WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.580 Good morning, church. Thank you for your prayers. While Beth and I were away on vacation 00:00:06.580 --> 00:00:12.380 ! these last two weeks, it's good to be back with you all. Would you turn with me to Numbers 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:21.920 ! 22. Numbers! 22. That's page 121 in the Pew Bible, or roundabout there. And let me pray 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:30.380 as we come to God's Word. Father, there are so many things that fill our vision these 00:00:30.380 --> 00:00:36.840 days, Lord, and so many means whereby we can distract ourselves with what we see and what 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:45.299 we consume. Lord, what a clarifying prayer it is to say that we want You to be our vision, 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:53.959 O ruler of all. And thank You, God, that by the instrument of Your Word, You again direct 00:00:53.959 --> 00:01:05.200 our gaze up to You, our good and holy and loving King. So help us as we now come to Your Word 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:11.379 that by Your Spirit You would open our eyes to see You, Christ, in all Your glory and to 00:01:11.379 --> 00:01:16.599 know what it truly means to be human, to know what it truly means to live the life that You 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:26.060 intend us to live as Your image bearers. We pray this in Jesus' name, Father. Amen. 00:01:26.060 --> 00:01:35.039 All right, Numbers 22. I want to begin by reading the first 14 verses of chapter 22. 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:41.820 Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:50.719 And Balak, the son of Zippor, saw all that the Israelites had done to the Amorites. And Moab was 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:56.719 in great dread of the people because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. 00:01:57.940 --> 00:01:59.940 And Moab said to the elders of Midian, 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:06.039 this horde will now lick up all that is around us as the ox licks up the grass of the field. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:13.520 So Balak, the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam, 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:19.939 the son of Baor at Pethor, which is near the river in the land of the people of Amor, 00:02:20.659 --> 00:02:25.939 to call him, saying, Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:33.120 and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:38.819 me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom 00:02:38.819 --> 00:02:47.639 you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed. So the elders of Moab and the elders of 00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:52.539 Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand, and they came to Balaam and gave him 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:59.699 Balaam and said, And he said to them, Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you as the 00:02:59.699 --> 00:03:06.799 Lord speaks to me. So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam, and God came to Balaam and said, 00:03:07.899 --> 00:03:15.620 Who are these men with you? Balaam said to God, Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:19.840 me, saying, Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:23.539 curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out. 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:33.460 God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:40.259 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, Go to your own land, for the Lord 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:46.640 has refused to let me go with you. So the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:58.799 Balaam refuses to come with us. Okay, let's pause there. Now imagine for a moment that you're an 00:03:58.799 --> 00:04:04.699 athlete, and it's the morning before the big game. Maybe you're a basketball player, and later that 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:11.219 day is the state championship. You're nervous, you're excited, and your coach has gathered your 00:04:11.219 --> 00:04:17.300 team to get you ready for the challenge ahead. And imagine if at that moment, if your team at that 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:26.040 moment could then see what was happening in the opposing team's locker room. Imagine you could hear 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:34.420 their plans and see the strategies that they were coming up with. Well, if that wasn't downright cheating, 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:40.540 right, that sort of information would be priceless, wouldn't it? Or imagine that you were a military 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:46.360 general or a soldier, and you could see behind the enemy lines and know exactly what your enemy forces 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:56.860 were up to. That sort of information would be golden, wouldn't it? Well, Numbers 22 gives us just that. 00:04:56.860 --> 00:05:06.379 It's a glimpse behind the enemy lines. As the new generation of Israelites in the wilderness prepare 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:12.360 to move ahead and travel towards and into the promised land, here for a moment in the narrative, 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:21.439 we get to see what's going on in the enemy camp, particularly the enemy camp of Moab and the Midianites, 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:28.819 one of the nations, some of the nations that are gathered against them. And this section of Numbers, 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:34.439 starting here in chapter 22, it's going to continue through 23 and 24, which we'll look at next week, 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:40.699 but this whole section of Numbers, it's meant to encourage God's people. 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:50.560 It's meant to encourage us. And today, as Numbers kind of takes us behind the enemy lines, 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:55.480 we're going to see two things that are meant to encourage us as God's people today. And those 00:05:55.480 --> 00:06:03.579 two things are this. First, we're going to see that the Lord is determined to bless His people. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:11.779 And second, we're going to see that the Lord humbles the proud and exalts the humble. 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:18.279 So let's look at those two things. The first thing that we see is in verses 1 through 14 that we just 00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:24.599 read. The Lord is determined to bless His people. Now, what's happening here in these verses? Well, 00:06:25.099 --> 00:06:31.919 Balak, the king of Moab, sees the people of Israel, and he knows that he doesn't stand a chance against 00:06:31.919 --> 00:06:41.339 them in battle. So what does he do? Well, he decides to call in a secret weapon. He decides to call in 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:51.479 supernatural aid. Balaam. Balaam, who has a reputation, apparently, for being a prophet for hire. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:58.559 And apparently, he has a pretty decent track record, right? The word on the street is that 00:06:58.559 --> 00:07:04.000 anybody Balaam blesses will be blessed, and anybody that Balaam curses will be cursed. So he's a pretty 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:12.519 good guy to maybe hire as a mercenary, sort of a spiritual mercenary for your team. So King Balak 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:20.060 decides to call him in. Balaam works for a fee, and Balak is willing to pay a handsome sum to have him 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:29.680 come curse the people of Israel. But what happens? Balak's messengers come to Balaam, and Balaam says, 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:38.620 well, let me see what God has to say. And God says this to Balaam in verse 12, very clearly, God says, 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:47.600 you shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:55.519 Now, just imagine that. You see behind the lines of your enemy, 00:07:55.519 --> 00:08:02.959 and you see them hiring a special weapon to curse you and to foil you, and what happens instead? 