And the ass seeing him, thrust herself close to the wall, and bruised the foot of the rider. But he beat her again:
וַתֵּ֨רֶא הָאָת֜וֹן אֶת־מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֗ה וַתִּלָּחֵץ֙ אֶל־הַקִּ֔יר וַתִּלְחַ֛ץ אֶת־רֶ֥גֶל בִּלְעָ֖ם אֶל־הַקִּ֑יר וַיֹּ֖סֶף לְהַכֹּתָֽהּ׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Balaam strikes the donkey three times with a stick, yet he cannot persuade it to move forward. The donkey symbolizes humanity, which has become like a vehicle of the adversary. Upon seeing the Angel, the donkey stood against Balaam; similarly, the soul, upon recognizing the Bridegroom in His manifestation, cast off the foreign burden that weighed it down and transformed into the chariot of Immanuel, which had previously served as a vessel for the forces of opposition.
Those who are unwell should come to understand that physical suffering can foster spiritual health, as it prompts the soul to reflect upon its true state and rekindles the awareness of weakness that good health tends to eclipse. The spirit, which seeks to elevate itself by disregarding the body it inhabits, is reminded of the conditions it faces, eloquently illustrated in the narrative of Balaam. If only he had been open to heed God’s voice as he journeyed! Balaam was eager to reach his destination, yet the beast he rode impeded his progress. Behold, the donkey that obeyed the divine command could perceive the angel ahead, while the human spirit remained blind to this sight.
Often, it is the pain of the body that reveals God to the soul, a vision that the soul, in its governance over the flesh, has previously overlooked. Thus, the flesh often restrains the restless spirit, which strives for fulfillment in this world, much like a traveler rushing toward a goal until he finally acknowledges the unseen presence that awaits him on the road.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS