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[0:00] The Lord shall, we will speak from the book of Numbers, chapter 24, verse 17. The 24th chapter in the book of Numbers, and the part of the 17th verse.

[0:18] I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him, but not now. There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel, shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Shef.

[0:47] As most of you know, we've been speaking from the history of Balaam from the past Sabbath.

[0:59] First from the 23rd chapter, and the 10th verse. Let me die the death of the righteous. Let my last end be like his.

[1:14] And then, from this chapter 24, verse 5. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel.

[1:26] Now, as I intimated last Sabbath, I thought that we hadn't finished with it. I shall see him, but not now.

[1:39] I shall behold him. I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him, but not now. The more emphasized what a modern character Balaam was.

[1:58] What an unusual instrument God chose to declare his truth, both present and future. And how this same prophet is taken up by Peter in the New Testament, and spoken of as one who loved the wages of unrighteousness, and who very gladly would have accepted the wages that the king of Moab, Balaam, offered him.

[2:36] Honor, and though he was willing, underneath, God prevented him. And instead of that, he put the word in his mouth.

[2:51] It would be most unwise for us to probe into that which is hidden. As in all these mysterious dealings of God with man.

[3:04] And they are not a few. They are sent to make us think and tremble.

[3:16] Consider the reality of truth. Of God's blessing. How he takes that instrument that he will, good or bad. Now sent to show us that his thoughts are much higher than our thoughts.

[3:36] And his ways higher in a more dignified, divine manner than our thoughts. That what our mind runs in regard to our thoughts is so completely different from that which is God's thoughts.

[3:58] And when we come to learn this in personal experience, we are brought to stand. Because there's one thing that is certain, and that is that God's thoughts will guide the day.

[4:12] Not only are they higher, but they are divine and therefore certainly fulfillment.

[4:23] And it is very humbling to realize that your thoughts are often put to confusion.

[4:34] And that your thoughts are not God's thoughts. Why should they be? So when we look at such a man as this, we perhaps ask ourselves, well why did God choose this pulse from?

[4:54] This man who had to deal with enchantments. Devilism. this man who was so close to the mark who had gained such confidence from the king of Moab in his enchantment that he took the trouble of sending ambassadors all the way to fetch him from his home in the mountains of the east why should it be?

[5:31] and when we start to reason like this we have to come to hope the fact is that God did it the fact is that what was put into Balaam's mouth as regards the future has come to pass and not only so but what Balaam was given to speak he also added to in his own personal feelings look at the text let me die the death of the righteous what a remarkable word how many that want to die the death of the righteous who never want to live their life thousands upon thousands will say yes I want to die the death of the righteous forgetting that only those who die such a favoured death live in faith as they die in faith let my last end be like his yes a very desirable thing but oh what of it when it comes to the end too late then to make any change if change were possible oh

[7:09] Balaam adds his own thoughts as the same with his we were speaking last sabbath evening how goodly are thy tents O Jacob and thy tabernacles O Israel as he saw this vast host generally reckoned to cover an area of some twelve square miles all tented and tabernacled in an orderly fashion not straggled all across the plains of Moab without any thought or order God gave specific instructions for the camping of his people and Balaam from the top of the mountain he saw these tents or a good many of them in their lines he speaks of them as being like the trees of blind animals which the Lord planted at the cedar trees beside the water and he cannot but comment on this as it's most remarkable that this vast host of people should be under such strict instructions and that they should gather under their own standards and that each tribe which is another great point of the whole matter should be together nine in the scripture three on the north three on the south three on the west three on the tabernacle in the centre and over that tabernacle the cloud and the descending cloud the tapering cloud coming down upon the tabernacle giving the immediate presence of God and not only so but as I said last summer the doors of these tents were to open toward the tabernacle so that God set before the eyes of men women and children the first thing when they opened their doors was the tabernacle the cloud how goodly if you examine this word goodly you will find a lot in it there is an excellency in it there is a discipline in it as I referred last time to the days of my youth when I can remember the tented camp of the army in those early days how attractive they were to our young eyes what discipline what regularity a hand over them a command an order which daren't be disobeyed so that in this they set before us the orderliness of the church of

