Please enable Javascript to play audio

2 Peter 2:15b-17

November 06, 2008

Text: 2 Peter 2:15-17 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; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad [restrained] the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest [a strong wind]; to whom the mist [blackness] of darkness is reserved ~~forever~~ unto the age.

The false teachers have forsaken the right way

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

Gain is godliness to them

1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Balaam was a prophet

2 Peter 2:15-16 “…Balaam the son of Bosor,…16 …the prophet.”

He had power to bless and to curse

Numbers 22:6 for I know that he [Balaam] whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

Balaam seemed to start out very well

Numbers 22:18 And Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God.

He professed that he was concerned about God’s will

Numbers 22:38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.”

But he loved the wages of unrighteousness

2 Peter 2:15 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;

The false teachers were also covetous

2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:

2 Peter 2:14 “…a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

Balaam was eager to make a profit off God’s people

Numbers 22:20-22 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do.”21 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab. 22 But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.

The false teachers do the same

Jude 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Balaam was rebuked for his transgression

2 Peter 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity [“transgression,” NAS]: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad [restrained] the madness of the prophet.

The false teachers shall also be rebuked

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 23 And then [in that day v.22] will I (Jesus) profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness].

Balaam was driven by his lust

Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly

God’s anger was turned against Israel

Numbers 25:1-5,9 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the LORD, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel." 5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor." 9 And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.

Through the counsel of Balaam

Numbers 31:15-16 And Moses said to them: "Have you kept all the women alive? 16 "Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

The doctrine of Balaam was in the early church

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee [“the church in Pergamos” v.12], because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Balaam did not end well – he died by the sword

Numbers 31:8 And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

Joshua 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.

Wells and clouds but no water

2 Peter 2:17 These [false teachers] are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest [or strong wind]; to whom the mist [backness] of darkness is reserved ~~forever~~ [for the age].

It will not end well for false teachers – blackness of darkness is kept for them

2 Peter 2:17 These [false teachers] are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest [or strong wind]; to whom the mist [blackness] of darkness is reserved ~~forever~~ [for the age].

Outer darkness for the age

Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.