To open and explain this subject is the design of the following discourse.
It may be proper to premise that Israel did not make war either on Moab or Ammon. Those nations were descended from Lot, and Moses was forbidden to molest them in possession of the lands which God had given them. Moab might have had peace, and the friendship of Israel, but refused it, and joined the confederacy against them. When the tribes of Israel reached the borders of Moab, which lay in their way to Canaan, Balak and his people were intimidated by their numbers, and by their martial appearance. They did not therefore, sue for peace, but resolved to neglect no measures to subdue and conquer them.
It was an ancient custom among the heathen at their entrance on a war, to devote the enemy to destruction, and solicit their gods to forsake them. Balak thought this a matter of importance before he entered into a war with Israel. This ceremony was commonly performed by the priests, or ministers of religion. How this had been to Moab we are not informed; but on occasion before us, the affrighted sovereign of that people, sent to some distance for Balaam, a famous soothsayer or diviner, of whose prevalence with the powers above he had a high opinion, to be the agent in this business.
Balaam was really a remarkable person; few more so occur in history. Few others had more knowledge of the true God, or juster ideas of the service which he requires of mankind. But his character will be developed in the sequel.
This renowned soothsayer refused at first to listen to the invitation of the king of Moab, assigning a sufficient reason for his refusal —"The Lord refuseth to give me leave"—but when a second embassy arrived, more numerous and move honorable, and with the proffer of great honors and rewards, his ambition and covetousness were inflamed, and he resolved from that moment to secure them. The first seems to have been only a common embassy, and to have carried only the usual rewards of divination. We know what followed. Balaam sinned in asking a second time for liberty to go and curse Israel, when God had once refused him, and told him that they were blessed. He asked, however, and was in judgment permitted to go, but only to act agreeably to divine direction which would be given on the spot; but he went, determined to secure the wages of unrighteousness. Seeing his design, God met him in the way, and by a strange and miraculous communication and warning, made him afraid to curse his people, and even compelled him to bless them altogether. But to come to our subject,
I. We are to consider Balak's inquiries.—Wherewith shall I come before the Lord?
Balak had so deep a sense of the danger which threatened him, that he was ready to bring the most costly sacrifices, if they would avail to render propitious the God who had wrought such wonders in Egypt and in the wilderness for the salvation of his people. He would offer all the cattle, and all the oil of his kingdom, thousands of ram, and ten thousands of rivers of oil! Yea, he would even offer his first born, the heir of his crown! Would not refute the dearest of his offspring to atone for his sin, and bring over the God of Israel to be his God, in the time of his distress!
Such were his proposals. We may observe in them several mistakes respecting the service of God, or the homage which is acceptable to him; mistakes not uncommon among men. As,
First a supposition that sins may be atoned and mankind allowed to continue in them, if they will come up to the price. The country of Moab abounded with flocks, particularly with sheep; [65] it abounded also with oil; and Balak supposed that the divine favor might be obtained by sacrifices of this kind—by a profusion of them—thousands of ram, and ten thousands of rivers of oil. He knew himself a sinner—he knew that he had taken part against the God of Israel; had served other gods, who were his rivals. But now he saw his need of the divine favor and he wished to purchase it—at any price, to purchase it. He was ready to pay for his sins; only waited to know the price, and he would make the payment!
Not a word do we hear of his parting with his sins and returning back by repentance.