Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: A Time Of Need

Do You Recognize War?

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Covenant Theology

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2024-11-30

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver examines Joshua 24:9 to show that warfare is not limited to physical combat. Using the example of Balak, who warred against Israel by hiring Balaam to curse them and later by seducing them into idolatry and immorality, Weaver argues that governments and spiritual enemies wage war through information control, economic manipulation, and moral corruption. He emphasizes that Christians are in a spiritual war and must adopt a biblical mindset to resist being dominated by the world's lies.

[John Weaver] All right, let's open our Bibles into Joshua chapter 24. Joshua 24, and I want you to look at verse 9. The title of the message is, Do You Recognize War? Do you recognize war? And I'm sure that everyone would say, well, of course I do. Well, hang on, you may not. So look, if you would, in Joshua 24 in verse 9, the Bible says, then Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and Sinan called Balaam, the son of Beor, to curse you. So war, is a word that usually speaks of destruction and death. We've not really seen that kind of war since World War II. Although you can recall the Korean War, and yet reality that was a police action because Congress never really declared war on Korea.

[John Weaver] But neither the Korean fighting nor the fighting in Vietnam took place on our soil. So thus, the American populace probably has not seen a destructive war in 70 years. In fact, in reality, we probably have not really seen a war, as you and I would imagine, since 1861 to 1865. But although World War I and World War II, in those two wars, we lost a lot of men, most of the fighting was done in Europe.

[John Weaver] I realized we had ships bombed at Pearl Harbor. But again, most of the fighting was done overseas. War does indeed mean destruction and death. We cannot even envision in our own minds, I don't think, the death and destruction that war brings. Not only that, but the hardships. And then you have to also consider the plagues, and the pestilences that normally are associated with war. Let me just give you a couple of verses because I know that when we think of war, we always think of death and destruction.

[John Weaver] But the Bible says in Numbers chapter 31 in verse 7, And they warred against the Midianites, and as the Lord commended Moses, they slew all the males. So when you stop and think about every man was slain, And then you get to 1 Kings chapter 20 in verse 1, and Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, gathered all his hosts together, and there were 30 and two kings with him, and they arose and besieged Samaria and warred against it. Can you imagine an army with 32 kings?

[John Weaver] How vast that must have been. When we think about war, we think about all the fighting, we think about the bombing, we think about the howitzers. It's one thing to bomb someone that you cannot see or to shoot shells five miles or ten miles or fifty miles away when you cannot see the destruction that those shells bring. It's quite another thing to try to stick a sword in someone's heart when you see the twisted torso and the contorted face once that sword sinks in. We cannot even really and truly comprehend the gruesomeness of war. Neither can we fathom fighting hand-to-hand with swords and spears and knives. The Bible is talking about war in Judges 8 in verse 10.

[John Weaver] And the Bible says now, and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them about 15,000 men, listen to this, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of Yis, there fell 120,000 men that drew the sword. So in this battle, 120,000 men were slain. If you would hold Joshua 24, But look in your Bibles to 2 Chronicles chapter 28 and verse 6. 2 Chronicles 28 and verse 6. And think about this. 2 Chronicles 28 verse 6. For Pekah, the son of Amalia, slew in Judah 120,000 in one day. which were all valiant men because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. Can you imagine 120,000 men being slain in one day? Alexander the Great killed a lot of men, that is for sure. In the Battle of Gaugamela, there was an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 Persians that were killed in one day. I suppose, according to the research that I have done, the greatest number of men killed in one day were killed under the direction of Genghis Khan.

[John Weaver] This battle, the Surge of Merv, or the Siege of Merv I should say, which is a modern day city now in Turkmenistan. or Ministan, I guess, Turkmenistan, I guess you would pronounce it. The massacre took place in 1221, and they are estimating 1.3 million were killed in one day. They say the low number was 700,000. But here's the quote. Contemporary Persian chronicles estimated the number of corpses at a staggering 1.3 million, because Genghis Khan had commanded his soldiers for each one to kill 300. And so in obedience to him, they slew up to 1.3 million people in one day. So I'm giving you this background for one simple reason.

[John Weaver] Because when we think of warfare, we think of death and dying. But not all warfare is physical. Not all warfare involves immediate death or immediate dying. And not all warfare involves the destruction of a country or a nation. So if you look at our text in Joshua chapter 24 and verse 9, look at this. The Bible says, then Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel. Note, if you would, and Sinan called Balaam, the son of Beor, to curse you.

[John Weaver] Now, the Hebrew word for war here is the word lakam. It literally means to do battle, to make war, to fight, to engage in battle, and to wage war. It occurs 177 times in our Bibles. 149 times it is translated as fight. It is translated to war 10 times, to make war 8 times, and then overcome, devour, and prevail 172 times, for a total of 172 times.

[John Weaver] But there's five other times this same word is translated as eat. So now you're going to have to ask yourself this question. How can a Hebrew word that is translated 172 times, meaning fight like war and to dominate and prevail, be translated as eat? Well, let me show you. I want you to turn to begin with to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 28. And look, if you would please, at verse 33. In this passage, Deuteronomy 28 and verse 33, God is speaking of the curses that's going to come upon the people who rebel against him, reject his law, and disobey. So in Deuteronomy 28 and verse 33, God says, the fruit of thy land and all thy labors shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up. And thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed all way. So the nation that is attacking is going to eat up the nation that they are. They attack, in other words, they're going to destroy them and they're going to confiscate all of their goods as well. If you would turn right over to Psalm 14 and look at verse four and you will also find this same verse in Psalm 53 and verse 4.

[John Weaver] So in Psalm 14 and verse 4, the Word of God says it like this. Psalm 14 and verse 4, have all the workers of iniquity and unknowledge who eat up my people as they eat bread and call not upon the Lord. In other words, they're just killing the people without remorse, without mercy. It's to them like eating bread. Killing is thus nothing but a meal to them. And then David said it like this, if you look in Psalm 27 and verse 2, Psalm 27 verse 2, when the wicked, even my enemies and my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. So death and destruction, not only of individuals, but also of nations, is often referred to as eating them up.

[John Weaver] Now, I showed you all of these passages and I've given you all of these illustrations for one particular reason. Although the Bible says that Balak warred against Israel, it did not mean that he actually engaged in battle against Israel. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Judges. Joshua, Judges. Judges chapter 11. And let's begin reading there with verse 12. And I'm going to read through about verse 26, because there is a verse here that you have to see. Judges 11, beginning there with verse 12.

[John Weaver] So Jephthah is a judge, and they're calling on him to come and defend the people. And so he is actually fighting against the children of Ammon. Now, you have to remember that Ammon and Moab were brothers. Well, I say brothers. They were actually cousins because one daughter bore Ammon and one bore the father of the Moabites, so the daughters of Lot. So actually, I guess they would be cousins, but they're from the two daughters of Lot. So in Judges chapter 11, beginning there with verse 12, And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What is thou to do with me, that thou would come against me to fight in my land? In other words, they're trying to take the land from Israel. Now watch. And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah. because Israel took away my land when they came up out of Egypt from Arnon even to Jabbok and under Jordan now therefore restore those lands again peaceably and Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon and said unto him thus saith Jephthah Israel took not away the land of

[John Weaver] Moab nor the land of the children of Ammon but when Israel came up from Egypt and walked through the wilderness under the Red Sea and came to Kadesh. Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land. But Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab, and he would not consent in Israel abode in Kadesh. Then they went along through the wilderness, encompassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab, for Arnon was the border of Moab. And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon, king of the Amorites, and king of Eshmon. And Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land unto my place. But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast. But Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

[John Weaver] And the Lord God of Israel delivered Sihon and all of his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them. So Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country. And they possessed all the coast of the Amorites from Arnon, even of Jabbok, and from the wilderness, even of Jordan. So now the Lord God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it, Now look at the question, verse 24, will not thou possess that which Timosh thy God giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.

[John Weaver] Now here it is, and now, better than Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab. Did he ever strive against Israel? Or did he ever fight against them? While Israel dwelt in Heshbon in her towns, and Aurora in her towns, and all the cities that belonged by the coast of Arlen three hundred years. Why therefore did you not recover them within that time? So now what Jephthah is saying, we've lived on this land for three hundred years. Nobody has tried to take this land. Nobody has tried to claim this land.

[John Weaver] But the important thing is verse 25. And know thou anything better than Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab?" Look at the question, did he ever strive against Israel or did he ever fight against them? Well, when you go back to Joshua 24 verse 9, the Bible said he warred against Israel. Well, how in the world did he war against Israel if he never really physically fought against Israel? Now, it is true that he wanted to fight against Israel. It is true. He wanted to defeat them and dominate them. He wanted to drive them out of land. That is true. But if you look back in Joshua 24 verse 9, the answer is given to us. Then Balak, the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel and sent and called Balaam, the son of Beor, to curse you. Now, the interesting thing is the word curse.

[John Weaver] It is the word qalal in the Hebrew, and it means to curse, to despise, to make despicable, to lightly esteem, and to count of little worth. What Balak wanted was Israel despised and discounted, so to speak.

[John Weaver] Now, just this statement should make it clear and obvious that warfare can be in other realms other than the physical. Warfare could be in the political realm. It could be in the intellectual realm. It could be in the economic realm. It could be in the information realm. In other words, when you stop and think about this, Americans are being warned against in all of these realms, along with other nations as well.

[John Weaver] Now, whether anyone likes or agrees with Alex Jones, is immaterial. I will say this, Alex Jones hit the nail on the head when he named his program Infowars. Because there is an information war. That is true biblically, that is true spiritually as well. Do you realize the Bible tells you very plainly in Proverbs chapter 23 and verse 7 that, or as a man thinking of it in his heart, so is he.

[John Weaver] So let me put it to you like this. Whoever controls the mind controls the body. Whoever controls the mind controls the life, the thinking, the conduct, the actions. Whoever controls the mind basically controls everything. So let me ask some questions. I want you to think with me. Why is it that unsaved men foam and rage against the Lord Jesus Christ and against his word, the Bible? And the answer is because of the way they think. They have believed error. They have believed deceit. They have believed a lie. And consequently, because they think wickedly, they act wickedly. Because they think wrongly, they act wrongly. So here's another question. Why do leftists and liberals think and act the way they do? And the answer is because the way they think or their mindset is that of socialism, fascism, communism, Marxism, and progressivism. In other words, They act out what they think and what they believe. It's just that simple. So, here's another question. Why do perverts think and act like they do? And the answer, again, is because of their mindset.

[John Weaver] In other words, they deny God as the chief good, and they have placed pleasure and the fulfillment of their lusts as the chief good, and they could care less about anything or anyone just so that their lusts and their desires are fulfilled. In other words, they act the way they act. They do what they do because they think the way they think. So here's another question. Why do people not plan for emergencies, financial needs, as well as their own future?

[John Weaver] And the answer is because of their mindset. So many people do not think that they are responsible to prepare They do not count themselves responsible to lay aside or to save. No, no, no. They go by living for today, impulse spending. If I see it, I want it, I get it. They think nothing of a week later, a month later, a year later, or 50 years later. It's just simply they're living for the day. And what they're doing now, they're going to be trusting the government.

[John Weaver] or some family member, or some neighbor to take care of them in emergencies and even in their old age. Now, the point I'm going to make is this. The same is true in the spiritual realm. It is also true in obedience to the Word of God. So when you stop and think about this, why is it that men do not read the Bible They do not study the Bible. They don't think about the commands of God. They do not think about the principles in the Word of God.

[John Weaver] They just simply live their life as they please. Here's why. Because of the way they think. Because of their mindset. In other words, they believe that somehow God's never going to hold them accountable. They believe somehow they're going to escape judgment. They believe that somehow they are going to be the exception. They believe that somehow they will never be an adversity. So let me show you. If you would hold Joshua 24, we'll look in your Bibles to Psalm 10. Psalm 10. And look, if you would please, at the first six verses. Look at this. Here's the perfect description of someone like this.

[John Weaver] The question is asked in verse one, why standest thou far off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

[John Weaver] Now look at the answer. The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor. Let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. So why are the wicked persecuting the poor? Watch verse three. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blessed the covetous whom the Lord abhors or hated. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God. God is not in all of his thoughts.

[John Weaver] His ways are always grievous. Look at this. Thy judgments are far above out of all out of his sight. As for all of his enemies, he puffeth at them. It's said in his heart, I shall not be moved, for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud. Under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages. In the secret places doth he murder the innocent.

[John Weaver] His eyes are privately set against the poor. He lieth and waits secretly as a lion in his den. He lieth and waits to catch the poor. He doth catch the poor when he draweth into his net. He croucheth and humbleth himself that the poor may fall by strong ones. In other words, all of his actions All of his conduct is because God is not in all of his thoughts. And he puffs at God, he puffs at everything, and he says, I shall never, ever be in adversity.

[John Weaver] I shall not be moved. So because of people think the way they think, they act the way they act. So your mindset, your thinking determines your actions and your conduct. You actually live out that which you think and that which you believe. David said it like this in Psalm 116, verse 10. He said, I believed, therefore have I spoken. And we actually speak that which we believe.

[John Weaver] Our Lord said it similarly in Matthew chapter 15, verses 18 and 19. He said, but those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart and they defile the man. Now, listen to what comes forth from the heart. and the heart is the mind. He says it in verse 19, for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

[John Weaver] In other words, you can't do anything without thinking about it. So your mindset, your attitude, your thoughts control everything. So let me say this again now. War does not necessarily have to be in the physical realm to be war. I want to give you two quotes. The first one is for John Trapp, the old Puritan. He said it like this, talking about Balak. He did not, that is, he did not make war, although the Bible says he warred. I'll show you.

[John Weaver] He said he did not because he durst not, how be it because he intended, if he could have accomplished it, to fight with Israel and prepare for that purpose, it is spoken of as a done thing. I would add that since Balak did not physically fight with Israel, at least, I'm going to show you, he did war against them spiritually. Okay? Here's the one by Matthew Poole.

[John Weaver] I want you to listen carefully to this quote. He said, one prince may commence a war against another, though he never come to a battle, nor strike one stroke. So Balak warred, though not by open force, yet by crafty counsel and warlike stratagems, by magical arts and by wicked devices, and by making bait, and it's spelled B-A-T-E, betwixt them and God, their confederate, or by warlike preparations. I want you to pay attention to what Matthew Poole said. Although Balak never fought against Israel physically, he won against them by crafty counsel, which I'm going to explain, by warlike stratagems, by magical arts, because he was calling Balaam to curse them, and of course by wicked devices, and then the Bible, but then Matthew Poole said that he made bait between Israel and God, who was their confederate. So, I'll explain that a little bit later.

[John Weaver] But that is exactly what happened. Now, I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Numbers, chapter 22, because I'm going to show you that Balak did indeed intend to war against Israel physically he intended that so look at it in numbers 22 in verse 1 and the children of Israel set forward and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho and Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites and Moab was sore afraid of the people because they were many and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel and Moab said to the elders of

[John Weaver] Midian Now shall this company lick up all that around about us, as the ox licked up the grass of the field. And Balak, the son of Zippor, was king over the Moabites at that time. He sent messengers, therefore, to Balaam, the son of Beor, to Pthor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there's a people come out of Egypt. Behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me. Come now, therefore, I pray thee. Curse me, this people, for they're too mighty for me. For adventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of this land.

[John Weaver] For I know that whom thou blessed is blessed, and he whom thou curses is cursed." So his intention, in reality, was to fight if they were cursed by Balaam. Balaam was a false prophet. It is true that God used Balaam. I've been asked, could God use a lost preacher? Well, he used Balaam's ass to preach, so I guess so, yeah. So Balaam was a false prophet, and all he was interested in Was the reward you will find two passages in the new testament that speak of this The first one is second peter chapter 2 and verse 15 Where the bible says which have forsaken the right way and are going astray Following the way of balaam the son of besor who loved the wages of unrighteousness So balaam was a false prophet and he did what he did for money When you get to the book of Jude, verse 11, warn of them, for they've gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.

[John Weaver] So actually, there are three there that we are warned about, Balaam, Korah, and Cain. But both of these passages talk about the fact that Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness. Now, Balak then sent for Balaam so that Balaam might curse Israel that somehow Balak then would gain an advantage and be able to defeat Israel. And you know the story and I'm not going to read it now. When Balaam set out to curse Israel, God would not allow him to curse Israel. He turned every curse into a blessing. And every time he went to curse Israel, he ended up blessing Israel.

[John Weaver] Now, although there are many aspects to this, the important point right now is this. He never once cursed Israel. He ended up blessing them. And Balak was so upset that he would not curse Israel. I want you to look in Numbers chapter 24 at verses 10 and 11. You remember when Balak sent to call Balaam. He sent princes and God told Balaam not to go with them. Then he sent a second time greater princes promising more money and God told Balaam not to go and he didn't go. The third time he sent higher princes greater promises and God told Balaam if they come to you in the morning arise and go with them Well, they didn't come to him and Balaam got up and just went on his own That's when the angel stood in the way and tried to slay him. That's when his ass turned aside out of the field that's when the ass crushed his foot against the wall and then fell down under him and Balaam was so upset with his ass, he said, if I had a sword in my hand, surely I would slay thee.

[John Weaver] And the ass said to Balaam, am I not thine own ass? Have I ever done this before? Balaam said nay. So the ass was speaking and preaching, and the prophet was naying. But anyhow, then God opened his eyes, And he saw the angel standing there with a sword in his hand. And the angel said, if the ass had not turned aside and crushed your foot and fallen down, surely you would have been dead by now. Balaam said, well, I'll go back. No, no, no.

[John Weaver] He said, you're going forward, but you're going to say exactly what I tell you to say. So this is why he was blessed. But notice, if you would, he was blessing Israel instead of cursing. So Balak is upset. So look in verse 10. And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam. And he smote his hands together. And Balak said unto Balaam, I call thee to curse mine enemies. And behold, thou hast all together blessed them these three times. Therefore now, flee thou to thy place.

[John Weaver] Get out of my sight. I thought to promote thee into great honor, but lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor." Wow.

[John Weaver] Now, he was really upset with Balaam. And he said, I'm not giving you a dime. You haven't earned anything. You've ended up blessing my enemies instead of cursing them.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to show you something. Balaam was not ready to lose his reward so easily and so quickly. So if you'll look in Numbers chapter 24 and verse 14, here's what Balaam tells Balak. And now behold, I go unto my people, You've asked me to leave. I'm leaving. Come, therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.

[John Weaver] Now, the word advertise is a very interesting Hebrew word. It is the word yoatz. It means to counsel, to advise, to devise a plan and even means to conspire.

[John Weaver] Now it is true, if you read the rest of the context, that Balaam not only speaks of Moab, but also of Edom, and the Amalekites, and the Kenites, and Asher, which is Assyria. But it was the Moabites who wanted at this time to war against Israel, but they could not do so physically. just because they could not do so physically did not mean that their hatred ceased or was abated.

[John Weaver] So I'm going to tell you, I'm going to show you the verses shortly. There was a plan now devised between Balaam and Balak. This plan was premeditated. This plan in one sense of the word, was absolutely simple and brilliant. Because the plan was, if Balak could not fight against Israel and destroy them, what he wanted to do was to get them to destroy themselves. So here's what Baylight came up with. He came up with a plan to fight without fighting. Now, how in the world do you fight without fighting?

[John Weaver] Well, let's suppose that Dinah is really upset with Steve. But she knows she can't beat Steve. But she really wants to get him. And so what she does, she gets me into an argument with Steve. And it gets so out of hand that I end up hurting Steve or even killing Steve.

[John Weaver] Now, there was nothing between us previously, but what she did was she made something between us so that I would fight against the man that she despised and counted her enemy. So what she has done She has learned to fight without fighting. You follow that? Because she's getting someone else to fight for.

[John Weaver] Now what we would call that, and what our author called it, making bait between them. So God and Israel were together at this particular point. And you remember one time, I think it was the third time, that Balaam went to curse Israel, that he ended up blessing them, and he said it like this, God doth not behold iniquity in Jacob. The Lord God was not seeing their sin.

[John Weaver] He was not beholding wickedness. The plan was, if we can get Israel to sin against God and rebel against God, then God's going to fight against them, and God's going to destroy them. And we won't have to. So they're learning to fight without fighting. So let me show you. So Numbers 25, right after Numbers 24, and let's read the first nine verses. Look at this. And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

[John Weaver] I wonder how this came about. And they called the people, that is, they called the Israelites, under the sacrifices of their gods, and the people did even bow down to their gods. Wow.

[John Weaver] Now, we're not fighting against them physically. We're inviting them to our idolatry and our immorality. And Israel joined himself unto Baal Peor, and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay you every one of his men that were joined unto Baal Peor. And behold, one of the children of Israel, came and brought unto his brethren a midnightish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand, and he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman through her

[John Weaver] belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were 24,000 men. Wow. Hang on. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 10. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. Because this incident is mentioned again by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And I want you to look, beginning there, with verse 6. 1 Corinthians 10, and look at verse 6. Now these things were our examples, and if you go back to verse 1, you find he's talking about everything that happened to Israel in the wilderness. So back in verse 6, now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

[John Weaver] Neither be ye idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand."

[John Weaver] Now, Moses said in Numbers 25, There are 24,000. Paul says there are 23,000. Which one is right? And the answer is they're both right. Now, before we go back to Numbers 25, I want you to pay attention. Look at this, verse 6.

[John Weaver] Now these things were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters as were some of them. Who is the them? Here it is. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

[John Weaver] So who are we talking about? We're talking about the people. We're talking about the ordinary, everyday Israelites. So if you'll go back to Numbers chapter 25, and look if you would at verses four and five. And the Lord said unto Moses, take all the heads of the people, that is the chiefs, the princes, the leaders, the rulers. And the Lord said unto Moses, take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, slay you every one of his men that were joined to male the or now. These two verses are referring to the chiefs. to the princes. You have to remember, there were about two million people that came out of Egypt. You had heads over tens, over hundreds, over thousands. You had the heads of the tribes. So actually, what Moses does, he lists the whole number of people that were slain, the thousand of the chiefs and the princes that were slain, plus the 23,000 that died in one day, which is 24,000.

[John Weaver] And all Paul does is list the 23,000 that died at one time in one day. He's not counting all the chiefs that were slain. So, clearly then, we have the fact that all 24,000 died.

[John Weaver] Now, if you were to read on, down in Numbers chapter 25, The Bible says, now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri, the son of Sulu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. So here was one of the princes that were killed by Phinehas. So this is who they were killing by the order of God through Moses, all these chiefs that were tied up in this idolatry and in this fornication. So a total of 24,000, but Paul only mentions in first written sin, the 23,000 that happened to perish in one day.

[John Weaver] So here's the lesson that you and I are to learn right now. And that is this. Do not emulate your rulers when they sin. You cannot excuse your sin. You cannot excuse your trespass. You cannot excuse your transgression by saying, but everybody's doing it. Or, look what they're doing in Washington. Look what they're doing in Atlanta. Look what they're doing in Tallahassee. Why, if the politicians can do it, if the governor can do it, if the president can do it, if the senators can do it, why I can do it?

[John Weaver] No, no, no, no, no. You're responsible for your own life. They're going to die. They're going to be judged. And if you sin with them, you will be judged with them.

[John Weaver] Now, I told you earlier. that this plan to get Israel to sin was a premeditated plan between Balak and Balaam. Balaam gave counsel to Balak. Balak asked, how can we get God to curse Israel? Balaam answered him. So all of this seduction of the people into idolatry and into fornication was a premeditated plan. How do I know that? Well, two ways, and both of them are from scripture.

[John Weaver] If you look in your Bibles to the book of Numbers chapter 31, Numbers chapter 31, and look if you would please at verse 16. Numbers 31 and verse 16. Numbers 31, verse 16. Behold, these cause the children of Israel through the council of Balaam to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor. And there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. Now watch this. Did you read that? Behold, these cause the children of Israel through the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the Lord in the manner of Pelor. In other words, Balaam said to Balak, here's how you get God to kill his own people. Well, that's not all. If you'll turn to the book of Micah, the book of Micah, Book of Micah is right before the book of Nahum, and it's right after the book of Jonah. Jonah, Micah. Look at Micah chapter 6 and verse 5. Micah 6 and verse 5. Here it is again. God says, O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittimah to Gilgal, that you may know the righteousness of the Lord.

[John Weaver] So he said, Balak asked and Balaam answered. This is what you do. This is how you get God to judge his own people. Wow. Balak warred against Israel without physically fighting against them. Hang on. Do you now understand it is possible for a government to war against its own people without physically fighting against them. It is possible for a government to war against its own people by controlling information, by perverting the news, and by spewing forth propaganda.

[John Weaver] I'm going to give you some illustration. Do you understand that governmental programs such as welfare for the undeserving and welfare for those who refuse to work is a type of warfare against honest, hardworking people? It is theft, pure, and simple. When you stop and think government is not a producer, and by that I mean it does not produce any goods, it produces nothing of value, about the only thing that government produces is debt, bureaucracy, regulations, control, and slavery. It produces nothing of value, nothing that could be sold to any other nation or country. Do you understand that The promotion of foreign wars and supplying aid for unbiblical and unconstitutional wars is warring against the economy of a nation and consequently warring against the individuals and the inhabitants of that nation.

[John Weaver] The silent tax of inflation is taking its toll on America even right now. You cannot continue to print fiat money without destroying the economy and without destroying the inhabitants, the individuals in that economy.

[John Weaver] Now I want to give you two quotes. They're synonymous in one sense of the word, but not quite exactly the same. Here's the first one. So far this year, The United States has given $24,400,000,000 to Ukraine. $11,300,000,000 to Israel. $1,950,000,000 to Ethiopia. $1,600,000,000 to Jordan.

[John Weaver] $1,400,000,000 to Egypt. $1,100,000,000 to Afghanistan. Why are we giving money to Afghanistan? We left all of those planes and war machines for them. I guess we have to pay for them to keep them up and learn how to drive them. I don't know. $1,100,000,000 to Somalia. $1,000,000,000 to Yemen. $987 million to Congo. $896 million to Syria. $9,000 per illegal immigrant that has entered the US.

[John Weaver] And Americans have lost everything to Hurricane Helene. We'll be getting $750, courtesy of FEMA. Wow. And here's the one quote. The government doesn't care about you. Last week, the Biden regime gave Ukraine $8 billion in aid, Israel $8.7 billion, and $567 million to Taiwan. Biden just announced the government will give no additional resources to areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. Yesterday, I saw a comment. The $8 billion given to Ukraine could have rebuilt every house Helene destroyed.

[John Weaver] I didn't see the math. But it sounds plausible. Fact is, Biden and his government care more for foreigners than for their own people. Franklin Sanders, the money changer. When you stop and think about that, $8 billion could rebuild a lot of homes. Wow. Wow. Do you understand, think about this, that the promotion of immorality, fornication, adultery, perverted sexual acts, or warfare against the morality and moral folks, it is an attempt to break down the moral fiber of the nation, the character of the individual, as well as the family, and you must consider The open, blatant, and immoral acts that are now legal in this country and made legal by a corrupt and perverted government. Wow. That's warfare. Do you understand that the promotion of statism, fascism, Marxism, communism, and progressivism are warfare Against the Lord Jesus Christ Christian in the Bible our Lord made it very plain in Luke chapter 11 in verse 23 He that is not with me is against me and he that gathered not scattered abroad So here's

[John Weaver] the point We are at war we have been at war we are now at war and we are going to continue to be in war I Want you to turn to one last passage and after I read this passage. I've got to ask you a question So I want you to turn to Ephesians chapter 6. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Look at Ephesians chapter 6. Beginning there with verse 10. Look at what the Apostle Paul says. Ephesians 6 verse 10.

[John Weaver] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Watch this. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girded about the truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

[John Weaver] and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Here's my question. If we are not at war, why does God command us to put on armor? Why does God provide armor if we're not at war? Here's the sad truth. Most Christians do not even recognize war. They don't realize we are in a war.

[John Weaver] And consequently, they're being overcome and dominated. Now I've just got one application. Here it is. The only way that we can be protected is by biblical truth with a biblical mindset. You remember I quoted the passage, as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. If you believe right, if you think right, you're going to act right. If you believe wrongly and you think wrongly, you're going to act wickedly. It's just that simple.

[John Weaver] We cannot fight and we cannot win with the armor of the world. You remember when David went to fight Goliath, Saul, put his own armor upon David. David said, I can't go with these. I haven't proved them. And he took the armor off. And he went in just his everyday clothes, picked up five smooth stones, and went to meet him with his sling. David had proved God because he had already killed the lion and the bear. And he said, this Philistine's going to be just like the lion and the bear.

[John Weaver] See, the truth of the matter is this, folks. If we don't learn to think biblically, if we don't learn to keep a biblical mindset, we're going to be subjugated. We're going to be dominated. We cannot compromise. We cannot give up. We cannot give out. We cannot quit. In other words, our minds must be made up, and we have to understand whoever controls our minds controls our lives, our conduct, our actions, everything. And the only way that we cannot be overcome in this world of wickedness that is constantly bombarding us with error, deceit, and lies is by believing the truth, holding the truth, and applying the truth. Whoever controls your mind controls your lives. If you are not dominated by biblical principles, you will be dominated, subjugated, and controlled by the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is imperative that we have the mind of Jesus Christ. Let this mind be in you, which also was in Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Father, we ask your blessing. We ask your help. We ask, Lord, for a biblical mindset. We ask, Father, for a mind that is controlled by the word of God and by the Lord Jesus Christ. And help us to see, Lord, we are at war. We just don't even recognize it. We're being warred against on every hand. And give us, Lord, your mercy and your grace. and the ability to perceive the truth, understand the truth, and apply the truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] so so

Do You Recognize War?

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	QivdYMvJHgM
Subject	Covenant Theology
Course	Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: A Time Of Need
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-11-30
Dictation Name
Book	Book 043: Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: A Time Of Need — Chapter 23
Source Timed Segments	79

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Meaning of War

Weaver introduces the topic by contrasting modern warfare with ancient hand-to-hand combat, emphasizing the death and destruction associated with war.

All right, let's open our Bibles to Joshua chapter 24. Joshua 24, and I want you to look at verse 9. The title of the message is, "Do You Recognize War?" Do you recognize war? And I'm sure that everyone would say, "Well, of course I do." Well, hang on, you may not. So look, if you would, in Joshua 24 and verse 9, the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — Joshua 24:9

"Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you."

So war is a word that usually speaks of destruction and death. We've not really seen that kind of war since World War II. Although you can recall the Korean War, and yet in reality that was a police action because Congress never really declared war on Korea.

But neither the Korean fighting nor the fighting in Vietnam took place on our soil. So thus, the American populace probably has not seen a destructive war in 70 years. In fact, in reality, we probably have not really seen a war, as you and I would imagine, since 1861 to 1865. But although World War I and World War II, in those two wars, we lost a lot of men, most of the fighting was done in Europe. I realize we had ships bombed at Pearl Harbor. But again, most of the fighting was done overseas. War does indeed mean destruction and death. We cannot even envision in our own minds, I don't think, the death and destruction that war brings. Not only that, but the hardships. And then you have to also consider the plagues and the pestilences that normally are associated with war. Let me just give you a couple of verses because I know that when we think of war, we always think of death and destruction.

But the Bible says in Numbers chapter 31 and verse 7, "And they warred against the Midianites, and as the Lord commanded Moses, they slew all the males." So when you stop and think about every man was slain. And then you get to 1 Kings chapter 20 and verse 1,

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 20:1

"And Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his hosts together, and there were thirty and two kings with him, and they arose and besieged Samaria and warred against it."

Can you imagine an army with 32 kings? How vast that must have been. When we think about war, we think about all the fighting, we think about the bombing, we think about the howitzers. It's one thing to bomb someone that you cannot see or to shoot shells five miles or ten miles or fifty miles away when you cannot see the destruction that those shells bring. It's quite another thing to try to stick a sword in someone's heart when you see the twisted torso and the contorted face once that sword sinks in. We cannot even really and truly comprehend the gruesomeness of war. Neither can we fathom fighting hand-to-hand with swords and spears and knives. The Bible is talking about war in Judges 8 and verse 10.

And the Bible says, "Now, and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them about 15,000 men," listen to this, "all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: there fell 120,000 men that drew the sword." So in this battle, 120,000 men were slain. If you would hold Joshua 24, but look in your Bibles to 2 Chronicles chapter 28 and verse 6. 2 Chronicles 28 and verse 6. And think about this. 2 Chronicles 28 verse 6: "For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah 120,000 in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers." Can you imagine 120,000 men being slain in one day? Alexander the Great killed a lot of men, that is for sure. In the Battle of Gaugamela, there was an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 Persians that were killed in one day. I suppose, according to the research that I have done, the greatest number of men killed in one day were killed under the direction of Genghis Khan.

Historical Examples of Massive Casualties

He cites biblical and historical battles, including 120,000 slain in one day in 2 Chronicles 28 and Genghis Khan's massacre of up to 1.3 million, to illustrate the scale of physical war.

How vast that must have been. When we think about war, we think about all the fighting, we think about the bombing, we think about the howitzers. It's one thing to bomb someone that you cannot see or to shoot shells five miles or ten miles or fifty miles away when you cannot see the destruction that those shells bring. It's quite another thing to try to stick a sword in someone's heart when you see the twisted torso and the contorted face once that sword sinks in. We cannot even really and truly comprehend the gruesomeness of war. Neither can we fathom fighting hand-to-hand with swords and spears and knives. The Bible is talking about war in Judges 8 and verse 10.

This battle, the Siege of Merv, I should say, which is a modern day city now in Turkmenistan. The massacre took place in 1221, and they are estimating 1.3 million were killed in one day. They say the low number was 700,000. But here's the quote: "Contemporary Persian chronicles estimated the number of corpses at a staggering 1.3 million, because Genghis Khan had commanded his soldiers for each one to kill 300." And so in obedience to him, they slew up to 1.3 million people in one day. So I'm giving you this background for one simple reason.

Balak's War Without Physical Fighting

Weaver explains that Balak warred against Israel not by direct battle but by sending Balaam to curse them, showing that war can be spiritual and psychological.

Because when we think of warfare, we think of death and dying. But not all warfare is physical. Not all warfare involves immediate death or immediate dying. And not all warfare involves the destruction of a country or a nation. So if you look at our text in Joshua chapter 24 and verse 9, look at this. The Bible says, "Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel." Note, if you would, "and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you."

Now, the Hebrew word for war here is the word lakam. It literally means to do battle, to make war, to fight, to engage in battle, and to wage war. It occurs 177 times in our Bibles. 149 times it is translated as fight. It is translated to war 10 times, to make war 8 times, and then overcome, devour, and prevail 172 times, for a total of 172 times.

But there's five other times this same word is translated as eat. So now you're going to have to ask yourself this question. How can a Hebrew word that is translated 172 times, meaning fight like war and to dominate and prevail, be translated as eat? Well, let me show you. I want you to turn to begin with to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 28. And look, if you would please, at verse 33. In this passage, Deuteronomy 28 and verse 33, God is speaking of the curses that's going to come upon the people who rebel against him, reject his law, and disobey. So in Deuteronomy 28 and verse 33, God says, "The fruit of thy land and all thy labors shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed always." So the nation that is attacking is going to eat up the nation that they attack, in other words, they're going to destroy them and they're going to confiscate all of their goods as well. If you would turn right over to Psalm 14 and look at verse 4, and you will also find this same verse in Psalm 53 and verse 4.

So in Psalm 14 and verse 4, the Word of God says it like this: "Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord." In other words, they're just killing the people without remorse, without mercy. It's to them like eating bread. Killing is thus nothing but a meal to them. And then David said it like this, if you look in Psalm 27 and verse 2, "When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell." So death and destruction, not only of individuals, but also of nations, is often referred to as eating them up.

