Chapter 31—Balaam
The Israelites moved forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab,
on this side of Jordan, by Jericho. Balak, the king of the Moabites, saw
that the Israelites were a powerful people, and as they learned that they
had destroyed the Amorites, and had taken possession of their land,
they were exceedingly terrified. All Moab was in trouble. “And Moab
said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that
are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. He sent
messengers, therefore, unto Balaam, the son of Beor, to Pethor, which
is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him,
saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt. Behold, they
cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me. Come now,
therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty
for me; peradventure, I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that
I may drive them out of the land; for I wot that he whom thou blessest
is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.”
Balaam had been a prophet of God, and a good man. But he
apostatized, and gave himself up to covetousness, so that he loved
the wages of unrighteousness. At the time Balak sent messengers for
him, he was double-minded, pursuing a course to gain and retain the
favor and honor of the enemies of the Lord, for the sake of rewards
he received from them. At the same time he was professing to be
a prophet of God. Idolatrous nations believed that curses might be
uttered which would affect individuals, and even whole nations. As
the messengers related their message to Balaam, he very well knew
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what answer to give them. But he asked them to tarry that night, and
he would bring them word as the Lord should speak unto him. The
presents in the hands of the men excited his covetous disposition. God
came to Balaam in the night, through one of his angels, and inquired
for him, What men are these with thee? And Balaam said unto God,
Balak, the “son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me saying,
Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face
of the earth. Come, now, curse me them, peradventure I shall be able
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