Bad Example #3

Balaam.  He was offered a job by one of Israel's enemies, Moab.  Moab wanted the Israelites cursed by Balaam, because they were afraid of Israel's numbers and wanted them out of their land.  Balaam was told by God not to do so.  At first, Balaam told them no, that God hadn't given him permission.  But Moab was persistent and kept offering Balaam more and more that he caved and approached God again concerning the matter. The next morning, he got up, saddled his donkey to go with the men from Moab.

But God

had other plans and they centered on one of His mighty angels and Balaam's donkey.  The donkey saw the angel before Balaam did and wouldn't take Balaam where he wanted to go.

[Num 22:31 KJV] 31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

God has his attention now.

[Num 22:34 KJV] 34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

And Balaam is changed by God's direct intervention.  From this point on he will only deliver God's message, not the message bought and paid for.

Even though everything turned out well, we should be loyal to God and His people no matter what. Temptation of riches and honor are a snare that would enslave those who entertain those ideas.