WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.900 All right, friends, would you turn with me to Numbers, chapters 23 and 24. 00:00:05.419 --> 00:00:09.279 ! That's page 121 or 122 in some of the newer Pew Bibles. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:14.839 Numbers 23 and 24, page 121. 00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:15.679 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.380 They've been in the wilderness for 40 years, facing many trials, some of them simply because of their difficult circumstances, some of those trials because of their own sin and moral failures. 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:51.439 But at this point, where we've come to in the book of Numbers, chapters 23 and 24 in this part of the book, the new generation has risen up. 00:00:52.120 --> 00:00:55.019 And this new generation is on the verge of the promised land. 00:00:55.019 --> 00:00:57.700 They're about to leave the wilderness behind. 00:00:57.700 --> 00:01:06.159 And yet, that doesn't mean that the trials and the challenges are all behind them. 00:01:06.260 --> 00:01:11.820 They still face the daunting prospect of crossing the Jordan and entering the land. 00:01:11.960 --> 00:01:15.159 There are enemies ahead, trials ahead, hardships ahead. 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:19.780 But it's not just difficult circumstances that await them. 00:01:19.780 --> 00:01:29.240 This new generation, too, will have to grapple with their own moral failings and their own internal shortcomings. 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:41.299 And so, as they face, this new generation faces these external and internal trials, where, where will their confidence come from? 00:01:41.299 --> 00:01:44.640 Where will they find the confidence to move ahead? 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:50.299 You know, that question is the same for the church today, for us today. 00:01:50.299 --> 00:01:52.759 Hardships, right, are inevitable in life. 00:01:52.759 --> 00:01:55.200 Challenges and trials, without and within. 00:01:55.539 --> 00:01:58.000 Where will we get the confidence to face them? 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:03.359 Well, this is where Numbers 23 and 24 comes in. 00:02:04.260 --> 00:02:10.520 And these chapters, we're picking up the story of Balak and Balaam. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:18.340 Balak, you'll remember from last week, is the pagan king of Moab, who sees the people of Israel gathered on the verge of the promised land, 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:23.460 and is afraid of them, wants to defeat them, so he wants to curse them. 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:32.240 And in order to do that, he goes and finds Balaam, a sort of prophet for hire, and calls Balaam in to do the cursing. 00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:39.740 It's an interesting scene in the book of Numbers, because the narrator sort of takes us into the camp of the enemy nations. 00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:48.640 And there, in the camp of those who want to curse Israel, it seems like a strange place to find confidence in the face of trials, right? 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:52.159 But that's exactly what we do find. 00:02:53.679 --> 00:03:03.099 Because even there, in the midst of the enemy camp, we see the Lord's determination to bless his people and to make his blessings known. 00:03:04.239 --> 00:03:09.379 Three times in these chapters, Balak will try to get Balaam to curse Israel. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:14.500 And three times, Balaam will come back, not with a curse, but with the Lord's blessing. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:21.759 And then, at the end of chapter 24, Balaam will give a fourth and final blessing. 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:27.939 The enemy wants to curse God's people, but God's blessing prevails. 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:34.159 The final word belongs to the Lord, and that word over his people is a word of favor. 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:45.599 But, as we think about the broad scope of these chapters that we'll dive into in just a second, what exactly does this blessing consist of? 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:52.780 What is the nature and content of this blessing that God speaks over his people, even through the mouth of his enemies? 00:03:53.919 --> 00:04:01.479 And how can the particular content and contours of that blessing help us today to face trials with confidence? 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:04.840 Well, let's jump into the story to find out. 00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:09.439 Now, for context, we're going to start in verse 36 of the previous chapter, chapter 22. 00:04:09.579 --> 00:04:11.859 So, if you have your Bible open, jump up a couple paragraphs. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:13.560 All this will be on the screens above, too. 00:04:14.859 --> 00:04:16.379 Chapter 22, verse 36. 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:18.980 But before I read, let's go ahead and pray. 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:26.680 Father, help us as we come to your word to hear these blessings afresh and to understand them afresh in Jesus Christ, our Lord, 00:04:27.580 --> 00:04:32.240 so that we, too, might move ahead as your people in confidence, even in the midst of trials. 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:33.640 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:34.280 Amen. 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:37.759 All right, Numbers 22, picking up in verse 36. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:51.099 Remember last week. 00:04:52.339 --> 00:04:53.219 There's a whole story there. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:53.959 You should go back and read it. 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:56.399 And Balaam said to Balak, behold, I have come to you. 00:04:56.919 --> 00:04:58.959 Have I now any power of my own to speak anything? 00:04:59.239 --> 00:05:01.519 The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak. 00:05:02.859 --> 00:05:05.579 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-azoth. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:09.479 And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and sent for Balaam and the princes who were with him. 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:14.500 And in the morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him to Bamoth-Bal. 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:16.959 And from there, he saw a fraction of the people. 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:22.759 And Balaam said to Balak, build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams. 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:25.579 Balaam did as Balaam had said. 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:29.939 And Balak and Balaam offered on each altar a bull and a ram. 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:34.860 And Balaam said to Balak, stand beside your burnt offering and I will go. 00:05:35.399 --> 00:05:38.980 Perhaps the Lord will come to meet me and whatever he shows me, I will tell to you. 00:05:39.719 --> 00:05:41.039 And he went to a bare height. 00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:42.819 And God met Balaam. 00:05:43.659 --> 00:05:49.079 And Balaam said to him, I have arranged the seven altars and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram. 00:05:49.079 --> 00:05:52.680 And the Lord put a word in Balaam's mouth and said, 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:56.779 Return to Balak and thus you shall speak. 00:05:57.639 --> 00:05:58.620 And he returned to him. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:01.579 And behold, he and all the princes of Moab were standing beside his burnt offering. 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:03.959 And Balaam took up his discourse and said, 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:09.019 From Aram, Balak has brought me the king of Moab from the eastern mountains. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:12.500 Come, curse Jacob for me and come denounce Israel. 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:16.420 How can I curse whom God has not cursed? 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:19.860 How can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced? 00:06:20.140 --> 00:06:22.300 For from the top of the crags I see him. 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:24.259 From the hills I behold him. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:27.620 Behold, a people dwelling alone and not counting itself among the nations. 00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:33.740 Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:38.600 Let me die the death of the upright and let my end be like his. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:41.700 And Balak said to Balaam, 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:43.920 What have you done to me? 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:48.900 I took you to curse my enemies and behold, you've done nothing but bless them. 00:06:50.320 --> 00:06:51.500 And Balaam answered and said, 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:56.040 Must I not take care to speak what the Lord puts in my mouth? 00:06:56.040 --> 00:07:01.760 Okay, there's the basic narrative structure of the rest of the passage. 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:03.439 We're going to see this repeated a couple times. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:08.240 But we see here the first of four blessings that God speaks over Israel through the mouth of Balaam. 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:11.439 Yes, even through the mouth of his enemies, God blesses his people. 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:15.900 And this first blessing that is meant to give us confidence in the face of trials is this. 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:20.680 It is the blessing of God's faithfulness. 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:23.520 The blessing of God's faithfulness. 00:07:23.660 --> 00:07:25.000 Where do we see that in these verses? 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:27.040 Well, we see it in verses 9 and 10. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:30.620 In verse 9, we're told that God's people are set apart from the nations. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:32.339 They dwell alone. 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:33.540 That is, they're distinct. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.600 They're set apart from the people around them. 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:41.300 But does that mean that they're small and sort of destined to be swallowed up by the stronger nations around them? 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:42.339 No. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:46.060 In verse 10, we're told that they are great in number. 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:50.100 Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? 00:07:51.720 --> 00:07:54.399 Now, if you've been following the story of the Bible so far, 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:56.779 up to this point in the book of Numbers, 00:07:57.120 --> 00:08:01.680 you'll actually start to recognize that language that God puts into Balaam's mouth here. 00:08:02.339 --> 00:08:08.199 It's similar language that he spoke all the way back to Abraham, all the way back in the book of Genesis. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:16.039 You see, God promised Abraham that he would make Abraham's descendants as numerous as the grains on the seashore, 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.620 as many as the stars in the sky. 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:22.939 And here in Numbers, nearly 400 years after God made that promise to Abraham, 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:26.500 as Balaam looks out over just a small fraction of the people, 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:30.839 Balaam sees a multitude almost too great to number. 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:33.819 And what does that mean? 00:08:34.959 --> 00:08:38.699 It means that God has been faithful to his promises. 