"The way of Balaam (Num 22-24) is the prostitution of a
spiritual gift for a base gain. The error of Balaam is the secret idea that the
will of God may be circumvented under cover of an outward respect for His Word.
The doctrine of Balaam is the counsel to ruin by seduction the people who cannot
be cursed by permission" (JSB).
Num 22:5
BALAAM: "Waster of people". May be seen as sym of
beguiled, and beguiling, clergy (Rev 2:14; 2Pe 2:15), Balaam was covetous,
perverse, presumptuous, unrighteous, and deceitful (Eur 1:290).
Num 22:19
'But stay, don't go away. I will see what I can get him to let
me do.' (Eur 1:289).
Num 22:22
TO OPPOSE HIM: To be a "satan". Other "satans": Hadad
the Edomite (1Ki 11:14), Peter (Mat 16:23).
Num 22:25
CRUSHING... FOOT: Cp Gen 3:15.
Num 22:27
In speaking of infant-baptism and other such acts performed by
the "Balaamite" clergy (Rev 2:14; 2Pe 2:15), JT says: "Surely if Balaam's ass
were here, and a clergyman should bestride him on such a mission, the
intelligent creature would break silence again, and with the voice of a man
rebuke the madness of the seer" (Eur 1:302).
Num 22:28
THEN THE LORD OPENED THE DONKEY'S MOUTH: "It was just
as easy for God to impart the gift of utterance temporarily to a four-footed
creature, as to endow some other creatures with it permanently who show no
special aptitude for its wise use" (RR).
Num 22:34
I HAVE SINNED: There is a radical distinction between
natural regret and God-given repentance. The flesh can feel remorse, acknowledge
its evil deeds, and be ashamed of itself. However, this sort of disgust with
past actions can be quickly shrugged off, and the individual can soon go back to
his old wicked ways. None of the marks of true repentance described in 2Co 7:11
are found in his behavior. Out of a list of 11 men in the Bible who said, "I
have sinned," poss only five actually repented. They were David (2Sa 12:13;
24:10; 1Ch 21:8; Psa 41:4), Nehemiah (Neh 1:6), Job (Job 42:5,6), Micah (Mic
7:9), and the prodigal son (Luk 15:18). The other (poss less sincere) instances?
Pharaoh in Exo 9:27; 10:16; Balaam in Num 22:34; Achan in Jos 7:20; Saul in 1Sa
15:24,30; 26:21; Shimei in 2Sa 19:20; Judas in Mat 27:4.
Num 22:38
No power of ourselves to: (1) think (2Co 3:5), (2) speak (Num
22:38), or (3) do (Joh 15:5).