210 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



among the heathen in those ages, at the begin- 

 ning of a Avar, to devote their enemies to destruc- 

 tion with all the solemnities of religion ; and, 

 terrified by the recent victories of the Israelites, 

 lest they should " lick up all, as the ox licketh 

 up the grass," he applied to the venal prophet in 

 his distress. He knew Balaam's eminence in the 

 church, and his influence over the people ; he 

 knew that his interference might be purchased, 

 and he bribed him to come and curse the in- 

 vaders. 



" Though Balaam was eager to obtain the 

 proffered reward, and though he was flattered by 

 the high opinion in which his blessings and 

 curses were held, he well knew that they would 

 be of no avail without the sanction of God. 

 He, therefore, deferred giving any answer till he 

 should have consulted the divine will ; and 

 when that will was made known to him, he at 

 once refused Balak's request, alleging that God 

 had said to him, 'Thou shalt not curse the 

 people : for they are blessed.' This refers to 

 the blessing given to Abraham, Genesis xii., and 

 which was afterwards renewed to Jacob, Ge- 

 nesis xxvii. Balak, however, was not dis- 

 couraged by the first refusal. He repeated his 

 invitation along with promises of an unlimited 

 recompense ; and Balaam, having this time 

 obtained the Divine permission, departed with 

 the princes of Moab." 



