The people of Moab obviously were in fear of the Israelites. They saw the immense number of their fighting men and what they had done to the Amorites. It is for this reason, Balak wanted them cursed.  Apparently the sorcerer Balaam was well-known for his ability to curse and bless people and nations. His fame had spread far and wide.  Balak send messengers to bring Balaam back to Moab.  This was no quick and easy journey.  Balaam lived at Pethor near the Euphrates River in Mesopotamia.  The exact location of Pethor is unknown but the journey from Moab to the closest point of the Euphrates River is about 500 miles.  

Since Balaam was a sorcerer, he was not a man of God.  The evil spirit in him knew that he had to ask permission from God to do anything.  (see 1 Kings 20:18-23) Balaam informed the messengers that God refused to give permission to curse the Israelites and so the messengers returned to Balak with that answer.  This news was not received well and so Balak sent other messengers, more numerous and distinguished than the first ones.  The first group came to Balaam with a divination fee for him.  The second group came to Balaam with an offer of a handsome reward.  Even though Balaam had been given a direct answer from God the first time, it seems as if he was swayed with the offer of the reward and so he went to God the second time.  This time God gave Balaam permission to go but he was to do only as God directed.

The angel of the Lord who appeared to Balaam was another warning for Balaam to speak only words as directed by God. 

Since Balaam, a sorcerer who through his own "art" of interpreting the cries and movements of animals or inanimate objects was given a most startling warning from God via the talking donkey.

In today's reading it is illustrated very well that there is a spiritual dimension that we can't see. Obviously, this donkey was allowed to see the angel of the Lord in this spiritual dimension. Not only was the donkey allowed to see the angel of the Lord, but was given the gift of speech.

Why couldn’t Balaam see the angel of the Lord? Were his spiritual eyes closed? Notice that it is God who opens Balaam's eyes.

When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went to meet him, going a distance of roughly 100 miles.  

Balaam utters three oracles An oracle is a divine utterance usually in answer to a request for guidance.  Balak had asked that Balaam curse the Israelites. Instead, Balaam blesses them.  In one of the blessings, he says these words concerning Israel, "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!"  Such prophetic words!  Applicable today for America??? 

Interesting that Peter compared Balaam with false teachers who love the wages of wickedness.
2 Pet 2:15-16
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey-- a beast without speech-- who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

Any connections we can make today with false teachers and leaders?