Numbers 22:33

The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live."

Study Bible

The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times.
In this passage, the angel of the Lord is speaking to Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet. The donkey's ability to see the angel while Balaam could not highlights the spiritual blindness of Balaam, who was enticed by the promise of wealth from Balak, king of Moab. The number three often signifies completeness or divine intervention in the Bible, as seen in other instances such as Peter's denial of Christ three times (Matthew 26:34) and Jesus' resurrection on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4). The donkey's actions demonstrate God's intervention to prevent Balaam from making a grave mistake, emphasizing the theme of divine protection and guidance.

If she had not turned away,
This phrase underscores the importance of the donkey's actions in saving Balaam's life. It suggests that God can use any means, even a humble animal, to accomplish His purposes and protect His people. This reflects the biblical theme that God often uses the weak or unexpected to fulfill His plans, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27, where God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. The donkey's turning away is a physical manifestation of divine mercy and intervention.

then by now I would surely have killed you
The angel's words indicate the seriousness of Balaam's disobedience and the imminent danger he was in. This serves as a warning about the consequences of opposing God's will. The phrase also reflects the justice of God, who does not tolerate rebellion or sin. It is a reminder of the severity of divine judgment, as seen in other biblical narratives such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) and the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12).

and let her live.”
The decision to spare the donkey while threatening Balaam's life highlights the innocence and obedience of the animal compared to Balaam's misguided intentions. This can be seen as a type of Christ, where the innocent suffer for the sake of the guilty, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who was without sin yet died for the sins of humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21). The sparing of the donkey also emphasizes God's compassion and care for all His creation, as seen in Proverbs 12:10, which speaks of the righteous caring for the needs of their animals.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Balaam
A non-Israelite prophet who is summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Balaam is known for his interactions with God and his eventual blessing of Israel instead of cursing them.

2. The Angel of the LORD
A divine messenger who stands in Balaam's path to oppose him. The Angel's presence signifies God's intervention and protection over Israel.

3. The Donkey
Balaam's donkey, which sees the Angel of the LORD and turns aside three times to avoid Him. The donkey's actions are pivotal in revealing God's will to Balaam.

4. Balak
The king of Moab who fears the Israelites and seeks Balaam's help to curse them. His actions set the stage for the events in this chapter.

5. Moab
The region where Balak rules and where the Israelites are encamped, causing fear among the Moabites.

Teaching Points

Divine Intervention
God can use any means, even a donkey, to communicate His will and protect His people. We should remain open to unexpected ways God might speak to us.

Spiritual Blindness
Balaam's inability to see the Angel of the LORD contrasts with the donkey's spiritual perception. We must seek spiritual discernment to recognize God's presence and guidance in our lives.

Obedience and Repentance
Balaam's account reminds us of the importance of aligning our actions with God's will. When confronted with our errors, we should be quick to repent and obey.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human intentions, God's purposes will prevail. We can trust in His sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem contrary.

Moral Integrity
Balaam's initial willingness to curse Israel for gain warns us against compromising our integrity for personal benefit.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the account of Balaam and his donkey challenge us to be more attentive to God's guidance in our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we cultivate spiritual discernment to avoid the kind of blindness Balaam experienced?

3. Reflect on a time when God used an unexpected person or situation to communicate His will to you. How did you respond?

4. How does Balaam's account illustrate the dangers of prioritizing personal gain over obedience to God?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that our actions align with God's sovereign purposes, even when faced with external pressures?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 22
The account of Abraham and Isaac, where God intervenes through an angel to prevent harm, similar to how the Angel of the LORD intervenes in Balaam's journey.

2 Peter 2:15-16
Peter references Balaam's account, highlighting his error and the donkey's role in restraining Balaam's madness.

Revelation 2:14
Balaam is mentioned in the context of leading others into sin, showing the long-term impact of his actions.