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blinded！ They rush on in forbidden paths； transgressing the divine law； and
cannot discern that God and His angels are against them。 Like Balaam they
are angry at those who would prevent their ruin。
Balaam had given evidence of the spirit that controlled him； by his
treatment of his beast。 〃A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast：
but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel。〃
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Proverbs 12：10。 Few realize as they should the sinfulness of abusing animals
or leaving them to suffer from neglect。 He who created man made the lower
animals also； and 〃His tender mercies are over all His works。〃 Psalm 145：9。
The animals were created to serve man； but he has no right to cause them
pain by harsh treatment or cruel exaction。
It is because of man's sin that 〃the whole creation groaneth and travaileth
in pain together。〃 Romans 8：22。 Suffering and death were thus entailed； not
only upon the human race； but upon the animals。 Surely； then； it becomes man
to seek to lighten； instead of increasing； the weight of suffering which his
transgression has brought upon God's creatures。 He who will abuse animals
because he has them in his power is both a coward and a tyrant。 A
disposition to cause pain； whether to our fellow men or to the brute
creation； is satanic。 Many do not realize that their cruelty will ever be
known； because the poor dumb animals cannot reveal it。 But could the eyes of
these men be opened； as were those of Balaam； they would see an angel of God
standing as a witness； to testify against them in the courts above。 A record
goes up to heaven； and a day is coming when judgment will be pronounced
against those who abuse God's creatures。
When he beheld the messenger of God； Balaam exclaimed in terror； 〃I have
sinned； for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me： now
therefore； if it displease thee； I will get me back again。〃 The Lord
suffered him to proceed on his journey； but gave him to understand that his
words should be controlled by divine power。 God would give evidence to Moab
that the Hebrews were under the guardianship of Heaven； and this He did
effectually when He showed them how powerless Balaam was even to utter a
curse against them without divine permission。
The king of Moab； being informed of the approach of Balaam； went out with a
large retinue to the borders of his kingdom； to receive him。 When he
expressed his astonishment at Balaam's delay； in view of the rich rewards
awaiting him； the prophet's answer was； 〃Lo； I am come unto thee： have I now
any power at all to say anything？ the word that God putteth in my mouth；
that shall I speak。〃 Balaam greatly regretted this restriction； he feared
that his purpose could not be carried out； because the Lord's controlling
power was upon him。
With great pomp the king； with the chief dignitaries of his
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kingdom； escorted Balaam to 〃the high places of Baal；〃 from which he could
survey the Hebrew host。 Behold the prophet as he stands upon the lofty
height； looking down over the encampment of God's chosen people。 How little
do the Israelites know of what is taking place so near them！ How little do
they know of the care of God； extended over them by day and by night！ How
dull are the perceptions of God's people！ How slow are they； in every age；
to comprehend His great love and mercy！ If they could discern the wonderful
power of God constantly exerted in their behalf； would not their hearts be
filled with gratitude for His love； and with awe at the thought of His
majesty and power？
Balaam had some knowledge of the sacrificial offerings of the Hebrews； and
he hoped that by surpassing them in costly gifts he might secure the
blessing of God and ensure the accomplishment of his sinful projects。 Thus
the sentiments of the idolatrous Moabites were gaining control of his mind。
His wisdom had become foolishness； his spiritual vision was beclouded； he
had brought blindness upon himself by yielding to the power of Satan。
By Balaam's direction seven altars were erected； and he offered a sacrifice
upon each。 He then withdrew to a 〃high place；〃 to meet with God； promising
to make known to Balak whatever the Lord should reveal。
With the nobles and princes of Moab the king stood beside the sacrifice；
while around them gathered the eager multitude； watching for the return of
the prophet。 He came at last； and the people waited for the words that
should paralyze forever that strange power exerted in behalf of the hated
Israelites。 Balaam said：
〃The king of Moab hath brought me from Aram；
Out of the mountains of the east；
Saying； Come； curse me Jacob；
And come； defy Israel。
How shall I curse； whom God hath not cursed？
Or how shall I defy； whom the Lord hath not defied？
For from the top of the rocks I see him；
And from the hills I behold him：
Lo； the people shall dwell alone；
And shall not be reckoned among the nations。
Who can count the dust of Jacob；
And the number of the fourth part of Israel？
Let me die the death of the righteous；
And let my last end be like his！〃
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Balaam confessed that he came with the purpose of cursing Israel； but the
words he uttered were directly contrary to the sentiments of his heart。 He
was constrained to pronounce blessings； while his soul was filled with
curses。
As Balaam looked upon the encampment of Israel he beheld with astonishment
the evidence of their prosperity。 They had been represented to him as a
rude； disorganized multitude； infesting the country in roving bands that
were a pest and terror to the surrounding nations； but their appearance was
the reverse of all this。 He saw the vast extent and perfect arrangement of
their camp； everything bearing the marks of thorough discipline and order。
He was shown the favor with which God regarded Israel； and their distinctive
character as His chosen people。 They were not to stand upon a level with
other nations； but to be exalted above them all。 〃The people shall dwell
alone； and shall not be reckoned among the nations。〃 At the time when these
words were spoken the Israelites had no permanent settlement； and their
peculiar character； their manners and customs； were not familiar to Balaam。
But how strikingly was this prophecy fulfilled in the afterhistory of
Israel！ Through all the years of their captivity； through all the ages since
they were dispersed among the nations； they have remained a distinct people。
So the people of Godthe true Israelthough scattered throughout all
nations； are on earth but sojourners； whose citizenship is in heaven。
Not only was Balaam shown the history of the Hebrew people as a nation； but
he beheld the increase and prosperity of the true Israel of God to the close
of time。 He saw the special favor of the Most High attending those who love
and fear Him。 He saw them supported by His arm as they enter the dark valley
of the shadow of death。 And he beheld them coming forth from their grave