John Calvin Commentary Numbers 22:15

"And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they." — Numbers 22:15 (ASV)

And Balak sent yet again princes. Here we see that, however humbly ungodly men implore God’s grace, they still do not lay aside their pride; as if their grandeur could serve to dazzle the eyes of God. Therefore, to make Him comply with their wishes, they think it is enough to display their magnificent ceremonies. Indeed, whatever modesty superstition may pretend, it always swells with secret confidence. Thus Balak, to obtain favor, makes a show of his dignity and power, and considers that Balaam will thereby be at his service.

However, although the impostor shows much more spirit in his second reply than before, his hypocrisy is soon discovered, and he betrays the duplicity of his mind. It is, indeed, a noble speech and indicative of much magnanimity: “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I will not disobey the command of God”: but why does he not instantly banish from him altogether these unholy traffickers, who are instigating him to transgression? We see, then, that he speaks more in a spirit of boasting than to ascribe to God the glory due to Him, for his desire was to acquire for himself the title and credit of a holy Prophet by this parade of obedience.

In the meantime, when he begs that some delay should be granted him to inquire what God’s will was, he is convicted of impious rebellion. He does not dare openly, and in flagrant contempt of God, to put himself forward to curse God’s people; and that, so far, is good. But why does he not acquiesce in the divine decision? Why, when he has been assured whether a matter was lawful or not, does he still inquire with doubt? For so he deliberates and questions whether that which God has once prescribed ought to be certain and unchangeable; indeed, he endeavors to force God to alter His determination. From the time that he had heard, “Thou shalt not go,” upon what pretext was it permissible to continue the controversy? This, then, is Balaam’s aim: that God, by withdrawing the decision He had pronounced, should deny Himself. And this was an act of most blasphemous impiety.

Still, many such persons will be found nowadays who, though fully assured of the will of God, nevertheless do not cease to undermine it, so that they may eventually attain the end toward which they are hurried by their lawless cupidity.

At the outset, it is anything but their desire to know what is right, or, when they know it, to follow it. Instead, ambition instigates some, lust inflames others, and others are urged forward by avarice; in a word, evil desires preside over every deliberation. Immediately, God interposes some obstacle and compels them, whether they want to or not, to understand what they ought to do.

They proceed, however, regardless. Since the way is closed, they endeavor by subterfuges, by crooked paths, or evasions to elude the sure word of God. And although they appear to do this modestly, because they hesitate until permission has been obtained from God, yet in this their impudence reveals itself: they do not cease to importune God and His prophets until they have extorted what they have already heard to be unlawful.

It is clear, therefore, that all those are disciples of Balaam who try the indulgence of God, that He may eventually permit them to attempt what He has once refused.