Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” (Numbers 22:6 RSV)
They slew the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian; and they also slew Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. (Numbers 31:8 RSV)
The name Balaam means a foreigner. It makes sense to the Israelites for they addressed him as a foreign prophet whom Yahweh spoke through occasionally though he never worshipped Yahweh.
When we get to the Book of Deuteronomy, we will discover that what makes a prophet a man of God is not necessarily him providing facts but his relationship with God, and in our case, his biblical theology is the ultimate test (and of course others as we will see).
They had never come in touch with him but his reputation was known not for so many things but for the duo-ability in him. He had the ability to bless and the ability to curse. Both light and darkness operated under him. He was feared in the region and all kings, groups and individuals utilized his services upon need.
According to the Jewish Encyclopedia,
In the Jewish Rabbinical literature Balaam is represented as one of seven heathen prophets; the other six being Balaam’s father, Job, and his four friends. (B. B. 15b) The Rabbis, playing on the name Balaam, call him “Belo ‘Am” (without people; that is, without a share with the people in the world to come), or “Billa’ ‘Am” (one that ruined a people) when it comes to how Balaam was killed the Jewish tradition says:
In the process of killing Balaam (Numbers 31:8), all four legal methods of execution—stoning, burning, decapitating, and strangling—were employed (Sanh. l.c.).
If Balaam was really a prophet of God, why was he killed in such a manner? I will leave that to you. We must be warned, there are many prophets and men of God today who will give you facts about your life in the name of God/Jesus, but one thing you should know is that there is a Balak who has hired them to curse you because you naturally scare off Balak.
It is also important that we understand that many people are hired to curse and not to cure. The Ugandan Kifeesi movement is a team of young men and women who are given money to deform the faces of other people.
Balaam was a kifeesi prophet. He was HIRED TO CURSE NOT TO CURE. Can you believe how many people splash acid on the face of others just because of suspicion?
The Balaam spirit of cursing should be rebuked. Many of us who accuse others before our bosses at work, who mudsling our business competitors before the clients are doing the ministry of Balaam.
People have their inboxes filled with rumour-mongering, others are Balaam-like prophets. Those of us who have failed to forgive others and geared to making them pay and fail are sons of Beor and we will eventually fall by the sword.
Listen to me my friend: If you have no cure, it is not a problem, but for you to curse is evil.
Finally, let us read this:
Balak’s messengers, who were elders of Moab and Midian, set out with money to pay Balaam to place a curse upon Israel. They went to Balaam and delivered Balak’s message to him._ (Numbers 22:7 NLT).
Can you believe people are willing to pay for your curse but no one is willing to invest in your blessing? This Wilderness.
People will contribute to your funeral but not for your medical bills. Balak invested in a curse. Let me ask:
What have you invested your resources into? AREN’T YOU THEN PART OF THE KIFEESI MINISTRY?
Pr. ITM White
The Gospel Hawker
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24) 