The Donkey & The Prophet: Part 1

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen people. 00:00:02 Speaker 2: The Ennamites already told us in no uncertain terms they would meet us in battle. Or do they mean to finish what they started thirty eight years ago? 00:00:13 Speaker 3: I propose we changed that. Joshua, draw up your plans and make the changes you need to our defenses. But first let us pray in us the Lord to be with us. 00:00:24 Speaker 1: Joshua and Caleb took a detachment of men and horses from the tribe of Judah. The Lord has already gone before us and struck the first blow. 00:00:32 Speaker 3: We oppressed the advantages laid before us tomorrow, and strike the second. 00:00:37 Speaker 1: Joshua triumphantly climbed back up the rubble of the toppled gate and thrust his sword over his head, declaring victory. They had done it. They had battered the gate and stalled the city walls of Hedria. 00:00:52 Speaker 4: The Lord told me he would have this city om to us, and then he told me that I would stand on the battles in the wake of our victory. 00:01:07 Speaker 5: At the heart of the story lies a question. Can a prophet serve two masters? God and greed? Shelloh, my friends, from here in the holy land of Israel, i'm l extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. A land in turmoil, nations rise, tremble, and fall swept away by the unforeseen forces. The desert stretches in the distance. But the true battleground is not of earth and stone. Rather, it's a clash of wills, a whisper from heaven and the decisions of man in the shadows, a king's schemes consumed by fear. A prophet stands at the crossroads, torn between the weight of wealth and the word of God. And so somewhere in the midst of it all, a donkey speaks. 00:02:08 Speaker 1: Bailak, son of Zippor and King of Moab, drummed his fingers impatiently on the stone battlements of his royal city. Are the crown jewel of the East, or so he believed. Below him, the kings of Median were finally dismounting from their camels in the courtyard. They were late. Bailak's messengers had reached their caravans days ago, yet the kings had taken their time. Responding, frustration simmering, Bailac turned sharply and hurried down the narrow stone steps to his audience, chamber attendants scrambling to keep up. He dropped onto his throne with a thumb and barked an order at one of them. 00:02:52 Speaker 6: Why are you waiting for? 00:02:54 Speaker 7: They've arrived? 00:02:54 Speaker 6: Haven't they fetch them? 00:02:57 Speaker 3: Bring them to me? 00:02:59 Speaker 1: Bailak bit back a laugh as the young attendant scurried from the hall, his eyes wide with fear. It did nothing to assuage Bailack's frustrations, but frightening his servants alleviated the feeling briefly. A few moments later, the Mediannite kings filed in, still in their traveling clothes, dust from the road, clinging to them and dirtying his hole. Bailack frowned at it as one of them stepped forward. 00:03:25 Speaker 2: King Ballack, we have received your urgent summons, but we did not realize that you were in quite such a hurry. You do not appear to be under attack. I saw no army laying siege as we approached. What pray tell is so pressing that you would pull us off our camels and drag us into your hall. 00:03:44 Speaker 7: Zir, isn't it? 00:03:46 Speaker 6: King zo? 00:03:48 Speaker 8: I know you no man's care little for the politics of the cities. But in case your spies have failed to look this arrival nomadic nation has just stormed through our lands and trounced two fortified cities. 00:04:06 Speaker 2: And have they set the sights on your precious city of r the Harvard Army. 00:04:12 Speaker 8: An armory of hundreds of thousand strong, the population of over two million people. This horde would devour everything around us like a swarm of locusts. 00:04:25 Speaker 1: Surr's eyes narrowed at Bailak's avert condescension. He looked back and conferred with his companions before turning back to address Bailak well. 00:04:35 Speaker 2: Our spies informed us that you met with the Israelites before they passed through Moab. Apparently gifts were exchanged. Familiar ties of kingship were a vaulked. It sounded very touching. Their mission to enter Kanan is widely known. Are you surprised they destroyed our Amorite neighbors who stood in their way? I will not shed tears over their demise. It seems they did a favor, didn't Your kingdom once hold Heshbahan and Bashan. Perhaps they will give these old mobid strongholds to you, since you are long last kingsmen reunited at last. 00:05:15 Speaker 1: Bailak had met with the Israelite misseries weeks ago that was true, and they promised to peacefully pass through the land which they had but then viciously toppled two Amorite kings. Beilak feared they would be tempted to try their strength against Moab. His kingdom was due south of where the Israelites were now camped in the Acacia grove of the city of Chitin, and only a day's ride or so away, far too close for comfort. Beilak masked his fear at this new threat in his irritation with Median's apparent apathy to the danger the Israelites being on the plains of Moab presented. But he needed the support of the Medianites if he planned to succeed. His attempts to persuade the Ammonites in the northeast had been brushed aside, leaving him no choice but to turn to these nomadic Medianites. Though they roamed beyond Moab, they often settled within his borders for parts of the year. Beilac knew that with the right persuasion, he could convince them that this new nation of Israel was a genuine threat, and if Israel's power rose unchecked, well, Bailak had no intention of letting that come to pass. 00:06:29 Speaker 9: Ay heard stories of a man, a high priest of one of your tribes, who's developed a bit of a soft spot for these Hebrews. Hum I believe he allowed there needed to marry his daughter Jethro. 