Thou shalt not curse the people— Though Balaam's cursing the Israelites signified nothing of itself, yet God would not permit it, because the Moabites would have paid so great a regard to what he had promised, that they would thereupon have attacked the Israelites in hopes of being able to overcome and drive them. out, Numbers 22:11. And so a war would have been brought on between the Israelites and Moabites, which God did not design at this time to permit; see Shuckford's Connexion, vol. 3: b. 12.
REFLECTIONS.—Frightened at the progress of the arms of Israel, and apprehensive lest the next stroke might descend on them, the king of Moab, with the elders of Midian, are contriving to save themselves. They need not be apprehensive of danger: their relation, as descendants from Lot, secured them; and probably Moses had informed them that they were safe. But the wicked are in fear where no fear is; and they who are conscious of their own ill intentions, are ever ready to suspect ill of others. 1. The method he pursued. Unable, as he thought himself, to cope with the armies of Israel, he has recourse to Balaam to curse the people, in hopes that under his imprecations he might prevail, though he could not by his sword alone. Note; (1.) The prayers or curses of the wicked are alike impotent to work good or evil. (2.) They who think to purchase heaven by their alms-giving, act as foolishly as Balak did, who wanted by his gifts to procure Balaam's blessing. 2. The refusal given to the ambassadors of Moab. Balaam stayed them that night, that, as he says, he might inquire of God; and God, for his people's sake, is pleased to honour him with his appearance in a dream or vision of the night, forbids his journey, and assures him of the blessing which was upon Israel. In the morning he reports this answer to the messengers, but conceals the more material part, the blessing that God had pronounced on Israel; and they, to flatter their master, make their report, as if the refusal to come was not from God's forbidding, but from Balaam, and that he might be gained by greater invitation, and by presents. Observe, (1.) God may, for wise reasons, employ wicked men. No doubt, many, like Balaam, will perish, though as well as him they may have done many wonderful works. (2.) When we love the sin, and are only restrained by fear, we are but Balaam's followers. (3.) To conceal part of the truth, is often as dangerous as a direct lie.