The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1913-10-31

Following our last lesson the Isreal-
ties marched along the borders of the
wilderness meeting with much opposi-
ton. In Mum. 20 we are told of
the death of Aaron. They met Arad
(21:1-S) and overthrow him. Moving
around Edom was a difficult process
and the people became discouraged.
Again they murmured against God
and against Moses. Swift punishment
followed in the form of fiery serpents,
Mum. 21:4-11. Confessing their sins
Moses interceded on their behalf and
the look at q, brazen serpent suggest
ed to them the necessary attitude Of
faith towards God. After sundry wan
derings, the dwelling among the
Amorites and the overthrow of sun
dry tribes, we come to their encoun-
ter with Balak. AS they journeyed
the report Of their victories preceded
them and Balak sought to protect
himself against these strange "peo-
pie come out Of Egypt" by other
means than that Of war, for, said he,
they are covering the face Of the
earth" See Elk. 1915.
Little Known About BALKAN.
Here Balaam appears upon the
scene, Little Is known about him.
He evidently had a knowledge Of
Jehovah and yet was a sorcerer or
spiritist, dealing with evil spirits, and
was, probably, a Midianite.
!. The Call to Curse, Oh. 22:1-6.
There are six personal pronouns in
verse; Balak sought to fight fire with
fire, to save his own face. He feared
those whom God blessed. The world
today hates those whom God blesses.
Had Balak been wise he would have
cast In his lot with Israel and not
have miserably perished In battle
along with his unwilling tool, Balaam.
(Ses Mum. 31:8. Josh. 1899
Balaam at first refused Balak's IN
vitation ". 13), but Balak sends more
exalted messengers and greater offers
of honor and rewards, promising him
honor In the kingdom If he would but
curse Israel ". ~. Balaam again
returns word that this is impossible
". 49, for he cannot go beyond the
word of Jehovah, not that he was in
sympathy with that word at all, but
he was. conscious of Jehovah's power.
II. A Challenge by the way. Oh. %:
22-35. The angel Of Jehovah, as the
agent of his anger, interposed to save
BALKAN from himself. Lust had so
blinded his eyes that even an ass
saw more clearly than he. God re-
buked him and those who traff1cked
with evil spirits in order to produce
results are Knocked by the fact that
dumb ass found voice and spoke.
Finally, after repeating his condi-
tional permission that he was to
speak only the word Jehovah was to
give him, he is permitted to proceed
with the princes Of Balak."
BaIaam Prophet.
III. The changeIess message, Oh. "a.
Read carefully the intervening chap
tiers. In them we have the account of
Balaam meeting Balak and of his
brief but wonderful prophecy concern
ing Israel. Balaam gives US won
derful description of one who is
prophet (24:16). He (1) 'heareth
the words Of God" (2) "knoweth the
knowledge of the most high" (9
aeootb tbo t,Iei0p oP tho a1uoiohfv -
Verse II is wonderful prophecy of
the Lord Jesus, who is "a star" for
he '1ighteth every man who cometh
into the world" (See also Pet.
1:19.) He is called "a sceptre" be-
cause Of his kingly sway (see Liz. 1:
80, 33, Heb. 1881. From the context
we read how once his lips were open
ed he declared wonderful prophecy
concerning these whom Balak consid-
cred his enemies and with prophetic
eye he sees the coming glory of
Israel. Balak's anger is kindled, and
he seeks to drive Balaam away, but
each time there comes forth from his
lips one of these unwelcome prophe-
cies. These marvellous prophecies
which fell from Balaam's lips, as an
instrument, taught that this entire I'M
der world of evil is under control of
Jehovah and its curses upon his peo-
pie are important. He may even COM
pei unwilling instruments, If needful,
to become agents for the accomplish
ment of his purposes. Balaam's sad
end strikingly illustrates the fact that
a man may admire the ideal of right
eousness and the beauty of holiness
and yet failing to yield his own life
to those principles fail utterly in the
contamination of his life and his in
fiuence. He taught Israel to sin.
The Golden Text. It would almost
seem that James must have had Ba-
laam in mind when he wrote these
words. Double-minded means two
minded" and unstable means that we
lack foundation, are mot fastened
down." James is speaking of the
lack Of wisdom which may be sup
piled by asking him who gives liber-
ally, but admonishes us to ask in
faith, nothing wavering." This is a
picture Of all men who. knowing God,