Numbers 23:28-30

Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor.

The wicked are wise in their kind to bring their wicked purposes to pass

We may observe by continual experience the nature of ungodly men. They are cunning in their kind; they watch their ways and times to fit them to work out their wicked devices. Balak knew well enough he was not able to meet the Israelites in the open field, and therefore dealeth otherwise. This is it which Stephen in his apology noteth (Acts 7:19). Thus did Laban deal toward Jacob (Genesis 31:1; Genesis 31:41), changing his mind, revoking his bargains, altering his wages, murmuring at his prosperity, and changing his countenance toward him. This is noted also in the parable recorded (Luke 16:8). This we see by many examples. Ahithophel’s counsel was esteemed like as one who had asked counsel at the oracle of God, so were all his counsels both with David and with Absalom. The like we see in Herod when he heard of the birth of Christ, as of a new-born King, by the wise men. He pretendeth piety, but useth policy to destroy the babe our Saviour. The same we might observe in the scribes and Pharisees after the ascension of Christ. They spared no means to hinder the course of the gospel (Acts 3:1; Acts 4:1; Acts 5:1.), but used sometimes fair means, sometimes threatenings, sometimes commandments to stop the mouths of the apostles. All which testimonies teach us that which the prophet Jeremiah saith (Jeremiah 4:22) of the people in his time agreeable to the truth of this doctrine: “They are wise to do evil, bat to do well they have no knowledge.” The reasons follow.

1. They serve a cunning master, the author of all confusion, the contriver of all mischief, the worker of all wickedness, that old subtle serpent who worketh in all the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2).

2. God giveth even to wicked men wisdom and understanding, to magnify His mercy, who is good to all, and to aggravate their sin, who are made thereby without excuse (Romans 1:20). Now, the greater His goodness is toward them, the heavier shall His judgment and their punishment be (Luke 12:48). What is it that thou hast not received? And if thou hast received it, why dost thou not glorify Him of whom thou hast received it?

3. The enemies of God have knowledge, experience, foresight; they are as wise as serpents, as subtle as foxes, to the end God may use them as His rods in correcting His Church and in trying the faith of His people. So He proved the patience of the Israelites by Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and by the cunning and crafty fetches which they practised for their overthrow and destruction. So He tried Joseph and Mary by the dissimulation of Herod, by whom they were constrained to depart out of Judaea and to fly into the land of Egypt. The uses to be made of this doctrine are many.

(1) This should, on the other side, teach us to deal wisely and warily with them, lest we be snared and circumvented by them. We are set as upon a hill, we are placed as upon a stage. If we profess Christ Jesus, a small spot will be seen in our garment. It behoveth us, therefore, to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, according to the counsel of our Saviour, to the end we may Stop the mouths of gainsayers. Their wisdom is joined with wickedness; our wisdom must be seasoned with godliness. Their policy is iniquity; with us policy and innocency must accompany together, and kiss one another. Their wisdom is a circumventing by laying of snares; our wisdom must be circumspect in avoiding snares. If we have this wariness mingled with true sincerity, and all our actions without dissimulation, it is both lawful and expedient to set wisdom against wisdom, and policy against policy, and care against care, and understanding against understanding, that so through their subtlety and our simplicity we be not taken in their traps which they have laid for us.

(2) It is our duty to pray to God to be delivered from them, and trust in Him for His help: He scattereth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot accomplish that which their hearts have enterprised--an excellent comfort to all the servants of God not to fear the high reaches and deep devices of their enemies.

(3) This serveth to reprove two sorts of men that esteem not aright of this worldly wisdom of wicked men; for some are offended at their wisdom because it is so great, others rest contented in it because it is so excellent. (W. Attersoll.).