Numbers 24-25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14 (New Living Translation)

Old Testament

1. Balaam blesses Israel.

- "Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you.”

- "Alas, who can survive unless God has willed it?"

2. Moab seduces Israel

- Some of the Israelite men have sexual relations with Moabite women.

- They also joined in worship to another god, Baal. God commands that these men be killed.

- 24,000 more people are lost in the plague.

- Eleazar makes atonement for the Israelites. This earns him and his descendants permanent priesthood.

- God demands that the Midianites be destroyed. Remember the Midianites from the story of Joseph.

New Testament

3. The census causes Joseph to take his family to Bethlehem.

- Mary gives birth to Jesus.

- The angel of the Lord appears to shepherds.

- At 8 days of age Jesus is circumcised.

4. Jesus is presented at the Temple.

- Simeon blesses them and make a prophecy about Jesus' future.

Psalm

5. "You are my strength"

6. "For you have been my refuge"

Proverbs

7. "Without wise leadership, a nation falls"

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