Use this free children’s sermon and Sunday School Bible lesson for kids when teaching about Balaam’s Donkey (Numbers 22:1-40). Don’t miss the related Bible craft ideas on this Bible story.
Look Who’s Talking! – Biblical Beasts: Balaam’s Donkey
Main Objective: A talking donkey seems like a bizarre method of getting someone’s attention, but God used one in the Bible! This message reviews the remarkable account of Balaam and his donkey, an animal that became God’s instrument of warning and protection. God uses various means to open our eyes and hearts, and it’s important to be receptive to His words and instruction.
Law/Gospel Theme: At first glance, this story can be confusing, and seems to indicate harsh consequences of disobedience to God’s instructions. However, we see that the Lord was at work throughout the events of Balaam’s journey and interactions with Balak. He provided protection and salvation for Balaam (through the mouth of a donkey!), just as He protects and saves us. When we listen for His voice and look for His hand in all things, we can recognize that He is always with us.
Note: This lesson is the first in a series on “Biblical Beasts,” remarkable stories of animals that God used in various ways.
Optional Materials: Pictures of various animals.
Bible Passage: Numbers 22:1-40
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs.
Greet children, and invite them to consider various animal sounds.
Hello, children of God!
Do you like animals? Do you think you’re pretty familiar with the sounds that animals make? Let’s try this: I am going to show you some pictures of animals, and I want you to see if you can identify what sound the animal makes. Hold up various pictures of animals, and encourage students to identify the animal and the sound that it makes. Use a donkey for one of the animals. Now, do you think it would be strange if a donkey, or any of these animals, started talking to you in language that you could understand? That would probably seem kind of bizarre. But what if I told you that there is a true account from the Bible where that happened! Really. In Numbers 22, we read about a donkey who spoke to her owner.
The story starts with a man named Balak, who was the leader of the Moabite people. The Moabites were enemies of the Israelites, God’s people. Balak looked around and realized that there were a lot of Israelites. He worried that they might get too numerous and powerful, so he decided to have a curse called on them! Balak sent for a man named Balaam, who was known to have some power when it came to calling blessings and curses. God told Balaam that he couldn’t curse the people of Israel, though, because they were His chosen people. So Balaam told Balak that he wouldn’t go with him. Balak came again and offered Balaam a lot of money. God told Balaam he could go with Balak, but could only speak what God commanded. So Balaam went, but something remarkable happened along the way.
As Balaam was riding his donkey to go with Balak’s people, the donkey began to act strangely. First, she started veering away into a field. Balaam hit her to get her to go again, but then later she led him into a narrow alley and squished his leg against a wall. He beat her again. Then she decided to lie down in the middle of the road! Finally, after the third time, the donkey started talking. She turned to Balaam and asked why he kept hitting her. She reminded him that this was not her usual behavior, and she had been a faithful donkey for years. Then God opened Balaam’s eyes to something that previously only the donkey could see. Balaam realized there was an angel blocking the path, with a sword! If the donkey hadn’t prevented Balaam from going on, the angel would have struck him down. Balaam realized that God was using his donkey to save and direct him! The angel reminded Balaam to only speak as God directed, and he continued on to meet Balak.
This is a strange story. We normally think of talking animals in fantasy tales, not the Bible! But it reminds us that God can do anything. Sometimes He uses unusual means to get our attention. Maybe not talking donkeys, but God can use circumstances and people to guide us. Things don’t always go quite as we might want or expect them to go, and we may not understand why, but God is at work! He leads us to obey and to follow Him, if we are open to His guidance. He can speak through events, through people we know, and, of course, through His word! The Bible tells us how God wants us to live. When we read it, and when we pray and ask for God’s guidance, we can understand His will and His desires, and live accordingly.
Let’s pray now and ask God to help us understand His will and obey it.
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for guiding us in our lives.
Help us to understand and follow your will
And be obedient to your Word.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message. And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these. And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me.’” But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more. So you, too, please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.” And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.
But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he struck her again. Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the Lord 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?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lordstanding in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.” Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.” And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you.” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.
When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border. And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.” Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him. -Numbers 22:1-40
Biblical Beasts: Look Who’s Talking!
Sunday School Lesson on Balaam and his Donkey
This lesson features an unusual account from the Bible where we see God give an animal human speech, at least temporarily. It is a fun and unique story to share with kids, and it’s also a great reminder of how God can speak to us in a number of ways. Understanding His word and listening for His voice help us to obey Him.
This lesson is the first in a series on Biblical beasts, animals that God used as part of His special plans for His people.
Passage: Numbers 22:1-40
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade (See notes for specific age modifications)
Materials Needed: Recordings of animal noises, puppets,
Lesson Opening: This lesson is a great opportunity to get started with fun games or animal activities. Here are some openers to get kids thinking (select the best ones for your audience and age group):
- Name that Animal: Play recordings of various different animals, and challenge students to recognize and name the animal making the noise. You might also play animal charades or have students make an animal noise (instead of just acting out) to guess the animal.
