2 Peter 2:15
This sermon explores the dangers of forsaking the right way of the Lord, using Balaam's story as a warning against covetousness and unrighteousness.
John Gill emphasizes the dangers of forsaking the right way of the Lord, which is the path of truth and salvation through Christ. He warns against following the example of Balaam, who strayed into error and profaneness for the sake of unrighteous gain. Gill highlights that those who abandon their faith may be seduced by covetousness and idolatry, leading them away from the true doctrine they once professed. The sermon serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deviating from the Christian faith and the importance of remaining steadfast in the truth.
Text
Ver. 15. Which have forsaken the right way,.... The right way of the Lord, the way of truth, the Gospel of truth; or Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life; the true way to eternal life, and which is the right way to eternal happiness; the way of life, righteousness, and salvation by Christ, the Christian faith, and the doctrine of it, which they once professed, but now relinquished:
and are gone astray; from the right way, the way of truth and holiness, into the paths of error and profaneness:
following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor; which Jude calls his error, Jude 1:11, and is the path of covetousness, uncleanness, and idolatry, sins which he was either guilty of himself, or taught, advised, and seduced others to; see Re 2:14. The Vulgate Latin version reads "Balaam [out of] Bosor", taking "Bosor" for the name of a place, of which "Balaam" was; but not "Bosor", but "Pethor", was the place of Balaam's residence, Nu 22:5. The Arabic and Ethiopic versions supply, as we do, "the son of Bosor"; and the Syriac version reads, "the son of Beor", as in Nu 22:5; for Beor and "Bosor" are the same names; the "sheva" being pronounced by "o", as it is by "oa" in "Boanerges", and the "ain" by "s". Moreover, the letters u and e are sometimes used for one another, as in Nau and Nae, Ura and era, and so e and v, especially in the Chaldean dialect; and Peter now being at Babylon in Chaldea, see 1Pe 5:13; it is no wonder that he so pronounced.
Who loved the wages of unrighteousness: which were the rewards of divination, Nu 22:7; which were brought him for his divining or soothsaying, and may well be called unrighteous wages, since it was for doing unrighteous things, or things in an unrighteous manner; and these he loved, desired, and greedily coveted, and fain would he have taken Balak's gold and silver, and have cursed Israel, but was restrained by the Lord: he showed a good will to it, in going along with the messengers, and in building altars, and offering sacrifice in one place after another, in which there was a great resemblance between him and the men here spoken of.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the right way of the Lord
- Definition of the right way as the Gospel of truth
- Importance of following Christ as the way to eternal life
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II
- The consequences of forsaking the right way
- Understanding the paths of error and profaneness
- Examples of those who have gone astray
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III
- The story of Balaam as a cautionary tale
- Analysis of Balaam's motivations and actions
- The dangers of covetousness and idolatry
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IV
- The nature of unrighteous wages
- Comparison of Balaam's desires with modern temptations
- The role of divine restraint in our choices
Key Quotes
“The right way of the Lord, the way of truth, the Gospel of truth.” — John Gill
“They have gone astray from the right way, the way of truth and holiness.” — John Gill
“Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness.” — John Gill
Application Points
- Stay committed to the truth of the Gospel to avoid spiritual pitfalls.
- Reflect on the motivations behind your choices to ensure they align with God's will.
- Seek accountability within the church community to help guard against temptation.