BALAAM AND THE TALKING DONKEY

(Based on Num 22-24, Deut 23:5-6, Josh 24:9-10,

Neh 13:1-2, 2 Pet 2:15, Jude 11)

Balak, the son of a king,

Summoned Balaam, a pagan priest,

To put a curse on the Israelites,

Who had settled near him to the east.

The Israelites were conquerors,

So the prince was afraid of their horde.

He wanted a hex put on them,

Balaam would call on the Lord.

Balaam supposedly met with success,

When upon gods he would call,

He was paid to bring curses or blessings,

And he called upon them all.

But now he had met the one true God,

Whom he called to by divination.

He boldly asked God to send a curse,

On the whole Israelite nation.

To Balak upon his throne,

God’s denial was firmly relayed.

When asked to curse, Balaam refused,

Was the other message conveyed.

But the prince was more determined--

He wanted those Israelites cursed.

He sent a reward and officials,

More distinguished than the first.

Balaam opened his mouth to accept,

But here’s what the people heard:

“Offer a palace with silver and gold,

But I must obey God’s word.”

God then commanded Balaam,

"Go on, since they summoned you.

But I instruct you to do,

Only what I tell you to do."

God sent an angel to block the way,

So Balaam would learn his lesson.

For he had lived a reckless life;

With the true God he was now messin’.

His donkey’s way was blocked,

By an angel sent by the Lord.

The donkey turned into a field,

For the angel carried a sword.

Balaam beat his donkey and then,

Started down a narrow, walled path.

Balaam’s foot was crushed on the wall;

He again showed the donkey his wrath.

Then the angel moved on ahead,

And completely blocked their way.

The donkey laid down with Balaam on top.

For that, he was made to pay.

The Lord then opened the donkey’s mouth,

To Balaam he began talking.

He asked his master why the beatings,

For he had good reason for balking.

Balaam now saw the angel,

Who was ready to settle the score.

If it hadn’t been for his donkey,

He would be living no more.

Balaam still desired to please Balak,

So he kept on pursuing his quest.

But every time he opened his mouth,

The Israelites were blessed.

Becky Wall