Numbers 22 teaches children that God is in charge of every situation, even when a king and a prophet think they can get what they want. Children ages 5 to 11 can follow this lesson in about 20 to 30 minutes, using a short story, a memory verse with a motion, and a few simple activities.
Big Idea
God is always in control, and nothing can stop him from keeping his promises to his people. Even a donkey can see what God wants us to see.
Memory Verse
Numbers 22:12
God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.”
(WEB)
Hold both hands out flat, like a cup, then slowly lift them up high above your head. Say the words together while you lift, to show that God is higher than anything we face.
The Story: Numbers 22 for Kids
The people of Israel had been walking through the wilderness for a long time, and now they had camped on the plains of Moab. The king of Moab, whose name was Balak, was very worried. He had seen what Israel had done to other nations, and he was scared of how many people there were.
Balak sent messengers to a man named Balaam, who lived far away. Balak wanted Balaam to come and put a curse on the people of Israel. Balaam told the messengers to stay the night while he asked God what to do. That night God spoke to Balaam and said, “You must not go with them. Do not curse these people, because they are blessed.”
The next morning, Balaam told the king’s men to go home. But Balak sent even more important princes with more gifts, and he promised to honor Balaam very much. Balaam said he could not do anything that went against God’s word, even if the king gave him a whole house full of silver and gold. God then told Balaam he could go, but only to say what God told him to say.
Balaam set out on his donkey with the princes. But God was angry because Balaam was going, and an angel of the Lord stood in the road with a sword in his hand. The donkey saw the angel three times and turned away from the road each time. Each time, Balaam became angry and hit the donkey.
Then God opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said, “What have I done to you? Why have you hit me three times?” Balaam was so surprised he answered her. Then God opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel too. Balaam bowed down and said he was sorry, and he promised to say only what God told him.
Read It Together
Numbers 22:22-23
22 God’s anger burned because he went; and the LORD’s angel placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 The 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.
(WEB)
Point out that the donkey could see the angel, but Balaam could not at first. Ask children why they think God let the donkey see what Balaam could not, and remind them that God sees everything.
Numbers 22:28
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?”
(WEB)
Talk about how surprising it was that the donkey spoke. Explain that God can use anything, even an animal, to get a message across to people who are not listening well.
Numbers 22:38
Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.”
(WEB)
Point out that Balaam admitted he could only say what God puts in his mouth. Encourage children to think about how they can listen to God and do what he asks.
Talk About It
- What do you think Balak was feeling when he heard about the people of Israel?
- Why did God tell Balaam not to go with the king’s men?
- How do you think the donkey felt when she was hit three times?
- Why did Balaam say he was sorry after he saw the angel?
- What is one way you can listen to God when you want to do something different?
Activity Ideas
Donkey Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue. Have each child draw a donkey standing in a road, with an angel with a sword beside it. Let them glue cotton balls or torn tissue paper onto the donkey for fluffy fur. Ask them to tell you what the donkey saw that Balaam did not see at first.
Stop and Go Game
You will need an open space and a helper or two. Stand at one end of the room as the “angel” and hold up a paper sword or a rolled-up towel. Children walk toward you as Balaam’s donkey, and each time they reach a certain point, they must stop and turn away, just like the donkey in the story. Let them take turns so everyone can be the donkey.
Donkey Reminder at Home
You will need a sticky note or index card and a marker. Have the child write or draw a small donkey with a word or picture of an angel on it. Tape it to a place they will see each day, such as a bedroom door or a bathroom mirror. Encourage them to say the memory verse with the motion whenever they see it.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that God is not limited by human plans. Balak and Balaam both wanted to use power and money to get their way, but God’s purposes stood firm, and his people were protected. Adults can take comfort that God sees what we may miss and that he speaks in many ways.
Avoid telling children that the donkey was the only one who understood God’s plan, or that Balaam was simply bad. The text shows Balaam learning to listen and apologizing, so keep the focus on God’s faithfulness rather than on making anyone a villain.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you see everything and you are always in control. Help us to listen when you speak, and to do what you ask us to do. Thank you that your promises never fail. Amen.
