Evening star., 1913-11-01
Prophets. Predictions.

After sacrificing to Jehovah the sacri.
fees offered upon behalf of Balak and his
people by Balaam, who acted as a priest.
seeking in accordance with sinful heath
en- superstition to bribe God. Balah
labored under the delusion that by his
offerings he placed God. who ''desirest
not sacrifice under obligations TO him.
just as men do today, who. lacking spir-
ituality, are mistaken in thinking that by
their contributions to Christian causes
they can secure salvation or the services
OF the Almighty upon their behalf All
sacrifices that have not spiritual motive
are worthless All spiritual services. to
be acceptable to God. require that We
should do all in the spirit of Christ.
Space will only permit a brief reference
to the distinct point made in each one OF
the four prophetic parallels. In the FIRST
one the prophet beholds the scparateness
of the people of God BY calling them -
dwell alone, God sought to protect them
from the influences of heather associa-
tons, that would cOntaminate their faith
and forever preserve for them their
unique blessedness by placing them be-
yond the power Of their enemies. in thet.
life. linked up by covenant contract vita
Jehovah. Israel was to reveal to the
world the glory of GOD, who revealed
Himself to them, and whose presence
with them assured continuation or
their victories over their enemies.
In the second parable he sets forth what
he saw concerning the permanency OF
Israels power by pointing out the un-
changea bleness of Jehovah. This graran-
teed the perpetuation OF Israel because
the Interchangeable God cannot lie, and
spelled defeat for Balak who stood by to
hear Of Israel being blessed of the Lord,
and he cursed for his folly in seeking to
curse Gods own people.
Balaam needed that his eyes be opened
for him to behold the glory of Gods peo-
pie. When We view people from our own
standpoint of sin and selfishness We see
the flaws and defects in their character
because our own lives are defective. L
we judge one another from the stand
point OF God we will see their goodness.
greatness and glory because we then see
what He sees, the possibilities Of sinful
men becoming like Him. The service,
strength and security Of God assuring
them the possession of the fertile and
fragrant fields of Canaan after the con-
quest was the theme of his third vision.
In the fourth parable Balaam beheld
the coming Of the star and scepter os
Israel that would smite and destroy Moab.
1t clearly is a Messianic prediction point
ing to the coming of the Christ. These re-
markable visions seen by the heather
prophet not only outlined the glory OF
Israel. but also that Of the Kingdom OF
our God that all who believe in Jesus
Christ. the giver of grace and glory to
men, are called to aid in establishing
upon the earth.
There is ENCOURAGEMENT for the man
who deliberately turns traitor to repent
and return to our God, the giver OF par
don peace and power, and be filled with
the Holy Spirit he may be enabled
to do the largest possible service for
God, VINO will strengthen all men at
their point of weakness by His personal
presence and power, II they seek His
forgiveness and help.
This lesson shows also the danger that
men face who attempt 10 fight against
sod, His kindness and voice warnings
and even against their own best judg-
ment and thought. convictions and nobler
self, for IL is possible by constant denial
and refusal to obey the Masters voice
TO hopclessly hardening ones heart until
finally 1t will be Impossible TO renew
the ties unto repentance.
The failure OF Balaam. who was so
endowed, has been repeated
time and time again by the men of our
own times who have sought the gold
and shut out the God who alone can
give us grace and glory. May We
conseerate our talents upon His altar for
service or sacrifice and oe kept forever
from the ways OF "a double-minded man,
unstable in. all his Ways. 80 that NE may
keep step with our Master and glorify
Him b. life of self-sacriiicing service.