And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.  Numbers 31:8
 
    The fate of Balaam was similar to that of Judas, and their characters bear a marked resemblance to each other.  Both these men tried to unite the service of God and mammon, and met with signal failure.  Balaam acknowledged the true God, and professed to serve Him; Judas believed in Jesus as the Messiah, and united with His followers....Judas expected by his connection with Christ to secure wealth and promotion in that worldly kingdom which, as he believed, the Messiah was about to set up.  The failure of his hopes drove him to apostasy and ruin.  Both Balaam and Judas had received great light and enjoyed special privileges, but a single cherished sin poisoned the entire character and caused their destruction.
 
    It is a perilous thing to allow an unchristian trait to live in the heart.  One cherished sin will, little by little, debase the character, bringing all its nobler powers into subjection to the evil desire.  The removal of one safeguard from the conscience, the indulgence on one evil habit, one neglect of the high claims of duty, breaks down the defenses of the soul and opens the way for Satan to come in and lead us astray." (Patriarchs and Prophets, 452)
 
Reflection:  The only safe course for us is to pray daily from a sincere heart as did David, "Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not" (Psalm 17:5). (Patriarchs and Prophets, 452)

   And the Lord said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.  Numbers 27:12
 
    The Lord announced to Moses that the appointed time for the possession of Canaan was at hand; and as the aged prophet stood upon the heights overlooking the river Jordon and the Promised Land, he gazed with deep interest upon the inheritance of his people.  Would it be possible that the sentence pronounced against him for his sin at Kadesh might be revoked?  With deep earnestness he pleaded, "O Lord God, Thou hast begun to show Thy servant Thy greatness, and Thy mighty hand; for what god is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to Thy works, and according to Thy might?  I pray Thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon" (Deuteronomy 3:24-27).
 
    The answer was, "Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto Me of this matter.  Get thee up into the top pf Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes; for thou shalt not go over this Jordan."
 
    Without a murmur Moses submitted to the decree of God. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 462)
 
Reflection:  What a disappointment Moses must have felt when he asked God to let him go into the promised land but God replied, "Speak no more unto Me of this matter."  When Moses heard this he did not murmur or complain.  Even in his great disappointment he would not let go of his Savior.  Let us learn this most important lesson.

 
        And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.  Numbers 25:3
 
    It was when the Israelites were in a condition of outward ease and security that they were led into sin.  They failed to keep God ever before them, they neglected prayer and cherished a spirit of self-confidence.  Ease and self-indulgence left the citadel of the soul unguarded, and debasing thoughts found entrance.  It was the traitors within the walls that overthrew the strongholds of principle and betrayed Israel into the power of Satan.  It is thus that Satan still seeks to compass the ruin of the soul.  A long preparatory process, unknown to the world, goes on in the heart before the Christian commits open sin.  The mind does not come down at once from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime.  It takes time to degrade those formed in the image of Gods to the brutal or the satanic.  By beholding we become changed.  By the indulgence of impure thoughts man can so educate his mind that sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to him. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 459)
 
Reflection:  When things go well for us there is greater danger that we will put the Lord on the back burner, yet it's really a time we need Him the most.  Satan will, if we let him, ruin us one day at a time.  Don't fall for it.

 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.  And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.  And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.  Numbers 25:1-3
 
    At first there was little intercourse between the Israelites and their heathen neighbors, but after a time Midianitish women began to steal into the camp.  Their appearance excited no alarm, and so quietly were their plans conducted that the attention of Moses was not called to the matter.  It was the object of these women, in their association with the Hebrews to seduce them into transgression of the law of God, to draw their attention to heathen rites and customs, and lead them into idolatry.  These motives were studiously concealed under the garb of friendship, so that they were not suspected, even by the guardians of the people....
 
    It was not long before the poison had spread, like a deadly infection, through the camp of Israel.  Those who would have conquered their enemies in battle were overcome by the wiles of heathen women.  The people seemed to be infatuated.  The rulers and the leading men were among the first to transgress, and so many of the people were guilty that the apostasy became national.  "Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor." (Patriarchs and Prophets, 454)
 
Reflection:  Although we should always respect leadership, we must also be certain they are reflecting God's will.  We are able to do this from the Bible.  Leadership is of no value unless God directs it.  This story would have read differently if the leadership had stayed true to God.

        And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.  Numbers 22:12
 
    Balaam was once a good man and a prophet of God; but he had apostatized, and had given himself up to covetousness; yet he still professed to be a servant of the Most High.  He was not ignorant of God's work in behalf of Israel; and when the messengers announced their errand, he well knew that it was his duty to refuse the rewards of Balak and to dismiss the ambassadors.  But he ventured to dally with temptation, and urged the messengers to tarry with him that night, declaring that he could give no decided answer till he had asked council of the Lord.  Balaam knew that his curse could not harm Israel.  God was on their side, and so long as they were true to Him no adverse power on earth or hell could prevail against them.  But his pride was flattered by the words of the ambassadors, "He whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou curseest is cursed." The bribe of costly gifts and prospective exaltation excited his covetousness.  He greedily accepted the offered treasures, and then, while professing strict obedience to the will of God, he tried to comply with the desires of Balak. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 439)
 
Reflection:  Very often we profess to be Christians, but in our every day lives we serve self.  Let us learn that serving self will only harm us, as it did Balaam.  When these temptations arise, which they will, Let our hearts say, "I would rather obey God than man."

