The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 323

II. BALA.AM WAS aOINO ON TBIB EXPEDJTION 11:VJDBBTLY FULL Olf THE DESIRES O"Ir BIii OWN HEART, All, eo far ae he could eee, was pointing in the way he wanted. He could plead God's permission, which was a very comfortable, not to say a necessary, beginning to one who wae a prophet. As be rode along, bis heart filled with ex- pectation of the future--riches, honours, fame, power-an ample share in the king- doms of this world and the glory of them. God's permission may have seemed to the infatuated man a clear indication of further favours. If he allowed Balaam to have his own way in one thing, why not m others? Thus he had in view the possi- bility of exercising an extraordinary power, one that would make him famed and dreaded far and wide. It is something to make a man's heart swell when he can wield the immense forces of nat11re, BtiY in the strength of a disciplined army, or of some huge steam-engine. But Balaam bad in view the possibility of wielding forces above nature, cursing Israel so that its strength might utterly melt away. What wonder God was angry with him, seeing he had desires in his he'!.rt which could only be satisfied by accomplishing the ruin of the chosen race I Not that he deliberately desired their destruction ; but selfishness in its blind absorption destroys with little scruple all that comes in its way. There is some parallel between Balaam and Paul, all the more striking because it extends only a little way. Paul set out for Damascus, like Balaam for Moab, his fanatical heart brimful of darling projects. Hence in both instances we see special, e:draordinary, and unfailing methods adopted to chedc the men and bring them to· consideration. Men who are in the ordinary paths of llin may be dealt with by ordinary methods, peculiar indeed to each individual, yet never rising above the ordinary experiences of humanity. But Balaam and Paul, being extraordinary transgressors, were dealt with by extraordinary methods. We do not expect sinners to be met by angels now, or to hear human Epeech from brute beasts. Still we may have this much in common with Balaam and Paul, that we may be so absorbed in our OWll things, so utterly careless of God, Christ, salvation, and eternity, as to require sharp, sudden, accumulated agencies to stir up our attention. It takes a great deal to bring some men to themselves. 111. THE PROCESS ADOPTED TO MAKE BALAAM FULLY CONSCIOUS OIi' THE WRATH 01" GoD. 1. The presence of an angel in front. Why an angel ? Why not communi- cate with Balaam as before? The answer is that Balaam did not ap{>reciate such communications. He heard them indeed, but they did not lay hold of hlS conscience, they did not secure his obedience, they did not even make him think seriously of his danger. Hence the appearance of a visible sign in the angel-one who should equally speak the word of God and be seen as he spoke. We know that persons were greatly terrified and impressed by the visits of angels (Judges xiii.). Men can go about the world delighting in sin, unconscious that all the time they are in the presence of God himself, but let them see what seems an apparition from nnother world, and they tremble like the aspen. The disciples in their earlier, carnal- hearted days were not much affected by the holiness and spiritual beauty of their Master's life ; but what an impression be made when they saw him walking on the sea I They thought it was an apparition. So so011, as Balaam perceived the presence of the a'Wel it brought him up at once. " He bowed down his bead, and fell fiat on bis face.' God makes use of visible agents to prepare results in the sphere of the invisible. And not only did an angel appear, but he was right in /root, signifying that he was there to meet with Balaam. He had also his sword drawn. There was significance in meeting a messenger bearing a sword, but the drawing of the sword, even without a single word spoken, was the clearest possible intimation of opposition. The way of transgressors may be hard in more senses than one. How many perse- vere in the ways of sin in spite of urgent, repeated warnings and entreaties, every- thing short of physical force, from those who love and pity them I Such nt all events cannot say that no one has cared for their souls. 2. The eztraordinary means by which God ma.de Balaam to notice tlie angel. Balaam would not attend to the warnings of an invisible God presented to the eye within, therefore a visible angel was sent to appeal through the eye without to the eye within. But though the angel was in front with the drawn sword, Balaam did not see him. How then shall he lid made te see him 1 God as bis custom is, takes the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. He opens the mouth of tt,e prophet's ass. Ridiculous I say x2 808 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [011. xim. 2-40.