Numbers 22:32 The angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was [fn] contrary to me. (the fn means that contrary is often translated reckless… interesting) Balaam asks God whether to go with Balak’s men after having already been told once that he will not curse the Israelites.  God tells him to go, but is angry that he is going.  That seems rather contradictory, so I imagine there’s more going on here than I realize, and it’s probably something to do with the structure of the text.  Anyway, Balaam goes and the donkey refuses to go through a valley because it sees the angel that’s waiting to kill Balaam.  The donkey finally speaks to Balaam and Balaam’s eyes are opened (interesting that the animal could see, but the man couldn’t – perhaps a reflection of how our assumptions and pride blind us to truth or reality).  Balaam offers to turn back but the angel repeats the command that he will go but only speak the words given by God.  The fact that the angel repeats God’s earlier words suggests to me that  perhaps Balaam hadn’t made up his mind to be obedient and only speak the words given to him by God when he reached Balak.  Maybe that’s why God was angry despite Balaam’s apparent outward obedience.  Or maybe God was angry because Balaam asked again, after he had already been given an answer.  Perhaps it was questioning God’s earlier leading. Lots of questions.  Ultimately, one thing is clear – donkey’s don’t talk, and if one does talk you should listen.  Just kidding…  perhaps the point is that we examine our motivations to make sure our preconceived notions aren’t blinding us and keeping us from seeing important things.

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