Today's reading offers a "Mr. Ed" moment. A foreign king, Balak, asks one of his court prophets to curse the Israelites. But Balaam has reasons to resist. However, he still goes out with people meant to intimidate the Israelites. God sends an angel to stand in Balaam's way, but only the donkey can see it at first. When the donkey stops, Balaam gets increasingly angry, striking the animal, which eventually speaks and asks why he should be treated so. After this, Balaam will return to Balak and offer a prophecy of God's favor to the Israelites.
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