Moab was a son born of Lot and one of his daughters through incest (Gen. 19:30-38). Hence, Moab represents the fruit of fleshly lust. Midian was very close to the children of Ishmael, who represents the flesh, in contrast to Isaac, who represents that which is born of the Spirit (cf. Gal. 4:22-23, 28-29). Thus, Midian also signifies the flesh.

Balaam was a Gentile prophet of God (see note 2 Pet. 2:15^3b). After Israel defeated the three kings on the east of the Jordan (Num. 21:1-3, 21-35), Satan changed his mode of fighting against Israel and took a religious way.

I.e., the Euphrates.

Balaam’s asking God whether he should go with the messengers or not was self-deception. If we seek the Lord’s will but are actually inclined to carry out our own desires, we may deceive ourselves, even as Balaam deceived himself. We should seek the Lord’s will without having any other desire but to know His will and to do it.

See note Gen. 12:3¹.

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Because Balaam wanted to do so, God allowed him to go with the rulers of Moab. It was Balaam’s will to go, not God’s (cf. v. 22).

The Angel of Jehovah here was Jehovah Himself (see note Exo. 3:2^1b), who came in to deal directly with this greedy prophet (2 Pet. 2:15).

Or, the high places of Baal. These were the places where people worshipped the idol of Baal.