5 So he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor , at Pethor , which is near the River , in the land of the sons of his people , to call him, saying , "Behold , a people came out of Egypt ; behold , they cover the surface of the land , and they are living opposite e me. 6 " Now , therefore, please come , curse this people for me since they are too mighty for me; perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land . For I know that he whom you bless is blessed , and he whom you curse is cursed ." 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand ; and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak's words to him. 8 He said to them, "Spend the night here , and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me." And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam . 9 Then God came to Balaam and said , "Who are these men with you?" 10 Balaam said to God , "Balak the son of Zippor , king of Moab , has sent word to me, 11 'Behold , there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land ; now come , curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.' " 12 God said to Balaam , "Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people , for they are blessed ." 13 So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders , "Go back to your land , for the Lord has refused to let me go with you." 14 The leaders of Moab arose and went to Balak and said , "Balaam refused to come with us."
15 Then Balak again e sent leaders , more numerous and more distinguished than the former . 16 They came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor , 'Let nothing , I beg you, hinder you from coming to me; 17 for I will indeed honor you richly , and I will do whatever e you say to me. Please come then, curse this people for me.' " 18 Balaam replied to the servants of Balak , " Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold , I could not do anything, either small or great , contrary to the command of the Lord my God . 19 "Now please , you also stay here tonight , and I will find out what else the Lord will speak to me." 20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do ."
21 So Balaam arose in the morning , and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab .
22 But God was angry e because he was going , and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand , the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field ; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way . 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards , with a wall on this side and a wall on that side . 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord , she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall , so he struck her again .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 22:5-25
Commentary on Numbers 22:1-14
(Read Numbers 22:1-14)
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.
Commentary on Numbers 22:15-21
(Read Numbers 22:15-21)
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.
Commentary on Numbers 22:22-35
(Read Numbers 22:22-35)
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.