00:08:39.959 --> 00:08:45.759 This first blessing is the blessing, the assurance of God's faithfulness. 00:08:45.959 --> 00:08:48.779 All that God says he will do. 00:08:48.959 --> 00:08:51.179 God will remain true to his words. 00:08:51.179 --> 00:08:54.899 And that was true for God's people under the old covenant, 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:59.120 and it remains true for God's people in the new covenant today. 00:09:00.459 --> 00:09:02.859 He is faithful. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.899 The challenges that you and I face, 00:09:06.359 --> 00:09:08.479 you see, these are not a surprise to God. 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:13.159 The trials we face, they might catch us off guard, but not God. 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:16.679 He is working out his good plans. 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:21.459 He is keeping his promises no matter what circumstances we face. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:28.039 An unexpected illness, a sudden job loss, a fractured relationship. 00:09:29.559 --> 00:09:36.379 None of these wilderness experiences that we face change God's faithfulness one bit. 00:09:37.219 --> 00:09:41.740 He will never stop working for his glory and for our good. 00:09:42.599 --> 00:09:43.159 I mean, think about it. 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:50.059 How on earth could a band of liberated slaves from Egypt who wandered in the desert for 40 years, 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:54.159 possibly at the end of all that, become a people too great to number? 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:57.899 Only because of God's faithfulness. 00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:59.299 The son of Zipporah. 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:03.659 God is not man that he should lie, or a son of man that he should change his mind. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:06.299 Has he said, and will he not do it? 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:09.240 Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:11.580 Behold, I received a command to bless. 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:13.600 He has blessed, and I cannot revoke it. 00:10:14.299 --> 00:10:18.379 He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel. 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:24.560 The Lord their God is with them, and the shout of a king is among them. 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:29.440 God brings them out of Egypt, and is for them like the horns of a wild ox. 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:34.440 For there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel. 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:38.880 Now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, what has God wrought? 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:40.640 Behold, a people. 00:10:41.760 --> 00:10:45.020 As a lioness it rises up, and as a lion it lifts itself. 00:10:45.420 --> 00:10:51.220 It does not lie down until it has devoured the prey and drunk the blood of the slain. 00:10:52.520 --> 00:10:54.860 Oh, that last image is pretty spicy, isn't it? 00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:55.740 You know? 00:10:56.440 --> 00:11:02.840 A lion rises up, and it refuses to lie down again until it's conquered all its foes and devoured its prey. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:04.780 What a picture that is, isn't it? 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:10.879 Of endurance, of strength, of perseverance, of victory in the face of challenges. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:18.879 When you face trials, when hardships come, do you feel like a lioness or a lion? 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:23.960 Ready to persevere, ready to endure, to not lie down until the battle's over and the victory won? 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:30.180 I mean, if we're honest, that's not always how we feel, is it, right? 00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:31.159 You know? 00:11:32.239 --> 00:11:37.799 Rather than a lion rising up and never lying down, we just want to sort of curl up in bed and wait for the storm to pass, right? 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:40.219 Our strength fails. 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.259 Our endurance wanes. 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:45.679 So what makes the difference here? 00:11:47.559 --> 00:11:52.000 How is it that God's people can face trials with confidence and strength and endurance? 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:56.659 Well, the answer is found in verse 21. 00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:03.279 The Lord their God is with them, and the shout of a king is among them. 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:08.559 You see, at the heart of the covenant that God makes with His people is this. 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:11.620 He says again and again, the very heartbeat of it is, 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:15.480 I will be your God, and you will be my people. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:17.200 I will dwell in your midst. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:21.100 God will be present with His people. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.500 The God, remember? 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:29.400 The same God who dwells in every place because He is sovereign over all creation. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:31.680 The God who fills all space with His fullness. 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:34.160 The omnipresent and sovereign one. 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:39.120 That one promises to be present to His people in a special way. 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:41.460 To be present to them as their God. 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.900 To be for them. 00:12:43.180 --> 00:12:44.340 To be fighting for them. 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:45.660 To be a shield about them. 00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:46.440 To be a refuge. 