King Balak Looses

By Mary Vee
Numbers 23:26-24:25

Balaam's Thoughts

King Balak wouldn't listen. Twice he took me to the top of mountain peaks to look at the Israelites below. Twice we offered sacrifices to the Lord on those mountains. And twice the Lord told me to bless the Israelites.


King Balak wouldn't listen either time. "Didn't I tell you, King Balak, 'All the Lord says, I must do?'"


He told me to go with him to the top of a third peak. This time we had to climb Mount Peor. King Balak pointed to the wilderness. "See the Israelites, Balaam? Maybe God will be pleased and let you curse the Israelites from here."


Really? Doesn't he realize God's power? I told him on the last mountain, "God keeps His word. If he chooses to bless the Israelites, He will tell me to bless them."


It didn't matter. He made me climb Mount Peor anyway.  Once again I asked for seven altars to be built for sacrifices. He had his soldiers make them. When we finished the sacrifices, King Balak expected me to go off by myself to speak with the Lord like I did the other two times.


I'm not sure why I decided to obey God that third time, but I chose to stay and do the job God asked me to do. I mean, God made His message easy enough to understand: bless the Israelites. I have no idea why I didn't do it sooner. I turned toward the wilderness, raised my eyes, and saw the people of Israel camped in twelve groups. 


My heart pounded faster. I knew I had please the Lord this time by not asking Him if the Israelites should be cursed. He sent His Spirit to me and gave me these words to say right in front of King Balak:

Israel your tents are lovely like wide valleys, 

like gardens near the riverside, 

like healing aloe plants, 

and strong cedar trees. 

Your kingdom will be exalted. 

God brought you out of Egypt. 

The Lord has strength like a wild ox, 

He will fight the enemies and win. 

Blessed are those who bless you 

and cursed are those who curse you.

King Balak's face turn bright red. He slapped his hands together and shouted, "I called you to curse my enemies and you--you brought blessings on them three times."  


He raised his fist in the air then pointed away from the Israelites. "Go home. Run before I let my anger win. I said I would give you great honors, but now I see the Lord kept you from honor."


I didn't think the Lord kept me from honor. After seeing King Balak's anger, I think the Lord gave me a great honor by allowing me to bless the Israelites.


"King Balak, I told the messengers you sent to my home of my commitment to do what the Lord said. Even if You gave me your house full of silver and gold I would not go against the word of the Lord. Whatever He tells me to say or do, I will obey.


Before I left for home, I told Balak what the Israelites would do to his people. "A great leader will come from Israel who will destroy your country."


When I finished my message, I left. I didn't take any gold, or silver, or treasures--only my faithful donkey. And do you know how I felt on the inside? HAPPY.


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1. Where did King Balak take Balaam this time?
2. What did he want Balaam to do?
3. Balaam did something different this time, what did or didn't he do?
4. What honor did Balaam receive?
5. Why was Balaam happy?
6. What did you learn from this story? 

King Balak is NOT Happy

By Mary Vee
Numbers 23:13-26

King Balak's Thoughts

I hired Balaam the priest to come and curse the Israelite people because their God helped them win battles. Yes, I wanted to conquer the Israelites.


I sent officials and the finest princes from Moab to his home in the far north. OK, he wouldn't come the first time. He sent some crazy message about the Lord not giving him permission to curse my Israelite enemies. 


No, I don't worship the Israelite God. I realized Balaam must have wanted greater gifts than I sent the first time. So, I sent much more money with a promise to give other treasured gifts when he finished the job. Ha. As I expected, Balaam came to my palace with the princes.


Naturally, I assumed he would curse the Israelites when he arrived. I took him to a high peak on a mountain and showed him all the people. "Look, Balaam. See all the Israelites. Their God helped them conquer each army they've fought."


I couldn't help but sigh. "Balaam, please, I beg you. Their God will conquer us if you don't curse them."  Do you know what he did? He went off to pray to the Lord, walked back to the mountain peak where I stood, and blessed the Israelites!  My enemy. Balaam the priest blessed them right in front of me.


