21 So Balaam arose in the morning , and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab .
22 But God was angry e because he was going , and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand , the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field ; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way . 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards , with a wall on this side and a wall on that side . 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord , she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall , so he struck her again . 26 The angel of the Lord went further , and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left . 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord , she lay down under Balaam ; so Balaam was angry e and struck the donkey with his stick . 28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey , and she said to Balaam , "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times ?" 29 Then Balaam said to the donkey , "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand , I would have killed you by now ." 30 The donkey said to Balaam , "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all e your life to this day ? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said , "No ." 31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam , and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand ; and he bowed all the way to the ground . 32 The angel of the Lord said to him, "Why e have you struck your donkey these three times ? Behold , I have come out as an adversary , because your way was contrary to me. 33 "But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times . If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now , and let her live ." 34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord , " I have sinned , for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back ." 35 But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam , "Go with the men , but you shall speak only the word which I tell you." So Balaam went along with the leaders of Balak .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 22:21-35
Commentary on Numbers 22:15-21
(Read Numbers 22:15-21)
A second embassy was sent to Balaam. It were well for us, if we were as earnest and constant in prosecuting a good work, notwithstanding disappointments. Balak laid a bait, not only for Balaam's covetousness, but for his pride and ambition. How earnestly should we beg of God daily to mortify such desires in us! Thus sinners stick at no pains, spare no cost, and care not how low they stoop, to gratify their luxury, or their malice. Shall we then be unwilling to do what is right? God forbid! Balaam's convictions charged him to keep to the command of God; nor could any man have spoken better. But many call God theirs, who are not his, not truly because not only his. There is no judging men by their words; God knows the heart. Balaam's corruptions at the same time inclined him to go contrary to the command. He seemed to refuse the temptation; but he expressed no abhorrence of it. He had a strong desire to accept the offer, and hoped that God might give him leave to go. He had already been told what the will of God was. It is a certain evidence of the ruling of corruption in the heart, to beg leave to sin. God gave Balaam up to his own heart's lusts. As God sometimes denies the prayers of his people in love, so sometimes he grants the desires of the wicked in wrath.
Commentary on Numbers 22:22-35
(Read Numbers 22:22-35)
We must not think, that because God does not always by his providence restrain men from sin, therefore he approves of it, or that it is not hateful to him. The holy angels oppose sin, and perhaps are employed in preventing it more than we are aware. This angel was an adversary to Balaam, because Balaam counted him his adversary; those are really our best friends, and we ought so to reckon them, who stop our progress in 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 push on violently, through the difficulties Providence lays in their way. The Lord opened the mouth of the ass. This was a great miracle wrought 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's 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 eyes 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, and 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 left them. The angel declared that he should not only be unable to curse 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.