Down on the Farm
Balaam’s Talking Donkey
Sample Lesson 2
Scripture:
Numbers 22:1-35 (Numbers 22-24 for further understanding)
Objective:To teach the importance of obedience to God
Memory Verse: Acts 5:29b - “. . . We ought to obey God rather than men.”
INTRODUCTION: Have you ever asked your mom or dad for something and they said “No” but you did it anyway? Soon after you did it, you found out WHY they said “No” in the first place.
A man in the Bible named Balaam did this very thing. But, he didn’t say “No” to his parents, he said “No” directly to God!
IBALAAM’S VISITORSNumbers 22:1-8
A.Balak, King of Moab
God’s people, the children of Israel, had just conquered yet another city. They had moved right into the land of Moab. King Balak was getting worried. He had heard that these people were unbeatable in battle and there were at least two million of them. If something didn’t stop them, he and his land would be next!
B.Messengers from Balak
One day Balaam, God’s prophet, had some very important visitors from King Balak. They were princes of the land of Moab. They brought a message to Balaam from the king. Balaam was to come with them to Moab and curse this huge group of people. For his trouble the king offered huge rewards. The princes even exaggerated the message some to make the story better. They said there were so many of these people that they covered the face of the earth. Because they are so mighty, the king wanted Balaam to put a curse on them so they would not increase in number anymore and could be defeated. King Balak knew that when Balaam, gave a cursing or a blessing it was real because he was a prophet of God.
IIBALAAM’S ORDERSNumbers 22:9-14
Balaam asked the princes to stay overnight and he would pray to God to see what God wanted him to do. God’s answer to Balaam was very plain and simple. God said, “thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not cuse the people: for they are blessed.” So, the next morning Balaam told the princes what God had said and sent them back to Moab.
IIIBALAAM’S DISOBEDIENCENumbers 22:15-22
A.Balaam tempted
When Balak received word that Balaam refused to come, he increased the reward and promised to promote him to a position of great honor. Now, Balaam REALLY wanted to go. The thought of all of this wealth, power and honor was more than he could stand. He went back to ask God again if he could go.
B.Balaam giving in to temptation
Finally, though God had already said no once, He permitted Balaam to go and ONLY say what God told him to say. But, Balaam didn’t stay to hear what it was that God wanted him to say. He immediately took off to go to Moab. The Bible says, “And God’s anger was kindled because he went.” It is not a good thing to have God angry with you!
IVBALAAM’S DONKEYNumbers 22:23-30
A.What the donkey saw
As they were riding to Moab, the donkey saw in her path the Angel of the Lord standing, blocking the path. In His hand was a sword drawn. The poor donkey turned and went into a field to try to get away!
B.What the donkey did
When the donkey turned to the field, Balaam hit her to get her back on the path. The Angel stood in the way in the field of the vineyard. This time there were walls on both sides. The donkey pushed right up to the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot. He hit her again! The Angel went then to a narrow passage and there was no way around and the donkey fell down to the ground. Balaam was so mad he got off the donkey and hit her again!
C.What the donkey SAID!
Balaam was so much out of God’s will now that God had to use a donkey to talk to him. The donkey turned to Balaam and SAID, “What have I done unto thee that thou has smitten me these three times?” The funny think is that Balaam was so angry that he didn’t even think it was odd that his donkey was talking to him! Then, Balaam answered the donkey! After a brief conversation with his donkey, Balaam realized he was wrong. God opened his eyes and now he saw what his donkey saw.
VBALAAM’S REPENTANCE
When Balaam saw the angel with the sword drawn he fell on his face to the ground. The angel of the Lord was angry with Balaam because of his disobedience and would have killed Balaam if the donkey had not turned away those three times. Balaam asked God to forgive his sin of disobedience. He was going to turn back and go home, but God told him to go on and say only what God told him to say.
CONCLUSION:Balaam went on to Moab as God instructed but obeyed every word God said. When Balak showed him the people to curse, Balaam blessed them even more. God again protected His people.
APPLICATION:Our own selfish desires can get in the way of what is right. All we see is what SELF wants to do and God’s will is ignored. Sometimes God has to use very drastic measures to get our attention and make us obey. It is always for our good. How much better it is to obey God the first time and not give in to our own selfish ways. Right now God wants you to obey and accept His Son, Jesus, as your Saviour. He has wonderful things in store for each of you if you will only obey His word and ask Him into your heart and save you. If you have been saved already, He wants you to go on and obey His Word and serve Him faithfully. Will you be obedient to His Word?
