It was not clear to whom Balak and Balaam offered — to Jehovah or to Baal (Num. 22:41 and note Num. 22:41¹). Balaam worshipped in God’s way, but he mixed the worship of God with the worship of an idol. This kind of mixture in worship can be found in Roman Catholicism.

Or, couplet. Balaam’s parable in vv. 7-10 was actually a God-inspired prophecy.

This word indicates that the children of Israel were a holy, sanctified people, a people set apart from the nations. The same is true of the church (1 Cor. 3:17; Eph. 1:4; 5:27; 1 Pet. 2:9).

Balaam’s word in v. 10a was a blessing of abundant increase, and his word in v. 10b was a word of great blessing and appreciation.

Lit., my soul.

Or, fail.

This word was spoken not according to the human view but according to the divine view. In the sight of God, Israel is without fault. In themselves God’s people have many defects, but in God’s redemption and in Christ they have no defects. When God looks at His people, He does not see them according to what they are in themselves but according to what they are in Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:16-17).

Ultimately, this king refers to Christ.

Referring to Israel. Alternatively, the text can be translated, He is for them like the horns of a wild ox. So also in Num. 24:8.

The reference to the horns of a wild ox and the reference to the lion and the lioness in v. 24 indicate that the church is victorious (Rom. 8:37; 16:20; Rev. 12:11).