Numbers 22

Numbers 22:1

PLaines of Moab] Once belonging to the Moabites, since to the Amorites, and from them wonne by the Israelites, and in their present possession.

on this side Jordan] Those that were at Jericho were beyond Jordan from Egypt; but the place where they pitched at this time, was on this side Jordan to travellers journeying towards Canaan; and it is said to be by Jericho, because Jericho was situate about seven or eight miles from Jordan, and over against the place where the people encamped.

Numbers 22:2

Balak] King of Moab, vers. 4.

Numbers 22:3

Moab] The Moabites, or people of Moab.

Numbers 22:4

Moab] The King of Moab, or the Moabites.

of Midian] Who were the Senate or Governours of the Midianites, though descended from Abraham by Keturab, Genesis 25:1-2. having made defection from their faith, they tooke part with the Moabites their neighbours, and it seems also their confederates, Numbers 25:17-18. This Midian is not that which is situate toward Mount Sinai, where Moses kept the flocks of Jethro; but another Midian farre off that place, neere unto the Moabites; with these Midianites their neighbours doth the King of Moab consult.

Numbers 22:5

Balaam] The Diviner or Sooth-sayer, Joshua 13:22. proved to be a bad man by his following of enchantments, Numbers 24:1. and by his desire to curse Israel, and by building of Altars unto Baal, whereof in this and the next Chapter; yet some take him to be a Prophet (as he is styled, 2 Peter 2:16.) and a Prophet of God, because God had such intercourse with him, and because he particularly prophecied of Christ to come, and because he speaketh of God as his God, Chap. 24. vers. 13. yet they acknowledge him a wicked man, for such may prophecie in Gods name as well as in Christs, Matthew 7:22.

river] Euphrates.

Numbers 22:6

whom thou blessest] Either the King of Moab slattered him exceedingly, or God suffered his sorceries to prevaile very much, as he did those of Simon Magus, Act. 8, 9. 10. which they doe the more, because they are the causes of many evils, which by evill spirits they bring upon men, and they sometimes take them away to seeme good; and so the Devil doth more hurt as an Angel of light, then as the Prince of darknesse.

Numbers 22:7

reward] Thinking to bribe him with gifts to curse the Israelites.

Numbers 22:8

this night] He taketh time to consult with his devillish Oracles, though he pretend the ditection of a better Spirit.

as the Lord shall speake] Though he were a prophet of the Devil, he would seeme to receive the revelation from God.

Numbers 22:9

God came] Though the Devil be to many in stead of God, 2 Corinthians 4:4. yet God will keepe an overruling power in his owne hand, and both reveale his mind to whom he will, as Matthew 7:22. and restraine their wils as pleaseth himselfe.

what men are] God putteth this question, not that he needeth information, but to draw from them a ground of his treaty and proceeding with him, as he dealt with Adam, Genesis 3:9. and with Cain, Genesis 4:9.

Numbers 22:12

God said] God warned him in a dreame that he should not consent to Balaks wicked request.

Numbers 22:16

let nothing] The wicked seek by all meanes to promote their naughty purposes, though they know that God is against them.

Numbers 22:17

great honour] He thinks Balaams ambition would be bribed with honour, though he were not so covetous as to be wonne with rewards.

Numbers 22:19

more] He knew he could doe nothing without the Lords leave and helpe, and he hoped yet that God might yeeld to him, and then for advantage and advancement he would yeeld to the King of Moab.

Numbers 22:22

kindled] God granted his request in his wrath, being angry with his motion against his revealed will, vers. 12, 13, 32. and for that (though God bade him) he went upon his owne Errand with a minde (for gaine, or glory) to curse his peculiar people, whom he had blessed, vers. 21. See Chap. 11. vers. 19, & 20.

Numbers 22:24

the Angel] Appearing to him the second time, in another place.

Numbers 22:28

opened] Gave her power to speake; or the Angel of the Lord formed his owne words by the mouth of the Asse, as the Devil did his by the mouth of the Serpent, Gen. 3. So at this time the Asse was wiser then her rider, though a Prophet; according to that, 1 Corinthians 1:27.

Numbers 22:29

a sword] The Apostle chargeth this Prophet with madnesse, 2 Peter 2:16. And it is plaine his present anger was a fit of madnesse; for else the strangenesse of the speech, being no lesse then miraculous, might have affected him with feare, and have made him as patient as his beast; but his fury was his frenzy, and in his fit he cals for a sword to be put into the hands of a mad man, to kill his Asse for saving his life from the sword of the Angel.

Numbers 22:31

opened the eyes] For whose eyes the Lord doth not open they can neither see his anger nor his love. The Angel appearing in a visible shape to the Asse, was not seene by Balaam, till the Lord opened his eyes, which (as to that object) were as shut or blinde, though not to other things, Luke 24:16.

Numbers 22:33

slaine thee] For thou wouldest have slaine thine Asse, for going a little aside from thy way, how much more doest thou deserve to be killed for going so crosse and contrary to Gods will?

Numbers 22:36

border of Arnon] Neere to the place where the Israelites were incamped.

Numbers 22:40

offered oxen] Or slew oxen and sheepe. Offering implieth usually sacrificing, though the same word be used also for killing onely; and so the killing might be for a present to entertaine Balaam, and the Princes, and Elders of Moab and Midian together: and as sacrifices to God were attended and followed sometimes with feastings among men; so was it with Idolaters, the Devil and his servants being Apes in imitation of God, and his servants for outward observances. See Numbers 23:1. & Chap. 25. 1, 2.

Numbers 22:41

high places of Baal] To a Chappel built to Baal on Mount Abarim, which divided the Moabites from the Kingdome of Sihon and Og. Idolaters set their sinne on high, being no more ashamed to serve Idols, then the godly to doe service, or offer sacrifice to the true God. In the Plaine neere this Mount the people of Israel pitched their Tents.