In Revelation 2:14, Jesus addresses the church in Pergamum and warns them, “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.” This reference to Balaam takes us back to the Old Testament, where Balaam is remembered as a prophet who used his spiritual gifts for evil, ultimately leading the Israelites into sin. Understanding who Balaam was and the nature of his actions in the Old Testament is essential for grasping the significance of his mention in Revelation.
Word Count: 1033 / Time to read: 5 minutes
Balaam in the Old Testament: A Prophet Turned Sorcerer for Hire
Balaam’s story is primarily found in Numbers 22–24. He was a non-Israelite prophet or diviner from Pethor, near the Euphrates River (Numbers 22:5). Balaam had an authentic spiritual gift—he could receive messages from God—but he was ultimately characterized as wicked because he sought to use his gift for personal gain. His story begins when Balak, the king of Moab, saw the advancing Israelite nation and feared they would overrun his kingdom. In desperation, Balak sent messengers to Balaam with an offer of money and honors, asking Balaam to come and curse Israel.
Initially, Balaam refused to go because God had told him not to curse the Israelites, for they were blessed (Numbers 22:12). However, after a second round of offers from Balak that promised even greater rewards, Balaam asked God again. This time, God permitted Balaam to go, but only under the condition that he would say whatever God commanded him (Numbers 22:20). This sets the stage for one of the most famous episodes in Balaam’s life—his encounter with the angel of the Lord, during which his donkey miraculously spoke to him to warn him of the impending danger (Numbers 22:21-35).
Despite the warnings and his encounter with God, Balaam’s heart was still inclined toward the riches promised by Balak. Though he could not curse Israel directly, because God prevented him from doing so (Numbers 23:8), Balaam devised a more insidious plan. He counseled Balak to entice the Israelites into sin by luring them into sexual immorality and idol worship through their interactions with Moabite women (Numbers 25:1-3; 31:16). This strategy proved tragically effective, leading to God’s judgment on Israel, where 24,000 Israelites perished in a plague as a result of their sins (Numbers 25:9).
Balaam’s actions earned him a reputation as a greedy and corrupt prophet, who was willing to forsake God’s commands for personal gain. As Peter later wrote, “They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness” (2 Peter 2:15). Jude also condemns those who “rush for profit into Balaam’s error” (Jude 11). In the end, Balaam was killed when Israel attacked the Midianites, among whom Balaam had taken refuge (Numbers 31:8).
Balaam’s Influence in Revelation: A Symbol of Corruption and Compromise
In Revelation 2:14, Jesus rebukes the church in Pergamum for tolerating the teachings of Balaam. Much like the Balaam of old, this reference is not to the man himself but to the corrupting influence of false teaching and spiritual compromise that he represents. Just as Balaam led Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality, so too had certain individuals in Pergamum influenced believers to engage in similar sins.
Pergamum was a city steeped in pagan worship, with temples dedicated to various gods, including Zeus and Asclepius. The temptation for Christians to participate in these pagan practices was strong, especially since social and economic life in the city often revolved around such religious activities. The “teaching of Balaam” in this context likely refers to a form of syncretism, where some in the church were advocating for compromise—participating in pagan feasts and practices while still claiming to follow Christ. This is reminiscent of Paul’s warning to the Corinthians about the dangers of participating in pagan feasts and the worship of idols (1 Corinthians 10:20-21).
Jesus’ rebuke of the church in Pergamum serves as a stark reminder that compromising with the world, especially in matters of idolatry and immorality, is intolerable in the eyes of God. The story of Balaam is a powerful illustration of how greed and the pursuit of personal gain can lead to spiritual destruction. As Charles Ryrie notes, “Balaam is the quintessential example of a man who had spiritual knowledge but chose to use it for personal gain rather than for God’s glory” (Ryrie, Basic Theology).
The Consequences of Balaam’s Influence: A Call to Repentance
The consequences of following the “way of Balaam” are severe. Just as Balaam’s counsel led to God’s judgment on Israel, so too does the toleration of false teaching and moral compromise invite divine discipline. Jesus warns the church in Pergamum, “Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Revelation 2:16). This is a call to reject the corrupting influence of false teachings and return to the purity of faith in Christ.
The inclusion of Balaam in Revelation highlights the ongoing relevance of his story as a warning against the dangers of spiritual compromise. As Arnold Fruchtenbaum explains, “The error of Balaam is not just about greed; it’s about leading others into sin through false teachings that promote a mixture of truth and error” (Fruchtenbaum, Footsteps of the Messiah). The church is called to remain separate from the world, standing firm in the truth of the Gospel without yielding to the pressures of cultural or religious compromise.
In conclusion, the story of Balaam serves as a timeless warning to the church. His legacy of greed, compromise, and leading others into sin is a sobering reminder of the importance of staying true to God’s commands and resisting the temptation to blend the sacred with the profane. Jesus’ warning to the church in Pergamum is just as relevant today as it was in the first century: the church must guard against the influence of false teachings that seek to draw believers away from their devotion to Christ and into the snares of idolatry and immorality.
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