The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 316

and danger of resisting and thus corrupting conscience. (Explain process of thie corruption, and notG natural analogies to a conscienct dulled by persistence in sin.) To try and bribe conscience is like seeking permission to sin. (Illustrate by story of Glaucns inquiring at the oracle of Delphi whether he might keep stolen money- Herodotus, vi. 86.) Conscience, like a railway signal-lamp, is intended to warn agRinst danger or direct in the path of safety. If through negligence the lamp is put out or shows a wron~ light, the consequences may be fatal (Iaa. v. 20; Matt. vi. 23). A healthy conscience accuses of sin and warns of danger-only that it may be a minister to lead us to Christ.-P. Vers. 15-17.-The imporl1m.ity and impudence of the tempter. Such appeals as Balak sent to Balaam are constantly addressed to us, in word or substance, by human tempters, and through them by the infernal tempter. The honour offered is represented as "very great," and as essential, and the promises are as vast as we can desire(" whatsoever," &c., ver. 17; Luke iv. 6, 7). Though at first the tempter may be resisted, and may depart "for a season" (cf. ver. 14), yet his solicitations may be renewed in a more alluring form than at first, with this appeal, "Let nothing," &c. (ver. 16). Neither (1) conscience. A.way with childish scruples in a man of the world who has to see to his o,vn interests. Nor (2) considerations of mercy to others. Balaam was required to curse and, if possible, ruin a nation that had done him no harm. Selfishness is bidden to make any sacrifice a.t its shrine. E. g. ambitious rulers, dishonest traders or trustees, heartless seducers. Nor (3) the will of God ; for who can be sure whether God has really revealed his will, or will enforce it (Gen. ill. 1-5). Nor (4) the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in dying that be might save from the ruin of sin; for though you sin, grace will abound. Nor (5) the fear of judgment; for after all the threats of judgment may be old wives' fables, or you may make all right before you die. Thus speaks the tempter, bidding us make riches and honour "the prize of our calling," and overleap or break down every barrier that God has set up to binder us from ruining ourselves and others, (Illustrate from the case of Judas, and the barriers be broke through at the call of Satan, and contrast the impregnability of Jesus Christ when offered the wealth and honour of the world.) Christ himself, the motives supplied by bis cross when applied by his Spirit, are the greatest hindrances to keep us from yielding to the tempter.-P. Ver. 32.-On cruelty to animals. In ver. 28 we are reminded of the silent protest of the brute creation against the cruelty of men. From ver. 32 (" Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times?") we may learn that this protest is heeded and supported by God. Cruelty of all kinds is one of the foulest of the works of the flesh, opposed to the character of God and to the instincts of humanity. Cruelty to animals is especially hateful, because of L THE WRONG DONE TO THE CREATURES j Il. THE EFFECTS ON OURSELVES. L 1. They are onr inferiors, therefore magnanimity and sympathy should protect them. 2. They are often helpless to defend themselves ; cruelty is then unutterably mean, 3. Some of these animals are part of our property, and of great value to 11!1, though absolutely within our power. 4. If they are not" wont to do so" when they provoke us, some good reason may exist which we should seek to discover. There- fore-5. When tempted to harshness, short of cruelty, it is our duty to consider whether they need it, and in this sense deserve it. For-6. Past misconduct of ourselves or of others may have occasioned tH'eir present obstinacy, through timidity or some other caufle. 7. Animals suffer too much already, directly or indirectly, through men's sine (war, famineR, &c.) without the addition of gratuitous cruelties. 8. No future life for them is revealed, so that we have the more reason for not making them miserable in this life. 11. 1. It fosters a despotic habit of mind, as though might and right were identical. 2. It hardens the heart and tends to nurture cruelty to men as well as brutes. E. g. tbe child Nero delighting in killing flies. 3. It still further alienates us from the mind of Christ, the character of "the Father of mercies." 4. It ia a sign of unrjgbteousneas (Prov. xii. 10), against which God's wrath is revealed, and from which we need to be saved by Christ (Rom. i. 18 j 1 John i. 9).-P. OIi, XXII, 2-40.] THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. 301