WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.180 Please turn with me in your Bibles to Exodus chapter 6. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:05.919 For those of you who are visiting or new, my name is Sean. 00:00:06.040 --> 00:00:07.919 I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:00:08.380 --> 00:00:13.160 It's my joy and privilege to preach God's Word to you this morning. 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:17.920 Happy Mother's Day to those mothers out there. 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:25.120 It's, I think, very appropriate that we are in a passage that is full of a genealogy, 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:32.780 which would not be possible without the sacrificial mothers who are raising their children. 00:00:33.100 --> 00:00:36.100 And I also recognize that on days like this, 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:40.219 there are many women who have wanted to get married and have kids and have not been able to, 00:00:40.380 --> 00:00:43.840 or maybe who are married and have tried to have kids but have been unable to. 00:00:44.400 --> 00:00:48.600 There are many women in our church who have gone through similar experiences 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:53.299 but now have children that you can talk to as well. 00:00:53.299 --> 00:00:57.339 And I wanted to encourage you with this from Genesis 30, 00:00:57.799 --> 00:01:00.719 where Leah and Rachel, who are married to Jacob, 00:01:01.079 --> 00:01:05.340 and Leah has child after child after child, and Rachel is barren. 00:01:06.019 --> 00:01:12.099 And it says in Genesis 30, verse 22, that then God remembered Rachel, 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:16.079 and God listened to her and opened her womb. 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:21.579 Just so if you're in that place, just know that God remembers you, God sees you. 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:25.280 And we would love to, as a church, to be able to pray for you as well. 00:01:25.739 --> 00:01:28.039 And we believe that God's the one who gives life. 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:29.239 He's the one who opens wombs. 00:01:29.379 --> 00:01:30.659 And we trust Him to do that again. 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:34.280 So if you'd like to do that, please talk to me or Matt. 00:01:34.359 --> 00:01:36.359 We really would love to, as a church, pray for you, 00:01:36.620 --> 00:01:39.459 put an oil on you, pray for you so that God would open your womb. 00:01:40.819 --> 00:01:45.180 Please, in your Bibles, turn with me to Exodus chapter 6, verses 10 to 30. 00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:48.000 And let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:48.060 Amen. 00:01:48.079 --> 00:01:48.159 Amen. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:48.200 Amen. 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:48.239 Amen. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:48.319 Amen. 00:01:51.579 --> 00:02:02.679 Heavenly Father, we believe that your Word is truth. 00:02:06.420 --> 00:02:10.300 And that your Word is breathed out by you. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:15.520 And that it is able to make us wise for salvation in Jesus Christ. 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:25.960 And we believe that even passages like this that seem to be flawless at times, 00:02:26.219 --> 00:02:35.120 or we wonder what its purpose is, Lord, we know that your Word is living and active, 00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:36.160 and it speaks to us. 00:02:36.980 --> 00:02:38.040 It points to Jesus. 00:02:38.039 --> 00:02:41.519 We pray that you would do that now. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:43.939 Address us in your Word. 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:48.340 Remind us of Christ, our great High Priest. 00:02:49.739 --> 00:02:51.519 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:51.799 --> 00:02:52.060 Amen. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:57.159 Exodus 6, verses 10 to 30. 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:01.979 So the Lord said to Moses, 00:03:01.979 --> 00:03:07.859 Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:10.019 But Moses said to the Lord, 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:13.979 Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. 00:03:14.359 --> 00:03:16.780 How then shall Pharaoh listen to me? 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:20.139 For I am of uncircumcised lips. 00:03:20.139 --> 00:03:26.279 But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel 00:03:26.279 --> 00:03:31.719 and about Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 00:03:33.059 --> 00:03:35.599 These are the heads of their father's houses. 00:03:36.179 --> 00:03:38.339 The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:41.359 Hanak, Palu, Hizron, and Carmi. 00:03:41.839 --> 00:03:43.179 These are the clans of Reuben. 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:49.719 The sons of Simeon, Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul. 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:51.400 The son of a Canaanite woman. 00:03:52.300 --> 00:03:53.599 These are the clans of Simeon. 00:03:54.680 --> 00:03:57.659 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations. 00:03:58.159 --> 00:03:59.979 Gershon, Kohath, and Morari. 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:03.500 The years of the life of Levi being 137 years. 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:07.280 The sons of Gershon, Libni, and Shimei by their clans. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:11.639 The sons of Kohath, Emram, Izar, Hebron, and Uziel. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:14.900 The years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:18.300 The sons of Morari, Mali, and Mushi. 00:04:18.840 --> 00:04:21.500 These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:25.680 Emram took as his wife Jochebed, his father's sister. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:27.879 And she bore him Aaron and Moses. 00:04:28.520 --> 00:04:31.699 The years of the life of Emram being 137 years. 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:36.000 The sons of Izar, Korah, Nepheg, and Zikri. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:40.420 The sons of Uziel, Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 00:04:41.479 --> 00:04:46.240 Aaron took as his wife Elishabah, the daughter of Aminadab, and the sister of Nashon. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:50.680 And she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eliezer, and Ithamar. 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:55.560 The sons of Korah, Asir, Elkanah, and Abiaseth. 00:04:56.220 --> 00:04:57.959 These are the clans of the Korahites. 00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:02.900 Eliezer, Aaron's son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel. 00:05:03.340 --> 00:05:05.160 And she bore him Phinehas. 00:05:05.960 --> 00:05:09.620 These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites by their clans. 