“And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.”
Being at Jericho, it was beyond Jordan: but where the Israelites were, it was on this side.
“And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.”
Which were the heads and governors.
“He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: face: Heb. eye”
Cross references: : Josh. 24:9 To wit, Euphrates, upon the which stood this city Pethor.
“And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.”
Thinking to bribe him with gifts to curse the Israelites.
“And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.”
Whom before he called Elders: meaning the governors, and after calleth them servants: that is, subjects to their king.
“And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.”
He warned him by a dream, that he should not consent to the king’s wicked request.
“And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.”
Else he showed himself willing, covetousness had so blinded his heart.
“And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: Let: Heb. Be not thou hindered from, etc”
The wicked seek by all means to further their naughty enterprises, though they know that God is against them.
“Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.”
Because he tempted God to require him contrary to his commandment, his petition was granted, but it turned to his own condemnation.
“And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.”
Moved rather with covetousness than to obey God.
“And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. upon: Heb. who hast ridden upon me ever since: or, ever since thou wast, etc”
Since thou hast been my master.
“Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. fell: or, bowed himself”
For whose eyes the Lord doth not open, they can neither see his anger, nor his love.
“And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: to: Heb. to be an adversary unto thee”
Both thy heart is corrupt, and thine enterprise wicked.
“And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee , I will get me back again. displease: Heb. be evil in thine eyes”
Or, before me, or to meet me. Hebrew, I will return to me.
“And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.”
Because his heart was evil, his charge was renewed, that he should not pretend ignorance.
“And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.”
Near the place where the Israelites camped.
“And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.”
Of myself I can speak nothing: only what God revealeth, that will I utter, seem it good or bad.
“And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth . Kirjathhuzoth: or, a city of streets”
Or, of streets: or, a populous city.
“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.”
Where the idol Baal was worshipped.