669. NUM 23:23. BALAAM’S DECLARATION OF ISRAEL’S SECURITY

Num_23:23. Balaam’s Declaration of Israel’s Security

"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!"’97Num_23:23.

Balak, the 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 Balaam; but influenced by a love of sordid gain, he lent himself to Balak, and engaged to do his bidding. God placed a variety of hindrances 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 infatuation to have the ascendency, so that he became the miserable victim of his own worldliness. But though willing to do Balak’s work’97 yet when the time came to curse Israel’97he was influenced by the Spirit of God, to predict the most glorious things. Instead of declaring evil, he pronounced the following enrapturing prophecy; chap. Num_23:8, &c. A second attempt elicited the following declaration; Num_23:18, &c. 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; "for he is their help and shield."

Applying our text to the church of God in general, consider,

I. The important truth affirmed.

"Surely there is no enchantment," &c.

II. The triumphant exclamation uttered. "What hath God wrought!"

I. The important 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 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’97they 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 allowed 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," &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’97on the influence and 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 he neither slumbers nor sleeps.

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

Divine wisdom and omniscience is united with resistless power. His mandate gave being to the universe. "He spake," &c. 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 power 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 the church’s foes.

The wisdom and power of God are combined with immeasurable love. The interests of the church are those of God’s heart. His people are as the apple of his eye. He bears them on the palms of his hands, &c. He has covenanted with them to sustain, to keep, to preserve, to deliver, to glorify. "Surely then," &c.

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. The craft, subtlety, wrath, and power of fallen legions,’97the wealth and influence of the world’97the fashions of earth, &c. And all these have successively been employed. But all resources are Jehovah’s. The angels of his presence’97the stars of heaven’97the sun and the moon’97storms, and winds, and tempests, earthquakes, pestilence, and famine. Locusts, and even lice and flies, can effect his bidding. He often makes the wrath of man to praise him. On these grounds we may say, "Surely this is no enchantment," &c.

II. The exclamation uttered.

"According to this time it shall be said," &c.

Observe,

1. What is to be said.

"What hath God wrought!" All deliverances, &c., are to be traced up to God. Agency may 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 admiration 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 Whitefield; but what God hath wrought! There is a tendency to lose sight of God, or to make God secondary. But it ought ever to be, "What hath God wrought!"

2. Who are to say it.

Sometimes even enemies have said it. Balak was forced to see it, and the covetous Prophet to speak it.

(1.) But 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’97to celebrate the works of his hand’97to speak of the glory of his kingdom’97and talk of his power; Psa_9:9, &c.

(2.) It should be said by all the pious. Parents to their children. Teachers to their pupils. Christians to one another. Thus the Psalmist, Psa_77:11, &c. Isa_12:4, &c.

3. When it should be said.

(1.) It should be said in times of depression as the means of encouragement. However low, or persecuted, or afflicted, yet so it has often been; but God has remembered his people, "for his mercy," &c.

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

(3.) In times of great success, to give tone to our exultings. We then have former days brought to our remembrance’97thus reminded of God’s doings of old. With grateful exclamations of joy, we should exclaim, "What hath God wrought!"

(4.) It will be reiterated in the world of the beatified forever. Then they will see in one beautiful series, the doings of God. Behold the golden chain entire. Then 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 God hath led you, &c. What great things he hath done for you.

2. May it not apply to this Christian Church and congregation?

What hath God wrought here, for you, in you, by you? &c.

3. Let God ever be exalted by his Church and people for the blessings they enjoy, and all the good done in them, and by them.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS