The district in which the Israelites are encamped is called the PLAINS OF MOAB, as it formed part of the territory of the Moabites before their conquest by the Amorites (Numbers 21:26). ON THIS SIDE JORDAN] The Hebrew is 'beyond Jordan.' So RV: see on Numbers 21:13. JOURNEYINGS FROM SINAI TO MOAB ... [ Continue Reading ]
BALAAM The Israelites now enter upon the last stage of their journey to Canaan. They are within sight of the land of promise, being encamped at the northern end of the Dead Sea, near the mouth of the Jordan. Up to this point they have surmounted every obstacle and conquered the tribes on the east si... [ Continue Reading ]
ELDERS OF MIDIAN] The home of the Midianites is usually supposed to have been within the Sinaitic peninsula towards the S. or SE.: see Exodus 2:15; Exodus 3:1. Here they are found to the E. of the Jordan, associated with the Moabites in their attempt to bar the progress of the Israelites: cp. Genesi... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'sent.. to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children,' etc. The 'River' is the Euphrates. The ancient Chaldeans and Babylonians, like the modern Arabs, had a firm belief in the existence and influenee of demons. They also believed that certain persons had the power of controlling... [ Continue Reading ]
REWARDS OF DIVINATION] the presents made to Balaam to secure his offices. In 2 Peter 2:15; Balaam is said to have loved 'the wages of unrighteousness.' 8-21. Balaam, being warned by God in a dream, refuses to go; whereupon Balak sends a more pressing invitation with promise of a larger reward. Bala... [ Continue Reading ]
Balaam has been blamed for hesitating here. This, however, is unjust. On the occasion of the first message from Balak he was honestly in doubt whether he ought to go or not, and it is to his credit that he would do nothing till he had learned what the mind of God was. It was otherwise, however, on t... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY _are_ BLESSED] see Genesis 22:17; Numbers 6:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is said in good faith. But Balaam is moved by the tempting offer of Balak; and, while He does not mean to disobey God, he is not without hopes of inducing God to change His mind. He does not yet know that Jehovah's 'kindness shall not depart nor His covenant of peace be removed.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Balaam is allowed to go, but only on condition that he will speak the word that God gives him. 22-41. On the way Balaam receives a warning not to go beyond the word of the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S ANGER WAS KINDLED BECAUSE HE WENT] This seems to contradict what is said in Numbers 22:20, that God gave him permission to go. But that permission was conditional. He might go, but he must speak only what is given him to say. Balaam gladly seizes the opportunity of going, for he is hankering a... [ Continue Reading ]
OPENED THE EYES OF BALAAM] Up to this point Balaam has been like a blind man. He has been determined to have his own way. But now he sees it is useless trying to deceive God or fight against Him. Like Saul he finds it is 'hard to kick against the pricks': cp. Acts 9:4. The refusal of his erstwhile d... [ Continue Reading ]
Balaam is now convinced that it is useless hoping to satisfy Balak, and wishes simply to have nothing more to do with the matter. But this is not the will of God. Balaam must go as His messenger and bless His people.... [ Continue Reading ]
OFFERED OXEN] most probably in sacrifice. It was usual to offer sacrifice at the beginning of any momentous undertaking, or on the arrival of an important visitor: see Genesis 31:54; 1 Kings 19:21; 1 Samuel 16:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
BAAL] 'Owner' or 'lord'; the name of a deity, usually identical with the sun, and worshipped by a number of early Semitic tribes, including the Phœnicians. The place of worship was commonly the top of a hill. There was a sanctuary of Baal in this neighbourhood on Mt. Peor: see Numbers 25:3. THE UTMO... [ Continue Reading ]