The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-10-31

Text % the Lesson, Mum. xxiI, &c,
&xiv, 7o-1e-Memory Verses, Mum.
xHiVs II. 13-GoIden Text, Jas. ia.
Commentary by Rev. .. M. stearns.
We have come to u last lesson in
the book Of Numbers, and though
there is more than we can possibly
consider In one lesson, in the story of
Balak and Balaam, we must briefly
call the attention Of teachers to the re-.
fusal OF Edom to let Israel pass
through their territory (xx. 1921 and
Obadiah): the death Of Aaron without
any sickness Xxx, 22-29); the victory
over the Canaanites xxi, 1-3); the PEG.
pie discouraged because Of the way,
and speaking against God. and against
Moses; therefore plagued by fiery ser
penis, but in answer to the prayer OF
Moses, healed by a look at a serpent
OF brass on a pole (xd, 40.
Note our Lords reference to this as
typifying His death on the cross for
u sins; made sin for us John iii,
14-1T). AS incidents we are compelled
to pass by, note also the overthrow OF
the Amorites, and Of Og, king of
Bashan (xxi, 1885. The story of Ba-
lax, king Of Moab, and Balaam, the
soothsayer, is found In chapters xxi
to xiv. with references in Deut. xiii,
As; Josh. Kill, %; xiv, o; Neh. Kill,
/. 2; Mic. vi s; II Pet. Ii, Is; Jude II;
Rev. Ii, Ia. We can understand the
desire Of an enemy Of God and His
people like the king Of Moab, to have
Israel cursed; but how to understand
a man like BALKAN Is more difficult.
He talked with God, and God with
him; he spoke Of God as "the Lord my.
God"; the Lord put words in his mouth
(xxii, 1886; xiii, $50; the Spirit of
God came upon him; he wanted to die
the death Of the righteous (xxti, 10;
xiv, q.
In Jude IL @ woe Is pronounced upon
those who follow his steps, or go I'm
the way Of Cain, or act like Korah.
When he first mentioned Balak's pro-
posal, God said to him, Thou shalt
not go with them thou shalt not curse
the people: for they are blessed (xxiil
12) and that should have settled 1t.
His reply to Balak's princes the
Lord refuseth to give me leave to go
with you" (xxii. 49, indicates that he
would gladly have gone If he had been
permitted. When Balak sent the Sec
ond time offering his greater honors,
had he been honest in his good words
Of xii, Is, he would not have asked
the Lord about 1T a second time.
The Lords seeming consent to his
going (xxh. 2O, was simply letting him
have his W way. a perverse way, as
Is seen In the incident following, OF
the angel IF the Lord meeting him.
and rebuking him. With this severe
warning he la allowed to proceed. but
only to speak the words the Lord shall
put In his mouth. Three times BaIak
endeaVors to have him curse Israel,
and three times he utters words which
are full Of blessing: then there Is a
fourth message with special reference
to the latter days (xxiiI, $40, 1925
xiv. 80. Is |24).
Our lesson portion touches only the
last Of these, but without referring
again to chapter or verse we will note
some things In each. The fear Of Ba-
lax, his desire to have Israel gmitten,
and his confession they are too
mighty for me-" lead us back in
thought to their deliverance from the
bondage Of Pharaoh. and onward to
their deliverance from the nations
which shall gather against them at the
end of time (Zeph. lii. 8. O.; Joel Iii, 1,
y. Balak's talk Of promoting Balaam
unto very great honor reminds us OF
u Lords words. How can ye be-
Heve who receive honor one Of anoth-
er. and seek not the honor that cometh
from God onlyr" John v, ~ >"sc
In Balaam's first message note how
useless 1t is to attempt anything
against those whom God has blessed;
and concerning Israel observe that
they are not reckoned among the ma
tons; therefore when God shall Judge
the nations, Israel is not included, but
they shall be judged with reference to
their treatment Of Israel (Matt. XIV,
81: Joel. LII. o.
In Balaam's second message see the
and undergraduates Of,
the Lord, and how He can put away
the sin Of Israel (and your sin and
minel that 1t cannot be found; and see
the reference to Zeph. lii. IA "the king
OF Israel, even the Lord. is In the
midst OF thee; thou shalt not see evil
any more" In his third message be-
hold the beauty Of Israel. and the
glory of the kingdom. when they shall
over their enemies. In his fourth
message he emphasizes the words of
God. and the knowledge Of the Most
High. The Most High always suggests
the possessor OF heaven and earth
(Gen. xiv, 10. 22). We see the star out
Of Jacob. the star that led the wise
men. the bright and morning star of
Rev. xii. 16; Ii. %.
The scepter takes us back 70 Gen.
Xix. 10, and onward to the glory oe
Shiloh when all nations shall gather
Him as King OF Israel. and King
II Kings and Lord Of Lords. What
does your heart say to Balaam's ques.
ion, "Alas, who shall live when God
doeth this" The Alag was needful
FOR him. but for the believer. the song
may be II shall be like Elm. | shall
forever with Him"
When Christ who is my life shat
then shall I also apnear wirh