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:15.560 God shows up, and in no uncertain terms says that these schemes of the opponent will amount to nothing. 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:29.740 Why? Because the Lord has determined to bless His people. His favor rests upon them, and nothing the 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:39.220 world does can change that fact. Not Balak's armies, not Balaam's divination. They can do their worst 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:50.519 against God's people, but the Lord has spoken, and it is so. They are blessed. His favor rests upon them, 00:08:50.560 --> 00:08:58.040 and it will not be revoked. His purposes for them will not falter and will not fail. He will protect 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:05.719 them, preserve them, and bring them all the way to His appointed end in the promised land. 00:09:08.279 --> 00:09:14.519 And hasn't that been the story of Numbers so far, friends? Even despite the people's rebellion, 00:09:14.839 --> 00:09:21.099 even despite the discipline and judgment that they needed to face, God has remained true to His promises 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:28.720 into His people. Here they are on the plains of Moab, standing right near the Jordan, a massive people 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:37.100 renewed, ready to enter in. But this hasn't just been the story of Numbers. It's been the whole story 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:44.060 of the Bible up until this point. This is what God promised to Abraham all the way back in Genesis 12, 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:52.899 right? After the Tower of Babel and human pride scatters humanity, after the fall seems to be 00:09:52.899 --> 00:10:00.159 reaching the ends of the earth, God shows up, comes to Abraham and says, Abraham, it's through you 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:08.819 that my blessing is going to reign as far as the curse is found. God blesses Abraham and blesses his 00:10:08.819 --> 00:10:14.019 offspring and promises that in Abraham's offspring, all the nations of the earth would be 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:23.779 blessed. And do you hear in that blessing echoes of the very opening chapters of the Bible? 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:32.319 When the sovereign and holy and wonderful God is calling forth everything into existence, what does 00:10:32.319 --> 00:10:42.259 He speak after each of those creation days? Blessing. It's good. It's good. It's good. 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:52.220 And then He creates humanity, and it's very good. Oh, that blessing that humanity lost because of sin, 00:10:53.059 --> 00:10:59.460 God has been at work to reestablish. And if God is at work to reestablish it, 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:05.519 then nothing the enemy might do is going to thwart it, you see. 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:16.319 And this promise that began in creation and was renewed to Abraham, and we see persevering through 00:11:16.319 --> 00:11:24.919 numbers, where does it lead? Well, this promise to Abraham's offspring was ultimately fulfilled 00:11:24.919 --> 00:11:35.620 through the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, fully God and fully human. 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:43.860 All who are in Him through faith are blessed with Abraham's blessing. It's through Christ that this 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:50.480 blessing comes. He is the true offspring of Abraham. And through faith in Him, we can all be included 00:11:50.480 --> 00:12:00.120 in that blessing that runs throughout Scripture. Blessed with what? With material wealth and fame? No, 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:06.259 those things are fleeting and passing, and everyone who gets them knows it. What is the blessing we seek 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:14.680 as humans? What is the blessing we need? Well, it's the blessing that Christ has opened for us, 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:25.000 the blessing of a right standing with God, the blessing of assurance of God's unwavering favor, 00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:34.219 and the blessing of certain hope that we will enter the true promised land. That is, when Christ returns, 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:40.799 we will be raised anew in a completely renewed creation where all the effects of the fall, sin and 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:45.719 sickness and death and decay and hell and judgment are no more, and we reign with God forever. 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:56.740 The Lord is determined to bless His people. He sent His own Son to secure it, and Christ died and rose 00:12:56.740 --> 00:13:02.740 again to win it and purchase it for all who believe. And nothing that the world, the flesh, or the devil 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:14.519 can do will overturn that blessing in Christ if you are in Him. Now, this blessing of God doesn't mean 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:21.799 that life will be easy in a fallen world, does it? There will be trials. There will be suffering. There 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:29.259 will be setbacks. Consider the book of Psalms, right? I remember a wise old preacher one time said 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:38.460 that the book of Psalms begins with blessing, it ends with joy, and it's a long road in between. 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:44.200 If you've ever read the Psalms, you know that's true, right? And that's true of the Christian life, 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:50.379 right? It begins in blessing in Christ. You're fully accepted by the Father. You're adopted into 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:55.980 God's family, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and the Christian life ends in joy. You will live eternally 00:13:55.980 --> 00:14:04.100 with God in whose right hand are pleasures forevermore, but in between. It's a long road. 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:14.340 And Numbers has been showing us the ups and downs of that long road, hasn't it? As we battle with want 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:20.200 and deprivation and grumbling, challenges outside of us, besetting sin inside of us. 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:29.840 And yet the spiritual blessings that we have in Christ, the love of our Heavenly Father for us mean that 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:37.660 even the trials, even the sufferings, even the setbacks are for our good. 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:50.579 in the Father's hand, even the trials of life are carving out a deeper reservoir in our souls 00:14:50.579 --> 00:15:00.740 that will be filled with His joy. Even the trials will be turned for our good and for His glory. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:10.440 So the schemes of Balak won't and can't stand against God's people here on the plains of Noab, 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:15.580 just as the schemes of this world will never stand against God's people of any age. 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:21.740 The world may want to curse God's people. The world may want to scorn or despise God's people, 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:29.720 but ultimately these curses will fall powerless before the Lord's determination to bless His people. 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:44.019 And after all, if we have the Lord's favor, why worry, why fret so much if the world thinks the church foolish or strange? 