The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-29
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N|lEABERNACLE'
ABIBEE-sTUDY.oN~ 40:
A God Fearing Bad Man

"A OOQ-f caring had Man
Numbers 22:1 to 23:10-November q
"A double minded man is unstable in all
his ways."-James lis.
After the Israeites had entered Canaan
and were fully recognized as Gods holy
nation, apparently all dealings between
God and the Gentiles were discontinued
Before that time, men of faith in God
were more or less recognized by him; for
instance. Abraham. Job, Melchizedek and
Balaam, the latter the central figure of
today's lesson Baiaam lived on the Eu-
pirates. He was known far and wide as
an oracle
The king Of Moab perceived that the
Israelites conquered all with whom they
battled, and greatly feared them, even
though they had not molested Moab.
After confering with the ruler Of INDIAN,
King Balak sent 400 miles to the
Euphrates, to get Balaam to come to pro-
nounce a curse against Israel. A con-
siderable reward was offered.
Balaam inquired of the Lord whether
he should go on this mission. The reply
was, No; Israel was blessed of the Lord,
not cursed. Balaam gave the decision,
and the messengers returned. King Balak
then sent messengers of higher station. in
timating higher rewards. Balaam knew
the mind of the Lord on the subject, but
was money lover, and somehow hoped
for chance to get some of the rewards
Of unrighteousness. In response to his
second inquiry whether he should go with
the men, he obtained permission to go.
reproved by his ass. An angel of the
Lord stood in narrow place where the
ass, seeing him, could not pass. The ass,
being beaten, demonstrated. Even this
miracle did not stop Balaam's money
lust. He would do anything in his power
to obtain the coveted wealth-merely stop
ping where he must.
Received by King Balak with honor.
Balaam directed that affairs be built and
sacrifices be offered to God. He would
have a form of godliness, even while de-
string to do contrary to the divine will,
which he already knew. Then he began
his prophecy, which the king hoped would
be a curse, but which was really a bless
ing, the words being divinely inspired
AS wrote st. Peter, Holy men of God
spake as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit."-2 Peter 1.21.
The disappointed king sought the exer-
Israel He took the prophet to another
viewpoint. and urged the curse of at least
this many of the host. Affairs were built
again. and sacrifices offered. Again the
hoped-for curse did not come. Getting
desperate and angry. the king insisted
that portion must be cursed, and led the
prophet to another standpoint, from
which still smaller portion of Israel
was visible. Again the results were
blessings, not curses-the third time.
! AIS "A Double-M Minded Man
Balaan's double -mindedness was abun-
dainty manifested by his course He
wished to be prophet of the Lord and
to speak His word; but he also wished
for riches and honor. He wished for what
Gods providences had not seen best to
give him. Right and wrong, God s way
and the way of rfches-both We're before
him. He chose neither one, but tried to
have both--2 Peter 2:15. l6.
Alas, how many in every age have the
Balaam spirit Jesus warned against this
spirit, saying, '.Ye cannot serve God and
mammon." How many have found the
Masters words true. How many have
found that the Lord would reject from
His counsels and His fellowship those
who regard iniquity in their hearts; and
who, If they would not serve it, at least
would love its rewards.
Let us remember that God looketh on
the heart. Let us remember that it was
written of Jesus: Thou hast loved right
eousness and hated niqulty: therefore
God even Thy God. hath anointed Thee
with the oil of gladness above Thy fell
lows. Psalm 45:7.
The Heart With the Treasure
"Where your treasure Is. there will your
heart be also" Those who set their af-
factions rhipHv. r1Dops rftly tl,;puc r., >,
with difficulty avoid the snares that 20
with them Balaam's only safe course
was in heart loyalty to God. Knowing the
Lords mind on the subject he should to
the fullest have rejected every overture
looking IN an opposite direction.
II, ,overtaken in fault. Balaam had
started on the journey with the hope Of
gaining the evil reward. he should have
been thoroughly aroused by the incident
of the ass Even an ass knew better tina
to attempt to go contrary to the higher
power. Evidently humanity's greater rea-
soning power and courage may be disad-
vanta geously used.
We see that Balaam's heart was wrong.
Outwardly loyal to God. yet inwardly he
was out of harmony with God. The wish
for money swallowed up everything noble
and true in the man. The professed man
of God grovelled in the mire of sin In his
desire to obtain Balaks proffered wealth.
He said to the king. The only way to
bring curse upon Israel would be by
tempting them to disobedience to God
Guided by Balaam. King Balak com
municated with the Midianites. and urged
that their wives and daughters should ap-
parently fall in love with the Tsraeites,
and introduce them to the sensuous re-
ligious rites practiccd by indian
God Permitted the Lesson
While God could have hindered those
evil Vaccinations. He allowed matters to
take their course and great lesson to be
taught. The scheme was successful.