Micah 6:5

“O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, etc.] What a scheme he had laid; what contrivances he had formed; what consultations he had with a soothsayer or diviner he sent for to curse Israel; how he sought to get the God of Israel on his side, and to set him against them, that he might be rid of them, and they be ruined and destroyed. The Moabites were the descendants of Moab, a son of Lot, by one of his daughters; when they first set up their kingdom is not certain; nor who their kings in succession were before Balak: it appears there was a former king, whom the king of the Amorites fought with, and took away his land from him, (<042126>Numbers 21:26); who probably was…”

“what Balak . . . consulted--how Balak plotted to destroy thee by getting Balaam to curse thee (Num 22:5). what Balaam . . . answered--how the avaricious prophet was constrained against his own will, to bless Israel whom he had desired to curse for the sake of Balak's reward (Num 24:9-11) [MAURER]. GROTIUS explains it, "how Balaam answered, that the only way to injure thee was by tempting thee to idolatry and whoredom" (Num 31:16). The mention of "Shittim" agrees with this: as it was the scene of Israel's sin (Num 25:1-5; Pe2 2:15; Rev 2:14). from Shittim unto Gilgal--not that Balaam accompanied Israel from Shittim to Gilgal: for he was slain in Midian (Num 31:8). But the clause, "from…”

“Remember now - The word translated now is a very tender one, like our “do now remember” or “do remember,” beseeching instead of commanding. Dionysius: “I might command, but I speak tenderly, that I may lead thee to own the truth.” “What Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him.” God did not only raise up Moses, Aaron, Miriam, out of their brethren, but He turned the curse of the alien Balaam into a blessing; and that, not for their righteousness, (for even then they were rebellious,) but against their deserts, out of His own truth and righteousness. Not that the curse of Balaam could in itself have hurt them; but, in proportion to his reputation, it would…”

“Shittim - This is the place where Balak began by the women of Midian to debauch Israel as Baalim had counselled, and so continued to do, even to Gilgal, all along the borders of his dominion. The righteousness - His mercy, justice and veracity. Micah 6:6”

“remember: Deu 8:2, Deu 8:18, Deu 9:7, Deu 16:3; Psa 103:1, Psa 103:2, Psa 111:4; Eph 2:11 Balak: Num. 22:1-25:18, Num 31:16; Deu 23:4, Deu 23:5; Jos 24:9, Jos 24:10; Rev 2:14 Balaam: Num 31:8; Pe2 2:15; Jde 1:11 Shittim: Num 22:41, Num 23:13, Num 23:14, Num 23:27, Num 25:1, Num 33:49; Jos 4:19, Jos 5:9, Jos 5:10, Jos 10:42, Jos 10:43 know: Jdg 5:11 \*marg. Psa 36:10, Psa 71:15, Psa 71:16, Psa 71:19, Psa 143:11; Rom 3:25, Rom 3:26; Jo1 1:9 Micah 6:6”