"What Have I Done Unto Thee?"

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And the Lord 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:
The the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way. . . .

This passage from the Bible presents a moment of divine intervention and revelation. Balaam, a prophet on a journey sanctioned by God, finds himself in conflict with his donkey, which repeatedly refuses to proceed. In a miraculous turn, the donkey is given the ability to speak, questioning Balaam's harsh treatment. This unexpected dialogue highlights the reversal of roles and emphasizes the limitations of human understanding. Balaam, unaware of the divine presence blocking his way, reacts with anger until his eyes are opened by God to see the angel. This moment underscores themes of perception and humility, reminding readers that divine wisdom often transcends human comprehension. It illustrates that sometimes, those deemed lesser—such as Balaam's donkey—may possess greater insight into divine will than humans, emphasizing the importance of humility and awareness of the divine.

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