2 Peter 2:11-22
Lesson 454
Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."
In this Lesson:
False teachers (2:12-16) and their fate (2:20-22).
The talking donkey.
Don't be Balaam.
Balaam meets the angel.
Artist unknown.
Artist unknown.
Who was -
Balaam -
The son of Bosor, Balaam was an Old Testament sorcerer and pagan prophet from Pethor, a city in Mesopotamia near the Euphrates River. Moabite King Balak paid Balaam to prevent the Israelites from entering the promised land by laying a curse on them (Numbers 22:5-6; 23:5-7). Balaam had misgivings and refused to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22:12-14). King Balak sent a delegation to convince him. Balaam agreed to return with the messengers and see the king. On the trip, God intervened via an angel and Balaam's donkey (Numbers 22:21-31). The angel told Balaam not to curse the Israelites, and he agreed. But in time, Balaam succumbed to his greed (Jude 1:11) and laid a curse on Israel to lure them into sin (Numbers 25:1-3; 31:16; Revelation 2:14). Thanks to God, the curse backfired and became a series of blessings for the Israelites (Deuteronomy 23:4-5; Joshua 24:9-10; Nehemiah 13:2). Balaam was eventually killed in a war with Israel (Numbers 31:7-8). Verses 2:15-16 compares the greed of false teachers to Balaam's greed. You can read more about Balaam in Numbers 22:1-24:25.
Balaam -
The son of Bosor, Balaam was an Old Testament sorcerer and pagan prophet from Pethor, a city in Mesopotamia near the Euphrates River. Moabite King Balak paid Balaam to prevent the Israelites from entering the promised land by laying a curse on them (Numbers 22:5-6; 23:5-7). Balaam had misgivings and refused to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22:12-14). King Balak sent a delegation to convince him. Balaam agreed to return with the messengers and see the king. On the trip, God intervened via an angel and Balaam's donkey (Numbers 22:21-31). The angel told Balaam not to curse the Israelites, and he agreed. But in time, Balaam succumbed to his greed (Jude 1:11) and laid a curse on Israel to lure them into sin (Numbers 25:1-3; 31:16; Revelation 2:14). Thanks to God, the curse backfired and became a series of blessings for the Israelites (Deuteronomy 23:4-5; Joshua 24:9-10; Nehemiah 13:2). Balaam was eventually killed in a war with Israel (Numbers 31:7-8). Verses 2:15-16 compares the greed of false teachers to Balaam's greed. You can read more about Balaam in Numbers 22:1-24:25.
Study Tip:
Writers use repetition to emphasize key points.
When you see words or themes repeated in the Bible, it is a clue that God considers them important.
Hover over these passages a little longer to fully grasp their meaning.
Writers use repetition to emphasize key points.
When you see words or themes repeated in the Bible, it is a clue that God considers them important.
Hover over these passages a little longer to fully grasp their meaning.