101 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 2 - Part 1 - Book 9 - Deuteronomy 26-34 - Joshua 1-4: Rahab

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 2 * PART 1 * BOOK 9 DEUTERONOMY 26-34: JOSHUA 1-4: RAHAB I'm already skipping a lot for sake of time. The little land of Israel, between the coast and the Sea of Galilee, and the Dead Sea. Israel is a tiny little strip of land. There are very few average church goers who understand that Israel did not come in from the south. Now the main reason I stop and take an hour or two in teaching Balaam, is to point out two basic facts. Number one, I wasn't kidding when I said there was from 3-7 million children of Israel. Secondly, to see how Balaam is the perfect example of false teachers. Now Numbers 22. I've had people over and over say, "I had just read that this afternoon, yet when you read it, I understood what it says." I don't have to have a lot of notes when I read to people. Numbers 22:1,2 "And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side (east of) Jordan by Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites." Numbers 22:3 Don't you kid yourself.): and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. Numbers 22:4a,5 "And Moab said unto the elders of Midian. Thirteen miles? But as far as old King Balak could see, he saw nothing but the children of Israel. Drop down to verse 11: Numbers 22:11 Balak just wants to somehow bring the Israelites to a place where God would destroy them. In spite of her wickedness and sins, Balaam didn't understand that the Grace of God would always overcome Israel's shortcomings. He thought God should curse them. Let's go to Chapter 23. Remember King Balak is still working on old Balaam to bring about the curse, and Balaam is having some difficulty. I like to point out as you read these verses that just because the LORD Jehovah is dealing with Balaam and speaking with him on a face to face basis, that does not mean Balaam is a valid prophet. He is a false prophet. So Balak takes Balaam up to a high place: Numbers 23:13,14a So God is bringing them around opposite the Jordan River and no wonder old King Balak thought he needed help. But instead of Balaam staying home, when he received the message, he goes to King Balak, because he can see all the wealth of Moab that is being offered to him just for putting a curse on these Israelites. Let's go back to the New Testament for a little bit. We haven't had time to read all that went on between Balaam and Balak. But Remember the King had offered old Balaam just about anything he wanted. But God immediately told Balaam, "Don't do it!" And old Balaam converses with Jehovah. And finally Balaam tells Balak, that he can't curse them because Jehovah is blessing them. The first one is here in II Peter Chapter 2, and the whole Chapter, as does the little Book of Jude which deals with false teachers. The average believer and church member today is totally confused. I think that is one of the problems with our beloved nation, is that the people of our nation have just lost all concept of the truth of God's Word. Now let's look at how Balaam is described back here in II Peter Chapter 2: II Peter 2:13 II Peter 2:14 Many times it is mixing paganism with true Biblical truth. That is adulterating the Word of God. And these people are masters of that. Do you see why I'm always emphasizing that people have to be taught? II Peter 2:15 Remember what I said? Why couldn't he refrain from going back to Moab and cursing those people? How many people are using the Word of God to line their own pockets. I'm talking about people who use the Word of God for no other reason but to enhance their own financial state. Balaam was in it for one reason and that was to line his own pockets. That is the way of Balaam. Now let's also turn on over to the little Book of Jude. And here we have a second description of Balaam. The Book of Jude is almost a carbon copy of II Peter, and he too warned about false teachers: Jude 1:3 I never try to shove it down peoples throat. Jude 1:4 who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." Now skip down to verse 10: Jude 1:10,11a Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain (remember Cain's problem was no faith), and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward,..." What was this error of Balaam? Curse them. Let's turn to Revelation Chapter 2. Now let's go quickly to the Book of Numbers again, Chapter 25. Now some time has gone by and God hasn't permitted Balaam to get away with it. Numbers 25:1 "And Israel abode in Shittim and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab." Numbers 31:16 "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD." #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible