and sink him down into the pit of woe for

ever.

How many awakening things are recorded in this chapter. Miriam died and was buried there in the wilderness of Zin. Moses and Aaron received the sentence that they should die in the wilderness also. Does not this speak to us? Is not the sentence gone forth? Must we not all die here in this world? Are we ready? Are you prepared? Is your house set in order? Have you peace with God? Is your pardon sealed in heaven?

Let us note by the way, the unkindness of Edom. The old grudge was not obliterated; the hatred on account of the birthright still existed. How hard is it to win an angry brother! Are not a man's foes often of his own house? In this instance, Israel acted wisely. Instead of adding to the flame, they turned away from him. Let us always remember, that "a soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger." (Prov. xv. 1.)

In the last place, here is the death of Aaron, and the manner of it described. Moses takes him up into mount Hor, strips him of his garments, puts them upon Eleazar his son, and then he dies in peace. The two honoured servants of the Lord are separated for a short season, soon to meet above to part no more. Thus, when one finishes his course, and enters the joy of his Lord, others are raised up to fill his place and serve the Lord in their day and generation. Thus, believers are raised up in succession; the witnesses still prophesy; others are baptised in the room of the dead; and the gates of hell never prevail against that church which is built upon the rock, Christ Jesus the Lord. It shall stand for ever. (Matt. xvi. 17, 18.)

CHAPTER XXI.

1 Israel with some loss destroy the Canaanites at Hormah. 4 The people murmuring are plagued with fiery serpents. 7 They repenting are healed by a brasen serpent. 10 Sundry journeys of the Israelites. 21 Sihon is overcome, 33 and Og.

ND when king Arad the Canaanite, which

dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them pri

soners.

2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD,

5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from And Moses prayed for the people.

us.

8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

10 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.

4

11 And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ije-abarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.

12 From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared.

13 From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

14 Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, "What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,

15 And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.

16 And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.

17¶ Then Israel sang this song, "Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

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18 The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of

the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah: 19 And from Mattanah to Nahaliel and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:

20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the 'country of Moab, to the top of 10 Pisgah, which looketh toward "Jeshimon. 21 ¶ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,

22 Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.

23 And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

24 And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Amfor the border of the children of Ammon was strong.

mon:

26 For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.

27 Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:

28 For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.

29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.

30 We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.

31 Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.

32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.

33¶ And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.

34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and

THE wilderness is not a place for ease or rest; it is a place of discipline and trial. Man's perverseness, and the Lord's goodness, are distinctly brought to light. The history of Israel proves this, and our own life confirms it.

But it is, also, the place for conflict. There are enemies, and they must be overcome. Israel found it so; we find it so, too; others will find the same; but, in the Lord's strength we shall be more than conquerors. Some of these foes of Israel are named in this chapter. First, Arad, the Canaanite; then, Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, the king of Bashan. These are overcome, and Israel possess their lands. Do not these things, also, teach us useful lessons?

some

Is not the Christian's course a scene of conflict? Are there not enemies of his soul, with which he must contend, and which he must overcome? Is not the world an enemy; the flesh an enemy; the devil an enemy? Against these foes is he not pledged, as a follower of Christ, to fight manfully, and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end? Are we not exhorted to fight the good fight of faith, and to lay hold on eternal life? Is it not promised to all true believers, that they shall be made more than conquerors through him that loved them? Let all, then, buckle on their armour, and go forth in the Lord's strength, from conquering to conquer, making mention of his righteousness only, and all will be well.

These battles took place before they came to the land of promise. The enemies, thus conquered, were on the borders, and they must first be vanquished before the final victory could be won. In this respect, these successes were so many tokens and pledges of future and

final triumphs. Is it not so, too, with the believer? Does he overcome one enemy, one temptation, one conflict? That is proof that he shall overcome all in due time. Just

as one mercy is a pledge of another, so one victory is a pledge of another; till all foes are overcome, and he shall set down on the throne above, victorious through the Lamb. Is not this most cheering and delightful? Who, then, shall be cast down? Who shall

of your perishing soul to the crucified Redeemer, and you shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. (Is. xlv. 22.)

CHAPTER XXII.

1 Balak's first message for Balaam is refused. 15 His second message obtaineth him. 22 An angel would have slain him, if his ass had not saved him. 30 Balak entertaineth him.

ND the children of Israel set forward,

enable to say, "In all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us?"