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:51.580 The approval of the world, the blessing of the world means nothing compared to the approval of God. 00:15:51.580 --> 00:16:03.680 Imagine, imagine being shown favor by the head of state, whomever that may be in whatever country, 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:11.020 knowing that you have access to the most powerful, influential person in the whole country, 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:19.899 and yet then being so upset when, you know, some person low on the totem pole thinks, ugh. 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:24.779 Right? Friend, you have the approval of God. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:31.460 The world's approval is here today and gone tomorrow, but the favor of God will last forever. 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:37.039 The world's scorn can do nothing to you if you have the favor of God, 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:43.219 the blessing of God in Christ, and God grants it freely to all who receive His Son, 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:45.019 to all who look to Christ in faith. 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.839 But there's more to this story in Numbers 22. 00:16:49.719 --> 00:16:52.120 Not only is the Lord determined to bless His people, 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:57.799 but we also see here that the Lord humbles the proud and exalts the humble. 00:16:58.779 --> 00:17:01.179 Let's pick up the story in verse 15. 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:07.740 Once again, Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these. 00:17:08.399 --> 00:17:09.639 And they came to Balaam and said to him, 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:11.159 Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:13.379 Let nothing hinder you from coming to me, 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:16.940 for I will surely do you great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:19.460 Come, curse this people for me. 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:22.480 But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:25.759 Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:29.119 I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more. 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:33.459 So, you two, please stay here tonight, 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:36.779 that I may know what more the Lord will say to me. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:39.979 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:43.719 If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them, 00:17:44.459 --> 00:17:46.000 but only do what I tell you. 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:49.359 So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.719 and went with the princes of Moab. 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:54.199 But God's anger was kindled because he went, 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:56.799 and the angel of the Lord took his hand, 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:59.740 took his stand in the way as his adversary. 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:02.539 Now he was riding on the donkey, 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:04.159 and his two servants were with him. 00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:07.220 And the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:09.339 with a drawn sword in his hand, 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:11.399 and the donkey turned a side out of the road 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.200 and went into the field. 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:15.980 And Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the road. 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:20.119 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:22.180 between the vineyards or the wall on either side. 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:24.680 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:26.220 she pushed against the wall 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:28.200 and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:30.039 So he struck her again. 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:33.120 Then the angel of the Lord went away 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:34.880 and stood in a narrow place 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:36.480 where there was no way to turn, 00:18:36.580 --> 00:18:38.259 either to the right or to the left. 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:41.000 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.759 she lay down under Balaam. 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.820 And Balaam's anger was kindled, 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:46.940 and he struck the donkey with his staff. 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:50.180 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:52.279 and she said to Balaam, 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.900 What have I done to you 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.980 that you have struck me these three times? 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.400 And Balaam said to the donkey, 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.759 Because you made a fool of me, 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:01.680 I wish I had a sword in my hand, 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.840 for then I would kill you. 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:05.059 And the donkey said to Balaam, 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:07.900 Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.460 all your life long to this day? 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:11.920 Is it my habit to treat you this way? 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.480 And he said, No. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:18.380 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:20.779 and he saw the angel of the Lord 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.740 standing in the way 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:24.180 with his drawn sword in his hand. 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:27.200 And he bowed down and fell on his face. 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.460 The angel of the Lord said to him, 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:32.599 Why have you struck your donkey these three times? 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:35.519 Behold, I have come out to oppose you 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:38.319 because your way is perverse before me. 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.420 The donkey saw me 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:43.400 and turned aside before me these three times. 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:45.860 If she had not turned aside for me, 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:48.019 surely just now I would have killed you 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.440 and let her live. 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:52.740 Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:54.700 I have sinned, 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.440 for I did not know 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.980 that you stood in the road against me. 00:19:59.080 --> 00:19:59.840 Now, therefore, 00:20:00.060 --> 00:20:01.840 if it is evil in your sight, 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.860 I will turn back. 00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:05.680 And the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, 00:20:06.060 --> 00:20:07.400 Go with these men, 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.600 but speak only the word 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:11.160 that I tell you. 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:13.600 So Balaam went on 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:16.240 with the princes of Balak. 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.160 Now, we're going to pick up the story 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.220 next week from there. 