The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-09-13
For the Central Presbyterian.
Balaan.
BY REV. 7. A. HoYT, D. D.


Passages of Scripture relating to him Num-
bers xxi, xiii xiv also XXI 8, 10; Joshua
xiii: % xiv: 9; Deut. xiii 4, 5; Micah
vi 81 Peter ii: Is; Jude XII Rev. ii: IA.
1t is Dean Stanley who notices and
comments on the curious circumstance
that the character of BALKAN has received
a greater degree of attention in the last
hundred years than during all the former
centuries. He cites in proof the elabor-
ate sermons devoted to the scrutiny of
this extraordinary man, by preachers so
unlike one another, as Bishop Butler, Dr.
Arnold, Cardinal Newman, and he might
have added, Frederick Robertson. He
thinks this unusual interest is to be ex-
planned by the complexion of the age to
which it attac hes, which he desc ibes as
highly refined and critical"
Be this as it may, Balaam is unques-
tionably one of the most interesting of all
the collateral personages of Scripture
With the exception of Moses and Joshua
he was the most remarkable man of his
age; and the events in which he figured
form the grandest episode in the Mosaic
history. In the Old Testament and in
the New-in the Pentateuch and in the
Prophets, in the E pistles and in the Apoc-
alypse-the incidents and the character
of this man are spoken of in terms which
indicate their Importance. 1t may be
worth our while to examine this old
world story, written by divine Authority
for the instruction of all ages.
BALKAN dwelt in Mesopotamia, but his
fame as a soothsayer and prophet, clothed
with mysterious and awful power had
spread across the Assyrian desert, and
attracted the notice Of Balak, King of
Moab, who supposed himself in danger
from the victorious Israelites, sent an en-
bassy to invoke in his behalf the oracular
powers of the mighty seer. "Come now,
therefore, | pray thee, curse me this peo-
pie; for they are too mighty for me-"
for [ wot that he whom thou
blessest is blessed, and he whom thou
cursest is cursed" BALKAN replied
" Lodge here this night, and 1 will bring
you word again, as the Lord shall speak
unto me-" This answer, apparently so
honest and pious, suggests several topics
of interest
Whence did BALKAN derive his knowl-
edge Of the Lord for it is of Jehovah he
speaks. The knowledge Of the true God
possessed by Noah was transmitted to his
posterity, and though gradually cor
rupted, was long and widely diffused, as
we learn from the instances of Abraham,
job and Melchisedec. From this source
Of primeval tradition, BALKAN doubtless
derived benefit.
But, besides this, the extraordinary his
tory Of Moses and Pharaoh, of Israel and
Egypt had excited curiosity and alarm
throughout the East. Egypt was the
most splendid monarchy of the age; hence
its terrible disasters, and the miraculous
exode of the oppressed nation, were en-
acted on a lofty stage, open to the obser-
walton Of the Oriental world.
a mind go acute and vigorous as Ba-
lam could not fail to examine the most
startling and brilliant phenomena Of his
day especially as they lay within the
range OF his peculiar studies as an inter-
prefer Of divine things. No doubt he be-
came satisfied that the supreme Deity had
in human affairs, and had iden- |
tilted Himself with the God of the patri-
archs.
But if this were so, it suggests the next
question: How can we account for the |
Of BALKAN in acknswledg- |
ing Jehovah, and at the same time con
tinuing the practice Of idolatry2 He
claimed to be the prophet of the Lord |
and yet he was necromancer, seeker
Of divinations, and vender Of enchant
ments. Monstrous as this is, it was not pc