How Balaam Taught Balak

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos (named the compromising church in NKJV) write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 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. Thus you also have those who have the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.' " (Revelation 2:12-16)

There were reasons that Balak sent for Balaam. Balaam heard what God said; he spoke it, and it came to pass. Balak sent the elders of Midian and of Moab with a diviner's fee. When those princes could not entice Balaam, Balak sent those who were more numerous and more honorable than the first group. They said for Balak, 'please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; for I will certainly honor you greatly, and will do whatever you say to me'. (Numbers 22-24)

I would say that Balaam, blessed to hear from God, taught Balak by listening to him in the first place. Balak was a pagan king, not motivated by God. Balak saw that a prophet of God, who spoke what he heard God say, was willing to listen to a pagan king when "honored" by his approach. What chance did the children of Israel stand against Balak's temptation? You see, Balaam never did curse Israel, but He was tempted enough to listen. My prayer is that each of us in the body of Christ recognize, and transgress not God's way of righteousness in Christ Jesus when the perverse way of Satan/Balak approaches.