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the will of God。
Balaam prophesied that Israel's King would be greater and more powerful than
Agag。 This was the name given to the kings of the Amalekites； who were at
this time a very powerful nation； but Israel； if true to God； would subdue
all her enemies。 The King of Israel was the Son of God； and His throne was
one day to be established in the earth； and His power to be exalted above
all earthly kingdoms。
As he listened to the prophet's words Balak was overwhelmed with
disappointed hope； with fear and rage。 He was indignant that Balaam could
have given him the least encouragement of a favorable response； when
everything was determined against him。 He regarded with scorn the prophet's
compromising； deceptive course。 The king exclaimed fiercely； 〃Therefore now
flee thou to thy place： I thought to promote thee unto great honor； but； lo；
the Lord hath kept thee back from honor。〃 The answer was
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that the king had been forewarned that Balaam could speak only the message
given him from God。
Before returning to his people； Balaam uttered a most beautiful and sublime
prophecy of the world's Redeemer and the final destruction of the enemies of
God： 〃I shall see Him； but not now： I shall behold Him； but not nigh： There
shall come a Star out of Jacob； and a Scepter shall rise out of
Israel；
And shall smite the corners of Moab； and destroy all the children of
Sheth。〃
And he closed by predicting the complete destruction of Moab and Edom； of
Amalek and the Kenites； thus leaving to the Moabitish king no ray of hope。
Disappointed in his hopes of wealth and promotion； in disfavor with the
king； and conscious that he had incurred the displeasure of God； Balaam
returned from his self…chosen mission。 After he had reached his home the
controlling power of the Spirit of God left him； and his covetousness； which
had been merely held in check； prevailed。 He was ready to resort to any
means to gain the reward promised by Balak。 Balaam knew that the prosperity
of Israel depended upon their obedience to God； and that there was no way to
cause their overthrow but by seducing them into sin。 He now decided to
secure Balak's favor by advising the Moabites of the course to be pursued to
bring a curse upon Israel。
He immediately returned to the land of Moab and laid his plans before the
king。 The Moabites themselves were convinced that so long as Israel remained
true to God； He would be their shield。 The plan proposed by Balaam was to
separate them from God by enticing them into idolatry。 If they could be led
to engage in the licentious worship of Baal and Ashtaroth； their omnipotent
Protector would become their enemy； and they would soon fall a prey to the
fierce； warlike nations around them。 This plan was readily accepted by the
king； and Balaam himself remained to assist in carrying it into effect。
Balaam witnessed the success of his diabolical scheme。 He saw the curse of
God visited upon His people； and thousands falling under His judgments； but
the divine justice that punished sin in Israel did not permit the tempters
to escape。 In the war of Israel against the Midianites； Balaam was slain。 He
had felt a presentiment that his own end was near when he exclaimed；
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〃Let me die the death of the righteous； and let my last end be like his！〃
But he had not chosen to live the life of the righteous； and his destiny was
fixed with the enemies of God。
The fate of Balaam was similar to that of Judas； and their characters bear a
marked resemblance to each other。 Both these men tried to unite the service
of God and mammon； and met with signal failure。 Balaam acknowledged the true
God； and professed to serve Him； Judas believed in Jesus as the Messiah； and
united with His followers。 But Balaam hoped to make the service of Jehovah
the steppingstone to the acquirement of riches and worldly honor； and
failing in this he stumbled and fell and was broken。 Judas expected by his
connection with Christ to secure wealth and promotion in that worldly
kingdom which； as he believed； the Messiah was about to set up。 The failure
of his hopes drove him to apostasy and ruin。 Both Balaam and Judas had
received great light and enjoyed special privileges； but a single cherished
sin poisoned the entire character and caused their destruction。
It is a perilous thing to allow an unchristian trait to live in the heart。
One cherished sin will； little by little； debase the character； bringing all
its nobler powers into subjection to the evil desire。 The removal of one
safeguard from the conscience； the indulgence of one evil habit； one neglect
of the high claims of duty； breaks down the defenses of the soul and opens
the way for Satan to come in and lead us astray。 The only safe course is to
let our prayers go forth daily from a sincere heart； as did David； 〃Hold up
my goings in Thy paths； that my footsteps slip not。〃 Psalm 17：5。
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Chapter 41
Apostasy at the Jordan
With joyful hearts and renewed faith in God； the victorious armies of Israel
had returned from Bashan。 They had already gained possession of a valuable
territory； and they were confident of the immediate conquest of Canaan。 Only
the river Jordan lay between them and the Promised Land。 Just across the
river was a rich plain； covered with verdure； watered with streams from
copious fountains； and shaded by luxuriant palm trees。 On the western border
of the plain rose the towers and palaces of Jericho； so embosomed in its
palm…tree groves that it was called 〃the city of palm trees。〃
On the eastern side of Jordan； between the river and the high tableland
which they had been traversing； was also a plain； several miles in width and
extending some distance along the river。 This sheltered valley had the
climate of the tropics； here flourished the shittim； or acacia； tree； giving
to the plain the name； 〃Vale of Shittim。〃 It was here that the Israelites
encamped； and in the acacia groves by the riverside they found an agreeable
retreat。
But amid these attractive surroundings they were to encounter an evil more
deadly than mighty hosts of armed men or the wild beasts of the wilderness。
That country； so rich in natural advantages； had been defiled by the
inhabitants。 In the public worship of Baal； the leading deity； the most
degrading and iniquitous scenes were constantly enacted。 On every side were
places noted for idolatry and licentiousness； the very names being
suggestive of the vileness and corruption of the people。
These surroundings exerted a polluting influence upon the Israelites。 Their
minds became familiar with the vile thoughts constantly suggested； their
life of ease and inaction produced its demoralizing effect； and almost
unconsciously to themselves they
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were departing from God and coming into a condition where they would fall an
easy prey to temptation。
During the time of their encampment beside Jordan； Moses was preparing for
the occupation of Canaan。 In