00:12:46.540 --> 00:12:47.259 To be a rock. 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:49.060 The Lord their God is with them. 00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:53.639 That is the blessing of God's presence. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:58.540 And you see, if you have God's presence in your life, 00:12:58.620 --> 00:13:01.879 the presence of the Almighty God, the God of all glory and grace, 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:03.500 if you have God's presence, 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:07.259 what else do you need? 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:15.000 What can't you face if God's presence is with you? 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:18.860 I grew up with two older brothers. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:21.519 They were both athletes, both strong. 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:25.939 One of them is 6'6", which when you're growing up, that's like a giant, right? 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:27.000 Big dude. 00:13:27.939 --> 00:13:32.419 And growing up, I knew that when my older brothers were around, 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:39.039 when they were present with me, none of my stupid friends were going to give me any trouble. 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:39.819 Right? 00:13:40.459 --> 00:13:42.579 I might not have been the toughest kid or the coolest kid, 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:46.259 but when my big brothers were around, I knew I was going to be okay. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:51.860 Now, maybe it wasn't a big brother for you. 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:58.839 Maybe you've had a boss who saw and appreciated your work in a tumultuous workplace. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:04.259 Or maybe you've had an advisor who championed your research when things were difficult. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:08.820 Maybe you've had a spouse who believed in you when others doubted. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:15.100 And just having that person around in your life gave you confidence to go forward. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:18.160 But don't you see, friends? 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:30.139 If the presence of a loving, strong friend or spouse or boss can give us confidence, 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:34.899 friends, how much more does the presence of God Himself, 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:39.959 what can't we face if we know that God is with us? 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:50.360 You see, if you have God, then the world can't really take anything from you that ultimately matters. 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:58.220 If you have His presence in your life, well, then the presence of health or the presence of money 00:14:58.220 --> 00:15:00.900 or the presence of reputation, those things can come and go. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.900 And you're not shaken. 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:05.579 You can be wealthy or poor. 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:07.240 You can be well-liked or despised. 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:09.019 You can be healthy or you can be sick. 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:12.340 If you have God, then you have all you need. 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:18.779 Because His presence is life and light and joy. 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:26.240 Oh, yes, trials can often feel like dark clouds, right, that block the rays of the sun at times. 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:28.120 They can throw their shadows over us. 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:30.960 We can lose sight of God's light and God's presence. 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:36.120 But the presence of God, the light of the sun, never leaves His people. 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.639 He is with us. 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:48.019 So the blessing of God's presence is the second thing that gives us confidence in the face of trials. 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:54.340 But it's not just the blessing of God's past faithfulness that gives us confidence. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:59.360 It's not just the blessing of God's presence with us here and now, with us in the present. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:08.920 The third thing we see in this passage is the blessing of God's future hope, the blessing of what God has in store for His people. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:14.759 As the story continues in Numbers 24, Balak again tries to get Balaam to curse Israel. 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:18.519 And for a third time, the Lord again pronounces His blessing. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:23.820 But, you know, this time it's a little different because Balaam does away with the rituals and the rites. 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:28.180 You know, there's no more of this sacrifice, no more of this sort of pagan divination. 00:16:28.800 --> 00:16:30.460 None of that is needed. 00:16:31.020 --> 00:16:33.220 Instead, the Spirit of God falls on Balaam. 00:16:35.140 --> 00:16:39.820 And this is what he says in verse…picking up in verse 2 of chapter 24. 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:42.000 Verse 3, actually. 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.900 Verse 3 of 24. 00:16:42.899 --> 00:17:12.900 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.900 ! 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:17.880 So God speaks through Balaam of what the future holds for His people. 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.880 Did you catch that here? 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:22.880 In verse 6, they're going to flourish like palm trees, like cedar. 00:17:23.040 --> 00:17:25.720 trees, like flowing waters, like gardens beside a river. 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:27.660 Their rule shall still be. 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.800 Their rule shall still be. 00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:30.140 Their level will still be. 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:31.680 Their level will still be. 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:33.060 Their level will still be. 00:17:33.060 --> 00:17:33.980 Their level will still be. 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:35.120 Their level will still be. 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:36.560 Their level will still be. 00:17:36.560 --> 00:17:38.520 Their level will still be. 00:17:38.520 --> 00:17:39.680 Their level will still be. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.680 Their level will still be. 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.680 Their level will still be. 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:43.480 Their level will still be. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:45.540 Their level will still be. 00:17:45.540 --> 00:17:46.640 Their level will still be. 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.800 Their level will still be. 00:17:47.800 --> 00:17:48.780 Their level will still be. 00:17:48.780 --> 00:17:49.760 Their level will still be. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:55.119 like gardens beside a river. Their rule shall spread and their kingdom will be exalted." 00:17:56.240 --> 00:18:04.319 It's this picture of flourishing, of human flourishing. And the language here harkens 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:10.640 back all the way to Genesis 2 in the Garden of Eden. You see, God pictures a future for His people 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:17.359 where His creational purposes are fulfilled, where humans are reigning in the world that He has made 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:20.719 under His good rule, and creation is singing with joy. 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:30.399 Of course, Old Testament Israel's entry into the promised land, that would only be a picture. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:36.240 That would only be a foreshadow of what this promise, this greater promise held, right? 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:40.799 Because Israel would enter the land, and yes, it would be a land flowing with milk and honey for a 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:48.879 time, but it would be a land that they eventually lose. Like Adam in the Garden, Israel in the promised 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:56.319 land would disobey God. And in the rebellion from God's good rule, they too would be cast out. 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:06.399 And yet, this promise of hope, this blessing of God's future would still remain. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:13.759 God would gather His people from all the places that He scattered them. He would redeem them from exile. 00:19:14.800 --> 00:19:19.840 But this ultimate fulfillment, this ultimate return from exile, wouldn't be just a gathering 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:27.200 back into the land of Palestine, but it would be what that was always a symbol of, a completely renewed 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:35.360 creation. You see, the blessing that God has in store for His people isn't an inheritance in this 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:42.399 fallen creation, but an inheritance in the renewed creation, where sin and death and sickness and 00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:50.559 suffering are no more. The blessing of God's future is the blessing of living in God's healed world, 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:58.159 under God's rule, in a creation liberated from the effects of sin and death, liberated from its 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:05.360 bondage to the bondage to decay as the Apostle Paul describes it in Romans 8. This promise is the promise 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:10.640 of the new heavens and new earth, what John saw at the end of Revelation where God wipes away every tear 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:18.400 from our eyes and where sin is forever banished from God's good world. And friends, this hope of glory, 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:30.400 this blessing of eternal life with God forever in a sin-free, redeemed creation, this hope, this blessing 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:39.600 of God's future is what gives us confidence to face trials now. You see, no matter what we face now, 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:51.039 we know that this isn't the end of our story. In fact, these afflictions now are indeed even preparing 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:57.759 for us an eternal weight of glory beyond compare, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians. What trials are you 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:06.079 facing today, brothers and sisters? Are you willing to take that trial, whatever it may be, 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:17.679 and hold it up for a moment and compare it to the unspeakable glory that awaits you in heaven, 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:22.720 in the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells? When you take that trial, when you compare 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:28.240 it to what God has in store for you as His child, as His beloved daughter, His beloved son, as you 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:33.519 compare it to the streams of joy that will flow without end when God comes and makes all things new, 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:44.799 does it not seem, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians, light and momentary? Paul says these light and momentary 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:53.920 afflictions are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond compare. Of course, these light and 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:58.960 momentary afflictions are still afflictions, are they not? They still hurt. They are still hard. We need 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:08.640 not minimize them, but you see, we need not maximize them either. Instead, we can face them with confidence. 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:13.440 Face them with confidence because we know that they will not last forever. 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:21.039 Now, the only thing that will last forever is the blessing of God's future hope, the future world to come. 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:28.879 So we've seen three aspects of this blessing that God speaks over His people, and they're all radically 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:34.960 God-centered, aren't they? It's God's faithfulness. It's God's presence. It's God's future. That's the blessing. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:48.960 But what is it that secures that blessing for us? How can we be sure that this blessing will actually be ours? 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:59.599 I mean, after all, think about it. Who among us really deserves that blessing? I mean, surely we 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:04.159 don't deserve God's faithfulness, right? I mean, not when we realize how unfaithful we've been. 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:08.399 We've not kept our promises. Why should God keep His to us? 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:17.119 I mean, surely we don't deserve God's presence, right? I mean, how often do we live our lives just 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:23.519 simply ignoring God in the world that God has made? He surrounds us with His providential care, 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:28.879 and we act as if it's our own hard work or good luck that we're to thank. And the only time we think 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:34.159 of God is when things go wrong. So we take credit for all the good stuff, and we blame God for all 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:43.200 the bad stuff. Do we deserve God's presence in the midst of all that? I mean, surely we don't deserve 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:50.160 also God's future hope. I mean, we'd rather try to live for our own pleasure now, right, than live in 00:23:50.160 --> 00:24:01.440 light of God's world to come. So if we've done so much to forfeit God's blessing, how can we ever be 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:10.960 sure that this blessing will actually be ours? Well, there's one more blessing in Numbers 24, and this 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:20.160 last blessing comes unprompted by Balak, the king of Moab. Balak's done trying to get Balaam to curse God's 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:27.840 people. Balak sends him away, but God sends one more word through Balaam. Through this unlikely, 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:39.120 unworthy prophet for hire, God speaks of His greatest blessing to come. Through an unworthy source, 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:44.800 God speaks of His undeserved grace to unworthy people. 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:54.799 And what is this fourth and final blessing? Well, quite simply, it's the blessing of His Son. 00:24:56.159 --> 00:25:02.480 Let's pick up in Numbers 24, verse 15. The oracle of Balaam, the son of Baal, or the oracle of the man 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:09.119 whose eye is opened, the oracle of him who hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High, 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:16.799 who sees the vision of the Almighty falling down with His eyes uncovered. I see Him, but not now. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:27.279 I behold Him, but not near. A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:32.799 It shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:39.919 Edom shall be dispossessed. Seir also, his enemies shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly, 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:46.639 and one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of the cities. 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:56.079 So what does Balaam see in this final oracle, this final blessing? Well, he sees a king. He sees a king 00:25:56.079 --> 00:26:02.159 coming out of Israel, a king, a scepter. You know what a scepter is. It's sort of a ruling staff, a star. 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:11.599 And this king will not just need a pagan prophet to bless him. No, this king is going to be victorious 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:17.919 over all of Israel's enemies, Moab and Edom and Seir. The rest of the chapter will mention Amalek and 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:25.840 Kaan and Ashur. All the threats against God's people will be defeated, and God's people will 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:33.920 live in peace. No more threats, no more curses, no more destruction. And yes, as the Old Testament 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:42.720 unfolds, kings will arise in Israel. David and his descendants will achieve some amount of victory 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:50.720 over some of these earthly enemies of Old Testament Israel. But the greatest enemies will still remain. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:56.240 Because as the Old Testament story progresses, the people begin to see that the real enemy isn't the 00:26:56.240 --> 00:27:04.000 Moabites or the Amalekites. The real enemy is closer to home. The great enemy of God's people aren't the 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:10.079 threats on the outside, but the even greater problem on the inside. It's the enemy of sin. 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:20.559 That is what really threatens to undo us, for it's sin that separates us from God. It's sin that places 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:29.439 us under the most dreadful of curses, the curse of God's law against sin, the law of God that justly 00:27:29.439 --> 00:27:35.359 pronounces eternal death for all those who rebel against the goodness of the eternal God. 