CHAPTER XXII _The Israelites pitch in the plains of Moab_, 1. _Balak, king of Moab, is greatly terrified_, 2-4; _and sends to Balaam, a diviner, to come and curse them_, 5, 6. _The elders of Moab take a reward and carry it to Balaam_, 7. _He inquires of the Lord, and is positively ordered not t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:5. _TO PETHOR, WHICH IS BY THE RIVER OF THE LAND OF THE_ _CHILDREN OF HIS PEOPLE_] Dr. Kennicott justly remarks, that "the description now given of Balaam's residence, instead of being particular, agrees with any place in any country where there is a _river_; for he lived by _Petho... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:6. _COME NOW, THEREFORE, I PRAY THEE, CURSE ME THIS_ _PEOPLE_] Balaam, once a prophet of the true God, appears to have been one of the _Moshelim_, (see Numbers 21:27), who had added to his poetic gift that of _sorcery_ or _divination_. It was supposed that prophets and sorcerers ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:7. _THE REWARDS OF DIVINATION_] Whoever went to consult a prophet took with him a present, as it was on such gratuitous offerings the prophets lived; but here more than a mere present is intended, perhaps every thing necessary to provide materials for the _incantation_. The _drugs_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:8. _I WILL BRING YOU WORD AGAIN, AS THE LORD SHALL SPEAK_] So it appears he knew the true God, and had been in the habit of consulting him, and receiving oracles from his mouth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:12. _THOU SHALT NOT GO WITH THEM; THOU SHALT NOT CURSE THE_ _PEOPLE_] That is, Thou shalt not go with them to curse the people. With them he _might go_, as we find he afterwards did by God's own command, but not to _curse_ the people; this was wholly forbidden. Probably the command,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:14. _BALAAM REFUSETH TO COME WITH US._] "Observe," says Mr. Ainsworth, "Satan's practice against God's word, seeking to lessen the same, and that from _hand to hand_, till he bring it to naught. Balaam told the princes _less_ than God told him, and they relate to Balak _less_ than B... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:18. _I CANNOT GO BEYOND THE WORD OF THE LORD MY GOD_] Balaam knew God too well to suppose he could reverse any of his purposes; and he respected him too much to attempt to do any thing without his permission. Though he was _covetous_, yet he dared not, even when strongly tempted bot... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:19. _WHAT THE LORD WILL SAY UNTO ME MORE._] He did not know but God might make a farther discovery of his will to him, and therefore he might very innocently seek farther information.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:20. _IF THE MEN COME - GO WITH THEM_] This is a confirmation of what was observed on the twelfth verse; though we find his going was marked with the Divine displeasure, because he wished, for the sake of the _honours_ and _rewards_, to fulfil as far as possible the will of the king... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:23. _AND THE ASS SAW THE ANGEL_] When God granted _visions_ those alone who were particularly interested saw them while others in the same company saw nothing; see Daniel 10:7; Acts 9:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:26. _AND THE ANGEL - STOOD IN A NARROW PLACE_] In this carriage of the angel says Mr. Ainsworth the Lord shows us the proceedings of his judgments against sinners: _First_ he mildly _shakes_ his _rod_ at them but lets them go untouched. _Secondly_ he comes _nearer_ and touches the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:28. _THE LORD OPENED THE MOUTH OF THE ASS_] And where is the wonder of all this? If the _ass_ had opened _her own mouth_, and reproved the rash prophet, we might well be astonished; but when _God opens the mouth_, an _ass_ can speak as well as a _man_. It is worthy of remark here, t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:33. _SURELY NOW ALSO I HAD SLAIN THEE_] How often are the meanest animals, and the most trivial occurrences, instruments of the preservation of our lives, and of the salvation of our souls! The messenger of justice would have killed Balaam, had not the mercy of God prevented the ass... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:34. _IF IT DISPLEASE THEE, I WILL GET ME BACK AGAIN._] Here is a proof, that though he _loved the wages of unrighteousness_, yet he still feared God; and he is now willing to drop the enterprise if God be displeased with his proceeding. The piety of many called Christians does not e... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:38. _THE WORD THAT GOD PUTTETH IN MY MOUTH, THAT SHALL I_ _SPEAK._] Here was a noble resolution, and he was certainly faithful to it: though he wished to please the king, and get wealth and honour, yet he would not displease God to realize even these bright prospects. Many who sland... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:40. _AND BALAK OFFERED OXEN, C._] This was to gain the favour of his gods, and perhaps to propitiate Jehovah, that the end for which he had sent for Balaam might be accomplished.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 22:41. _THAT - HE MIGHT SEE THE UTMOST PART OF THE PEOPLE._] As he thought Balaam must have them all in his eye when he pronounced his curse, lest it might not extend to those who were not in sight. On this account he took him up into the high places of Baal.... [ Continue Reading ]