Numbers 23:11

_AND BALAK SAID UNTO BALAAM, WHAT HAST THOU DONE UNTO ME? I TOOK THEE TO CURSE MINE ENEMIES, AND, BEHOLD, THOU HAST BLESSED THEM ALTOGETHER._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

11._And Balak said unto Balaam. _The proud man again reproaches the false prophet, as if he had fairly purchased of him the right of prophecy. (159) Behold how the reprobate seek God by crooked paths, and desire to have nothing to do with Him, unless He yields to their improper wishes — in a word, unless they render Him submissive to them. Balaam, therefore, is compelled to repress this stupid arrogance, by pleading God’s command, and declaring that nothing more was allowed him than to announce what God prescribed. But we must remember that this was only spoken in reference to a particular act, when, as far as his words went, he acted the part of a true prophet, although his feelings were altogether on the other side....

11-30 Balak was angry with Balaam. Thus a confession of God's overruling power is extorted from a wicked prophet, to the confusion of a wicked prince. A second time the curse is turned into a blessing; and this blessing is both larger and stronger than the former. Men change their minds, and break their words; but God never changes his mind, and therefore never recalls his promise. And when in Scripture he is said to repent, it does not mean any change of his mind; but only a change of his way. There was sin in Jacob, and God saw it; but there was not such as might provoke him to give them up to ruin. If the Lord sees that we trust in his mercy, and accept of his salvation; that we indulge no secret lust, and continue not in rebellion, but endeavour to serve and glorify him; we may be sure that he looks upon us as accepted in Christ, that our sins are all pardoned. Oh the wonders of pro...

NUMBERS 23:1 BUILD ME HERE SEVEN ALTARS. According to the common opinion of the heathen, it was necessary to propitiate with sacrifices the God with whom they had to do, and if possible to secure his favourable consideration on their side. The number seven was especially connected with the revelation of the tree God, the Creator of the world, and was probably observed here for this reason. The sacrifices were offered no doubt to Jehovah. NUMBERS 23:3 PERADVENTURE THE LORD WILL COME TO MEET me. It might be concluded from Numbers 24:1 that Balaam went only to look for "auguries," _i.e; _for such natural signs in the flight of birds and the like a

AND BALAK SAID UNTO BALAAM, WHAT HAST THOU DONE UNTO ME?.... Or "for me" f; nothing at all, to answer his purpose, or his end in sending for him; I TOOK THEE TO CURSE MINE ENEMIES: so he calls the Israelites, though they had never done him any wrong; nor committed any acts of hostility against him, nor showed any intention to commit any; nay, were forbidden by the Lord their God to contend in battle with him and his people; AND, BEHOLD, THOU HAST BLESSED THEM ALTOGETHER; or, "in blessing blessed" g, done nothing but bless them, and that with many blessings, or pronounced them blessed, and prophesied of their blessedness, for their number, their safety, and of their happiness, not only in life, but at and after death. f לי "pro me". g ברכת ברך "benedixisti benedicendo", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator....

THE PARABLES OF BALAAM Chapter S 23-24 _ 1. The first parable (Numbers 23:1)_ 2. Balak's surprise and Balaam's answer (Numbers 23:11) 3. At Zophim (Numbers 23:13) 4. The second parable (Numbers 23:18) 5. Balak's request and Balaam's reply (Numbers 23:25) 6. Balaam's third parable (Numbers 24:1) 7. Balak's anger and Balaam's firmness ...

BALAK'S SACRIFICES PRELIMINARY TO BALAAM'S SECOND ORACLE. Balak's disappointment at Balaam's first utterance leads him to take Balaam to the field of Zophim (or the watchmen) in the hope that the different locality might dispose God to accept his renewed sacrifices and to grant his wishes. Some places were thought to be regarded by a divinity with greater favour than others (1 Samuel 5:8 *). For Pisgah, see Numbers 21:20 *. NUMBERS 23:13. SHALT NOT SEE THEM ALL: it might be expected that Balak on the second occasion would show Balaam the whole of Israel, and not a part only (as on the first); and these words may have been introduced by the editor because of the third occasion in...

CURSE. Hebrew. _kabab._ See note on Numbers 22:11....

Balak was angry that Jehovah did not put a curse into Balaam's mouth, and begged him to try again on another spot. The seven-fold sacrifice was again offered....

D. THE FIRST BLESSING OF BALAAM (NUMBERS 23:1-12) TEXT Numbers 23:1. And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. 2. And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram. 3. And Balaam said unto Balak Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the Lord will come to meet me; and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to a high place. 4. And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram. 5. And the Lord put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. 6. And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of