TPOT Paden, OK Sunday Program April 18, 2021

Our God Turned A Curse Into A Blessing

April 18, 2021

“ On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude” (New 13:1-3) “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them” (Deu 30:19-20) Moabite king Balak sending messengers to the sorcerer Balaam with a proposal. The king resorts to attery: “Whoever you bless is blessed; whoever you curse is cursed.” Balak believes in the power of the word, and in the holy hitman’s capacity to manipulate it. A curse delivered by him could annihilate the Jewish people, the latest regional threat to Balak’s kingdom.

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The narrative focuses not on the king but on his spiritual adviser, and is seemingly told from his perspective. The fast-paced plot holds us in suspense as Balaam does not immediately accede to his patron’s request. Piously, he bids the messengers stay overnight while he sounds out the divine will. The God that Balaam believes in bears remarkable resemblance to the Almighty. Like the king, and like many rabbinical commentators, readers may rst be impressed by Balaam’s claim of access to the Deity. However, what Balaam receives is a at rejection.

He is not to curse Israel, either from his home turf or from Moab. No change of location or perspective will help. Tersely, God explains that Israel is intrinsically blessed

WORSHIP IN SONG

BRO RANDELL KETCHERSID

I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIME I WILL ARIS SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SON HE BROUGHT ME OU 476 HIGHER GROUN 32

PRAYER REQUEST WORSHIP IN OFFERING: I EXALT THE TESTIMONY SPECIAL SONGS: ORDER MY STEPS

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BRO JOEL MCNAB

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SERMON

Service THURSDAY 7:00 P SATURDAY 6:00 P SUNDAY 10:00 PM

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THE PEOPLE OF TRUT 705 S Cedar ST Paden, O Phone 405-932-458 Pastor’s Cell 918-384-873 websites https://www.thepeopleoftruth.org/ https://www.facebook.com/TPOT144