And the ancients of Moab, and the elders of Madian, went with the price of divination in their hands. And where they were come to Balaam, and had told him all the words of Balac:
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ זִקְנֵ֤י מוֹאָב֙ וְזִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֔ן וּקְסָמִ֖ים בְּיָדָ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו דִּבְרֵ֥י בָלָֽק׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The individual referenced in historical accounts was involved in practices related to divination through birds, as evidenced by the statement ‘sorcery in his hand.’ He would seek guidance from birds, and prior to this, he describes how he learned through the sound of a donkey, which was meant to guide his efforts.
Balak believed that Balaam could be swayed by personal gain to pronounce a curse on the people of God (see Numbers 22-24). The temptation of self-interest would have succeeded if the Lord had not instructed him to abstain from such a curse. Indeed, greed would have triumphed had not the Lord intervened. Selfishness leads to destruction; wealth can be alluring, tainting those who possess it without aiding those in need. However, we must acknowledge that there are times when wealth can provide assistance, particularly to the poor and desperate who yearn for it. What, then, can we say about someone who does not desire wealth, does not pursue it, and has no need of its advantages, who resists the temptation to acquire it?
And what of another individual who, though already wealthy, becomes even more greedy? Does mere ownership elevate one's worth? Yet often, dignity is compromised, for he is more focused on guarding his riches than truly possessing them. We truly own what we actively utilize; if we fail to engage with our wealth, then holding onto it brings no value, but instead, it becomes a burden to safeguard.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS