I. The cause of Balak’s anger. That Balaam had not fulfilled the terms of his contract (Num_24:10-11).
1. Consider the reason and nature of the contract. Urgency of case. Great reputation of Balaam.
2. Consider the position and reputation of Balaam.
(1) He is called a prophet (2Pe_2:16).
(2) God held communication with him (Num_22:9; Num_22:12; Num_22:20; Num_22:31; Num_23:4-5).
(3) He was also a warrior-chief (Num_31:8).
(4) He was a man of high gifts of intellect and genius, besides having a knowledge of the true God.
3. Consider how Balaam had failed in his contract (Num_23:1-30; Num_24:1-9).
II. Balaam’s self-justifying answer (Num_24:12-13).
1. Was it true? Yes (Num_22:13-18).
2. If true, why did he leave home? He loved money (2Pe_2:15).
3. If God Commanded him to go (Num_22:20), why was he blamed for going (Num_22:22)?
(1) God’s permission was based upon Barnum’s strong desire to go. God gave him up to his own lust.
(2) God’s displeasure arose from the fact that Balaam was so determined to go and do that which he was told he must not do. Sinners must not think that their sin is any the less odious because God permits it.
III. Balaam’s parable (Num_24:14-19).
1. The situation.
(1) Behind him lay the vast expanse of desert extending to his native Assyria.
(2) On his left the red mountains of Edom and Seir.
(3) Immediately below him lay the vast encampment of Israel.
(4) Beyond them, on the west of Jordan, rose the hills of Palestine--the promised land.
2. The parable.
(1) The condition of the prophet when he had the vision (Num_24:16).
(2) The leading subject of the parable--the mighty and glorious King of Israel.
(a) The prophet sees Him in person.
(b) He is able to distinguish His nationality.
(c) He sees Him as a mighty conqueror.
(3) That this refers to Christ is clear to any one who accepts the testimony of God’s Word.
Lessons:
1. God intrusts superior talents to men who may abuse them.
2. One besetting sin may be enough to dim the most splendid abilities and destroy the most brilliant reputation.
3. Balaam’s failure to curse Israel is a significant type of the fact that he whom God hath blessed can no man curse. (D. C. Hughes, M. A.)
Spake I not also to thy messengers.--
Worldly profit should not withdraw us from Christian duties
Matters of profit must not carry us beyond our calling, we must not pursue them when we have no warrant to desire them. A notable example hereof we have in Gideon, he had a kingdom offered unto him; for the men of Israel said unto him, “Reign thou over us, both thou and thy son, and thy son’s son.” He saw no calling from God and therefore refused it, and betook himself to a private life, saying (Jdg_8:22-23). The like we see in our Saviour Christ, He refused to be made a temporal king (Joh_6:15). We see the disciples of Christ left all, and neglected the service of themselves, and the seeking of their own benefit for the service of God (Mat_19:27). Whereby we see that albeit profits be in time and place to be looked after, yet we must all look to have our warrant in seeking for them. The reasons remain to be considered, to enforce this truth, and to gain our affections to the embracing of it.
1. For, first, by too much following the profits of this life, we may lose a greater profit. If we should win the world, and lose our souls; if we should catch the riches of this life, and crack ,the peace of a good conscience, it would prove in the end a small gain unto us.
2. Secondly, the things of this life serve only for a season. The hope that we have is this--we look for a kingdom. We cannot have a heaven in this life, and another in the life to come.
The uses come now to be stood upon.
1. First, we see it is a dangerous bait to be in love with the world.
2. Secondly, we see that our own private respects are not the chief things that we must respect, but seek a sanctified use of the blessings of this life, and a warrant to our consciences for the right using of them. These blessings of God become curses unto us unless we use them lawfully.
3. Lastly, this doctrine serveth to reprove those that esteem earthly things above heavenly, and mind their profits more than their salvation. These invert the course of nature and turn all things upside down, they set the earth above the heavens, and thrust down the heavens beneath the earth. This is like that confusion and disorder which the wise man speaketh of (Ecc_10:6-7). (W. Attersoll.)
