WEBVTT

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Now, Balaam was a prophet about the time
that Moses was coming through.

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Every now and again, God would speak to
him, tell him what to say and do.

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He had a reputation in all those parts for
being on the line to power.

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And when Moab's king heard Moses was
coming, he called him in his needy hour.

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He said, Balaam, come and curse these
Israelites.

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If you do, I believe I could beat them in
a fight.

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But when Balaam asked the Lord,
the Lord said, Balaam, don't you go.

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Israel is blessed by me, don't you go mess
up my show.

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But Balaam's head was turned by the money
he could earn.

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So he saddled up his donkey anyway.

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Balaam and his servants hurried off for
the king of Moab's castle.

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But they hadn't gone very far down the
road when the whole trip became a hassle.

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Because the donkey ran off across a field
and then she nearly broke Balaam's ankle.

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But when she lay right down and wouldn't
get up, Balaam got a little more than

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rankled.

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For the third time, Balaam beat her with
his cane.

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But that donkey just refused to move
again.

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It was the thing that happened next,
though, made Balaam's knees get weak.

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That donkey still would not get up,
but she began to speak.

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She said, Balaam, you're to blame.

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The way you beat me is a shame.

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Because all I've done is try to save your
life.

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Then the angel of the Lord appeared with a
flaming sword in his hand.

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And Balaam fell down on his face,
a very frightened man.

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The angel said, Balaam, you'd be dead if
your donkey hadn't detected that I was

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waiting there to part your hair when you
and my sword connected.

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Balaam then repented for his sin.

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And he promised not to act like that
again.

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And I hope we've learned our lesson now
about God's reward for greed.

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But you know, it's that talking donkey
that's really strange indeed.

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Now that donkey's just a donkey,
but she's still the thing God used.

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And that's the point I want you all to
see.

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The Lord's the one who makes the choice of
the instrument he's using.

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We don't know the reasons and the plans
behind his choosing.

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So when the Lord starts using you,
don't you pay it any mind.

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You could have used the dog next door if
he'd been so inclined.