ed,
and he resolved from that moment to secure them. The first seems to
have been only a common embassy, and to have carried only the usual
rewards of divination. We know what followed. Balaam sinned in asking
a second time for liberty to go and curse Israel, when God had once
refused him, and told him that they were blessed. He asked, however,
and was in judgment permitted to go, but only to act agreeably to
divine direction which would be given on the spot; but he went,
determined to secure the wages of unrighteousness. Seeing his design,
God met him in the way, and by a strange and miraculous communication
and warning, made him afraid to curse his people, and even compelled
him to bless them altogether. But to come to our subject,

I. We are to consider Balak's inquiries.--_Wherewith shall I come
before the Lord_?

Balak had so deep a sense of the danger which threatened him, that he
was ready to bring the most costly sacrifices, if they would avail to
render propitious the God who had wrought such wonders in Egypt and in
the wilderness for the salvation of his people. He would offer all the
cattle, and all the oil of his kingdom, _thousands of ram, and ten
thousands of rivers of oil_! Yea, he would even offer his _first
born_, the heir of his crown! Would not refute the dearest of his
offspring to atone for his sin, and bring over the God of Israel to be
his God, in the time of his distress!

Such were his proposals. We may observe in them several mistakes
respecting the service of God, or the homage which is acceptable to
him; mistakes not uncommon among men. As,

First a supposition that sins may be atoned and mankind allowed to
continue in them, if they will come up to the price. The country of
Moab abounded with flocks, particularly with sheep; * it abounded also
with oil; and Balak supposed that the divine favor might be obtained
by sacrifices of this kind--by a profusion of them--_thousands of
ram, and ten thousands of rivers of oil_. He knew himself a sinner--he
knew that he had taken part against the God of Israel; had served
other gods, who were his rivals. But now he saw his need of the divine
favor and he wished to purchase it--at any price, to purchase it. He
was ready to pay for his sins; only waited to know the price, and he
would make the payment!

* 2 Kings iii. 4.

Not a word do we hear of his parting with his sins and returning back
by repentance.

Few left to the light of nature seem to