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Balaam's Prophecy - The Book of Numbers · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

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  Speaker 1: Let us pray. God is not a man that he
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  Speaker 1: should lie, neither the son of man that he should repent.
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  Speaker 1: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or
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  Speaker 1: hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
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  Speaker 1: Numbers 23.19 Today I praise you, Lord, because your undeniable
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  Speaker 1: hand of blessing and favor can be seen on my
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  Speaker 1: life and all I touch. like the prophecy of Balaam,
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  Speaker 1: I thank you that when others want to speak ill
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  Speaker 1: over my life, you, Lord, will bless me abundantly instead.
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  Speaker 1: I decree and declare that because you've spoken blessing over
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  Speaker 1: my life, no man can reverse it. I decree and
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  Speaker 1: declare that you've delivered me from my enemies and have
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  Speaker 1: broken the chains of mediocrity off my life. I am
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  Speaker 1: a chosen vessel, I am one of a kind, and
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  Speaker 1: my life will not be lived in vain. Thank you, Jesus,
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  Speaker 1: that your reign and glory is passed on to me
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  Speaker 1: because I put you first and walk in your ways.
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  Speaker 1: I am blessed and highly favored. In Jesus' name, amen.
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  Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. Continue listening for
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  Speaker 1: an incredible Bible story Brought to you by BibleInAYear.com.
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  Speaker 2: Balaam's Prophecy In our last story, we learned how Balak,
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  Speaker 2: king of Moab, was threatened by the vast number of Israelites.
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  Speaker 2: Out of fear, Balak sent for Balaam to curse Israel.
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  Speaker 2: Balak offered a great reward to Balaam if he cursed Israel.
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  Speaker 2: but God would not allow it. As Balaam was on
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  Speaker 2: the road to meet Balak, God caused Balaam's donkey to speak.
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  Speaker 2: The absurdity awakened Balaam to what he was doing. In
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  Speaker 2: this story, we learn about how Balaam is still unable
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  Speaker 2: to curse the Israelites and gives a word about one
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  Speaker 2: coming from out of Israel, as inspired by the book
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  Speaker 2: of Numbers.
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  Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of The
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  Speaker 3: Bible in a Year. In our last episode, we learned
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  Speaker 3: how Balak, king of Moab, sought out a pagan soothsayer
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  Speaker 3: named Balaam and offered treasures if he would curse the
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  Speaker 3: growing Israelite people. Balak was afraid of the Hebrews who,
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  Speaker 3: though untrained and not hostile, could easily overthrow his kingdom
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  Speaker 3: if they decided to do it. We learned how Balaam responded.
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  Speaker 3: Negatively at first, but then he tried to seek out
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  Speaker 3: Balak in opposition to God's commandment. We then heard the bizarre,
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  Speaker 3: strange tale of Balaam's donkey who spoke to Balaam before
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  Speaker 3: the angel of the Lord appeared and warned Balaam not
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  Speaker 3: to oppose God. He sent Balaam along to meet Balak
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  Speaker 3: with instructions to say only what God told him to say. Today,
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  Speaker 3: we'll hear what Balaam says to Balak. So let's listen
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  Speaker 3: to today's reading.
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  Speaker 2: Balak simmered in his fear of Israel. He paced the
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  Speaker 2: palace grounds anticipating Balaam's return so that he might curse Israel.
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  Speaker 2: When word came to Balak that Balaam had finally arrived,
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  Speaker 2: Balak rushed to the outskirts of Moab and met Balaam.
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  Speaker 2: What delayed you? Balak said. I have offered you great
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  Speaker 2: riches to curse the Israelite people. Do you not trust me?
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  Speaker 2: I am here now, Balaam replied. Balaam was resolved to
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  Speaker 2: only speak the words of God for he had come
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  Speaker 2: to understand his own selfish ambition. You should know that
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  Speaker 2: I do not have any power to curse or bless.
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  Speaker 2: That belongs to God alone. I will only say what
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  Speaker 2: God allows, Balaam said with resolve in his voice. The
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  Speaker 2: next day, Balak took Balaam to a cliff overlooking the
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  Speaker 2: Israelite camp. The two looked at the camp in awe,
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  Speaker 2: for the Israelites were like a sea of people. Balaam
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  Speaker 2: could not help but understand Balak's fear. Yet as he
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  Speaker 2: looked upon the people of Israel, he could sense the
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  Speaker 2: hand of God on them. An indescribable blessedness surrounded them,
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  Speaker 2: as if the presence of God was not near the people,
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  Speaker 2: but was among people. Balaam turned towards Balak and his
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  Speaker 2: men and said, God requires us to build seven altars
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  Speaker 2: to him. There we will make sacrifices and the Lord
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  Speaker 2: will speak his will. Balak had his men gather all
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  Speaker 2: that was needed. There on the cliff they burned sacrifices
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  Speaker 2: to God and worshipped him. Smoke arose from the cliff,
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  Speaker 2: and the people watched as Balaam retreated back to be
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  Speaker 2: with God in silence. There God spoke to him in
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  Speaker 2: prophetic poetry. Never before had Balaam received such beautiful and
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  Speaker 2: clear thoughts from God. The experience almost led him to tears.
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  Speaker 2: Balaam arose back towards Balak and the people surrounding him.
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  Speaker 2: Balaam spoke with booming and eloquent voice for all to hear.
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  Speaker 2: As the river runs smoothly over stones, so did Balaam's
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  Speaker 2: words flow from his tongue. Balaam prophesied before everyone, saying,
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  Speaker 2: From the distance Balak brought me to the eastern mountains.
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  Speaker 2: SURROUNDED BY THE BEAUTY OF THIS LAND, I HAVE BEEN
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  Speaker 2: ASKED TO CURSE JACOB AND DENOUNCE ISRAEL. HOW CAN I
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  Speaker 2: CURSE WHOM GOD HAS BLESSED? HOW CAN I DENOUNCE THOSE
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  Speaker 2: WHOM GOD HAS NEVER FORSAKEN? FOR FROM THE MOUNTAINTOPS I
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  Speaker 2: SEE HIM, AND BELOW THE ROLLING HILLS I WITNESS HIM MOVING. BEHOLD,
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  Speaker 2: THE PEOPLE DWELLING BELOW DO NOT CONSIDER THEMSELVES A NATION,
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  Speaker 2: YET THEY OUTNUMBER THE DUST, AND THEY ARE BLESSED. Let
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  Speaker 2: me die a death like Jacob's, blessed with children who
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  Speaker 2: create a nation. Balak listened to Balaam in total dismay.
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  Speaker 2: Enraged by his words, Balak asked, What are you doing?
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  Speaker 2: You were supposed to curse Israel, yet now you bless
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  Speaker 2: them before my people? Balaam replied calmly, saying, I told
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  Speaker 2: you that I would only speak the words of God.
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  Speaker 2: Balak refused to accept defeat. He brought Balaam to another
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  Speaker 2: summit near the hills to gaze upon Israel. Perhaps you
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  Speaker 2: would reconsider if you truly understood how great of a
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  Speaker 2: threat they were, Balak said as he showed Balaam another
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  Speaker 2: part of Israel's camp. As it turned out, their numbers
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  Speaker 2: were even greater than Balaam had originally thought. Their camp
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  Speaker 2: stretched around the cliffs, miles into another valley. In the
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  Speaker 2: new view on top of the cliffs, Balaam built seven
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  Speaker 2: more altars. The people watched Balaam in silence. Fear had
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  Speaker 2: made them desperate, so they looked at Balaam with anxious anticipation.
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  Speaker 2: Balaam listened closely, his eyes closed and brow furrowed. God
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  Speaker 2: spoke to Balaam again in poetry. His words soothed the
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  Speaker 2: heart of Balaam. Balaam opened his eyes and turned towards
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  Speaker 2: Balak and the people, saying,' Arise, Balak!' Hear the words
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  Speaker 2: being sung from the voice of God. The Lord is
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  Speaker 2: not a man that his fickle mind should sway. All
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  Speaker 2: he has spoken he shall be fulfilled. I have received
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  Speaker 2: a command to bless, for God has blessed them and
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  Speaker 2: shall not revoke it. He has not brought forth suffering
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  Speaker 2: to Jacob, nor will he send trouble to Israel. The
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  Speaker 2: Lord God is among them, and his mighty voice is
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  Speaker 2: shouting like the wind in waves. A voice of a
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  Speaker 2: king commands them. He brings them out of Egypt and
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  Speaker 2: is for them like the horns of a wild ox.
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  Speaker 2: No magic or enchantment could ever oppress the nation of Israel.
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  Speaker 2: Behold the mighty people. As a lioness it rises and
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  Speaker 2: it shall not lie down until it has devoured its
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  Speaker 2: prey and drunk the blood of the slain. The people
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  Speaker 2: shuddered in fear at the sound of Balaam's voice. Balak, however,
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  Speaker 2: became annoyed. You shame me by coming here and blessing them.
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  Speaker 2: Not cursing them is one thing, but could you not
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  Speaker 2: even do us the courtesy of not blessing them? Balak's
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  Speaker 2: anger rose, and he once more brought Balaam to another
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  Speaker 2: vantage point to view Israel. They moved the altars a
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  Speaker 2: third time and offered sacrifices to God. Balaam spoke again, saying,
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  Speaker 2: The oracle of him whose eyes were opened and hears
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  Speaker 2: the word of God I see the vision of the Almighty.
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  Speaker 2: How lovely are your dwelling places, O Israel! You are
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  Speaker 2: like palm groves that stretch across the shores and gardens
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  Speaker 2: beside a river. You are like aloes that God has planted.
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  Speaker 2: Water shall flow from you, and seeds shall be within
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  Speaker 2: the waters. Your kingdom shall be exalted. God has brought
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  Speaker 2: you out of slavery and defends you with the strength
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  Speaker 2: of a wild ox. You shall eat up the nations
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  Speaker 2: and your adversaries. You shall break their bones in pieces
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  Speaker 2: and pierce them with mighty arrows. Blessed are those who
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  Speaker 2: bless you, and cursed are those that curse you. Balak
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  Speaker 2: could take no more of Balaam's prophecies. I have called
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  Speaker 2: you here to curse my enemies and you stand here
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  Speaker 2: and bless them again, Balak said. Balak's fear, anger, and
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  Speaker 2: hatred boiled over. He sent Balaam away and began... to retreat.
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  Speaker 2: Balaam began to leave, but before doing so, he had
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  Speaker 2: another word for Balak and his people. Only this time
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  Speaker 2: Balaam spoke of a prophecy that transcended time. His words
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  Speaker 2: heralded an ancient promise once made to Abraham. It was
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  Speaker 2: a prophecy hoped for. and a prophecy that would unfold
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  Speaker 2: before all humanity past, present, and future. Balaam spoke powerfully, saying,
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  Speaker 2: I see him, but not now. He is not near.
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  Speaker 2: A star shall come out from Jacob. A scepter shall
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  Speaker 2: rise out of Israel. All the cities shall bow before him.
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  Speaker 2: After speaking these words, Balaam left. Riding his donkey, Balaam
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  Speaker 2: departed from the frightened land of Moab. A newfound heart
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  Speaker 2: for God's people overcame him, as well as an anticipation
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  Speaker 2: of what would unfold out of Israel. Who was this star?
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  Speaker 2: How would he make all the nations crumble before him?
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  Speaker 2: What was God going to do?
