Once upon a time there was a man named Balaam, who lived in a distant land. Balaam was a special man because he could talk to God. One day a king named Balak came to him. Balak was the king of the Moabites and was afraid of the people of Israel because they were so big and strong. So he asked Balaam to curse the people of Israel so that he could defeat them.
Balaam pondered and prayed to God what he should do. God said to him, “Do not go with them, and do not curse the people, for they are blessed.” Balaam listened to God and told the king’s messengers that he could not go with them.
But the king did not give up. He sent even more important messengers and promised Balaam many gifts if he would come and curse the people. Again Balaam spoke to God, and this time God said: “If they call you again, get up and go with them; but only what I will tell you, you shall do.”
The next morning, Balaam set out with his donkey to go with the king’s men. But God was not happy that Balaam was leaving, because Balaam was thinking more about the reward than about God’s commandment.
As Balaam rode on his donkey, an angel of the Lord suddenly stood on the road, whom Balaam could not see. The donkey, however, saw the angel with a drawn sword. To avoid the angel, the donkey ran off the path and went into the field. Balaam was very angry and punished the donkey.
Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between two vineyards. The donkey pressed itself against a wall to avoid the angel and trapped Balaam’s foot. Again Balaam was angry and punished the donkey.
Finally, the angel stood in a place where there was no way out. The donkey lay down, and Balaam was so angry that he punished the donkey for the third time. Then God gave the donkey the ability to speak. The donkey said, “Why do you beat me? Have I ever hurt you?” Balaam was amazed, but he answered the donkey: “Because you have mocked me! If I had a sword, I’d kill you!”
Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing before him. Balaam fell on his face and realized his mistake. The angel said to him, “Why did you beat your donkey? I came to warn you, for your way is not pleasing to God.”
Balaam answered, “I have done wrong. If it’s not right, I’ll turn back.” But the angel said to him, “Go on, but only say what I am going to tell you.”
Balaam obeyed and did what God commanded him. And when he finally arrived at the Moabites, he spoke only the words of blessing over Israel that God inspired him.
Message of history
God sees our hearts and knows what is right and good for us. We should listen to Him and walk His way, because God is leading us on the right path.
Bible passage
The story of Balaam and the talking donkey can be found in Numbers 22:21-35:
“Then Balaam got up early in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 Then the wrath of God was kindled, because he was going away; and the angel of the Lord came to meet him on the way to resist him. But he rode on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing on the road, and the drawn sword in his hand; then the donkey deviated from the path and went cross-country. But Balaam struck the donkey to guide her on the way. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood on the path among the vineyards; there was a wall on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. and he beat her even more. 26 Then the angel of the Lord went on and went into a narrow place where there was no room to evade, either on the right or on the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. Then Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his stick. 28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have now struck me three times? 29 Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you are wantoning me.” Oh, that I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you now! 30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden from time immemorial to this day? Have I ever had anything like that to do with you? He said, “No! 31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with the drawn sword in his hand. and he bowed down and threw himself on his face. 32 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey three times? Behold, I have gone out to resist you; for the way is repugnant to me: 33 the donkey has seen me, and has now avoided me three times; if she had not avoided me, I would have killed you and left her alive! 34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were opposing me on the way; and now, if it is evil in your eyes, I will turn back again. 35 Then the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but only the word that I will say to you, you shall speak! So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.”
