CONTENTS This is a very remarkable chapter, and merits particular attention. It commenceth the wonderful history of Balaam and his ass. There is much to be discovered in it of the LORD'S gracious dealings with his people. The contents of it are the fright and the consequent wicked and foolish attem... [ Continue Reading ]
Though Balak saw the destruction of the Amorites by Israel, yet had he consulted what was said concerning Moab, he might have learnt that Israel had no commission at that time to hurt Moab. On the contrary as Moab sprung from Lot, the LORD had given special command, concerning the preservation of Mo... [ Continue Reading ]
See what a corrupt heart is ever disposed to do, to consult flesh and blood, and to look to an arm of flesh rather than the living GOD. Reader! is it not too often so with you and me? Jeremiah 2:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
Median was a neighboring state to Moab; and therefore Balak, prudently as he thought, called in this state as an auxiliary equally concerned with Moab. Alas! though hand join in hand the wicked shall not go unpunished. What a strong confidence, ought that sweet scripture of GOD by the prophet to giv... [ Continue Reading ]
Who this Balaam was, or how he had acquired the outward knowledge of the GOD of Israel, is not said. Peter calls him a prophet, 2 Peter 2:16. Perhaps similar to Simon Magus, mentioned in the gospel account. Acts 8:10. There can be no question but that he was a bad man, and longed to hire himself out... [ Continue Reading ]
If the Reader be surprised that GOD should visit such a character as Balaam, let him recollect that the LORD will work by whom he will work. It was the evident intention of GOD, as the sequel of the history proves, to make this time-serving wretch, an instrument of mercy and comfort to his people: w... [ Continue Reading ]
We must not suppose that the LORD asked Balaam, from an ignorance of which had passed, wherefore these men were come: but the subject of the discourse is thus carried on. Moreover, it should seem from what follows, that Balaam was temporizing, as it were, with GOD in order to gratify Balak! He longe... [ Continue Reading ]
What a precious scripture is here! Reader! do not confine it to the Israel then, or to the occasion on which the sweet words were spoken. But consider it as of an everlasting import: GOD'S people are blessed. They ever have been, now are, and ever shall be. And if you would know why, turn to the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe! how this wretch trades in iniquity. Had he dealt honestly with the servants of Balak, he would have told them that the people whom their master wished him to curse, the LORD had determined to bless; and therefore, it would be the highest impiety in him to do what Balak wished him. But proba... [ Continue Reading ]
We see those that were messengers of Balak, used deception as well as Balaam. They did not say that the LORD'S hand was in it, and therefore he did not come. But that he refused to come. Probably, by what followed, they led their prince to believe he would yet come, if the offers of reward were made... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe the gradations of sin. First, Balaam's heart was tempted with the offer of money; now there is added to it worldly honour. And the argument is strengthened with the consideration, let nothing hinder: no, neither GOD nor conscience; and like another impious monarch of antiquity, his heart cha... [ Continue Reading ]
What a babble is man to himself, and to his own heart! under all the seeming resolution, not to go beyond the word of the LORD, yet the HOLY GHOST who knew his heart, tells us, that he ran greedily into an error for reward. Jude 1:11. Certain it is, that all along he wished to hire himself out to cu... [ Continue Reading ]
I beg the Reader not to overlook in those verses, that Balaam's permission to go, was on condition that the man called upon him again. Whereas it doth not appear, that he was again invited, but that he hastened in the morning to depart with them.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S displeasure, it should seem, was not for the journey of Balaam; for the LORD had determined that he should be the unwilling instrument of good to his people, and confusion to his enemies. But it was from the secret malice in his heart against Israel, that he might yet, somehow or other, make B... [ Continue Reading ]
Was not this angel the same which had gone before Israel all the way through the wilderness? Exodus 23:20 compared with Malachi 2:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Were not all these providences intended as so many checks and calls upon Balaam? Leviticus 26:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
The circumstances of the fact itself is unquestionable, since the apostle tells us that the dumb ass spake with man's voice. 2 Peter 2:16. And why should the thing be thought incredible? Who hath made man's mouth? is a question of the LORD himself, to show that all things are of him. Exodus 4:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Until GOD speaks, and until he opens the blind eye, nothing is effectual: but when he takes up the cause, all the pride of man falls to the ground. Job 42:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
How striking and unanswerable are the divine remonstrances. See another instance: Genesis 4:7. And depend upon it, in the end of the day, the wicked will be found speechless, and without excuse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, here are no relentings, no sorrow of heart, no remorse of mind, that he had come out with an express intention to curse the people of GOD; but a fear of punishment, and therefore rather than that should take place he will go back. See another example in the case of Saul. 1 Samuel 15:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, how the LORD determines that Balaam shall speak that word, which is the very reverse of what he intended. That is a striking scripture to the same effect, which shows that men shall be the instruments to accomplish the reverse of their own intentions, Psalms 76:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
The long wished for interview is now obtained, and Balak makes sure that he shall now accomplish his wishes against Israel. But Balaam had his fears about him, as conscious sinners sometimes have, that he should not be able to do what he wished as much as Balak did; namely, to curse the people of GO... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS PAUSE, my soul, and with horror contemplate the character of the graceless, even in their highest attainments of knowledge, as instanced in the case of wretched Balaam! What a wretched service must be the service of sin, when in spite of better knowledge, a man will hire himself out to w... [ Continue Reading ]