Numbers 22

The Explanation

Far away, a king named Balak looked out over his land. He saw many, many people coming. So many people! Balak was scared. Very scared.

Balak wanted someone to say bad words over these people. So he sent men to a man named Balaam. "Come," they said. "Say bad words over this people."

But that night, God spoke to Balaam. "You shall not go with them," God said. "You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."

Balak sent more men. Important men, with shiny gold. "Please come!" they begged.

Balaam listened again for God's voice. And God said, "Rise up, go with them. But only say the words I give you."

So Balaam saddled his donkey. Clip clop, clip clop, down the road they went.

What Does This Mean?

But God was not happy that Balaam went. He sent an angel to stand in the road, with a sword in his hand.

Balaam could not see the angel. But the donkey could. She saw him standing there, so big, so still. She turned away, right into a field.

Balaam hit her. "Go on!" But the donkey saw the angel again, between two walls. She squeezed against the wall, and squished Balaam's foot. He hit her again.

A third time, the angel stood in a narrow place. There was no way around. The donkey lay right down.

Balaam was angry now. Very angry. He hit her again.

The Common Thread

And then, something amazing happened. God opened the donkey's mouth. She spoke! "What have I done to you," she said, "that you have struck me these three times?"

Balaam answered her, cross and loud.

The donkey said, "Am I not your donkey? Have I ever done this before?"

"No," said Balaam.

Then God opened Balaam's eyes. And there he was. The angel, standing tall, sword drawn.

Balaam bowed his head low. Right down to the ground.

"I have sinned," Balaam said. "I did not know you stood in the way."

God's angel let him go on, but only to say what God would tell him. God was watching over his people the whole time, even before they knew it. He kept them safe, even with words spoken far away in another land.

For You

Have you ever not seen something important, like Balaam? Sometimes we cannot see God, but he is still there. He sees everything. He watches over the people he loves.

Talk About It

Why do you think the donkey could see the angel, but Balaam could not?

What do you think it felt like when the donkey started to talk?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank you that you see everything. Thank you that you watch over me, even when I cannot see you. Help me to listen to you, like Balaam finally did. Amen.