89
T
he story of Balaam and
his donkey demonstrates
how God can use even
a dumb beast to carry out His
purpose. Balak, the ruler of Moab,
a land east of the Jordan River, is
concerned about the spread of the
Israelites and summons the prophet
Balaam to curse them. Mounted on
his donkey, Balaam sets off to meetBalak. God sends an angel, armed
with a sword, to intercept him.
Neither Balaam nor other people
can see the angel, but the donkey
can. When the donkey veers off the
road, Balaam beats her. On the
third time this happens, God gives
the donkey the power to ask Balaam
why he is beating her. Then God
opens Balaam’s eyes so that he
can also see the angel. Balaam falls
facedown and apologizes, as he did
not know it was God that had
blocked his path.
The angel tells Balaam that he
is free to go, providing he speaks
only what God tells him. When
Balaam meets Balak, the king
orders him to curse the Israelites.
Balaam tries seven times. Each
time, instead of cursing them, he
blesses them, underlining the
message that God will protect the
Israelites if they keep faith. ■EXODUS TO DEUTERONOMY
IN BRIEF
PA S SAGE
Numbers 22–23THEME
Spiritual blindnessSETTING
14th–13th century bce
Banks of the Jordan River.KEY FIGURES
Balaam A prophet thought
to come from Mesopotamia,
who is hired by Balak, king
of the Moabites, to curse
the Israelites.Balak The ruler of the
Moabites who formed an
alliance with the Midianites
in a bid to stop the Israelites
entering and settling the
Promised Land.Donkey Balaam’s transport
on his journey to visit Balak.Balaam’s faithful donkey falls down
as an angel bars the way in this 1626
painting by Rembrandt van Rijn. The
donkey’s quick actions save Balaam
from certain destruction.THE LORD
OPENED THE
DONKEY’S MOUTH
NUMBERS 22:28, BALAAM’S DONKEY
See also: The Fall 30–35 ■ The Exodus 74–77 ■ The Twelve Spies 88 ■
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal 125 ■ Daniel in Babylon 164–65US_088-089_Twelve_Spies_balaams_donkey.indd 89 26/09/17 2:13 pm