Balaam

Facts

Balaam was a pagan prophet during the time when the Israelites were camped at the Jordan River, preparing to enter the land of Canaan.

Balaam was from the city of Pethor, which was located in the region around the Euphrates River.
The Midianite king, Balek, was afraid of the strength and numbers of the Israelites, so he hired Balaam to curse them.
God sent an angel to stop Balaam and didn't allow him to curse Israel, but instead commanded him to bless them.
God stopped Balaam from doing this by sending an angel to stand in his path so that his donkey refused to continue.
In obedience to God's instructions, Balaam ended up blessing the Israelites instead of cursing them.
One of the most remarkable parts of the story is that God gave the donkey the ability to speak to Balaam.