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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Numbers 22:36 - 22:41
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Balak's charge to Balaam
v. 36. 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, in the extreme northeastern section of the country, where the sources of the Arnon are found in the hills of the desert. This showed the eagerness of Balak and the confidence which he placed in the soothsayer's power.
v. 37. And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? Wherefore camest thou not unto me? Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor? Balak felt that he must reprove Balaam at least to that extent, since the wizard's behavior at the first invitation was such as to imply doubt in the king's ability or willingness to bestow his bounty.
v. 38. And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I have come unto thee, a statement which implied that his coming had been connected with some difficulties; have I now any power at all to say anything? The word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. This was not a statement of humble submission to the will of God, but one by which Balaam intended to clear his skirts in advance. The terror of the Lord was still upon him, and he felt that he would finally be obliged to submit to the will of God. At the same time, he indicated that, so far as he was concerned, he would gladly accede to the king's wishes.
v. 39. And Balaam went with Balak, ready, if possible, to do his bidding; and they came unto Kir-jath-huzoth, a city or town near the hills which run parallel to the Jordan.
v. 40. And Balak offered oxen and sheep, sacrifices of prayer which he apparently intended for the true God, whose favor he hoped to gain in this manner, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. To share in the sacrificial feast of the king was considered a great honor.
v. 41. And it came to pass on the morrow that Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Baal, to Bamot-Baal, the first height from which a person could get a glimpse of Israel's camp, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people. Balak acted upon the idea that Balaam must have at least a part of the children of Israel before his eyes if his curse was to be effective. As the Son of God withstood Balaam in his evil intention of bringing a curse upon God's people, so He now strengthens and upholds His Church in all its trials and keeps its enemies from doing it lasting harm.