100:00:00,800 –> 00:00:12,660When God has said a thing, you do not need to pray about it. When God has revealed his will200:00:12,660 –> 00:00:20,879in scripture, praying about it and questioning it further is not a mark of spirituality it is a300:00:20,879 –> 00:00:22,520mark of rebellion.400:00:22,520 –> 00:00:27,219Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. Glad you could be with500:00:27,639 –> 00:00:31,120grabbed our attention there. Praying could be a mark of rebellion?600:00:31,120 –> 00:00:36,320Yes, well you know there are circumstances in which that’s the case. I mean boy I pray700:00:36,320 –> 00:00:42,840and we are for prayer. But here’s the problem. When God says something in his word and it’s800:00:42,840 –> 00:00:49,840not what I’m wanting to hear and I don’t like it and I’m not comfortable with it. If I then900:00:49,840 –> 00:00:56,820go back to God trying to get some intuitive sense of some other message from the message1000:00:56,820 –> 00:01:02,500I know is clear in his word. I’m not engaging in faithful prayer. I’m actually indulging1100:01:02,500 –> 00:01:07,580in an act of rebellion. And we’re speaking about this today because an example of that1200:01:07,580 –> 00:01:13,339in the Bible is in the life of Balaam. A man who was a prophet. God spoke to him and God1300:01:13,339 –> 00:01:19,040spoke through him. He heard the very voice of God. But there was an occasion when what1400:01:19,040 –> 00:01:24,139he heard he didn’t like. And that was the beginning of a real struggle. There are all1500:01:24,139 –> 00:01:29,660kinds of applications for that. When we come to situations in our lives where we say,1600:01:29,660 –> 00:01:33,779I know the Bible says this but what I want to do is that. So maybe I’ll just have a word1700:01:33,779 –> 00:01:38,639with God and see if he’ll change it especially for me. That’s not praying. That’s rebelling.1800:01:39,680 –> 00:01:45,260So join us if you can in Numbers chapters 22 to 24 as we begin a message.1900:01:45,260 –> 00:01:47,919Live what you believe. Here’s Colin.2000:01:48,239 –> 00:01:54,080We’re following the stories of eight Bible characters who all took a plunge to disaster.2100:01:54,080 –> 00:01:58,800And the fascinating thing about these stories is that every one of these people would have2200:01:58,800 –> 00:02:04,180been very comfortable amongst us here this morning. I find that actually quite disturbing.2300:02:04,180 –> 00:02:11,820They all believed in God. They all came to worship and yet every one of them took a plunge2400:02:12,139 –> 00:02:18,240to disaster. And so on these Sundays we are seeking to learn from their mistakes so that2500:02:18,240 –> 00:02:24,179their disaster does not become ours. Now, we’ve already made some important discoveries.2600:02:24,179 –> 00:02:29,539First, we saw from the story of Cain how we need to deal with anger. Remember, he was2700:02:29,539 –> 00:02:34,660angry with God. He became angry with his brother. He did not find an effective way to deal with2800:02:34,660 –> 00:02:40,139that and sin was crouching at his door and it was his plunge to disaster.2900:02:40,940 –> 00:02:46,699Then from the story of Esau, last time, we saw the importance of establishing true values.3000:02:46,699 –> 00:02:51,899Remember that this man was surrounded by privilege, priceless gifts from God were placed into3100:02:51,899 –> 00:02:56,940his hand and yet he simply could not see the value of them.3200:02:56,940 –> 00:03:01,720Now today we’re going to learn a third principle from the story of Balaam and it’s very simply3300:03:01,720 –> 00:03:07,559this, live what you believe, live what you believe.3400:03:07,820 –> 00:03:11,979I hope you have your Bibles open at Numbers chapter 42, we’re going to follow through3500:03:11,979 –> 00:03:17,100the story and then draw the lessons for us today.3600:03:17,100 –> 00:03:21,919While things had been going very well for God’s people, at this point in the Bible story3700:03:21,919 –> 00:03:26,899they had been wandering in the desert for some time, but now at last, it seemed that3800:03:26,899 –> 00:03:29,380they were making some progress.3900:03:29,380 –> 00:03:34,520They had not yet entered the land of Canaan, at this point they were still on the east4000:03:34,600 –> 00:03:40,179side of the river Jordan, but they had some great victories in that area.4100:03:40,179 –> 00:03:47,020In Numbers 21 verse 33 we read about the battle of Edre, Where God’s people won a great victory4200:03:47,020 –> 00:03:52,600over two kings, Sihon and Og, and after they won that victory they took possession