Matthew Henry Commentary Numbers 22:22-35

"And God`s anger was kindled because he went; and the angel of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. Then the angel of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam`s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. And the angel of Jehovah went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah, and she lay down under Balaam: and Balaam`s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with his staff. And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me, I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden all thy life long unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay. Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I am come forth for an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me: and the ass saw me, and turned aside before me these three times: unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I had even slain thee, and saved her alive. And Balaam said unto the angel of Jehovah, 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. And the angel of Jehovah 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 22:22-35 (ASV)

We must not think that because God does not always by His providence restrain people from sin, He therefore approves of it, or that it is not hateful to Him. The holy angels oppose sin and perhaps are employed in preventing it more than we are aware. This angel was an adversary to Balaam because Balaam considered him his adversary; those who stop our progress in sinful ways are really our best friends, and we ought to regard them as such. Balaam receives notice of God's displeasure through the ass.

It is common for those whose hearts are fully set on doing evil to push on violently through the difficulties Providence lays in their way. The Lord opened the mouth of the ass. This was a great miracle performed by the power of God. He who made man speak could, when He pleased, make the ass speak with a man's voice.

The ass complained of Balaam's cruelty. The righteous God does not allow the lowliest or weakest to be abused; they will be able to speak in their own defense, or He will in some way or other speak for them. Finally, Balaam has his eyes opened. God has many ways to bring down the hard and unhumbled heart. When our eyes are opened, we will see the danger of sinful ways and how much it was for our advantage to be hindered.

Balaam seemed to relent, saying, "I have sinned." But it does not appear that he was aware of this wickedness of his heart or willing to admit it. If he finds he cannot go forward, he will be content, since there is no alternative, to go back. Thus, many leave their sins only because their sins have left them. The angel declared that he would not only be unable to curse Israel but would be forced to bless them; this would be more for the glory of God and to his own confusion than if he had turned back.