BALAAM’S PROPHECY.. . 103

what he wished. But his heart was
not changed; he was rebellious and
disobedient, and covetous still.

Israel with his mouth ; for God,
who enabled the ass to speak, took
away from Balaam the power to say

 

 

LXIII.

PALAAM'S PROPHECY,

  
 
   
 

SSOH|ALAAM came to Moab 3! be like his!” Numbers, xxiii. 10.
(© 4} and when King Balak | Then Balak said, “ What hast thou
( heard he was there, he | done? I called thee to curse the
€se%5} went to meet him directly. | people, not to bless them.” But Ba-
Balak was glad to sce; laam answered, “I told thee I must
him, and said, “ Why didst thou not | speak only what God commands.”
come before? I am able to give} Again Balaam went to meet God,
thee money and honors, and many | and again God put blessings into
things, if thou wilt obey me.” But! Balaam’s mouth. He spoke of Is-
Balaam answered, “ Now that I am | rael’s happiness, and of their future
come, I have power to speak only | blessings. God gave him words,
what God commands me.” and made him speak blessings of
The next day, Balak brought | His people Israel; for God had
Balaam to a high place, where they | power over Balaam’s mouth, as He
could see the camp of Israel: there | had over the mouth of the ass. But
the idol Baal was worshipped, and | it is sad to think of wicked Balaam:
there they built seven altars, and | when he saw God’s happy people,
offered a bullock and a ram upon | he wished to be safe and happy like
every altar. When they had finished, | them; but he did not pray to be
Balaam told the king to stay by the | made holy like God’s people. They
altar, while he went to meet the! are people who have repented ;
Lord; for Balaam could not speak | whose sins have been washed away,
a word without God’s command. | and whose hearts have been made
God met Balaam, and told him | new and clean.
what to say, and then the prophet | Balak wasvery angry with Balaam
went back to Balak. The king of! because he did not curse the Israel-
Moab was waiting for him, and | ites; he gave him no money, and no
wishing to hear the curses against | honor, but sent him away. Balaam
God’s people. And did Balaam | lost God’s blessing, and worldly
curse them? No; he could speak | riches too; and, soon after, he was
only God’s words. He said, “ Balak, | slain by the Israelites, when they
king of Moab sent for me to come | fought against Midian. Learn from
and curse Israel; but how can Ij this sad story how fearful it is
curse the people whom God has not | to forsake God, and how blessed
cursed? Let me die the death of | those are who truly love and serve
the righteous, and let my last end | Him.