of that4300:03:52,600 –> 00:03:57,440whole northern area of the land on the east side of the Jordan river, they’re getting4400:03:57,440 –> 00:04:02,899ready to make their invasion across the Jordan into the land that God had promised to them.4500:04:03,000 –> 00:04:07,720Now in Numbers chapter 22 and verse 1, you will see there that Israel traveled to the4600:04:07,720 –> 00:04:14,039plains of Moab, still on the east side of the Jordan, but this time further south.4700:04:14,039 –> 00:04:20,700And the king of Moab, a man by the name Bealach, having learned of their great military victories4800:04:20,700 –> 00:04:27,640in the north, was now absolutely terrified as this mobile community of more than two4900:04:27,640 –> 00:04:31,299million people began to head south.5000:04:31,359 –> 00:04:37,000In actual fact, he had nothing to worry about because in Deuteronomy 2.9, God had already5100:04:37,000 –> 00:04:41,399said that they were not to harass the Moabites.5200:04:41,399 –> 00:04:47,519But perhaps Bealach was unaware of that, or perhaps if he was, he didn’t believe it.5300:04:47,519 –> 00:04:53,380The whole book of Numbers is about what happens when people do not act on the basis of faith.5400:04:53,380 –> 00:04:57,320All we know from verse 3 is that the king of Moab was absolutely terrified.5500:04:57,320 –> 00:05:00,739In fact, he was filled with dread.5600:05:00,739 –> 00:05:06,519Because for this horde, he says, are going to lick up everything around us like an ox5700:05:06,519 –> 00:05:08,399licks up the grass of the field.5800:05:08,399 –> 00:05:09,440That’s how he felt.5900:05:09,440 –> 00:05:14,920We’re gonna be wiped out by this lot, unless we can find some effective way of defending6000:05:14,920 –> 00:05:17,160ourselves against him.6100:05:17,160 –> 00:05:23,480Well, Bealach knew that he didn’t have a chance in military terms, and so he decided that6200:05:23,480 –> 00:05:28,320he would try the supernatural.6300:05:28,320 –> 00:05:32,420It was obvious to him, after all, that the victories of these people were coming as a6400:05:32,420 –> 00:05:34,640result of the blessing of God.6500:05:34,640 –> 00:05:36,660And not just any God.6600:05:36,660 –> 00:05:41,660The God of Israel was winning triumphs all over the place.6700:05:41,660 –> 00:05:43,820God was blessing what they were doing.6800:05:43,820 –> 00:05:49,279Now, the question in Belach’s mind was, what if that could be turned around?6900:05:49,279 –> 00:05:54,279What if this God who was giving all the victories could change sides?7000:05:54,279 –> 00:05:57,920What if instead of blessing these people, he was to curse them?7100:05:58,320 –> 00:06:02,000Well, that could just tip the scales in another direction.7200:06:03,660 –> 00:06:07,339And that’s where Balaam came into the story.7300:06:07,339 –> 00:06:14,200Balaam lived in a remote backwater, about 400 miles away from the action in this story.7400:06:14,200 –> 00:06:21,640In a little place called Pethor that the NIV tells us was near the river Euphrates.7500:06:21,640 –> 00:06:27,839Now, this man was not then part of the traveling community of God’s people.7600:06:28,359 –> 00:06:33,320And yet he did have a genuine knowledge of God.7700:06:33,320 –> 00:06:36,640He talks in verse 8 about the Lord.7800:06:36,640 –> 00:06:41,100And do you see the word LORD in verse 8 is printed in 4 capital letters?7900:06:41,100 –> 00:06:45,359Now whenever you see that, the 4 capital letters for the word LORD in the Old Testament,8000:06:45,359 –> 00:06:50,839it means that the Hebrew word that’s being used is the specific name that God gave to Israel.8100:06:50,839 –> 00:06:55,420Yahweh, the covenant name by which God had made himself known.8200:06:55,420 –> 00:07:00,920And this man Balaam evidently knew the covenant name that God had given.8300:07:00,920 –> 00:07:01,859A very wonderful thing.8400:07:01,859 –> 00:07:03,220How did he know that?8500:07:03,220 –> 00:07:04,579Well, we don’t know.8600:07:04,579 –> 00:07:08,260It could’ve been that God had revealed himself directly to Balaam.8700:07:08,260 –> 00:07:11,940This man who lived amongst pagan people, up by the Euphrates.8800:07:11,940 –> 00:07:13,859God could’ve done that.8900:07:13,859 –> 00:07:19,940An interesting suggestion, of course, is that Balaam lived in an area near to Haran,9000:07:19,940 –> 00:07:23,339where Abraham had traveled and stayed for a time.9100:07:23,739 –> 00:07:26,619It’s speculation, but it’s at least possible9200:07:26,619 –> 00:07:31,220that when Abraham had passed through that way9300:07:31,220 –> 00:07:34,079that he had shared his knowledge of God9400:07:34,079 –> 00:07:36,279with people in that region9500:07:36,279 –> 00:07:38,500and that they had then shared it with their children.9600:07:38,500 –> 00:07:42,500And so at least some knowledge of this living God,9700:07:42,500 –> 00:07:47,000the Lord, was given, even to this man Balaam.9800:07:47,000 –> 00:07:49,940We don’t know, but perhaps that was the way of it.9900:07:49,940 –> 00:07:50,980If that was the case,10000:07:50,980 –> 00:07:52,220then he certainly would have known10100:07:52,220 –> 00:07:53,959the promise of God to Abraham.10200:07:53,959 –> 00:07:58,179God had said, those who bless you, I will bless.10300:07:58,179 –> 00:08:02,040And those who curse you, I will curse.10400:08:03,200 –> 00:08:05,859Balaam knew the living God of the Bible.10500:08:05,859 –> 00:08:06,899The second thing about him10600:08:06,899 –> 00:08:10,600is that he had a very remarkable spiritual gift.10700:08:10,600 –> 00:08:12,279He was a prophet,10800:08:12,279 –> 00:08:15,700that is he was able to receive words directly from God10900:08:15,700 –> 00:08:16,640and to speak them11000:08:16,640 –> 00:08:19,059and to know that they really were the Word of God,11100:08:19,640 –> 00:08:21,200and not mixed up with any human ideas,11200:08:21,200 –> 00:08:25,100and that what was said was there for true and would happen.11300:08:25,100 –> 00:08:26,739In fact, he had evidently got something11400:08:26,739 –> 00:08:28,299of a reputation for this11500:08:28,299 –> 00:08:32,059because Balak 400 miles away, the King says,11600:08:32,059 –> 00:08:35,419I know verse six that what you bless is blessed11700:08:35,419 –> 00:08:39,059and what you curse is cursed.11800:08:39,059 –> 00:08:40,840So Balak the King decides11900:08:40,840 –> 00:08:43,900that this man who lives in this remote community12000:08:43,900 –> 00:08:46,099but knows the God who is the God of Israel12100:08:46,099 –> 00:08:47,940and has a remarkable spiritual gift12200:08:48,020 –> 00:08:50,700and who he blesses is blessed and who he curses is cursed,12300:08:50,700 –> 00:08:52,580this is the man for the job.12400:08:52,580 –> 00:08:54,219And when you know the man for the job,12500:08:54,219 –> 00:08:57,320you know you just need to go out and hire him.12600:08:57,320 –> 00:09:00,239So that’s what the King decides to do.12700:09:00,239 –> 00:09:04,299He sends out a delegation and they have a handsome check12800:09:04,299 –> 00:09:08,340to sign up Balaam and his services.12900:09:08,340 –> 00:09:09,880Now I want you to try and imagine yourself13000:09:09,880 –> 00:09:11,960in Balaam’s shoes.13100:09:11,960 –> 00:09:15,159Here you are, a young man with a remarkable gift,13200:09:16,099 –> 00:09:19,440but you’re stuck in a rural backwater13300:09:19,440 –> 00:09:20,760in the middle of nowhere.13400:09:22,179 –> 00:09:26,919Suddenly one day a delegation arrives from 400 miles away13500:09:27,840 –> 00:09:29,919and they say, now, we need to talk to you.13600:09:31,419 –> 00:09:34,020We’ve heard great things about your ministry.13700:09:35,280 –> 00:09:37,640We want to tell you about an opportunity13800:09:37,640 –> 00:09:40,440that we think is just right for you.13900:09:41,679 –> 00:09:43,960Now, we know that you’re not the kind of person, of course,14000:09:43,960 –> 00:09:45,659to be unduly influenced by money,14100:09:45,659 –> 00:09:49,280but we’ve brought this check because we want you to know14200:09:49,280 –> 00:09:52,080that we value your services.14300:09:52,080 –> 00:09:53,760And we believe that this can be14400:09:53,760 –> 00:09:57,900a very profitable relationship for us all.14500:09:58,880 –> 00:10:02,960Well, Balaam’s absolutely bowled over by all of this.14600:10:02,960 –> 00:10:05,400He takes the envelope and sure enough,14700:10:05,400 –> 00:10:09,640inside is the biggest check he has ever seen in his life.14800:10:09,640 –> 00:10:12,080He says, wow, I need time to think and pray about this,14900:10:12,159 –> 00:10:15,960he says, and invites the visitors to stay the night.15000:10:17,080 –> 00:10:20,200Well, that night, God spoke to Balaam.15100:10:20,200 –> 00:10:24,919Now imagine this, God spoke to him directly.15200:10:24,919 –> 00:10:28,359As directly as God spoke to Abraham, Isaac,15300:10:28,359 –> 00:10:32,799and Jacob and Moses, God spoke to Balaam.15400:10:35,179 –> 00:10:38,020And he received the very words of God.15500:10:38,020 –> 00:10:40,200Remember, this man was not a false prophet,15600:10:40,200 –> 00:10:41,760he wasn’t making up his prophecies,15700:10:41,840 –> 00:10:45,640he really received revelation from God.15800:10:45,640 –> 00:10:48,059Now