having forsaken the true way, they went astray following the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.
Truth to Learn
Follow the path God leads you on no matter how much fame and fortune are promised you.
Behind the Words
The words “having forsaken” are translated from planaō, meaning “to roam, to go astray, to leave the right way.”
“Following” is the translation of the Greek word exakoloutheō, a compound word made up of ex, used here as an intensifier, and akoloutheō, meaning “to accompany or to follow.” Hence this word means “to intensely follow” or “to imitate.”
Meaning Explained
In the close of the last verse and the first part of this verse, Peter said that these false teachers are “accursed children who have left the true way and went astray.” The way of righteousness in our traversing this world is often portrayed as walking down a path. We all have the option of following the straight path (true path) or of blazing our own path apart from the road God wants us to travel. These false teachers have gone one step farther. Not only have they left the path God has for them, but they have led others off the right way unto their own path. Though it may seem like a better way, it never works out so.
Instead, Peter says, these teachers have followed “the path of Balaam the son of Beor.” Let’s look at this prophet of the Old Testament and see what he did. This event occurred just as the children of Israel were about to enter into the Promised Land. You can read about it in Numbers 22:1-24:25. The Israelites were in the land of the Moabites just across the Jordan River from Jericho. Balak, the king of Moab, was afraid of the Israelites and called for Balaam to come and curse the Israelites so that the Moabites could attack them and destroy them.
Initially Balaam refused to come because Jehovah had instructed him that these were “blessed” people and they were not to be cursed. When Balak heard that Balaam refused to come, he offered Balaam great wealth and great honor if he would curse the people of Israel. Balaam then agreed to go with them knowing full well that God had forbidden him from cursing the Israelites.
Balaam was more persuaded by wealth and honor than he was by direct revelation from God himself. He was willing to “go along” with the evil doers even though he knew it to be wrong. It appears that Balaam’s intention was to not curse the Israelites, but he went along anyway because of his fleshly desire for fame and fortune.
There is a very real warning contained in this event. Do not stray from the path that God has laid out for you no matter what the price. Do not let the allurement of fame and fortune turn you from the straight way. Not only will the riches not satisfy you, but you will find that you are acting in direct opposition to God, and He will not bless your actions.
Application
The path of truth does not always appear to be the easiest or even the best, but we can trust God when he gives us direction. Let us learn to be sensitive to the prodding of the Spirit so that we can overcome the allurements of our own sinfulness and obey the One who knows the best path for us!
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved