But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
The angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards. The roads which lead through fields and vineyards are so narrow that in most parts a man could not pass a beast without care and caution. A stone or mud fence flanks each side of these roads, to prevent the soil being washed off by the rains, "The angel of the Lord" is the old formula for the covenant God of Israel (see the note at Genesis 16:7), which occurs in this narrative not less than nine times, interchanged with "the Lord" twice. It is objected that the occasion was not worthy of the personal interposition of the Divine Being. But surely, if it was consistent with the character of God to answer Balaam's first application, and counsel him not to comply with the wishes of the enemies of His people, it was not less proper and necessary to oppose him in his headlong resistance-his mad course against Israel. The ultimate object of "the angel" was to preserve His people from harm; and as Balaam had received an intimation of that "angel's" will, his sin was greatly aggravated by his perverse opposition to what had been revealed to him as the path of duty.