FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord .”

This is repeated in Revelation 2:14, “ But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” While Balaam could see the blessings of God available to the children of Israel and to those who would bless them (Numbers 24:9) he was not willing to sacrifice anything for what he saw was available. Moses, as a prophet, chose exactly the opposite. Hebrews 11:24 “ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” Moses exchanged earthly glory and rewarded for the promise of a heavenly reward, Balaam chose an earthly reward in exchange for the promise of a heavenly one. He continued to live where he could have the benefits of the earthly glory and eventually paid for it with his life. The test of Balaam is a two-edged sword. The minister must be above the temptations of “gold, glory and girls (guys),” which are the lusts of the flesh, the rewards of sin, and compromise. But also, everyone must take responsibility not to allow the teachings of a minister, no matter how anointed he or she might be, to cause them to leave following the gospel and follow after iniquity which will allow the enemy to have access to hinder the promises and calling of God for that person. Matthew 18:6 " Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes !” Joshua 13:22: “ The children of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among those who were killed by them .”

ENDNOTES: 47 Complete Jewish Bible Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern and is published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc.

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