Balak and Balaam

Balaam is a prophet of sorts.  He appears in Numbers chapter 22.

In the earlier part of the chapter, King Balak of Moab heard of the Israelites coming into his land and was afraid, for he knew what path of destruction they lay in their wake.  He knew they were outnumbered, and the only way they could destroy the Israelites was to have a curse put on them.

Hence, they called on Balaam.

But Balaam called on the Lord who advised him not to go to Balak, for the Israelites have His blessing.  He told the Moabite leaders what God said.  Balak then sent even more leaders to Balaam, telling him he will have great rewards if he goes and curses the Israelites.  God then instructed Balaam to go to Balak but to do what He tells him.

On his way to Balak, Balaam rode a donkey.  Three times, the donkey saw an angel of the Lord blocking their path and steered out of the way.  All three of those times, Balaam beat the donkey until the angel appeared and told him the donkey only steered away because he saw the angel.

The angel then said to Balaam that he was to go on to Balak but will only saw what the Lord tells him to say.