[29] And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.”
The symbolism here is hierarchy, with these persons/roles, in their approximate rank in heaven and earth:
The LORD
angel
people of Israel
Balak the king
elders/princes of Moab and elders/princes of Midian
people of Moab
Balaam the prophet
donkey
Balaam precipitated his trip to Balak—not waiting until they came to call him, as God had commanded him to do—motivated by greed.
He defies God’s authority, that is.
The LORD dispatches his angel, spiritual sword in hand.
His donkey apparently defies him: rebellion leads to rebellion.
Heads above towards heaven.
Arms/legs below towards earth.
(See the image at the top.)
But his donkey actually saved Balaam’s life: God’s sovereignty and mercy remain uncontested.
Staffs and swords are symbols of authority, wielded badly or well.