I rubbed my hands together in frustration then thought of a new idea. "Balaam, come with me to another place. From there you will see a part of the Israelites. If you curse only some of the Israelites I will still give you great gifts. Come with me to see them."


Sweat poured down my face as I waited for his answer.  Boy, was I happy when he agreed to go. I took him to the top of Mount Pisgah and offered the sacrifices he asked me to make, then waited while he walked to a private place again to pray to the Lord.  


The air cooled before he returned. "What did the Lord say to you this time?"


Balaam came near and looked out at the Israelite people. "King Balak, God doesn't lie and He doesn't change His mind. I have been commanded to bless the Israelites. I cannot change what God says to do. He has blessed the Israelites." He said a blessing for my enemies again.


I had my own gods to worship. I couldn't listen to the words of  the Israelite God, nor would I worship Him. "If you can't curse them, then don't bless them.  Saying nothing is better blessing them.


Balaam pointed his eyebrows down and smacked the ground with his staff. "Didn't I tell you I could only speak the words of the Lord? Everything He tells me to say, I must say. The God of the Israelites has blessed them, King Balak."


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King Balak will try to the talk Balaam the priest into saying a curse for the Israelites one last time in the next story. What do you think will happen?


King Balak worshipped many other gods. He didn't believe in the one true God who created Heaven and earth like the Israelites. He didn't believe God would send his Son to pay for our sins. 


The Bible says: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.


1. What did King Balak do wrong?
2. What did he need to do?
3. Who disobeyed King Balak but obeyed God?
4. How did Balaam the priest make King Balak angry?
5. What if someone gave you money or what every you wanted if you would disobey God. What would you do. (Be sure to ask you parents, pastor, or feel free to email me with any questions.) 

The Blessed Curse

By Mary Vee
Numbers 22:38-23:12

King Balak's Thoughts

Balaam's finally here.  He has no respect for a king's command. Any other person would have dropped everything and ran to my palace after high ranking officials visited his home.  


Could he feel honored like any other normal person? Noooo. If his reputation hadn't been so great I would have never wasted my time sending anyone else.  


Since he refused to come to palace, I thought he wanted more money.  Fine. I thought. I sent the highest princes from Moab to his home with a bag full of money.  This time Balaam agreed. Just as I'd thought. Everyone has their price.


He arrived last night looking ragged from the journey, so I gave him food and a place to rest. This morning I took him to one of the highest peaks overlooking the Israelite camp.  I knew he'd understand my concern when he saw their huge numbers camped in the valley.


Balaam looked far to the left then far to the right. "The Israelites are too great to number! I want you to build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams."


I felt he made a reasonable request. "Captain, see to his request. Do so quickly."


"Yes, my Lord."


The altars, bulls, and rams didn't take long to prepare. Balaam and I stood by each other to offer one bull and one ram on each of the seven altars. I brushed my hands together. "Is that it? Will you curse the Israelites, now?"


Balaam stroke his beard then looked down at the Israelites. "Stay by the altars. I'll go to a place alone. Maybe the Lord will visit me with a message."


At last! Action would be taken against the Israelites. Balaam's God must be pleased with the sacrifices we made. He'll come back with the curse for sure. "I'll wait."  


I'm not sure how far he went, but he was gone for more than an hour. I didn't care. To have the Israelites cursed would be worth the wait. He finally returrned. "Did your God give you a message, perhaps a curse for the Israelites?"


"Yes, King Balak."  He turned toward the Israelites in the valley. "King Balak of Moab brought me from the mountains of the east to curse the Israelites. How can I curse what God hasn't cursed? How can I condemn whom the Lord hasn't condemn? I see the Israelites from the top of the rocks and from the hills. They live by themselves, not putting themselves with any other country.  Who can count all the Israelites or even number a part of them? Let my end be like the Israelites."


That was no curse.  I ran my hands through my hair. "That was no curse, Balaam. What do you mean by those words? You have blessed them completely!"


