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Mic_6:5 O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
Ver. 5. O my people, remember now what Balak] There must be a recognition of God’s mercies, or else there will neither follow estimation nor retribution; else we that should be as temples of his praises shall be as graves of his benefits. Our souls are naturally like filthy ponds, wherein fish die soon and frogs live long; rotten stuff is remembered, memorable mercies are forgotten; whereas the soul should be as a holy ark, the memory like the pot of manna preserving holy truths, as the law; and special blessings, as Aaron’s rod, fresh and flourishing. This Israel did not, and are therefore justly blamed, Psa_106:7; Psa_106:13; Psa_106:21, and here again reminded of one signal mercy among many, that they might take notice of the enemies’ malignity, God’s benignity, and their own indignity and ingratitude, that parching wind, that drieth up the fountain of Divine favours, Ventus urens et exsiccans.
What Balak king of Moab consulted] Joshua saith, that he arose and fought against Israel, Jos_24:9, that is, he had a good mind to have fought, but he did not because he dared not. So Est_8:7. Haman is said to have laid his hand upon the Jews, because he intended and attempted such a matter. They, that is the Sortilegi, or Lot-sorcerers, with whom, Balak-like, he consulted, "cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month," Est_3:7; viz. to find out what month or day would be lucky for the accomplishment of his intended massacre of the Jews; but before that black day came Mordecai was advanced and Haman hanged. Now, as there, by the special providence of God over ruling the superstition of that wicked wretch, way was made for the preservation of God’s people; so was it here. Balak consulted, and Balaam answered him; that is, he was as willing to curse as the other would have had him, but might not; for God would not hearken unto him, but blessed his people still, and delivered them out of his hand, Jos_24:10. Yea, though at length he was resolved to curse howsoever, and therefore went not forth as at other times to seek for enchantments, but set his face towards the wilderness, as if he would do the deed, whatever came of it, Num_24:1; yet his endeavour was fruitless and frustrated. So shall the malicious attempts of Rome and hell be against the Reformed religion and the professors thereof (whom the Romish Balaam banns and curses with bell, book, and candle at the instigation of the Spanish Balak, with his factors the Jesuits), so long as they adhere to him, and pray as Psa_109:26-29, "Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to thy mercy: that they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, Lord, hast done it. Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed: but let thy servants rejoice. Salvation is of the Lord: his blessing is upon his people."
From Shittim unto Gilgal] Oratio elliptica: q.d. Remember what I did for you at Shittim in the wilderness, and so all the way until you came into the promised land, even to Gilgal, where you first pitched tent, Jos_5:8-10. At Shittim it was, where, by the pestilent counsel of Balaam (the devil’s spellman), the Midianites out witted them, by setting fair women before them as a stumblingblock, Num_25:1; Num_25:18, to draw them to those two sisters sins, adultery and idolatry. Then and there the heads of the people were hanged up before the Lord against the sun, and some others; when as God might justly have cut them all off, and cast them away from being a people before him, Digni qui funditus delerentur (Gualth.). Nonne illic refulsit admirabilis Dei gratia? saith Calvin; was not this a miracle of God’s mercy?
That ye may know the righteousness of the Lord] i.e. The faithfulness and goodness of God in keeping promise with your fathers, notwithstanding your provocations. Or my righteous dealings with those fornicators and adulterers, whom I there judged; preserving the innocent, or penitent, till they came to Gilgal, and onwards. Or, that thou mayest know how just my complaint is of thee, and mine action against thee. So Vatablus expounds it.