[10:23] God that the church of God isn't some disorderly incomplete undisciplined people and though they're scattered all over the world they are disciplined they're orderly they have the word of God the command of God and I have this in respect of what I spoke of with regard to doctrine and with regard to God's correction discipline of his people instruction in righteousness and the object of it that they might be truly furnished unto all good words and how remarkable is this that wherever you may go and the Spirit's teaching is you will find this orderly this

[11:26] I did mention the order of God's house the order of believers baptism the order of the Lord's table precise commands and requirements of Jehovah for his people to obey and not obey slavishly but in love and to be united in love and affection and to put God first and to serve him and to give to him that which was due to his holy day so that Bainam learnt himself as God was teaching him and I doubt not that what Judas did too he numbered with the twelve disciples and he was given powers to heal as they were the vast abyss into which

[12:31] Judas plumbed when Satan entered into him and eventually betrayed his master with a kiss a vast abyss because he'd known the other side of it he'd kept the purse he'd been respected and honoured now he's plunged into hell goes and takes his own life I say these things are not mere historical facts they are divine truths why you may say because it is the same God same Jehovah the same master the same Lord whom we serve and over all this is amazing affection that he should ever have dealings with man like this and when we come to the account that we read those simple two chapters in the gospels

[13:49] Matthew 2 and Luke 2 of the birth of Christ and the stormy scene surrounding it Matthew gives us the more refined account that Luke gives us those days of the preceding the birth of Christ the naming of Christ call his name Jesus you see the stamp of divinity upon those things that have stood the test of time I know they've been commercialized I know that idolatry like so many barnacles round a ship has been built up all round them and that's all the truth of it the sacred simplicity and sweetness abide still and so here we have first

[14:53] Balaam's words I shall see him but not now how did he know this what have them meant isn't it but the second path goes further I shall behold him but not nigh this takes us back to the death of the righteous and his last end being like his but I shall not be nigh well what is the beauty of the death of the righteous surely it is their glory resurrection and Christ shall appear the second time to judge and the blessedness of being among those whom he will welcome and who will welcome him now he said

[15:59] I shall see you take Job example that ancient account written long before the book of numbers God's revelation in those days I know that my redeemer lives and though after my flesh won't destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for myself and not for another this remarkable personal religion which you will want and I shall want when it comes to judgment I shall want to see Christ for myself and although I've got those that love me and have loved me long since taken to glory I shall still want to see him for myself yes it won't do for me for them to see him and not me it won't do for you to see him and not your husband or your husband and not your wife or your children the fact is there's every probability that it may well be so one of a family yeah it stands out therefore in the inner meaning of the word of they have

[17:39] I shall see him not now can't be near here but to look at this a little later on we come with a star and it's in capital letter there shall come a star out of Jacob and then a scepter shall rise out of Israel how did he know this to what was he referring what is this star who is he is it the star in the east that we read about far from it that was a very mysterious star and try as men will even astrologers to solve the mystery of the star in the east they have never done it it is not an unknown thing for a meteor to go over the sky by any means but it is an unknown thing for a star to travel in such a direction and at such a speed that you could follow it that's the mystery of it that these wise men they may have been on camels but whatever they were mounted on makes no difference their speed was very limited and this star went at such a speed they could follow who they were called the

[19:26] Margie where they came from really is a matter of consequence not in the way of salvation even if you could answer it and men do naturally especially men gifted in these researches try to solve it well supposing we could solve it supposing I could say that I read so so so and given a good account of this what would it help it would certainly brighten our intellect but that's not what we seek soul profit is what we need not something that's going to sharpen your intelligence but something that's going to profit your soul we do not look at this star therefore with any particular wish to elucidate its origin it's standing still it's moving remarkable fact that it did stand still and that when they saw this star they were exceeding glad of course they were glad wouldn't you be if you come across a desert and that you had your heart fixed not upon anything else but upon a star and that you carried with you a valuable presence obviously with the intention of that star taking them somewhere where they could bestow these presents that they got with them