Balaam sighed. "I can only say what the Lord tells me to say."


Maybe he misunderstood. "Let's me take you to another place."


Balaam bowed. "As you wish, my Lord."


Come back next time to see what Balaam did next.


King Balak


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1.  Who came to visit King Balak?
2.  What did King Balak want him to do?
3.  What did Balaam ask King Balak to get ready?
4.  What message did God give?

Balaam's Faithful Donkey

By Mary Vee

Numbers 22: 22-37

Balaam's  Thoughts

My servants had provisions packed for the trip to Moab shortly after I awoke. The princes seemed quite desperate for me to leave as soon as possible. 

While traveling, I thought about the money the princes paid when I agreed to go last night. They also promised treasures from King Balak after I completed the work. Finally, I’d have money to buy what I wanted. 

My stomach bothered me this morning.  Maybe the Lord was telling me to stay home.  Oh well, I'd accepted the money, which meant I had to go to Moab, sick stomach or not.

At noon, my donkey refused to stay on the road. I nudged her forward, but she wouldn't go. I kicked and jiggled the reigns. That bad donkey took off into the field on the side of the road! 

I don't know what got into her, but I needed to catch up to the princes before they left me behind. I beat my donkey. "Get back on the road. Now."  She obeyed me, at last.  

I nudged her to go faster. After a while, we neared the princes and I felt much better. 

The road narrowed ahead. Vineyards grew close to the road. The owner put up a wall to keep vines from spilling over. Once again, I pressed my donkey to move forward. She bobbled back and forth and shook her head. I couldn't believe she gave me more trouble. 

I kicked her sides and jiggled the reins again. Her hind legs danced to the left ahead of her front legs. She moved closer and closer to the wall until she smashed my foot between her body and the bricks. "Ow!"

I beat her with my stick again. This donkey needed to learn to obey. "Get back on the road. Now."

I hurried her to catch up to the princes.  Over the next hill the road narrowed tighter. We had to ride one behind the other in order to pass through.  My donkey slowed. The princes kept going as if they hadn't noticed we fell behind. No way would I let the donkey be naughty again. 

I nudged her to keep moving. She stopped then plopped down to the ground. There wasn't any room for me to get off! I beat her. "Get up. Get up. Now!"   

Then the most amazing thing happened. She turned her head toward me and said, "What have I done to you to make you hit me these three times?"

  

I couldn’t believe my ears! I looked around and realized my donkey talked. "Well, you've disobeyed me three times. I wish I had a sword to kill you."

She blinked and her ears drooped. "Haven't I been faithful? Have I disobeyed you before today? 

I shrugged. "Well, no." At that instant I saw a bright figure standing before me.  I rubbed my eyes and blinked twice. Before me stood an angel with a sword drawn, ready to attack me! I fell on my face.

The Angel of the Lord said, "Why did you hit your donkey three times? You chose to please King Balak and disobey Me. If your donkey had not turned to the side, I would have killed you by now and let her live."

My heart pounded and I could barely breath. "Oh Lord. I now see my sin. I’m sorry. I'll return home."

The Angel of the Lord shook his head. "Go with the men, but make sure you speak only the words I tell you." Then Angel of the Lord disappeared.

I took a deep breath then continued on the road.

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1. What did the Moabite princes give Balaam?

2. Where was Balaam going? Why?

3. Who did Balaam think disobeyed him?

4. Why did Balaam’s donkey plop on the ground?

5. What did Balaam do wrong?

6. What did the Angel of the Lord tell him to do?

Balaam's Temptation

By Mary Vee

Numbers 22:14-21

Balaam's Thoughts

More than a week had passed since the officials from Moab came.  I sat down to eat my dinner in my favorite chair, put my feet up then heard a knock on the door. Why must visitors come at dinner time?

This time a larger group of men stood outside my door. They had clothes like important princes from some kingdom.  I opened the door further, "Yes? May I help you?"

