The Way
Balaam and the Donkey
Blessing pours from a mouth that came to curse
Story
Israel camped on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho. Looking down on that great multitude, Balak king of Moab trembled with fear. He sent for Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor by the Euphrates. Envoys came with the fee for divination in their hands and delivered Balak's message. Come and curse this people for me. I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.
At first the Lord told Balaam not to go, but when envoys of higher rank came again, the Lord let him go, as long as he said only what he was told. Balaam rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey and set out. But suddenly the donkey turned off the road into a field. Between the vineyard walls she pressed against the wall and crushed her master's foot, and on a narrower path still she simply lay down. Each time, Balaam flew into a rage and beat her. Only the donkey could see the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword. Then the Lord opened the donkey's mouth, and she spoke. What have I done to you, that you have beaten me three times? Only then were Balaam's eyes opened, and seeing the angel, he fell face down.
Balak took Balaam up to high places, built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each. But every time Balaam opened his mouth, blessing poured out instead of curse. How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, how fair your dwellings, Israel. A star will come out of Jacob, and a sceptre will rise from Israel. Balak struck his hands together in fury, but Balaam got up and went back to his own home.
Walk this scene on the map →God's Words
Do not go with them. You must not curse that people, for they are blessed.
Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them. But say only what I tell you.
I see him, but not now; I look at him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter will rise out of Israel.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Num 22:1–24:25
Background
A plaster inscription found in 1967 at Deir Alla in the Jordan Valley mentions a seer named Balaam son of Beor. Written around the eighth century BC, it shows that Balaam was long remembered east of the Jordan. Pethor is thought to have been near the upper Euphrates.
Pause and Reflect
Am I dressing up my own greed as God's will?