God used the donkey’s speech to reveal Balaam’s hardened heart and remind him that the LORD alone holds authority over every creature.
As the narrative unfolds, we read that “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?’” (v.28). This extraordinary event occurs on the road to Moab, a region east of the Dead Sea known for its rugged terrain, where Balaam is traveling under orders from Balak, the king of Moab. Moab itself lay in close proximity to the Israelites’ path during their journey to the Promised Land. In this verse, the animal’s unexpected speech underscores a divine interruption meant to confront Balaam’s misguided anger and spiritual stubbornness.
Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet around the 15th or 14th century BC, is a significant figure in the Old Testament narrative because he interacts intimately with Israel’s God despite being an outsider. Although Balaam had knowledge and fear of the LORD, his spiritual allegiance was conflicted (2 Peter 2:16). By enabling the donkey to speak, God not only halts Balaam’s journey of potential disobedience but also vividly demonstrates that His sovereignty extends over all creation. The donkey’s perceived “obstruction” in the road proves to be a critical tool in exposing Balaam’s heart and prompting him to reconsider his path.
Within this single verse, we see the divine capacity to use the most unexpected means to reveal human error. “Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey…” (v.28) offers a striking image where the boundary between the natural and supernatural is crossed for a righteous purpose. It reminds us that when human hearts are set on stubborn or self-serving courses, God can choose an unexpected voice to bring correction—an echo we later find in other passages where God calls seemingly insignificant instruments to accomplish His will.
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Numbers 22:28 meaning
As the narrative unfolds, we read that “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?’” (v.28). This extraordinary event occurs on the road to Moab, a region east of the Dead Sea known for its rugged terrain, where Balaam is traveling under orders from Balak, the king of Moab. Moab itself lay in close proximity to the Israelites’ path during their journey to the Promised Land. In this verse, the animal’s unexpected speech underscores a divine interruption meant to confront Balaam’s misguided anger and spiritual stubbornness.
Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet around the 15th or 14th century BC, is a significant figure in the Old Testament narrative because he interacts intimately with Israel’s God despite being an outsider. Although Balaam had knowledge and fear of the LORD, his spiritual allegiance was conflicted (2 Peter 2:16). By enabling the donkey to speak, God not only halts Balaam’s journey of potential disobedience but also vividly demonstrates that His sovereignty extends over all creation. The donkey’s perceived “obstruction” in the road proves to be a critical tool in exposing Balaam’s heart and prompting him to reconsider his path.
Within this single verse, we see the divine capacity to use the most unexpected means to reveal human error. “Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey…” (v.28) offers a striking image where the boundary between the natural and supernatural is crossed for a righteous purpose. It reminds us that when human hearts are set on stubborn or self-serving courses, God can choose an unexpected voice to bring correction—an echo we later find in other passages where God calls seemingly insignificant instruments to accomplish His will.