Numbers 22:33 — When a Donkey Sees What a Prophet Can't: The Strange Story of Balaam

Episode 263 explores Numbers 22: the odd story of Balaam, his talking donkey, and the angel who blocks the road. The episode examines the apparent contradiction where God permits Balaam to go yet becomes angry, and recounts the humorous and sobering events as the donkey repeatedly avoids the angel while Balaam remains blind to it. The host explains that God’s permission was conditional while His opposition targeted Balaam’s greedy motives; the donkey’s interventions are shown as merciful corrections. The episode emphasizes that God judges intentions as well as actions and uses this strange episode to teach humility and divine sovereignty. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: [email protected]  Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI  Miller, Jeff. “Why Was God Mad at Balaam for Going If He Said He Could?” Apologetics Press. https://apologeticspress.org/qa-why-was-god-mad-at-balaam-for-going-if-he-said-he-could-4829/ Guzik, David. Enduring Word Commentary on Numbers 22. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-22/ Wax, Trevin. “Donkeys and Diviners Are Under God’s Hand.” The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/donkeys-diviners-gods-hand/ “Why does God tell Balaam to go with the Moabites and then get angry because he went?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-God-change-mind.html Laurie, Greg. “Angels Stop Us.” Harvest.org. https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/angels-stop-us/ Schorer-Finkelman, Nava. “Understanding Balaam’s Donkey: An Intertextual Approach.” Jewish Bible Quarterly. https://jbqnew.jewishbible.org/assets/Uploads/492/jbq_492_schorerbalaam.pdf Frisch, Amos. “The Story of Balaam’s Ass (Numbers 22:21–35): A New Literary Insight.” Hebrew Studies 56 (2015): 103–113. https://www.academia.edu/22340493/_The_Story_of_Balaam_s_Ass_Numbers_22_21_35_A_New_Literary_Insight_Hebrew_Studies_56_2015_pp_103_113