613. NUM 23:25. IMPREGNABLE SECURITY OF ISRAEL, AND GODS WONDROUS DOINGS ON THEIR BEHALF

Num_23:25. Impregnable Security of Israel, and Gods Wondrous Doings On Their Behalf

"Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought I"’97Num_23:25.

Balak, king of the Moabites, anxious to rid himself of the children of Israel, whose tents were now pitched in the plains around him. sent for Balaam, that he might curse them. It is evident that the spirit of true prophecy rested on this individual; but influenced by the love of sordid gain, he lent himself to Balak, and endeavored to do his bidding. God placed a variety of hinderances in his way, that he might return to the path of rectitude, and not attempt the execution of Balak’s commission. But, blinded by avarice, he went on and on, until God allowed his own infatuations to have the ascendency, so that he became the miserable victim of his own worldliness. But though willing to do Balak’s work, yet, when the time came, he was impelled, by the Spirit of God, to predict of Israel the most glorious things. Instead of declaring evil, he proclaimed the enrapturing prophecy recorded in Num_23:8, &c.

A second attempt elicited the declaration in Num_23:18-24 : the conclusion of which is the subject of our present discourse. How true is the text of Israel of old! No evil spirit of enchantment could affect them. No spirit of divination injure them. The magicians of Egypt could mimic Moses, but only in adding to the misery of the Egyptians: but neither earth nor hell can injure those who "trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield," Psa_115:9. Applying our text to the children of God, consider,

I. The truth affirmed. "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob," &c.

II. The exclamation uttered.

I. The truth affirmed. "Surely there is no enchantment," &c. We enter not into the discussion, how far men may have had power from Satan to "enchant," to "divine," or to "curse" others. But we abide by the text, that there is no such thing against the cause and people of God. Hell is opposed to the cause of God; and united with it are the wicked powers of earth. They have the disposition, the will, the purpose, and may make the attempt to injure the church; but their efforts must fail’97their plots must be frustrated’97their attacks must be powerless.

Yet sometimes they have been able to harass, and vex, and torture the people of God. Sometimes, they have apparently succeeded and triumphed; but really and eventually they must be frustrated. "For surely there is no enchantment," &c. Now, the certainty of this may be inferred,

1. Because the counsels of God are more than sufficient to baffle the designs and plots of hell.

We would not array human skill and tact against the wiles and stratagems of the devil. But the security of the church depends on the counsels of God: on the infinite wisdom of the Most High. He knows how to frustrate the devices of evil, and how to deliver those who trust in his name. His eyes are open to the thoughts and plots of the wicked; and hell has no covering before Him. Hence, he is the Watcher and Keeper of Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps, Psa_121:4.

2. Because the power of Jehovah is ever effectual in thwarting the attacks of the enemies of his people.

Divine wisdom or omniscience is united with resistless power. His mandate gave being to the universe: "He spake, and it was done: he commanded, and it stood fast," Psa_33:9. The volition of his own mind and will, would overwhelm the fallen spirits with confusion and terror. All created power is mere impotency before him: how, then, can the powers of evil ruin the church, and overthrow the cause of the Eternal?

3. Because Divine goodness is more than enough to counteract the malevolence of our foes.

The wisdom and power of God are combined with immeasurable love. The institutions of the church are those of God’s heart. His people are as the apple of his eye, Deu_32:10. "Behold, I have graven thee on the palms of my hands," Isa_49:16. He has covenanted with them, to sustain, to keep, to preserve, to deliver, to glorify them. "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel."

4. The resources of God are more than adequate to render all the means of the church’s enemies abortive.

The enemy can combine various elements of evil’97the wrath and power of fallen legions, craft and subtilty; the wealth and influence of the world, the fascinations of earth, &c.; and all these have successively been employed. But all resources are Jehovah’s: the angels of his presence, the stars of heaven, the sun and the moon; storms, and winds, and tempest; earthquakes, pestilence, and famine; locusts, and even flies, can effect his bidding. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain," Psa_76:10. On these grounds, we may well say, "Surely there is no enchantment," &c.

II. The exclamation uttered.’97"According to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel," &c.

1. What is to be said? "What hath God wrought!" All deliverances are to be traced up to God. Agents are to be observed, but God only praised: God alone is to have the glory, as he has had the real work of delivering his people. This is to keep up our dependence on God. This is to inspire with adoration and praise. This is to keep human nature in its right place.

Not what Moses did in Egypt, or Joshua, or Gideon, or David, or the apostles, or the first martyrs, or the reformers, or Wesley, or Whitfield; but "What hath God wrought!" There is a tendency to lose sight of God, or to make God secondary; but it ought ever to be’97"What God hath wrought!"

2. Who are to say it? Sometimes even enemies have said it. Balaam was forced to see it, and in the text to speak it.

(1.) It should be said especially by the ministers of the gospel: they are to draw attention to the doings of Jehovah; they are to extol the Lord, to celebrate the works of his hand, to speak of the glory of his kingdom, and talk of his power, Psa_145:10, &c.

(2.) It should be said by all the pious. Parents to their children’97teachers to their pupils’97Christians to one another. Thus the psalmist (lxxvii. 11), "I will remember the works of the Lord," &c.; and thus the prophet Isaiah exclaims (xii. 4, &c.), "Praise the Lord," &c.

3. When should it be said?

(1.) It should be said in times of depression, as the means of consolation. However low, or destitute, or afflicted, yet so it has often been’97that God has "remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth forever," Psa_136:23.

(2.) In times of great exertion, as an incitement to perseverance. Hope cheers, and renews with vigor for the toil. Never forget that the success is certain. Your efforts must avail,’97"Surely," &c.

(3.) In times of great success, to give tone to our exultations. We then have former days brought to our remembrance. Thus reminded of God’s doings of old, with grateful, rapturous joy we exclaim, "What hath God wrought!"

(4.) It will be reiterated in the world of the beatified forever. There they will see, in one beautiful series, the doings of God’97behold the golden chain entire. There the philosophy of Providence will be elucidated, and its harmony with redemption made clear as with letters of light.

Application

1. Our text may apply to many as to their Christian experience before God. "Remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee," &c., Deu_8:2.

2. The text is appropriate to Christian missions. What enemies, difficulties, and discouragements have been overcome and surmounted. Well may we exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" Let India’97the islands of the South Sea’97the deserts of Africa’97the West Indies’97New Zealand, &c., all testify.

3. Let God ever be exalted for the blessings we enjoy; and for all the good done in us, and by us.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS