WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.960 Malcom: Welcome to Immerse: the Daily Bible reading Experience. 00:00:03.083 --> 00:00:04.393 Day 100 and 41 00:00:04.857 --> 00:00:08.967 Then the people of Israel traveled to the plains of Moab and camped east of 00:00:08.967 --> 00:00:11.457 the Jordan River across from Jericho. 00:00:12.327 --> 00:00:13.977 Baek sent a zipper. 00:00:14.187 --> 00:00:19.287 The Moabite King had seen everything the Israelites did to the Amorites, and when 00:00:19.287 --> 00:00:23.727 the people of Moab saw how many Israelites there were, they were terrified. 00:00:24.222 --> 00:00:27.912 The King of Moab said to the elders of Midian, this mob will 00:00:27.912 --> 00:00:32.202 devour everything in sight like an ox devours grass in the field. 00:00:33.342 --> 00:00:39.222 So Baek King of Moab sent messengers to call Balaam son of bor, who 00:00:39.222 --> 00:00:43.062 was living in his native land of Petor near the Euphrates River. 00:00:43.782 --> 00:00:48.882 His message said, look, a vast hoard of people has arrived from Egypt. 00:00:49.272 --> 00:00:52.092 They cover the face of the earth and are threatening me. 00:00:52.677 --> 00:00:56.847 Please come and curse these people for me because they are too powerful for me. 00:00:57.357 --> 00:01:01.407 Then perhaps I will be able to conquer them and drive them from the land. 00:01:02.097 --> 00:01:06.267 I know that blessings fall on any people you bless and curses 00:01:06.272 --> 00:01:07.947 fall on people you curse. 00:01:08.997 --> 00:01:14.667 Beeks Messengers who were elders of Moab and Midian set out with money to pay 00:01:14.667 --> 00:01:17.037 Balaam to place a curse upon Israel. 00:01:17.697 --> 00:01:21.117 They went to Balaam and delivered Beeks message to him. 00:01:21.852 --> 00:01:23.112 Stay here overnight. 00:01:23.352 --> 00:01:28.272 Baam said in the morning, I will tell you whatever the Lord directs me to say. 00:01:29.022 --> 00:01:33.372 So the officials from Moab stayed there with Baam that night. 00:01:33.732 --> 00:01:37.752 God came to Baam and asked him, who were these men visiting you? 00:01:38.682 --> 00:01:44.802 Baam said to God, Baek son of zippo, king of Moab, has sent me this message. 00:01:45.387 --> 00:01:49.407 Look, a vast hoard of people has arrived from Egypt and they 00:01:49.407 --> 00:01:50.907 cover the face of the earth. 00:01:51.447 --> 00:01:53.397 Come and curse these people for me. 00:01:53.847 --> 00:01:57.447 Then perhaps I will be able to stand up to them and drive them from the land. 00:01:58.617 --> 00:02:01.917 But God told Balaam, do not go with them. 00:02:02.367 --> 00:02:05.697 You are not to curse these people for they have been blessed. 00:02:06.927 --> 00:02:12.027 The next morning, Baalam got up and told Beeks officials, go on home. 00:02:12.297 --> 00:02:14.007 The Lord will not let me go with you. 00:02:15.402 --> 00:02:18.792 So the Moabite officials returned to King Baek and reported 00:02:19.152 --> 00:02:21.042 Balaam refused to come with us. 00:02:21.732 --> 00:02:26.052 Then Baek tried again this time, he sent a larger number of even more 00:02:26.052 --> 00:02:29.892 distinguished officials than those he had sent the first time they went to 00:02:29.892 --> 00:02:32.292 Balaam and delivered this message to him. 00:02:33.342 --> 00:02:35.892 This is what Baek son of zipper says. 00:02:36.432 --> 00:02:39.582 Please don't let anything stop you from coming to help me. 00:02:39.987 --> 00:02:42.657 I will pay you very well and do whatever you tell me. 00:02:43.107 --> 00:02:45.747 Just come and curse these people for me. 00:02:46.557 --> 00:02:48.987 But Beam responded to Beeks messengers. 00:02:49.647 --> 00:02:54.417 Even if beek were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I 00:02:54.417 --> 00:02:58.497 would be powerless to do any anything against the will of the Lord, my God. 00:02:59.187 --> 00:03:02.457 But stay here one more night and I will see if the Lord has 00:03:02.457 --> 00:03:03.747 anything else to say to me. 00:03:04.812 --> 00:03:09.162 That night, God came to Baam and told him, since these men have come 00:03:09.162 --> 00:03:14.022 for you, get up and go with them, but do only what I tell you to do. 00:03:14.892 --> 00:03:19.302 So the next morning, Balaam got up, saddled his donkey and started 00:03:19.302 --> 00:03:20.952 off with the Moabite officials. 00:03:21.702 --> 00:03:23.922 But God was angry that Baam was going. 00:03:24.312 --> 00:03:28.092 So he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. 00:03:28.887 --> 00:03:33.357 As Balaam and two servants were riding along, Balaam's donkey saw 00:03:33.357 --> 00:03:37.527 the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. 00:03:38.247 --> 00:03:42.567 The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it 00:03:42.687 --> 00:03:44.337 and turned it back onto the road. 00:03:44.617 --> 00:03:48.417 Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed 00:03:48.417 --> 00:03:50.157 between two vineyard walls. 00:03:50.877 --> 00:03:55.257 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and 00:03:55.262 --> 00:03:57.717 crushed balaam's foot against the wall. 00:03:58.332 --> 00:04:00.312 So Balaam beat the donkey again. 00:04:01.302 --> 00:04:05.052 Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in 00:04:05.052 --> 00:04:10.032 a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all this time, when 00:04:10.032 --> 00:04:15.282 the donkey saw the angel, it laid down under Balaam in a fit of rage. 00:04:15.492 --> 00:04:18.162 Balaam beat the animal again with his staff. 00:04:19.032 --> 00:04:21.822 Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. 00:04:22.557 --> 00:04:25.287 What have I done to you that deserves your beating me? 00:04:25.287 --> 00:04:30.087 Three times it asked Balaam, you have made me look like a fool. 00:04:30.507 --> 00:04:31.317 Balaam shouted. 00:04:31.767 --> 00:04:33.957 If I had a sword with me, I would kill you. 00:04:34.977 --> 00:04:36.297 But I am the same donkey. 00:04:36.302 --> 00:04:37.977 You have ridden all your life. 00:04:38.277 --> 00:04:39.237 The donkey answered. 00:04:39.717 --> 00:04:41.967 Have I ever done anything like this before? 00:04:43.017 --> 00:04:43.647 No. 00:04:44.007 --> 00:04:44.937 Baam admitted. 00:04:46.077 --> 00:04:48.297 Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes. 00:04:48.642 --> 00:04:51.882 He saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with 00:04:51.882 --> 00:04:53.592 a drawn sword in his hand. 00:04:54.402 --> 00:04:58.152 Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him. 00:04:59.292 --> 00:05:01.842 Why did you beat your donkey those three times? 00:05:02.202 --> 00:05:07.212 The angel of the Lord demanded, look, I have come to block your way because you 00:05:07.212 --> 00:05:10.242 are stubbornly resisting me three times. 00:05:10.242 --> 00:05:12.222 The donkey saw me and shied away. 00:05:12.762 --> 00:05:17.322 Otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey. 00:05:18.312 --> 00:05:22.242 Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, I have sinned. 00:05:22.782 --> 00:05:25.902 I didn't realize you were standing in the road to block my way. 00:05:26.412 --> 00:05:29.082 I will return home if you are against my going. 00:05:30.132 --> 00:05:34.362 But the angel of the Lord told Balaam, go with these men, but 00:05:34.362 --> 00:05:36.402 say only what I tell you to say. 00:05:37.302 --> 00:05:39.882 So Balaam went on with Baek officials. 00:05:41.367 --> 00:05:45.537 When King Baek heard that Balaam was on the way, he went out to meet him 00:05:45.537 --> 00:05:49.647 at a Moabite town on the Arnon River at the farthest border of his land. 00:05:50.577 --> 00:05:53.217 Didn't I send you an urgent invitation? 00:05:53.577 --> 00:05:55.227 Why didn't you come right away? 00:05:55.647 --> 00:06:00.717 Baek asked Balaam, didn't you believe me when I said I would reward you richly? 00:06:01.647 --> 00:06:07.977 Balen replied, look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. 00:06:08.397 --> 00:06:11.757 I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth. 00:06:12.687 --> 00:06:16.977 Then Balaam accompanied Baek to Kiya Soff where the king 00:06:16.977 --> 00:06:18.747 sacrificed cattle and sheep. 00:06:19.467 --> 00:06:23.307 He sent portions of the meat to Balaam and the officials who were with him. 00:06:23.997 --> 00:06:27.687 The next morning, Baek took Balaam up to Baath, Baal. 00:06:28.737 --> 00:06:32.247 From there he could see some of the people of Israel spread out below him. 00:06:33.537 --> 00:06:39.462 Then Balaam said to King Beak, Build me seven altars here and prepare seven young 00:06:39.462 --> 00:06:42.222 bulls and seven rams for me to sacrifice. 00:06:43.272 --> 00:06:46.902 Baek followed his instructions and the two of them sacrificed a 00:06:46.902 --> 00:06:49.272 young bull and a ram on each altar. 00:06:50.622 --> 00:06:55.302 Then Baalam said to Baek, stand here by your burnt offerings, and I will go 00:06:55.302 --> 00:06:57.372 to see if the Lord will respond to me. 00:06:57.942 --> 00:07:00.282 Then I will tell you whatever he reveals to me. 00:07:01.212 --> 00:07:05.502 So Balaam went alone to the top of a bear hill and God met him there. 00:07:06.087 --> 00:07:10.707 Balaam said to him, I have prepared seven altars and have sacrificed a 00:07:10.707 --> 00:07:12.897 young bull and a ram on each altar. 00:07:13.827 --> 00:07:16.197 The Lord gave Balaam a message for King Baek. 00:07:16.977 --> 00:07:20.787 Then he said, go back to Baek and give him my message. 00:07:21.927 --> 00:07:25.917 So Baam returned and found the king standing beside his burnt offerings 00:07:26.157 --> 00:07:27.777 with all the officials of Moab. 00:07:28.527 --> 00:07:30.477 This was the message Baam delivered. 00:07:31.647 --> 00:07:33.807 Baek summoned me to come from Arum. 00:07:34.197 --> 00:07:36.957 The King of Moab brought me from the eastern hills. 00:07:37.557 --> 00:07:38.097 Come. 00:07:38.127 --> 00:07:40.497 He said, curse Jacob for me. 00:07:41.007 --> 00:07:43.017 Come and announce Israel's doom. 00:07:43.857 --> 00:07:46.767 But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? 00:07:47.277 --> 00:07:50.307 How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned? 00:07:51.057 --> 00:07:52.767 I see them from the clifftops. 00:07:53.127 --> 00:07:54.627 I watch them from the hills. 00:07:55.227 --> 00:08:01.047 I see a people who live by themselves set apart from other nations, who can count 00:08:01.047 --> 00:08:03.777 Jacob's descendants as numerous as dust. 00:08:04.377 --> 00:08:05.187 Who can count? 00:08:05.187 --> 00:08:09.597 Even a fourth of Israel's people Let me die like the righteous, 00:08:10.017 --> 00:08:12.297 let my life end like theirs. 00:08:13.377 --> 00:08:15.567 Then King Baek demanded of Balaam. 00:08:15.957 --> 00:08:17.307 What have you done to me? 00:08:17.607 --> 00:08:20.037 I brought you to curse my enemies instead. 00:08:20.042 --> 00:08:21.057 You have blessed them. 00:08:21.837 --> 00:08:26.907 But Balaam replied, I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth. 00:08:28.302 --> 00:08:32.082 Then King Baek told him, come with me to another place. 00:08:32.532 --> 00:08:35.832 There you'll see another part of the nation of Israel, but not all 00:08:35.832 --> 00:08:38.142 of them curse at least that many. 00:08:39.102 --> 00:08:43.422 So Baek took Balaam to the plateau of Zophim on Pisco Peak. 00:08:44.082 --> 00:08:48.702 He built seven altars there and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar. 00:08:49.452 --> 00:08:53.622 Then Balaam said to the king, stand here by your burnt offerings while 00:08:53.622 --> 00:08:55.282 I go over there to meet the Lord. 00:08:56.502 --> 00:08:59.232 The Lord met Balaam and gave him a message. 00:08:59.742 --> 00:09:03.402 Then he said, go back to Baek and give him my message. 00:09:04.512 --> 00:09:08.532 So Balaam returned and found the king standing beside his burnt offerings 00:09:08.592 --> 00:09:10.182 with all the officials of Moab. 00:09:11.052 --> 00:09:12.252 What did the Lord say? 00:09:12.732 --> 00:09:14.112 Baek asked eagerly. 00:09:14.982 --> 00:09:16.002 This was the message. 00:09:16.002 --> 00:09:16.872 Balaam delivered. 00:09:17.652 --> 00:09:19.722 Rise up Baek and listen. 00:09:20.202 --> 00:09:21.702 Hear me, son of zipper. 00:09:22.812 --> 00:09:25.782 God is not a man, so he does not lie. 00:09:26.352 --> 00:09:29.412 He is not human, so he does not change his mind. 00:09:30.072 --> 00:09:32.682 Has he ever spoken and failed to act? 00:09:33.102 --> 00:09:35.772 Has he ever promised and not carried it through? 00:09:36.462 --> 00:09:42.732 Listen, I received a command to bless God has blessed and I cannot reverse it. 00:09:43.452 --> 00:09:46.152 No misfortune is in his plan for Jacob. 00:09:46.572 --> 00:09:48.702 No trouble is in store for Israel. 00:09:49.407 --> 00:09:50.037 For the Lord. 00:09:50.037 --> 00:09:51.417 There God is with them. 00:09:51.717 --> 00:09:53.667 He has been proclaimed their king. 00:09:54.387 --> 00:09:57.027 God brought them out of Egypt for them. 00:09:57.027 --> 00:09:59.337 He is as strong as a wild ox. 00:09:59.907 --> 00:10:01.857 No curse can touch Jacob. 00:10:02.307 --> 00:10:05.157 No magic has any power against Israel. 00:10:05.877 --> 00:10:10.647 For now, it will be said of Jacob, what wonders God has done for Israel. 00:10:11.427 --> 00:10:16.317 These people rise up like a lion is like a majestic lion, rousing itself. 00:10:17.022 --> 00:10:21.042 They refuse to rest until they have feasted on prey drinking 00:10:21.042 --> 00:10:22.392 the blood of the slaughtered. 00:10:23.562 --> 00:10:28.212 Then Baek said to Balaam, fine, but if you won't curse them, 00:10:28.217 --> 00:10:29.952 at least don't bless them. 00:10:30.792 --> 00:10:34.722 But Balaam replied to Baek, didn't I tell you that I can 00:10:34.727 --> 00:10:36.642 do only what the Lord tells me? 00:10:37.947 --> 00:10:42.987 Then King Baek said to Balaam, come, I will take you to one more place. 00:10:43.467 --> 00:10:46.587 Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them from there. 00:10:47.607 --> 00:10:52.857 So Baek took Baalam to the top of Mount Peor overlooking the wasteland. 00:10:53.547 --> 00:10:59.247 Baam again told Baek, build me seven altars and prepare seven young bulls 00:10:59.367 --> 00:11:01.677 and seven rams for me to sacrifice. 00:11:02.592 --> 00:11:07.692 So Baek did as Balaam ordered and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar. 00:11:08.802 --> 00:11:13.482 By now, Balaam realized that the Lord was determined to bless Israel, so he 00:11:13.487 --> 00:11:15.762 did not resort to divination is before. 00:11:16.362 --> 00:11:20.352 Instead, he turned and looked out toward the wilderness where he saw the 00:11:20.352 --> 00:11:22.842 people of Israel camped tribe by tribe. 00:11:23.622 --> 00:11:28.512 Then the spirit of God came upon him, and this is the message he delivered. 00:11:29.967 --> 00:11:34.527 This is the message of Balaam son of bor, the message of the man whose 00:11:34.527 --> 00:11:39.657 eyes see clearly the message of one who hears the words of God, who 00:11:39.657 --> 00:11:44.247 sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open. 00:11:45.357 --> 00:11:46.587 Beautiful are your tent. 00:11:46.587 --> 00:11:49.377 So Jacob, how lovely are your homes? 00:11:49.377 --> 00:11:51.867 Oh, Israel, they spread before me. 00:11:51.867 --> 00:11:55.377 Like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. 00:11:56.037 --> 00:11:58.767 They're like tall trees planted by the Lord. 00:11:58.977 --> 00:12:03.867 Like cedars beside the waters, water will flow from their buckets. 00:12:04.197 --> 00:12:06.267 Their offspring have all they need. 00:12:07.107 --> 00:12:09.267 Their king will be greater than aag. 00:12:09.717 --> 00:12:11.307 Their kingdom will be exalted. 00:12:12.087 --> 00:12:14.547 God brought them out of Egypt for them. 00:12:14.552 --> 00:12:16.917 He is as strong as a wild ox. 00:12:17.447 --> 00:12:21.477 He devours all the nations that oppose him, breaking their bones in 00:12:21.477 --> 00:12:23.547 pieces, shooting them with arrows. 00:12:24.312 --> 00:12:30.882 Like a Lion Israel CROs and lies down like a lion is who dares to arouse her. 00:12:31.752 --> 00:12:33.822 Blessed is everyone who blesses you. 00:12:33.822 --> 00:12:37.632 Oh, Israel and cursed is everyone who curses you. 00:12:39.162 --> 00:12:42.042 King Baek flew into a rage against Balaam. 00:12:42.432 --> 00:12:44.832 He angrily clapped his hands and shouted. 00:12:45.042 --> 00:12:48.462 I called you to curse my enemies instead. 00:12:48.462 --> 00:12:50.712 You have blessed them three times. 00:12:51.192 --> 00:12:52.272 Now, get out of here. 00:12:52.332 --> 00:12:53.292 Go back home. 00:12:53.712 --> 00:12:58.422 I promise to reward you richly, but the Lord has kept you from your reward. 00:12:59.502 --> 00:13:03.852 Balaam told Baek, don't you remember what I told your messengers? 00:13:04.272 --> 00:13:08.982 I said, even if Baek were to give me his palace filled with silver 00:13:08.982 --> 00:13:13.752 and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord. 00:13:14.322 --> 00:13:17.412 I told you that I could say only what the Lord says. 00:13:18.102 --> 00:13:20.412 Now I am returning to my own people. 00:13:21.267 --> 00:13:26.007 First, let me tell you what the Israelites will do to your people in the future. 00:13:27.507 --> 00:13:29.547 This is the message Balaam delivered. 00:13:30.687 --> 00:13:35.217 This is the message of Balaam son of bor, the message of the man whose 00:13:35.217 --> 00:13:40.647 eyes see clearly the message of one who hears the words of God, who has 00:13:40.647 --> 00:13:44.517 knowledge from the most high, who sees a vision from the Almighty, 00:13:44.937 --> 00:13:47.487 who bows down with eyes wide open. 00:13:48.402 --> 00:13:52.992 I see him, but not here, and now I perceive him. 00:13:53.352 --> 00:13:58.302 But far in the distant future, a star will rise from Jacob. 00:13:58.872 --> 00:14:01.092 A scepter will emerge from Israel. 00:14:01.752 --> 00:14:04.452 It will crush the heads of moabs people. 00:14:04.932 --> 00:14:10.482 Cracking the skulls of the people of Sha Edam will be taken over and 00:14:10.482 --> 00:14:15.642 seer its enemy will be conquered while Israel marches on in triumph. 00:14:17.052 --> 00:14:21.612 A ruler will rise in Jacob, who will destroy the survivors of ear. 00:14:22.602 --> 00:14:27.222 Then Balaam looked over toward the people of Amalek and delivered this message. 00:14:28.362 --> 00:14:33.162 Amalek was the greatest of nations, but its destiny is destruction. 00:14:34.482 --> 00:14:37.812 Then he looked over toward the Ken Heights and delivered this message. 00:14:38.502 --> 00:14:40.002 Your home is secure. 00:14:40.302 --> 00:14:42.102 Your nest is set in the rocks. 00:14:42.597 --> 00:14:46.527 But the can Knights will be destroyed when Assyria takes you captive. 00:14:47.667 --> 00:14:52.227 Balaam concluded his messages by saying, alas, who can survive 00:14:52.227 --> 00:14:53.547 unless God has willed it? 00:14:54.147 --> 00:14:56.637 Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus. 00:14:56.877 --> 00:15:02.787 They will oppress Assyria, a afflict eber, but they too will be utterly destroyed. 00:15:03.927 --> 00:15:09.057 Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way. 00:15:11.037 --> 00:15:13.917 This concludes today's Immerse Reading experience. 00:15:14.037 --> 00:15:15.267 Thank you for joining us.