I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of
old.--Psalm lxxviii. 2.
We hear Balaam, the son of Beor, from the heights of Moab, attended
by an idolatrous king and prince, taking up his parable on the
multitudes of Israel. We also find many of the prophets of the Lord
in the different ages of the Church, presenting their Master's
message in the dress of parable. The sweet singer of Israel is here
said to open his mouth in a parable, and utter dark sayings, which
have been kept secret since the foundation of the world. But we are
compelled to pass by this son of Jesse, to direct our attention to
one who may not unaptly be styled 'the man of parables.' Jesus so
frequently used them in his discourse to the multitude, that it is
said "that without a parable spake he not unto them;" and who can
read his parables without exclaiming, "surely never man spake like
this man." His discourses are adorned with the striking force and
luxuriant imagery of the East. He made use of the most beautiful
language and elegant ideas, to impress on the mind a knowledge of
things which are not seen and spiritual, by similies drawn from
things which are seen and temporal. Who can read the affecting
representation of the pity and forgiveness God manifests towards
the ungrateful, rebellious, but afterwards penitent sinner, so
forcibly displayed in the parable of the Prodigal Son, without being
charmed at the happy simplicity that pervades the whole. Unlike the
productions of men, the words of Jesus, like the works of creation,
display new beauties on every attentive examination. They lose
nothing by a minute inspection--they are not mere empty words: at
every perusal they are increasingly attractive, and we discover that
the most sublime truths are taught, where, perhaps, at the first
reading, we beheld nothing particularly instructive or engaging.