The Bible Story Vol 2_w.pdf - Herbert W. Armstrong

given up the idea of hearing from him , and started preparing to return to
their native lands. Balaam's decision was direct disobedience, because he
was commanded originally not to go unless the princes came for him that
next morning.
"Go quickly to the lodging place of the princes," Balaam instructed a
servant . "If they are yet there, tell them that they need wait no longer for
word from me. If they have already gone, overtake them and tell them
that I shall join them."
A little while later the ser vant returned to report that th e caravan
was about to leave Pethor, and that the princes were surprised, but
looking forward eagerly to Balaam joining them on the trail.
Bala am instructed his servants to prepare a burro for him and
provisions for a long journey for three people-himself and two servants.
(Verse 21.) A short time later Balaam's group joined the caravan on its
way to Moab and Midian.
Suddenly Balaam's burro lunged off the trail and into a field, almost
throwing its rider. Angered by the animal's unusual action, Balaam lifted
the rod he was carrying, and violently struck th e burro on one of its
flanks to force it back onto the trail. The animal, however, kept on
heading out into the field. Balaam was furious.
His fury would have swift ly melted away if he could have been aware
of what had st artled the burro. An angel bearing a sharp sword was
standing in the road! He had made himself visible only to the burro,
which finally, because of Balaam's angry shouts and gouging heels,
started back toward the road. The angel swift ly moved and stationed
himself before the donkey between two vineyard walls bordering a pathway
leading back to the road. (Verses 22-24.)
T o bypass the angel, the burro lunged to the side, this time painfully
jamming her master's foot and cru shing it against the wall. Balaam
vengefully struck the burro on the neck with his staff, as the animal
staggered fearfully forward. The angel again stationed himself further
down the narrowing path. When the burro saw it could not get by the
angel, it collapsed with fright and nervousness at being so close to the
ominous figure of an angel of God. What little patience Balaam had left
came to an abru pt end. He leaped up and brought the staff down on the
animal's back with all his strength.
The Burro Speaks!
With God all things are possible . (Mark 10:27.) The burro opened
her mouth and spoke her th oughts as th ough with a human voice!
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