Joshua 13:17-22: a reflection

17Heshbon, and all its cities that are in the plain; Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, 18Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, 19Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar in the mount of the valley, 20Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, Beth Jeshimoth, 21all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses struck with the chiefs of Midian, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the princes of Sihon, who lived in the land. 22The children of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, with the sword, among the rest of their slain.

In this list of conquered territory, one name stands out from the geography: among the slain, the text notes, was Balaam son of Beor, the diviner. Balaam was the prophet-for-hire who had been willing to curse Israel for pay, who loved the wages of wrongdoing, and who, though he could not curse Israel outright, taught them to sin. Now, at the end, he is found among the slain of Israel's enemies. The man who had tried to use his gifts against God's people, for gain, meets his end among them.

Notice where Balaam ends up: among the slain, on the wrong side. He had spiritual gifts, and could have used them in God's service; but he was drawn by the love of gain, willing to sell his gifts to curse God's people, willing to lead them into sin for reward. And this love of gain, this willingness to use spiritual things against God for profit, led him at last to a bad end, among God's enemies. His gifts did not save him; his love of gain destroyed him.

That is a sobering warning about the love of gain, and the misuse of spiritual gifts for profit. Balaam had gifts, but he loved the reward more than God, and was willing to use his gifts against God's purposes for pay; and it ruined him. We too can be tempted to use whatever gifts or advantages we have for gain, even against what we know to be right, drawn by the love of reward. But Balaam's end warns where that love of gain leads. Do not let the love of gain draw you to misuse your gifts, or to act against God's purposes for reward, as Balaam did. His gifts did not save him; his love of gain destroyed him. Use your gifts in God's service, not for gain against his purposes; and guard your heart against the love of reward that led Balaam, for all his gifts, to a ruinous end among God's enemies.

Lord, in this list of conquered territory, one name stands out: among the slain was Balaam the diviner, the prophet-for-hire who loved the wages of wrongdoing, willing to curse your people for pay and to lead them into sin for reward; his gifts did not save him, and he ended among your enemies. Let his end warn me about the love of gain, and the misuse of gifts for profit. Balaam had gifts, but he loved the reward more than you, and was willing to use his gifts against your purposes for pay; and it ruined him. I too can be tempted to use whatever gifts or advantages I have for gain, even against what I know to be right, drawn by the love of reward. But Balaam's end warns where that love of gain leads. Keep me from letting the love of gain draw me to misuse my gifts, or to act against your purposes for reward, as Balaam did. His gifts did not save him; his love of gain destroyed him. Help me use my gifts in your service, not for gain against your purposes; and guard my heart against the love of reward that led Balaam, for all his gifts, to a ruinous end. Keep my heart free from the love of gain, Lord.