Balaam and the Donkey That Spoke: Bible Story

Balaam and the Donkey that Spoke Based on Numbers 22.1-35 Long ago, in the days of Israel's journey through the wilderness, there lived a man named Balaam. He wasn't an Israelite, but he was known far and wide because when he spoke, things happened. Kings came to him for blessings and curses. Now the king of Moab, named Balak, was afraid. Very afraid. He saw the people of Israel camped nearby, thousands and thousands of them, and he knew they had defeated other kings. So Balak sent messengers to Balaam with money in hand and a message. Come, I pray thee, curse this people for me. They are too mighty for me. Maybe I can defeat them if you curse them first. The messengers came to Balaam and told him everything. Balaam said, Wait here tonight. I'll ask the Lord what to do. That night, God came unto Balaam and said, What men are these with thee? Balaam answered honestly, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Come now, curse this people for me. Then God said, Thou shalt not go with them, thou shalt not curse the people, for they are blessed. In the morning, Balaam told the men, Go back to your land, for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you. They returned to King Balak with the message, but Balak wasn't done yet. This time, he sent a larger group of princes, even more honourable than the first. They came with greater riches and an even grander promise. Let nothing hinder thee from coming unto me, for I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me. Only come, I pray thee, and curse this people for me. Balaam answered, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God to do less or more. But he asked them to stay again that night. Balaam wanted to hear from God again, though in his heart he was hoping for a way to go. That night, God said to Balaam, If the men come to call thee, rise up and go with them, but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, The next morning, Balaam got up early, saddled his faithful donkey, and started riding with the princes of Moab. But Balaam didn't know. God was angry. Why? Because Balaam's heart was greedy. He didn't just want to obey, he wanted the reward. So the angel of the Lord stood in the road, with a sword drawn. Balaam couldn't see the angel, but the donkey could. The donkey turned aside into a field. Balaam, angry. What are you doing? He hit the donkey. Next, in a narrow path between two vineyard walls, the donkey pressed against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot. Balaam, shouting, Ow, you silly animal! He hit her again. Then, in a tight place with nowhere to turn, the donkey just lay down. Balaam, furious. I wish I had a sword. I'd slay you. And then, God opened the donkey's mouth. What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? Because you've mocked me. I would have slain you if I had a sword. Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine? Was I ever this way before? Balaam blinked. He couldn't believe he was talking to a donkey. And suddenly, his eyes were opened. He saw the angel of the Lord, standing with a sword. Why did you smite your donkey? She saw me. If she hadn't turned, I would have slain thee and saved her alive. I have sinned. I didn't know you stood in the way. Go with the men, but only speak the word that I shall speak unto thee. God can use anything, even a humble donkey, to open our eyes and protect us from going the wrong way. And as for Balaam? Though King Balak begged him, offered him honour, riches, and even said, I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me, God did not allow Balaam to curse the children of Israel. Instead, when Balaam opened his mouth, he blessed them. Why? Because at that time, the children of Israel were obeying God. And God had already said, Thou shalt not curse the people, for they are blessed. And when God says something, it stands.