00:06:49 Speaker 6: Ah, Yes, that was it. 00:06:52 Speaker 3: He even sent his tribe out to join. 00:06:54 Speaker 8: Them before he died. I believe therefully assimilated within Israel, now sparing no thought for their Midianite heritage. 00:07:06 Speaker 7: What a shame. 00:07:09 Speaker 8: But let me ask you this, how long until more of your Midianites defect to follow Jethro's son in law? How long until they throw out your gods and your ways and force you to bend and scrape to their new god. See we have a common interest here, my friends. Something must be done. The Israelites cannot succeed in this land, and if we cannot defeat them in battle, let us turn to the gods ourselves. 00:07:48 Speaker 7: What do you have in mind? 00:07:51 Speaker 1: Beilamb reclined on silken pillows, lazily popping another fig into his mouth as he tuned out what was the ninth or tenth bid, how could he be expected to keep count for his services that day? He let his gaze drift pass the messenger to the courtyard beyond, where columns adorned with intricate reliefs surrounded a bubbling tiled fountain. A passing serving girl offered a shy smile, which he returned, biting into another fig silent stretched as the messenger finished speaking and awaited Bailamb's response, Bailamb vaguely remembered the man mentioning a sum during his lengthy pitch too low. With a wave, he dismissed him and signaled for the next Bailm had taken over this audience chamber hosted by a Prince of Pethel. Influential patrons across the region clamored to host him, from Harn in the north to uh in the south along the Euphrates. People from Aram and even distant China sought him out for his famed divination skills. Bailamb was a renowned sorcerer, prophet, and conjurer of the mysterious arts. Many of his talents were mere tricks of the trade he'd learned from his master, Yet other aspects of his job required a true connection to the spiritual forces. This is where he truly made his weight in silver. Everyone always flattered him when requesting his services. Hearing his praises was a song he never tired of listening to. He didn't need people to tell him he was the most famous prophet in the world, but he certainly wasn't going to stop them. A messenger approached him and bowed. The man's clothes were strange. He was not from Aram, perhaps further south along the Great Sea, more of a desert region. This man must have traveled far indeed, to find him. Baylamb was intrigued. 00:09:49 Speaker 3: Tell me who has sent you and where are you from? 00:09:54 Speaker 6: I have been sent by the King of Moab, King Bailick. I travel with his esteemed elders, and the elders of the Midianite kings as well. There are enemies on their borders who wield the power of a strong god. They've risen to power quickly. My king and his allies desire for this nation to be. 00:10:15 Speaker 1: Cursed Moab that was nearly five hundred miles away. Baalamb smirked. His fame was even further reaching than he had known, and this king of Moab must be desperate to send summons this far away, or very rich, or both, But Balamb supposed the bottom line would be the same either way. 00:10:39 Speaker 3: Let's do this. Spend the night here, and I will practice my aunt's and discern the will of the God protecting these enemies of yours. You say they have risen to power quickly. Surely that means there has been divine intervention and will be casting the curse more difficult, but not impossible. Do not fear their God may stand by them to day, but I know this to be true. These supernatural beings do only what pleases them. Perhaps it pleases him to stand by them to day. To morrow he may not. I will go and seek out this God that favors Israel and see what he has to say. Gather the elders you represent, and come to me to morrow. I will relay his intentions. 00:11:33 Speaker 1: The messenger inclined his head and departed. Baylamb had clawed his way out of poverty by tuning his ear to the voices that whispered truths of present and future events. As an abandoned, hungry street urchin, he had discovered that these voices wanted to speak to him, to be heard and shared He became their mouthpiece, turning his strange gift into a profitable livelihood. He then mastered the art of sorcery, and it paid exceedingly well. Money and influence became his true gods, and he swore he would never go without them again. The voices gave him this life, and in return he offered his willing ear and commanding voice. Their bargain was simple. He would listen and convey their messages, and they would continue whispering secrets in his ear. Beilamb considered what he knew of the God of Israel, El Eleon, God Most High, or El Shaddai, God Almighty. This was said to have roots in this very land. Legend told of an appearance to a wealthy merchant's son in Harns centuries ago, sparking