Israel About To Take Possession Of The Land Of Promise -Decisive Contest Showing The Real Character

Of Heathenism -Character And History Of Balaam.

(NUMBERS 22)

THE wilderness-life and the early contests of Israel were over. Israel stood on the threshold of the promised

possession, separated from it only by the waters of Jordan. But, before crossing that boundary -line, it was

absolutely necessary that the people should, once and for all, gain full knowledge of the real character of

heathenism in its relation to the kingdom of God. Israel must learn that the heathen nations were not only

hostile political powers, opposing their progress, but that heathenism itself was in its nature antagonistic to

the kingdom of God. The two were incompatible, and therefore no alliance could ever be formed with

heathenism, no intercourse cultivated, nor even its presence tolerated. This was the lesson which, on the

eve of entering Palestine, Israel was to learn by painful experience in connection with the history of Balaam.

Its importance at that particular period will readily be understood. Again and again was the same lesson

taught throughout the history of Israel, as each alliance or even contact with the kingdoms of this world

brought fresh sorrow and trouble. Nor is its application to the Church of God, so far as concerns the danger

of commixture with, and conformity to the world, less obvious. And so the history of Balak and of Balaam

has, besides its direct lessons, a deep meaning for all times.

With the decisive victories over Sihon and over Og, all who could have barred access to the Land of

Promise had been either left behind, or else scattered and defeated. And now the camp of Israel had moved

forward, in the language of Scripture, to "the other side Jordan from Jericho."  4 Their tents were pitched in

rich meadow-land, watered by many streams, which rush down from the n eighboring mountains - Arboth, or

lowlands of Moab, as the country on this and that side the river was still called, after its more ancient

As the vast camp lay scattered over a width of several miles, from Abel Shittim, "the meadow of the

acacias," in the north, to Beth Jeshimoth, "the house of desolations," on the edge of the desert, close to the

Dead Sea, in the south (Numbers 33:49), it might have seemed as if the lion of Judah were couching ready for

his spring on the prey. But was he the lion of Judah, and were the promises of God to him indeed "yea and

amen?" A fiercer assault, and one in which heathenism would wield other arms than those which had so

lately been broken in their hands, would soon decide that question.

We can perceive many reasons why Moab, though apparently not immediately threatened, should, at that

special moment, have come forward as the champion and representative of heathenism (Numbers 22:1- 3).

True, Israel had left their land untouched, restrained by express Divine command from invading it

(Deuteronomy 2:9). But their close neighborhood was dangerous. Besides, had not all that land north of the

Arnon, which Israel had just wrested from the Amorites, been till lately Moabitish -the very name of Moab

still lingering on mountain -plateau and lowland plains; and might not Moab again have what once it held?

But there was far more involved than either fear or cupidity suggested. The existence alike of heathen

nations and of heathenism itself depended on the issue. There can be no doubt that the prophetic

anticipation of the song of Moses (Exodus 15:14-16) had already in great part been fulfilled. "The nations"

had "heard" of God's marvelous doings for Israel, and were afraid; "the mighty men of Moab, trembling" had

taken "hold upon them." Among the wandering tribes of the east, tidings, especially of this kind, travel fast.

Jethro had heard them long before (Exodus 18:1), and the testimony of Rahab (Joshua 2:9) shows how fear

and dread had fallen upon the inhabitants of the land. Force of arms had been tried against them. The

Amorites, who had been able to wrest from Moab all the land north of the Arnon, had boldly marched

against Israel under the leadership of Sihon their king, and been not only defeated but almost exterminated.

A similar fate had befallen the brave king of Bashan and his people. There could be no question that so far

Jehovah, the God of Israel, had proved true to His word, and stronger than the gods of the nations who had