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第115章

patriarchs and prophets-第115章

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words should be controlled by divine power。 God would give evidence to Moab
that the Hebrews were under the guardianship of Heaven; and this He did
effectually when He showed them how powerless Balaam was even to utter a
curse against them without divine permission。

The king of Moab; being informed of the approach of Balaam; went out with a
large retinue to the borders of his kingdom; to receive him。 When he
expressed his astonishment at Balaam's delay; in view of the rich rewards
awaiting him; the prophet's answer was; 〃Lo; I am come unto thee: have I now
any power at all to say anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth;
that shall I speak。〃 Balaam greatly regretted this restriction; he feared
that his purpose could not be carried out; because the Lord's controlling
power was upon him。

With great pomp the king; with the chief dignitaries of his

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kingdom; escorted Balaam to 〃the high places of Baal;〃 from which he could
survey the Hebrew host。 Behold the prophet as he stands upon the lofty
height; looking down over the encampment of God's chosen people。 How little
do the Israelites know of what is taking place so near them! How little do
they know of the care of God; extended over them by day and by night! How
dull are the perceptions of God's people! How slow are they; in every age;
to comprehend His great love and mercy! If they could discern the wonderful
power of God constantly exerted in their behalf; would not their hearts be
filled with gratitude for His love; and with awe at the thought of His
majesty and power?

Balaam had some knowledge of the sacrificial offerings of the Hebrews; and
he hoped that by surpassing them in costly gifts he might secure the
blessing of God and ensure the accomplishment of his sinful projects。 Thus
the sentiments of the idolatrous Moabites were gaining control of his mind。
His wisdom had become foolishness; his spiritual vision was beclouded; he
had brought blindness upon himself by yielding to the power of Satan。

By Balaam's direction seven altars were erected; and he offered a sacrifice
upon each。 He then withdrew to a 〃high place;〃 to meet with God; promising
to make known to Balak whatever the Lord should reveal。

With the nobles and princes of Moab the king stood beside the sacrifice;
while around them gathered the eager multitude; watching for the return of
the prophet。 He came at last; and the people waited for the words that
should paralyze forever that strange power exerted in behalf of the hated
Israelites。 Balaam said:

        〃The king of Moab hath brought me from Aram;
        Out of the mountains of the east;
        Saying; Come; curse me Jacob;
        And come; defy Israel。
        How shall I curse; whom God hath not cursed?
        Or how shall I defy; whom the Lord hath not defied?
        For from the top of the rocks I see him;
        And from the hills I behold him:
        Lo; the people shall dwell alone;
        And shall not be reckoned among the nations。
        Who can count the dust of Jacob;
        And the number of the fourth part of Israel?
        Let me die the death of the righteous;
        And let my last end be like his!〃

                                                                      447


Balaam confessed that he came with the purpose of cursing Israel; but the
words he uttered were directly contrary to the sentiments of his heart。 He
was constrained to pronounce blessings; while his soul was filled with
curses。

As Balaam looked upon the encampment of Israel he beheld with astonishment
the evidence of their prosperity。 They had been represented to him as a
rude; disorganized multitude; infesting the country in roving bands that
were a pest and terror to the surrounding nations; but their appearance was
the reverse of all this。 He saw the vast extent and perfect arrangement of
their camp; everything bearing the marks of thorough discipline and order。
He was shown the favor with which God regarded Israel; and their distinctive
character as His chosen people。 They were not to stand upon a level with
other nations; but to be exalted above them all。 〃The people shall dwell
alone; and shall not be reckoned among the nations。〃 At the time when these
words were spoken the Israelites had no permanent settlement; and their
peculiar character; their manners and customs; were not familiar to Balaam。
But how strikingly was this prophecy fulfilled in the afterhistory of
Israel! Through all the years of their captivity; through all the ages since
they were dispersed among the nations; they have remained a distinct people。
So the people of Godthe true Israelthough scattered throughout all
nations; are on earth but sojourners; whose citizenship is in heaven。

Not only was Balaam shown the history of the Hebrew people as a nation; but
he beheld the increase and prosperity of the true Israel of God to the close
of time。 He saw the special favor of the Most High attending those who love
and fear Him。 He saw them supported by His arm as they enter the dark valley
of the shadow of death。 And he beheld them coming forth from their graves;
crowned with glory; honor; and immortality。 He saw the redeemed rejoicing in
the unfading glories of the earth made new。 Gazing upon the scene; he
exclaimed; 〃Who can count the dust of Jacob; and the number of the fourth
part of Israel?〃 And as he saw the crown of glory on every brow; the joy
beaming from every countenance; and looked forward to that endless life of
unalloyed happiness; he uttered the solemn prayer; 〃Let me die the death of
the righteous; and let my last end be like his!〃

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If Balaam had had a disposition to accept the light that God had given; he
would now have made true his words; he would at once have severed all
connection with Moab。 He would no longer have presumed upon the mercy of
God; but would have returned to Him with deep repentance。 But Balaam loved
the wages of unrighteousness; and these he was determined to secure。

Balak had confidently expected a curse that would fall like a withering
blight upon Israel; and at the words of the prophet he passionately
exclaimed; 〃What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies;
and; behold; thou hast blessed them altogether。〃 Balaam; seeking to make a
virtue of necessity; professed to have spoken from a conscientious regard
for the will of God the words that had been forced from his lips by divine
power。 His answer was; 〃Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord
hath put in my mouth?〃

Balak could not even now relinquish his purpose。 He decided that the
imposing spectacle presented by the vast encampment of the Hebrews had so
intimidated Balaam that he dared not practice his divinations against them。
The king determined to take the prophet to some point where only a small
part of the host might be seen。 If Balaam could be induced to curse them in
detached parties; the whole camp would soon be devoted to destruction。 On
the top of an elevation called Pisgah another trial was made。 Again seven
altars were erected; whereon were placed the same offerings as at the first。
The king and his princes remained by the sacrifices; while Balaam retired to
meet with God。 Again the prophet was entrusted with a divine message; which
he was powerless to alter or withhold。

When he appeared to the anxious; expectant company the question was put to
him; 〃What hath the Lord spoken?〃 The answer; as before; struck terror to
the heart of king and princes:

           〃God is not a man; that He should lie;
           Neither the son of man; that He should repent:
           Hath He said; and shall He not do it?
           Or hath He spoken; and shall He not make it good?
           Behold; I have received commandment to bless:
           And He hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it。
           He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob;
           Neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel:
           The Lord his God is with him;
           And the shout of a king is among them。〃

                                                                      449


Awed by these revelations; Balaam exclaimed; 〃Surely th

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