But was rebuked; not only by the angel's speaking to him, but by the ass s, as follows. The dumb ass speaking with man's voice, forbade; not in express words, that we read of, but the ass's speaking with human voice, discerning the angel before Balaam did, and going back, when he, carried out by the power of his covetousness, would needs go forward, were so prodigious things as might sufficiently convince him of his sin, in going to Balak contrary to God's command at first given; and it was no small dishonour put upon him, that he who would not hearken to God, should have an ass for his teacher. The madness; in going against God's command, and to curse those who, God had told him, were blessed. Objection. Balaam had leave given him to go with Balak's messengers, Numbers 22:20, and refused Balak's offers, 2 Peter 2:18. Answer.
1. Balaam did not contemn the gifts offered, but had a desire after them, as appears by his inquiring of God the second time, 2 Peter 2:19, though God had fully revealed his will to him before, 2 Peter 2:12.
2. God bade him go that he might bless the people, 2 Peter 2:12, compared with 2 Peter 2:20, whereas he went not out of a respect to God's answer, but out of a covetous mind, and a desire to curse Israel, as appears by Joshua 24:9,10, and by the cursed counsel he gave, Numbers 25:1, compared with Numbers 31:16, and Revelation 2:14. Of the prophet: Balaam is called a prophet here, either:
1. Because he pretended to be so: thus the false prophets are sometimes called absolutely prophets, Jeremiah 6:13, Jeremiah 26:7,8,11. Or:
2. Because he really was a prophet, though a wicked and covetous one; for he inquired of God, and had answers from him, Numbers 6:22, Numbers 8:9,10,18,19; and Moses says expressly, that the Lord put a word in Balaam's mouth, Numbers 23:5,16; and that prophecy concerning the Messiah, Numbers 24:17, could not but be of God, yet it is probable that Balaam, out of covetousness, might sometimes use divination, nay, it is plain in some cases he did, Numbers 24:1.