a movement and the birth of a nation. Stories of Israel had reached Balamb the miraculous escape from Egypt, where their God shamed Pharaoh and freed and entire nation. After a quiet period, stories read emerged miracles in the desert, whispers of conquest and destiny. But if this god was even half as powerful as the tale suggested, cursing Israel would be unwise. Baalamb was a diviner of spirits and a communer with the gods. He relayed messages and sought answers, but preferred to stay out of their designs. But as always he would seek to discern the will of the gods, even this God of Israel. That evening, Balamb ascended to the palace roof, where he kept his tools of divination, incense, oils, marked stones and bones for casting, lots, liver models, amulets, divining rods, and sacred texts. He lit the incense, voiced King Baylak's request, lowered himself to his knees, closed his eyes, and waited for the god's answer. Balamb felt a shift in the air. The presence was different from any of the Aloe him he had encountered before. Bailamb felt powerless in his presence, small, a rare feeling when practicing divination. 00:14:10 Speaker 7: You are not to go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they are blessed. 00:14:20 Speaker 1: Bailamb was not surprised by the answer. This god had consistently protected Israel. Still, he felt a pang of disappointment at having to turn down King Bailak's lucrative offer, Bailamb resolved to honor the divine message. He would not risk his hard won fortune or position to defy a god known for fierce loyalty to his people. The Moabite elders were disheartened by Baalam's refusal the next morning, but the God of Israel had spoken and that was final. Bailamb sent them on their long journey back to Moab, believing the matter was settled, to his wa astonishment. Nearly two months later, Bailamb was met with another delegation from Moab and Median, this time larger and composed of their highest ranking officials, who had come to plead with him once. 00:15:13 Speaker 6: More, Please, Balem, our King has authorized great sums for your reward. That nothing keep you from coming with us. Our King will give you the moon as stars. If that's what it takes, all you have to do is come to Mowab and put a curse on the people of Israel. 00:15:31 Speaker 1: Beilam paused and pondered the request. How deep were these Moabides pockets and how large a threat did these Israelites pose to warrant such desperation. 00:15:42 Speaker 3: Look, it's not that I don't want to help you, but even if King Barlakh were to give me his full house full of silver and gold, eye would not go against the command of the God of Israel. When he spoke to me, he was very clear. 00:15:56 Speaker 1: He could see the frustration in their eyes. Lamb was frustrated too. He was at war with his own desires. He wanted to see how this story would unfold. These men were so persistent and very wealthy. Perhaps he could verify with this God of Israel and ensure that he understood his intentions beyond a shadow of a doubt. 00:16:19 Speaker 3: Why don't you all stay here overnight as the others did before. I will consult the God of Israel again and I will see what else he has to say. 00:16:28 Speaker 1: Bailamb did not have to wait long before the God of Israel had his answer. 00:16:33 Speaker 7: Since these men have come to summon you, and you have been so similarly persistent, get up, Get up and go with them. 00:16:44 Speaker 1: Bailamb was shocked that the God had relented. He was about to spring up from his seat on the ground when the voice spoke again. 00:16:52 Speaker 7: But you must only do what I tell you. 00:16:56 Speaker 1: That he could do, Bailamb's rapturous smile Ailes slowly spread from ear to ear this was the best of both worlds. He could collect the Moabite's reward and satiate his curiosity. He doused the candles and the incense and hurried off to pack his bags, already calculating how many empty ones to bring for all the riches he would surely earn in moab Baylamb's backside heard from riding, and he longed for a bath and a decent meal. He and his companions had been on the road for weeks. Conversations amongst them had grown shorter and shorter, and eventually dried up completely. There was only so much one could say about one's self around strangers, and so Bailamb was nursing his foul mood and ignoring the numbing motion of the donkey beneath him, when she suddenly veered off the path. The path narrowed between two stone walls that marked a boundary between vineyards. As they moved between them, the donkey veered again, pressing against one wall and crushing Baalam's foot. He yelled in surprise and pain as she leaned harder into the stones behind him. His servants exchanged glances, stifling laughter. Up ahead, the Moabite and Mediannite elders turned to see the commotion and snickered at the prophet's loss of control. Baalamb flushed with embarrassment. His foot throbbing, he raised his hand and struck the donkey with all his might. She brayed in protest, but shifted away from the wall, and the men ahead resumed their walk, assuming the scene was over. But as Balamb urged her forward with his heels, the donkey froze, refusing to move. The narrow passage left her unable to turn, and Balam's servants were close behind, preventing her from backing up. She brayed more urgently, fighting Baalam's commands. The emissaries turned again, now openly laughing, as the frantic donkey, unable to go anywhere else, began to sink to the ground. Baylamb's frustration boiled over and he yelled, flailing at the animal, which is wrong with you? 00:19:09 Speaker 3: Why don't you move? 00:19:11 Speaker 1: Utterly humiliated as she sank beneath him, he pulled out a stick from the folds of her saddle blanket and beat her with it, but she still did not budge. She only cowered at the assault. Baylamb then leaped from her back and whirled to face her. The donkey craned her neck up at him and continued brain. Baylamb screamed in frustration back at her and thrust the stick high over his head, ready to bring it down again, when her brain suddenly shifted into discernible words in her mouth. 