Balaam, Stray Child, Demon or Lesson

Summary

The sermon explores the complex character of Balaam, an Old Testament prophet mentioned three times in the New Testament, highlighting his interactions with Balak and his struggle between obeying God and pursuing personal gain. Despite initially refusing to curse Israel as God commanded, Balaam's story reveals his internal conflict and eventual compromise, illustrated by the famous episode with his talking donkey and the angel. The preacher emphasizes the lessons Balaam's life teaches about obedience, greed, and the dangers of false prophecy, while refraining from definitively judging Balaam's spiritual state. The sermon also points to Balaam's prophecy of the coming Messiah, underscoring the significance of his role in biblical history.