! It's as if Balaam wasn't really convinced that God meant what He said!

     Unfortunately, there is a rising number of preachers within the Lord's church who preach and act this way, preaching God's word in one place, but backing off of their seemingly-strong conviction when pressed by those who seek God's will to be changed for their own benefit. I cannot tell you the number of instances just within the last five years where brethren [who had boldly preached God's will on marriage, divorce, and remarriage in times past], when pressed by close friends or family situations, all of a sudden seem to be not so convicted as they once were. It's as if all they ever preached before - sometimes for decades - is now in question and they don't really believe God would be so "rigid" on the matter!

     Let us not forget God's answer: "God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change his mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?" (Num. 23:19). God did not change His mind regarding the Israelites, and He has not changed His mind on what He expects of man regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage - or any other issue! To think that God would change His mind just so we could personally benefit is utterly ridiculous and expresses a twisted and misinformed view about who God is! Let's learn to accept God's will and let us so live that it is evident we are truly convicted that it is so!

     [2] They Seek Honor From Men And Not From God. Balak was convinced he could honor Balaam more than God could honor him (22:37; 24:11), and I am afraid many preachers think this same way today!

     Far too often, I have seen preachers withhold portions of God's word which they deem "too controversial" or "too offensive" for the mere possibility [or reality] that they will lose financial support and future gospel meeting invitations. We rightly shake our heads at the foolishness of the religious rulers of the first century who would not confess Jesus because they sought the praise of men over the praise of God (John 12:42, 43), but are preachers today any better when they refuse to preach "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27) for fear of what men might think or do?

     [3] They Stubbornly Refuse To Be Turned Back. With some of the brethren who have now gone off into gross error, it would not be so sad if they were only willing to listen to rebuke and correction, but many are like Balaam in that they cannot see the Lord standing in the way and refuse to hear their own brethren who are warning them to turn back to the path of righteousness. It seems all they can see is the possibility of honor from men and the wages of unrighteousness [financial support from those who want their ears scratched, 2 Tim. 4:3, 4] and nothing is going to stand in their way! They will malign, slander, falsely accuse, insult, and outright lie about their own brethren who are simply trying to turn them back to the right way, and feel no compunction about doing so. I fear that only an angel of the Lord such as Balaam eventually saw (Num. 22:31) would convince them to turn back, but I am afraid when that happens, it will be too late!

            Friends and brethren, let us not become the princes of Balak by willingly supporting those who seek to do harm to God's people! Let us diligently search the Scriptures to know what is right and true and let us be bold enough to stand firmly with has been revealed, never doubting. We need more preachers of righteousness and no more of those who are willing to compromise the truth for the wages of unrighteousness. We need more brethren who are willing to say, "What the Lord speaks, that will I speak" and mean it.     -- Steven Harper
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