God Makes a Donkey Speak - The Book of Numbers

and the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Baalum,

what have I done unto thee that thou hast smitten me these three times?

Numbers 22-28.

Dear Heavenly Father, when I begin to take territory on your behalf, Lord,

I thank you in advance for protecting me against the plots and the plans of others

to curse my life, and to create chaos.

However, in the midst of your protection, Lord, protect me from myself when I try

to move on my own accord.

Like Baalum and his donkey, I know that you can and will use any sign to stop me from

moving in a direction you do not desire me to go.

Therefore, keep my mind attentive and alert to see the signs that you've placed around

my life to protect me.

Open my eyes and my ears so that I can hear your message through different vessels.

I decree and declare that I will not allow pride to get in the way of my protection.

You have my heart, you have my ears, and you have my unwavering devotion now and forever.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

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God makes a donkey speak.

In the last story we learned of Moses's growing anger against the people of Israel.

Their constant complaints and groans sparked anger in Moses.

And his rage inhibited him from being able to see the promised land.

As Israel journeyed further, Aaron had passed away.

In this story we learn about how Balak the King of Moab sends Balam to go and curse Israel.

And even his own donkey warns him against it.

As inspired by the book of numbers.

We're so glad you joined us on the Bible and a Year Podcast today.

The Bible and a Year Podcast is an outreach of PowerPoint Ministries.

And can only come to you each week through the support of listeners just like you.

Your support today is so important that we want to thank you for your gift by giving you a copy of my book called The Jesus Book.

It is a powerful guide that shows how every book of the Bible points to Jesus.

And how His living Word, the truth of God's Word, will transform your life.

So to get a copy of the Jesus book, simply go to jackgram.org slash Jesus.

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And thank you for your support.

In yesterday's episode we learned that in his anger and frustration,

Moses sinned against God by bringing glory to himself for making water flow.

As a result, God tells him he'll never enter the Promised Land.

They continue their journey, facing obstacles, opposition from other nations,

and ongoing thirst and fatigue in the wilderness.

And along the way, Aaron passes away and the people mourn his death.

Today, we learn of a foreign king who seeks to curse Israel through a Gentile susayer named Bailem.

And how God uses a beast to warn Bailem not to comply.

Let's hear today's reading now.

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The grumbling, yet growing people of Israel

ventured forth to find new land to camp in.

Though the people of Israel were only freed slaves,

their sheer numbers were vast and threatening to other nations.

Hundreds of thousands of them filled miles in every direction wherever they went.

The sea of Israelites finally found refuge in the plains of Moab

beyond the Jordan at Jericho.

The gentle grass was a refreshing break from the rocky canyon ground.

Balak, the king of Moab, saw the density of Israel from miles away.

Fear came over Balak, for he had heard what Israel had done to the Amorites.

Although Israel meant Moab no harm, their numbers made the whole nation tremble.

To them, Israel might as well have been a horde of demons come to take their land.

The people of Moab spoke to the elders in Midian and said,

this Israelite horde will eat us alive.

They will lick us up as an ox does the grass of the field.

King Balak knew he could never compete with the numbers of Israel.

If they desired, they could swallow up his kingdom

and cast his people out into the wilderness.

A homeless and desperate group was a dangerous group,

and Balak would do anything to protect his kingdom.

If sword and shield could not defeat Israel,

perhaps a darker and more sinister form of warfare would work.

Balak remembered Bailem, a mighty man known for his spiritual power.

Balak desired for Bailem to curse the people of Israel,

plague them and cast them into darkness.

Balak sent messengers to Bailem to say,

the people of Israel cover the earth in front of me.

Curse this people for me since they are too mighty a number for me to defeat them.

For I know he whom you bless is blessed,

and he whom you curse is cursed.

Balak asked these things ignorant of where Bailem's powers truly come from.

The one true God of Israel.

Bailem was not Moses,

so he did not speak to God face to face as he would with a friend.

Yet God did speak to him,

and this time God spoke clearly and explicitly saying,

these people are a blessed people.

I will not curse them, nor will you.

So Bailem sent the messengers away, refusing Balak's request.

Balak considered Bailem's refusal as simply a matter of price.

He sent princes along with great treasures and promises of blessing.

Bailem was enticed by the offer.

