Context of the Community

forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,   2 Peter 2:15  NASB

Balaam –  OK, so Peter uses a reference to someone in the Tanakh in order to demonstrate the misguided path of the false teachers.  So?  Before we see exactly why he chooses this particular person, we must notice the contrast he is creating.  “Forsaking the right way,” says Peter.  Now what do you suppose that means?  It certainly implies that the right way is known.  As the authority figure in the Jewish Messianic movement in Jerusalem, what would the right way mean to him?  We don’t have to guess.  From the books of Acts and the conversations between Paul, Peter and James, we know what the right way is.  It is the “so-called sect of Judaism” called The Way.  And what is The Way?  James tells us that it is a recall to Torah observance on the basis of the atonement of Yeshua (see Acts 21:20).  Additionally, the right way is certainly a Greek translation of the Hebrew idea of derek, the path, the way of God’s instruction.  If Peter is Jewish, then the “right way” must be understood according to the meaning of those words in his culture and time.  Eutheian hodon is the “straight, level, upright, true” rule of life, all incorporated in the Hebrew expression derek, and derek is an idiom for Torah-observant.  Peter issues this warning about forsaking Torah.  (There is a strong allusion here to the Tanakh’s use of forsaking, a word used to describe Israel’s apostasy and idolatry, i.e. when Israel stopped following Torah).

Now we’re ready for Balaam.  His story is found in Numbers 22-24.  He was not an Israelite but he evidently knew YHWH. He was hired by a foreign king to pronounce curses on Israel.  He was a prophet for profit.  We know the story of Balaam’s donkey probably better than we know Balaam’s story.  If you read the whole account, you will find that Balaam’s relationship with YHWH is difficult and confusing.  Does Balaam really follow God’s instructions or does God use Balaam for His purposes in spite of Balaam’s belligerence?  Peter applies this story to his warning because he sees personal gain as one of the key motivations.  Why did Balaam go to King Balak after the first encounter?  Peter suggests that Balaam’s motivation wasn’t a purely prophetic one.  By application, Peter is now warning those who are being persuaded to leave Torah that the real motivation of these false teachers is personal gain, not humble obedience.

Of course, the wages of unrighteousness might include a very long list in addition to finances.  Paul provides some potent words about these wages in Galatians 5.  Today he would probably include notoriety, power, status, prestige, possessions, acclaim and personal advantage.  The “right way” doesn’t pursue any of these.  The “right way” begins and ends with the love of God and the love of neighbor.  Anyone who demonstrates core motivations other than those two might be a relative of the son of Beor.  To follow YHWH is to live according to the right way.  Anything else is like walking behind Balaam’s donkey.

Topical Index:  Balaam, Numbers 22-24, 2 Peter 2:15, right way, derek