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:14.860 These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:18.699 Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts. 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:22.019 It was they who spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:24.340 about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:27.259 This Moses and this Aaron. 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:31.920 On the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:33.540 the Lord said to Moses, 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:35.259 I am the Lord. 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:38.439 Tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, all that I say to you. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:40.480 But Moses said to the Lord, 00:05:40.939 --> 00:05:43.819 Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:46.540 How will Pharaoh listen to me? 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:49.719 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:56.519 When Moses told Israel about God's promise to deliver them from their slavery in Egypt, 00:05:56.659 --> 00:06:02.800 the people of Israel were so discouraged after Pharaoh's refusal and ongoing oppression 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:05.240 that they did not listen to him. 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:07.879 Remember what it said in Exodus 6 verse 9. 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:12.540 They did not listen to Moses because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:16.459 They've been oppressed and disappointed for so long. 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:18.159 Their spirit was broken. 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:19.699 Their courage failed. 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:21.319 Their faith failed. 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:23.560 They were downtrodden. 00:06:24.839 --> 00:06:27.740 And notice what God doesn't do here. 00:06:28.860 --> 00:06:34.819 He does not turn around and rebuke the Israelites for their broken spirit. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:41.540 He knows that their reason for not listening to Moses here is not because of their stiff-necked pride, 00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:43.800 as it often is throughout their journey in the wilderness, 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:47.699 but because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:52.699 So God now turns his attention elsewhere. 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:53.719 He says in verse 10, 00:06:53.720 --> 00:07:05.540 God's done addressing Israel now. 00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:08.180 His business is now with Pharaoh, 00:07:08.880 --> 00:07:12.380 the man who is responsible for his people's crushed spirit, 00:07:12.380 --> 00:07:16.100 the man who is responsible for their harsh slavery, 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:20.620 the man who is responsible for crushing the spirit of Israel. 00:07:20.820 --> 00:07:24.720 And the Lord now turns his face in judgment against Pharaoh. 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:28.620 But it says in verse 12, 00:07:29.440 --> 00:07:30.460 Moses said to the Lord, 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:33.400 Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. 00:07:33.900 --> 00:07:35.820 How then shall Pharaoh listen to me? 00:07:35.900 --> 00:07:38.340 For I am of uncircumcised lips. 00:07:39.380 --> 00:07:41.360 But the Lord's resolve. 00:07:41.640 --> 00:07:43.440 We see that in verse 13, 00:07:43.520 --> 00:07:44.280 he is resolute. 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:46.420 But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:48.560 and gave them a charge about the people of Israel 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:49.940 and about Pharaoh, king of Egypt, 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:53.940 to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 00:07:53.939 --> 00:07:57.519 God just politely ignores Moses' objection 00:07:57.519 --> 00:08:00.660 and says, charge forward, press forward, 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:02.579 because my business is now with Pharaoh. 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:05.079 No one will deter the Lord 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:08.639 from his resolve to bring out Israel from their slavery. 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:11.000 As it says in Numbers 23, 19, 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:13.319 God is not man that he should lie 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:15.560 or a son of man that he should change his mind. 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:18.139 Has he said and will he not do it? 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:20.779 Or has he spoken and will he not fulfill it? 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:22.879 Now the Lord will act 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:26.459 and now the Lord will bring the ten plagues upon Egypt. 00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:28.719 Now the prelude is over 00:08:28.719 --> 00:08:31.019 and the main event is about to begin. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:36.620 And it's precisely at this moment of great anticipation 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:38.679 and climactic confrontation 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:43.659 that Moses inserts a genealogy. 00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:48.699 The narrative resumes in verse 26, 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:53.139 but verses 14 to 25 is all a genealogy. 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:54.360 And at first glance, 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:57.379 the timing and the placement of this genealogy 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:59.379 seems a bit odd. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:01.360 What is going on here? 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:05.259 You could have told us about Moses and Aaron, 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:07.639 their genealogy at the beginning of the book, 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:08.839 like some of the other books do. 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:10.399 Why here? 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:13.759 The purpose of including the genealogy here 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:16.480 isn't just to keep a detailed record 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:18.200 of Israel's family tree 00:09:18.200 --> 00:09:19.440 for all the tribes of Israel. 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:22.220 We can tell for several reasons. 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:25.060 It only covers the first three tribes of Israel, 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:25.680 if you notice, 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:27.139 Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:29.780 It's the intention of this genealogy 00:09:29.780 --> 00:09:31.720 is not to keep a comprehensive record. