Homilist Numbers 22:15-35 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.… I. THE INFLUENCE OF A BAD MAN UPON SOCIETY. 1. A man's influence in this world is no proof of his moral worth. The millions of all ages readily accede to the claims of the pretender, however lofty; and the more lofty the better, if the claimant can manage to keep his countenance while the admiring dupes look on. 2. Society, in relation to true intelligence and right sympathy, is in a very lamentable state. A true education, involving the harmonious unfolding of the feeling as well as knowing faculties of the soul, will make a man a "discerner of spirits." 3. The high probability of a future retributive economy. Does not the mutual relation between empty pretenders and the ignorant victims of all ages predict a reckoning day, and cry out for a judgment? II. THE INFLUENCE OF THE GREAT GOD UPON A BAD MAN (ver. 18). 1. God does exert a spiritual influence over the minds of bad men. 2. The spiritual influence He exerts over the minds of bad men is of a restraining character. (1) External difficulties. (2) Inward pressure upon the spirit. 3. God's restraining influence upon a bad man is for the good of society. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.WEB: Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they. |
    |