look at what God said to him in verse 12.15900:10:48,059 –> 00:10:51,479Do not go with them, you must not put a curse16000:10:51,479 –> 00:10:56,479on those people, that’s Israel, because they are blessed.16100:10:57,359 –> 00:10:58,559Now there are no difficulties16200:10:58,559 –> 00:11:00,520of interpretation with this verse, are there?16300:11:00,520 –> 00:11:04,179I mean, is there any part of this that we can’t understand?16400:11:04,179 –> 00:11:07,760Do not go with them, don’t put a curse on these people,16500:11:07,760 –> 00:11:10,500because they are blessed.16600:11:11,880 –> 00:11:14,960And Balaam made a courageous choice.16700:11:14,960 –> 00:11:16,719The following morning he said to the visitors,16800:11:16,719 –> 00:11:18,020I’m sorry, I can’t do it,16900:11:18,020 –> 00:11:19,299you’ve got to take your check back,17000:11:19,299 –> 00:11:21,119you’re asking me to do something I cannot do.17100:11:21,119 –> 00:11:26,119Verse 13, the Lord has refused to let me go with you.17200:11:26,400 –> 00:11:30,359It was the most courageous thing that he ever did.17300:11:30,359 –> 00:11:31,960And if that was the end of the story,17400:11:31,960 –> 00:11:35,080it would be a wonderful one, but it’s not.17500:11:35,080 –> 00:11:37,659By the way, when you’ve won a great victory,17600:11:38,520 –> 00:11:41,380don’t rest too much on your laurels.17700:11:42,159 –> 00:11:45,559Satan will tempt you again.17800:11:46,820 –> 00:11:48,239You’re listening to Open the Bible17900:11:48,239 –> 00:11:49,719with pastor Colin Smith18000:11:49,719 –> 00:11:52,679and a message called Live What You Believe,18100:11:52,679 –> 00:11:55,619part of our series, Debt Chairs on the Titanic,18200:11:55,619 –> 00:11:58,440How to Avoid Plunging to Disaster.18300:11:58,440 –> 00:12:01,599It’s about eight characters who weren’t able18400:12:01,599 –> 00:12:03,460to deal with the sin in their lives18500:12:03,460 –> 00:12:06,840and plunged to disaster as a result.18600:12:06,840 –> 00:12:08,840If you ever miss one of our broadcasts,18700:12:08,840 –> 00:12:10,520don’t forget you can always catch up18800:12:10,919 –> 00:12:13,840or go back and listen again online at our website18900:12:13,840 –> 00:12:16,500openthebible.org.uk19000:12:16,500 –> 00:12:19,919or by finding Pastor Colin’s teaching as a podcast.19100:12:19,919 –> 00:12:22,299And those are on all the main podcast sites.19200:12:22,299 –> 00:12:24,080Search for, Open the Bible UK19300:12:24,080 –> 00:12:26,960or follow a link from our website.19400:12:26,960 –> 00:12:30,380Also on our website, you can find Open the Bible Daily.19500:12:30,380 –> 00:12:32,000That’s a series of short19600:12:32,000 –> 00:12:34,479two to three minute daily reflections19700:12:34,479 –> 00:12:36,320based on Pastor Colin’s teaching19800:12:36,320 –> 00:12:38,880and read in the UK by Sue McCleish.19900:12:38,880 –> 00:12:40,299There’s a new one on the website20000:12:40,340 –> 00:12:42,760every day and many Christians find20100:12:42,760 –> 00:12:44,359it’s a brilliant way to start the day.20200:12:44,359 –> 00:12:46,460So I hope you’ll check that out.20300:12:46,460 –> 00:12:47,880Back to the message now.20400:12:47,880 –> 00:12:51,219We’re in Numbers, chapter 22 to 24.20500:12:51,219 –> 00:12:52,659Here’s Colin.20600:12:52,659 –> 00:12:57,500Well, when the delegation got back,20700:12:57,900 –> 00:13:01,039Belak knew exactly what he was going to do.20800:13:01,039 –> 00:13:02,619Oh, he says he won’t come.20900:13:02,619 –> 00:13:05,179I guess he just wants a bigger check.21000:13:05,179 –> 00:13:08,380And so Belak sends a second delegation21100:13:08,419 –> 00:13:10,739of more distinguished princes21200:13:10,739 –> 00:13:13,219with a more attractive offer21300:13:13,979 –> 00:13:16,520and goes back to Balaam a second time.21400:13:16,520 –> 00:13:17,739They come and they say,21500:13:17,739 –> 00:13:19,820look, this is an opportunity you can’t refuse.21600:13:19,820 –> 00:13:21,260It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.21700:13:21,260 –> 00:13:24,440The king is offering to do whatever you ask!21800:13:26,619 –> 00:13:28,619And Balaam gave them this marvelous answer21900:13:28,619 –> 00:13:30,700a second time in verse 18.22000:13:30,700 –> 00:13:34,380Even if Belak were to give me his palace22100:13:34,380 –> 00:13:36,580filled with silver and gold,22200:13:36,580 –> 00:13:38,700I could not do anything great or small22300:13:38,700 –> 00:13:41,940to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.22400:13:43,619 –> 00:13:46,580And that should have been the end of the story.22500:13:46,580 –> 00:13:48,539God had said, these people are blessed,22600:13:48,539 –> 00:13:49,559and if that’s the case,22700:13:49,559 –> 00:13:51,619there is no way in the world that Balaam can curse them.22800:13:51,619 –> 00:13:53,919He believed that but what he believed22900:13:53,919 –> 00:13:58,340and what he did were two entirely different things.23000:14:00,500 –> 00:14:03,640He knew that despite all that God had said,23100:14:03,659 –> 00:14:06,979he was being offered a once in a lifetime opportunity.23200:14:07,979 –> 00:14:09,059I mean, imagine this.23300:14:10,359 –> 00:14:11,640Suppose you’re in some ministry23400:14:11,640 –> 00:14:13,520in a remote backwater in Idaho23500:14:15,039 –> 00:14:20,039and you receive an invitation from the White House23600:14:20,479 –> 00:14:23,840to be a speaker at a national banquet23700:14:23,840 –> 00:14:28,640it’s going to launch a national prominent career.23800:14:28,640 –> 00:14:31,799It’s gonna have all kinds of benefits over years to come.23900:14:31,799 –> 00:14:35,599And all you have to do is to change the message24000:14:35,599 –> 00:14:38,099that you’re preaching to adapt it to the audience.24100:14:40,700 –> 00:14:43,599The Balaam knows what God has said, but he’s struggling24200:14:44,900 –> 00:14:47,479because he knows that there are great rewards24300:14:47,479 –> 00:14:49,799if he’ll say something different.24400:14:52,000 –> 00:14:53,859And so he’s desperate to find a way24500:14:53,859 –> 00:14:57,159of accommodating what Balak is asking for him.24600:14:57,159 –> 00:14:58,299He says to these folks,24700:14:58,299 –> 00:14:59,619Well, look, I’ll go and pray about it.24800:14:59,619 –> 00:15:01,440You stay the night now, go and ask God.24900:15:01,520 –> 00:15:03,679Now, that sounds spiritual, doesn’t it?25000:15:03,679 –> 00:15:06,500Oh, let me pray about it.25100:15:08,080 –> 00:15:10,159But in actual fact is the most unspiritual25200:15:10,159 –> 00:15:12,580rebellious thing he ever said for this reason.25300:15:14,039 –> 00:15:16,179When God has said a thing,25400:15:17,479 –> 00:15:20,640you do not need to pray about it.25500:15:21,840 –> 00:15:24,919When God has revealed his will in scripture,25600:15:26,080 –> 00:15:29,679praying about it and questioning it further25700:15:29,679 –> 00:15:31,640is not a mark of spirituality.25800:15:31,640 –> 00:15:33,200It is a mark of rebellion.25900:15:34,739 –> 00:15:37,880I’m praying about whether I should marry this girl.26000:15:37,880 –> 00:15:39,400Is she a believer?26100:15:39,400 –> 00:15:41,119Oh no.26200:15:41,119 –> 00:15:42,859Does God speak about that in his word?26300:15:42,859 –> 00:15:44,099Yes.26400:15:44,099 –> 00:15:45,359Why are you praying about it?26500:15:45,359 –> 00:15:46,599There’s nothing to pray about.26600:15:46,599 –> 00:15:47,700You do what he says.26700:15:49,200 –> 00:15:51,840I’m praying about whether I should be baptized.26800:15:51,840 –> 00:15:52,979Doesn’t that sound spiritual?26900:15:52,979 –> 00:15:54,679I’m praying about it.27000:15:54,679 –> 00:15:56,500Was God spoken about being baptized?27100:15:56,500 –> 00:15:58,200What does he said?27200:15:58,200 –> 00:16:00,580If he’s spoken clearly, what is there for you to pray about?27300:16:00,580 –> 00:16:02,299The only issue is to pray for strength27400:16:02,299 –> 00:16:04,659to do what he has said.27500:16:04,659 –> 00:16:06,739Not to go on questioning endlessly27600:16:06,739 –> 00:16:08,700as if there was going to be some other way27700:16:08,700 –> 00:16:10,179that would be revealed to you27800:16:10,179 –> 00:16:12,219that would work around what God has already revealed27900:16:12,219 –> 00:16:13,059in his word.28000:16:15,739 –> 00:16:17,280My wife, Karin, as some of you know,28100:16:17,280 –> 00:16:19,020teaches pre-school children.28200:16:19,020 –> 00:16:21,340This was a tough week, because it was so cold,28300:16:21,340 –> 00:16:24,140so playtime, the break, was canceled.28400:16:24,140 –> 00:16:26,919They had to stay in the classroom for that.28500:16:27,080 –> 00:16:29,479And one little boy found this very, very hard28600:16:29,479 –> 00:16:30,479to accept this week.28700:16:30,479 –> 00:16:33,359He kept coming every day, back and back again,28800:16:33,359 –> 00:16:35,539please can we go out to play today?28900:16:36,799 –> 00:16:39,580Please, Mrs. Smith, why can’t we go out to play?29000:16:40,440 –> 00:16:42,739Because it is very cold,29100:16:42,739 –> 00:16:45,239but we will put our coats on, Mrs. Smith.29200:16:46,159 –> 00:16:49,260Well, you know, his continual asking29300:16:49,260 –> 00:16:50,919is a sign of his immaturity isn’t he?29400:16:50,919 –> 00:16:53,419Can’t accept what has been said29500:16:53,419 –> 00:16:55,340and decided in his own good.29600:16:56,239 –> 00:16:58,219Now, when a person like Balaam,29700:16:58,219 –> 00:17:00,280just keeps coming back,29800:17:00,280 –> 00:17:02,940and trying to renegotiate with God,29900:17:02,940 –> 00:17:03,880what he’s already said,30000:17:03,880 –> 00:17:05,839that’s not spirituality.30100:17:05,839 –> 00:17:07,780However dressed up you put it.30200:17:08,560 –> 00:17:10,979That’s simply resistance,30300:17:10,979 –> 00:17:13,859and an inability to accept what God has already said.30400:17:13,859 –> 00:17:16,979Now, if you do that, how will God respond?30500:17:18,699 –> 00:17:22,819You see, God will not treat you as a preschool child30600:17:22,819 –> 00:17:25,099because we are not preschool children.30700:17:26,319 –> 00:17:31,319He has given to you the gracious capacity of choice.30800:17:31,859 –> 00:17:34,260He does not lock us up, as it were in the classroom.30900:17:34,260 –> 00:17:36,780He gives us his word,31000:17:36,780 –> 00:17:39,520but then there are real choices for you to make.31100:17:40,579 –> 00:17:42,540So when Balaam goes on and on asking,31200:17:42,540 –> 00:17:45,359sure enough, God gives him what he wants.31300:17:45,359 –> 00:17:46,199At first sight,31400:17:46,199 –> 00:17:48,619it looks as if God might be contradicting himself,31500:17:48,619 –> 00:17:50,339but of course, that is not the case.31600:17:50,339 –> 00:17:51,939Notice in verse 12, God says,31700:17:52,060 –> 00:17:54,619don’t go to curse.31800:17:54,619 –> 00:17:56,140But in verse 20, God says,31900:17:56,140 –> 00:17:58,579you may go, but only to do what I say.32000:17:58,579 –> 00:18:01,180You may go only to bless.32100:18:01,180 –> 00:18:03,219And what God was allowing32200:18:03,219 –> 00:18:05,040was that Balaam would go32300:18:05,040 –> 00:18:07,880though he would live with the consequences32400:18:07,880 –> 00:18:10,640of pushing against God’s best for him.32500:18:12,140 –> 00:18:15,280And we’ll see the pain that that brought to him.32600:18:15,280 –> 00:18:16,939But nothing that he would ever do32700:18:16,939 –> 00:18:20,619could ever change the blessing of God32800:18:20,619 –> 00:18:21,819upon his people.32900:18:22,780 –> 00:18:24,140When you know what God has said33000:18:24,140 –> 00:18:26,219and you are desperate to find a way around it,33100:18:26,219 –> 00:18:29,979God may just give you what you want.33200:18:30,900 –> 00:18:33,500Okay, I’ll let you go,33300:18:33,500 –> 00:18:35,520but you will live with the pressures33400:18:35,520 –> 00:18:36,579and the consequences33500:18:36,579 –> 00:18:40,079from which I wanted to protect you.33600:18:41,099 –> 00:18:43,339Well, Balaam thinks to himself, great.33700:18:43,339 –> 00:18:45,119And off he goes.33800:18:45,119 –> 00:18:47,020Now, what happens next as we follow this story,33900:18:47,020 –> 00:18:48,699I’ll just cover it very briefly,34000:18:48,760 –> 00:18:51,099is absolutely extraordinary.34100:18:51,099 –> 00:18:53,359Balaam rides on his donkey34200:18:53,359 –> 00:18:56,959on this 400-mile journey down to the area of Moab.34300:18:56,959 –> 00:18:59,540And while he’s making this journey,34400:18:59,540 –> 00:19:03,060the donkey experiences a theophany.34500:19:03,060 –> 00:19:05,260I mean, this is an extraordinary story.34600:19:05,260 –> 00:19:06,260There are many occasions,34700:19:06,260 –> 00:19:08,060as you know, in the Old Testament,34800:19:08,060 –> 00:19:12,540where God makes himself visibly present to a person.34900:19:12,540 –> 00:19:15,739They actually saw the invisible God, a theophany.35000:19:15,739 –> 00:19:17,839He took on visible form.35100:19:17,839 –> 00:19:19,920But this is the only occasion in the Bible35200:19:19,920 –> 00:19:22,839where a theophany was given to an animal.35300:19:22,839 –> 00:19:27,199But Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord35400:19:27,199 –> 00:19:30,520standing right in the road with a sword in his hand.35500:19:30,520 –> 00:19:35,520The presence of God was made visible to this dumb animal.35600:19:36,140 –> 00:19:37,719And it happened three times.35700:19:37,719 –> 00:19:41,239The first time the animal sees this alarming sight35800:19:41,239 –> 00:19:44,140of the presence of the Almighty standing in the road,35900:19:44,140 –> 00:19:45,939veers off into a field.36000:19:45,959 –> 00:19:49,760Second time lurches against a wall crushing Balaam’s foot.36100:19:49,760 –> 00:19:51,760Third time sinks into the ground.36200:19:51,760 –> 00:19:53,800And every