Numbers 24

KADESH TO CANAANNumbers 20-36.IN our study of the remaining chapters of this Book of Numbers, we commence with the Children of Israel at Kadesh and conclude with them on the borders of Canaan; hence our subject, “From Kadesh to Canaan”.By a reference to your maps you will see that Kadesh-Barnea is only a little way removed from the promised land. One would imagine that when Israel had come so near to their divinely appointed inheritance, nothing short of death or a Divine command would keep them from immediate occupation of their promised home and prospective possessions. If, instead of the murmuring incited by the report of the ten spies, they had turned mutinous, and without waiting for a command from Moses, had rushed, mob-like, over the land, claiming every piece upon which they set foot, and occupying every city whose gates they could force, the action would have seemed more natural than that which is recorded of them.It is reported of a company of crusaders that, coming near to the city of Jerusalem and beholding its hilltops, some fell upon their faces, others upon their knees, all began to pray, many to weep, until finally, at a signal from their leader, each man sprang to his feet and shouted three times. “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Jerusalem! City of the King!

City of the King! City of the King!” and then breaking into a mob they rushed with all speed to see which one could first enter.It is little wonder that Israel’s abode in Kadesh should have been marked by Miriam’s death there. The marvel is that this people should have been so stupid that even the death of their leaders did not suggest to them the Divine displeasure with their wilderness wanderings.The remainder of this Book of Numbers is mainly a report of hardship, sufferings and judgments, in consequence of turning their backs on Canaan at Kadesh. There are some four emphatic things in these sixteen chapters to which we call attention.

Numbers 24:1-25

BALAK AND BALAAM.Chapters 22-24.Dr. Joseph Parker calls attention to the fact that though these men were introduced into this narrative suddenly, they never go out of it again. Balak will appear at the end of this Old Testament when Micah says, “Oh my people, remember now what Balak consulted * * that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord” (Micah 6:5). And Balaam and Balak will be the subject of concern when that last Book of the Bible is being written, namely, the Apocalypse. The reason for all this is evident. The history these men made was not that of their day merely, but that of every day up to the end of this age. It is the potentates’ attempt to coerce the prophet. It is the world of the flesh against the Word of the Spirit.

Think of the three things illustrated in this instance!First of all the potentate attempts to buy up the Prophet. In the 22nd chapter and the 7th and 8th verses we read,“And the elders of Moab, and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.“And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the Lord shall speak unto me; and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam”.In all of the time that has passed, the potentates of the world have not changed their tactics one whit. In very fact there never was a time when ministers were so tempted by money, to false prophecies, as now. Truly has it been said that the Church of God has come into too close alliance with the economic system, and the minister is too often the subject of intimidation by men of means. To preach what God has said, is to part with “the reward of divination” and to forfeit any expectation of Balak’s silver and gold.In the second instance Balak added men and proffered promotion to money!“And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.“And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak, the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me.“For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people” (Numbers 22:15-17).That same opportunity of fellowship with notables of honorable office, and of increased emoluments is open to the present-day preacher who will commend the world and curse the people of God.R. F.

Horton says that he found in a fashionable English watering place a clergyman whose conduct was openly and notoriously out of harmony with the Gospel, but who fell back upon the articles of his church and encouraged his hearers to believe that the grace of the church was flowing through his unhallowed lips. And he reminds us that it is the degradation which is resulting in England from the revival of a debased ecclesiasticism, that this church is always crowded with people who were only too glad to find a doctrine which could reconcile a certain religious profession with an unmodified worldliness.To his popularity was added the proud purse.

What is that but a repeating of this ancient history, save that this heathen soothsayer had more conscience than some men who now profess themselves to be ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for even“Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the Word of the Lord my God, to do less or more” (Numbers 22:18).A further suggestion of this conversation is Balaam’s disposition to surrender coupled with his clear conviction of God’s will. His disposition to yield is expressed in his invitation to the honorable men to tarry over night that he might inquire again of the Lord, in his consent to attend them to Moab, and in his counsel to the people of God to commit trespass in the matter of Peor. Then again his strange steadfastness is expressed in the word, “Behold I have received commandment to bless; and He hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it” (Numbers 23:20).That speech reminds us of the great Apostles, Peter and John, when they were enjoined by the Council that they should speak to no man in the Name of Christ, nor preach in the Name of Jesus.“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).James Russell Lowell wrote most truly: “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side;Some great cause, God’s new Messiah, offering each the bloom or blight,Parts the goats upon the left hand, and the sheep upon the right,And the choice goes by forever ‘twixt the darkness and that light.“Then to side with Truth is noble when we share her wretched crust,Ere her cause bring fame and profit and ‘tis prosperous to be just;Then it is the brave man chooses, while the coward stands aside,Doubting, in his abject spirit, till his Lord is crucified,And the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.”The next suggestion of this Scripture is one of very present interest, namely,