Permission Can Be a Slippery Slope

Numbers 22:20-22 (KJV)

20And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

21And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

God told Balaam (if) the men come to call thee…

Remember- he (Balaam) had already turned them down-

Now God said (if) the men come back to call…

He would then give Balaam *permission to go!

(permission is different than the will of God)

Permission is often capitulation to someone’s Desires!

*There is a great difference…

But notice that Balaam did not *wait

Until they came-

Rather he saddle his animal first thing that morning and went-(the Hebrew words indicate that Balaam had desire now for the riches offered).

Thus the anger of the Lord!

God often finally *Permits or gives Permission

But the results could be devastating!

Example-(you might could marry someone that’s not the will of God, yet the consequences may not arise for years)…

Permission alone can be devastating…

Balaam’s judgement came later- it’s recorded that during battle the children of Israel slew him…

Permission could be a slippery slope!

RDF

牧師 Pastor, R.D. Frazier

1 Peter 4:11