The second commandment of the Ten Commandments deals with the country that the children of Israel had just left. Egypt was a land where there were many gods. Idols could be seen everywhere.

Israel’s God was completely different than the gods of Egypt. He is a spirit and no man-made object could represent Him – ever! Every physical object would fall short of accurately representing the infinite God.

Over the Ark that Moses made, and even in Solomon’s temple, where the Ark was later kept, there was no representation of God. It had two cherubim over it, but there was nothing that represented God. His presence and glory was all it needed.

The Bible reveals that one of the greatest sins was that man “changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and two birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts… Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature Moses than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” (Ro. 1:23-25).

The command would ensure that the be nation would be monotheistic – having one God. He was to be worshipped in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). Faith was and still is necessary to worship God correctly. It is why many Baptist and Protestant churches have no statues in them.

This command does not forbid the making of statues or decorative pieces of birds or animals, etc., but only the worshipping of them. Some homes have little corners in them where they have little shrine of some saint of religious leader – or a god – and they worship it. God forbids it.

Christians should not have little items in their homes that were gods in other lands, or items that were used in that worship. These may have demons in them, and you can be sure they are interacting somehow with the people in that house.

As believers, we have one source of truth – the Word of God. Let me encourage you to spend much time in it, because it teaches us what pleases Him and what does not.

The first two times that sacrifices were offered (Numbers 23) and Balaam seeks God’s will in what to tell Balak – the king of Moab, God meets with Balaam. In chapter 23, verses 4 and 16, the Bible – in that order – says that “God met Balaam,” and “the Lord met Balaam.”

Although the text verse is difficult to understand, it reveals that Balaam decided to take a new approach to the matter. This is the third time that sacrifices have been offered (seven bullocks and seven rams – one of each on seven altars). He knew that God would not let him curse Israel, but he had already decided that he wanted Balak’s promised riches. It seems that his previous encounter with the death angel did not deter him from seeking his own way now.

Since there is no mention of Balaam using any “enchantments” previously, it seems to imply that he did not directly seek God this time. Instead, the Bible says in the next verse that the “spirit of God came upon him.” So far, in his previous occasions of seeking God about blessing or cursing Israel, this is the only time that the “spirit of God” is mentioned.

The fact that Balaam goes again and again to see what God will say, it reveals once again that he did not like what God was telling him because he knew it stood in the way of his pleasing Balak. It also would prevent him from getting rich.

It very well may be that God overrode Balaam’s planned message. The result is that he once again blesses Israel – to Balak’s chagrin and severe disappointment. The fact that the Spirit came and interceded may have even surprised Balaam, even though he said that: “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, 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?” (Numbers 24:13).

Numbers chapter 24 reveals Balaam’s final recorded words to Balak. In it, there is an incredible prophecy of Christ. Verse 17 tells us that “there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall arise out of Israel.” This is likely the prophecy that brought the wise men to Israel to seek the “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2) many years later.

In addition to the prophecy of Christ, Balaam goes on and tells Balak what God revealed to him that Israel will do to the Moabite people in the future. Even though the end of this chapter says that Balaam returned to his home after this, he apparently had at least one more conversation with Balak that is not recorded here. It will prove to be his final fatal mistake.

Next: Balaam’s Last Fatal Mistake

Avoiding Balaam’s Fatal Mistakes

Avoiding Balaam’s Fatal Mistakes (Pt. II)