SEV Biblia, Chapter 22:34
Entonces Balaam dijo al ángel del SEÑOR: He pecado, que no sabía que tú te ponías delante de mí en el camino; mas ahora, si te parece mal, yo me volveré.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Numbers 22:34
Verse 34. If it displease thee, I will get me back again.] Here is a proof, that though he loved the wages of unrighteousness, yet he still feared God; and he is now willing to drop the enterprise if God be displeased with his proceeding. The piety of many called Christians does not extend thus far; they see that the thing displeases God, and yet they proceed. Reader, is this thy case?
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 34. And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned , etc.] That is, in beating the ass; not that he was sensible of his sin of covetousness, and of the evil disposition of his mind, and of his wicked intention in going along with the princes to curse Israel, if possible, and get Balak’s presents and preferments: for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me ; signifying, that if he had known it, he should not have smitten the ass, but submitted himself to the will of the angel: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again ; which he spoke very coldly and faintly, not caring heartily to go back, unless forced to it; for seeing a drawn sword in his hand, he might be afraid of his life should he persist in his journey, and therefore feigns a readiness to go back, quitting it on condition that his going forwards was displeasing; whereas he knew it was, especially his going with an evil mind to hurt Israel if possible.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 22-35 - We must not think, that because God does not always by his providenc restrain men from sin, therefore he approves of it, or that it is no hateful to him. The holy angels oppose sin, and perhaps are employed i preventing it more than we are aware. This angel was an adversary to Balaam, because Balaam counted him his adversary; those are really ou best friends, and we ought so to reckon them, who stop our progress i sinful ways. Balaam has notice of God's displeasure by the ass. It is common for those whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil, to pus on violently, through the difficulties Providence lays in their way The Lord opened the mouth of the ass. This was a great miracle wrough by the power of God. He who made man speak, could, when he pleased make the ass to speak with man's voice. The ass complained of Balaam' cruelty. The righteous God does not allow the meanest or weakest to be abused; but they shall be able to speak in their own defence, or he will some way or other speak for them. Balaam at length has his eye opened. God has many ways to bring down the hard and unhumbled heart When our eyes are opened, we shall see the danger of sinful ways, an how much it was for our advantage to be crossed. Balaam seemed to relent; I have sinned; but it does not appear that he was sensible of this wickedness of his heart, or willing to own it. If he finds he cannot go forward, he will be content, since there is no remedy, to go back. Thus many leave their sins, only because their sins have lef them. The angel declared that he should not only be unable to curs Israel, but should be forced to bless them: this would be more for the glory of God, and to his own confusion, than if he had turned back.
Original Hebrew
ויאמר 559 בלעם 1109 אל 413 מלאך 4397 יהוה 3068 חטאתי 2398 כי 3588 לא 3808 ידעתי 3045 כי 3588 אתה 859 נצב 5324 לקראתי 7125 בדרך 1870 ועתה 6258 אם 518 רע 7451 בעיניך 5869 אשׁובה׃ 7725
