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TITLE: Balaam | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
06/06/22
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King Balak was greatly concerned for his land which surrounded Moab. He knew the Israelites were close by and he dreaded what they might do to both him and his land. He had already heard how Israel had defeated the Amorites, along with with many other nations. Out of desperation, King Balak sent messengers to Balaam, offering him money to place a curse upon Israel.

“Men, stay with me tonight as I contemplate this request,” invited Balaam. After they were settled in his home, fed and given a bed, Balaam received a message from God.

“Who are these men and what do they want, Balaam” asked God.

“King Balak sent a message asking me to come curse this people Israel because they are too strong to fight against,” replied Balaam.

“No!” Declared God.

Balaam denied the king’s request and sent the messengers home.

“Please Balaam, we will give you anything you want if you will just come and curse these people,” the king begged.

Balaam again asked God what to do and this time God said, “Go with the men, but you can say only what I want you to say.”

Early the next morning Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the messengers from Moab.

But God’s anger went with them.

As they were riding along, suddenly Balaam’s donkey started acting very strange. He stopped and would not move. He saw what no one else could see, an angel standing in their way, with sword drawn. An angel of defense, trying to keep Balaam from doing something foolish. Balaam became angry with this stubborn animal and struck him to get him moving again.

A little further down the road they came to a narrow path between the vineyard which had a wall on both sides. Again, the donkey saw the angel standing in the narrow path. As he tried to squeeze through the opening he crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. Balaam’s ire was rising and he angrily struck the animal. “You dumb donkey. Can’t you be more careful. You probably broke my foot,” cried Balaam.

“Let’s get this journey over with, or else.”

In spite of his injury, Balaam chuckled as he reminded himself he was talking to a donkey.

“I’m losing my mind,” thought Balaam.

Soon they came to another narrow place where you could not turn to the right or to the left. “Just get us through the opening, donkey, please,” begged Balaam.

Once more the donkey saw the angel defending their way. The donkey lay down in the middle of the road, refusing to move. Balaam was so angry he whipped the donkey with a stick. “Get up you crazy animal or I will beat you more.”

The donkey had had enough of Balaam’s switches so he said, “What have I done, Balaam, that you have struck me these three times?” Balaam replied, “Because you have made a fool of me, I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.”

The donkey replied, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?”

“No,” Balaam replied humbly.

“Hey, wait a minute,” Balaam exclaimed. “I’m talking to my donkey, he’s answering me. What is wrong with me?”

God opened Balaam’s eyes and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. With fear, Balaam bowed down and fell on his face.

The angel said,”Why have you struck your donkey three times? I have come to protect you from this journey. Your donkey saw me and tried to warn you. If she had not turned aside I would have killed you and let her live.”

Balaam turned to the angel and said, “I have sinned, for I did not know you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.”

“Balaam, it’s okay. Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you to speak,” replied the angel.

Obediently, Balaam went to see King Balak.

I find it amazing that God will go to any measure to come to our defense when we are about to do something we shouldn’t. He uses donkeys and angels.

“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Pay attention to him.”

Balaam story from Numbers 22:22-41, ESV
Scripture from Exodus 23:20, ESV

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