patriarchs and prophets-第113章
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great； and were inhabited by giants； in comparison with whom the Hebrews
were mere pygmies。 But they could now see that the fatal mistake of their
fathers had been in distrusting the power of God。 This alone had prevented
them from at once entering the goodly land。
When they were at the first preparing to enter Canaan； the undertaking was
attended with far less difficulty than now。 God had promised His people that
if they would obey His voice He would go before them and fight for them； and
He would also send
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hornets to drive out the inhabitants of the land。 The fears of the nations
had not been generally aroused； and little preparation had been made to
oppose their progress。 But when the Lord now bade Israel go forward； they
must advance against alert and powerful foes； and must contend with large
and well…trained armies that had been preparing to resist their approach。
In their contest with Og and Sihon the people were brought to the same test
beneath which their fathers had so signally failed。 But the trial was now
far more severe than when God had commanded Israel to go forward。 The
difficulties in their way had greatly increased since they refused to
advance when bidden to do so in the name of the Lord。 It is thus that God
still tests His people。 And if they fail to endure the trial； He brings them
again to the same point； and the second time the trial will come closer； and
be more severe than the preceding。 This is continued until they bear the
test； or； if they are still rebellious； God withdraws His light from them
and leaves them in darkness。
The Hebrews now remembered how once before； when their forces had gone to
battle； they had been routed； and thousands slain。 But they had then gone in
direct opposition to the command of God。 They had gone out without Moses；
God's appointed leader； without the cloudy pillar； the symbol of the divine
presence； and without the ark。 But now Moses was with them； strengthening
their hearts with words of hope and faith； the Son of God； enshrined in the
cloudy pillar； led the way； and the sacred ark accompanied the host。 This
experience has a lesson for us。 The mighty God of Israel is our God。 In Him
we may trust； and if we obey His requirements He will work for us in as
signal a manner as He did for His ancient people。 Everyone who seeks to
follow the path of duty will at times be assailed by doubt and unbelief。 The
way will sometimes be so barred by obstacles； apparently insurmountable； as
to dishearten those who will yield to discouragement； but God is saying to
such； Go forward。 Do your duty at any cost。 The difficulties that seem so
formidable； that fill your soul with dread； will vanish as you move forward
in the path of obedience； humbly trusting in God。
（438）
Chapter 40
Balaam
Returning to the Jordan from the conquest of Bashan； the Israelites； in
preparation for the immediate invasion of Canaan； encamped beside the river；
above its entrance into the Dead Sea； and just opposite the plain of
Jericho。 They were upon the very borders of Moab； and the Moabites were
filled with terror at the close proximity of the invaders。
The people of Moab had not been molested by Israel； yet they had watched
with troubled forebodings all that had taken place in the surrounding
countries。 The Amorites； before whom they had been forced to retreat； had
been conquered by the Hebrews； and the territory which the Amorites had
wrested from Moab was now in the possession of Israel。 The hosts of Bashan
had yielded before the mysterious power enshrouded in the cloudy pillar； and
the giant strongholds were occupied by the Hebrews。 The Moabites dared not
risk an attack upon them； an appeal to arms was hopeless in face of the
supernatural agencies that wrought in their behalf。 But they determined； as
Pharaoh had done； to enlist the power of sorcery to counteract the work of
God。 They would bring a curse upon Israel。
The people of Moab were closely connected with the Midianites； both by the
ties of nationality and religion。 And Balak； the king of Moab； aroused the
fears of the kindred people； and secured their co…operation in his designs
against Israel by the message； 〃Now shall this company lick up all that are
round about us； as the ox licketh up the grass of the field。〃 Balaam； an
inhabitant of Mesopotamia； was reported to possess supernatural powers； and
his fame had reached to the land of Moab。 It was determined to call him to
their aid。 Accordingly； messengers of 〃the elders of Moab and the elders of
Midian；〃 were sent to secure his divinations and enchantments against
Israel。
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The ambassadors at once set out on their long journey over the mountains and
across the deserts to Mesopotamia； and upon finding Balaam； they delivered
to him the message of their king： 〃Behold； there is a people come out from
Egypt： behold； they cover the face of the earth； and they abide over against
me： come now therefore； I pray thee； curse me this people； for they are too
mighty for me： peradventure I shall prevail； that we may smite them； and
that I may drive them out of the land： for I wot that he whom thou blessest
is blessed； and he whom thou cursest is cursed。〃
Balaam was once a good man and a prophet of God； but he had apostatized； and
had given up to covetousness； yet he still professed to be a servant of the
Most High。 He was not ignorant of God's work in behalf of Israel； and when
the messengers announced their errand； he well knew that it was his duty to
refuse the rewards of Balak and to dismiss the ambassadors。 But he ventured
to dally with temptation； and urged the messengers to tarry with him that
night； declaring that he could give no decided answer till he had asked
counsel of the Lord。 Balaam knew that his curse could not harm Israel。 God
was on their side； and so long as they were true to Him no adverse power of
earth or hell could prevail against them。 But his pride was flattered by the
words of the ambassadors； 〃He whom thou blessest is blessed； and he whom
thou cursest is cursed。〃 The bribe of costly gifts and prospective
exaltation excited his covetousness。 He greedily accepted the offered
treasures； and then； while professing strict obedience to the will of God；
he tried to comply with the desires of Balak。
In the night season the angel of God came to Balaam with the message； 〃Thou
shalt not go with them； thou shalt not curse the people： for they are
blessed。〃
In the morning Balaam reluctantly dismissed the messengers； but he did not
tell them what the Lord had said。 Angry that his visions of gain and honor
had been suddenly dispelled； he petulantly exclaimed； 〃Get you into your
land： for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you。〃
Balaam 〃loved the wages of unrighteousness。〃 2 Peter 2：15。 The sin of
covetousness； which God declares to be idolatry； had made him a timeserver；
and through this one fault Satan gained
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entire control of him。 It was this that caused his ruin。 The tempter is ever
presenting worldly gain and honor to entice men from the service of God。 He
tells them it is their overconscientiousness that keeps them from
prosperity。 Thus many are induced to venture out of the path of strict
integrity。 One wrong step makes the next easier； and they become more and
more presumptuous。 They will do and dare most terrible things when once they
have given themselves to the control of avarice and a desire for power。 Many
flatter themselves that they can depart from strict integrity for a time；
for the sake of some worldly advantage； and that having gained their object；
they can change their course when they please。 Such are entangling
themselves in the snare of Satan； and it is seldom that they escape。
When the messengers reported to Balak the prophet's refusal to accompany
them； they did not intimate that God had forbidden him。 Supposing that
Balaam's delay was merely to secure a richer reward； the king sent princes
more in numb
