alak's fear of Israel, He sends for Balaam. (1-14) Balaam
goes to Balak. (15-21) The opposition to Balaam by the way.
(22-35) Balaam and Balak meet. (36-41)
Verses 1-14: The king of Moab formed a plan to get the people of Israel
cursed; that is, to set God against them, who had hitherto
fought for them. He had a false notion, that if he could get
some prophet to pray for evil upon them, and to pronounce a
blessing upon himself and his forces, that then he should be
able to deal with them. None had so great a reputation as
Balaam; and Balak will employ him, though he send a great way
for him. It is not known whether the Lord had ever spoken to
Balaam, or by him, before this; though it is probable he had,
and it is certain he did afterwards. Yet we have abundant proof
that he lived and died a wicked man, an enemy to God and his
people. And the curse shall not come upon us if there is not a
cause, even though men utter it. To prevail with Balaam, they
took the wages of unrighteousness, but God laid restraint upon
Balaam, forbidding him to curse Israel. Balaam was no stranger
to Israel's cause; so that he ought to have answered the
messengers at once, that he would never curse a people whom God
had blessed; but he takes a night's time to consider what he
should do. When we parley with temptations, we are in great
danger of being overcome. Balaam was not faithful in returning
God's answer to the messengers. Those are a fair mark for
Satan's temptation, who lessen Divine restraints; as if to go
against God's law were only to go without his leave. The
messengers also are not faithful in returning Balaam's answer to
Balak. Thus many are abused by the flatteries of those about
them, and are prevented from seeing their own faults and
follies.
Verses 15-21: A second embassy was sent to Balaam. It were well for us,
if we were as earnest and constant in prosecuting a good work,
notwithstanding disappointments. Balak laid a bait, not only for
Balaam's covetousness, but for his pride and ambition. How
earnestly should we beg of God daily to mortify such desires in
us! Thus sinners stick at no pains, spare no cost, and care not
how low they stoop, to gratify their luxury, or their malice.
Shall we then be unwilling to do what is right? God forbid!
Balaam's convictions charged him to keep to the command of God;
nor could any man have spoken better. But many call God theirs,
who are not his, not truly because not only his. There is no
judging men by their words; God knows the heart. Balaam's
corruptions at the same time inclined him to go contrary to the
command. He seemed to refuse the temptation; but he expressed no
abhorrence of it. He had a strong desire to accept the offer,
and hoped that God might give him leave to go. He had already
been told what the will of God was. It is a certain evidence of
the ruling of corruption in the heart, to beg leave to sin. God
gave Balaam up to his own heart's lusts. As God sometimes denies
the prayers of his people in love, so sometimes he grants the
desires of the wicked in wrath.
Verses 22-35: We must not think, that because God does not always by
his providence restrain men from sin, therefore he approves of
it, or that it is not hateful to him. The holy angels oppose
sin, and perhaps are employed in preventing it more than we are
aware. This angel was an adversary to Balaam, because Balaam
counted him his adversary; those are really our best friends,
and we ought so to reckon them, who stop our progress in sinful
ways. Balaam has notice of God's displeasure by the ass. It is
common for those whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil,
to push on violently, through the difficulties Providence lays
in their way. The Lord opened the mouth of the ass. This was a
great miracle wrought by the power of God. He who made man
speak, could, when he pleased, make the ass to speak with man's
voice. The ass complained of Balaam's cruelty. The righteous God
does not allow the meanest or weakest to be abused; but they
shall be able to speak in their own defence, or he will some way
or other speak for them. Balaam at length has his eyes opened.
God has many ways to bring down the hard and unhumbled heart.
When our eyes are opened, we shall see the danger of sinful
ways, and how much it was for our advantage to be crossed.
Balaam seemed to relent; I have sinned; but it does not appear
that he was sensible of this wickedness of his heart, or willing
to own it. If he finds he cannot go forward, he will be content,
since there is no remedy, to go back. Thus many leave their
sins, only because their sins have left them. The angel declared
that he should not only be unable to curse Israel, but should be
forced to bless them: this would be more for the glory of God,
and to his own confusion, than if he had turned back.
Verses 36-41: Balak has now nothing to complain of, but that Balaam did
not come sooner. Balaam bids Balak not depend too much upon him.
He seems to speak with vexation; but is really as desirous to
please Balak, as ever he had pretended to be to please God. See
what need we have to pray every day, Our Father which art in
heaven, lead us not into temptation. Let us be jealous over our
own hearts, seeing how far men may go in the knowledge of God,
and yet come short of Divine grace.
alak's fear of Israel, He sends for Balaam. (1-14) Balaam
goes to Balak. (15-21) The opposition to Balaam by the way.
(22-35) Balaam and Balak meet. (36-41)