Numbers Chapter 24

“And when Balsam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, etc.] That it was good in his sight, what he approved of, and was well-pleasing to him, and that it was his determined mind that Israel should be blessed, and not cursed, from which there was no turning him, by offering sacrifices to him, and much less by his sorceries and divinations: he went not as at other times; or, “as at a time in a time” f372, at two times, of which (see <042303>Numbers 23:3,15), he abode in the place where the sacrifices were offered, and did not depart to another at some distance, as he had twice before done: to seek for…”

“BALAAM FORETELLS ISRAEL'S HAPPINESS. (Num. 24:1-25) to seek for--that is, to use enchantments. His experience on the two former occasions [Num 23:3, Num 23:15] had taught him that these superstitious accompaniments of his worship were useless, and therefore he now simply looked towards the camp of Israel, either with a secret design to curse them, or to await the divine afflatus.”

“Balaam gazed over the camp of Israel that stretched before him, and allowed the spectacle to work its own influence upon him. return to 'Top of Page'”

“At other times - In former times. Toward the wilderness - Where Israel lay encamped, expecting what God of his own accord would suggest to him concerning this matter. Numbers 24:2”

“24:1-2 Unlike previously (23:3, 15), Balaam did not resort to divination this time. He already knew that auguries and omens could not harm Israel (23:23), so he quit looking for them. Instead, Balaam was directly inspired by the Spirit of God.”

“saw: Num 22:13, Num 23:20, Num 31:16; Sa1 24:20, Sa1 26:2, Sa1 26:25; Rev 2:14 at other times: Num 23:3, Num 23:15 to seek for enchantments: Heb. to the meeting of enchantments, Num 23:23 Numbers 24:2”

“The third saying. - Num 24:1 and Num 24:2. From the two revelations which he had received before, Balaam, saw, i.e., perceived, that it pleased Jehovah to bless Israel. This induced him not to go out for auguries, as on the previous occasions. כּפעם־בּפעם, "as time after time," i.e., as at former times ( Num 23:3 and Num 23:15). He therefore turned his face to the desert, i.e., to the steppes of Moab, where Israel was encamped ( Num 22:1). And when he lifted up his eyes, "he saw Israel encamping according to its tribes; and the Spirit of God came over him." The impression made upon him by the sight of the tribes…”