The Hebrew Word for War and Its Translation as 'Eat'

He notes that the Hebrew word 'lakam' is sometimes translated 'eat,' illustrating how enemies consume and destroy a nation without physical combat.

Now, I showed you all of these passages and I've given you all of these illustrations for one particular reason. Although the Bible says that Balak warred against Israel, it did not mean that he actually engaged in battle against Israel. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Judges. Joshua, Judges. Judges chapter 11. And let's begin reading there with verse 12. And I'm going to read through about verse 26, because there is a verse here that you have to see. Judges 11, beginning there with verse 12.

So Jephthah is a judge, and they're calling on him to come and defend the people. And so he is actually fighting against the children of Ammon. Now, you have to remember that Ammon and Moab were brothers. Well, I say brothers. They were actually cousins because one daughter bore Ammon and one bore the father of the Moabites, so the daughters of Lot. So actually, I guess they would be cousins, but they're from the two daughters of Lot. So in Judges chapter 11, beginning there with verse 12,

Scripture Reading — Judges 11:12-26

"And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?"

In other words, they're trying to take the land from Israel. Now watch.

Scripture Reading — Judges 11:12-26

"And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably. And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon, and said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of

Jephthah's Testimony: Balak Did Not Fight Physically

Weaver reads Judges 11 to show that Jephthah stated Balak never physically fought Israel, confirming that Balak's warfare was through other means.

Scripture Reading — Judges 11:12-26

"And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?"

In other words, they're trying to take the land from Israel. Now watch.

Scripture Reading — Judges 11:12-26

"And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably. And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon, and said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of

Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon: but when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh; then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh. Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab. And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place. But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

And the Lord God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country. And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan. So now the Lord God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it? Now look at the question, verse 24: "Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess."

Now here it is, "And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them, while Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? Why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?" So now what Jephthah is saying, we've lived on this land for three hundred years. Nobody has tried to take this land. Nobody has tried to claim this land.

But the important thing is verse 25. "And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab?" Look at the question, "Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?" Well, when you go back to Joshua 24 verse 9, the Bible said he warred against Israel. Well, how in the world did he war against Israel if he never really physically fought against Israel? Now, it is true that he wanted to fight against Israel. It is true. He wanted to defeat them and dominate them. He wanted to drive them out of land. That is true. But if you look back in Joshua 24 verse 9, the answer is given to us. "Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you." Now, the interesting thing is the word curse.

Warfare in Other Realms: Mind Control

He argues that warfare occurs in political, intellectual, economic, and information realms, emphasizing that whoever controls the mind controls the person.

Now, just this statement should make it clear and obvious that warfare can be in other realms other than the physical. Warfare could be in the political realm. It could be in the intellectual realm. It could be in the economic realm. It could be in the information realm. In other words, when you stop and think about this, Americans are being warred against in all of these realms, along with other nations as well.

Now, whether anyone likes or agrees with Alex Jones is immaterial. I will say this, Alex Jones hit the nail on the head when he named his program Infowars. Because there is an information war. That is true biblically, that is true spiritually as well. Do you realize the Bible tells you very plainly in Proverbs chapter 23 and verse 7 that, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."

So let me put it to you like this. Whoever controls the mind controls the body. Whoever controls the mind controls the life, the thinking, the conduct, the actions. Whoever controls the mind basically controls everything. So let me ask some questions. I want you to think with me. Why is it that unsaved men foam and rage against the Lord Jesus Christ and against his word, the Bible? And the answer is because of the way they think. They have believed error. They have believed deceit. They have believed a lie. And consequently, because they think wickedly, they act wickedly. Because they think wrongly, they act wrongly. So here's another question. Why do leftists and liberals think and act the way they do? And the answer is because the way they think or their mindset is that of socialism, fascism, communism, Marxism, and progressivism. In other words, they act out what they think and what they believe. It's just that simple. So, here's another question. Why do perverts think and act like they do? And the answer, again, is because of their mindset.

The Premeditated Plan: Seduction into Sin

Weaver details how Balaam counseled Balak to entice Israel into idolatry and fornication, leading to God's judgment and 24,000 deaths, as a strategy to fight without fighting.

So I'm going to tell you, I'm going to show you the verses shortly. There was a plan now devised between Balaam and Balak. This plan was premeditated. This plan, in one sense of the word, was absolutely simple and brilliant. Because the plan was, if Balak could not fight against Israel and destroy them, what he wanted to do was to get them to destroy themselves. So here's what Balaam came up with. He came up with a plan to fight without fighting. Now, how in the world do you fight without fighting?

Well, let's suppose that Dinah is really upset with Steve. But she knows she can't beat Steve. But she really wants to get him. And so what she does, she gets me into an argument with Steve. And it gets so out of hand that I end up hurting Steve or even killing Steve.

Now, there was nothing between us previously, but what she did was she made something between us so that I would fight against the man that she despised and counted her enemy. So what she has done, she has learned to fight without fighting. You follow that? Because she's getting someone else to fight for her.

Now what we would call that, and what our author called it, making bait between them. So God and Israel were together at this particular point. And you remember one time, I think it was the third time, that Balaam went to curse Israel, that he ended up blessing them, and he said it like this, "God doth not behold iniquity in Jacob." The Lord God was not seeing their sin. He was not beholding wickedness. The plan was, if we can get Israel to sin against God and rebel against God, then God's going to fight against them, and God's going to destroy them. And we won't have to. So they're learning to fight without fighting. So let me show you. So Numbers 25, right after Numbers 24, and let's read the first nine verses. Look at this. "And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab."

I wonder how this came about. "And they called the people," that is, they called the Israelites, "unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods." Wow. Now, we're not fighting against them physically. We're inviting them to our idolatry and our immorality. "And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her

belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand." Wow. Hang on. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 10. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. Because this incident is mentioned again by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And I want you to look, beginning there, with verse 6. 1 Corinthians 10, and look at verse 6. "Now these things were our examples," and if you go back to verse 1, you find he's talking about everything that happened to Israel in the wilderness. So back in verse 6, "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand." Now, Moses said in Numbers 25, there are 24,000. Paul says there are 23,000. Which one is right? And the answer is they're both right. Now, before we go back to Numbers 25, I want you to pay attention. Look at this, verse 6.

"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand." So who are we talking about? We're talking about the people. We're talking about the ordinary, everyday Israelites. So if you'll go back to Numbers chapter 25, and look if you would at verses 4 and 5. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people," that is the chiefs, the princes, the leaders, the rulers. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor." Now, these two verses are referring to the chiefs, to the princes. You have to remember, there were about two million people that came out of Egypt. You had heads over tens, over hundreds, over thousands. You had the heads of the tribes. So actually, what Moses does, he lists the whole number of people that were slain, the thousand of the chiefs and the princes that were slain, plus the 23,000 that died in one day, which is 24,000.

And all Paul does is list the 23,000 that died at one time in one day. He's not counting all the chiefs that were slain. So, clearly then, we have the fact that all 24,000 died. Now, if you were to read on, down in Numbers chapter 25, the Bible says, "Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites." So here was one of the princes that were killed by Phinehas. So this is who they were killing by the order of God through Moses, all these chiefs that were tied up in this idolatry and in this fornication. So a total of 24,000, but Paul only mentions in 1 Corinthians the 23,000 that happened to perish in one day.

Modern Applications: Governmental Warfare

He applies the principle to modern governments that war against their own people through welfare, inflation, foreign aid, and promotion of immorality.

I'm going to give you some illustration. Do you understand that governmental programs such as welfare for the undeserving and welfare for those who refuse to work is a type of warfare against honest, hardworking people? It is theft, pure and simple. When you stop and think, government is not a producer, and by that I mean it does not produce any goods, it produces nothing of value, about the only thing that government produces is debt, bureaucracy, regulations, control, and slavery. It produces nothing of value, nothing that could be sold to any other nation or country. Do you understand that the promotion of foreign wars and supplying aid for unbiblical and unconstitutional wars is warring against the economy of a nation and consequently warring against the individuals and the inhabitants of that nation?

The silent tax of inflation is taking its toll on America even right now. You cannot continue to print fiat money without destroying the economy and without destroying the inhabitants, the individuals in that economy. Now I want to give you two quotes. They're synonymous in one sense of the word, but not quite exactly the same. Here's the first one. So far this year, the United States has given $24,400,000,000 to Ukraine. $11,300,000,000 to Israel. $1,950,000,000 to Ethiopia. $1,600,000,000 to Jordan.

$1,400,000,000 to Egypt. $1,100,000,000 to Afghanistan. Why are we giving money to Afghanistan? We left all of those planes and war machines for them. I guess we have to pay for them to keep them up and learn how to drive them. I don't know. $1,100,000,000 to Somalia. $1,000,000,000 to Yemen. $987 million to Congo. $896 million to Syria. $9,000 per illegal immigrant that has entered the US. And Americans have lost everything to Hurricane Helene. We'll be getting $750, courtesy of FEMA. Wow. And here's the one quote. The government doesn't care about you. Last week, the Biden regime gave Ukraine $8 billion in aid, Israel $8.7 billion, and $567 million to Taiwan. Biden just announced the government will give no additional resources to areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. Yesterday, I saw a comment. The $8 billion given to Ukraine could have rebuilt every house Helene destroyed.

I didn't see the math. But it sounds plausible. Fact is, Biden and his government care more for foreigners than for their own people. Franklin Sanders, the money changer. When you stop and think about that, $8 billion could rebuild a lot of homes. Wow. Wow. Do you understand, think about this, that the promotion of immorality, fornication, adultery, perverted sexual acts, are warfare against the morality and moral folks? It is an attempt to break down the moral fiber of the nation, the character of the individual, as well as the family, and you must consider the open, blatant, and immoral acts that are now legal in this country and made legal by a corrupt and perverted government. Wow. That's warfare. Do you understand that the promotion of statism, fascism, Marxism, communism, and progressivism are warfare against the Lord Jesus Christ, Christians, and the Bible? Our Lord made it very plain in Luke chapter 11 and verse 23, "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth." So here's

the point. We are at war. We have been at war. We are now at war. And we are going to continue to be in war. I want you to turn to one last passage and after I read this passage, I've got to ask you a question. So I want you to turn to Ephesians chapter 6. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Look at Ephesians chapter 6. Beginning there with verse 10. Look at what the Apostle Paul says. Ephesians 6 verse 10.

Spiritual Warfare and the Christian's Armor

Weaver concludes by urging believers to recognize the spiritual war and put on the whole armor of God, emphasizing the need for a biblical mindset.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Here's my question. If we are not at war, why does God command us to put on armor? Why does God provide armor if we're not at war? Here's the sad truth. Most Christians do not even recognize war. They don't realize we are in a war.

And consequently, they're being overcome and dominated. Now I've just got one application. Here it is. The only way that we can be protected is by biblical truth with a biblical mindset. You remember I quoted the passage, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." If you believe right, if you think right, you're going to act right. If you believe wrongly and you think wrongly, you're going to act wickedly. It's just that simple.

We cannot fight and we cannot win with the armor of the world. You remember when David went to fight Goliath, Saul put his own armor upon David. David said, "I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them." And he took the armor off. And he went in just his everyday clothes, picked up five smooth stones, and went to meet him with his sling. David had proved God because he had already killed the lion and the bear. And he said, "This Philistine's going to be just like the lion and the bear." See, the truth of the matter is this, folks. If we don't learn to think biblically, if we don't learn to keep a biblical mindset, we're going to be subjugated. We're going to be dominated. We cannot compromise. We cannot give up. We cannot give out. We cannot quit. In other words, our minds must be made up, and we have to understand whoever controls our minds controls our lives, our conduct, our actions, everything. And the only way that we cannot be overcome in this world of wickedness that is constantly bombarding us with error, deceit, and lies is by believing the truth, holding the truth, and applying the truth. Whoever controls your mind controls your lives. If you are not dominated by biblical principles, you will be dominated, subjugated, and controlled by the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is imperative that we have the mind of Jesus Christ. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

Father, we ask your blessing. We ask your help. We ask, Lord, for a biblical mindset. We ask, Father, for a mind that is controlled by the word of God and by the Lord Jesus Christ. And help us to see, Lord, we are at war. We just don't even recognize it. We're being warred against on every hand. And give us, Lord, your mercy and your grace, and the ability to perceive the truth, understand the truth, and apply the truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Warfare Beyond the Physical

Summary: War is not limited to physical combat; it includes spiritual, psychological, economic, and informational battles.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Not all warfare is physical. Not all warfare involves immediate death or immediate dying.' He uses Balak's example to show warring through curses and seduction.

