"The Path of Balaam

These "accursed" ones have known the truth for some time.  They may still appear to be active in the congregation.  But Peter says:  "Abandoning the straight path, they have been misled.  They have followed the path of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wrongdoing."  (2 Peter 2:14, 15) The prophet Balaam's path was to counsel a course of immoral seduction for his own personal gain.  He told Moabite King Balak that God would curse Israel if the people could be enticed to commit fornication. As a result, many of God's people were seduced by Moabite women, and  24,000 were put to death for their immoral conduct. - Numbers 25:1-9; 31:15, 16; Revelation 2:14.

Peter notes that Balaam was hindered when his donkey spoke to him, yet Balaam "loved the reward of wrongdoing" so much that even when that happened, he did not discontinue his "mad course."  (2 Peter 2:15, 16) How wicked! Woe to any like Balaam who try to corrupt God's people by tempting them  to commit immorality!  Balaam died for his badness, a preview of what will happen to all of us who follow his path. -Numbers 31:8.

Next time: Their Devilish Seductions

The Watchtower, 1997