The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-10


Gods mercy,-our marveling becomes
inexpressble, fathomless.
TEACHERS HELP.
LESSON STORY.
We shall find our lesson today in the
study of specimen passage from
Moses farewell address to the children
of Israel.
The progress of the host from the low
or Arabah, where we left it at our last
lesson date, to the plains Of Noah op.
posite Serico, was attended by severa
notable occurances.
One of the most unique of the Incl
dents is the story of BALKAN Num- %:
24). From the literary form of this ira
dition we infer that it is a legendary &C.
count of an episode which exemplifed
two facts.-frst the revelation of Je-
hovah was not exclusively to ths Israel
ties; for BALKAN was dweller in Pethor
by the Euphrates, in northern Mesopo-
tamia, and had no direct race connection
with the descendants of Abraham; and
second, that the victory of Israel over
the inferior and dieunited tribes which
stood in it's way, was prophecy appar-
emit in the nature of things. The etory.
in brief, is this: When the host was en-
camped in a valley of Moab, Balak, king
Of Moab, sent to BALKAN, noted prophet
and enchanter of the East, to come and
pronounce curse upon the invading
strangers. Balaam sought the guidance
of the Spirit in deciding whether he
should accept this invitation, which was
accompanied by a promise of material
reward. The Spirit negatived the ap-
peal, and BALKAN declined to go. But
more urgent invitation accompanied by
promises of greater riches caused him to
ardently desire to go; and the Voice
gave conditional permission con
dition being that he should speak only
the words of cursipg which the Spirit
prompted. Balaam went. desiring most
his own aggrandizement; but on the
way his selfish purpose is poetically rep
resented as rebuked by the speaking of
the beast on which he rode,-a fgurative
method of declaring that he was, by al
lowing himself to transgress the com
mandment OF the Inner Voice, less faith
full than dumb animal. When BALKAN
and Balak met. the prophet daclared
that he could speak only the things
which were put into his mouth. Balak
Reluctantly consented to his pronouncing
a curse from the mountain on the host
of Israel in the valley below. But the
curse was instead blessing. Another
attempt was made by Balak to win from
BALKAN a curse upon his enemy; again
the curse was turned to blessing. The
third time the attempt was made to Sc
cure the disfavor Of Jehovah toward Is.
rael, and on this occasion the prophecy
of BALKAN rose above the usual form of
the heather auguries and in strain of
poetry seldom equalled foretold the tri-
umph and greatness of the invading
host
l see him. but not now;
behold him, but not nigh,
These shall come forth a star out of Jacob,
And sceptre hall rise out of Israel
And shall smite through the corners of Nivah.
And break down all the sons of tumult
The defeat of Balak followed; and Ba-
laam did not remain faithful to his own
vision. but soon after lost his life by
plotting against Israel. 1t is strange
story-too strange not to have an histo-
rical basis. BALKAN has passed into lit
erature as the proverbial true prophet
but false man.
The taking of the new census Mum.
26); the conquest of the country east of
the Jordan by overcoming Sihon, king
of the Amorites. and Og. king of Bashan
Mum. 2l:2l-35); the settlement of two
and half tribes on territory east of the
Jordan Mum. 80; Deut. 3:12-20l.-are
events of consequences pertaining to
this period.
The stay on the plains of Noah, before
crossing the river, was marked by the
renewal of the covenant (Deut. 81. the
repetition and summary of the law in
three farewell addresses of Moses.
In one of these addresses Moses
speaks passage which is so compre-
hensiye, so entirely in accordance
with the everlasting nature of things.
showing the Israelites on what condi-
tions they can achieve success in their
that the passage is properly made the
basis OF lesson study.
L. Moses, i'm his Farewell Adj
dress, Commands Israel to Love
God with the Supreme Love-
VS. 3-5.