1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:03,720 I became a dad. Six years ago. 2 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:09,560 I immediately felt a desire to protect my daughter. 3 00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:13,760 I was immediately met. With the realization that her. 4 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:21,920 Safety is. Ultimately out of my hands today 5 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:26,040 in numbers we consider. God's. 6 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:31,800 Perfect protection. Of his children, please turn 7 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:35,640 your Bible. To Numbers 21 to 25, if you 8 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:37,600 don't have a Bible, maybe you didn't bring one. 9 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:38,520 Maybe you don't have one at home. 10 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,440 Just raise your hand. Someone would be glad to bring a 11 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,440 Bible to you. One there in the back, one up 12 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,640 here in the front. Friends, we're back in the Book 13 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:51,080 of Numbers. After the Lord delivered his. 14 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:53,440 People from slavery to Egypt, he. 15 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:56,080 Prepared to lead. Them to the promised land. 16 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:01,240 But they had to go. Through the wilderness, the 17 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,840 journey that should have taken a few weeks. 18 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:08,640 Took 40 years because. When the first generation 19 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:12,400 arrived at the promised land. They refused. 20 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:17,000 To enter numbers is the. Story of how the Lord led his. 21 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,760 People to the promised land. Despite. 22 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:22,320 Their rebellious refusal to enter. 23 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:29,400 It was written over 3. 1000 years ago and Paul tells us 24 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:34,320 these things took place as examples for us. 25 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,440 Where have we been so far? We've covered a lot of. 26 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:40,760 Ground we focus on Moses. As prophet. 27 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,840 And the outer camp that. Was chapters 13 to 15. 28 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:46,640 Then we took another. Step into the camp. 29 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:50,760 And we looked at Aaron as priest and the inner camp of. 30 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:54,000 Levites that was last. Time, chapter 16 to 20. 31 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:56,520 To do today. We move one more step. 32 00:01:56,680 --> 00:02:00,880 Towards the center of the. Camp where the Lord is. 33 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:05,000 King in. Every single chapter in numbers 34 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,560 21 through 25. Israel's attacked by their. 35 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,240 Enemies and in every single. Chapter. 36 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:17,000 Israel's King, the Lord. Protects her. 37 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,720 Here's the point of these. 5 chapters. 38 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,320 Here it is. God will protect us. 39 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:31,320 On the way to the. Promised Land, he will. 40 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,360 How? Three points if you're taking 41 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:43,760 notes .1 by providing for us in every trial, chapter 21.2 by 42 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:51,280 turning curses into blessings, chapters 22 through 24, and .3 43 00:02:52,160 --> 00:03:01,320 by saving us from our greatest enemy, Chapter 25.1 by providing 44 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:07,120 for us in every trial in numbers 21, Israel. 45 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:12,360 Faces trials on every. Side and the Lord provides for 46 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:18,240 them in every way and. Church, he'll do the same. 47 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:26,920 For us, look at verses. 1:00 to 9:00 When the Canaanite, the 48 00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:31,120 king of Arid, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was 49 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:36,000 coming by the way of a therein he fought against Israel, and 50 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,000 took some of them captive, and Israel. 51 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:41,920 Vowed A Vowed to the. Lord and said, if you will 52 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:45,880 indeed give this people into my. Hand then I will. 53 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,000 Devote their cities to destruction. 54 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:51,000 And the Lord. Heeded the voice of Israel. 55 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:55,920 And gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their 56 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:59,360 cities to destruction. So the name of the place was 57 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:04,840 called Horma from Mount Hor. They set out, by the way, to the 58 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,240 Red Sea. To go around the land of Eden. 59 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,600 And the people became impatient on the way. 60 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,440 And the people spoke against God and against Moses. 61 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:17,399 Why have you brought us up out of Egypt? 62 00:04:17,399 --> 00:04:20,720 To die in the wilderness for there's no food. 63 00:04:20,959 --> 00:04:22,600 And no water. And we? 64 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:24,960 Loathe this worthless. Food. 65 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:30,440 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and 66 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:35,120 they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 67 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:40,400 And the people came to Moses and said, We have sinned, for we 68 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:42,800 have spoken against the Lord and against you. 69 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,680 Pray to the Lord that he take away the. 70 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:49,200 Serpents from us. So Moses. 71 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:53,840 Prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, make 72 00:04:53,840 --> 00:04:59,120 a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole, And everyone who is bitten 73 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:01,240 when he. Sees it shall live. 74 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:06,240 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. 75 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:11,160 And if a serpent bit anyone? He would look at the. 76 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:20,560 Bronze Serpent and live we see the second generation is 77 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:22,920 attacked in the very beginning of the. 78 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,960 Chapter They're attacked by the king of arid, but they. 79 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:29,520 Turn to the Lord. He hears their cry. 80 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:34,800 He saves them the. King of Arid, no match. 81 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:38,320 For the king of Israel. So they name the place. 82 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:44,000 Horma. Do you remember Horma in chapter 83 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:45,840 14? The first generation was. 84 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:49,320 Defeated there when they tried to take the promised. 85 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:51,080 Land. Without the Lord's help. 86 00:05:52,280 --> 00:05:57,400 But the second generation is different, but not so different. 87 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,240 As you saw, they're still. Prone to the sins of their 88 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:03,400 parents in verse 4, the. Lord. 89 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:05,560 Sends them on a divine. Detour. 90 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:09,720 They had to go. Around the land of Eden and they 91 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:13,280 became impatient. On the way. 92 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:17,920 Parents, have any of you heard this chorus in the. 93 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:21,200 Car. Are we there yet? 94 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,640 I'm hungry. There's no food. 95 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:29,080 I'm thirsty. I hate this food. 96 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:35,720 Kids, we're not picking on you. I wonder if your parents sang 97 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:38,600 that same chorus when they were your age. 98 00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:43,400 We are all. Prone to complain. 99 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:48,400 For Israel, 1 detour reveals 3 sins. 100 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:53,400 They're impatient. Because they refuse to submit to 101 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,760 Providence, they're fearful about the. 102 00:06:56,760 --> 00:07:00,760 Future, so they speak, against Moses and God. 103 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:06,880 They're ungrateful. For the Lord's provision, how 104 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:13,360 quickly we forget His works. They were born in the 105 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:16,040 wilderness, but they questioned God's wisdom to. 106 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,160 Bring them out of Egypt. And So what? 107 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:24,000 Does the Lord do He releases a taste of Egypt fiery serpents? 108 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:29,040 Personally, I hate snakes. Some people have pet snakes. 109 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:32,320 Maybe some of you not. Me, I've read Genesis 3. 110 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:37,920 I know how the story. Goes this wilderness was filled 111 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:39,320 with. Snakes. 112 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,200 The British officer. And archaeologist Lawrence of 113 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,800 Arabia. Said in his time in the desert, 114 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,680 it was plagued. With snakes. 115 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:52,840 Horn Vipers. Puff adders, cobras, Black 116 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:56,760 snakes. Sometimes his guides would kill. 117 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:02,880 20 snakes a day. Can you imagine that in Egypt 118 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:05,280 snakes were a symbol of evil and power? 119 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,720 Pharaoh's headdress. Featured a snake. 120 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:13,200 On the front, the snake. Bites here symbolize the. 2nd 121 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:17,560 generations experience of. Egypt, they experience the 122 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:19,760 oppression. That their parents. 123 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:25,440 Lived under but they're delivered from Egypt too they. 124 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:27,760 Repent. They ask Moses to pray. 125 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:31,360 For them, the Lord tells. Moses to make a serpent, place 126 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,720 it on the pole. If someone's bitten, they just 127 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:37,640 need to do one thing. They just need to look. 128 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:45,040 And they'll live, brothers and sisters, the wilderness. 129 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:50,280 Exposes the. Hidden sins of our hearts, one 130 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:51,760 divine. Detour. 131 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:56,560 It's all it takes. The last time the Lord disrupted 132 00:08:56,560 --> 00:09:00,080 your plans. How'd you respond? 133 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:07,720 Grumbling reveals. That our grip is a little too 134 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:12,040 tight. We need to learn to release. 135 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:15,600 Our plans and submit to Providence. 136 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:20,320 Grumbling reveals that our gratefulness to God is often 137 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:23,280 tied to. What he gives, not who. 138 00:09:23,280 --> 00:09:25,720 He is. We need to. 139 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:31,160 Learn to bless God whether He gives or He takes. 140 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,280 Grumbling. Reveals our hope is short 141 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:40,000 sighted. We need to learn to fix our. 142 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:46,120 Gaze on a better country, a true and lasting 1A Kingdom that 143 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:55,400 can't be shaken. But how can we learn in John 3? 144 00:09:56,160 --> 00:10:01,720 Which was our call to worship. Jesus tells us as Moses. 145 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:03,800 Lifted up the. Serpent in the wilderness. 146 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:06,120 So must the. Son of Man be. 147 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:09,840 Lifted up that whoever believes. In him may. 148 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:19,200 Have eternal life. Jesus is saying here the snake 149 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:23,040 on the pole points to him on the cross. 150 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:26,880 So, brothers and sisters, think about that. 151 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:30,480 What does that mean? For you, it means you deserved 152 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:33,480 eternal death. But you look to Christ. 153 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:39,800 And you receive eternal life. Imagine with me. 154 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:41,320 If you're one of those. Israelites. 155 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:46,480 Bitten by a deadly snake. If you're left there untreated. 156 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:51,120 You're dead. What do you think Moses was 157 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:58,480 saying? Look, look, look and live. 158 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:03,440 It's that simple. Look and you'll live. 159 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,240 Friend, if you're not a. Christian your. 160 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:13,480 Sin if left untreated. Leads to death, but. 161 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:17,720 You can look to the cross, you can look where the Son of God 162 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:20,800 was lifted up and. Crucified, you can look. 163 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:22,800 Where Jesus? Bore God's wrath. 164 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:26,960 In the place of sinners, you can look where there's an empty. 165 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:34,360 Tomb because he rose. From the dead you can look and 166 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,040 live. And brothers and sisters. 167 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:42,040 Won't looking to the. Cross keep. 168 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:44,680 Our hearts from grumbling against God. 169 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:50,600 In the rest of chapter. 21 The grumbling turns. 170 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:54,360 To singing, even though the trials continue. 171 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:57,600 Look at the rest. Of chapter 21, we won't read it. 172 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,120 But. Israel's transitioning from the 173 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:04,840 wilderness to the promised. Land in verse 16 the. 174 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:07,800 Lord gives them water in verse 17. 175 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:11,760 They sing. He satisfies their thirst, they. 176 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:16,000 Sing his praises. King Sihan of the Emirates 177 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:18,480 attacks them. But they easily defeat. 178 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:24,800 Him and take his land once again They sing, then king. 179 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:30,000 Ogg of bashin attacks. In verse. 34 The Lord 180 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:34,640 encourages. Them don't fear him, for I have 181 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:40,280 given him into your hand. Augs defeated, too. 182 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,480 If you're keeping score, that's three to zero. 183 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:49,840 Or, as we said in Dubai, Three Nil Trinity Baptist Church. 184 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:52,520 We're on a journey to heaven together. 185 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:55,560 But we have to go through the wilderness. 186 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:58,440 We'll face trials of various kinds along the. 187 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:02,680 Way divine detours the consequences of our own sin. 188 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:07,880 The opposition from the. World God does not promise to 189 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:11,280 take away our trials. But he. 190 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:18,800 Promises to provide for us. To sustain us to. 191 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:23,880 Protect us. As the 18th century pastor John 192 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:29,480 Newton once wrote to a church member, everything is needful 193 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:34,600 that God sends. Nothing can be needful. 194 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:43,280 That he withholds do you believe that if we truly believe that 195 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:47,640 like Israel, our. Grumbling will turn to singing. 196 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:51,800 God will protect us on the way to the promised Land. 197 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,960 He will provide. For us in every trial, how else 198 00:13:55,960 --> 00:14:02,040 will God protect us .2 By turning curses into blessings. 199 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:11,530 Chapters. 22 through 24 friends. This is the longest. 200 00:14:11,530 --> 00:14:12,370 Point. Just a heads up. 201 00:14:13,450 --> 00:14:17,530 It's 3 chapters in chapters 22 through 24. 202 00:14:17,770 --> 00:14:22,130 All eyes are on the King of Moab and his military medicine man, 203 00:14:22,730 --> 00:14:26,330 Balaic and Balaam. It's king. 204 00:14:26,330 --> 00:14:28,570 Moab. Versus the King of Israel. 205 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:34,600 Balak and Balaam, they're by. Far Israel's greatest foe so 206 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,560 far, you know. Balak hires Balaam. 207 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:42,280 A notorious sorcerer to curse Israel. 208 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:44,880 Now, if you're not familiar. With this story. 209 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:47,760 If you're not familiar. With the previous stories. 210 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:51,240 You need to know 1 crucial. Detail before we dive in. 211 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:56,440 Israel was enslaved to Egypt for 400 years before. 212 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:58,440 That. God made a. 213 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:03,320 Promise to their forefather Abraham in Genesis 12, God said. 214 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:07,440 I will make of you a great. Nation and I will bless. 215 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:09,560 You. And make your name great. 216 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,000 So that you will. Be a blessing. 217 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,120 I will bless those who bless you. 218 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:17,720 And him who dishonors you? I will curse. 219 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:21,080 And in you all. The families of the earth. 220 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:26,320 Shall be blessed. So about. 400 years before this. 221 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:31,920 God promised to bless Israel. The tension of these. 222 00:15:31,920 --> 00:15:35,360 Chapters is will God. Change his mind. 223 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:42,560 As we'll see, God will bless us. He'll. 224 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:47,080 Even turn curses into blessings now. 225 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:49,600 Chapters 22 through 20. Four are two. 226 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:52,120 Acts so heads. Up if you're taking notes, these 227 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:55,200 are my sub. Points in Act 1 Balaam. 228 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:59,080 Is called by Balak to curse Israel. 229 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:03,440 That's chapter 22 all the way. To verse 35. 230 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:07,880 In act. Two, Balaam is constrained. 231 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:13,960 By the Lord to bless Israel. That's chapter. 22 verse 36. 232 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:16,160 All the way to the end of chapter. 24. 233 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:20,560 I'll read. Act One, which is chapter 22, 234 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:24,520 verses 1 to 35. Straight through look at 235 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:31,000 chapter. 22 verse one. Then the people of Israel set 236 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:34,280 out and camped in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan, at 237 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:38,160 Jericho and Balak, the son of Zippor. 238 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:43,320 Saw all that Israel had. Done to the Amorites and Moab 239 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,080 was in. Great dread of the people. 240 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:49,280 Because they were many, Moab was overcome with fear of the people 241 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:52,720 of Israel and Moab said to the elders of Midian. 242 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:56,480 This horde. Will now lick up all that is 243 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:59,600 around us. As the ox licks up the grass of 244 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:03,800 the field, so. Balak, the son of Zippor, who 245 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:07,680 was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam, the 246 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:08,920 son of Bior. At. 247 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:13,560 Pathor, which is near the river in the land of the people of 248 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:18,599 Almah, to call him, saying, Behold, a people, has come out 249 00:17:18,599 --> 00:17:21,040 of Egypt. They cover the face of the 250 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:22,960 earth. And they are dwelling. 251 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:27,319 Opposite me come now, curse this people for me, since they are 252 00:17:27,319 --> 00:17:30,720 too mighty for me perhaps. I shall be. 253 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,960 Able to defeat them and drive them from the land. 254 00:17:34,360 --> 00:17:39,040 For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom 255 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:43,280 you. Curse is cursed verse 7. 256 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,720 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian. 257 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,840 Departed with the fees for. Divination in their hand. 258 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:55,240 And they came to Balaam. And gave him Balak's message and 259 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:59,000 he said to them, Lodge here tonight and I will bring back 260 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,320 word to you as the Lord speaks to me. 261 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:05,840 So the Princess of Moab stayed with Balaam, and God came to 262 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:11,000 Balaam and said, Who are these men with you and Balaam? 