The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

THE SAFETY OF ALL WHO ENJOY THE BLESSING OF GOD

God's "defiance" the signal of destruction; God's "curse," fatal. But if protected from these we are safe, for "the curse causeless cannot come." We are safe from—

1. Malicious designs. E.g; Balaam's wish to curse; the plot of the Jews to stone Paul at Iconium (Acts 14:5), and to assassinate him at Jerusalem (Acts 23:1-35.).

2. Words of execration. E.g; Shimei (2 Samuel 16:1-23); the blasphemies spoken against Christ, and the libels uttered against his people (Matthew 10:24-26).

3. Witchcraft and divination. In reply to all such foolish fears let it suffice to say, "I believe in God" (Isaiah 8:13, Isaiah 8:14 : 1 Peter 3:13).

4. Assaults and all violence. E.g; the various attempts to seize or kill Jesus Christ when "his hour was not yet come." When the hour for suffering "as a Christian is come," let him glorify God "(1 Peter 4:12-16). Such calamities are not "curses" from God, and God can change all other curses into blessings, as in the case of Balaam (Deuteronomy 23:5).

5. Every kind of persecution (Romans 8:35-39). The devil's curse is a telum imbelle; his defiance an empty threat. The objects of God's care are invincible, if not invulnerable (Isaiah 54:17).—P.

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Numbers 24:1-9Now Balaam spake not his own sense, but the language of the Spirit that came upon him. Many have their eyes open who have not their hearts open; are enlightened, but not sanctified. That knowledge which puffs men up wit…Matthew Henry commentaryBalaam Blesses Israel a Third Time. (b. c. 1452.)BALAAM BLESSES ISRAEL A THIRD TIME. (B. C. 1452.) The blessing itself which Balaam here pronounces upon Israel is much the same with the two we had in the foregoing chapter; but the introduction to it is different. I. T…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:1-9BALAAM-THE THIRD PARABLE This passage marks the period at which Balaam becomes finally convinced that it is vain for him to attempt to satisfy Balak, or to carry out the baser promptings of his own heart. He confesses h…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:7-10BALAAM-THE FIRST PARABLE The word "parable" is used here in a somewhat peculiar sense. It is not, as in the New Testament, a fictitious narrative embodying and enforcing some moral truth, but a "dark saying," a mystic p…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 24:8And shall break their bones. יְגָרֵם (cf. Ezekiel 23:34) seems to mean "crush" or "smash." The Septuagint has ἐκμυελιεῖ, "shall suck out," i.e; the marrow, but the word does not seem to bear this meaning. Pierce them…Joseph S. Exell and contributors