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:33.960 And it seems to cover Reuben and Simeon 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:35.480 only to get to the third tribe, Levi, 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:37.820 which is where the rest of the genealogy is camped. 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:39.300 It's focused on the tribe of Levi. 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:42.740 Two, we know that it doesn't mention, 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:44.320 it's an incomplete genealogy 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:45.740 because there are many details 00:09:45.740 --> 00:09:47.260 that are omitted in this genealogy. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:47.760 For example, 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:49.560 it doesn't mention any of the sons of Moses. 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:52.780 And it doesn't mention Moses and Aaron's sister Miriam, 00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:54.560 even though she has a prominent role to play 00:09:54.560 --> 00:09:55.540 in the rest of the book. 00:09:56.460 --> 00:10:00.400 So that shows us that this genealogy is telescoped. 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:01.760 It's compressed. 00:10:02.560 --> 00:10:06.000 Because according to Numbers 339 as well, 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:07.040 soon after the Exodus, 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:09.860 it said all the males from a month old and upward 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:13.379 within the tribe of Levi numbered 22,000. 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:15.419 This is shortly after the Exodus. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:18.759 There's far fewer than 22,000 people 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:20.019 named here in this genealogy. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:22.099 It's not intended to be exhaustive. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:24.399 So all these things show us 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:25.799 that the goal of this genealogy 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:27.659 is not to be comprehensive, 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:30.319 but to aid understanding, 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:34.379 to convey a theological point. 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:37.960 What point is Moses trying to drive home? 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:38.799 To figure that out, 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:40.820 we need to look at this passage much more closely. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:44.919 First, look at both verse 16 and verse 19. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:46.500 They both contain the phrase, 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:49.000 according to their generations. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:52.360 If you're with us for our sermon series 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.179 in the book of Genesis, 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:56.419 you know that that echoes of a recurring phrase, 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:58.980 the organizing phrase in the book of Genesis, 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.080 which says, 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.940 these are the generations of Adam, 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.600 these are the generations of Noah, 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:05.179 these are the generations of Shem, 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:07.639 Terah, Ishmael, Isaac, Esau, 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:09.320 Jacob, and so on. 00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:11.640 So for readers who are familiar 00:11:11.640 --> 00:11:14.620 with the first five books of the Bible 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:15.379 written by Moses, 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:17.600 that's a key word, generations. 00:11:18.540 --> 00:11:19.740 And immediately then, 00:11:19.920 --> 00:11:23.700 this genealogy connects this history 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:26.180 of the Exodus and Moses and Aaron 00:11:26.180 --> 00:11:29.500 to what God had promised to his people, 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:32.280 his chosen patriarchs years ago, 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:33.280 hundreds of years ago. 00:11:33.760 --> 00:11:36.120 So it's showing us that God's covenant promises 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:37.560 that he made first to Abraham 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:39.019 and then to Jacob, 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:40.559 to Isaac and Jacob, 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:42.000 it's all coming true. 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:45.199 And there are a couple other notable features 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:46.019 in this genealogy. 00:11:46.119 --> 00:11:48.159 There are only three people in this genealogy 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:49.699 whose lifespans are noted. 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:51.379 So look at verse 16. 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:51.659 It says, 00:11:51.739 --> 00:11:53.319 Levi lived till 137. 00:11:53.719 --> 00:11:54.659 Verse 18 says, 00:11:54.739 --> 00:11:56.479 Kohath lived until 133. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:57.699 Verse 20 says, 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:00.039 Amram lived till 137. 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:03.479 There are also only three people in this genealogy 00:12:03.479 --> 00:12:05.939 whose wives are specifically named, 00:12:06.699 --> 00:12:07.000 mentioned. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:10.100 And they are Amram who married Jochebed, 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:11.899 Aaron who married Elisheba, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:16.220 and Elisir who married one of the daughters of Putiel 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:17.500 who bore him Phinehas. 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:21.019 So by providing these additional details, 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:24.740 Moses is highlighting those specific individuals for us 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:26.519 in this genealogy. 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:29.899 He's highlighting their genealogical line. 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:33.419 And I think the reason why he doesn't give the lifespans 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:35.240 of the latter three characters 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.439 is because they're still alive 00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:38.100 at the time of writing. 