Theophany of Balaam – Part II: The Angel with the Drawn Sword
- Ken Kalis
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
I have never seen an angel, but
In 1982, I was driving down Woodbridge Avenue when the light turned orange, and I slowed down.
A car passed me on my left and I heard a trmendous crash as a huge truck smashed into it.
In 1964, I lost my wallet and spent all day traveling in every place I had been looking for it.
I came into the house and told my Dad. "Let me take a look," he said. "Is this it?" he asked holding my wallet up to me. It was, and Dad was not one to joke about such stuff. Where was it?' I asked. "on the front seat of your car."
Were these angels at work? I don;t know, I have never seen one.
Verse for Today
“Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.” — Numbers 22:31
The Road to Moab/Balaam's Blindness
Last week, we saw Balaam’s first encounter with the living God. Though warned not to go with Balak’s messengers, he yielded to their gold and flattery. God permitted his journey — but not his greedy heart.
Now the story shifts from the prophet’s tent to a dusty road leading toward Moab … and to one of Scripture’s most vivid theophanies.
The Angel Appears
As Balaam rode his donkey, the Angel of the LORD — the same divine Presence who spoke from the burning bush and led Israel in the pillar of fire — stood in the path with a drawn sword.
Balaam couldn’t see Him. But the donkey could.
Three times the donkey turned aside to save her master’s life:
Once into a field,
Once pressing Balaam’s leg against a wall,
And once lying down beneath him.
Three times Balaam struck her with his staff, blind to the danger ahead.
A Donkey’s Rebuke
Then God did a wondrous thing:
“The LORD opened the mouth of the ass.” (Numbers 22:28)
The animal spoke with the reason of a man.
“What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?”
Balaam answered in anger, not awe — as though arguing with a neighbor rather than hearing a miracle!
Then God opened his eyes.
The Theophany
He saw Him — the Angel of the LORD, sword drawn, radiant, terrible in holiness.
The prophet fell on his face.
“Behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me.” — Numbers 22:32
Balaam confessed:
“I have sinned; for I knew not that Thou stoodest in the way against me.”
Even so, his repentance was partial. His heart remained divided — a warning for all who handle holy things without holy fear.
The Meaning of the Drawn Sword
In Scripture, the drawn sword often signals divine judgment:
The cherubim at Eden’s gate (Genesis 3:24),
The Captain of the Host before Jericho (Joshua 5:13-15),
And here, the Angel confronting Balaam’s pride.
Each scene is a theophany of mercy within judgment. The sword is drawn — but not yet fallen. Grace still waits for obedience.
The Prophet’s Test
The Angel allowed Balaam to continue, but under strict command:
“Only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.” (Numbers 22:35)
Thus Balaam went on to Moab, a man with the word of God in his mouth — and greed still in his heart.
Lessons for Us
God Sees Every Hidden Motive. Balaam’s lips said “Thy will be done,” but his heart whispered, “My reward be mine.”
The Lord Speaks in Mercy Before Judgment. Even a donkey’s rebuke was grace — a last call to turn back.
The Drawn Sword Still Warns Us.God’s holiness has not softened with time. The same Christ who called sinners also stood with a sword against self-will.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,Open our eyes when pride blinds us.Restrain us when we run toward gain.Speak through any means necessary — even a donkey — to turn our feet from folly.Let us walk in Your way, not our own.Amen.
Discussion Question
How does the story of Balaam’s donkey reveal both God’s patience and His purity? When has God blocked your path to save you from yourself?
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How blest the righteous are
When they resign their breath!
No wonder Balaam wished to share
In such a happy death.
Oh! let me die, said he,
The death the righteous do;
When life is ended let me be
Found with the faithful few.
The force of truth how great!
When enemies confess,
None but the righteous whom they hate,
A solid hope possess.
But Balaam’s wish was vain,
His heart was insincere;
He thirsted for unrighteous gain,
And sought a portion here.
He seemed the Lord to know,
And to offend Him loth;
But Mammon proved his overthrow,
For none can serve them both.
May you, my friends, and I,
Warning from hence receive;
If like the righteous we would die,
To choose the life they live.
John Newton, 1779
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