00:20:20.540 --> 00:20:21.279 But for now, 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:24.160 let's consider the part we just read. 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.860 I think there are two questions 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:27.940 that kind of confront us right away 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:30.100 in this section of Numbers, right? 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.340 First, 00:20:32.300 --> 00:20:34.340 why is God's anger 00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:36.759 kindled at Balaam 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.839 in verse 22? 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.480 On the surface, 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.359 it seems like Balaam 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.619 is just doing what God told him 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.299 in verse 20. 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:43.940 But, 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:46.900 if we look a little closer, 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.759 you realize 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:50.799 it's not quite that simple. 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:53.140 Balaam isn't 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.980 as innocent 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:55.099 as he appears 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.119 on the surface. 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:58.460 Look back with me 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.660 at verse 13 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:01.079 in the passage we started with. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.559 Did you notice there 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.400 in verse 13 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.120 what Balaam 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.400 doesn't say 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:07.420 when he tells Balak's men 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.380 that he can't go with them? 00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.240 Oftentimes, 00:21:10.540 --> 00:21:11.140 our silences 00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:12.180 say a lot more 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.340 than the things 00:21:13.340 --> 00:21:14.220 that we say, right? 00:21:14.300 --> 00:21:15.580 What does Balaam leave out? 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:16.680 Well, 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.259 he leaves out 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.940 everything that God said 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:20.320 about his determination 00:21:20.320 --> 00:21:21.519 to bless his people. 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.280 Instead, 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.360 Balaam simply says, 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:23.800 well, 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.640 the Lord refused 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.640 to let me go with you. 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.860 Not, 00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:28.400 the Lord's going to bless 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:28.840 these people 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.460 no matter what, 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.160 so there's no way 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.980 I can go with you. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.380 Instead, 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.220 Balaam sort of 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.160 leaves that door open, 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.640 doesn't he? 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.819 After all, 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.120 friends, 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.480 Balaam is not 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:41.039 a good guy 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.980 in this story, 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.180 right? 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.980 He is a 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.620 religio-political 00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:47.759 prophet for hire. 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.279 He sells his oracles 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.500 to the highest bidder. 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.779 People pay him money 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.960 to bless and curse 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.099 in order to manipulate 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.980 their circumstances. 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.220 People don't come 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.819 to Balaam 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.960 because he's holy. 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.519 They come to Balaam 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.259 because he's willing 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.519 to give you what you want 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.859 if the price is right. 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.619 And so, 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:07.180 he conveniently leaves out 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.000 that the Lord's never 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:09.180 going to curse these people 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.940 and that leaves the door 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.779 open for Balaam 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:13.700 to make a little bit 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.480 of a better offer. 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.139 And lo and behold, 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.259 that's exactly what happens. 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.259 Balaam sends 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.960 more prestigious messengers 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.660 the second time 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:22.119 with presumably more money 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:23.900 to try to persuade Balaam 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.599 to come along. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.119 And look at how Balaam responds 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.720 in verse 18. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.660 At first, 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.400 it sounds pretty good, 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:28.680 right? 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:31.200 Balaam says basically, 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:31.440 look, 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.279 Balaam couldn't give me 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:33.259 a billion dollars 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:33.880 to go against 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.640 what the Lord says. 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.220 That's where he begins. 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:39.100 But then in verse 19, 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:39.779 what does he say? 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.460 But, you know, 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.400 let's just stick around 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.279 and see what God 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.880 has to say, right? 