One standing in front bowed. "You're Balaam the priest, correct?"

"Yes, I am."

He pointed to the other men. "We are princes from Moab. We've come to ask your help."

I was surprised. I didn't help the official who came the last time. Why would King Balak send more people to me? And why did he choose to send princes? He must be desperate.  I waved them inside. "How may I assist you?"

The men came in. "Our business is urgent. We don't wish to sit until you agree to help." 

"Very well. What do you need?"

The man pulled out a bag of money and held it close to me. "King Balak needs you to curse the people camped near our country. They have travelled from Egypt and are powerful. He doesn't want anything to keep you from coming back to Moab with us. He promises to honor you greatly, and will do whatever you say. He asks that you please come to curse the people who have settled in the land next to us."

Their eyes showed their fear.  I realized the people who came from Egypt must truly be great. 

I shook my head. "It doesn't matter how many times you ask. Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold I simply couldn't do any more or less than the word given to me from the Lord my God."

They sighed and held the bag of money closer. "Please?"

It would have be rude of me to throw them out at such a late hour. "Here. Stay the night and rest. I'll ask the Lord again to see if he has anything else to say."

The princes bowed. "Thank you. Thank you."

I went to my usual meeting place with the Lord and asked if there was anything else He wanted to me to do for the men from Moab. 

The Lord said, "If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but only do what I tell you to do."

I knew God was angry by the way He spoke. He gave me clear instructions the first time. I shouldn't have asked him a second time, but I couldn't resist. The princes came all the way from Moab and they had money.

So I left with the princes the next morning.

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1.  Why did King Balak send princes to Balaam's home?

2.  What did King Balak promise to give Balaam if he came?

3.  Why was God angry?

4.  What did Balaam decide to do?

5.  Did God want him to do that?

Balaam's Unusual Visitors

By Mary Vee
Numbers 22:5-13

Balaam's Thoughts

I'd had a long day and was looking forward to putting my feet up while eating my supper. Yes siree, a good day's work felt good. I cooked my food then enjoyed the meal in my favorite chair. 


It seemed like the perfect night to go to bed early, until a knock at the door changed my mind. 


A group of men, dressed like officials stood outside my home. I opened the door further. "Yes? May I help you?"


One of the officials stroke his beard. "You're Balaam the priest, right?"


"Yes. I am."


"We've traveled all the way from Moab with an important matter to discuss and are willing to pay for your help. May we come in?"


I waved them inside. "Yes, of course. You've journeyed hundreds of miles. Come in."


The officials found places to sit and looked at me. Their eyebrows showed their concern. "We need your help. Our king has heard those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."


"What are you asking me to do?"


"There's a people who've traveled from Egypt to our border. Our king looked from one of our mountain peaks and saw the people covered the land below like bees in a hive.  They've settled next to our land. King Balak asks you to come at once to curse these people."


He held his hands out and leaned forward. "Balaam, their army is too might for us.  They'll conquer us in a short time. but, with your curse, we might be able to defeat them and drive them away."


Well, I couldn't answer a question like that on my own. The giving of curses or blessings only came from the Lord. "You must be tired after the long journey. Stay here for the night and restore your energy.  I'll go before the Lord and ask Him what should be done."


They agreed. While they slept I meet with the Lord. He spoke first, "Who are these men with you?"


I had to admit I didn't know much about them. "Balak the king of Moab sent these men to me. They want me to go to Moab to curse a people camping on their border."


God said, "You will not go with them. You are not to curse the people because I have blessed them."


Well, that was simple. I got up early the next morning to give the men the Lord's answer. "God has not given me permission to go with you to Moab. He said I should not curse the people camping on your border. You'll have to return to King Balak without me."


The officials left right away, but they weren't happy.  Did they really expect me to disobey the Lord?


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This is not the end of the story. King Balak won't give up.  

Come back next time to see what happens next.

1.  Who was the king of Moab?
2.  Why was the king upset?
3.  To solve the problem he sent officials to get _________________.  Why?
4.  What did God say?