time the animal reacts36300:19:53,800 –> 00:19:56,459to seeing the presence of the Lord36400:19:56,459 –> 00:19:59,560and Balaam’s eyes are kept from seeing the Lord,36500:19:59,560 –> 00:20:01,239Balaam doesn’t understand what’s happening,36600:20:01,239 –> 00:20:03,959so he beats this animal trying to drive it forward.36700:20:03,959 –> 00:20:06,979And of course he’s frustrated because he gets nowhere.36800:20:09,479 –> 00:20:10,420Poor animal.36900:20:11,359 –> 00:20:14,160God was in this way giving a picture37000:20:14,459 –> 00:20:18,099of the position Balaam had chosen for himself.37100:20:19,380 –> 00:20:22,540On three occasions he would be pushed forward37200:20:22,540 –> 00:20:25,500by Balak the king, urging him37300:20:25,500 –> 00:20:28,280to do something that God resisted.37400:20:28,280 –> 00:20:31,079Eventually, God enables the donkey to speak.37500:20:31,079 –> 00:20:34,300Another extraordinary incident in the Old Testament.37600:20:35,459 –> 00:20:37,060This must have humbled Balaam,37700:20:37,060 –> 00:20:41,780and it was an unusual event with a very specific purpose.37800:20:41,800 –> 00:20:46,099You see here is this marvelously gifted prophet,37900:20:47,060 –> 00:20:51,800this man who speaks the word of God,38000:20:53,300 –> 00:20:54,479and God saying to him,38100:20:54,479 –> 00:20:57,339and this humbles every preacher I’ll tell you.38200:20:57,339 –> 00:20:58,900Do you get too carried away38300:20:58,900 –> 00:21:00,780with the fact that you speak the word of God?38400:21:00,780 –> 00:21:01,900You think that’s so marvelous?38500:21:01,900 –> 00:21:03,140People praise you for that?38600:21:03,140 –> 00:21:06,420I can put my word in any old donkey’s mouth.38700:21:09,040 –> 00:21:09,880And that’s true.38800:21:10,060 –> 00:21:11,979You’ve been listening38900:21:11,979 –> 00:21:14,300to Pastor Colin Smith on Open the Bible39000:21:14,300 –> 00:21:17,199with a message called Live What You Believe,39100:21:17,199 –> 00:21:20,819part of our series Debt Chairs on the Titanic,39200:21:20,819 –> 00:21:24,099How to Avoid Plunging to Disaster.39300:21:24,099 –> 00:21:26,739It’s all about eight characters in the Bible39400:21:26,739 –> 00:21:29,660who weren’t able to deal with the sin in their lives39500:21:29,660 –> 00:21:32,420and, as a result, plunge to disaster.39600:21:32,420 –> 00:21:34,079If you ever miss one of the series,39700:21:34,079 –> 00:21:38,540come online to our website openthebible.org.uk39800:21:38,680 –> 00:21:40,380and there you’ll find all the messages39900:21:40,380 –> 00:21:42,199which have already been broadcast.40000:21:42,199 –> 00:21:44,099They’re also available as a podcast40100:21:44,099 –> 00:21:46,160and those are on all the main podcast sites.40200:21:46,160 –> 00:21:48,119Search for Open the Bible UK40300:21:48,119 –> 00:21:50,780or follow the link from our website.40400:21:50,780 –> 00:21:53,040This Easter, Open the Bible has released40500:21:53,040 –> 00:21:56,579a one hour film version of Colin Smith’s well known book,40600:21:56,579 –> 00:21:58,479Heaven, How I Got Here.40700:21:58,479 –> 00:22:00,959I’m with Open the Bible’s executive director,40800:22:00,959 –> 00:22:02,300John Martin.40900:22:02,300 –> 00:22:05,020John, who is this video release for?41000:22:05,020 –> 00:22:06,859Well, David, you’ve seen the performance.41100:22:06,979 –> 00:22:10,839It’s a really powerful one hour film that we’ve produced41200:22:10,839 –> 00:22:14,140and it’s really worth gathering people together to see it.41300:22:14,140 –> 00:22:15,939It’s a really easy invite as well.41400:22:15,939 –> 00:22:17,420So a church could put this on.41500:22:17,420 –> 00:22:19,599They could gather friends and neighbours.41600:22:19,599 –> 00:22:21,260Be very easy to do that for an hour.41700:22:21,260 –> 00:22:22,479They can lay on refreshments41800:22:22,479 –> 00:22:24,780and we’ve got lots of literature they can order in bulk41900:22:24,780 –> 00:22:26,219to give away at the end.42000:22:26,219 –> 00:22:28,660So I think it’s a great activity for Easter.42100:22:28,660 –> 00:22:30,939So it’s something that would work well in church42200:22:30,939 –> 00:22:32,619for perhaps an evening meeting42300:22:32,619 –> 00:22:34,859or maybe even in people’s homes.42400:22:34,859 –> 00:22:35,800Absolutely, yes.42500:22:35,819 –> 00:22:37,760Maybe you’ve got a small group or a home group,42600:22:37,760 –> 00:22:39,819you gather in a home of an evening42700:22:39,819 –> 00:22:41,199and yes it’s an hour long.42800:22:41,199 –> 00:22:43,479So you can sit and watch it and then just leave it there42900:22:43,479 –> 