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:48.940 Well, I thought that 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.759 he was going to obey 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.860 exactly what the Lord said 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.620 and the Lord's already said 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.279 don't go with him. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:52.980 And now he says, 00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:54.240 well, I'll do what 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.740 the Lord says, 00:22:54.840 --> 00:22:55.799 but, you know, 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.500 let's see if the Lord 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.299 will change his mind 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:59.039 seeing the piles of money, 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.099 seeing the prestige 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:01.420 that's gathered all around him. 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.000 You see, 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:06.059 Balaam sees the wealth, 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.460 he sees the prestige 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:07.859 of the people 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.400 who have come to him 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:08.819 and he thinks, 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.759 well, maybe God 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.519 will change his mind. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.680 Oh, I hope God 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.759 changes his mind. 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.519 You know, 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.579 later biblical writers 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.759 will look back 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.420 at the Balaam story 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:22.279 and discern 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:24.420 that what was driving Balaam 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.420 wasn't a desire 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.440 to please the Lord, 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:29.340 but a desire for wealth. 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.840 Describing false teachers 00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:32.400 in his own day, 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.140 the Apostle Peter 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:35.120 writes this in 2 Peter 2.15. 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.480 He says, 00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:36.759 forsaking the right way, 00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:37.620 they've gone astray. 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.120 They have followed 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:40.480 the way of Balaam, 00:23:40.560 --> 00:23:41.820 the son of Baor, 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:44.160 who loved gain 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:45.480 from wrongdoing. 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:48.980 So Balaam isn't 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.339 listening and obeying 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:50.779 the Lord 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.460 when he tells 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:52.799 this second group to stay. 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.779 He's holding out 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.960 for his own gain. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.839 And that leads to verse 20. 00:23:59.579 --> 00:23:59.920 At first, 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.559 it looks like God 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.839 is commanding Balaam to go 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.860 so long as he does 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:03.860 what God tells him to do. 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.720 So why does God 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.839 get angry in verse 22? 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.519 Well, I think for the 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.400 simple reason 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:12.200 because God sees 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:14.120 that Balaam's motivation 00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:14.660 in going 00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:16.259 isn't obedience, 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.460 but wealth 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:20.100 and worldly reputation. 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:21.940 Balaam doesn't want 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:22.779 to please and glorify 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.080 the Lord. 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.700 He wants to please 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.640 and glorify himself. 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.380 He talks a good game, 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:28.420 but God sees his heart. 00:24:30.560 --> 00:24:31.440 God sees that Balaam 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.480 is really serving money 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.060 and prestige 00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:34.440 and not God's own word. 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.420 So God's anger 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.060 is kindled. 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.019 And that leads 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.840 to the second question 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.560 of this passage. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:44.919 the talking donkey. 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.399 I mean, 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:48.500 a talking donkey, right? 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.819 It immediately seems 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.759 too far-fetched 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.940 to be true, right? 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.079 I mean, 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.940 suddenly we're in the middle 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.980 of Shrek, right, 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.000 with a talking donkey. 00:24:59.099 --> 00:24:59.899 But friends, 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:04.740 if God can send 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:07.420 ten plagues upon Egypt, 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.960 if God can part 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.580 the Red Sea, 00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:12.940 if God can miraculously 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:14.360 feed thousands of people 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:14.880 in a desert, 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.160 if God can cause water 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.380 to come from a rock, 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:19.560 if God can cause 00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:21.400 the things that exist 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.700 to come into being 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.500 out of nothing, 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.180 and if God can cause 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.620 all things to be held up 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.319 in their being 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:29.159 and not fall 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:30.059 into nothingness, 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:31.719 if that's how sovereign 00:25:31.719 --> 00:25:33.119 God is, 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.719 then putting words 00:25:35.719 --> 00:25:36.439 into the mouth 00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:37.099 of a donkey 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:38.719 isn't really all that 00:25:38.719 --> 00:25:39.759 hard to do, 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.239 is it? 00:25:43.219 --> 00:25:44.139 So if we've been 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:44.879 paying attention 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.619 to the story 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.699 of the Bible so far, 00:25:46.979 --> 00:25:48.099 we start to realize 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.839 two things. 