Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Numbers Ch.24 / 36 Ch.s
NU:24
* Balaam, leaving divinations, prophesies the happiness of
Israel. (1-9) Balak dismisses Balaam in anger. (10-14) Balaam's
prophecies. (15-25)
#1-9 Now Balaam spake not his own sense, but the language of the
Spirit that came upon him. Many have their eyes open who have
not their hearts open; are enlightened, but not sanctified. That
knowledge which puffs men up with pride, will but serve to light
them to hell, whither many go with their eyes open. The blessing
is nearly the same as those given before. He admires in Israel,
their beauty. The righteous, doubtless, is more excellent than
his neighbour. Their fruitfulness and increase. Their honour and
advancement. Their power and victory. He looks back upon what
had been done for them. Their power and victory. He looks back
upon what had been done for them. Their courage and security.
The righteous are bold as a lion, not when assaulting others,
but when at rest, because God maketh them to dwell in safety.
Their influence upon their neighbours. God takes what is done to
them, whether good or evil, as done to himself.
#10-14 This vain attempt to curse Israel is ended. Balak broke
out into a rage against Balaam, and expressed great vexation.
Balaam has a very full excuse; God restrained him from saying
what he would have said, and constrained him to say what he
would not have uttered.
#15-25 Under the powerful influence of the Spirit of prophecy,
Balaam foretold the future prosperity and extensive dominion of
Israel. Balaam boasts that his eyes are open. The prophets were
in old times called seers. He had heard the words of God, which
many do who neither heed them, nor hear God in them. He knew the
knowledge of the Most High. A man may be full of the knowledge
of God, yet utterly destitute of the grace of God. He calls God
the Most High and the Almighty. No man could seem to express a
greater respect to God; yet he had no true fear of him, love to
him, nor faith in him; so far a man may go toward heaven, and
yet come short of it at last. Here is Balaam's prophecy
concerning Him who should be the crown and glory of his people
Israel; who is David in the type; but our Lord Jesus, the
promised Messiah, is chiefly pointed at, and of him it is an
illustrious prophecy. Balaam, a wicked man, shall see Christ,
but shall not see him nigh; not see him as Job, who saw him as
his Redeemer, and saw him for himself. When he comes in the
clouds, every eye shall see him; but many will see him, as the
rich man in hell saw Abraham, afar off. He shall come out of
Jacob, and Israel, as a Star and a Sceptre; the former denoting
his glory and lustre; the latter his power and authority. Christ
shall be King, not only of Jacob and Israel, but of all the
world; so that all shall be either governed by his golden
sceptre, or dashed in pieces by his iron rod. Balaam prophesied
concerning the Amalekites and Kenites, part of whose country he
had now in view. Even a nest in a rock will not be a lasting
security. Here is a prophecy that looks as far forward as to the
Greeks and Romans. He acknowledges all the revolutions of states
and kingdoms to be the Lord's doing. These events will make such
desolations, that scarcely any will escape. They that live then,
will be as brands plucked out of the fire. May God fit us for
the worst of times! Thus Balaam, instead of cursing the church,
curses Amalek the first, and Rome the last enemy of the church.
Not Rome pagan only, but Rome papal also; antichrist and all the
antichristian powers. Let us ask ourselves, Do we in knowledge,
experience, or profession, excel Balaam? No readiness of speech,
even in preaching or prayer, no gifts of knowledge or prophecy,
are in themselves different from, or superior to the boasted
gifts of him who loved the wages of unrighteousness, and died
the enemy of God. Simple dependence on the Redeemer's atoning
blood and sanctifying grace, cheerful submission to the Divine
will, constant endeavours to glorify God and benefit his people,
these are less splendid, but far more excellent gifts, and
always accompany salvation. No boasting hypocrite ever possessed
these; yet the feeblest believer has something of them, and is
daily praying for more of them.