Numbers 22:7-9, 31-35

The leaders of Moab and Midian were soon on their way, with the fee for the cursing tucked safely in their wallets. When they got to Balaam, they gave him Balak’s message. “Stay here for the night,” Balaam said. “In the morning I’ll deliver the answer that GOD gives me.” The Moabite nobles stayed with him. Then God came to Balaam. He asked, “So who are these men here with you?”

Then GOD helped Balaam see what was going on: He saw GOD’s angel blocking the way, brandishing a sword. Balaam fell to the ground, his face in the dirt. GOD’s angel said to him: “Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times? I have come here to block your way because you’re getting way ahead of yourself. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she hadn’t, I would have killed you by this time, but not the donkey. I would have let her off.” Balaam said to GOD’s angel, “I have sinned. I had no idea you were standing in the road blocking my way. If you don’t like what I’m doing, I’ll head back.” But GOD’s angel said to Balaam, “Go ahead and go with them. But only say what I tell you to say—absolutely no other word.” And so Balaam continued to go with Balak’s nobles.