00:19:43 Speaker 3: What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times? 00:19:47 Speaker 1: Accustomed to the unexplainable and ethereal Baylamb did not balk at the words, nor did he turn to see if his companions understood. He did the most natural thing he could think of. 00:19:59 Speaker 3: He answered, you made me look like a fool. Why have I had a sword in my hand instead of this stick? I'd kill you now? 00:20:07 Speaker 5: Am I not the donkey you've ridden all your life until today? 00:20:11 Speaker 3: Have I ever treated you this way before? Ah? 00:20:16 Speaker 7: No. 00:20:17 Speaker 1: A prickling sensation on the back of Baalamb's neck prompted him to turn and look behind him. He dropped the stick he was holding. An angel wielding a mighty sword stood directly behind him. This was what was blocking the donkey's path between the stones. Baylamb dropped to his knees and bowed before the being. It spoke in the voice of the God of Israel. 00:20:41 Speaker 7: Why have you beaten your donkey these three times she saw me and turned away. I came out to oppose you because I consider what you are doing to be evil. If your donkey had not turned away from me, he would have killed you by now and let her live. 00:21:05 Speaker 1: Baylamb's stomach twisted with fear and guilt at that he had not seen the angel before him. The voices he had learned to listen to his entire life had not warned him. How could he call himself a diviner when he had not even discerned this spiritual being before him. Now and the God of Israel came to oppose him, hadn't he given him the authority to leave that he could see from the fierceness in the angel's eyes and the way that he handled his sword, that he would need to appease this angry God. 00:21:37 Speaker 3: I have sinned for I did not know that your standing in the path to confront me, And now if it is evil in your sight, I will come back. 00:21:47 Speaker 7: No go with the men, but to remember you are to say only what I told. 00:21:55 Speaker 1: You the angel before. Bailam then faded away, and the way before him was clear. 00:22:07 Speaker 7: Late. 00:22:08 Speaker 1: This renowned Baylamb was late. As the company gathered before him, Bailac noted the space that the other men kept between themselves and the prophet. It was understandable Baylamb's reputation for sorcery was enough to make anyone uneasy. The man appeared worn from the long, arduous journey between their lands, and there was something odd and eccentric about him. Perhaps it would have been wiser to let the prophet rest before pressing him, but Bailak had waited long enough, and patience was not among his virtues. 00:22:41 Speaker 8: Did I not send you an urgent summons? You deny me the first time I summon you, then accept and then delay your time on the road. Why didn't you come to me sooner? Do you think I am not able to hey you? 00:22:58 Speaker 1: Bailamb gave him a tight smile, surely thinking of the riches he would have when this was all said and done, if he could do what Bailak asked. 00:23:08 Speaker 3: I am here now, but I will tell you one thing before I begin. You may think I can say anything I want, but I cannot. I must speak only the message this God puts in my mouth. 00:23:23 Speaker 1: Bailak seethed at Baylamb's vague response, what kind of mystical nonsense was this celebrity or not? Bailamb was being paid for a service, and Bailak expected results. In a final act of defiance, he demanded Bailamb list everything necessary for the curse before dismissing him to rest after his long five hundred mile journey from Pethaw. The following morning, Bailak assembled his elders, the five Kings of Median, and their counselors, and brought Baylamb to Balmouth Baugh the heights of Bao High Place atop the Pisca range, dedicated to their god Baal. The sight had all the tools needed for sorcery and several permanent altars. The day was clear, offering a sweeping view of the Israelite camp nestled in the valley below. It was the perfect advantage point for a curse, as seeing the object of the curse was essential. Bailak had already prepared the sacrifices cattle, sheep and goats offered to Bawl in anticipation of Baylam's arrival. Now they gathered at the high Place, waiting for the prophet to begin Bailamb stood silently, eyes fixed on the expanse below, appearing to listen to voices only he could hear. Bailak shuddered at the thought of whatever unseen cruel whispers reached Baalam's ears. The Moabites and Medianites watched with bated breath. Suddenly, Baylamb snapped to attention, and as the wind picked up and howled over the peaks, shouted words carried by the swirling air. Thick dark clouds rolled in as he began to speak. 