[21:21] I say the whole is enshrouded in a deep mystery and as interesting and as pleasing as it is we cannot go beyond the sacred pay but when we come to this star here it's a different matter this star that will arise out of Jacob when we speak of Jacob we speak of Israel one of the same and does it please God under such circumstances as this to reveal yet further the purpose of his great salvation he revealed it first in Eden's garden when he spoke of the seed of the woman then he revealed it further in time to

[22:32] Abraham and his son Isaac in Isaac shall I see the course he goes on to reveal it by degrees here and there first of all shall we say in the burning bush and then we come to various references to this coming Messiah Moses refers to this blessed person now this false prophet has his name put in his list there shall come a star out of Jacob now look at the glory of this person

[23:37] Christ Jesus what do we know about the stars as ordinary individuals what does the word of God tell us about the stars was a good deal but one of the greatest things that the scripture tells us about the stars is this that God calleth them all by name and further than this Jehovah himself mentioned them by name to Job canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades or the bands of Orion canst thou guide Mercurius with his sons Job the same names as are used today but the feature of these cards is that as the first chapter of the book of Genesis tells us that he created this child also and these stars are glorious and they rise and set they have their fixed position so with man he can print a map at the beginning of every month or every year or a hundred years hence he can tell you on a certain date at a certain time where such and such a star will be now the word upon our mind is that which gracious

[25:33] Simeon uttered when he took Jesus in his arms in the second of Luke when he was brought into the temple he said this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel he was set and when God sets the thing it set he set his bow in the cloud after the flood he said I do set my bow in the cloud and there it is today only this month or last look at the number of rainbows we saw perhaps two sometimes three in a day well man says that's quite easy you can make a rainbow yourself but you can not in the cloud

[26:49] I do set my bow in the cloud Jesus Christ this sacred star of Jacob was set set in the eternal counsels and purposes of God there from the beginning of the world from before the fall he was set the star of Jacob the one who should redeem his people but look at the beauty of some of the associations of the star that are spoken of in the scripture whereby the day star says Peter until the day star arise and appear in your heart turn to the last chapter in the revelation there you will see exactly the same thing we have this reference to the day star that shall appear the star of

[28:13] Jacob now this is associated with darkness this is associated with the fall and rising again of many in Israel reactions and what is this day star what a beautiful sight is the day star if we're up early enough to see it the people that doubt in darkness have seen a great light yes but does it not come any closer than this is darkness anything to do with us our natural state condition enmity enmity with God born in sin chastened in iniquity desiring nothing but darkness happy with darkness never knowing anything about gospel night or a day star arising in our heart never seeking for one moment a day spring why?

[29:40] why through native ignorance and yet this day star this precious star Christ Jesus is set and he's set in Israel in Jacob first of all he was set there by divine covenant that covenant was revealed as I've just said in Eden and gradually revealed progressively through the Old Testament all the tabernacle services and everything to do with worship which God ordained that is not heathen worship was pointing to Christ and that as we have said with regard to Balaam was known among the heathen nations Balaam ordered that there should be seven altars seven bullocks and seven rams he had a spattering of knowledge but there was no question of any prayer no question of any supplication much less any thought of atonement so that with regard to this the real worship centered in the faith of the believer that took his lamb or heather to the temple for sacrifice and furthermore the death of that animal he didn't take it and bring it away again not unless it was defective and the priest rejected it no no this is the glory the brilliance of the star of Jacob the atonement of Christ this is where its attraction lies is to draw your soul to Christ the blood of Jesus Christ

[31:56] God's son cleanseth us from all sin but unless you know what your sin is and are convinced of it how can it possibly attract you the fall and rising again in his sect for the conviction of sinners that this mighty work of bringing down the proud the lofty eyes and looks of men of all sorts and conditions be they who they may they may be of humble estate but they all need to be brought down they may be of higher state and then the lower they must come but this blessed star is set for the purpose of revealing man to himself how can we know desire salvation in all its death until we know a lost condition it's so easy to have the surface and not the under part and the inner work this stands therefore as the attractive glory and brilliance of the star of Jacob that he is to be admired he is a drawing influence and that he is set by

