John Trapp on Micah 6:5

Verſe 5. O my people remember now what Balak] There muſt be a Recognition of Gods mercies, or elſe there will neither follow Eſtimation, nor Retribution: Elſe we that ſhould be as temples of his praiſes, ſhall be as graves of his benefits. Our ſoules are naturally like filthy ponds, wherein fiſh die ſoon, and frogs live long; rotten ſtuff is remembred, memorable mercies are forgotten; whereas the ſoul ſhould be as an holy Ark, the memory like the pot of Manna preſerving holy truths as the Law; and ſpeciall bleſſings, as Aarons rod, freſh and flouriſhing. This Iſrael did not, and are therefore juſtly blamed Pſal. 106.7, 13, 21. and here againe reminded of one ſignall mercy among many, that they might take notice of the enemies malignity, Gods benignity, and their own indignity and ingratitude, that parching wind, that drieth up the fountaine of divine favours.Ventus urens & exſiccans.

what Balack king of Moab conſulted] Joſhua ſaith, that he aroſe and fought againſt Iſrael chap. 24.9. that is, he had a good mind to have fought, but he did not becauſe he durſt not. So Eſth. 8.7. Haman is ſaid to have laid his hand upon the Jewes, becauſe he intended and attempted ſuch a matter. They, that is the Sortilegi or Lot-ſorcerers, with whom, Balack-like, he conſulted, caſt Pur, that is, the lot before Haman from day to day, and from month to month: viz. Eſth. 3.7. to find out what month or day would be lucky for the accompliſhment of his intended maſſacre of the Iewes: but before that black-day came, Mordecai was advanced, and Haman hanged. Now, as there, by the ſpeciall providence of God overruling the ſuperſtition of that wicked wreth, way was made for the preſervation of Gods people: So was it here. Balack conſulted, and Balaam anſwered him: that is, he was as willing to curſe as the other would have had him, but might not: for God would not harken unto him, but bleſſed his people ſtill, and delivered them out of his hand Ioſh. 24.10. Yea though at length he was reſolved to curſe howſoever, and therefore went not forth as at other times to ſeek for inchantments, but ſet his face toward the wilderneſſe, as if he would do the deed, whatever came of it Num. 24.1. Yet his indevour was fruitleſſe and fruſtrate. So ſhall the malicious attempts of Rome and Hell be againſt the Reformed religion and the Profeſſors thereof (whom the Romiſh Balaam banns and curſes with bell book and candle (at the inſtigation of the Spaniſh Balak, with his factours the Jeſuits) ſo long as they adhere to him and pray as Pſal. 109.26, 27, 28, 29. Help me O Lord my God: O ſave me according to thy mercy. That they may know, that this is thy hand: that thou Lord haſt done it. Let them curſe, but bleſſe thou: When they ariſe, let them be aſhamed, but let thy ſervants rejoyce &c. Salvation is of the Lord: his bleſſing is upon his people.

from Shittim unto Gilgal] Oratio elliptica: q. d. Remember what I did for you at Shittim in the wilderneſſe, and ſo all the way untill you came into the promiſed land, even to Gilgal, where you firſt pitched tent Ioſh. 5.8, 9, 10. At Shittim it was, where, by the peſtilent counſel of Balaam (the devils ſpelman) the Midianites out-witted them, by ſetting faire women before them as a ſtumbling-block Num. 25.1, 18. to draw them to thoſe two ſiſter-ſins, adultery and idoaltry. Then and there,Digni qui fu[illegible: 1 letter] ditus delerentur. Gualth. the heades of the people were hanged up before the Lord againſt the Sun, and ſome others; when as God might juſtly have cut them all off, and caſt them away from being a people before him. Nonne illic refulſit admirabilis Dei gratia? ſaith Calvin: was not this a miracle of Gods mercy?

that ye may know the righteouſneſſe of the Lord] i. e. the faithfulneſſe and goodneſſe of God in keeping promiſe with your fathers, notwithſtanding your provocations. Or my righteous dealings with thoſe fornicatours and adulterers, whom I there judged: preſerving the innocent, or penitent, till they came to Gilgal, and onwards. Or that thou maiſt know how juſt my complaint is of thee, and mine action againſt thee. So Vatablus expounds it.