Weekly Study: Old Testament Lesson 16

“In the priesthood leadership session of a regional conference, we sang the hymn “Ye Elders of Israel.” The chorus contains a line “O Babylon, O Babylon, we bid thee farewell.” Following the singing, Elder Neal A. Maxwell spoke and expressed the thought that bidding Babylon farewell is actually one of our challenges, that too many of us like to keep a summer cottage there. We cannot keep one foot in the Church and one foot in the world.”
Elder Larry W. Gibbons
“Wherefore, Settle This in Your Hearts” 
October 2006 General Conference

Lesson 16 introduces us to Balaam, the non-Israelite prophet, who was called upon by Balak and the Moabites to curse Israel. Reflecting on his experiences found in Numbers 22 - 24, and in connection with the above quote, engage with the following questions:


  1. In what ways was Balaam trying to keep one foot “with the Lord” and the other foot “in Babylon?”
  2. Why do you think Balaam was attempting this balancing act?
  3. Juxtaposing the good intentions of Balaam with the unexamined part of his heart that kept him in Babylon, in what ways are our own hearts not “all-in” on discipleship?
  4. How might we “sell that summer cottage in Babylon” as we move forward?

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