Part 1 of a two part sermon on this story.

Israel has come to the border of the Promised Land. They are almost there!  Already, in chapter 21, Israel has defeated two kings in battle. And now the third, Balak, King of Moab, seeks to defeat Israel by hiring a spiritual soldier to curse them. Balaam is his name, and he comes, after being waylaid by a talking donkey and the Angel of the Lord, only to bless instead of curse the people...