The prophet's dictionary guide to the supernatural

supplied with a huge bounty from his king to give to the prophet in exchange for his service, healing the high ranking officer from leprosy (2 Kings 5:20). Daniel the prophet was rewarded continually by the kings he served for accurately interpreting dreams, prophesying the future, and serving as the chief of the wise men, astrologers, and prophets under his spiritual authority for his kings. From these examples one can see the Lord had no issue with His servants receiving due wages for their services. What the Lord does take issue with is prophets manipulating people to their personal advantage with false prophecies or soulish, psychic prophecies, picked up from divine beings loitering in the vicinity of the prophet’s operation. Balaam was just such a prophet whose ministry was relied on to move and extract from the supernatural for a cost. It was his livelihood, and questions over Creator truth, integrity to the Almighty, or eternal righteousness were never factors in his decisions to render service. Balaam was a hired servant who originally worked for the Lord God, whom he declared to be his own (Numbers 22:18). Over time, the lure of money and fame were too irresistible for him and he became an independent agent, freelancing his gift and calling to whoever paid the diviner’s fee. That Balaam’s prophetic mantle was established in Numbers 22:6; Deuteronomy 23:5; Joshua 24:9. The diviner’s fee is denounced by God, whose words and destinies for people are compromised for the sake of dishonest gain (see Micah 3:11; 2 Peter 2:15). Meanwhile, Micah 3:5 makes God’s point best, “Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; when they have something to bite with their teeth, they cry, ‘Peace,’ but against him who puts nothing in their mouths, they declare holy war” (nas). Second Peter 2:15 shows the Lord’s attitude on the subject of prophets prophelying, deliberately predicting lies for a diviner’s fee, has not changed over the years or during the transition from the Old to the New Testaments in the Bible. That Balaam was once in the Most High God’s employ is seen in the Lord’s frequent recollection of his defection and His ire over it. Right up to the book of Revelation, Balaam’s defection to darkness is remembered and censured, so much so that He became the pattern for greedy prophetics. 402. Diviner’s Tree—The terebinth tree which was also seen as the tree that spawned the children of the gods. 403. Dog—A scavenger by nature, the dog when domesticated is a popular pet. The animal is often seen as a comfort, guide, and guardian. In ancient times, dogs were associated with wind gods, especially in Egypt. Along this vein, male prostitutes of idolatrous cults were dubbed dogs as their service to the gods of