THE BRAZEN SERPENT.

Repentance and prayer are well pleasing in the sight of God.

Moses exhibits a noble and forgiving spirit in praying for those who had so recently shown themselves his enemies.

It is godlike to forgive injuries.

What is the Christian precept in regard to enemies?

In answer to the prayer of Moses, God commanded him to make a serpent of brass, in imi

tation of the fiery serpents, and to raise it on a staff or pole, as a standard, that could be seen from all parts of the camp.

Behold the wonderful effect: whoever was stung by the serpents, was healed by looking at the brazen image! The great power of God alone could give efficacy to such means.

In faith they obeyed God, and he by is miraculous intervention healed them.

Is not this a memorable type of Christ our Saviour? He was raised upon the cross, and by looking at him in faith we are redeemed from the sting of death, and the power of Satan.

Christ, though in himself without spot or stain, was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, and being lifted up, he says to all mankind,

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Look unto me, and be ye saved."

"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 3:14.

Happy are the people who live in these days of gospel light, and love the gospel law, the law of faith. On them are poured forth the

gifts of the Spirit; they see the dawn of the Sun of righteousness.

In the judgments of God inflicted upon the Israelites for their sins, we see the great necessity of man for the knowledge of salvation. through faith in Christ.

The believing Israelite indeed obtained mercy, but only through faith, and faith is the gift of God.

It is all of faith. Miracles without the influence of the Spirit, producing faith, have no efficiency to make men love God.

BALAAM.

Balaam was a renowned magician, living on the Euphrates, in the province of Aram, or Mesopotamia. This was the native land of Terah and of Abraham, where, among the descendants of Shem, some knowledge of the true God was still to be found.

Balaam had become famous for his wisdom and sagacity, but we learn from his history that he was proud, avaricious, and corrupt. He had some right conceptions of the holiness of God, and of the spiritual manner in which he should be worshipped; but in practice he

was an idolater, and pretended to foretell events by omens and charms.

The king of Moab sent for Balaam to come to him, and curse the Israelites. He attributed such power to Balaam's curse, that he expected by that means to drive the host of Israel from his dominions.

God appeared to Balaam in the night, and told him he might go: yet it is said, "God's anger was kindled because he went."

How is this?

Jehovah was angry because Balaam's heart was corrupt, and his motives wrong. He went, not from obedience to God, but because he desired to obtain the rewards and honors held. out to him by the king of Moab.

"Balaam the son of Bosor loved the wages of unrighteousness." 2 PETER, 2:15.

BALAAM AND HIS ASS.

How was Balaam obstructed in his journey? There are three miraculous points in this story: 1. The appearance of the angel. 2. That the beast saw him, when Balaam did not. 3. That the beast spoke, and reproved its

master.

"The Lord opened the mouth of the ass." The animal uttered the words without comprehending their import. This might show Balaam, that whatever were his own wicked designs, he was acting under the control of almighty power.

Was it Balaam's intention to bless, or to curse the Israelites?

To curse them, undoubtedly; it was not in his heart to pronounce a blessing: but God restrained him from cursing, and forced him to bless; a greater miracle than giving speech to a passive animal.

BALAAM'S PROPHECIES.

Balaam, under the influence of the Spirit of God, uttered several remarkable prophecies.

He was a bad man; his heart was not in his words; but God overruled his wicked desires, and caused him to speak as the Spirit dictated. He "heard the words of God," and "saw the vision of the Almighty."

"The Spirit of God came upon him."

These prophecies were,

1. That the Israelites should remain a distinct and peculiar nation: "The people shall