The Angel and Balaam

Also known as: Balaam and the Angel, Balaam’s Donkey and the Angel, The Angel of the Lord Opposes Balaam, Balaam’s Journey, The Drawn Sword of the Angel

The confrontation of Numbers 22:22–35, in which the Angel of the Lord stands in the road with a drawn sword to bar the way of the prophet-diviner Balaam, hired by Balak of Moab to curse Israel. The angel is seen first only by Balaam’s donkey, which turns aside three times and is beaten for it, until God gives the animal speech and opens Balaam’s eyes to the sword-bearing angel before him. The encounter shows that even a prophet may be spiritually blind, that humility perceives what pride cannot, and that God’s protection of His covenant people cannot be overturned — Balaam can utter only the blessing God permits.