Now Balaam’s heart was set against the Lord
As rode he to King Balak on his ass,
So God sent an angel with a drawn sword
To slay the seer should he try to pass.
Though Balaam saw him not, his donkey did
And round him moved lest death her master meet;
Though thrice she saved his life from danger hid,
The seer blind with rage his beast he beat.
When Balaam at the third would have her slain,
God gave the donkey dumb a voice to query,
“Why struck you me?” and made the angel plain
Unto the seer now struck dumb and chary.
With hearts perverse, we’re blinder than a brute;
With lips to curse, before the Lord made mute.
Balaam’s Folly (Numbers 22:22-35)