Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, “Balaam,” pp. 438–452, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Beatitudes,” pp. 17–44; “The Spirituality of the Law,” pp. 45–58, in Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings.
“He who will abuse animals because he has them in his power is both a coward and a tyrant. A disposition to cause pain, whether to our fellow men or to the brute creation, is satanic. Many do not realize that their cruelty will ever be known, because the poor dumb animals cannot reveal it. But could the eyes of these men be opened, as were those of Balaam, they would see an angel of God standing as a witness, to testify against them in the courts above. A record goes up to heaven, and a day is coming when judgment will be pronounced against those who abuse God’s creatures.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 443.
Discussion Questions: 
What are some other spiritual lessons we can take away from the story of Balaam? What does it teach, for instance, about God’s sovereignty, about human free will and God’s providence, or about human sinfulness?
Dwell more on this idea of the “death of the righteous.” If you were to die today, would it be a “death of the righteous”? Justify your answer.
Money is such an incredibly corrupting influence in all areas of life, including our religious life. How can we, as Christians, protect ourselves, our faith, and our church from the potentially corrupting influence of money?
Read Jude 11 and Revelation 2:14, which, aside from the verses we already looked at in 2 Peter, are the only other New Testament references to Balaam. What can we learn from them that can help us better understand where Balaam went astray?
Summary:
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Christmas Gift for Jesus by SOLANGE DELAI ARAUJO The church I attend in Brazil is just four years old, but the members are active missionaries for God, and many have been added to God's family as a result. Brother Carlos Ari has been an active church member and lay leader for 15 years. During these years, he has shared God's love with many people. Doing so filled him with great joy. Many of those who had asked for baptism had been led to Christ by Brother Ari, but Maria, his wife, had not yet committed her life to Christ. Sometimes Maria attended church with her husband and children. And she even participated in some church activities. She especially enjoyed helping out in our community to relieve the suffering of the poor. She taught her children to walk in the ways of the Lord, but she had never given her life to Christ. Carlos couldn't understand what was holding his wife back from making such an important decision. Once when the pastor visited Carlos and Maria he invited Maria to give her life completely to Jesus and seal her commitment with baptism. But her response disappointed him. "The more you speak of baptism, the longer it will take to become a reality," she said. The pastor saw the sad look on Carlos's face. Later he spoke with Carlos alone and encouraged him to continue praying for his wife. He assured the pastor that he was not discouraged and would continue to seek souls for the kingdom of heaven. Carlos continued to pray for his wife and share God's love whenever he could. But he saw no change in her life. Christmas arrived, and the church planned a special worship service, titled "Gifts for Jesus." The service included a baptism, and some of the people to be baptized were people Carlos had helped prepare for this moment. Maria attended with her husband, and her presence brought obvious joy to his heart. Following the pastor's message we witnessed a baptism. The pastor introduced each person as a Christmas gift to Jesus. Then the last candidate stepped into the pool. It was Maria. With tears streaming down his face, Carlos and his children walked to the front of the church so he could witness this special moment-a special gift to God and to the family. They had prayed for this moment and didn't want to miss it! At last Carlos can say, "As for me and my [entire] household, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15, NIV). Your mission offerings are gifts to God every day. They make it possible to lead thousands to the feet of Jesus, gifts to the Savior.
SOLANGE DELAI ARAUJ0 lives in the South Minas Conference in eastern Brazil. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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