263 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:14,880 Said to God, Balak the. Son of Zippor, king of Moab, has 264 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:19,000 sent to me saying, Behold, a people has come out of Egypt and 265 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:20,440 it. Covers the face of the. 266 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:23,840 Earth now come curse them for me perhaps. 267 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,760 I shall be able to. Fight against them and drive 268 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:31,440 them out, God said to Balaam. You shall not go with them. 269 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:35,440 You shall not curse. The people, for they are 270 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:38,280 blessed. So Balaam. 271 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:40,720 Rose in the morning and said to the Princess of Balak. 272 00:18:41,360 --> 00:18:44,080 Go to your own land. For the Lord has refused to let 273 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:44,880 me. Go with you. 274 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:47,720 So the Princess of Moab. Rose. 275 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:52,080 And went to Balak and said Balaam refuses to come with us. 276 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:58,280 Once again, Balak sent Princess more in number and more 277 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:01,800 honourable than these. And they came to Balaam. 278 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:05,600 And said to him Thus says Balak, the son of Zippor. 279 00:19:06,360 --> 00:19:08,600 Let nothing hinder you from. Coming to me. 280 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:12,280 For I will surely do you great. Honour and. 281 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:15,680 Whatever you say to. Me, I will do come. 282 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:21,760 Curse this people for me. But Balak answered and said to 283 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:24,360 the servants of Balak. Balaam answered and said. 284 00:19:24,360 --> 00:19:28,040 To the servants of Balak, though Balak were to give. 285 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:31,720 Me, his house full. Of silver and gold I could not 286 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:35,080 go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do. 287 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:39,840 Less or more, So you too, please stay here. 288 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:43,560 Tonight that I may know what more the Lord will say to me. 289 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:50,600 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, If the men have 290 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:53,640 come to call you, rise, go with them. 291 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:55,360 But. Only. 292 00:19:55,400 --> 00:20:00,000 Do what I tell you. So Balaam rose in the morning 293 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:05,000 and saddled his donkey, and went with the Princess of Moab. 294 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:12,880 Verse 22 But God's anger was kindled because he went and the 295 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:14,160 Angel. Of the Lord took his. 296 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:16,440 Stand in the way. As his adversary. 297 00:20:17,360 --> 00:20:21,080 Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with 298 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:24,800 him, and the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in 299 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:26,000 the road. With a. 300 00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:30,240 Drawn sword in his hand and the donkey turned aside. 301 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:33,720 Out of the road. And went into the field, and 302 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:37,480 Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the road. 303 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:42,240 Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the 304 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:45,360 vineyards with a wall on either side. 305 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:47,920 And when the donkey saw the Angel? 306 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:51,840 Of the Lord, she pushed. Against the wall and pressed 307 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:55,360 Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again. 308 00:20:56,680 --> 00:21:00,360 Then the Angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow 309 00:21:00,360 --> 00:21:04,440 place, where there was no way to turn either to the right. 310 00:21:04,440 --> 00:21:08,200 Or to the left. When the donkey saw the Angel. 311 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:12,240 Of the Lord she lay. Down under Balaam and Balaam's 312 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:19,120 anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff, then 313 00:21:19,120 --> 00:21:20,440 the. Lord opened the mouth. 314 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:22,840 Of the donkey. And she said to Balaam. 315 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,520 What have I done to you? That you. 316 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:30,320 Struck me these three times, Balaam said to the donkey. 317 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,320 Because. You have made me a fool, made a 318 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:35,520 fool of me. I wish I had a. 319 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:39,680 Sword in my hand. For then I would kill you and 320 00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:44,360 the donkey said to Balaam. Am I not your donkey on which 321 00:21:44,360 --> 00:21:46,480 you have ridden? All your life long. 322 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:48,400 To this day. Is it my habit? 323 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:51,800 To treat you this way. And he said no. 324 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,560 Then the. Lord opened the eyes of Balaam. 325 00:21:57,360 --> 00:22:01,960 And he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his 326 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:08,240 sword drawn in his hand, and he bowed down and fell on his face. 327 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:10,680 And the Angel of the Lord said to him. 328 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:14,400 Why have you? Struck your donkey these three 329 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:17,560 times. Behold, I have come out to. 330 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:22,160 Oppose you because your. Way is perverse before me. 331 00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:26,320 The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three 332 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:28,760 times if she had not turned aside. 333 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:30,960 For me, surely. Just now I would have. 334 00:22:30,960 --> 00:22:35,280 Killed you? And let her live then Balaam 335 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:40,640 said to the Angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know 336 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:42,960 that you stood in the road against me now. 337 00:22:42,960 --> 00:22:47,000 Therefore, if it is. Evil in your sight I will turn 338 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:50,400 back, and the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam. 339 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:54,320 Go with the men. But speak only the. 340 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:57,840 Word that I tell you. So Balaam went on. 341 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:05,600 With the Princess of Balaam. Quite a narrative a talking. 342 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:08,960 Donkey the Angel. Of the Lord with sword in hand, 343 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:11,680 ready to strike. What do we make of Balaam? 344 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:14,320 Is he? Caught. 345 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:20,720 Between good and evil, he wants to do the right thing, you know? 346 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:23,640 A couple. Clues are written throughout. 347 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:28,320 This passage that tell us. Balaam is not who he seems. 348 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:32,720 Starting with where? Israel is so Israel camps. 349 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:37,440 In the plains of Moab, like Pharaoh back in Egypt, Moab is 350 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:41,560 overcome with fear because Israel was many. 351 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:47,320 Balak's already watched 3 Kings. Fall, he knows that he. 352 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:52,080 Could be next, unless he seeks aid from the spirits to strike. 353 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:54,840 Down his enemy, so that's. Why he sends? 354 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:59,240 For Balaam to curse Israel. It takes 2 rounds of 355 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:04,080 negotiations for Balaam to come. First, they show up. 356 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:06,080 With money and a. Message but. 357 00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:08,720 Balaam says he needs to consult the Lord. 358 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:12,640 Seems like a wise thing. To do, but God tells. 359 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:14,200 Him. Don't go. 360 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:17,440 Don't. Curse Israel, they're blessed. 361 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:22,680 Balaam though, only relays the first part. 362 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:25,480 Of the message to the messengers, he. 363 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:28,760 Starts to show his true colors. So Balak. 364 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:30,800 Starts the second. Round of negotiations. 365 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:36,280 He sends more Princess and presumably more money. 366 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:39,400 Balak knows. If the price is right. 367 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:42,000 He can get Balaam to change his mind. 368 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:45,760 On the surface again, it seems that Balaam. 369 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:49,160 Knows the right answer, he says. Hey, even if you gave me all 370 00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:51,640 your money. I can't go beyond. 371 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:55,000 The word of the Lord. But look what he says. 372 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:59,120 Next verse 19, he says we'll stay here tonight. 373 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:02,360 That I may know what more the Lord. 374 00:25:02,360 --> 00:25:07,080 Will say to me. Interesting someone. 375 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:11,280 Asks you to rob a bank tomorrow. Would you respond? 376 00:25:12,800 --> 00:25:16,240 Well, God says I shouldn't. But I should really pray about 377 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:18,160 it. Probably not. 378 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:21,120 That's Balaam here in this passage. 379 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:25,000 So God gives. Balaam over to his sin. 380 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:27,560 So he permits him to go, you can go. 381 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:31,360 But only. Say what I tell you to say. 382 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:34,920 Balaam starts the journey to Balak on his donkey. 383 00:25:35,360 --> 00:25:39,200 And God's anger is immediately. Kindled in verse 22. 384 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:41,560 You might still be confused. God told him to. 385 00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:46,680 Go God's angry that he went. The reason is clarified at the 386 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:48,080 end. Of Act One. 387 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:51,000 Notice a couple things in this scene. 388 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:54,040 Three times the Angel stands in. Balaam's. 389 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:59,360 Way with sword in hand. 3. Times the donkey sees the Angel 390 00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:03,360 and turns away. Three times Balaam strikes the 391 00:26:03,360 --> 00:26:06,920 donkey for turning. The passage is riddled. 392 00:26:07,120 --> 00:26:10,280 With irony, the donkey. Sight is. 393 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:14,800 Better than the sorcerer's? And notice the last time, the 394 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:18,000 third time. The Angel stands in a place 395 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:22,000 where there's nowhere to. Turn so the donkey lies down. 396 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:26,160 Balaam strikes again. Then the Lord opens the donkey's 397 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:29,080 mouth. What does the donkey say? 398 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:30,880 He says. What have I done to you? 399 00:26:32,360 --> 00:26:34,760 Balaam responds. While you're making me. 400 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:36,960 Look like a fool. Keep in mind there's two 401 00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:39,040 servants. With him, he says if I had a. 402 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:44,720 Sword, I'd kill you right now. Then the Lord opens Balaam. 403 00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:50,200 'S eyes, he sees the Angel. He bows to the ground. 404 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:54,880 Here we find out why the Lord's anger was kindled. 405 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:58,200 Look at verse 32. The Angel. 406 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:02,360 Says your way is. Perverse before me. 407 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:07,400 Balaam was told to go, but to only speak. 408 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:13,080 What the Lord says. Balaam went and he intended. 409 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:18,680 To curse, he hoped the Lord. Would change his mind, so the 410 00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:20,000 Angel. Warns him again. 411 00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:23,560 Verse 35. Go, but only speak. 412 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:27,000 What I tell you, we see here this sorcerer. 413 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:29,240 Balaam he is. Caught. 414 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:34,320 Between 2 Kings 1, Balak is offering him. 415 00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:39,600 All this wealth, he wants that. But there's another king, the 416 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:42,160 king of Israel, who is warning him. 417 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:45,520 Of his wrath. Balaam doesn't know what to do. 418 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:50,280 Friends this. Is a true story God? 419 00:27:50,280 --> 00:27:52,640 Can really. Make a donkey speak. 420 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:57,640 And in act. Two, he even turns a crooked 421 00:27:57,640 --> 00:28:00,520 sorcerer's curses. Into. 422 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:06,480 Blessings, so act. Two, Balaam is constrained by 423 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:10,000 the Lord. To bless Israel. 424 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:15,160 Act 2 is chapter. 22 verse 36. All the way. 425 00:28:15,160 --> 00:28:19,080 To the end of chapter 24, it contains 7. 426 00:28:19,080 --> 00:28:21,240 Oracles or. Sayings. 427 00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:23,680 You can see them if you look at. Those chapters. 428 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:26,400 Each time it says balaam. Took up his. 429 00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:28,280 Discourse. So those are the. 430 00:28:28,280 --> 00:28:30,200 Signals. There's seven of them. 431 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:32,360 They're really grouped into. 4 though, so we'll. 432 00:28:32,360 --> 00:28:35,000 Look at them in in sets of four first. 433 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:40,040 In the first Oracle, Balak takes Balaam up on a mountain. 434 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:43,280 He sees a. Fraction of the Israelite camp 435 00:28:43,640 --> 00:28:48,480 Balaam asked Balak to build. 7 altars with seven bulls. 436 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:52,120 And seven. Rams, he's trying to persuade. 437 00:28:52,120 --> 00:28:57,240 The Lord to curse Israel. In Balaam's eyes, God's. 438 00:28:57,240 --> 00:28:59,720 Made in his image, he. Thinks. 439 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,800 God is greedy for gain. Just like him. 440 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:06,760 Look at chapter 23, verses 8 and 10. 441 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:14,160 Balaam asks how can I curse whom God is not cursed and he asks. 442 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:20,760 Who can count? The dust of Jacob, God's already 443 00:29:20,760 --> 00:29:24,720 told Balaam Israel is blessed. Not. 444 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:27,640 Cursed. When Balaam looks down on. 445 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:32,160 Israel He. Sees God's evident blessing as 446 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:36,600 God promised Abraham in Genesis 13, just a fraction of the 447 00:29:36,600 --> 00:29:39,080 people. Or as the dust. 448 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:45,440 Of the earth they entered. Egypt with 70 people, they. 449 00:29:45,440 --> 00:29:48,640 Exited with hundreds of thousands. 450 00:29:48,880 --> 00:29:53,520 God has blessed them after the first Oracle Balak. 451 00:29:53,520 --> 00:29:57,000 'S not. Happy with his purchase, he's. 452 00:29:57,000 --> 00:29:59,840 Paying Balaam to curse. Israel not to bless. 453 00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:01,880 Israel, I thought that was clear, he says. 454 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:06,120 But in the second Oracle, the blessings continue to pour. 455 00:30:06,120 --> 00:30:09,280 Down again, Balak goes. Up a high. 456 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:12,000 Place with balaam they see a fraction. 457 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:15,160 Of the people. Again, they make sacrifices. 458 00:30:15,520 --> 00:30:20,360 And again. The Lord blesses 2 key verses. 459 00:30:20,680 --> 00:30:27,520 In the second Oracle verse. 19 and 21 verse 19 God is not a 460 00:30:27,600 --> 00:30:31,240 man. That he should lie, or a son of 461 00:30:31,240 --> 00:30:33,920 man that he should. Change his mind, has he? 462 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:38,280 Said And will he not do it? Or has he spoken? 463 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:42,640 And will he not? Fulfill it all along. 464 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:48,800 Balaam's been hoping, praying, pleading for God to change his 465 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:51,720 mind. God's not a man. 466 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:54,600 He won't change his mind. He's. 467 00:30:54,760 --> 00:30:57,200 Immutable. Unchanging. 468 00:30:57,640 --> 00:31:01,200 As James says, there's no variation. 469 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:06,560 Or shadow of turning in God. This means for. 470 00:31:06,560 --> 00:31:11,040 Israel, that God's. Promise to them is irrevocable. 471 00:31:11,720 --> 00:31:14,880 Balaam can do whatever he wants, it doesn't matter. 472 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:19,920 And look at verse 21, the Lord. Their God is with. 473 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:23,760 Them, and the shout of a king is among them when? 474 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:27,920 Balaam looks down at the camp. He sees the Lord with his 475 00:31:27,920 --> 00:31:30,800 people. Guiding them safely to the. 476 00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:33,720 Promised land, perhaps? He saw the pillar of cloud. 477 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:38,840 Or the fire by night. He even hears the shout of a 478 00:31:38,840 --> 00:31:42,040 king among them. Here's what's crazy here. 479 00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:44,280 This is the first time in the Bible. 480 00:31:44,520 --> 00:31:46,840 That the Lord. Is named King. 481 00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:51,360 And who does it? It comes from the lips of a 482 00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:55,720 Pagan prophet. After the second Oracle. 483 00:31:55,880 --> 00:32:00,000 Balak's Really. Not happy, he tells Balaam. 484 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:02,600 I get it. You want to bless them. 485 00:32:02,880 --> 00:32:06,080 Don't curse them, forget that. Just don't bless them either. 486 00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:09,760 But Balak still thinks it's. Worth one more try. 487 00:32:09,760 --> 00:32:12,240 They climb another mountain. They sacrifice. 488 00:32:12,240 --> 00:32:14,160 Again, but there's a few. Key. 489 00:32:14,160 --> 00:32:19,000 Shifts in the third Oracle. Look at chapter 24 verse one 490 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:23,320 Balaam. 'S been looking for omens. 491 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:27,760 In other words. He's been practicing divination, 492 00:32:27,760 --> 00:32:32,880 but clearly it's not working. In verse 2, Balaam sees the 493 00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:39,040 entire camp of Israel, and surprisingly the Spirit of God 494 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:43,200 comes upon him. Now he is constrained. 495 00:32:43,560 --> 00:32:50,680 By the Spirit to speak when He. Sees Israel's Camp Balaam 496 00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:53,680 showers down the. Blessings, he pictures their 497 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:55,920 future. They're like the garden. 498 00:32:55,920 --> 00:32:58,880 Of Eden, their tents. Are lovely. 499 00:32:59,800 --> 00:33:02,720 God is like a. Fountain in their midst, God is 500 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:06,160 endlessly. Supplying water as they wander. 501 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:09,720 Through the wilderness, God will take care of them. 502 00:33:11,920 --> 00:33:17,000 You know if a politician. Hired an outside firm to run a 503 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:20,160 smear. Campaign on their opponent and 504 00:33:20,160 --> 00:33:24,040 then they turn the TV on to watch the ads and all they saw 505 00:33:24,040 --> 00:33:26,800 was this glowing endorsement what do you. 506 00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:31,160 Think they would say after the third Oracle balak. 507 00:33:31,160 --> 00:33:34,840 'S mad. He says I called you. 508 00:33:34,840 --> 00:33:37,120 To curse them, you keep. Blessing them. 509 00:33:37,240 --> 00:33:40,160 Get out of here. I'm not going to pay you 510 00:33:40,160 --> 00:33:42,840 anymore. No honor for you. 511 00:33:43,920 --> 00:33:47,560 It's interesting, Balaam responds by a kind of appealing 512 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:50,960 to the fine print. He says, Hey, didn't I say that 513 00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:53,400 I couldn't go beyond the word of the Lord? 514 00:33:53,640 --> 00:33:54,680 You know it's not my. Fault. 515 00:33:55,960 --> 00:33:58,920 Balaam leaves. But before he does he. 516 00:33:58,920 --> 00:34:02,560 Can't. Help, but speak one more. 517 00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:10,159 Set of oracles, look at verse. 17 Balaam sees God raising up a 518 00:34:10,159 --> 00:34:13,239 coming king. A star shall come out of Jacob, 519 00:34:13,679 --> 00:34:16,480 and a scepter shall rise. Out of Israel. 520 00:34:16,639 --> 00:34:20,880 It shall crush the head. Of Moab and break down all the 521 00:34:20,880 --> 00:34:26,600 sons of Shaft. Who is this conquering king who 522 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:30,440 will crush? The head of Moab Balaam's 523 00:34:30,440 --> 00:34:34,840 prophecy points to King David, who struck down the Moabites. 524 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:39,880 Second Samuel 8. Balaam's prophecy points beyond. 525 00:34:39,880 --> 00:34:42,000 David. As Jesus said. 526 00:34:42,199 --> 00:34:47,840 In Revelation 22, I am the root and descendant of Jacob the. 527 00:34:47,840 --> 00:34:53,880 Bright morning star God is. Sending a coming king to. 528 00:34:53,880 --> 00:34:56,800 Crush his enemies. If you look at the end of. 529 00:34:56,800 --> 00:34:59,920 Chapter 24 There's three. Final oracles. 530 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:04,680 They're all short, and they're all about God coming to commit 531 00:35:04,680 --> 00:35:08,880 his enemies. To utter destruction, He will 532 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:15,400 protect his people. Now you might be wondering. 533 00:35:16,040 --> 00:35:20,280 As you should. Why did God place these three 534 00:35:20,280 --> 00:35:23,840 chapters here? Why are we taken out? 535 00:35:24,520 --> 00:35:29,080 Of the Israelite camp. Why do we go behind enemy lines 536 00:35:29,680 --> 00:35:33,000 and observe? Moab's military tactics. 537 00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:40,960 What's the .2 things first God wants us to observe? 538 00:35:40,960 --> 00:35:45,200 His constant protection of his. People, what is Israel doing 539 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:52,520 during all these attacks? Sleeping, eating, drinking, just 540 00:35:52,520 --> 00:35:57,200 going about their business. They have no clue the enemy. 