Balaam
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It is because of man’s sin that “the whole creation groaneth and
travaileth in pain together.”
Romans 8:22
. Suffering and death were
thus entailed, not only upon the human race, but upon the animals.
Surely, then, it becomes man to seek to lighten, instead of increasing,
the weight of suffering which his transgression has brought upon God’s
creatures. He who will abuse animals because he has them in his power
is both a coward and a tyrant. A disposition to cause pain, whether
to our fellow men or to the brute creation, is satanic. Many do not
realize that their cruelty will ever be known, because the poor dumb
animals cannot reveal it. But could the eyes of these men be opened,
as were those of Balaam, they would see an angel of God standing as
a witness, to testify against them in the courts above. A record goes
up to heaven, and a day is coming when judgment will be pronounced
against those who abuse God’s creatures.
When he beheld the messenger of God, Balaam exclaimed in terror,
“I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me:
now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.” The Lord
suffered him to proceed on his journey, but gave him to understand
that his words should be controlled by divine power. God would
give evidence to Moab that the Hebrews were under the guardianship
of Heaven, and this He did effectually when He showed them how
powerless Balaam was even to utter a curse against them without
divine permission.
The king of Moab, being informed of the approach of Balaam,
went out with a large retinue to the borders of his kingdom, to receive
him. When he expressed his astonishment at Balaam’s delay, in view
of the rich rewards awaiting him, the prophet’s answer was, “Lo, I
am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say anything?
the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.” Balaam
greatly regretted this restriction; he feared that his purpose could not
be carried out, because the Lord’s controlling power was upon him.
With great pomp the king, with the chief dignitaries of his kingdom,
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escorted Balaam to “the high places of Baal,” from which he could
survey the Hebrew host. Behold the prophet as he stands upon the lofty
height, looking down over the encampment of God’s chosen people.
How little do the Israelites know of what is taking place so near them!
How little do they know of the care of God, extended over them by
day and by night! How dull are the perceptions of God’s people! How