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.759 On the one hand, 00:25:51.239 --> 00:25:52.179 this is an easy thing 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:52.619 for the God 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.459 of the Bible to do. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:55.680 But on the other hand, 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:58.460 this isn't a common thing 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.279 that God does. 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.559 In fact, 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.700 in the whole of Scripture, 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:02.319 there are only 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:03.579 two talking animals, 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.539 the serpent in the garden 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:07.720 and Balaam's donkey, 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:11.180 which means 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:13.360 that the talking donkey 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:14.279 in Numbers 22 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.860 should surprise us. 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:18.200 If you're a careful 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.940 reader of Scripture, 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.819 you shouldn't be saying, 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.880 there it is again, 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.860 more talking animals. 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.519 No! 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.960 Suddenly we're thinking, 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:25.619 what is going on here? 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.079 What is God up to? 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:31.059 It should surprise us, 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.379 not because God 00:26:32.379 --> 00:26:33.460 can't do it 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.700 or it's impossible, 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:36.299 but because God 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.259 is clearly doing 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.240 something unique. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.279 He's making a point. 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.240 And what's the point? 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:45.579 Why put words 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:47.420 into the donkey's mouth? 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:52.299 Hebrew scholar Ian Duguid 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.039 puts it like this. 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.419 He says, 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.599 it's often the case 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:57.139 that the Lord reveals himself 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:58.899 to the weak and foolish 00:26:58.899 --> 00:27:00.759 while remaining hidden 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.519 from those 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:03.159 who possess the wisdom 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:04.000 of this world. 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:07.539 It is often the case 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:09.700 that the Lord reveals himself 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:11.500 to the weak and foolish 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:13.359 while remaining hidden 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.159 from those 00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:15.980 who possess the wisdom 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.200 of this world. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:19.860 Balaam, 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.019 Balaam, 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.460 the international expert 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.360 on spirituality 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:25.480 and theology. 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.580 He knew all the rituals 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.080 and rites. 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.819 His reputation 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.559 was widespread. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.980 He was the LeBron James 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.740 of the religious 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.779 political world, 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.600 right? 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:37.000 But for all his reputation, 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.920 for all his prestige, 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:41.140 he was blind 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:42.080 to the Lord 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:43.340 when the Lord 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.120 stood right 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.120 in front of him. 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:48.939 But who really sees 00:27:48.939 --> 00:27:49.879 in this passage? 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.039 The donkey. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.259 Balaam's pride and greed 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:58.779 make him less spiritually aware 00:27:58.779 --> 00:28:00.619 than the beast of burden 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.779 that he rode upon. 00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:05.779 The donkey has more spiritual sense 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.479 than he does, 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:08.339 and by God's grace, 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:10.439 the donkey actually saves 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.400 Balaam's life. 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.900 And friends, 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:18.279 it is still the case 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:20.860 that the Lord reveals himself 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:22.440 to the weak and foolish 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:24.200 while remaining hidden 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.940 from those 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:26.519 who possess the wisdom 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.200 of the world. 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:31.180 The Lord is determined 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:32.340 to bless his people, 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.000 but the Lord 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:34.320 will humble the proud 00:28:34.320 --> 00:28:36.200 and exalt the humble. 