Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/226



S the  Israelites  were  nearing  the  Promised  Land,  they  came to the  confines  of  Moab. Balak, the  king  of  that  country, being in  very  great  fear,  sent  the  elders  and  the  nobles  of  his kingdom with  rich  presents  to  Balaam,  that  he  might  come  and curse his  enemies. This Balaam  believed  in  the  true  God;  but, at the  same  time,  he  practised  soothsaying  and  divination.

When the  messengers  had  arrived  with  their  presents,  Balaam said: “Tarry  here  this  night,  and  I will  answer  whatsoever  the Lord shall  say  to  me.”  And  God  told  him:  “Thou  shalt  not  go, neither shalt  thou  curse  the  people.”  So  the  princes  returned  to the  king. But Balak  sent  a greater  number  of  nobles  and  richer presents than  the  first  time. Balaam told  the  messengers  again  to stay  for  one  night. In that  night  God  came  to  Balaam  and  said: “Arise and  go;  yet  so,  that  thou  do  what  I shall  command  thee.” Then Balaam  arose  and  went  to  the  land  of  Moab. The king took  him  to  three  different  mountains,  whence  he  could behold the  Israelites  in  the  valley,  and  ordered  him  to  curse  them. But Balaam,  being  each  time  prevented  by  God  from  cursing, blessed them,  saying:  “How  beautiful  are  thy  tabernacles,  O Jacob,  and  thy  tents,  o Israel! He that  blesseth  thee  shall  also himself be  blessed,  and  he  that  curseth  thee  shall  be  reckoned accursed.”

Then Balak  grew  angry,  and  exclaimed: “I  had  intended  to honour  thee,  but  the  Lord  hath  deprived  thee  of  the  honour;  for I called thee  to  curse  my  enemies,  and  thou,  on  the  contrary,