- Pin the tail (or mouth) on the donkey: to celebrate Balaam’s donkey, have students play a fun round of pin the tail on the donkey (or pin the mouth on the donkey, since the one in the story was talking).
- Mr. Ed: find a YouTube clip of the old Mr. Ed show, because…well, it fits the theme!
- Left, right, down: As the donkey moved different ways across the road, play a variation on “red light/green light” that also highlights the importance of obedience. Have students move across a room, and call out various instructions for them to turn to the right, to the left, or stop and lie down in the “road.” See who follows the instructions correctly and who makes it across the room fastest.
- Balak Says/God Says: Play this variation on Simon Says. Instead of having students follow the directions of “Simon,” have them obey if the directions are preceded by “God says,” and have them not obey if the caller begins with “Balak Says.”
- Watch your Words: Talk about the importance of being careful with the words we say and the things we do. In the story, Balaam yelled at his donkey, and was asked to curse God’s people (which he refused to do). We want to honor the Lord with the words that we utter and how we treat people.
Explain to students that today’s lesson is about obedience and listening to God. God does amazing things when we are willing to trust Him.
Bible Lesson:
Explain that this story took place when God’s people, the Israelites, were often at odds with enemy people. God was with the Israelites, and He used amazing methods to help and protect them.
This is a great story to act out, or act with puppets.
Note: This story covers a fair amount of text. Select the elements that you wish to highlight, or paraphrase as you describe the story.
Ask: Have you ever said or done something that you later regretted? Why is it important to be careful with our words?
Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” -Numbers 22:1-6
This account begins with a king who was worried and upset about God’s people, the Israelites. Balak was worried that God’s people would gain too much power. He went to a man named Balaam (very similar names; it’s a little confusing), who was known to have power to call blessings and curses upon others. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the people of God so that they wouldn’t succeed at anything, and could be defeated.
So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak’s message. And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.” So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.” -Numbers 22:7-14
Balaam very wisely asked God what he should do, prior to going with Balak and cursing the Israelites. We should always ask the Lord what to do before we act on important decisions! God told Balaam not to go with Balak, because the people of Israel were blessed by the Lord, and He didn’t want Balaam to call down curses on them. So Balaam refused to follow Balak’s orders. But the Moabite wasn’t denied so easily.
Ask: What are some things that you need to ask God about before pursuing? How can we know what He says?
Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these. And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Come, curse this people for me.’” But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more. So you, too, please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.” And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. -Numbers 22:15-21
Balak doubled down on his pleas for help. He sent more people, and money, to Balaam, begging him to go with the people and do Balak’s bidding. The interesting thing here is that this time, God instructs Balaam to go with the men. However, He also tells Balaam only to do what God tells him.
But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he struck her again. Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the Lord 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?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lordstanding in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live.” Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back.” And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you.” So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.
-Numbers 22:22-35
It’s a little confusing to note that God told Balaam to go with Balak’s men, but then seems to have changed His mind and suddenly become angry. But really, Balaam shouldn’t have needed to consult the Lord a second time, and knew that going with Balak would cause trouble. God placed a road block in Balaam’s way, but at first he didn’t see it. His donkey did, though, and tried to prevent Balaam from walking right into the angel’s sword. Three times the donkey led Balaam off-course, and three times Balaam grew angry at her. Finally, God allowed her to speak to her master, asking why he was so upset and why he beat her. Balaam doesn’t seem surprised by the talking donkey (or maybe he was, but the Bible doesn’t give us that detail), and spoke back to her. Then, though, he realized the reason for her behavior, and also realized that he had disobeyed God. He was willing to turn around and go back, but the angel allowed him to continue, emphasizing that he should only speak what God allowed (and no longer abuse animals).
When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, on the border formed by the Arnon, at the extremity of the border. And Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send to you to call you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you! Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that must I speak.” Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent for Balaam and for the princes who were with him.
-Numbers 22:36-40
Ask: Have you ever obeyed God when it meant doing something unpopular or going against the crowd?
Balaam went to meet Balak, but again told him that he could not speak anything contrary to what God commanded. Balaam not only wouldn’t bend to Balak’s pressures, but couldn’t. He knew that no one could curse those who God had blessed. This story reminds us that God is with those who love Him, and protects us. It’s also a neat look into how God uses surprising methods to work His will. He made a donkey talk in order to protect and help Balaam! He might not make our pets talk, but He can speak through other people in our lives, and especially through His Word, the Bible, to instruct us how to obey and serve Him.
Review questions about the lesson:
- Why was it wrong for Balaam to do what Balak asked?
- What do you think you would say or do if an animal started talking?
- How does God protect us today? How does He speak to us?
Close with prayer, asking God to help us listen for His voice and obey Him.
