Numbers 22:19 - Forerunner Commentary

Numbers 22:19

17 for I will certainly ^ahonor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. ^bTherefore please come, curse this people for me.’ ”

18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, ^a“Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, ^bI could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.

19 Now therefore, please, you also ^astay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.”

20 ^aAnd God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but ^bonly the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.”

21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

Commentaries:

No entry exists in Forerunner Commentary for Numbers 22:19.

Numbers 22:12-19

God's word to him was clear: Don't go with the Moabites, and don't curse Israel. But Balaam wasn't satisfied with that. His lust for wealth and esteem was overpowering. He tried to appear obedient, while he also tried to get God to change His mind.

What he was saying, in his own way was, "Let me see if I can convince God into letting me do what I want so that I can get the riches from you.

His answer to the Moabites in verse 13 reeks of self-righteous posturing. He complained, "the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you." But in his proud heart, Balaam wished that God would give him permission. He wished God would be like him—a bit more permissive. When tempted with more money, Balaam went back to God again "just in case" God had changed his mind.

Balaam's attitude was one of self-centeredness. He wanted to see how much he could get away with. Eventually, God gave him enough rope to hang himself by—letting him go with the Moabites. Then God overruled Balaam's prophecies.

Excerpted from Authority: Why So Many Resent It

**Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Numbers 22:19:**

Jude 1:11

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Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Numbers 22:19:

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

**Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Numbers 22:19:**

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning