Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 70 of The Bible in a Year podcast, a program by Ascension Press that guides listeners through The Bible using The Great Adventure Bible timeline. He reads from the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, covering Numbers 22, Deuteronomy 23, and Psalm 105.

The episode focuses on the remarkable story of Balaam, a soothsayer hired by King Balak of Moab to curse the Israelites. The narrative includes the famous miracle of Balaam's talking donkey, which saves his life by seeing an angel he cannot perceive. Father Mike connects this Old Testament story to New Testament warnings about the 'way of Balaam' and teachings from early Church fathers like St. Ambrose about spiritual corruption and the temptation of worldly gain.

Balaam's Dilemma: Divine Command vs. Worldly Temptation

King Balak of Moab hires Balaam to curse Israel, offering increasing wealth and honor when initially refused, demonstrating how worldly powers amplify temptation.

God explicitly tells Balaam 'You shall not curse the people for they are blessed,' yet Balaam continues to entertain the offer when more impressive messengers arrive.

Balaam declares 'Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God,' yet his actions suggest internal conflict.

The Miracle of the Talking Donkey

Balaam's donkey sees the angel of the Lord with a drawn sword three times, each time protecting Balaam by turning aside, while Balaam remains spiritually blind.

The Lord opens the donkey's mouth to speak: 'What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?' - a miraculous intervention that initially doesn't even surprise the angry Balaam.

The angel reveals that without the donkey's protection, 'surely just now I would have slain you and let her live,' showing how God used the humble animal to save the prophet.

Early Church Interpretation and New Testament Warnings

St. Ambrose taught that Balaam's offense was that 'he said one thing and plotted another,' seeking money while claiming obedience to God.

2 Peter 2 warns against following 'the way of Balaam, the son of Baor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness' and was 'rebuked for his iniquity' by 'a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice.'

The letter of Jude references 'the error of Balaam,' establishing this Old Testament figure as a warning against spiritual corruption for profit.

God's Sovereignty Over Human Schemes

Deuteronomy 23 reveals the outcome: 'The Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loved you.'

Psalm 105 provides the broader context, recounting God's faithfulness from Abraham through the Exodus: 'He is mindful of his covenant forever, of the word that he has commanded for a thousand generations.'

Father Mike promises that upcoming chapters will reveal 'something that is so incredible about the very people' Balaam will bless, building anticipation for future revelations.