541 00:35:57,200 --> 00:36:00,760 Is watching their every step. Trying to breathe down curses. 542 00:36:00,960 --> 00:36:05,280 They just sleep soundly in their tents while the Lord protects 543 00:36:05,280 --> 00:36:10,160 them. 2nd. God wants to assure us. 544 00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:15,280 Of the. Certainty of His blessing. 2 545 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:16,920 words are repeated throughout this narrative. 546 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:21,880 Bless and. Curse Curse is mentioned 14. 547 00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:23,800 Times. Excuse me? 548 00:36:24,600 --> 00:36:27,680 Curse is mentioned 7 times. You can probably guess how many 549 00:36:27,680 --> 00:36:33,360 times Blessing is mentioned. 14 the Blessings. 550 00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:40,240 Far outweigh the curses they. Cannot negate or do. 551 00:36:40,240 --> 00:36:42,920 Away with God's. Promised blessing. 552 00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:47,280 To Abraham for his people. You know when Moses. 553 00:36:47,280 --> 00:36:50,600 Reflects back on this attack. It's so sweet. 554 00:36:50,600 --> 00:36:53,840 Listen. Deuteronomy 23, he says. 555 00:36:54,160 --> 00:36:57,840 The Lord your God. Would not listen to Balaam, 556 00:36:58,920 --> 00:37:01,800 instead the. Lord, your God turned the curse. 557 00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:04,960 Into a blessing for you. Why? 558 00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:14,640 Moses says because the Lord your God loved you, brothers and 559 00:37:14,640 --> 00:37:22,040 sisters, how did? We receive Abraham's blessing in 560 00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:25,240 other. Words, How are we blessed? 561 00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:30,440 And not cursed as we just encourage one another. 562 00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:36,200 A moment ago, because Christ became a curse. 563 00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:41,000 For us, for it is. Written cursed is. 564 00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:43,480 Everyone who is hanged on. A. 565 00:37:43,480 --> 00:37:52,840 Tree, you are blessed in Christ. Years ago, we stayed. 566 00:37:52,840 --> 00:37:56,800 At some friends we were staying. Overnight and they told us. 567 00:37:57,880 --> 00:38:00,760 Here's the fridge. Here's the pantry. 568 00:38:01,600 --> 00:38:05,440 Help yourselves, raid it all, it's all yours. 569 00:38:06,640 --> 00:38:10,040 You know, and you think when you hear that, Are you sure? 570 00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:12,640 And then they reminded us we actually want to see you. 571 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:15,400 We want to come home and. Catch you raiding our pantry? 572 00:38:15,720 --> 00:38:18,680 We want you to know everything is yours. 573 00:38:21,200 --> 00:38:23,440 Brothers and sisters, if you're in Christ. 574 00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:34,400 Every spiritual blessing. In the heavenly places belongs. 575 00:38:35,280 --> 00:38:41,200 To you, you are blessed. Are you in Christ? 576 00:38:42,880 --> 00:38:47,920 Then you're blessed, the Lord. Shines his face upon you, the. 577 00:38:47,920 --> 00:38:51,920 Lord's been gracious to. You the Lord's lifted. 578 00:38:51,920 --> 00:38:56,080 Up His countenance upon you, and given you peace. 579 00:38:57,200 --> 00:38:59,600 You shall look. Upon the goodness. 580 00:38:59,600 --> 00:39:03,400 Of the Lord. In the land of the living, I am 581 00:39:03,400 --> 00:39:06,920 sure. That neither death nor life. 582 00:39:07,160 --> 00:39:11,560 Nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to 583 00:39:11,560 --> 00:39:17,240 come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in 584 00:39:17,240 --> 00:39:20,400 all creation. Will be able to separate. 585 00:39:20,400 --> 00:39:26,600 You from the love of God. In Christ Jesus our Lord. 586 00:39:28,640 --> 00:39:33,240 Are you in Christ? Then you're blessed. 587 00:39:34,120 --> 00:39:37,520 You can declare. Boldly, even though I walk 588 00:39:37,520 --> 00:39:42,480 through the valley of the shadow of death, I will. 589 00:39:42,480 --> 00:39:45,880 Fear no evil. For you are with me. 590 00:39:46,360 --> 00:39:49,400 Friend, you're protected. You may be completely unaware. 591 00:39:49,400 --> 00:39:52,720 Of Satan's devices. But you can sleep soundly, 592 00:39:52,720 --> 00:39:57,200 knowing that behind the scenes Christ himself is defending you 593 00:39:57,440 --> 00:40:01,640 and restraining all your enemies until that day when he will 594 00:40:01,640 --> 00:40:08,280 crush them under your feet. Are you in Christ? 595 00:40:11,120 --> 00:40:13,800 Then you're blessed. You don't need to. 596 00:40:13,800 --> 00:40:21,400 Bribe God or pester. Him or manipulate him or cut any 597 00:40:21,400 --> 00:40:23,720 deals you. Couldn't even if you tried. 598 00:40:24,800 --> 00:40:27,640 The storehouse of. Heaven's blessings have been. 599 00:40:27,640 --> 00:40:33,600 Poured down on your. Head Satan himself that great. 600 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:38,640 Accuser could never change God's mind about you. 601 00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:45,560 We need to bask. In God's faithfulness, he is. 602 00:40:45,560 --> 00:40:51,120 Faithful, he is steadfast. He is committed to his promises. 603 00:40:51,240 --> 00:40:55,200 He is committed. To his people, he will protect 604 00:40:55,200 --> 00:40:57,680 us. On our way to the promised land, 605 00:40:58,480 --> 00:41:02,080 turning curses into blessings along the way. 606 00:41:03,400 --> 00:41:07,480 Point #3 Third and finally, and the shortest point. 607 00:41:08,760 --> 00:41:13,920 How will God protect us by. Saving us from our greatest 608 00:41:13,920 --> 00:41:24,640 enemy. Stop and consider God's 609 00:41:24,640 --> 00:41:26,480 faithfulness to His bride, Israel. 610 00:41:30,880 --> 00:41:33,560 Now look at verse 1 of chapter 25. 611 00:41:35,360 --> 00:41:39,200 Behold. Israel's adultery. 612 00:41:41,840 --> 00:41:44,840 God protects us. From our greatest. 613 00:41:44,840 --> 00:41:55,160 Enemy ourselves, I'll read. Chapter 25 verses 1 to 9 While 614 00:41:55,160 --> 00:41:58,520 Israel lived in shittim, the people began to. 615 00:41:58,520 --> 00:42:01,400 Whore with the daughters. Of Moab. 616 00:42:02,760 --> 00:42:05,880 These invited the people. The sacrifices of their gods. 617 00:42:05,880 --> 00:42:09,320 And the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 618 00:42:10,360 --> 00:42:12,960 So Israel yoked himself. To bail of payor. 619 00:42:12,960 --> 00:42:14,800 And the anger. Of the Lord was. 620 00:42:14,800 --> 00:42:19,360 Kindled against Israel, and the Lord said to Moses. 621 00:42:20,040 --> 00:42:21,920 Take all the. Chiefs of the people, and hang 622 00:42:21,920 --> 00:42:24,880 them in the sun before the Lord, that the fierce anger. 623 00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:29,200 Of the Lord. May turn away from Israel and. 624 00:42:29,200 --> 00:42:33,760 Moses said to the judges of Israel, Each of you kill those. 625 00:42:33,760 --> 00:42:36,640 Of his men who have yoked themselves to bail. 626 00:42:36,920 --> 00:42:42,720 Of payor and behold. One of the people of Israel came 627 00:42:42,720 --> 00:42:43,240 and. Brought. 628 00:42:43,240 --> 00:42:47,280 A Midianite woman to his. Family in the sight of Moses, 629 00:42:48,320 --> 00:42:50,920 and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people. 630 00:42:50,920 --> 00:42:55,800 Of Israel while they were. Weeping in the entrance of the 631 00:42:55,800 --> 00:43:03,560 tent of meeting when Phineas, the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron 632 00:43:03,560 --> 00:43:04,800 the. Priest saw it. 633 00:43:05,240 --> 00:43:09,040 He rose. And left the congregation and 634 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:13,320 took a spear in his hand, and went after the man of Israel 635 00:43:13,320 --> 00:43:18,160 into the chamber, and pierced both of them, the man of Israel 636 00:43:18,440 --> 00:43:22,320 and the woman. Threw her belly, thus the. 637 00:43:22,320 --> 00:43:24,600 Plague on the people of Israel was stopped. 638 00:43:25,240 --> 00:43:33,160 Nevertheless, those who died by the plague were 24,000. 639 00:43:36,120 --> 00:43:40,360 We returned back to the camp. What's God's bride? 640 00:43:40,360 --> 00:43:47,520 Doing bowing down to Baal. Whoring with the daughters. 641 00:43:47,520 --> 00:43:52,320 Of Moab. Committing spiritual adultery? 642 00:43:53,440 --> 00:43:56,040 It's right. That the Lord's anger. 643 00:43:56,240 --> 00:43:59,440 Is kindled. He orders Moses to hang all 644 00:43:59,440 --> 00:44:01,560 those. Chiefs in the sun, so his wrath 645 00:44:01,800 --> 00:44:05,920 can be turned away, Moses relays the message. 