32  And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33  And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.34  And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.35  And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 

Numbers 22:32-35

Explanation:

God was not angry at Balaam because he went, but because he knew Balaams heart and plans in going. The word “perverse” (v.32) here has the idea of taking something good (here it would be obedience in going with God’s permission) and twisting it into something evil.

Balaam is so scared he is willing to go home. The “angel of the Lord” responds, “No. You’re going. But you will say exactly what I will tell you.” This is what happens.

Balsam was mad at the donkey. He perceived it as dumb, disobedient, and stubborn. Yet the donkey had more vision and sense than Balaam. In taking a beating from Balaam he saved Balaam’s life. One commentator said, “The irony is this lowly donkey had better vision to see the ‘angel of the Lord’ than did Balaam who was known as a ‘seer of the gods’.”

Application:

God deserves and demands total obedience.  Is it possible that the things we are mad at or see as hindrances are God-ordained?  They may very well be.

Response:

Is there anything in your life that you see as good, that you are twisting for your own selfish desires? Ask God to open your eyes to spiritual truth today!