Balaam Tries to Curse Israel
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I shall see Him, but not now:
I shall behold Him, but not nigh:
There shall come a Star out of Jacob,
and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And shall smite the corners of Moab,
and destroy all the children of Sheth.
He closed by predicting the complete destruction of Moab
and Edom, of Amalek and the Kenites, thus leaving
to the Moabitish king no ray of hope.
Disappointed in his hopes of wealth and promotion, and conscious
that he had incurred the displeasure of God, Balaam returned from his
self-chosen mission. The controlling power of the Spirit of God left
him, and his covetousness prevailed. He was ready to resort to any
means to gain the reward promised by Balak. Balaam knew that the
prosperity of Israel depended upon their obedience to God. There was
no way to cause their overthrow but by seducing them into sin.
He immediately returned to Moab and laid his plans before the
king to separate the children of Israel from God by enticing them into
idolatry. If they could be led to engage in the licentious worship of Baal
and Ashtaroth, their omnipotent Protector would become their enemy,
and they would fall prey to the fierce, warlike nations around them.
This plan was readily accepted by the king, and Balaam remained to
assist in carrying it into effect.
Balaam witnessed the success of his diabolical scheme. He saw
the curse of God visited upon His people, and thousands falling under
His judgments. But the divine justice that punished sin in Israel did
not permit the tempters to escape. In the war of Israel against the
Midianites, Balaam was slain. He had felt a presentiment that his end
was near when he exclaimed, “Let me die the death of the righteous,
and let my last end be like his!” But he had not chosen to live the life
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of the righteous; his destiny was fixed with the enemies of God.
The fate of Balaam was similar to that of Judas. Both men tried
to unite the service of God and mammon, and met with signal failure.
Balaam acknowledged the true God; Judas believed in Jesus. Balaam
hoped to make the service of Jehovah the steppingstone to the acquire-
ment of riches and worldly honor; Judas expected by his connection
with Christ to secure wealth and promotion in that worldly kingdom