And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.
Balaam directed Balak to build seven altars here and to prepare seven oxen and seven rams upon them. This command belonged to repeated, vain efforts in which Balak conducted Balaam from one point to another to induce him to turn the blessing of Israel into a curse. Balaam knew about the Hebrews' sacrificial offerings and hoped that greater and costlier gifts would secure God's blessing to help accomplish his sinful plans. That expectation reflected the idolatrous Moabite way of thinking, and his spiritual vision had become clouded by yielding to Satan's influence. The moving from place to place was an attempt to move Balaam from his steadfastness, yet human applause and the fear of man were alike powerless to shake one sustained by divine power.
Balaam directed Balak to build seven altars here and to prepare seven oxen and seven rams upon them. This command belonged to repeated, vain efforts in which Balak conducted Balaam from one point to another to induce him to turn the blessing of Israel into a curse. Balaam knew about the Hebrews' sacrificial offerings and hoped that greater and costlier gifts would secure God's blessing to help accomplish his sinful plans. That expectation reflected the idolatrous Moabite way of thinking, and his spiritual vision had become clouded by yielding to Satan's influence. The moving from place to place was an attempt to move Balaam from his steadfastness, yet human applause and the fear of man were alike powerless to shake one sustained by divine power.