Why did God allow Balaam to go to Moab if He wanted to protect Israel?+
God permitted Balaam to go in the second encounter (Numbers 22:20), but with strict instructions to speak only God's words. This demonstrates God's sovereignty—He allowed the situation to unfold while ensuring His will would be accomplished. The incident with the donkey showed Balaam that disobedience would have had fatal consequences, reinforcing God's power and Israel's protected status.
Was the donkey actually alive and able to speak, or was this a vision?+
The text presents this as a literal, historical event where God opened the donkey's mouth to speak (Numbers 22:28). While this is miraculous and unusual, the Bible treats it as a real occurrence within the narrative. The donkey's actions (stopping, pressing against the wall) preceded the speaking, suggesting a physical, living animal that God enabled to communicate verbally.
Why is the story of Balaam and his donkey important to understanding God's character?+
This account demonstrates several aspects of God's character: His sovereignty in protecting His people, His willingness to use unexpected methods (a talking donkey) to accomplish His purposes, His patience with those who stray from obedience, and His power to override human plans that conflict with His will. The story shows that God's blessing on Israel cannot be reversed by external curses or schemes.