00:25:09 Speaker 3: Buoed me siven alters and prepare seven bulls and seven rams. 00:25:16 Speaker 1: Bailak ordered his men as Baylamb directed, and they offered a bull and a ram on each altar as burnt offerings, slitting all the animal's throats and burning the entire carcass in the fire. When it was done, Bailak stood back from the smoking altars and waited for what would come next. 00:25:35 Speaker 3: Stay here by your burnt offering while I'm gone, you may chant and pray if it would please your God bah. When I return, I could tell you what this God of Israel reveals to me. 00:25:49 Speaker 1: And with that he retreated alone to a barren hill, Bailak and his men waited by the offerings. He ordered them to begin chanting, just as Bailamb suggested. The scent of the charred remains stung their nostrils, and their bodies ached at the physical labor the sacrifices required. A steady rain started to fall, and with each great gust of the wind, it was blown sideways and whipped their faces. But still they waited for the prophet to return. Bailam emerged through the smoke and rain like a vision. The man looked enlightened, somehow, taller, more authoritative. The men beside him shifted on their feet. Even Bailak, who never backed down from a fight, shrank back from him slightly. As he approached. Blamb's eyes then locked on Bailak's. Bailak swallowed audibly, but held his ground and didn't break his stare. Then the prophet opened his mouth to. 00:26:52 Speaker 5: Speak, Wow, what a tail we've just sep into. You've got the nation of Israel, fresh off their victories, camp near Moab, and Balac terrified by what he sees, this swarm of people chosen by God, unstoppable in their path. You can almost feel his desperation as he scrambles for a plan, anything to stop them. But instead of preparing his army, he sends for a prophet. It's not brute force, he's after no, he wants a curse. And then we have Balam. He's a prophet but also a man with his own desires, ambitions, and weaknesses, a man torn between what he knows to be true and what he wants to be true. And here's the twist. While Balam struggles to see God's plan, his donkey sees it first. It's not every day that you get a talking donkey who not only refuses to move forward, but speaks the truth that even the prophet himself was blind to. This we see the real battle. But the story of Balam and the Donkey begins with Balach, the king of the Moabites. Balach was afraid of the children of Israel, which led him to employ Balam the prophet, to curse Israel. Really, Balach could just as easily have hired Balam to bless his own people. He could have asked for greater strength for the Moabites, but instead Balak asked Balam to weaken the Israelites. Praise God, Ballack's plan did not succeed. Instead of being weakened by Balam's words, Theseraelites were actually strengthened when Balam's curse came out as a blessing. There's also a teaching about this Bible story that I want to share with you. According to Jewish tradition, the angel standing in the road to oppose Balam was actually trying to prevent him from proceeding with his ill advised mission and make a serious mistake. Although it seems counterintuitive, the angel blocking Balam's way was actually God's angel of mercy. He was trying to help Balam even though it frustrated and angered him at the time. This angel of mercy knew that Balam maybe wouldn't like being stopped in the way, but it was what was best for him. And that's still a lesson for us today, isn't it. When someone we care about is about to do something foolish or potentially harmful, we might have to stand in the road and prevent them from a regrettable action, even if in the heat of the moment that loved one becomes angry with us. Maybe that's what true compassion is. We'll talk more about the donkey and the prophet in the next episode. But before we go today, I want to go back to Balach, King of the Mob Bites. The Bible tells us that the nation of Moab was terrified by the Israelites, and that the people of Mob judged the Israelites harshly. What's more, their negative judgment wasn't based on anything substantial. Motivated by his own fear, Balach sought out Baalam, the non Israelite prophet, to curse God's people. And Balach did this despite the fact that the Israelites were in camp peacefully and they actually posed no threat to him or his country. Balac still took this on. He still wanted ill on the Jewish people. Isn't that like so much of the anti Semitism that we still see today, a hatred for no reason, a severe and unjustified judgment specifically of the Jewish people. But today I am so grateful for the Jewish people's millions of Christian friends who stand with us, who stand with Israel, who go against the stream, as so many people, for no reason at all, stand against Israel. We are so grateful for our Christian friends, and it's a loyalty and friendship and dedication that the people of Israel will never forget. 00:31:11 Speaker 1: You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, cayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot Com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed the chosen people with Yeile Eckstein. Please rate and leave a review.