Balaam
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his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches” (
Ezekiel
31:8
); nor any tree in the garden of God. The cedar is repeatedly
employed as an emblem of royalty, and its use in Scripture to represent
the righteous shows how heaven regards those who do the will of God.
Balaam prophesied that Israel’s King would be greater and more
powerful than Agag. This was the name given to the kings of the
Amalekites, who were at this time a very powerful nation; but Israel,
if true to God, would subdue all her enemies. The King of Israel was
the Son of God; and His throne was one day to be established in the
earth, and His power to be exalted above all earthly kingdoms.
As he listened to the prophet’s words Balak was overwhelmed
with disappointed hope, with fear and rage. He was indignant that
Balaam could have given him the least encouragement of a favorable
response, when everything was determined against him. He regarded
with scorn the prophet’s compromising, deceptive course. The king
exclaimed fiercely, “Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to
promote thee unto great honor; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back
from honor.” The answer was that the king had been forewarned that
[451]
Balaam could speak only the message given him from God.
Before returning to his people, Balaam uttered a most beautiful and
sublime prophecy of the world’s Redeemer and the final destruction
of the enemies of God: “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.”
And 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, in disfavor
with the king, and conscious that he had incurred the displeasure of
God, Balaam returned from his self-chosen mission. After he had
reached his home the controlling power of the Spirit of God left him,