1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,040 Hello, this is Father Paul and I'm glad we're taking this journey together to read the Bible 2 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:08,360 in a year. 3 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:12,760 Today's reading is from Numbers chapters 21 and 22. 4 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:14,200 Chapter 21 5 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:18,280 The king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the south, heard that Israel was coming 6 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:20,080 on the road to Atarum. 7 00:00:20,080 --> 00:00:23,120 Then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners. 8 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:27,020 So Israel made a vow to the Lord and said, if you will indeed deliver this people into 9 00:00:27,020 --> 00:00:30,160 my hand then I will utterly destroy their cities. 10 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:33,800 And the Lord listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they 11 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:36,200 utterly destroyed them and their cities. 12 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,040 So the name of that place was called Horma. 13 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:43,320 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea to go around the land of 14 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:44,320 Edom. 15 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:48,500 And the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way, and the people spoke against God 16 00:00:48,500 --> 00:00:49,840 and against Moses. 17 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:53,280 Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? 18 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:55,240 For there is no food and no water. 19 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:58,120 And our soul loathes this worthless bread. 20 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:01,740 So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, and many 21 00:01:01,740 --> 00:01:04,000 of the people of Israel died. 22 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:08,320 Therefore the people came to Moses and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against 23 00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:10,000 the Lord and against you. 24 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,760 Pray to the Lord that he take away the serpents from us. 25 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:14,720 So Moses prayed for the people. 26 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:19,040 Then the Lord said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. 27 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:23,580 And it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live. 28 00:01:23,580 --> 00:01:27,760 So Moses made a bronze serpent and put it on a pole, and so it was. 29 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:32,200 If a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. 30 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:35,040 Now the children of Israel moved on and camped in Obot. 31 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:39,420 And they journeyed from Obot and camped at Ea Abareem, in the wilderness which is east 32 00:01:39,420 --> 00:01:41,800 of Moab, toward the sunrise. 33 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:45,120 From there they moved and camped in the valley of Zerid. 34 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:49,600 From there they moved and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness 35 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:51,900 that extends from the border of the Amorites. 36 00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:56,280 For the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. 37 00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:01,160 Therefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord, Wahab and Sufa, the brooks of 38 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:06,320 the Arnon, and the slope of the brooks, that reaches to the dwelling of Ar and lies on 39 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:08,000 the border of Moab. 40 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:12,440 From there they went to Beer, which is the well where the Lord said to Moses, Gather 41 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:15,040 the people together and I will give them water. 42 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:19,840 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well, all of you sing to it. 43 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:24,920 And the well the leaders sang, dug by the nations nobles, by the law giver with their 44 00:02:24,920 --> 00:02:26,360 staffs. 45 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:32,400 From the wilderness they went to Matana, from Matana to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamud, 46 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:37,100 and from Bamud in the valley that is in the country of Moab to the top of Pisgah, which 47 00:02:37,100 --> 00:02:39,280 looks down on the wasteland. 48 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:44,100 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, Let me pass through 49 00:02:44,100 --> 00:02:48,960 your land, we will not turn aside into fields or vineyards, we will not drink water from 50 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:53,960 wells, we will go by the king's highway until we have passed through your territory. 51 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:58,240 But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory, so Sihon gathered all his people 52 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:02,880 together and went out against Israel in the wilderness, and he came to Jehaz and fought 53 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:03,880 against Israel. 54 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:07,520 Then Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land 55 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:12,320 from the Arnon to the Jabak, as far as the people of Amon, for the border of the people 56 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:14,360 of Amon was fortified. 57 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,320 So Israel took all these cities and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in 58 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:20,960 Hezbon and in all its villages. 59 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:25,200 For Hezbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former 60 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:29,840 king of Moab and had taken all his land from his hand as far as the Arnon. 61 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:35,400 Therefore, those who speak in Proverbs say, Come to Hezbon, let it be built, let the city 62 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,400 of Sihon be repaired. 63 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:42,040 For fire went out from Hezbon, a flame from the city of Sihon, it consumed the hour of 64 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:44,640 Moab, the lords of the heights of the Arnon. 65 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:48,440 Woe to you, Moab, you have perished, O people of Chemosh. 66 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:52,680 He has given his sons as fugitives and his daughters into captivity to Sihon king of 67 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:55,360 the Amorites, but we have shot at them. 68 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:58,040 Hezbon has perished as far as Dabon. 69 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:02,800 Then we laid waste as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba. 70 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:04,880 Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites. 71 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:09,640 Then Moses sent to spy out Jazer, and they took its villages and drove out the Amorites 72 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:10,640 who were there. 73 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:15,240 Then they turned and went up by the way to Bashan, so all king of Bashan went out against 74 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:18,840 them, he and all his people to battle at Idre. 75 00:04:18,840 --> 00:04:23,160 Then the Lord said to Moses, Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with 76 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:27,800 all his people and his land, and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the 77 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:29,840 Amorites who dwelt at Hezbon. 78 00:04:29,840 --> 00:04:34,840 So they defeated him, his sons and all his people, until there was no survivor left him, 79 00:04:34,840 --> 00:04:37,560 and they took possession of his land. 80 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:38,560 Chapter 22 81 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:42,960 Then the children of Israel moved and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan 82 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:44,520 across from Jericho. 83 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:50,080 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, and Moab was exceedingly 84 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,600 afraid of the people because there were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the 85 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:56,040 children of Israel. 86 00:04:56,040 --> 00:05:00,680 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now this company will lick up everything around 87 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:04,000 us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field. 