Question 1

Why was God angry with Balaam even though He let him go with Balak’s men?

Accepted Answer

God’s anger burned against Balaam because, although he had permission to go, his heart was set on using his gift in a wrong way. He was eager for honor and reward and was ready to go against God’s people. This shows that God may allow something yet still be displeased with the motives behind it. Balaam was not traveling in simple obedience, but in a stubborn, greedy spirit. The story warns that wanting our own way while using God’s words can still be a sinful path that God opposes.

Question 2

What is the meaning of the angel of the Lord standing as an adversary to Balaam?

Accepted Answer

The angel of the Lord stood in Balaam’s path as an enemy to him because Balaam’s way was called “perverse” or crooked. This means God Himself opposed the direction Balaam was taking. The angel was there both as a warning and as a protection, stopping Balaam from rushing into greater sin and judgment. It shows that God actively resists those who try to harm His people, and He can use His messengers to block and redirect a person whose heart is set on the wrong course.

Question 3

Why could Balaam’s donkey see the angel when Balaam could not?

Accepted Answer

The donkey saw the angel three times, but Balaam, the so‑called seer, was blind to him until God opened his eyes. This contrast shows how spiritual blindness can come from a greedy, stubborn heart. Balaam claimed to have spiritual insight, yet his desire for gain made him less aware than a simple animal. God used the donkey to shame Balaam, to slow him down, and to protect his life. It reminds us that status or title does not guarantee clear spiritual sight if our motives are wrong.

Question 4

What is the significance of the donkey speaking to Balaam?

Accepted Answer

God opened the donkey’s mouth so she could speak clearly to Balaam. This miracle shows that God can use the weakest and most unlikely means to rebuke and teach a person. The donkey’s questions exposed Balaam’s unfair anger and forced him to admit she had never behaved this way before. Her words made him stop and think. The event highlights God’s power over creation, His care even for animals, and His willingness to confront human cruelty, pride, and foolishness in very direct ways.

Question 5

What does it mean that Balaam’s way was "perverse" before God?

Accepted Answer

When the angel said Balaam’s way was perverse, it meant his path and his heart were twisted and wrong in God’s eyes. Outwardly he was going as a prophet, but inwardly he was driven by greed and the desire for honor from Balak. He kept pressing toward something God did not truly approve. The word points to more than a small mistake; it describes a stubborn, self‑serving direction. It warns that a way can look reasonable to us while still being deeply wrong before God.

Question 6

Did Balaam truly repent when he said, "I have sinned"?

Accepted Answer

Balaam admitted, “I have sinned,” when he finally saw the angel with a drawn sword. He realized his life had been in danger. But his words seem more like fear of punishment than a full change of heart. He offered to turn back “if” the angel was displeased, even though he had just been told his way was perverse. Later events in his life show his heart remained double‑minded. This teaches that real repentance is more than saying the right words; it is a new heart and a new direction.

Question 7

Why did the angel let Balaam continue his journey after opposing him?

Accepted Answer

After blocking Balaam three times and warning him, the angel told him to go with the men but to speak only the word God would give. This shows a hard truth: sometimes God allows a person to follow the path they insist on, yet sets strict limits on the outcome. Balaam would not be free to curse Israel, because God had already chosen to bless them. God would even turn Balaam’s twisted intentions into words that served His own good plan and protected His people.

Question 8

What happens when Balaam finally meets Balak, and why is that important?

Accepted Answer

When Balaam arrives, Balak questions why he delayed coming and brags that he can honor him. Balaam replies that he has no power to say anything on his own and can only speak what God puts in his mouth. They then go to the high places of Baal, where Balak hopes Balaam will curse Israel. This sets the stage for God to overrule both men’s plans. Even in an idolatrous place, surrounded by sacrifice and promise of reward, God will make Balaam bless the people he came to curse.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about God’s character and His care for His people?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows God as both holy and patient. He is angered by Balaam’s crooked motives, yet He sends the angel and even uses a donkey to stop him from destroying himself. God protects Israel by standing against someone who plans harm, proving He will be an enemy to their enemies. At the same time, God is not easily fooled by religious words or outward service. He sees the heart, resists pride and greed, and can turn human sin into a scene that still serves His good purposes.

Question 10

How can the story of Balaam and his donkey apply to my life today?

Accepted Answer

This story invites you to slow down and look at your motives. Balaam pushed ahead because he wanted reward and honor, and he grew angry when anything blocked his way. God used closed paths, pain, and even a talking donkey to warn him. In your life, unexpected troubles or repeated roadblocks might be God’s mercy, not just bad luck. It is wise to ask, “Is my way straight before God, or am I forcing my will?” God calls you to listen, repent, and walk in honest obedience.

Numbers 22:22

¶ And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey

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Numbers 22:22

¶ And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

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The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey

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