Mind Control as a Weapon

Summary: Whoever controls the mind controls the body, actions, and life; thus, information warfare is a primary battleground.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Whoever controls the mind controls the body. Whoever controls the mind controls the life, the thinking, the conduct, the actions.'

Spiritual Warfare Requires Spiritual Armor

Summary: Christians are commanded to put on the whole armor of God because they are in a real spiritual war against demonic forces.

Evidence: Weaver reads Ephesians 6:10-18 and asks, 'If we are not at war, why does God command us to put on armor?'

The Danger of a Non-Biblical Mindset

Summary: A person's thinking determines their actions; without a biblical mindset, one will be dominated by worldly lies and sin.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'If you believe right, if you think right, you're going to act right. If you believe wrongly and you think wrongly, you're going to act wickedly.'

Government as an Agent of Warfare

Summary: Governments can war against their own people through economic policies, promotion of immorality, and propaganda.

Evidence: Weaver cites welfare, inflation, foreign aid, and legalized perversion as forms of governmental warfare.

Key Arguments

Balak's war was not physical but spiritual and strategic

Summary: Balak warred against Israel by hiring Balaam to curse them and later by seducing them into sin, not by direct battle.

Evidence: Weaver cites Joshua 24:9 and Judges 11:25 to show Balak never physically fought Israel, and Numbers 31:16 to show Balaam's counsel led to Israel's sin.

The Hebrew word for war can mean 'to eat'

Summary: The word 'lakam' is translated 'eat' in some contexts, indicating that war can involve consuming or destroying a people without physical combat.

Evidence: Weaver references Deuteronomy 28:33, Psalm 14:4, and Psalm 27:2 where 'eat up' is used for destruction.

Mindset determines conduct

Summary: People act out what they think and believe; therefore, controlling information and beliefs is a form of warfare.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'You actually live out that which you think and that which you believe,' and cites Proverbs 23:7 and Matthew 15:18-19.

Balaam's counsel was a premeditated plan to destroy Israel

Summary: Balaam advised Balak to entice Israel into idolatry and fornication so that God would judge them, a strategy to fight without fighting.

Evidence: Weaver reads Numbers 31:16 and Micah 6:5 to show Balaam's counsel caused Israel to trespass.

Modern governments wage war on their own people

Summary: Through welfare, inflation, foreign aid, and moral corruption, governments war against honest citizens and biblical values.

Evidence: Weaver gives examples of U.S. foreign aid amounts and contrasts them with FEMA assistance to hurricane victims.

Christians must recognize spiritual war and use God's armor

Summary: The command to put on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6 proves that believers are in a war and must be equipped.

Evidence: Weaver reads Ephesians 6:10-18 and argues that armor is only needed for war.

Scripture References

Joshua 24:9

Context: Balak warred against Israel by sending Balaam to curse them.

Numbers 31:7

Context: Israel warred against Midian and slew all the males.

1 Kings 20:1

Context: Ben-Hadad and 32 kings besieged Samaria.

Judges 8:10

Context: 120,000 men that drew the sword fell in battle.

2 Chronicles 28:6

Context: Pekah slew 120,000 valiant men in one day because they forsook the Lord.

Deuteronomy 28:33

Context: A nation will eat up the fruit of the land as a curse for disobedience.

Psalm 14:4

Context: Workers of iniquity eat up God's people as bread.

Psalm 27:2

Context: The wicked came to eat up David's flesh.

Judges 11:12-26

Context: Jephthah argues that Balak never physically fought Israel.

Proverbs 23:7

Context: As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

Psalm 10:1-6

Context: The wicked say in their heart they shall not be moved or be in adversity.

Psalm 116:10

Context: I believed, therefore have I spoken.

Matthew 15:18-19

Context: Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts and actions.

Numbers 22:1-6

Context: Balak sent for Balaam to curse Israel because they were too mighty.

2 Peter 2:15

Context: Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness.

Jude 11

Context: They ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.

Numbers 24:10-11

Context: Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam for blessing Israel.

Numbers 25:1-9

Context: Israel committed whoredom with Moabite women and joined to Baalpeor, resulting in a plague.

1 Corinthians 10:6-8

Context: Paul cites Israel's idolatry and fornication as examples, noting 23,000 fell in one day.

Numbers 31:16

Context: Balaam's counsel caused Israel to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor.

Historical References

World War II

Context: Weaver mentions that Americans have not seen destructive war on their soil since World War II.

Korean War

Context: Described as a police action because Congress never declared war.

Vietnam War

Context: Fighting did not take place on American soil.

American Civil War (1861-1865)

Context: Weaver suggests the last destructive war on U.S. soil was the Civil War.

Pearl Harbor

Context: Mentioned as an exception where ships were bombed, but most WWII fighting was overseas.

Alexander the Great

Context: At the Battle of Gaugamela, an estimated 40,000-50,000 Persians were killed in one day.

Genghis Khan and the Siege of Merv (1221)

Context: Estimated 1.3 million killed in one day; Genghis Khan commanded each soldier to kill 300.

Alex Jones and Infowars

Context: Weaver references Alex Jones's program name as an example of information warfare.

U.S. foreign aid figures (2024)

Context: Weaver lists billions given to Ukraine, Israel, Ethiopia, Jordan, Egypt, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, Congo, Syria, and $9,000 per illegal immigrant.

Hurricane Helene and FEMA

Context: Americans affected by Hurricane Helene received $750 from FEMA, contrasted with foreign aid.

Important Quotes

Whoever controls the mind controls the body. Whoever controls the mind controls the life, the thinking, the conduct, the actions. Whoever controls the mind basically controls everything.

Significance: This quote encapsulates Weaver's central argument that information and ideological warfare are primary battlegrounds.

If we are not at war, why does God command us to put on armor? Why does God provide armor if we're not at war?

Significance: This rhetorical question drives home the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of spiritual preparedness.

The only way that we can be protected is by biblical truth with a biblical mindset.

Significance: Weaver's primary application: protection from spiritual and ideological warfare comes from thinking biblically.

If you are not dominated by biblical principles, you will be dominated, subjugated, and controlled by the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Significance: A stark warning that neutrality is impossible; one's mind will be controlled either by God's truth or by the world's lies.

Discussion Questions

In what ways have you experienced 'warfare' that was not physical, such as through information, economics, or moral pressure?

Context: Weaver argues that war can be waged in many realms beyond the physical.

How does the example of Balak and Balaam illustrate the strategy of 'fighting without fighting'?

Context: Weaver explains how Balak used Balaam to curse Israel and later seduced them into sin.

Why is it dangerous to excuse personal sin by pointing to the sins of leaders or the majority?

Context: Weaver warns against emulating rulers when they sin, using the example of the princes slain in Numbers 25.

What are some modern examples of governments warring against their own people through policy?

Context: Weaver cites welfare, inflation, foreign aid, and promotion of immorality.

How can we practically 'put on the whole armor of God' in our daily lives?

Context: Weaver reads Ephesians 6 and emphasizes the need for spiritual armor.

What does it mean to have a 'biblical mindset,' and how can we cultivate it?

Context: Weaver stresses that right thinking leads to right living and protection from deception.

Applications

Recognize the reality of spiritual and ideological warfare

Summary: Believers must acknowledge that they are in a war and stop being naive about the battles being waged against their minds and morals.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Most Christians do not even recognize war. They don't realize we are in a war.'

Guard your mind with biblical truth

Summary: Since whoever controls the mind controls the person, Christians must fill their minds with Scripture to resist worldly lies.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The only way that we can be protected is by biblical truth with a biblical mindset.'

Do not emulate sinful leaders

Summary: Christians must not excuse their own sin by pointing to the sins of politicians or cultural elites; each person is accountable to God.

Evidence: Weaver warns, 'You cannot excuse your sin... by saying, But everybody's doing it.'

Put on the whole armor of God

Summary: Believers are commanded to actively use the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6 to stand against the devil's schemes.

Evidence: Weaver reads Ephesians 6:10-18 and asks why God would provide armor if not for war.

Reject worldly methods of fighting

Summary: Like David refusing Saul's armor, Christians must rely on God's proven methods rather than worldly strategies.

Evidence: Weaver recounts David's words, 'I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them,' and his victory with a sling.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T16:15:12Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T06:43:31Z

Clean Transcript

Do You Recognize War?

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

All right, let's open our Bibles to Joshua chapter 24. Joshua 24, and I want you to look at verse 9. The title of the message is, "Do You Recognize War?" Do you recognize war? And I'm sure that everyone would say, "Well, of course I do." Well, hang on, you may not. So look, if you would, in Joshua 24 and verse 9, the Bible says, "Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you." So war is a word that usually speaks of destruction and death. We've not really seen that kind of war since World War II. Although you can recall the Korean War, and yet in reality that was a police action because Congress never really declared war on Korea.
#1 | 0:11 to 1:19 | cleaned
But neither the Korean fighting nor the fighting in Vietnam took place on our soil. So thus, the American populace probably has not seen a destructive war in 70 years. In fact, in reality, we probably have not really seen a war, as you and I would imagine, since 1861 to 1865. But although World War I and World War II, in those two wars, we lost a lot of men, most of the fighting was done in Europe.
#2 | 1:20 to 1:55 | cleaned
I realize we had ships bombed at Pearl Harbor. But again, most of the fighting was done overseas. War does indeed mean destruction and death. We cannot even envision in our own minds, I don't think, the death and destruction that war brings. Not only that, but the hardships. And then you have to also consider the plagues and the pestilences that normally are associated with war. Let me just give you a couple of verses because I know that when we think of war, we always think of death and destruction.
#3 | 1:56 to 2:36 | cleaned
But the Bible says in Numbers chapter 31 and verse 7, "And they warred against the Midianites, and as the Lord commanded Moses, they slew all the males." So when you stop and think about every man was slain. And then you get to 1 Kings chapter 20 and verse 1, "And Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his hosts together, and there were thirty and two kings with him, and they arose and besieged Samaria and warred against it." Can you imagine an army with 32 kings?
#4 | 2:37 to 3:18 | cleaned
How vast that must have been. When we think about war, we think about all the fighting, we think about the bombing, we think about the howitzers. It's one thing to bomb someone that you cannot see or to shoot shells five miles or ten miles or fifty miles away when you cannot see the destruction that those shells bring. It's quite another thing to try to stick a sword in someone's heart when you see the twisted torso and the contorted face once that sword sinks in. We cannot even really and truly comprehend the gruesomeness of war. Neither can we fathom fighting hand-to-hand with swords and spears and knives. The Bible is talking about war in Judges 8 and verse 10.
#5 | 3:19 to 4:17 | cleaned
And the Bible says, "Now, and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them about 15,000 men," listen to this, "all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: there fell 120,000 men that drew the sword." So in this battle, 120,000 men were slain. If you would hold Joshua 24, but look in your Bibles to 2 Chronicles chapter 28 and verse 6. 2 Chronicles 28 and verse 6. And think about this. 2 Chronicles 28 verse 6: "For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah 120,000 in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers." Can you imagine 120,000 men being slain in one day? Alexander the Great killed a lot of men, that is for sure. In the Battle of Gaugamela, there was an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 Persians that were killed in one day. I suppose, according to the research that I have done, the greatest number of men killed in one day were killed under the direction of Genghis Khan.
#6 | 4:17 to 6:06 | cleaned
This battle, the Siege of Merv, I should say, which is a modern day city now in Turkmenistan. The massacre took place in 1221, and they are estimating 1.3 million were killed in one day. They say the low number was 700,000. But here's the quote: "Contemporary Persian chronicles estimated the number of corpses at a staggering 1.3 million, because Genghis Khan had commanded his soldiers for each one to kill 300." And so in obedience to him, they slew up to 1.3 million people in one day. So I'm giving you this background for one simple reason.
#7 | 6:07 to 7:18 | cleaned
Because when we think of warfare, we think of death and dying. But not all warfare is physical. Not all warfare involves immediate death or immediate dying. And not all warfare involves the destruction of a country or a nation. So if you look at our text in Joshua chapter 24 and verse 9, look at this. The Bible says, "Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel." Note, if you would, "and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you."
#8 | 7:20 to 8:03 | cleaned
Now, the Hebrew word for war here is the word lakam. It literally means to do battle, to make war, to fight, to engage in battle, and to wage war. It occurs 177 times in our Bibles. 149 times it is translated as fight. It is translated to war 10 times, to make war 8 times, and then overcome, devour, and prevail 172 times, for a total of 172 times.
#9 | 8:04 to 8:26 | cleaned
But there's five other times this same word is translated as eat. So now you're going to have to ask yourself this question. How can a Hebrew word that is translated 172 times, meaning fight like war and to dominate and prevail, be translated as eat? Well, let me show you. I want you to turn to begin with to the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 28. And look, if you would please, at verse 33. In this passage, Deuteronomy 28 and verse 33, God is speaking of the curses that's going to come upon the people who rebel against him, reject his law, and disobey. So in Deuteronomy 28 and verse 33, God says, "The fruit of thy land and all thy labors shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed always." So the nation that is attacking is going to eat up the nation that they attack, in other words, they're going to destroy them and they're going to confiscate all of their goods as well. If you would turn right over to Psalm 14 and look at verse 4, and you will also find this same verse in Psalm 53 and verse 4.
#10 | 8:46 to 10:22 | cleaned
So in Psalm 14 and verse 4, the Word of God says it like this: "Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord." In other words, they're just killing the people without remorse, without mercy. It's to them like eating bread. Killing is thus nothing but a meal to them. And then David said it like this, if you look in Psalm 27 and verse 2, "When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell." So death and destruction, not only of individuals, but also of nations, is often referred to as eating them up.
#11 | 10:22 to 11:18 | cleaned
Now, I showed you all of these passages and I've given you all of these illustrations for one particular reason. Although the Bible says that Balak warred against Israel, it did not mean that he actually engaged in battle against Israel. So I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would please, to the book of Judges. Joshua, Judges. Judges chapter 11. And let's begin reading there with verse 12. And I'm going to read through about verse 26, because there is a verse here that you have to see. Judges 11, beginning there with verse 12.
#12 | 11:18 to 12:09 | cleaned
So Jephthah is a judge, and they're calling on him to come and defend the people. And so he is actually fighting against the children of Ammon. Now, you have to remember that Ammon and Moab were brothers. Well, I say brothers. They were actually cousins because one daughter bore Ammon and one bore the father of the Moabites, so the daughters of Lot. So actually, I guess they would be cousins, but they're from the two daughters of Lot. So in Judges chapter 11, beginning there with verse 12, "And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?" In other words, they're trying to take the land from Israel. Now watch. "And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably. And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon, and said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of
#13 | 12:09 to 13:33 | cleaned
Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon: but when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh; then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh. Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab. And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place. But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
#14 | 13:33 to 14:39 | cleaned
And the Lord God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country. And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan. So now the Lord God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it? Now look at the question, verse 24: "Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess."
#15 | 14:40 to 15:22 | cleaned
Now here it is, "And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them, while Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? Why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?" So now what Jephthah is saying, we've lived on this land for three hundred years. Nobody has tried to take this land. Nobody has tried to claim this land.
#16 | 15:23 to 16:03 | cleaned
But the important thing is verse 25. "And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab?" Look at the question, "Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?" Well, when you go back to Joshua 24 verse 9, the Bible said he warred against Israel. Well, how in the world did he war against Israel if he never really physically fought against Israel? Now, it is true that he wanted to fight against Israel. It is true. He wanted to defeat them and dominate them. He wanted to drive them out of land. That is true. But if you look back in Joshua 24 verse 9, the answer is given to us. "Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you." Now, the interesting thing is the word curse.
#17 | 16:04 to 17:11 | cleaned
It is the word qalal in the Hebrew, and it means to curse, to despise, to make despicable, to lightly esteem, and to count of little worth. What Balak wanted was Israel despised and discounted, so to speak.
#18 | 17:14 to 17:43 | cleaned
Now, just this statement should make it clear and obvious that warfare can be in other realms other than the physical. Warfare could be in the political realm. It could be in the intellectual realm. It could be in the economic realm. It could be in the information realm. In other words, when you stop and think about this, Americans are being warred against in all of these realms, along with other nations as well.
#19 | 17:44 to 18:27 | cleaned
Now, whether anyone likes or agrees with Alex Jones is immaterial. I will say this, Alex Jones hit the nail on the head when he named his program Infowars. Because there is an information war. That is true biblically, that is true spiritually as well. Do you realize the Bible tells you very plainly in Proverbs chapter 23 and verse 7 that, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
#20 | 18:29 to 19:08 | cleaned
So let me put it to you like this. Whoever controls the mind controls the body. Whoever controls the mind controls the life, the thinking, the conduct, the actions. Whoever controls the mind basically controls everything. So let me ask some questions. I want you to think with me. Why is it that unsaved men foam and rage against the Lord Jesus Christ and against his word, the Bible? And the answer is because of the way they think. They have believed error. They have believed deceit. They have believed a lie. And consequently, because they think wickedly, they act wickedly. Because they think wrongly, they act wrongly. So here's another question. Why do leftists and liberals think and act the way they do? And the answer is because the way they think or their mindset is that of socialism, fascism, communism, Marxism, and progressivism. In other words, they act out what they think and what they believe. It's just that simple. So, here's another question. Why do perverts think and act like they do? And the answer, again, is because of their mindset.
#21 | 19:10 to 20:42 | cleaned
In other words, they deny God as the chief good, and they have placed pleasure and the fulfillment of their lusts as the chief good, and they could care less about anything or anyone just so that their lusts and their desires are fulfilled. In other words, they act the way they act. They do what they do because they think the way they think. So here's another question. Why do people not plan for emergencies, financial needs, as well as their own future?
#22 | 20:42 to 21:17 | cleaned
And the answer is because of their mindset. So many people do not think that they are responsible to prepare. They do not count themselves responsible to lay aside or to save. No, no, no. They go by living for today, impulse spending. If I see it, I want it, I get it. They think nothing of a week later, a month later, a year later, or 50 years later. It's just simply they're living for the day. And what they're doing now, they're going to be trusting the government
#23 | 21:19 to 21:56 | cleaned
or some family member, or some neighbor to take care of them in emergencies and even in their old age. Now, the point I'm going to make is this. The same is true in the spiritual realm. It is also true in obedience to the Word of God. So when you stop and think about this, why is it that men do not read the Bible? They do not study the Bible. They don't think about the commands of God. They do not think about the principles in the Word of God.
#24 | 21:57 to 22:35 | cleaned
They just simply live their life as they please. Here's why. Because of the way they think. Because of their mindset. In other words, they believe that somehow God's never going to hold them accountable. They believe somehow they're going to escape judgment. They believe that somehow they are going to be the exception. They believe that somehow they will never be in adversity. So let me show you. If you would hold Joshua 24, we'll look in your Bibles to Psalm 10. Psalm 10. And look, if you would please, at the first six verses. Look at this. Here's the perfect description of someone like this.
#25 | 22:35 to 23:21 | cleaned
The question is asked in verse one, "Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?"
#26 | 23:24 to 23:32 | cleaned
Now look at the answer. "The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined." So why are the wicked persecuting the poor? Watch verse three. "For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth." The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
#27 | 23:33 to 24:03 | cleaned
His ways are always grievous; look at this. "Thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent."
#28 | 24:03 to 24:31 | cleaned
"His eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones." In other words, all of his actions, all of his conduct is because God is not in all of his thoughts. And he puffs at God, he puffs at everything, and he says, "I shall never, ever be in adversity.
#29 | 24:31 to 25:00 | cleaned
I shall not be moved." So because people think the way they think, they act the way they act. So your mindset, your thinking determines your actions and your conduct. You actually live out that which you think and that which you believe. David said it like this in Psalm 116, verse 10. He said, "I believed, therefore have I spoken." And we actually speak that which we believe.
#30 | 25:00 to 25:28 | cleaned
Our Lord said it similarly in Matthew chapter 15, verses 18 and 19. He said, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." Now, listen to what comes forth from the heart, and the heart is the mind. He says it in verse 19, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies."
#31 | 25:29 to 25:58 | cleaned
In other words, you can't do anything without thinking about it. So your mindset, your attitude, your thoughts control everything. So let me say this again now. War does not necessarily have to be in the physical realm to be war. I want to give you two quotes. The first one is from John Trapp, the old Puritan. He said it like this, talking about Balak: "He did not," that is, he did not make war, although the Bible says he warred. I'll show you.
#32 | 25:58 to 26:31 | cleaned
He said he did not because he durst not, howbeit because he intended, if he could have accomplished it, to fight with Israel and prepare for that purpose, it is spoken of as a done thing. I would add that since Balak did not physically fight with Israel, at least, I'm going to show you, he did war against them spiritually. Okay? Here's the one by Matthew Poole.
#33 | 26:32 to 27:00 | cleaned
I want you to listen carefully to this quote. He said, "One prince may commence a war against another, though he never come to a battle, nor strike one stroke. So Balak warred, though not by open force, yet by crafty counsel and warlike stratagems, by magical arts and by wicked devices, and by making bait," and it's spelled B-A-I-T, "betwixt them and God, their confederate, or by warlike preparations." I want you to pay attention to what Matthew Poole said. Although Balak never fought against Israel physically, he warred against them by crafty counsel, which I'm going to explain, by warlike stratagems, by magical arts, because he was calling Balaam to curse them, and of course by wicked devices, and then Matthew Poole said that he made bait between Israel and God, who was their confederate. So, I'll explain that a little bit later.
#34 | 27:00 to 28:21 | cleaned
But that is exactly what happened. Now, I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Numbers, chapter 22, because I'm going to show you that Balak did indeed intend to war against Israel physically. He intended that. So look at it in Numbers 22 and verse 1: "And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And Moab said unto the elders of
#35 | 28:22 to 29:10 | cleaned
Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land.
#36 | 29:11 to 29:55 | cleaned
