Numbers 22:22-30 - God's anger was kindled

22:22-25

“But God’s anger was kindled ...” This adds to the mystery. God had told Balaam to go! God sends an angel and the angel stands in the road. Balaam was riding on a donkey, and the donkey saw the angel. The angel held a sword, so the donkey veered off the road. Balaam did not see the angel and was angry at the donkey’s behaviour. The angel continued to block the way, the donkey continued to avoid the angel, and Balaam continued to beat the donkey.

22:26-30

The angel continued to block the way and the donkey finally decided to lay down. This increased Balaam’s anger, but then God enabled the donkey to talk. The donkey got into an argument with Balaam. “Am I not the donkey, on which you have ridden all your life ...” Perhaps God is drawing a parallel with Balaam having depended upon God all his life, yet now he is disobeying God.