Numbers 22-24, 31 - I Cannot Go Beyond the Word of the Lord

Introduction
Statements made by Balaam

• “If [the king] would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God”.
• “All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do”
• “I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak”

What are some of the qualities of a person who would say these things?
Three writers in the New Testament referred to Balaam
What are their impressions of him?
see 2 Peter 2:15–16; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14

Numbers 22
Background: The Israelites pitched their tents in the plains of Moab.  Balak was the King of Moab and was terrified by the approach of the Israelites.  He had a plan to curse Israel by a man named Balaam who apparently had a reputation for being able to bless and curse with great effect.
What was Balak's plan? (v.5-7) Give Balaam rewards if he would curse the Israelites

How did Balaam respond to this offer? (v.8) He went to the Lord
What answer did Balaam receive? (v.12) He shouldn't go with them
*** What so-called rewards are we sometimes offered in exchange for disobeying God?

Balak sent a second group of men, more impressive than the first, to try to persuade him.
What did Balak offer Balaam? (v.17) He would be promoted to a high honor
How did Balaam respond this 2nd time? (v.18-19) Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord.  But stay here this night and I'll ask the Lord again.
What do you think about his response?
Why do you think he wanted to ask the Lord again?
*** What are the dangers of seeking exceptions to God’s commandments and counsel?

What did the Lord say the 2nd time? (v.20-22) Gave permission but he had to do the Lord wanted
What does the Lord’s anger suggest about what was in Balaam’s heart? 

On his way to Moab, Balaam tried three times to force his donkey forward.  An angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him.  The donkey could see the angel but Balaam could not.
In what way was this like Balaam’s relationship with the Lord? He wanted to force his own will
*** What are some modern parallels of individuals and groups stubbornly trying to do what they want rather than submitting to God’s will or to the righteous counsel of parents or leaders?

1. A child, unhappy with an answer from one parent, goes to the other parent, hoping for a different answer.
2. A member of the Church, unsatisfied with the counsel of a priesthood leader, goes to another priesthood leader.
3. A member of the Church rationalizes that a commandment doesn’t apply to him or her as it does to other members.

The Lord chastened Balaam through the angel and the donkey.
How did Balaam respond to the chastening words of the angel? (v.31-35)
*** Why does God chasten his children?
*** How can God’s chastening be a blessing to us?
see D&C 95:1

Numbers 23-24 
After Balaam arrived in Moab, Balak asked him three times to curse Israel. Each time the Lord told Balaam to bless Israel, and Balaam obeyed. 
What strengths did Balaam show in this account? (See Numbers 22:38; 23:8, 19–20; 24:1, 12–13.) What weakness was still evident in Balaam? (See Numbers 22:41; 23:1–3, 13–15, 27–30.
Although Balaam refused Balak’s requests to curse Israel, he was willing to follow Balak from place to place and listen to his requests even though he knew they were wrong.
*** What are the dangers of listening to unrighteous suggestions when we know they are wrong?

Numbers 31
The Lord was angry with the Midianites for enticing the Israelites to sin. The Israelites destroyed the Medianites and slayed Balaam (v.8)
Who counseled the Midianites to tempt the children of Israel to participate in idol worship and immorality? (v.16)
Why do you think Balaam gave this counsel? Although Balaam obeyed the Lord’s commands to bless rather than curse Israel, in his heart he wanted earthly honors and rewards. To receive these rewards, he suggested tempting Israel to sin, causing them to lose God’s protection

What lessons can we learn from this story?
Members of the Church who seek earthly rewards and honors, who seek exceptions to God’s counsel and commandments, or who try to introduce worldly ideas, practices, or standards into the Church are following Balaam’s unrighteous example.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:
“What a story this is! Here is a prophet of God who is firmly committed to declare only what the Lord of heaven directs. There does not seem to be the slightest doubt in his mind about the course he should pursue. He represents the Lord, and neither a house full of gold and silver nor high honors offered by the king can sway him from his determined course. …
“But greed for wealth and lust for honor beckon him. How marvelous it would be [for him] to be rich and powerful. … Perhaps the Lord would let him compromise his standards and have some worldly prosperity and power. … I wonder how often some of us get our direction from the Church and then, Balaam-like, plead for some worldly rewards. …
“Balaam, … inspired and mighty as he once was, lost his soul in the end because he set his heart on the things of this world rather than the riches of eternity

Although Balaam appeared to be strictly obedient, the desires of his heart were to receive earthly rewards and honors.
What does this story teach about the importance of keeping the desires of our hearts pure? 
How can we keep the desires of our hearts pure?

see Isaiah 29:13 
If Balaam had humbly submitted to God’s will, much sin and suffering would have been avoided for himself and for Israel.
We need to be steadfast rather than stubborn and seek to follow the Lord’s will without trying to get around it or change it.