"For I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed." So his intention, in reality, was to fight if they were cursed by Balaam. Balaam was a false prophet. It is true that God used Balaam. I've been asked, could God use a lost preacher? Well, he used Balaam's ass to preach, so I guess so, yeah. So Balaam was a false prophet, and all he was interested in was the reward. You will find two passages in the New Testament that speak of this. The first one is 2 Peter chapter 2 and verse 15, where the Bible says, "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness." So Balaam was a false prophet and he did what he did for money. When you get to the book of Jude, verse 11, "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."
#37 | 29:55 to 31:25 | cleaned
So actually, there are three there that we are warned about, Balaam, Korah, and Cain. But both of these passages talk about the fact that Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness. Now, Balak then sent for Balaam so that Balaam might curse Israel that somehow Balak then would gain an advantage and be able to defeat Israel. And you know the story and I'm not going to read it now. When Balaam set out to curse Israel, God would not allow him to curse Israel. He turned every curse into a blessing. And every time he went to curse Israel, he ended up blessing Israel.
#38 | 31:25 to 32:20 | cleaned
Now, although there are many aspects to this, the important point right now is this. He never once cursed Israel. He ended up blessing them. And Balak was so upset that he would not curse Israel. I want you to look in Numbers chapter 24 at verses 10 and 11. You remember when Balak sent to call Balaam. He sent princes and God told Balaam not to go with them. Then he sent a second time greater princes promising more money and God told Balaam not to go and he didn't go. The third time he sent higher princes, greater promises, and God told Balaam, "If they come to you in the morning, arise and go with them." Well, they didn't come to him and Balaam got up and just went on his own. That's when the angel stood in the way and tried to slay him. That's when his ass turned aside out of the field, that's when the ass crushed his foot against the wall and then fell down under him, and Balaam was so upset with his ass, he said, "If I had a sword in my hand, surely I would slay thee."
#39 | 32:21 to 33:37 | cleaned
And the ass said to Balaam, "Am I not thine own ass? Have I ever done this before?" Balaam said, "Nay." So the ass was speaking and preaching, and the prophet was naying. But anyhow, then God opened his eyes, and he saw the angel standing there with a sword in his hand. And the angel said, "If the ass had not turned aside and crushed your foot and fallen down, surely you would have been dead by now." Balaam said, "Well, I'll go back." "No, no, no."
#40 | 33:38 to 34:11 | cleaned
He said, "You're going forward, but you're going to say exactly what I tell you to say." So this is why he was blessed. But notice, if you would, he was blessing Israel instead of cursing. So Balak is upset. So look in verse 10. "And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee thou to thy place.
#41 | 34:11 to 34:40 | cleaned
Get out of my sight. I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour." Wow.
#42 | 34:41 to 34:50 | cleaned
Now, he was really upset with Balaam. And he said, "I'm not giving you a dime. You haven't earned anything. You've ended up blessing my enemies instead of cursing them."
#43 | 34:51 to 35:02 | cleaned
Now, I want to show you something. Balaam was not ready to lose his reward so easily and so quickly. So if you'll look in Numbers chapter 24 and verse 14, here's what Balaam tells Balak. "And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days."
#44 | 35:03 to 35:36 | cleaned
Now, the word advertise is a very interesting Hebrew word. It is the word ya'ats. It means to counsel, to advise, to devise a plan and even means to conspire.
#45 | 35:38 to 35:58 | cleaned
Now it is true, if you read the rest of the context, that Balaam not only speaks of Moab, but also of Edom, and the Amalekites, and the Kenites, and Asshur, which is Assyria. But it was the Moabites who wanted at this time to war against Israel, but they could not do so physically. Just because they could not do so physically did not mean that their hatred ceased or was abated.
#46 | 35:59 to 36:35 | cleaned
So I'm going to tell you, I'm going to show you the verses shortly. There was a plan now devised between Balaam and Balak. This plan was premeditated. This plan, in one sense of the word, was absolutely simple and brilliant. Because the plan was, if Balak could not fight against Israel and destroy them, what he wanted to do was to get them to destroy themselves. So here's what Balaam came up with. He came up with a plan to fight without fighting. Now, how in the world do you fight without fighting?
#47 | 36:36 to 37:41 | cleaned
Well, let's suppose that Dinah is really upset with Steve. But she knows she can't beat Steve. But she really wants to get him. And so what she does, she gets me into an argument with Steve. And it gets so out of hand that I end up hurting Steve or even killing Steve.
#48 | 37:44 to 38:10 | cleaned
Now, there was nothing between us previously, but what she did was she made something between us so that I would fight against the man that she despised and counted her enemy. So what she has done, she has learned to fight without fighting. You follow that? Because she's getting someone else to fight for her.
#49 | 38:11 to 38:33 | cleaned
Now what we would call that, and what our author called it, making bait between them. So God and Israel were together at this particular point. And you remember one time, I think it was the third time, that Balaam went to curse Israel, that he ended up blessing them, and he said it like this, "God doth not behold iniquity in Jacob." The Lord God was not seeing their sin.
#50 | 38:33 to 39:17 | cleaned
He was not beholding wickedness. The plan was, if we can get Israel to sin against God and rebel against God, then God's going to fight against them, and God's going to destroy them. And we won't have to. So they're learning to fight without fighting. So let me show you. So Numbers 25, right after Numbers 24, and let's read the first nine verses. Look at this. "And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab."
#51 | 39:18 to 40:03 | cleaned
I wonder how this came about. "And they called the people," that is, they called the Israelites, "unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods." Wow.
#52 | 40:04 to 40:15 | cleaned
Now, we're not fighting against them physically. We're inviting them to our idolatry and our immorality. "And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her
#53 | 40:16 to 41:16 | cleaned
belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand." Wow. Hang on. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 10. 1 Corinthians chapter 10. Because this incident is mentioned again by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And I want you to look, beginning there, with verse 6. 1 Corinthians 10, and look at verse 6. "Now these things were our examples," and if you go back to verse 1, you find he's talking about everything that happened to Israel in the wilderness. So back in verse 6, "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
#54 | 41:17 to 42:24 | cleaned
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand."
#55 | 42:25 to 42:41 | cleaned
Now, Moses said in Numbers 25, there are 24,000. Paul says there are 23,000. Which one is right? And the answer is they're both right. Now, before we go back to Numbers 25, I want you to pay attention. Look at this, verse 6.
#56 | 42:43 to 43:16 | cleaned
"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand."
#57 | 43:19 to 43:47 | cleaned
So who are we talking about? We're talking about the people. We're talking about the ordinary, everyday Israelites. So if you'll go back to Numbers chapter 25, and look if you would at verses 4 and 5. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people," that is the chiefs, the princes, the leaders, the rulers. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor." Now, these two verses are referring to the chiefs, to the princes. You have to remember, there were about two million people that came out of Egypt. You had heads over tens, over hundreds, over thousands. You had the heads of the tribes. So actually, what Moses does, he lists the whole number of people that were slain, the thousand of the chiefs and the princes that were slain, plus the 23,000 that died in one day, which is 24,000.
#58 | 43:48 to 45:18 | cleaned
And all Paul does is list the 23,000 that died at one time in one day. He's not counting all the chiefs that were slain. So, clearly then, we have the fact that all 24,000 died.
#59 | 45:18 to 45:33 | cleaned
Now, if you were to read on, down in Numbers chapter 25, the Bible says, "Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites." So here was one of the princes that were killed by Phinehas. So this is who they were killing by the order of God through Moses, all these chiefs that were tied up in this idolatry and in this fornication. So a total of 24,000, but Paul only mentions in 1 Corinthians the 23,000 that happened to perish in one day.
#60 | 45:34 to 46:17 | cleaned
So here's the lesson that you and I are to learn right now. And that is this. Do not emulate your rulers when they sin. You cannot excuse your sin. You cannot excuse your trespass. You cannot excuse your transgression by saying, "But everybody's doing it." Or, "Look what they're doing in Washington. Look what they're doing in Atlanta. Look what they're doing in Tallahassee. Why, if the politicians can do it, if the governor can do it, if the president can do it, if the senators can do it, why I can do it?"
#61 | 46:18 to 46:50 | cleaned
No, no, no, no, no. You're responsible for your own life. They're going to die. They're going to be judged. And if you sin with them, you will be judged with them.
#62 | 46:50 to 47:03 | cleaned
Now, I told you earlier that this plan to get Israel to sin was a premeditated plan between Balak and Balaam. Balaam gave counsel to Balak. Balak asked, "How can we get God to curse Israel?" Balaam answered him. So all of this seduction of the people into idolatry and into fornication was a premeditated plan. How do I know that? Well, two ways, and both of them are from scripture.
#63 | 47:04 to 47:53 | cleaned
If you look in your Bibles to the book of Numbers chapter 31, Numbers chapter 31, and look if you would please at verse 16. Numbers 31 and verse 16. "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord." Now watch this. Did you read that? "Behold, these caused the children of Israel through the counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor." In other words, Balaam said to Balak, "Here's how you get God to kill his own people." Well, that's not all. If you'll turn to the book of Micah, the book of Micah is right before the book of Nahum, and it's right after the book of Jonah. Jonah, Micah. Look at Micah chapter 6 and verse 5. Micah 6 and verse 5. Here it is again. God says, "O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord."
#64 | 47:53 to 49:24 | cleaned
So he said, Balak asked and Balaam answered. This is what you do. This is how you get God to judge his own people. Wow. Balak warred against Israel without physically fighting against them. Hang on. Do you now understand it is possible for a government to war against its own people without physically fighting against them? It is possible for a government to war against its own people by controlling information, by perverting the news, and by spewing forth propaganda.
#65 | 49:25 to 50:24 | cleaned
I'm going to give you some illustration. Do you understand that governmental programs such as welfare for the undeserving and welfare for those who refuse to work is a type of warfare against honest, hardworking people? It is theft, pure and simple. When you stop and think, government is not a producer, and by that I mean it does not produce any goods, it produces nothing of value, about the only thing that government produces is debt, bureaucracy, regulations, control, and slavery. It produces nothing of value, nothing that could be sold to any other nation or country. Do you understand that the promotion of foreign wars and supplying aid for unbiblical and unconstitutional wars is warring against the economy of a nation and consequently warring against the individuals and the inhabitants of that nation?
#66 | 50:27 to 51:37 | cleaned
The silent tax of inflation is taking its toll on America even right now. You cannot continue to print fiat money without destroying the economy and without destroying the inhabitants, the individuals in that economy.
#67 | 51:38 to 51:57 | cleaned
Now I want to give you two quotes. They're synonymous in one sense of the word, but not quite exactly the same. Here's the first one. So far this year, the United States has given $24,400,000,000 to Ukraine. $11,300,000,000 to Israel. $1,950,000,000 to Ethiopia. $1,600,000,000 to Jordan.
#68 | 52:00 to 52:24 | cleaned
$1,400,000,000 to Egypt. $1,100,000,000 to Afghanistan. Why are we giving money to Afghanistan? We left all of those planes and war machines for them. I guess we have to pay for them to keep them up and learn how to drive them. I don't know. $1,100,000,000 to Somalia. $1,000,000,000 to Yemen. $987 million to Congo. $896 million to Syria. $9,000 per illegal immigrant that has entered the US.
#69 | 52:46 to 53:26 | cleaned
And Americans have lost everything to Hurricane Helene. We'll be getting $750, courtesy of FEMA. Wow. And here's the one quote. The government doesn't care about you. Last week, the Biden regime gave Ukraine $8 billion in aid, Israel $8.7 billion, and $567 million to Taiwan. Biden just announced the government will give no additional resources to areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. Yesterday, I saw a comment. The $8 billion given to Ukraine could have rebuilt every house Helene destroyed.
#70 | 53:27 to 54:11 | cleaned
I didn't see the math. But it sounds plausible. Fact is, Biden and his government care more for foreigners than for their own people. Franklin Sanders, the money changer. When you stop and think about that, $8 billion could rebuild a lot of homes. Wow. Wow. Do you understand, think about this, that the promotion of immorality, fornication, adultery, perverted sexual acts, are warfare against the morality and moral folks? It is an attempt to break down the moral fiber of the nation, the character of the individual, as well as the family, and you must consider the open, blatant, and immoral acts that are now legal in this country and made legal by a corrupt and perverted government. Wow. That's warfare. Do you understand that the promotion of statism, fascism, Marxism, communism, and progressivism are warfare against the Lord Jesus Christ, Christians, and the Bible? Our Lord made it very plain in Luke chapter 11 and verse 23, "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth." So here's
#71 | 54:11 to 55:27 | cleaned
the point. We are at war. We have been at war. We are now at war. And we are going to continue to be in war. I want you to turn to one last passage and after I read this passage, I've got to ask you a question. So I want you to turn to Ephesians chapter 6. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Look at Ephesians chapter 6. Beginning there with verse 10. Look at what the Apostle Paul says. Ephesians 6 verse 10.
#72 | 55:27 to 56:05 | cleaned
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
#73 | 56:05 to 56:41 | cleaned
and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Here's my question. If we are not at war, why does God command us to put on armor? Why does God provide armor if we're not at war? Here's the sad truth. Most Christians do not even recognize war. They don't realize we are in a war.
#74 | 56:42 to 57:29 | cleaned
And consequently, they're being overcome and dominated. Now I've just got one application. Here it is. The only way that we can be protected is by biblical truth with a biblical mindset. You remember I quoted the passage, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." If you believe right, if you think right, you're going to act right. If you believe wrongly and you think wrongly, you're going to act wickedly. It's just that simple.
#75 | 57:31 to 58:02 | cleaned
We cannot fight and we cannot win with the armor of the world. You remember when David went to fight Goliath, Saul put his own armor upon David. David said, "I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them." And he took the armor off. And he went in just his everyday clothes, picked up five smooth stones, and went to meet him with his sling. David had proved God because he had already killed the lion and the bear. And he said, "This Philistine's going to be just like the lion and the bear."
#76 | 58:02 to 58:43 | cleaned
See, the truth of the matter is this, folks. If we don't learn to think biblically, if we don't learn to keep a biblical mindset, we're going to be subjugated. We're going to be dominated. We cannot compromise. We cannot give up. We cannot give out. We cannot quit. In other words, our minds must be made up, and we have to understand whoever controls our minds controls our lives, our conduct, our actions, everything. And the only way that we cannot be overcome in this world of wickedness that is constantly bombarding us with error, deceit, and lies is by believing the truth, holding the truth, and applying the truth. Whoever controls your mind controls your lives. If you are not dominated by biblical principles, you will be dominated, subjugated, and controlled by the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is imperative that we have the mind of Jesus Christ. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
#77 | 58:44 to 1:00:08 | cleaned
Father, we ask your blessing. We ask your help. We ask, Lord, for a biblical mindset. We ask, Father, for a mind that is controlled by the word of God and by the Lord Jesus Christ. And help us to see, Lord, we are at war. We just don't even recognize it. We're being warred against on every hand. And give us, Lord, your mercy and your grace, and the ability to perceive the truth, understand the truth, and apply the truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
#78 | 1:00:10 to 1:00:50 | cleaned
so so
#79 | 1:01:12 to 1:01:13 | cleaned

