Two big disappointments!
Dear Friends,
There are two big disappointments in the Old Testament. One is King Solomon; the other is the prophet Balaam. Today’s devotional speaks of Balaam but compare him to Solomon. Avoid their follies and then thank God we have a prophet, priest, and king who never disappoints – Jesus! God bless you.
Because of Calvary,
John Janney
Numbers 23:10
Numbers 23:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob
or number the fourth part[a] of Israel?
Let me die the death of the upright,
and let my end be like his!”
Numbers 23:10
“Balaam’s Wish”
“How blest the righteous are,
When they resign their breath!
No wonder Balaam wished to share
In such a happy death.
‘Oh! let me die,’ said he,
‘The death the righteous do;
When life is ended, let me be
Found with the faithful few.
The force of truth how great!
When enemies confess,
None but the righteous, whom they hate,
A solid hope possess.
But Balaam’s wish was vain,
His heart was insincere;
He thirsted for unrighteous gain,
And sought a portion here.
He seemed the Lord to know,
And to offend him loathe;
But Mammon proved his overthrow,
For none can serve them both.
May you, my friends, and I,
Warning from hence receive;
If like the righteous we would die,
To choose the life they live.”
[The Works of John Newton III, (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1820), p. 329]