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.460 the only way 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:39.240 into the people of God 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.860 is to admit 00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:42.759 that our wisdom 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.940 and our strength 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:45.380 are not what make us 00:28:45.380 --> 00:28:46.180 right to God. 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:51.180 Only the foolishness 00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:52.059 of the cross 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:54.380 is what can reconcile 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:56.200 sinners to God. 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.799 Listen to how Paul 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.500 describes it 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:01.120 in 1 Corinthians chapter 1. 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:02.120 Kunle mentioned 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.960 this passage earlier 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.580 in the service. 00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:06.259 Let me read this for us. 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:06.779 Paul says, 00:29:08.199 --> 00:29:09.159 For the word of the cross 00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:10.339 is folly 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.859 to those who are perishing, 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.919 but to us 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.759 who are being saved 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.899 it is the power of God. 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.720 For it is written, 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:18.179 I will destroy 00:29:18.179 --> 00:29:19.379 the wisdom of the wise 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.740 and the discernment 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.539 of the discerning 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.299 I will thwart. 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.980 Where is the one 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:25.000 who is wise? 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.759 Where is the scribe? 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.579 Where is the debater 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.199 of this age? 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.299 Has not God 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.199 made foolish 00:29:30.199 --> 00:29:31.539 the wisdom of the world? 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:34.279 For since in the wisdom 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.899 of God 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:36.539 the world did not know 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.740 God through wisdom, 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.700 it pleased God 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.619 through the folly 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.759 of what we preach 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:43.639 to save those who believe. 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:46.339 For Jews demand signs 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:48.319 and Greeks seek wisdom, 00:29:49.159 --> 00:29:50.240 but we preach 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:52.539 Christ crucified, 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.700 a stumbling block 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.159 to Jews 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:56.720 and folly to Gentiles. 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:58.440 but to those 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.319 who are called, 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.140 both Jews 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.880 and Greeks, 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.079 Christ, 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:04.079 the power of God 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:06.240 and the wisdom of God. 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:08.380 For the foolishness 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.059 of God 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.900 is wiser than men 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:12.680 and the weakness 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.400 of God 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:15.160 is stronger than men. 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:18.100 For consider your calling, 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.000 brothers and sisters. 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.900 Not many of you 00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.640 were wise 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:23.140 according to worldly standards. 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.980 Not many were powerful. 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.799 Not many were of noble birth, 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.799 but God chose 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:29.000 what is foolish 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.759 in the world 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:31.500 to shame the wise. 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.940 God chose 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:33.660 what is weak 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.259 in the world 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.880 to shame the strong. 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.099 God chose 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.720 what is low 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.620 and despised 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:39.039 in the world, 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.740 even the things 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.480 that are not, 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.799 to bring to nothing 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:43.000 things that are 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:45.539 so that no human being 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.160 might boast 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:47.220 in the presence of God. 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.420 And because 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:51.599 you are in Christ Jesus 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:54.599 who became to us 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.879 wisdom from God, 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:57.119 righteousness 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.699 and sanctification 00:30:58.699 --> 00:31:00.179 and redemption, 00:31:00.719 --> 00:31:02.480 so that as it is written, 00:31:03.699 --> 00:31:05.059 let the one who boasts 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:07.000 boast in the Lord. 00:31:08.679 --> 00:31:10.000 You see, friends, 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:11.859 the gospel cuts both ways, 00:31:11.919 --> 00:31:12.299 doesn't it? 00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:13.539 On the one hand, 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.559 the gospel humbles us. 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:16.019 Like Balaam's donkey, 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:17.659 the gospel tells us 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:18.459 that our wisdom 00:31:18.459 --> 00:31:19.299 and our strength 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.019 doesn't get us 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.019 any closer to God. 