Steadfast Day 11: 2 Peter 2:12-16

Read 2 Peter 2:12-16.

Ponder

In yesterday’s passage, Peter described the false teachers who were infiltrating the church as being like “irrational animals” (v. 12, CSB) entirely controlled by their desires. In today’s verses, Peter hearkened back to the story of Balaam, found in Numbers 22-24. 

If you, like me, need a brief refresher on Balaam, here’s a brief synopsis: 

Balak, the king of Moab, was terrified of going into battle against the Israelites, so he sought the help of Balaam, a pagan diviner. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites and offered him a hefty sum if he did. Balaam, who really wanted the money, really wanted to comply, but there was just one little problem. The One True God wasn’t about to let that happen. Try as he might, Balaam could not utter a curse over the people of Israel. Finally, Balaam set off on his donkey with the Moabite officials. Because his passion for money blinded him, Balaam failed to see all the ways God tried to stop him, and, eventually, his donkey spoke up, showing more sense than Balaam, and helped his master better understand God’s power and might. When Balaam eventually did deliver his messages to King Balak, he spoke blessings over God’s people rather than curses. Balaam, led astray by his greed, returned home with empty pockets. In Numbers 31:8, Balaam died—fighting against the Israelites.

In the years that followed, Jewish tradition had grown up around Balaam, centering on his greed. That’s the tradition that Peter was building on in 2 Peter 2:15-16. The connection, then, is that the false teachers, like Balaam, had been led away from the truth to a lawless course by their greed. Balaam’s donkey had rebuked him, but his unrighteousness ultimately led to his destruction a few chapters later in Numbers. Unrighteousness results in judgment, Peter seemed to be saying, and the false teachers would be judged for their wickedness. 

We live in an upside-down world that celebrates sin and calls, encourages and invites us to join in. And, truth be told, sometimes it would be easier to just give in. But, as Christians, we have been called to a different way of life—but that doesn’t mean that living for Christ is always easy. In fact, Jesus promised that living life his way would be difficult, but we can take heart because he has overcome the world (John 16:33). 

As Balaam learned, choosing unrighteousness over obedience to God leads to judgment—but as Christians, we’re promised a different ending: eternity with God. Which will you choose today? 

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Journal

• Which better describes what you’ve been pursuing in your life: obedience to God or doing what you want? 

• How have you seen greed lead people away from godly obedience? How have you seen it happen in your own heart or life? 

• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of unrighteousness in your life or ways you are letting a desire for more keep you from living in obedience to God.