God and Mammon

Numbers 23-24
Who are these two upon the mountains that overlook the camp of
Israel? That one who gazes with rapt attention upon the scene is
the prophet of Pethor; the other, who with eager solicitude points
out all the circumstances of the scene, is the king of Moab, who
has brought him from the mountains of the east, that he may
pronounce his curse upon the people whom the Lord has blessed.
Oh, vain man! to think that the power which but yesterday was not
sufficient to slay an ass, would today be able to ruin a great
people. But see, the prophet seems affected. Perhaps one of his
better moments is comethe moment in which the proud mind of
the flesh, and the power of worldliness, relax their strong gripe
upon the heart, and allow some poor natural feeling, imprisoned
in its dark chambers, to rush forth for one moment into the glad
sunshine and the pleasant air. He sees the goodly array of the
chosen people like lign aloes which the Lord hath planted beside
the waters; he beholds in the midst of them the glorious
tabernacle of the Lord; and he views the magnificent pillar of
cloud spread over them as a shield for their defence against his
maledictions. He sees moreagain his eyes are opened, and his
view extends into the great future, in which he beholds their
victories over the enemies of the Most High, and is even allowed
a glimpse of the remote Star of Jacob, nor is perhaps left wholly
ignorant of its deep significance. He could not be wholly
unmoved. Struck with a deep conviction of the peculiar privileges
and mercies of this people, and contrasting it with the dim
consciousness of his own condition, he cries outHow goodly
are thy tents, O Jacob! and thy tabernacles, O Israel! Let me die
the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
This is not a strange thing. This is not beyond the ordinary
experience of the souls life. How often is it seen that
transgressors are checked for a moment by the voice of
conscience; and on comparing their condition with that of the
Lords servants, are compelled to echo the words of the worldly-
minded prophet. Perhaps the offender never lived who has not at
times sighed for a share in the mercies and blessings, in life and
in death, of the righteous, and in the gush of temporary feeling
has been ready to cry outBless me, even me also, O my
Father. Gen_27:38.
But such temporary aspirations soon pass away, and leave no
trace behind. Balaam could wish at this time to have his dying
portion with the righteous; yet that wish had no abiding influence
upon his conduct. The presentthe gains and honors of the
world, were still the subjects of his thoughts, and to win them the
great object of his solicitude. Therefore his end was far from
that. In the tents of Midian, where the lingered, or to which he
returned to claim the rewards of unrighteousness, his sun went
down in blood, leaving a name that has become a by-word in the
world.
It is a fearful thought that a man may have his eyes open so
wide as Balaams were, and see as distinctly as he the vision of
the Almighty, and yet perish in practical unbelief; for that belief
avails only for condemnation, which is not operative upon the
heart, and allows a man still to have his portion with the world. Yet
it is possible that Balaam, with his high doctrinal knowledge, and
his clear vision of God, thought himself safe. We see such things
daily. There are thousands now who cherish the ruinous delusion,
that they may walk after their own devices, live to themselves
only, and dishonor the Lord that bought them, and yet have their
portion with them who have devoted themselves in holy faith to
the service of religion, who have denied themselves, and have
lived to the glory of their Redeemer. This fatal delusion may
continue to deepen and enlarge around such men; it may even
withstand the influence of the truth which a dying hour usually
produces; and he may depart, whispering Peace, peace, to his
soulwhen there is no peace. But darkness flies not before the
rising sun so speedily and so surely, as error and self-deceit will
be scattered before the glory of that light which will issue from the
effulgence of the throne set up in the day of judgment. Of such
our Lord himself saysMany shall say unto me in that day, Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast
out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And
then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me,
ye that work iniquity.
It is a significant indication of Balaams state that his sacrifices to
the Lord were offered upon the high places of Baal. While
conscious of a divided spiritwith mammon, the spirit of the
world, reigning, though not undisturbedly in his heartit must
have seemed a small matter that Baals high places were
appropriated for the nonce to the worship of Jehovah; but to him
were applicable the words which a truer and sterner prophet
addressed to men of like temper: How long halt ye between two
opinions? If the Lord be God, then follow himbut if Baal, then
follow him. And still more the words of our Lord, No man can
serve two masters. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Not
but a man may in the literal sense serve two masters; but
although he serve two, it is to one only that his heart can be
devoted. To which master Balaam was devoted we need not tell.
He was, as an old writer Note: Christopher Ness, History and
Mystery, vol. i. Appendix, p. 88. remarks, one of those unstable
men whom the apostle calls double-minded, an ambidextrous in
religion, like Redwald king of the East-Saxons (the first that was
baptized), who (as Camden relates) had in the same church one
altar for the Christian religion, and another for sacrificing to devils;
and a loaf of the same leaven was our resolute Rufus, that
painted God on one side of his shield, and the devil on the other,
with this desperate inscription, In utramque paratusI am ready
for eithercatch that catch can. Or this was such a sinful mixture
as was that worship of those mongrels who feared God, and
feared him not; that is, rightly, for they feared him only for his
lions that he sent to slay them, not truly, nor totally, for God will
not part stakes with the devil at any hand.
One cannot help thinking with delight of the quiet security in which
Israel rested in their tents, while all these machinations were
going on against them. So shall it be with all who truly love and
serve God. No weapon that is raised against them shall prosper.
Their minds may rest in perfect peacebeing stayed upon him.
They did not even suspect the mischief which Balaam and Balak
were plotting against them, but which the Almighty threw back
upon the inventors. The victory was gained for them before they
knew of their danger, and their salvation was wholly of the Lord.
Who is he that shall harm you, if ye be followers of that which is
good. The angel of the Lord encampeth around them that fear
him, and delivereth them. The enemy cannot do them violence
the sons of wickedness cannot approach or hurt them. Happy is
that people that is in such a case; yea happy is that people whose
God is the Lord.*
Compelled, notwithstanding the urgency of the king, to suppress
the curse that filled his mouthcompelled by the strong power
upon him even to bless where he desired to curseBalaam was
constrained to quit Moab under the strong displeasure of the king
at his obstinacy, and without the honors and rewards for which he
had periled his soul. His advice, however, led to a war between
the Israelites and Midianites, among whom he withdrewand in
that war he perished.