His heart fluttered when he saw the treasures and heard of the rewards that would await him,

if he cursed God's people.

Yet even though he desired to, he would not curse Israel.

Balak could give me an entire house of silver and gold,

yet I cannot go beyond the command of God.

Bailem said apprehensively.

Bailem gestured around his home and said,

stay the night.

I will see if God has anything new for me.

So Bailem went before God again.

God met Bailem where he was.

He spoke to Bailem, knowing the selfish desires of his heart, saying,

if the men have come all this way to find you, go with them.

But only do what I have commanded you to do.

Bailem wasted no time.

He gathered his things, packed his donkey, and left first thing in the morning.

Treasure could quite possibly be awaiting him.

Like small sparks to drying wood, God's anger ignited towards Bailem.

God went before Bailem on the road to stand against him as an adversary.

Though Bailem was ignorant to the presence of God on the road,

Bailem's donkey was not.

The donkey saw an angel of God standing in front of the path with his sword drawn.

The donkey cried out in fear.

Immediately the donkey turned away from the angel and ran toward the field.

Bailem grew frustrated and ran after the donkey.

He grabbed his donkey by the reins and struck her to turn her back to the road.

As they continued forward, the angel of the Lord appeared again

between the vineyards and walls on either side.

The donkey trembled again and pressed Bailem's foot against the wall.

Bailem screamed in pain and began hitting her again.

As they continued, a third time the donkey saw the angel of God with sword drawn.

The donkey healed backwards and fell on top of Bailem.

Bailem laid there underneath his oaf of a donkey.

Grones of pain and annoyance could be heard from under her.

Bailem wiggled out from underneath the donkey, took his staff in his hands, and began beating her.

God had done miraculous things to speak to his people.

He has sent signs and wonders, burned bushes, parted seas, and sent clouds to surround mountains.

God has spoken through whispers in the wind, piercing words of thunder and rushing waves.

Yet this time to match the absurdity of Bailem's heart, God spoke through his donkey.

What have I done to deserve you hitting me three times the donkey yelled at Bailem?

Because you have made a fool of me, Bailem said ironically, considering that he was now speaking to a donkey as if it wasn't totally insane.

If I had a sword in my hand I would kill you, Bailem said in a mad rage.

Slowly he was beginning to come to the reality of the situation.

He was speaking to his donkey.

The donkey spoke again to Bailem, saying, I have been your donkey for your whole life. Have I ever steered you wrong or treated you this way?

It is hard to describe the amount of shame associated with being scolded by your own donkey.

Bailem shrugged with his head down and replied, no.

Bailem lifted his head and before him he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn.

As his donkey had three times before, Bailem trembled in fear. He bowed and fell on his face.

The Lord spoke to Bailem with scalding rebuke, saying, why have you struck your donkey?

I have come out to oppose you because your mission is perverse.

Unlike you, your donkey was perceptive enough to see my warnings.

If she had not veered from the path, I very well may have killed you.

Bailem was coming to grips with what his heart was truly after.

Though God had given him permission to go, Bailem was anticipating treasures and rewards for cursing the people of Israel.

No secret desires of his heart were kept hidden from God.

Bailem was still on his face as he spoke, saying, I have sinned.

Please, if it is evil for me to go, I will turn back.

The angel of the Lord said to Bailem, you may still go, but only speak what I tell you to say.

So Bailem departed with the princes of Balak to the kingdom of Moab.

Bailem rode his donkey, still in shock from what had just occurred.

His destination was the same, yet his desires were different.

Now Bailem would not be flippant with God's permission to leave.

Bailem remained silent, desiring to hear the voice of God.

For he knew he would be tempted to do wicked things ahead.

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is one of the largest universities in the country.

It is praised for its culture of community and impact.

GCU integrates the free market system, a welcoming Christian worldview,

and free and open discourse into 369 academic programs with over 300 online.

Join a nationwide community of learners redefining what online education looks like

through academically rigorous, industry-driven programs that can spark bold ideas

and prepare you for a future that matters.

In addition to federal grants and aid, GCU's online students received nearly $161 million

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from everyday wardrobe staples to vintage gems and luxury labels.

Interreformation, got it.

Car heart, got that too.

From designer bags to streetwear, it's all there.

Men's, yes.

Women's, absolutely. Kids, you bet.

