Balaam
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perished with the people whose favor he had obtained at the sacrifice
of twenty-four thousand of the Israelites. The Lord is regarded as cruel
by many in requiring his people to make war with other nations. They
say that it is contrary to his benevolent character. But he who made the
world, and formed man to dwell upon the earth, has unlimited control
over all the works of his hands, and it is his right to do as he pleases,
and what he pleases with the work of his hands. Man has no right
to say to his Maker, Why doest thou thus? There is no injustice in
his character. He is the Ruler of the world, and a large portion of his
subjects have rebelled against his authority, and have trampled upon
his law. He has bestowed upon them liberal blessings, and surrounded
them with everything needful, yet they have bowed to images of wood
and stone, silver and gold, which their own hands have made. They
teach their children that these are the gods that give them life and
health, and make their lands fruitful, and give them riches and honor.
They scorn the God of Israel. They despise his people, because their
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works are righteous.“ The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.
They are corrupt. They have done abominable works.” God has borne
with them until they filled up the measure of their iniquity, and then
he has brought upon them swift destruction. He has used his people as
instruments of his wrath, to punish wicked nations, who have vexed
them, and seduced them into idolatry.
A family picture was presented before me. A part of the children
seem anxious to learn and obey the requirements of the father, while
the others trample upon his authority, and seem to exult in showing
contempt of his family government. They share the benefits of their
father’s house, and are constantly receiving of his bounty. They are
wholly dependent upon him for all they receive, yet are not grateful, but
conduct themselves proudly, as though all the favors they received of
their indulgent parent were supplied by themselves. The father notices
all the disrespectful acts of his disobedient, ungrateful children, yet he
bears with them.
At length, these rebellious children go still further, and seek to
influence and lead to rebellion those members of their father’s family
who have hitherto been faithful. Then all the dignity and authority
of the father is called into action, and he expels from his house the
rebellious children, who have not only abused his love and blessings