Topical Bible: Anger: Balaam, Toward his Ass

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In the biblical narrative found in the Book of Numbers, Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is a central figure whose account illustrates the theme of anger, particularly in his interaction with his donkey. This account is located in Numbers 22:21-34, where Balaam's journey to Moab is marked by divine intervention and a lesson in humility.

Balaam was summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites who were encamped on the plains of Moab. Despite God's initial prohibition, Balaam eventually set out on his journey after receiving permission from God, albeit with strict instructions to only speak what God commanded (Numbers 22:20).

As Balaam traveled on his donkey, the Angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. However, Balaam was initially unaware of the angel's presence. The donkey, seeing the angel, turned off the path into a field. Balaam, in a fit of anger, struck the donkey to force it back onto the road (Numbers 22:23).

The angel appeared a second time in a narrow path between vineyard walls, and the donkey pressed against the wall, crushing Balaam's foot. Again, Balaam reacted with anger and struck the donkey (Numbers 22:24-25).

The third encounter occurred in a narrow place where there was no room to turn. The donkey lay down under Balaam, prompting him to strike the animal with his staff in a display of intense anger (Numbers 22:26-27).

At this point, the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, allowing it to speak: "What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?" (Numbers 22:28). Balaam, in his anger, responded without surprise at the donkey's speech, expressing his frustration and wishing he had a sword to kill the animal (Numbers 22:29).

The donkey's response highlighted Balaam's irrational anger: "Am I not your own donkey, which you have ridden to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" (Numbers 22:30). Balaam admitted that the donkey had never behaved this way before.

The LORD then opened Balaam's eyes, revealing the Angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword. Balaam bowed low and fell facedown (Numbers 22:31). The angel rebuked Balaam for his treatment of the donkey, explaining that the donkey had saved Balaam's life by turning away from the angel's path (Numbers 22:32-33).

This episode serves as a profound lesson on the dangers of unchecked anger and the importance of spiritual perception. Balaam's anger blinded him to the divine intervention occurring around him, and it was only through the miraculous speech of the donkey and the revelation of the angel that he recognized his error. The narrative underscores the need for humility and obedience to God's will, as well as the recognition that God's ways and purposes often transcend human understanding.

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Numbers 22:27,29
And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
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Library

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled ... enchantments, but he
set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

V. ...
... in faith; and so it is accounted toward him by ... whom they injure, and thereby provoke
God to anger, so that ... mentions his right name, for Bileaam or Balaam is he ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... in order (to pass by the poetic effusions of Balaam, and some ... Yea, though I walk
the fierceness of his anger? ... the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

Catechismus Genevensis, Consensus Tigurinus, Consensus Genevensis.
... semper et hic potentia Dei observanda sit: qu?? effecit, ut Balaam eo non posset ... qu??
illis dicit: Fecit Deus hominem rectum (Ecclesiastes 7:29), his vero dicit ...
/.../catechismus genevensis consensus tigurinus consensus.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... is good; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth ... that it
meeteth with in thee, sourness, bitterness of spirit, and anger against him ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth ... that it meeteth
with in thee, sourness, bitterness of spirit, and anger against him ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward
God and toward men" (verse 16). ... Of his riding on an ass also; all this ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... discerned whether there is anger or otherwise; so by the inclinations of the heart
are discovered the truth of the condition of the man, as to his state either ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... and put an helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door ... and he sighed as if he
would break his heart. ... he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and He ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... But such as know the power of his anger will have a ... This made Balaam go without a
heart rightly broken, and ... might be broken, and melt at his presence (Isaiah 44 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm