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Balaam’s Donkey


I’m a faithful servant of her owner
given spiritual sight to see
The Angel of the Almighty
standing in the way as adversary

Turning from Him to the field
Balaam struck me to turn back
The Angel prevailed on a narrow path
walls to either side

As a dutiful donkey I pushed against the wall
crushing Balaam’s foot
Enraged at my persistence
he lashed out at me again

The Angel blocked the passage
and then I just lay down
Balaam was so aroused
he struck now with his staff

I, given words to speak
said: “What have I done to you?
You’ve struck me three times
for merely serving you!”

Balaam then said: “If I’d a sword
I’d kill you on the spot”
Then I said: “Have I not served
you without a blot?”

Balaam acknowledged that I
had been without reproach
The Creator then opened his eyes
to behold The Angel with drawn sword

He bowed his head and then fell flat
The Angel speaking to him:
“Why’ve you struck your donkey three times?
your way’s perverse to me!

Your donkey saw Me these three times
and turned away from Me
if she hadn’t, surely you’d be dead
and I’d have set her free!”

Balaam said: “I have sinned
I didn’t know You stood in the way
and that You were against me
on this fateful day!”

I’m a faithful servant of her owner
given spiritual sight to see
The Angel of the Almighty
standing in the way as adversary


Words: K.Botka
10/22/09




Author notes

Nu 22:23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of YAH standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.
24 Then the Angel of YAH stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side.
25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of YAH she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck her again.
26 Then the Angel of YAH went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of YAH, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam's anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28 Then YAH opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"
29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!"
30 So the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?" And he said, "No."
31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of YAH standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.
32 And the Angel of YAH said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me.
33 "The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live."
34 And Balaam said to the Angel of YAH, "I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me.

This Angel of YAH is The Savior preincarnate. This story, when I first read it, amazed me & still does.

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Comments

  • hezakiah
    October 23

    Edit | Reply
    Very nice. I was wondering if anyone was going to write about Balaam's donkey. I was hoping that it would be written from the donkey's viewpoint. Ahh...