Balak, king of the desert nation of Moab to the east of the Dead Sea, was alarmed when he heard that Moses and thousands of Israelites were camped in his country. Though Moses was only passing through Moab, with no intention of causing trouble, the king had heard how the Israelites had defeated other nations, and he was afraid of Moab might be next. So Balak sent for the famous prophet Balaam with an offer to pay him if he would put a curse on the Israelites.
At first Balaam refused, but that night God told him to go to Moab. The next morning Balaam saddled up his donkey and began the long trip. Somewhere along the way an angel appeared in the middle of the road, wielding a sword. Although Balaam couldn't see the angel, his donkey could, and it turned off the road and headed into a field. Balaam struck the animal in frustration. The second time the angel appeared, the donkey scraped Balaam's foot against a wall, trying to avoid hitting the angel. Again, Balaam struck the poor beast. On its third appearance the angel blocked the narrow path, so the donkey laid down with Balaam still on its back. When Balaam lashed out again, God gave the animal the power of speech, and it protested: "What have I done to you, that you have struck me?" (Num 22:28).
Finally, God allowed Balaam to see the angel, who then ordered Balaam to continue his trip but to say only what God instructed. When Balaam arrived in Moab, he blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them. Then he added that an Israelite king would someday destroy Moab. A few centuries later King David fulfilled this promise. |