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  Speaker 3: We begin today's story with an anxious King Balak awaiting
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  Speaker 3: the arrival of Balaam. He's offered many treasures to Balaam
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  Speaker 3: and is sure when Balaam arrives, he will curse Israel
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  Speaker 3: and calm Balak's fears. But the king's hopes are dashed
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  Speaker 3: as Balaam tells him he will not curse Israel. Blessing
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  Speaker 3: and cursing are God's to give, not his. And furthermore,
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  Speaker 3: he must speak to Balak only what God tells him
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  Speaker 3: to say. Clearly, his encounter with God on the road
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  Speaker 3: to Moab changed Balaam. Balak has a plan. Maybe if
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  Speaker 3: he shows Balaam how big the Israelite contingent is, he'll
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  Speaker 3: understand the threat and yield to the king's request. So
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  Speaker 3: they go up to a high mountain to see a
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  Speaker 3: portion of the Israelites. The crowd was very large, but
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  Speaker 3: Balaam was resolved to only obey God. He tells Balak
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  Speaker 3: to build seven altars and offer sacrifices to the one
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  Speaker 3: true God who will then speak his will. Balak does
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  Speaker 3: his Balaam request and the offerings rise up from the cliffs.
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  Speaker 3: God comes to Balaam and tells him what to say.
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  Speaker 3: Balaam will not curse the descendants of Jacob, Those whom
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  Speaker 3: God has blessed, his words are a beautiful testimony, in fact,
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  Speaker 3: to God's enduring faithfulness to Israel. Balak is very angry
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  Speaker 3: and disappointed. Rather than curse these people, Balaam has blessed them.
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  Speaker 3: But he doesn't give up. He shows Balaam even more Hebrews.
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  Speaker 3: And their numbers are staggering, but Balaam listens to God
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  Speaker 3: just as he promised he would. They move the altars
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  Speaker 3: and other sacrifices, and God again speaks through Balaam of
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  Speaker 3: all that God has done for Israel. He has blessed
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  Speaker 3: them and dwelt among them. God will not allow his
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  Speaker 3: people to be cursed. Balak is more than irritated. This
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  Speaker 3: isn't the outcome he expected. He desperately asked Balaam to
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  Speaker 3: neither curse nor bless them. Again, Balaam is faithful. He
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  Speaker 3: must do as God tells him. A third time, Balak
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  Speaker 3: shows him more of the Israelites, and God delivers a
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  Speaker 3: message through Balaam. His words, far from spelling doom for Israel,
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  Speaker 3: tell of a growing nation, blessed and protected by the
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  Speaker 3: hand of Almighty God. Balak's irritation turns to rage. He
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  Speaker 3: sends Balaam away and slinks back into defeat. Before he leaves, though,
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  Speaker 3: Balaam delivers one more message, one that echoed the promise
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  Speaker 3: that God made to Abraham long ago. one that speaks
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  Speaker 3: hope not only for Israel, but for all the world.
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  Speaker 3: Here's that message. I see him, but not now. I
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  Speaker 3: behold him, but not near. A star shall come forth
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  Speaker 3: out of Jacob. A scepter shall rise from Israel. Today's
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  Speaker 3: reading reminds us that God can use anyone who turns
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  Speaker 3: their ears to him and obeys him. Balaam was not
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  Speaker 3: an Israelite. He was not one of God's chosen people.
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  Speaker 3: But God worked in a powerful way through this man
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  Speaker 3: to bless Israel. When Balaam encountered God in his life,
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  Speaker 3: he was forever changed. And through him, God delivered a
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  Speaker 3: message of great hope that would resonate throughout the generations
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  Speaker 3: and into the world. A promise of a scepter, a
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  Speaker 3: savior who would yet come. Dear God, thank you for
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  Speaker 3: this amazing story of how you can use the most
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  Speaker 3: unlikely people to speak truth and to bring blessings. Help
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  Speaker 3: us to follow Balaam's example of boldly speaking of your
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  Speaker 3: greatness and faithfulness always. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you
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  Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm
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  Speaker 3: Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the Pray.com app. and
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  Speaker 3: make Bible reading and prayer the priority of your life.
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  Speaker 3: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love,
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  Speaker 3: a big difference, an eternal difference in someone else's life.
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  Speaker 3: And if you want more resources on how to tap
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  Speaker 3: into God's power for your life, be sure to visit jackgram.org.
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  Speaker 3: God bless you.