00:22:45,160or you can discuss it.43000:22:45,160 –> 00:22:46,760We’ve written a discussion guide43100:22:46,760 –> 00:22:49,479and that’s a guide that can help you discuss the film43200:22:49,479 –> 00:22:50,579just on its own43300:22:50,579 –> 00:22:52,880or if you want to turn and open the Bible43400:22:52,880 –> 00:22:55,199at the section where of course the thief43500:22:55,199 –> 00:22:57,920and Jesus are captured in Luke43600:22:57,920 –> 00:22:59,079then you can go to that passage43700:22:59,079 –> 00:23:00,439and we’ve written some questions there.43800:23:00,439 –> 00:23:02,599And that’s something you could do in one evening43900:23:02,599 –> 00:23:06,680one sitting or you could do it over a couple of evenings.44000:23:06,680 –> 00:23:09,859So that’s the film version of Heaven How I Got Here44100:23:09,859 –> 00:23:12,079and it’s available to view for free44200:23:12,079 –> 00:23:14,560by using the link on our website44300:23:14,560 –> 00:23:18,260go to openthebible.org.uk.44400:23:18,260 –> 00:23:20,560You know Open the Bible is supported entirely44500:23:20,560 –> 00:23:21,520by our listeners44600:23:21,520 –> 00:23:24,040and if that’s something you’ve been considering doing44700:23:24,040 –> 00:23:25,800but haven’t done up until now44800:23:25,800 –> 00:23:27,760this month if you’re able to support44900:23:27,760 –> 00:23:29,520Open the Bible Financially45000:23:29,520 –> 00:23:32,359in the amount of £5 per month or more45100:23:32,359 –> 00:23:35,040or a one off gift of £50 or more45200:23:35,040 –> 00:23:36,439We’d love to say thank you45300:23:36,439 –> 00:23:39,280by sending you a copy of Colin’s book45400:23:39,280 –> 00:23:40,579Heaven How I Got Here45500:23:40,579 –> 00:23:42,520The Story of a Thief on the Cross45600:23:42,520 –> 00:23:44,020and also the booklet45700:23:44,020 –> 00:23:46,119How Can I Be Sure of Heaven45800:23:46,119 –> 00:23:49,859and a special Open the Bible pen and bookmark.45900:23:49,859 –> 00:23:51,420Colin how will people be helped46000:23:51,420 –> 00:23:54,040by reading Heaven How I Got Here?46100:23:54,040 –> 00:23:56,959It’s a small book very easy to read46200:23:56,959 –> 00:23:59,359and it tells the story of the thief on the cross46300:23:59,359 –> 00:24:00,880in the first person46400:24:00,920 –> 00:24:02,839and the mission of the book46500:24:02,839 –> 00:24:04,880the reason for writing it46600:24:04,880 –> 00:24:08,319is that this story really explains grace46700:24:08,319 –> 00:24:12,119better than any story I know or could think of46800:24:12,119 –> 00:24:14,300Many people have the idea46900:24:14,300 –> 00:24:16,760that if you’re going to get into Heaven47000:24:16,760 –> 00:24:18,800you’ll do that by living a good enough life47100:24:18,800 –> 00:24:21,199and obviously the thief on the cross didn’t do that47200:24:21,199 –> 00:24:23,140and he did get into Heaven47300:24:23,140 –> 00:24:25,180and he got there by God’s Grace47400:24:25,180 –> 00:24:27,780so for anyone who needs to grasp47500:24:27,780 –> 00:24:30,400what the Grace of God is47600:24:30,640 –> 00:24:33,859this is a very simple story that explains that47700:24:33,859 –> 00:24:36,239and so this is a book that you can read and enjoy47800:24:36,239 –> 00:24:38,060and I hope a book that you’ll think about47900:24:38,060 –> 00:24:39,579passing on to a friend who needs48000:24:39,579 –> 00:24:40,859to discover God’s Grace48100:24:40,859 –> 00:24:43,199Well this book, Heaven How I Got Here48200:24:43,199 –> 00:24:45,739along with a booklet how can I be sure of Heaven48300:24:45,739 –> 00:24:49,239and a special Open the Bible pen and bookmark48400:24:49,239 –> 00:24:50,739are our thank you gift48500:24:50,739 –> 00:24:53,060if you’re able to set up a new direct debit48600:24:53,060 –> 00:24:55,920in the amount of five pounds per month or more48700:24:55,920 –> 00:24:58,619or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more48800:24:58,619 –> 00:25:00,119to the work of Open the Bible48900:25:00,239 –> 00:25:01,119in this month49000:25:01,119 –> 00:25:03,979for full terms and conditions and to give online49100:25:03,979 –> 00:25:05,040come to our website49200:25:05,619 –> 00:25:08,180openthebible.org.uk49300:25:08,180 –> 00:25:10,640For Open the Bible and Pastor Collin Smith49400:25:10,640 –> 00:25:11,439I’m David Pike49500:25:11,500 –> 00:25:13,660I’m glad you were with us today49600:25:13,660 –> 00:25:15,920and I hope you will be able to join us again tomorrow49700:25:19,939 –> 00:25:23,619What happens when your gifts outweigh your character?49800:25:24,420 –> 00:25:26,819Find out, next time, on Open the Bible