646 00:44:06,400 --> 00:44:10,800 But before we learn the outcome, the narrator turns our gaze in 647 00:44:10,800 --> 00:44:15,120 verse 6. Behold, an Israelite brought 648 00:44:15,120 --> 00:44:19,720 home a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, in the sight of 649 00:44:19,720 --> 00:44:23,560 the whole congregation near the tent of. 650 00:44:23,560 --> 00:44:30,440 Meeting no one did anything. Except one zealous priest, 651 00:44:31,640 --> 00:44:35,960 Phineas, who's Aaron's grandson, sees. 652 00:44:37,320 --> 00:44:44,160 Rises, leaves, takes a spear. And he pierces them. 653 00:44:44,280 --> 00:44:48,400 Both. He stops the plague. 654 00:44:49,240 --> 00:44:53,680 But 24,000 die. What should? 655 00:44:53,680 --> 00:44:56,920 We think of Phineas. 'S zeal look at. 656 00:44:56,960 --> 00:44:59,840 Verses 10 to 13 the. Lord. 657 00:44:59,840 --> 00:45:05,760 Says Phineas turned back my wrath in that he was jealous 658 00:45:06,040 --> 00:45:11,320 with my jealousy. And so the Lord rewards Phineas. 659 00:45:11,560 --> 00:45:15,000 He gives them the covenant of peace because Phineas made 660 00:45:15,000 --> 00:45:19,240 atonement. For God's people when? 661 00:45:19,240 --> 00:45:22,560 Israel falls dead in the. Wilderness it's not. 662 00:45:22,560 --> 00:45:28,040 Because of the enemies around. Them it's because of the enemy 663 00:45:29,040 --> 00:45:36,160 within them, most of you know. We used to live in Dubai when a 664 00:45:36,160 --> 00:45:40,600 taxi would pick me up, do you know it would be sitting on the? 665 00:45:40,600 --> 00:45:47,480 Dashboard near the driver, his idol David. 666 00:45:47,480 --> 00:45:51,320 Powerson says we're all idol. Makers. 667 00:45:52,280 --> 00:45:55,640 Idol buyers. Idol sellers. 668 00:45:57,080 --> 00:46:00,080 You might be thinking idols. What idols? 669 00:46:00,200 --> 00:46:03,320 I don't see any idols and I assume as you drove to church 670 00:46:03,320 --> 00:46:06,240 this morning there was no idol sitting on your dashboard. 671 00:46:06,960 --> 00:46:11,960 Where might they be hiding? In Ezekiel 14 three. 672 00:46:11,960 --> 00:46:14,520 God charged the elders of Israel with. 673 00:46:14,520 --> 00:46:19,520 Setting up idols in. Their hearts. 674 00:46:21,280 --> 00:46:23,560 Oh, friends, we're we're clever creatures. 675 00:46:23,840 --> 00:46:27,640 We do not. Display our idols publicly we. 676 00:46:27,640 --> 00:46:30,520 Hide them in the corners of our hearts. 677 00:46:30,800 --> 00:46:35,640 Where even we are often unaware of their control. 678 00:46:35,640 --> 00:46:41,480 Over us What or who does your heart? 679 00:46:41,840 --> 00:46:45,560 Bow down to friend. What? 680 00:46:45,560 --> 00:46:50,760 Tempts you to act irrationally. What blurs your sight between? 681 00:46:50,760 --> 00:46:56,120 Right and wrong, What good thing is fighting with God for the 682 00:46:56,120 --> 00:47:00,120 throne of your? Heart so often idols. 683 00:47:00,800 --> 00:47:03,760 Our good things, our. Career. 684 00:47:04,840 --> 00:47:07,960 Our relationship. Our own children. 685 00:47:09,000 --> 00:47:13,800 Our own. Health whatever you can't live. 686 00:47:13,800 --> 00:47:20,440 Without. That's your God, Gavin. 687 00:47:20,440 --> 00:47:23,600 Ortland once asked our church. Staff, we were sitting in the 688 00:47:23,600 --> 00:47:25,840 office. Such a good question. 689 00:47:27,520 --> 00:47:30,480 If Satan was going to. Take out Trinity Baptist Church. 690 00:47:31,840 --> 00:47:33,840 How would he do it? What would be his? 691 00:47:33,840 --> 00:47:41,960 Tactic according to chapter 20. Five, we have to say he'd work 692 00:47:41,960 --> 00:47:46,000 through us. We are our greatest enemy. 693 00:47:47,520 --> 00:47:51,520 Now this reality is made. Explicit by a missing detail in 694 00:47:51,520 --> 00:47:55,320 Chapter 20. Five at the end of chapter 25, 695 00:47:55,320 --> 00:47:58,520 look at verse 14. Two culprits who were speared 696 00:47:58,520 --> 00:48:00,040 by. Phineas are named. 697 00:48:01,120 --> 00:48:03,920 The man is Zemri, son of Salu of the. 698 00:48:03,920 --> 00:48:08,760 Simeonites the woman is. Cosby, daughter of Zur A. 699 00:48:08,760 --> 00:48:16,120 Tribal head of Midian What is a Princess of Midian doing in 700 00:48:16,120 --> 00:48:22,280 Israel's camp? We're not told in chapter 25 in. 701 00:48:22,280 --> 00:48:23,760 Fact. We have to wait. 702 00:48:24,040 --> 00:48:29,400 Until chapter 31, six chapters later to learn that, guess who 703 00:48:29,400 --> 00:48:32,160 was behind it all? It was Balaam. 704 00:48:33,000 --> 00:48:37,560 He sent the women in. It was on his advice that they 705 00:48:37,560 --> 00:48:43,240 infiltrated the camp. Why is that detail withheld for 706 00:48:43,240 --> 00:48:49,840 six chapters? It's so it's abundantly clear. 707 00:48:50,840 --> 00:48:54,760 That Israel's adultery was their own choice. 708 00:48:55,840 --> 00:49:00,040 They chose to whore after the daughters of Moab. 709 00:49:00,360 --> 00:49:05,520 They chose to bow down before Baal We. 710 00:49:05,760 --> 00:49:11,000 Are our greatest enemy. And so we need a. 711 00:49:11,000 --> 00:49:15,520 Church of Zealous Phineas. What does it look like for 712 00:49:15,520 --> 00:49:17,560 Trinity Baptist? Church to be filled. 713 00:49:17,720 --> 00:49:24,600 With the zeal of Phineas. It looks like a church. 714 00:49:24,600 --> 00:49:26,560 Where we're. Killing our own sin. 715 00:49:27,880 --> 00:49:31,920 A church where we're privately and gently admonishing one 716 00:49:31,920 --> 00:49:34,560 another. A church where we. 717 00:49:34,560 --> 00:49:38,400 Bring others alongside when someone persists an unrepentant 718 00:49:38,400 --> 00:49:40,600 sin. A church where we bring. 719 00:49:40,600 --> 00:49:42,680 Those who persist. In unrepentant sin. 720 00:49:42,920 --> 00:49:46,480 Before the whole church. And call them and cry out to 721 00:49:46,480 --> 00:49:50,200 them to. Turn a church where as. 722 00:49:50,200 --> 00:49:54,800 Jesus taught us in Matthew 18. We excommunicate unrepentant 723 00:49:54,800 --> 00:49:57,320 sinners. We tell them we can no longer 724 00:49:57,320 --> 00:49:59,640 affirm your profession of faith-based on how you're 725 00:49:59,640 --> 00:50:02,640 living. We bar them from participation 726 00:50:02,840 --> 00:50:05,800 in the Lord's Supper because we love them. 727 00:50:07,840 --> 00:50:12,400 Because we must warn them. That their sin leads to. 728 00:50:12,400 --> 00:50:15,720 Death. Because we are jealous. 729 00:50:16,120 --> 00:50:19,120 For God's glory. And the fame of his. 730 00:50:19,120 --> 00:50:26,920 Name above even our own friend if you're not a Christian. 731 00:50:28,320 --> 00:50:32,080 Only Jesus can turn back. God's wrath for you. 732 00:50:32,840 --> 00:50:37,840 He's the only one. No one in this room can only. 733 00:50:37,840 --> 00:50:44,960 Jesus, that zealous priest. But when he came first, he did 734 00:50:44,960 --> 00:50:47,960 not come to. Spear you through for your. 735 00:50:47,960 --> 00:50:50,800 Sins when he. Died on the cross. 736 00:50:51,120 --> 00:50:59,120 His side was pierced by a spear. By a Roman soldier over 2. 100 737 00:50:59,120 --> 00:51:01,640 years ago in a sermon by Benjamin Grosvenor. 738 00:51:02,400 --> 00:51:05,000 He imagined out loud. What Jesus might have. 739 00:51:05,000 --> 00:51:08,560 Said to his disciples. If they ran across that Roman 740 00:51:08,560 --> 00:51:09,800 soldier. Who? 741 00:51:09,800 --> 00:51:14,840 Pierced him in his side. Benjamin, picture Jesus saying 742 00:51:14,840 --> 00:51:18,600 this. If you meet that. 743 00:51:18,600 --> 00:51:24,800 Poor Wretch who thrust the. Spear into my side tell. 744 00:51:24,800 --> 00:51:29,680 Him, there is another way. A better way to get? 745 00:51:29,680 --> 00:51:32,840 To my heart. I will. 746 00:51:32,840 --> 00:51:36,240 Cherish him in that very heart he has wounded. 747 00:51:36,720 --> 00:51:44,360 He will find the blood he shed an ample atonement for the sin. 748 00:51:45,440 --> 00:51:53,680 Of shedding it. We are our greatest enemy, but 749 00:51:53,680 --> 00:51:56,760 we're no match. For the grace that's. 750 00:51:56,760 --> 00:52:00,560 Found in Christ. Jesus is there even. 751 00:52:00,560 --> 00:52:05,320 Forgiveness for those who have broken their vows against the. 752 00:52:05,320 --> 00:52:11,640 Lord, yes, abundant. Ample. 753 00:52:11,760 --> 00:52:18,760 Atonement is available in Jesus. Christ, God will protect us. 754 00:52:19,440 --> 00:52:23,280 On the way to the promised land, He will provide for us in every 755 00:52:23,280 --> 00:52:26,120 trial. He will turn every curse. 756 00:52:26,240 --> 00:52:29,680 To. Blessing, He will save us from 757 00:52:29,680 --> 00:52:34,440 our greatest. Enemy ourselves, let's pray. 758 00:52:40,760 --> 00:52:45,200 Father we. Do not deserve the matchless. 759 00:52:45,200 --> 00:52:50,360 Grace that you've. Given us in Christ Jesus, we do 760 00:52:50,360 --> 00:52:55,800 not deserve you're. Careful you're constant 761 00:52:55,800 --> 00:53:00,280 protection. So often we are the cause of our 762 00:53:00,280 --> 00:53:03,960 own misfortunes. Yet you are kind. 763 00:53:04,760 --> 00:53:06,720 You are gracious. You. 764 00:53:06,720 --> 00:53:12,680 Lead us to repentance. You will bring us safely home. 765 00:53:13,640 --> 00:53:16,200 We. Pray in Jesus name, Amen.