88 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,520 And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 89 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:12,040 Then he sent messengers to Balam the son of Beor at Pitor, which is near the river in 90 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:17,360 the land of the sons of his people, to call him saying, Look, a people has come from Egypt, 91 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:21,040 see they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me. 92 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:25,000 Therefore please come at once, curse these people for me, for they are too mighty for 93 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:26,000 me. 94 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,040 Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. 95 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:33,840 For I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed. 96 00:05:33,840 --> 00:05:38,280 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviners fee in their hand, 97 00:05:38,280 --> 00:05:41,840 and they came to Balam and spoke to him the words of Balak. 98 00:05:41,840 --> 00:05:45,560 And he said to them, Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord 99 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:46,840 speaks to me. 100 00:05:46,840 --> 00:05:49,320 So the princes of Moab stayed with Balam. 101 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:52,480 Then God came to Balam and said, Who are these men with you? 102 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:58,240 So Balam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me saying, Look, 103 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:02,700 a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth, come now curse them 104 00:06:02,700 --> 00:06:07,040 for me, perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out. 105 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:11,360 And God said to Balam, You shall not go with them, you shall not curse the people, for 106 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:12,800 they are blessed. 107 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:16,520 So Balam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, Go back to your land, for 108 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:19,480 the Lord has refused to give me permission to go with you. 109 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:24,240 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak and said, Balam refuses to come with us. 110 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:28,480 Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they. 111 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:33,400 Then they came to Balam and said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, Please let 112 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:37,640 nothing hinder you from coming to me, for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I 113 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:39,640 will do whatever you say to me. 114 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:42,640 Therefore please come, curse these people for me. 115 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:46,960 Then Balam answered and said to the servants of Balak, Though Balak were to give me his 116 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:51,560 house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to 117 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:53,220 do less or more. 118 00:06:53,220 --> 00:06:58,680 Therefore please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say 119 00:06:58,680 --> 00:06:59,800 to me. 120 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:04,680 And God came to Balam at night and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise and 121 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:09,400 go with them, but only the word which I speak to you, that you shall do. 122 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:13,600 So Balam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 123 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:17,680 Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in 124 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:20,160 the way as an adversary against him. 125 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:23,320 And he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him. 126 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:28,760 Now the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand. 127 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:31,960 And the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. 128 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:35,120 So Balam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 129 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:39,400 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on 130 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:41,760 this side and a wall on that side. 131 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:45,520 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed 132 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:48,760 Balam's foot against the wall, so he struck her again. 133 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:52,760 Then the angel of the Lord went further and stood in a narrow place where there was no 134 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:56,440 way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 135 00:07:56,440 --> 00:08:00,600 And when the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balam, so Balam's anger 136 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:03,840 was aroused and he struck the donkey with his staff. 137 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:07,920 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey and she said to Balam, what have I done to 138 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:11,000 you that you have struck me these three times? 139 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:15,160 And Balam said to the donkey, because you have abused me, I wish there were a sword 140 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:17,840 in my hand, for now I would kill you. 141 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:21,760 So the donkey said to Balam, am I not your donkey on which you have ridden? 142 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:26,200 Ever since I became yours, to this day, was I ever disposed to do this to you? 143 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:27,680 And he said, no. 144 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:31,080 Then the Lord opened Balam's eyes and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the 145 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:33,700 way with his drawn sword in his hand. 146 00:08:33,700 --> 00:08:36,640 And he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 147 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:40,720 And the angel of the Lord said to him, why have you struck your donkey these three times? 148 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:45,720 Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before me. 149 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:49,140 The donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. 150 00:08:49,140 --> 00:08:53,520 If she had not turned aside from me, surely I would also have killed you by now and let 151 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:54,840 her live. 152 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:58,880 And Balam said to the angel of the Lord, I have sinned, for I did not know you stood 153 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:00,240 in the way against me. 154 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:03,560 Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will turn back. 155 00:09:03,560 --> 00:09:07,320 Then the angel of the Lord said to Balam, go with the men, but only the word that I 156 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,000 speak to you, that you shall speak. 157 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,340 So Balam went with the princes of Balak. 158 00:09:12,340 --> 00:09:16,920 Now when Balak heard that Balam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, 159 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:20,740 which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. 160 00:09:20,740 --> 00:09:25,280 Then Balak said to Balam, did I not earnestly send to you calling for you, why did you not 161 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:26,280 come to me? 162 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:27,920 Am I not able to honor you? 163 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:33,040 And Balam said to Balak, look, I have come to you, now have I any power at all to say 164 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:34,040 anything. 165 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:37,460 The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak. 166 00:09:37,460 --> 00:09:40,800 So Balam went with Balak and he came to Kirjat Huzot. 167 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:45,360 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep and he sent them to Balam and to the princes who were 168 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:46,400 with him. 169 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:51,400 So it was the next day that Balak took Balam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, 170 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:59,760 that from there he might observe the extent of the people. 171 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:03,400 I hope you enjoyed today's reading as much as I did and I look forward to seeing you 172 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:05,840 again tomorrow to continue on our journey. 173 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:15,600 God bless you and have a great day.