Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-10-29
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
lesson v.--Fourth Quarter, For
Nov. z, 1918.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

xxiv, II. 13-Goiden Text, Jas. Ia.
Commentary by Rev. o. M. stearns.
We have come 10 our 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 BALKAN. we must briefly
call the attention of teachers to the re-
fusal of Edom to let Israel pass
through their territory (xx. l4-21 and
Obadiah; the death OF Aaron without
any sickness OK. 22-29l: the victory
over the Canaanites txn. i-3l; the peo-
pie discouraged because OF the way.
and speaking against God. and against
Moses: therefore plagued by 6ery ser
penis. but in answer to the prayer OF
Moses, healed by look at serpent
Of brass on pole xxi. 4-0l
Note our Lords reference to this as
typifying Ills death on the cross for
our sins; made sin for us tJohn iii.
laid. As incidents we are compelled
to pass by. note also the overthrow OF
the Amorites, and of 0g. king OF
Bashan xxi. 1855. The story OF Ba-
lax. king Of Moab, and Balaam, the
soothsayer. is found in chapters xii
to xiv. with references In Deut xiii.
As; Josh. xiii. -; xiv, .; Neh- xiii.
/, 2; Mic. vi. 5; II Pet. Il. Is; Jude IL;
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
man like Balaam 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. 1895; xiii. $40; the Spirit OF
God came upon him; he wanted to die
the death of the righteous txxiii. 10:
xiv. p.
In Jude II a woe Is pronounced upon
those who follow his steps. or go ia
the way Of Cain. or act Ike Korah-
When he first mentioned Baiak's pro-
posal. God said to him. Thou shalt
not go with them: thou shalt not curse
the people: for they are blessed" (xxii,
12) and that should have settled IT
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 II be had been
permitted. When Balak sent the sec
ond time offering his greater honors.
had he been honest in his good words
Of xxi, IS. he would not have asked
the Lord about 1t a second time.
The Lords seeming consent to his
going xxi. 20l, was simply letting him
have his own way. perverse way. as
is seen in the incident following. Of
the angel of the Lord meeting him.
and rebuking him. With this severe
warning be is allowed to proceed. but
only to speak the words the Lord shall
put in his mouth. Three times Balak
endeav ors 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. 1924;
XIV. SO, 1920.
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 smitten.
and his confession they are too
mighty for me-" lead US back in
thought 10 their deliveranee 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. S. o: Joel I'll. /.
p. Balak's talk of promoting Balaam
unto very great honor reminds us OF
our Lords words, How can sc be-
ieve who receive honor one of anoth-
er, and seek not the honor that cometh
from God onlyf" John V. AL
In Balaam's first message note how
useless it 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. Iii, 2.
In Balaam's second message see the
faithfulness and unehangeableness Of
the Lord. and how He can put away
the sin Of Israel land your sin and
mine1 that it cannot be found; and see
the reference TO Zeph. iii. IA ''the king
of Israel, even the Lord. is In the
midst Of thee; thou shalt not see evi!
any more" In his third message be-
hold the beauty Of Israel. and the
glory OF the kingdom. when they shall
rule 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
tGen. xiv, 10. 22l. We see the star out
OF Jacob. the star that led the wise
men. the bright and morning star Of
Rev. xxi. 16: H. IS
The scepter takes US back to Gen
Xix. 10, and onward to the glory OF
shiloh when all nations shall gather