And the best part?

You're shopping real closets from real people with real style.

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If you had thousands of fashionable friends,

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Are you kidding me?

An oil change is the last thing you have time for.

So drive into take five and let our texts change your oil,

check your tires, top off your fluids, and have you back on the road,

pit stop fast.

All while you stay in your car.

No putting your entire schedule on hold, no upsells, no problem,

so you can get back to your to-do list or not.

Find your nearest shop at take5.com.

The stay in your car, 10-minute oil change.

The next 30 seconds could save you hundreds on your car insurance.

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The Hartford, your protection, is our passion.

The Hartford Insurance Group Inc. Phase Royal TV is to AARP

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AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.

Savings vary.

Today's story begins as we become a custom with Israel

wandering in search of a new land.

This nomadic nation without a home is growing in number.

Their mere presence in the area is enough to make some

King's nervous.

King Baylack of Moab feared that if the Israelites wanted

to overthrow his kingdom, he couldn't stop them.

He went to the elders of Midian and filled them with the same fear.

Baylack knew a military approach wouldn't save him,

so he turns to another tactic to a dark world that's unseen,

but very real.

It's a world that's still very present today.

A spiritual world, an invisible world with invisible battles,

with the unseen forces of good and evil.

Baylack intended to engage the evil forces of darkness for his cause.

He sends messengers from Moab and Midian,

with Baylack, a suitsayer, believed to be able to bring curses on people.

They offer him money for his services.

Baylack says he must seek out the Hebrew God,

so God speaks to Baylack and tells him he must not take part in what Baylack

is asking of him.

It's important to note that it was not Baylack who summoned God near,

but God who drew near to Baylack.

Baylack tells Baylack's men he cannot help them,

and this initial refusal only causes Baylack to offer more money.

Baylack refuses again, though he is tempted by the increased offer.

He says he can't go against God,

but he asks the men to stick around for the night.

This is a move motivated by greed.

He's hoping God might just change his mind.

So God appears to Baylack and says he can go with these men only

if they come looking for him in the morning,

and that he's to do only as God instructs.

Baylack doesn't listen to God,

and the next morning saddles up his donkey to go meet the delegation.

What follows is a very peculiar story.

God sends an angel to block Baylack's progress on the road,

three times the donkey sees the angel in steps or veers from the path.

Each time an angry Baylack strikes the animal,

finally God opens the donkey's mouth and Baylack carries on a conversation with this animal.

Now I have to admit this is a strange and even funny picture

as you imagine this exchange.

But the topic of conversation is anything but a joke.

The donkey skulls Baylack for his actions.

Then finally the angel appears to Baylack and God rebukes him.

He tells Baylack it was God who was stopping the journey.

Listen to his response in numbers 22 verses 34 and 35.

Baylack said to the angel of the Lord,

I have sinned for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me.

Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.

But the angel of the Lord said to Baylack,

go with the men, but you shall speak only the word which I tell you.

So Baylack went along with the leaders of Baylack.

This strange and supernatural story reminds us of the great links God will go in order to get through to us.

He sent signs and wonders to Pharaoh and here a donkey,

a talking donkey to Baylack and ultimately much, much more.

God wants us to hear from him so much that he sent his son,

who is the living word of God and God has spoken through his son Jesus Christ perfectly and permanently.

It is the relentless pursuit of a God who stops at nothing even across to bless those that he loves.

Baylack goes on his way to meet Baylack and the next time we'll learn what he says.

So let's pray.

Dear God, thank you for the extraordinary links you go in order to reach us and draw us to you.

Thank you for that reminder today in Jesus' name. Amen.

Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year Podcast.

And before we go, I wanted to let you know that the Bible in a Year Podcast is an outreach of PowerPoint Ministries

and can only come to you each week through the support of listeners like you.

Your support today is so important that we want to thank you for your gift by giving you a copy of my book called The Jesus Book.

This book is a powerful guide that shows how every book of the Bible points to Christ and how you can better read and understand the Bible

and how God's Word transforms our lives.

So to get your copy of the Jesus book, simply go to jackgram.org slash Jesus.

That's jackgram.org slash Jesus. And thank you for your support.

If today's reading moved you, the pray.com app is where you can go deeper with daily prayers, Bible plans and more.

Download it free, link in the description.

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