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.559 In fact, 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.539 they're just as likely 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.460 to drive us away 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:24.879 from God 00:31:24.879 --> 00:31:25.940 because of our pride. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.079 But on the other hand, 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.799 the gospel brings 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.740 deep comfort, 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:32.859 even boldness. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:35.019 Like Balaam's donkey, 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:36.180 the gospel tells us 00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:36.980 that God chooses 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:38.419 the weak and lowly 00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:39.859 to shame the strong. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.000 In other words, 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.419 God delights 00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:44.579 to save sinners, 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:46.659 to save the undeserving, 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.359 the lost, 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.039 the lowly, 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.659 the humble, 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.539 and God delights 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.639 to use them 00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:53.859 for His kingdom purposes. 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:58.579 If God can use a donkey, 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.539 how much more 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:02.500 will He use you? 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:06.099 Beloved children 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:08.720 whom Christ died to save. 00:32:09.099 --> 00:32:09.599 You see, friends, 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:09.980 you don't need 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:11.259 to be a renowned scholar 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:13.279 or a world-famous leader 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.799 to be used mightily of God. 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:16.899 You simply need 00:32:16.899 --> 00:32:18.779 to be soft-hearted 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:20.359 to God's Spirit 00:32:20.359 --> 00:32:21.579 and God's words. 00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.399 By the Spirit, 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.460 God's words will open 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.460 your eyes to see 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.039 His beauty. 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.119 They'll make you wise 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:29.639 with the wisdom 00:32:29.639 --> 00:32:30.639 the world can't give. 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.539 They'll fill you with hope 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.139 and courage 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:33.460 to obey with love. 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.599 And above all, 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.859 the Spirit will open 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:38.619 your eyes to see 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.359 Christ Jesus, 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.639 the One who is 00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.579 wisdom, 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.139 righteousness, 00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:43.180 and true glory. 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.200 God 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:48.060 humbles the proud, 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:49.360 but He exalts the humble. 00:32:50.800 --> 00:32:51.720 How about you, friend? 00:32:53.040 --> 00:32:53.800 Do you think 00:32:53.800 --> 00:32:54.440 you're above 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.660 other people? 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.560 Do you think 00:32:56.560 --> 00:32:57.759 God owes you something? 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.520 Do you think 00:32:58.520 --> 00:33:00.240 through your worldly wisdom 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:01.040 you'll reach 00:33:01.040 --> 00:33:02.100 into the highest heavens 00:33:02.100 --> 00:33:03.280 and bring God down? 00:33:05.780 --> 00:33:07.560 Why not find yourself 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:09.240 in a better place 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:11.759 beside Balaam's donkey? 00:33:12.520 --> 00:33:13.520 Letting Him open 00:33:13.520 --> 00:33:14.620 your eyes to see 00:33:14.620 --> 00:33:16.160 who He really is 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:17.840 and to praise Him. 00:33:19.020 --> 00:33:19.740 Let's pray. 00:33:23.300 --> 00:33:24.080 Father in heaven, 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.040 thank You that You 00:33:25.040 --> 00:33:26.200 reveal Yourself 00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.820 to the weak 00:33:26.820 --> 00:33:27.600 and to the lowly. 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.200 Lord, 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:31.100 how difficult it is 00:33:31.100 --> 00:33:32.340 for us 00:33:32.340 --> 00:33:35.580 to be weak 00:33:35.580 --> 00:33:37.300 and to be lowly. 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:39.000 too often 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.859 we are like Balaam, 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:42.480 wanting to maneuver 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.799 and connive our way 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.559 through the world 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:46.059 and through religious things. 00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:48.579 O Lord, 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.419 by Your Spirit, 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.019 humble us. 00:33:51.879 --> 00:33:52.940 Help us to see 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.559 that the message 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:54.099 of the cross, 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:55.099 though foolishness 00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:55.720 to the world, 00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:57.259 is real wisdom 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.680 because in it 00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:59.319 Your wisdom 00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:00.159 and Your power 00:34:00.159 --> 00:34:01.019 are displayed. 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:03.940 Your saving purposes 00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:05.379 are accomplished 00:34:05.379 --> 00:34:07.980 and Your redemption 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:09.320 is sealed. 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.259 Lord, 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:12.840 help us 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:14.380 to walk 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:14.940 in the assurance 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.719 of Your blessing 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:17.019 and to walk 00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:18.039 in true humility, 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:18.659 we pray. 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.719 In Jesus' name, 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.179 Amen. 00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.319 Amen.