Balaam's Donkey: Bible Story for Kids

The Donkey Who Saw

Spiritual Sight
Protection
Humility

Bible reference:: Numbers 22:21-35
Ages:: 3-10
Reading time:: 5 minutes
Pages:: 32

Balaam's donkey, told by the donkey. She has carried her master her whole life and never once refused him. People pay Balaam to speak for God. Yet on this road, it is the donkey who sees what is standing there, and her master who is completely blind.

Good for: Made a Mistake

Read the full illustrated story in the app

The story arc

Four moments that carry the story. Tap any Bible reference to read the passage.

1
THE JOURNEY
Balaam sets out on a journey, riding the faithful donkey who has never disobeyed him.
NUMBERS 22:21-22Read the Bible passage
²¹Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. ²²God’s anger burnt because he went; and the LORD’s angel placed himself in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
NUMBERS 22:21-22 (World English Bible, British Edition)
2
UNSEEN DANGER
An Angel blocks the path. The donkey sees the danger and turns away, but Balaam is blind to it.
NUMBERS 22:23-25Read the Bible passage
²³The donkey saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the path, and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the path. ²⁴Then the LORD’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. ²⁵The donkey saw the LORD’s angel, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. He struck her again.
NUMBERS 22:23-25 (World English Bible, British Edition)
3
UNFAIR BEATING
Balaam angrily punishes the donkey for stopping, not realizing she is saving his life.
NUMBERS 22:26-27Read the Bible passage
²⁶The LORD’s angel went further, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. ²⁷The donkey saw the LORD’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burnt, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
NUMBERS 22:26-27 (World English Bible, British Edition)
4
EYES OPENED
God opens the donkey's mouth, and then opens Balaam's eyes to see the terrifying truth.
NUMBERS 22:28-31Read the Bible passage
²⁸The 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?” ²⁹Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.” ³⁰The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long until today? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?” He said, “No.” ³¹Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the LORD’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
NUMBERS 22:28-31 (World English Bible, British Edition)

Core truths

SIGHT

We need God to open our eyes to see what is real and true.

THE OPEN EYES BADGE

Awarded for understanding God's unseen protection.

PROTECTION

God is always working to protect us from dangers we cannot even see.

Why it matters

Shifts the focus from a ‘funny talking animal’ to a profound lesson on spiritual blindness.
Comforts anxious children by showing that God protects us even when we don't realize it.
Teaches that you don't have to be a ‘great leader” to see God; you just need a humble heart.