[19] Poor, wretched Balaam! Miserable man! He would fain die the death of the righteous. Many there are who would say the same; but they forget that the way “to die the death of the righteous” is to possess and exhibit the _life_ of the righteous. Many—alas! how many—would like to die the death who do not live the life. Many would like to possess Balak’s silver and gold and yet be enrolled amongst the Israel of God. Vain thought! Fatal delusion! We cannot serve God and mammon. [20] The statement in the text does not, by any means, touch the question of discipline in the house of God. We are bound to judge moral evil and doctrinal error. (1 Cor. v. 12, 13.) [21] See an article entitled “Grace and Government,” in “Things New and Old,” Vol. iv, p. 121. Loizeaux Brothers. [22] As though the two tribes and a half were actually detached from the nation of Israel. [23] No doubt there are many sincere Christians who do not see the heavenly calling and position of the Church—who do not enter into the special character of truth taught in the epistle to the Ephesians—who are, nevertheless, according to their light, earnest, devoted, and true-hearted; but we feel persuaded that such persons lose incalculable blessing to their own souls, and fall very short of the true Christian testimony. [24] Chapter xxxvi. has been referred to in our meditation on chapter xxvii.