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 ]