Balaam's Donkey Speaks

When King Balak of Moab saw the large Israelite army approaching, he was very afraid. He sent elders with a generous reward to ask the diviner Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. God warned Balaam not to go, and at first Balaam refused. Balak then sent more distinguished messengers and promised a greater reward. Balaam was swayed by greed, so God allowed him to go but told him to say only what God commanded. Balaam set out on his donkey, but God's messenger stood in the road with a sword. The donkey saw the messenger and turned aside three times, while Balaam could not see him and angrily beat the donkey. God enabled the donkey to speak and ask Balaam why he had beaten her. Then Balaam's eyes were opened; he saw the messenger holding the sword, fell facedown, and confessed his sin.