The man who could not make up his mind

   As Israel pitched their tents, one of their enemies was watching
them. It was Balak, the king of Moab. Balak was afraid of Israel
because he knew God fought for their army. He sent money to a man named
Balaam to persuade him to curse Israel. Balaam had a very greedy heart
but he tried to hide it by acting religious. Balaam also had heard
about God fighting for his people. He knew that Israel was blessed by
God.

   When the men brought the money to Balaam to persuade him to curse
Israel, Balaam said he would have to talk to God about it. This was
wrong because there are things that we know are against God's will and
it is foolish to pray about doing something wrong. God answered
Balaam's prayer anyway. He told Balaam not to curse the people and not
to go with the men. Balak didn't give up, instead he sent more
messengers and more money to try to convince Balaam to do what he knew
was wrong. This was a test that God allowed to come to Balaam. Balaam
knew that God had already told him no but he wanted to try any way he
could to get the money.

   First Balaam said, "I can't do anything against the command of the
Lord." When Balaam said this he was making a promise to obey God's
will. However, Balaam failed the test. That night he prayed again
asking the Lord what he should do. As if he didn't know what to do
already! God was angry and allowed Balaam to go with the men.

   God had set a trap along the way to punish Balaam for his
disobedience. He sent a strong angel with a sword but Balaam's donkey
saved his life. After the trip into the hills Balaam still asked the
Lord what he should do pretending he didn't know. God would only let
him bless Israel so Balak the king was very angry and Balaam had to run
for his life. He did not receive the money or honor he was hoping to
get. In fact, his name goes down in history as a man who tried to make
money by ruining the spiritual life of others. Balaam could have had
the respect of men if he would have really lived for the Lord, instead
he was killed along with God's other enemies when Israel took over the
land.

   Taken from Numbers 23, 24