Submitted by: Minister L. Deadwyler
Related scripture: Numbers 22:2-25:9, Micah 5:6(7)-6:8 & Psalms 79
The characters of Cain, Bil’am and Korach:
Cain (Gen 4:9; Heb 11:4 & 1 John 3:12)
- Envy (which caused him to murder his brother)
- Worshipped YHVH with impure motives (Heb 11:4; 1 John 3:12)
- Disobedient
- Rejected the Counsel of Adonai
- Stubborn (having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something; unyielding)
- Liar
- Made an excuse for his action (Gen 4:9-when he said “am I my brother’s keeper)
Bil’am (Joshua 24:9-10; Deut 23:4-5; 2 Pet 2:15; Numbers 31:16 & Revelation 2:14-15)
- Attempted to manipulate the Lord for his own purpose (gain)
- Placed his desires before YHVH’s (and because of this he had no sight of YHVH’s will or purpose- he was blinded)
- His inner attitude was one of covetousness
- His intentions were wicked
- He prostituted his gift (It was only because of Adonai’s intercession for Israel that he was not able to curse them, but had to bless them) Joshua 24:9-10; Deut 23:4-5; 2 Pet 2:15)
- It was his teaching that caused Israel to fornicate against YHVH (Numbers 31:16 & Revelation 2:14-15)
Korach (Numbers 16)
- Tried to usurp the authority of YHVH
- Revolted against YHVH (revolt- cause to put an end to the authority of a person or body by rebelling- exactly what Satan did when he tried to rise up against the authority of YHVH)
- Arrogant
- Stiff-necked
- Self-promoting
- His rebellion was actually an open and avowed renunciation of YHVH’s authority; equates to war (renunciation- formal rejection of something)
Although these were three different people their character was the same and the root of their actions demonstrated half-heartedness towards YHVH.
Half-heartedness means lacking zeal or courage; lukewarm; divided; double minded; indifferent and tepid. (in this hour we need to be firmly grounded in the Truth- not wavering)
Yeshua tells us to love YHVH with all of our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength (Matthew 23:37; Deut 6:5)
The Lord says that being neither hot nor cold (lacking zeal) will cause him to spit us out of his mouth (Rev 3:14-22)
We should be careful to take heed to the warning in Jude 11. Asking Adonai to examine our hearts continuously, so that we won’t find ourselves exemplifying the character of those listed in this text but instead exemplifying the character of our Lord and Savior in whose image we are made in.
Three Summary Points
G-d’s word judges the inner reflections and attitude of our heart (Heb 4:12) YHVH is all knowing and nothing escapes his knowledge. Let’s stay in G-d’s word and be washed continuously, daily being made into the spotless bride of Yeshua
Being halfhearted leads to disobedience and blindness of YHVH’s will and it keeps us in a rebellious state towards YHVH which will end in destruction if we don’t turn from our sin (Rev 3:14-18)
A heart that is not surrendered to YHVH can be easily drawn away (James 1:14-15). Surrendering is not a one-time thing; it is active. In every decision and at every turn we should be seeking the way of YHVH (his desire and outcome for the situation). And this causes us to have constant communication with Him because we are always making decisions, but again we have to read his word so that we will know it is his voice we are hearing and not our own.
Indifferent- having no interest; unconcerned; having no marked feeling for or against (in between- wavering)
Tepid- showing little enthusiasm