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.  Numbers 21:9
 
    The people well knew that there was no power in the serpent of brass to cause such a change in those who looked upon it.  The healing virtue was from God alone.  In His wisdom He chose this way of displaying His power.  By this simple means the people were made to realize that this affliction had been brought upon them by their sins.  They were also assured that while obeying God they had no reason to fear, for He would preserve them.
 
    The lifting up of the brazen serpent was to teach Israel an important lesson.  They could not save themselves from the fatal effect of the poison in their wounds.  God alone was able to heal them.  Yet they were required to show their faith in the provision which He had made.  They must look in order to live.  It was their faith that was acceptable with God, and by looking upon the serpent their faith was shown.  They knew that there was no virtue in the serpent itself, but it was a symbol of Christ; and the necessity of faith in His merits was thus presented to their minds. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 430)
 
Reflection:  The Bible says that faith without works is dead.  Our characters can only grow by our trust and faith in Jesus.  We, like God's people of old, must look in order to live.  In the end it will be our faith through Christ that is acceptable to God.

        And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?  Numbers 16:3
 
    Korah, the leading spirit in this movement, was a Levite, of the family of Kohath, and a cousin of Moses; he was a man of ability and influence.  Though appointed to the service of the tabernacle, he had become dissatisfied with his position and aspired to the dignity of the priesthood.  The bestowal upon Aaron and his house of the priestly office, which had formally devolved upon the first-born son of every family, had given rise to jealousy and dissatisfaction, and for some time Korah had been secretly opposing the authority of Moses and Aaron, though he had not ventured upon any open act of rebellion.  He finally conceived the bold design of overthrowing both the civil and the religious authority.  He did not fail to find sympathizers. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 395)
 
Reflection:  So often we get jealous of others and think we have the same right as they have.  Korah had tremendous abilities.  In his own eyes he felt more capable than Aaron and his sons.  With God, it's not all about capabilities, but how and wow should perform the duties.  If we will do it God's way and trust in Him, we will be developing a most important part of our characters.

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.  Numbers 21:9
 
    The people well knew that there was no power in the serpent of brass to cause such a change in those who looked upon it.  The healing virtue was from God alone.  In His wisdom He chose this way of displaying His power.  By this simple means the people were made to realize that this affliction had been brought upon them by their sins.  They were also assured that while obeying God they had no reason to fear, for He would preserve them.
 
    The lifting up of the brazen serpent was to teach Israel an important lesson.  They could not save themselves from the fatal effect of the poison in their wounds.  God alone was able to heal them.  Yet they were required to show their faith in the provision which He had made.  They must look in order to live.  It was their faith that was acceptable with God, and by looking upon the serpent their faith was shown.  They knew that there was no virtue in the serpent itself, but it was a symbol of Christ; and the necessity of faith in His merits was thus presented to their minds. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 430)
 
Reflection:  The Bible says that faith without works is dead.  Our characters can only grow by our trust and faith in Jesus.  We, like God's people of old, must look in order to live.  In the end it will be our faith through Christ that is acceptable to God.

Now the man Moses was the very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.  Numbers 12:3
 
    Patience and gentleness under wrong were not characteristics prized by the heathen or by the Jews.  The statement made by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that he was the meekest man upon the earth, would not have been regarded by the people of his time as a commendation; it would rather have excited pity or contempt.  But Jesus places meekness among the first qualifications for His kingdom.  In His own life and character the divine beauty of this precious grace is revealed.
 
    Jesus the brightness of the Father's glory, thought "it not a thing to be grasped with to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:6, 7, R.V., margin).  Through all the lowly experiences of life He consented to pass, walking among the children of men, not as a king, to demand homage, but as one whose mission it was to serve others.  There was in His manner no taint of bigotry, no cold austerity.  The world's Redeemer had a greater than angelic nature, yet united with His divine majesty were meekness and humility that attracted all to Himself.
 
    Jesus emptied Himself, and in all that He did, self did not appear.  He subordinated all things to the will of His Father." (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 14)
 
Reflection:  Jesus bids us, "Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart."  "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself." (Matthew 11:29, Matthew 16:24)

And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.  Numbers 11:1
 
    After three days' journey open complaints were heard.  These originated with the mixed multitude, many of whom were not fully united with Israel, and were continually watching for some cause of censure.  The complainers were not pleased with the direction of the march, and they were continually finding fault with the way in which Moses was leading them, though they well knew that he, as well as they, was following the guiding cloud.  Dissatisfaction is contagious, and it soon spread in the encampment. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 377)
 
Reflection:  Complainers generally keep complaining.  Tragically, dissatisfaction has a terrible way of spreading.  Today, make a decision to not complain.  Don't even allow someone in your presence to get you into that situation.  Take the high road.