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:40.120 And so if you trace the line 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:41.639 from the people that are highlighted, 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:43.740 from Levi to people that have their ages, 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:44.919 their lifespans listed, 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.860 to people who have their wives mentioned, 00:12:47.319 --> 00:12:50.199 this line goes through six men. 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:52.919 It's the only one that's traced down that far. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.740 It goes from Levi to Phinehas. 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:57.259 So that's the focal point of this genealogy. 00:12:57.779 --> 00:13:00.980 And smack dab in the middle of that genealogy is Aaron. 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:04.320 It's bringing our attention to Aaron. 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:08.120 Once we notice that Aaron is being highlighted, 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:08.879 okay, that's great. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:09.759 Now you guys can see that. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:13.240 Once we recognize that Aaron is being highlighted here, 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:15.200 we notice another interesting detail. 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:18.240 Even though Moses is the central character 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.480 in the Exodus narrative, 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:21.740 here the focus is more on Aaron than Moses. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:25.140 Moses' line is not traced all the way down. 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:27.020 In fact, his sons are not even mentioned. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:29.440 But Aaron's line is traced down. 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:33.040 And verse 20 says that Amram took as his wife, 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:34.500 Jochebed, his father's sister, 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:37.300 and he bore him Aaron and Moses. 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:41.080 It mentions Aaron first, then Moses. 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.200 Same thing in verse 26. 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:43.220 It says, 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:45.300 These are the Aaron and Moses, 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:46.379 to whom the Lord said, 00:13:46.640 --> 00:13:49.120 Bring the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts. 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:52.040 We can explain the first instance 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:53.820 by saying that Aaron is only mentioned first 00:13:53.820 --> 00:13:56.060 because he was born first in its genealogy. 00:13:56.520 --> 00:13:59.480 But verse 26 is not part of the genealogy, 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:02.379 yet Aaron's name is still mentioned before Moses. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:05.440 There's an intentional emphasis here on Aaron. 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.640 And that stands out all the more 00:14:07.640 --> 00:14:09.400 because in the rest of Exodus, 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:11.960 whenever the pair is mentioned together, 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:12.660 Moses and Aaron, 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:14.980 Moses is always mentioned first, 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.360 29 times total. 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:20.120 Only in this passage is Aaron mentioned first. 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:23.900 So the focus on Aaron is confirmed 00:14:23.900 --> 00:14:27.960 further by the way the genealogy is framed. 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:30.460 I know this is getting a little detailed, 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:32.820 but it's the only way we can understand this passage 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.500 and learn from it. 00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:35.240 So thank you for being patient 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.420 and being attentive through it. 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:38.019 Look at verses 10 to 13 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:40.039 and verses 26 to 29. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:45.139 Verses 26 to 29 essentially repeat verses 10 to 13. 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.819 In fact, if you pay close attention, 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:50.539 you can actually see that the entire passage 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:53.719 has this framing structure 00:14:53.719 --> 00:14:56.219 with the content of the first half 00:14:56.219 --> 00:14:58.620 being mirrored in the content of the second half. 00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:01.720 This literary structure is called a chiasm. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.460 And it has the effect of honing in 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:06.779 on what's in the middle of the matching elements. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:09.120 And here, that center of the chiasm 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.159 is the birth of Aaron and Moses 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:13.360 with emphasis on Aaron in particular. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.919 So I have a... 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:15.500 Can you guys... 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.500 I probably can't read that 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.259 because it's too fine. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:17.840 But basically, 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:19.659 there are matching elements in the chiasm. 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.299 In the beginning, 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.080 it says, 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:22.800 The Lord commands Moses to tell Pharaoh 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:23.660 to let Israel go. 00:15:23.780 --> 00:15:24.900 And Moses gives the excuse 00:15:24.900 --> 00:15:26.300 that he has uncircumcised lips 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:27.280 in verses 10 to 12. 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.879 The exact same thing happens 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.040 in verses 28 to 30. 