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T16:15:12Z

Do You Recognize War?

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver examines Joshua 24:9 to show that warfare is not limited to physical combat. Using the example of Balak, who warred against Israel by hiring Balaam to curse them and later by seducing them into idolatry and immorality, Weaver argues that governments and spiritual enemies wage war through information control, economic manipulation, and moral corruption. He emphasizes that Christians are in a spiritual war and must adopt a biblical mindset to resist being dominated by the world's lies.

Introduction: The Meaning of War

Weaver introduces the topic by contrasting modern warfare with ancient hand-to-hand combat, emphasizing the death and destruction associated with war.

Scripture Reading — Joshua 24:9

"Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you."

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 20:1

"And Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his hosts together, and there were thirty and two kings with him, and they arose and besieged Samaria and warred against it."

Historical Examples of Massive Casualties

He cites biblical and historical battles, including 120,000 slain in one day in 2 Chronicles 28 and Genghis Khan's massacre of up to 1.3 million, to illustrate the scale of physical war.

Balak's War Without Physical Fighting

Weaver explains that Balak warred against Israel not by direct battle but by sending Balaam to curse them, showing that war can be spiritual and psychological.

The Hebrew Word for War and Its Translation as 'Eat'

He notes that the Hebrew word 'lakam' is sometimes translated 'eat,' illustrating how enemies consume and destroy a nation without physical combat.

Scripture Reading — Judges 11:12-26

"And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?"

In other words, they're trying to take the land from Israel. Now watch.

Scripture Reading — Judges 11:12-26

"And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably. And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon, and said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of

Jephthah's Testimony: Balak Did Not Fight Physically

Weaver reads Judges 11 to show that Jephthah stated Balak never physically fought Israel, confirming that Balak's warfare was through other means.

Scripture Reading — Judges 11:12-26

"And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?"

In other words, they're trying to take the land from Israel. Now watch.

Scripture Reading — Judges 11:12-26

"And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably. And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon, and said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of

Warfare in Other Realms: Mind Control

He argues that warfare occurs in political, intellectual, economic, and information realms, emphasizing that whoever controls the mind controls the person.

The Premeditated Plan: Seduction into Sin

Weaver details how Balaam counseled Balak to entice Israel into idolatry and fornication, leading to God's judgment and 24,000 deaths, as a strategy to fight without fighting.

Modern Applications: Governmental Warfare

He applies the principle to modern governments that war against their own people through welfare, inflation, foreign aid, and promotion of immorality.

Spiritual Warfare and the Christian's Armor

Weaver concludes by urging believers to recognize the spiritual war and put on the whole armor of God, emphasizing the need for a biblical mindset.

Do You Recognize War?

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	QivdYMvJHgM
Subject	Covenant Theology
Course	Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: A Time Of Need
Genre	Sermon
Date	2024-11-30
Dictation Name
Book	Book 043: Covenant Theology: Blessings, Curses, and Sanctions: A Time Of Need — Chapter 23
Source Timed Segments	79

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Meaning of War: Weaver introduces the topic by contrasting modern warfare with ancient hand-to-hand combat, emphasizing the death and destruction associated with war.
Historical Examples of Massive Casualties: He cites biblical and historical battles, including 120,000 slain in one day in 2 Chronicles 28 and Genghis Khan's massacre of up to 1.3 million, to illustrate the scale of physical war.
Balak's War Without Physical Fighting: Weaver explains that Balak warred against Israel not by direct battle but by sending Balaam to curse them, showing that war can be spiritual and psychological.
The Hebrew Word for War and Its Translation as 'Eat': He notes that the Hebrew word 'lakam' is sometimes translated 'eat,' illustrating how enemies consume and destroy a nation without physical combat.
Jephthah's Testimony: Balak Did Not Fight Physically: Weaver reads Judges 11 to show that Jephthah stated Balak never physically fought Israel, confirming that Balak's warfare was through other means.
Warfare in Other Realms: Mind Control: He argues that warfare occurs in political, intellectual, economic, and information realms, emphasizing that whoever controls the mind controls the person.
The Premeditated Plan: Seduction into Sin: Weaver details how Balaam counseled Balak to entice Israel into idolatry and fornication, leading to God's judgment and 24,000 deaths, as a strategy to fight without fighting.
Modern Applications: Governmental Warfare: He applies the principle to modern governments that war against their own people through welfare, inflation, foreign aid, and promotion of immorality.
Spiritual Warfare and the Christian's Armor: Weaver concludes by urging believers to recognize the spiritual war and put on the whole armor of God, emphasizing the need for a biblical mindset.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Balak's war was not physical but spiritual and strategic

Balak warred against Israel by hiring Balaam to curse them and later by seducing them into sin, not by direct battle.

Weaver cites Joshua 24:9 and Judges 11:25 to show Balak never physically fought Israel, and Numbers 31:16 to show Balaam's counsel led to Israel's sin.

The Hebrew word for war can mean 'to eat'

The word 'lakam' is translated 'eat' in some contexts, indicating that war can involve consuming or destroying a people without physical combat.

Weaver references Deuteronomy 28:33, Psalm 14:4, and Psalm 27:2 where 'eat up' is used for destruction.

Mindset determines conduct

People act out what they think and believe; therefore, controlling information and beliefs is a form of warfare.

Weaver states, 'You actually live out that which you think and that which you believe,' and cites Proverbs 23:7 and Matthew 15:18-19.

Balaam's counsel was a premeditated plan to destroy Israel

Balaam advised Balak to entice Israel into idolatry and fornication so that God would judge them, a strategy to fight without fighting.

Weaver reads Numbers 31:16 and Micah 6:5 to show Balaam's counsel caused Israel to trespass.

Modern governments wage war on their own people

Through welfare, inflation, foreign aid, and moral corruption, governments war against honest citizens and biblical values.

Weaver gives examples of U.S. foreign aid amounts and contrasts them with FEMA assistance to hurricane victims.

Christians must recognize spiritual war and use God's armor

The command to put on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6 proves that believers are in a war and must be equipped.

Weaver reads Ephesians 6:10-18 and argues that armor is only needed for war.

Scripture References

Joshua 24:9: Balak warred against Israel by sending Balaam to curse them.
Numbers 31:7: Israel warred against Midian and slew all the males.
1 Kings 20:1: Ben-Hadad and 32 kings besieged Samaria.
Judges 8:10: 120,000 men that drew the sword fell in battle.
2 Chronicles 28:6: Pekah slew 120,000 valiant men in one day because they forsook the Lord.
Deuteronomy 28:33: A nation will eat up the fruit of the land as a curse for disobedience.
Psalm 14:4: Workers of iniquity eat up God's people as bread.
Psalm 27:2: The wicked came to eat up David's flesh.
Judges 11:12-26: Jephthah argues that Balak never physically fought Israel.
Proverbs 23:7: As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
Psalm 10:1-6: The wicked say in their heart they shall not be moved or be in adversity.
Psalm 116:10: I believed, therefore have I spoken.
Matthew 15:18-19: Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts and actions.
Numbers 22:1-6: Balak sent for Balaam to curse Israel because they were too mighty.
2 Peter 2:15: Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness.
Jude 11: They ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.
Numbers 24:10-11: Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam for blessing Israel.
Numbers 25:1-9: Israel committed whoredom with Moabite women and joined to Baalpeor, resulting in a plague.
1 Corinthians 10:6-8: Paul cites Israel's idolatry and fornication as examples, noting 23,000 fell in one day.
Numbers 31:16: Balaam's counsel caused Israel to trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor.

Historical References

World War II: Weaver mentions that Americans have not seen destructive war on their soil since World War II.
Korean War: Described as a police action because Congress never declared war.
Vietnam War: Fighting did not take place on American soil.
American Civil War (1861-1865): Weaver suggests the last destructive war on U.S. soil was the Civil War.
Pearl Harbor: Mentioned as an exception where ships were bombed, but most WWII fighting was overseas.
Alexander the Great: At the Battle of Gaugamela, an estimated 40,000-50,000 Persians were killed in one day.
Genghis Khan and the Siege of Merv (1221): Estimated 1.3 million killed in one day; Genghis Khan commanded each soldier to kill 300.
Alex Jones and Infowars: Weaver references Alex Jones's program name as an example of information warfare.
U.S. foreign aid figures (2024): Weaver lists billions given to Ukraine, Israel, Ethiopia, Jordan, Egypt, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, Congo, Syria, and $9,000 per illegal immigrant.
Hurricane Helene and FEMA: Americans affected by Hurricane Helene received $750 from FEMA, contrasted with foreign aid.

Important Quotes

Whoever controls the mind controls the body. Whoever controls the mind controls the life, the thinking, the conduct, the actions. Whoever controls the mind basically controls everything.

This quote encapsulates Weaver's central argument that information and ideological warfare are primary battlegrounds.

If we are not at war, why does God command us to put on armor? Why does God provide armor if we're not at war?

This rhetorical question drives home the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of spiritual preparedness.

The only way that we can be protected is by biblical truth with a biblical mindset.

Weaver's primary application: protection from spiritual and ideological warfare comes from thinking biblically.

If you are not dominated by biblical principles, you will be dominated, subjugated, and controlled by the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A stark warning that neutrality is impossible; one's mind will be controlled either by God's truth or by the world's lies.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

In what ways have you experienced 'warfare' that was not physical, such as through information, economics, or moral pressure?

[Context]

Weaver argues that war can be waged in many realms beyond the physical.

[Question]

How does the example of Balak and Balaam illustrate the strategy of 'fighting without fighting'?

[Context]

Weaver explains how Balak used Balaam to curse Israel and later seduced them into sin.

[Question]

Why is it dangerous to excuse personal sin by pointing to the sins of leaders or the majority?

[Context]

Weaver warns against emulating rulers when they sin, using the example of the princes slain in Numbers 25.

[Question]

What are some modern examples of governments warring against their own people through policy?

[Context]

Weaver cites welfare, inflation, foreign aid, and promotion of immorality.

[Question]

How can we practically 'put on the whole armor of God' in our daily lives?

[Context]

Weaver reads Ephesians 6 and emphasizes the need for spiritual armor.

[Question]

What does it mean to have a 'biblical mindset,' and how can we cultivate it?

[Context]

Weaver stresses that right thinking leads to right living and protection from deception.

Applications

Format deepseek deepseek-v4-pro structured study JSON | Source Commentary.net transcript enrichment

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T06:43:31Z