If you read the suggested passage each day, by the end of 30 days you will have read the entire New Testament.
Day 28
30-day reading plan: 1 John – Jude
Daily Verse: Jude 1: 11
Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.
There are 3 New Testament references to Balaam and his erroneous ways. His story is in the Old Testament book of Numbers chapters 22 – 24. Near the end of the 40-year wilderness excursion, the Hebrew slaves, who had escaped from Egypt, had come to gather near the Jordan before entering the land of Canaan. God uses Balaam, a for-hire foreign prophet, to bless the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Once you read his story, you’ll likely remember Balaam for his donkey.
But, Balaam is not best known for his speaking donkey or his blessing of Israel. Balaam is referred to several times in Scripture as having advised Midianite women to “entice the Israelite men to be unfaithful to the Lord” (Numbers 31: 16.) The three New Testament references to Balaam all remember his teaching the women of Midian. Jude compares false teachers leading the church astray to Balaam’s act of leading the Israelites astray by the women of Midian.
False teachers was a problem shared by many of the churches leading to problems of division, loss of faith, and immorality. Today, we probably don’t have false teachers in our churches, but we can too easily be led astray. Far too often, we look to the world for wisdom. We look for ways to find peace and nourishment for our souls. We search for a quick fix for our problems.
Christ is who we are truly searching for. When we seek that which Christ promises apart from Him, we miss the richness He offers of guidance, rest, and peace that surpasses all understanding only to be led astray to the latest fads with empty promises.
Question for reflection:
Check your search engine history. What are you really searching for?
30-day reading plan: 1 John – Jude
Daily Verse: Jude 1: 11
Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.
There are 3 New Testament references to Balaam and his erroneous ways. His story is in the Old Testament book of Numbers chapters 22 – 24. Near the end of the 40-year wilderness excursion, the Hebrew slaves, who had escaped from Egypt, had come to gather near the Jordan before entering the land of Canaan. God uses Balaam, a for-hire foreign prophet, to bless the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Once you read his story, you’ll likely remember Balaam for his donkey.
But, Balaam is not best known for his speaking donkey or his blessing of Israel. Balaam is referred to several times in Scripture as having advised Midianite women to “entice the Israelite men to be unfaithful to the Lord” (Numbers 31: 16.) The three New Testament references to Balaam all remember his teaching the women of Midian. Jude compares false teachers leading the church astray to Balaam’s act of leading the Israelites astray by the women of Midian.
False teachers was a problem shared by many of the churches leading to problems of division, loss of faith, and immorality. Today, we probably don’t have false teachers in our churches, but we can too easily be led astray. Far too often, we look to the world for wisdom. We look for ways to find peace and nourishment for our souls. We search for a quick fix for our problems.
Christ is who we are truly searching for. When we seek that which Christ promises apart from Him, we miss the richness He offers of guidance, rest, and peace that surpasses all understanding only to be led astray to the latest fads with empty promises.
Question for reflection:
Check your search engine history. What are you really searching for?
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