But here, again, amidst all this goodness of the Lord, we have another remarkable instance of the wickedness of man. The people journeyed from mount Hor, and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. Then they spake against God and his servant. They murmured; and loathed their daily food. Why should they be discouraged? Could the Lord lead them wrong? Could he not provide for their necessities? Had they not full proof of this always before their eyes? The Lord was displeased, and sent fiery serpents among the people, which bit them, and they died.

Is not such the fruit of sin? Hath not that dreadful serpent poisoned and polluted all our souls, and stung the whole world with the fatal venom of death? Where is the remedy? See the type, and mark the antitype. God provided the means for their health and cure. They that used those means, lived. They that did not use those means, died. Every one that looked upon the serpent of brass, lived (v. 9).

Here is the gospel. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John iii. 14, 15.) Just as they were healed, so must you be saved. They looked to the brasen serpent; you must look to Christ. In either case, the death was from man; in either case, the life is from the Lord. They destroyed themselves; so have we. In the Lord was their help; so is ours. They looked in faith, and lived. If you look in faith, you shall be saved. Bless God for Lift up the eye

this provided way of life.

A

this side Jordan by Jericho.

of

2 ¶ And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the 'face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

7 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.

8 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.

9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,

11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt

not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people for they are blessed.

13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.

15¶ And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.

16 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:

17 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.

18 And 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.

19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.

20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.

21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

22 ¶ And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and

Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.

28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

5

30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and "fell flat on his face.

32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out 7 to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, 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.

35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

36 ¶ And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.

37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?

38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.

39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto 'Kirjath-huzoth.

40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.

41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up

INCIDENTS of a new and different character, in the history of Israel, now present themselves to our notice. In seeking to improve them, we shall have much to learn, much to fear, and much to praise God on our behalf.

The children of Israel, having vanquished the foes named in the last chapter, marched "forward and pitched in the plains of Moab" (v. 1). Balak, the king of that country, having heard of their exploits, was sore afraid, and began to tremble for his own safety. Immediately he began to devise. what might be the best method to escape the danger. The fame of Balaam was well known. As a soothsayer, practising the arts of satanic deception and delusion, he was much consulted by all persons, far and near, who sought the aid of his abilities. His chief art, in the influence he exercised over the minds of men, lay in imprecations. His curse on Israel was requested on this occasion; and the sequel we shall find. What may we learn ?

How many are the enemies of the soul! How many are the enemies of the church and people of God! Israel had enemies in Egypt, and in the wilderness; enemies in Edom, and in the Amorites; enemies in Og, the king of Bashan, and his people; and now, again, they have enemies in Moab, and Balaam, and Balak, who sought their ruin. And have not we? Have we not many enemies that rise up on every side around us? Have we not enemies within and without; enemies in the world, the flesh, and the devil? And are not the powers of darkness some of the chief foes of the soul? How needful, then, is it to have the Lord for our protector and defender! How needful to be clothed with the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and, having done all, to stand! (Eph. vi. 11, &c.)

That Balaam was a very wicked man is

evident. He could be a soothsayer, or a prophet, just as the occasion suited, and his own honour or profit dictated. God knew this wicked man. He determined to deal with him as he found him; and to defeat his base and wicked schemes by means of his own wicked devices. Is it not thus God often deals with the wicked? Does he not take the wise in their craftiness, and harden the obstinate in their own inventions?

He

He

He pretends to meet God; to lay the case proposed before him. God comes to him, and forbids him to go on the errand. Vexed at the disappointment, he tells the messengers of the restraint; but it was only in such a manner as to excite the stronger desire in Balak to engage his services at all hazards. The restraint, therefore, from God, did, in fact, tend to further his wicked scheme. loved the wages of unrighteousness. knew, the longer he stood out the more would Balak bid for his hire; and the greater would be his reward. And, to shew that this was the case, when the messengers returned, and God gave him a sort of conditional permission to go, he overlooked that restriction; rose early from his bed; called the men up to go with him; and hastened on the way; nor could any of the miraculous circumstances here recorded deter him from his purpose. The dumb ass, speaking with man's voice, forbidding the madness of the prophet, only provoked his anger, and made him more desperate in his evil course. (2 Pet. ii. 15, 16.)

What a case is here! May not thousands read their own spirit and character in these alarming transactions? You may not be soothsayers, like him; you may not lend your services, as agents of Satan, for hire to curse the people of the Lord. But, are you not mad upon your own inventions? Are you not bent upon your evil courses? Are you not ready to break through every restraint; conscience, warnings, the word and truth, and even the mercy of God, that you may pursue your own course, and follow the bent of your own heart? Pause, and consider; the Lord is against you; and how can you prosper?