Numbers 23:1-12
Balaam, who has already succeeded in going where he wished, would now like to persuade God to say what he wished Him to say. But in spite of himself, to Balak’s great wrath, his four pompous discourses are transformed into glorious benedictions. Such also is the final effect of Satan’s present accusations against the Lord’s redeemed ones (Revelation 12:10). As the story of Job teaches us, God allows such attacks to turn to the good of His own. And notice that everything happens on the mountain without the knowledge of the people in the plain; they are just as ignorant of the enemy’s intentions as of the way in which God foils them.
"The people shall dwell alone" (v. 9); this is the primary character of Israel, to be a people separated for God. So it is of the true Church and of each believer. The Christian is morally separated from a world under judgment. He is set apart for the Lord. "Let my last end be like his!" wishes Balaam in conclusion (v. 10). But to "die the death of the righteous", one must have lived their life. But Balaam like many others is a double-minded man, trying to serve two masters. He professes to fear the LORD, offers the perfect number of sacrifices, all the while only listening to the desires of his own heart.