Balaam! Dang it!

It's almost a passing remark, the killing of Balaam of Beor (Numbers 31:8b). I liked Balaam. What he did in prophesying over Israel was bold and funny. Just a bit earlier in the story he had shone as one who did what the Lord counseled him to do instead of what the king had paid him to do. He listened to the counsel of the Lord and followed it. So was his the death of an innocent? Apparrently not. Seems like Balaam was also somehow responsible for leading some of the Israelites into idol worship (verse 16). Balaam then was someone who listened to the Lord when it was expedient and went his own way when it suited his fancy. He was not a true follower, merely a believer. The difference is in just the way Balaam lived-following when it was convenient or served him, and going his own way when he wanted to. A cautionary tale if ever there was one. I cannot dictate the terms of my Jesus following. He already has; he already does; he already will. Mine is to follow-or not. I do not have the luxury of molding whatever I desire into Jesus following.