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:46.559 God's law against the Lord. And who could conquer that enemy on behalf of God's people? Could there be a 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:56.559 king that could rescue God's people from their own sin? The good news, friend, is that there is such a king, 00:27:56.559 --> 00:28:07.759 a king, and he has come, and his name is Jesus, God's own Son, descended from David, born of Mary, born under the law, 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:17.200 to redeem us from the curse of the law against our sin. Because Jesus lived a sinless life as our representative, 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:24.559 and on the cross he became a curse for our sin as our substitute. And on the third day he rose again in 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:30.960 victory over sin and over death, triumphing for all who repent and trust in him. 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:39.200 Isn't it interesting, do you remember who some of the first worshipers are of Jesus in the New Testament? 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:49.920 Who are they? Do you remember? Matthew 1, Matthew 2? Pagan astrologers from the Far East. 00:28:52.720 --> 00:29:02.960 Just like Balaam, groping their way in darkness, a star arises and they come to the king. What a beautiful sign 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:11.440 that the star, the scepter has come, the one who will rescue his people from their sin. That is what 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:20.319 Jesus' name means. He'll save us. Friends, here's our greatest confidence in the face of trials. 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:29.840 God has given his own Son for us, and if he has given us his Son, how will he not graciously 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:39.519 give us with him all things? If God has given his own self, his own Son for us, how will he also not 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:47.679 bless us with his faithfulness, his presence, his future? If God is for us, who can be against us? 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:54.159 As Paul says in Romans 8 that Jamie read for us earlier, what shall separate us from the love of 00:29:54.160 --> 00:30:00.560 Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:06.640 In all these things, we're more than conquerors through him who loved us. Then Paul says, 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:14.480 I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:19.680 nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation… That's pretty total, right? 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:28.799 Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, the King. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:38.240 Do you know that blessing, friend? The blessing of the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:48.240 It's extended to you freely today. Today you can take hold of Christ, know that he has forgiven all your 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:58.160 sins and given you his unshakable blessing. And Christians, as we come to the Lord's Supper this 00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:06.559 morning, let us take hold once again of this truth that no trial, no hardship can separate us from the 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:12.640 only blessing that matters, the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. If we have the Son, then we have 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:20.480 everything. Let that be our strength amidst weakness, our joy amidst sorrow, our blessing amidst curses. 00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:29.920 And friends, won't this be one of the greatest ways that we as a body display the beauty and truth of 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:37.920 the gospel out to our neighbors and to our world? If we can face trials with confidence because of Christ 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:43.519 Jesus our Lord, because nothing can separate us from His love, because if God is for us, then who can be 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:48.960 against us? If we can face the trials and sufferings and hardships of life with that kind of confidence, 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:56.960 oh, will it not adorn the gospel and make the aroma of Christ flow? That's what the table reminds us of. 00:31:56.960 --> 00:32:06.080 He was broken. He was poured out for our sins so that you'll never be broken, friend. You'll never be 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:12.639 poured out no matter what you face. That's what the Lord's Supper by the Holy Spirit brings back to our 00:32:12.639 --> 00:32:17.519 hearts through faith. So let's take a moment and let's ask God to renew our hearts by His Spirit 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:24.879 as we come to the table together. Let's pray. Oh, Lord, how we need fresh confidence 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:33.279 to face the things before us. Lord, how we need fresh confidence to face not just the things outside of us, 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:40.000 but the things inside of us. Lord, we see our own shortcomings and failures. We see the besetting 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:46.480 sins and indwelling sins that still cling so closely to us. Lord, how we need the confidence of Your 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:54.480 blessing over us, the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Lord, as we come to Your table now, by Your 00:32:54.480 --> 00:33:01.920 Spirit, be very present to us in these elements, God. As we taste, as we see, as we smell, as we handle 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:09.279 these things, would we be reminded of the rich blessing that's ours in Christ? And would it be 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:15.120 real to our hearts through faith, we pray in Jesus' name, amen.