The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 312

be only wanted more pressing. So it is with men who do what is right, yet not from the true motive ; they do not get credit even for the good that is in them; they are always tempted afresh, because they are felt to be open to temptation 1 the world sees that their heart is with it, and puts their hesitation down to mere self- interest. There is no safety for the man whose heart is not on the side of God. 7. That Balaam, u,ken, he referred the matter again to God (as if it were still open,), was allO'Wed to go. This is the very essence of tempting God-to cast about for ways and means to follow our own will and compass our own ends with- out open disobedience. How many treat the rule of God as a disagreeable restrnint which must indeed be reBpected, but may be thankfully avoided if possible I Such men find themselves able to go with a clear conscience into circumstances of tempt- ation which are presently fatal to them. If thou hast once had a clear intimation of what is right, cleave to it with all thy heart, else shalt thou be led into a snare, 8. That, Bal<Utm's goi.ri,g, tlwugh permitted, wa.s controlled • and this not in his own interest (for he should not have gone), but in the interest of Israel. When men will go into evil they are judicially permitted to go, and the law of God ceases so far to constrain their conscience ; but the consequences of their inward disobedience are over-ruled that they may not be disastrous to God's own people. IV. THB J'OU'RNEY OF BALAAM, Consider under this head-1. That God was angry with Balaam .for goiri,g, al,thou.gh he had given, him leave to go. For it was sin which made Be.le.am wish to go if possible; and it was his wieh to go on an evil errand for gain which obtained him leave to go. Even so if men are inwardly desirous to do what is wrong, God will suffer them to persuade themselves that it is not actually wrong, and they will go on with 11. clear conscience; but God will be angry with them all the same. How many very religious people find it permissible to walk in very crooked ways for the sake of gain, and are yet resolut:e not to do a wrong thing l But God is angry with them, and they have forfeited his grace already. 2. That the destroyiri,g angel &tood in the way as an ad:uersaru to him. Even so destruction awaits UI! in every way wherein greed leads us contrary to the will of God. God himself is an adversary to us (Matt. v. 25), and i~ ready at any moment to fall upon us and cut us asunder. It is useless to say that we have d®e nothing wrong ; if our motives be cormpt, the sword of Divine justice is drawn against us. 3. That, Balaam saw not the ari,gel, but the ass did; and this although Balaam was a" seer," and prided himself on '' having hie eyes open," and on bein?. familiar with the unseen things of God. Even so the " religious " and "spiritual ' man, who has great" experiences," and yet is secretly led by greed and self-interest, ie often much blinder than the most carnal and unenlightened to perceive that he is rushlng upon destruction ; the most stupid person baa often a clearer perception of moral facts and situations than the most gifted, if this be blinded by sin. 4. That the ass by her fidelity and instinct of self-prlleruation sa'Vt.d li,er master. Even so are men, wise in their own eyes, often inaebted to the most despised 11.nd neglected agencie11 for preservation from the consequences of their blmd folly. 6. That .BaJ,<Utm was enraged wi,th the a11s, and ill-treated her. Even so foolish men are often very angry with the very circumstances or persons which are really saving them from destruction. 6. Tltat the ass was Dimnely permitted to rebuke her master, and to teadi him a luson if he would learn u; for she had been faithful, and docile, and had never played him false ever since she had been his; while he had been 11.nd was unfaithful, obstinate, and disloyal to his Master in heaven. Even 110 do the very beasts teach ua many a lesson by their conduct ; and those whom we account in some sense worse than the beasts-the heathen, and men who have no religion at o.II-will often put us to shame by the strong virtues which they displuy where we perhaps fail. 7. Tlu:d then Balaam saw and knew kiB dari,ger. Even so do men com• placently walk in the road which leads to destruction, and hnve not the least idea of it, but 11.re angry with any that thwart them, until some sudden influence opens their eyes to their awful danger. 8. That he offered then to go back, i/ necessa'l"JI, end achwwledged that he had done wr<Yll1. (perlwps sincerely), but wa, not permitted VJ g~ back. Even so when men have, 11.a 1t were, insisted upon taking 11. line which is unwise, dangerous, and wrong, it is often impossible for them to turn back. They are committed to it, and God's providence compels them to go on with it, even mr. :n:n. 2-40. J THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. 297