The Donkey That Talked

The Israelites were camped near the country of Moab. King Balak was scared of them! 'There are too many Israelites! They'll eat up everything like locusts!' He knew he couldn't beat them in a fight, so he had a sneaky idea. He would hire a man named Balaam to put a curse on Israel.

Balak sent important messengers to Balaam with lots of money. 'Come curse these people for me!' But God told Balaam, 'Don't go. Don't curse Israel. I have blessed them!' So Balaam said no. But Balak sent even MORE important people with promises of great rewards. This time, God let Balaam go, but said, 'Only say what I tell you to say.'

Balaam got on his donkey and started his journey. But God was angry because Balaam's heart wasn't right. God sent an angel to stand in the road with a big sword! The donkey saw the angel and ran off the road into a field. Balaam got mad and hit the donkey.

They went on. The angel stood in a narrow path between walls. The donkey squeezed against the wall, hurting Balaam's foot. Balaam hit her again!

Finally, the angel blocked the whole path. The donkey just lay down! Balaam was furious and beat her with his stick.

Then something AMAZING happened! God made the donkey TALK! 'What did I do wrong? Why did you hit me three times?' The donkey was actually talking!

Balaam yelled at his donkey, 'You made me look foolish! If I had a sword, I'd kill you!' The donkey answered, 'Haven't I always been a good donkey? Have I ever acted like this before?' Balaam had to admit, 'No.'

Then God opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel with the sword! He fell down on his face. The angel said, 'Your donkey saved your life! She saw me when you didn't. If she hadn't stopped, I would have killed you!'

Balaam was sorry. He went on to meet King Balak, but every time Balak asked him to curse Israel, Balaam blessed them instead! God turned the curses into blessings. No one can curse what God has blessed!