III. Their happiness —
Balaam proclaims them happy also in their eternal state —
[Here he must refer to those who were the true Israelites; since an ungodly Jew can no more be saved, than an ungodly heathen. And it is worthy of notice, how strongly he asserts
e Gen. xxviii. 14. f Isai. lxv. 20. s Rev. vii. 10.
the happiness of the godly in a future world. He looked for- ward to their future state : he saw them distinguished from the ungodly ; he saw, that, however they might be involved in the calamities of the wicked here, they would be translated by death to a state of endless felicity : hence he envied them, and desired to have " his last end like theirs."]
And truly in this view they are objects of envy to the whole world —
[The wish that Balaam expressed is the wish of every man, even of the most abandoned. There is no one living under the light of the Gospel, but feels an inward persuasion that God will put a difference between the righteous and the wicked. However much he may hate the persons of the godly, he envies their state ; and has at some time the thought arising in his mind, ' If I were now to die, I should be glad to be found in your state.' And well may this be the case, seeing that God has prepared for them " such good things as pass man's under- standing" Were it not for their future prospects, they
would be rather in a pitiable condition, especially in seasons of bitter persecution11 : but, with such hopes before them, they can be in no condition whatever, wherein they are not greatly to be envied ]
To improve this subject, we shall add a word,
1. Of warning —
[Balaam by all his efforts could not prevail on God to reverse his word respecting Israel : on the contrary, the word which he delivered by God's command has been fulfilled to them in all ages. And shall not what God hath spoken both here and elsewhere, respecting the end of the righteous and the wicked, be fulfilled ? Shall any man die the death of the righteous, if he will not live his life ; or shall he attain his end without walk- ing in his way ? If God has declared that he will " put a difference between those who serve him, and those who serve him not," who shall prevail upon him to change his mind ? or " who shall harden himself against him, and prosper ? " O, think of this, beloved, and buoy not up yourselves with unfounded expectations : for " God is not a man that he should lie, or the son of man that he should repent."]
2. Of consolation —
[Little did Israel know what plots were formed against them : but God knew, and counteracted them all. Thus it is with God's Israel now. Both men and devils are confederate against them : Satan especially, " like a roaring lion, goeth about seeking, if possible, to devour them :" but God overrules
h 1 Cor. xv. 19. tXeeivorepoi.
173.1 Balaam's second attempt to curse Israel. 145
all their devices for good, and gives us a blessing where they would have sent a curse. He has promised, that " no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper :" and he will fulfil it even to the end : he will " keep us by his own power through faith unto everlasting salvation." Let us then not say, A con- federacy, a confederacy ; but let us " sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and make him our fear, and him our dread." He will be " a wall of fire round about us, and the glory in the midst of us :" he will keep us even as the apple of his eye : nor " shall any one who trusts in him, ever be ashamed or con- founded world without end." As Balaam could not prevail against Israel of old, so " not all the gates of hell shall prevail against us." Only put your trust ha God, and you may, in the language of the Apostle, defy the whole universe to "separate you from the love of God1."]