[33:45] God for the purpose of bringing down as well as lifting up which after all is without contradiction the very work of the spirit of God and the purpose of beholder to save sinners there could be no alteration in this until the end of time Christ is set and not only was he set in the purposes of God from all eternity but he was set in the promises of God all the promises of God says the apostle Paul in him are yea and amen they are final they are not yea and nay but they are yea and amen in Christ

[34:50] Jesus here lies therefore the glory as revealed to the woman by the world that they that worship God must worship him in spirit and in truth and what is more astonishing that the father seeketh such to worship him such convicted unworthy guilty empty handed sinners can you grasp that does it ever occur to you that your poverty are your riches and that the less you've got in your hands the better and the more bankrupt you are the closer you come to the promises have you ever seen the star glistering in its glory like this to attract you an unworthy sinner or do you just glide along upon the surface of a formal religion even the speaker here

[35:57] Balaam I am one of those who say let me die the death of the righteous that's what I want but when it comes to sacrifice cost giving up taking up my cross loss when it comes to loss reproach for Christ's sake no no I don't want that I don't want that very solemn thing but undoubtedly the case with that of Balaam when it comes to catching a view through faith of the glories of Christ the star the set star in the promises they are absolutely immovable and unalterable and nothing shall ever deter God from his purpose we see the vast hordes of iniquity in different histories and periods of the world history they looked formidable indeed even in our own little country look how dark things were centuries ago

[37:18] Biden looked to be a hope for a believer and yet God had his remnant look at things today where is vital God when is God today where is the spirit of hunger and thirst where is the spirit that the Lord Jesus countenanced and spoke so well of blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness where are they they're in this earth they're scattered in the dens so to speak and caves you won't be able to pick them out and get them all together and say well now look we've counted them no oh no they're not to be counted the foundation of God doesn't stand on the human census it stands on this that the

[38:23] Lord knoweth them that are his that's where it's time so this star is in the promises it's in the performance in humble Bethlehem look at the radiance which we are capable of through mercy and grace and our finite minds of appreciating the utter simplicity of the major story it never never loses its simplicity I know it's been marred and it's like everything else that God gives man he overdoes it but when you come to the sacred simplicity of the birth of Christ and those wise men and those shepherds and all the questions surrounding it you can number a dozen questions that men have asked for example what happened to the sheep well what does that matter what happened to the star when the wise men went another way home what happened to it it doesn't matter that won't take you to heaven that won't comfort your soul but what will comfort your soul is to see that that star was set there for the first time to bring into this earth the sin atoning blood of Christ in that human body was the blood of the everlasting current and for the very first time that divine nature of the

[40:24] Lord Jesus took into union with itself a human nature by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit so that there was not a touch whatsoever of the fall communicated to the sinless body of Christ because he was not born by human generation there you have the whole center summed and attraction of the star of Jacob born of a woman yes the roof out of a dry ground look at the arid ground in which he was born look at the circumstances in the chapter of race look at the unwelcome guest one of our hymn writers

[41:25] Joseph Hart he speaks in this beautiful way go and meet the royal stranger the royal stranger well now you will see the subject is vast isn't it I wish oh that we might be favoured to know the sweet day spring in our own lives continually the star of Jacob that rising star set in eternal purposes and covenant of God and now set at the right hand of his father in heaven in that holy office as the mediator brought all come under God by him and none could reach him pulling from his throne they blaspheme his dear name words cannot be found to express the awful thing they said about this royal stranger and this exalted high priest but he remains untouched and untouchable unreachable his mercy enduring forever so that here we have

[42:58]  Thalem's solemn prophecy he has a list his star has come out of Jacob that is the seed of Jacob and the obvious proof of it in the history of the Old Testament and in such intriguing and interesting ways for example through the incoming of humble roots into the lineage of Christ but we must leave it the subject is beyond us at least to plumb the depth of it may the Lord bless the thought which names pray to them Then