God spoke through a donkey to rebuke the prophet Balaam and to show that He can use any means necessary to confront disobedience and reveal truth. The miraculous event exposed Balaam’s spiritual blindness and emphasized that the Lord, not Balaam, controlled the message.
“Then 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?’”
(Numbers 22:28)
Balaam had been hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel. Though God had clearly told him not to go, Balaam was enticed by reward and persisted. God permitted him to go under strict conditions:
“If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.”
(Numbers 22:20)
However, Balaam’s motives were corrupt. As he traveled, the Angel of the Lord stood in his path to oppose him. Only the donkey saw the angel and turned aside, saving Balaam’s life three times. In anger, Balaam struck the donkey.
Then God miraculously opened the donkey’s mouth. The prophet, strangely, conversed with the animal, not realizing the supernatural nature of the event. After the donkey’s words, the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes:
“Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way…”
(Numbers 22:31)
The donkey’s speech was a sign. Balaam, a supposed seer, could not perceive what his donkey did. God used the least likely instrument to rebuke a prophet and to make it clear that He alone has authority over prophecy.
Later, Balaam still attempted to manipulate the situation, offering blessings only when God allowed. But his heart was not right, and he ultimately led Israel into sin through counsel to seduce them (Numbers 31:16). He is later condemned in Scripture:
“They have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit…”
(Jude 1:11)
God spoke through a donkey to humble a man who presumed to speak for Him while pursuing his own agenda. It stands as a warning: God will not be manipulated, and those who speak in His name must walk in obedience, not greed.
