2 Peter 2:15-16

15, 16. The right way The straight way of Christian truth and duty. The way of Balaam was a crooked way. A prophet of Jehovah, he used his prophetic gift for gain; and for the sake of personal gain, against the known will of God, he sought to curse Israel. Numbers 22:7; Numbers 22:17. He was a fair type of these false teachers, who used the gospel for the gratification of their avarice. His counsel to Balak to tempt Israel to sin does not seem to be included here.

Rebuked… iniquity Not, we think, by the ass, but by the Angel of the Lord, an Old Testament designation of Christ himself, who said to him, “Thy way is perverse before me,” extorting the confession, “I have sinned.” Numbers 22:32; Numbers 22:34. An additional element in the transaction was, the speaking of the dumb ass with a human voice; but the madness which she forbade was the foolish anger which led Balaam to smite her with a staff, and to wish that he had a sword with which he might kill her. Numbers 22:27; Numbers 22:29. The ass showed more reason than did either Balaam or the false teachers. St. Peter, as against all sceptics, holds this as a true historical event.