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.620 And then the Lord commands Moses and Aaron 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:34.639 to bring Israel out of Egypt in verse 13. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.520 And the exact same thing happens 00:15:36.520 --> 00:15:38.000 in verse 26 to 27. 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.580 And then it says, 00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:41.960 in the first half of genealogy, 00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:42.200 it says, 00:15:42.280 --> 00:15:44.060 These are the heads of the fathers' houses. 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:48.000 And the same formula is referred to in 20 to 25. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.980 These are the heads of the fathers' houses. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:53.159 And Levi has a 137-year lifespan. 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:55.360 Amram has a 137-year lifespan. 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:58.379 Both of their two brothers are mentioned 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.899 and their divisions... 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:01.120 So the Levitical tribe, 00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:02.440 what's highlighted is the three divisions 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.600 of the Levitical tribe. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.860 And when it comes to the line of Aaron, 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:08.539 it's the three sons of the high priests 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.620 that are highlighted. 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:12.100 And then that leaves the lone element 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:13.800 that stands alone in verse 20, 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.720 birth of Aaron and Moses. 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:18.860 So everything is being honed into that. 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.340 And this framing structure 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:22.720 is the key to unlocking the passage's meaning. 00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:27.779 I told you that they both speak of the fact 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:30.399 that Moses objects to God's plan, 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:30.680 saying, 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:32.300 I have uncircumcised lips. 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:35.220 I can't speak to Pharaoh. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.300 And that's similar. 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.700 It's more graphic 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:39.940 because obviously you don't circumcise your mouth. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:42.480 But he's saying basically he feels unfit. 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:43.740 He feels excluded. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:47.899 He feels like that's not his place. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.960 He doesn't quite belong there. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.500 He can't address Pharaoh. 00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:52.980 For the same reason he gave in chapter 4, verse 10, 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:55.379 Oh my Lord, I am not eloquent. 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:57.519 I am slow of speech and of tongue. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.060 That's basically what Moses is saying. 00:16:59.180 --> 00:17:01.759 I have uncircumcised lips. 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:04.319 And from a human standpoint, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.180 it's something... 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.480 We could be sympathetic to Moses. 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.880 We can understand his objection 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:12.220 because the people of Israel didn't listen to him 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.900 because of their broken spirit. 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.880 Then why should Pharaoh, 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:18.660 one of the most powerful men in the ancient world, 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.800 listen to him? 00:17:20.820 --> 00:17:24.180 When Moses' own people would not listen to him, 00:17:25.080 --> 00:17:26.660 why would a foreign king 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:28.880 who has no kinship or loyalty 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:31.460 or any kind of obligation whatsoever to Moses 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.160 listen to him? 00:17:33.280 --> 00:17:36.880 When the slaves of Egypt would not listen to him, 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:41.400 why would the king of Egypt listen to Moses? 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:44.300 Moses is no eloquent orator 00:17:44.300 --> 00:17:46.340 who can command the attention of his audience. 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.980 He is slow of speech and of tongue. 00:17:48.060 --> 00:17:49.340 He has uncircumcised lips. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.060 I think we all know, 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.560 we've all been in a situation, 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:55.520 and we know how much it tests our patience 00:17:55.520 --> 00:17:58.280 to listen to a bad public speaker. 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:01.280 Imagine a lecturer or a professor 00:18:01.280 --> 00:18:04.500 who just drones on and on in monotone voice, 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:07.519 who loses his place in his speech 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:10.519 and pauses for a really long time, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.740 awkward spots, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:14.980 and constantly stopping and starting again. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:17.759 No matter how brilliant that professor is 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:21.180 and no matter how important he or she might be, 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:24.180 that he could be a Nobel laureate for all we care, 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:26.279 it takes an incredible amount of patience 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.599 to listen to someone like that. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:33.439 But Pharaoh has no reason 00:18:33.439 --> 00:18:36.299 to show that kind of patience to Moses. 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.299 So Moses knows this, 00:18:39.459 --> 00:18:40.039 knows this, 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:42.059 and so he wants out. 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:44.000 This is his letter of resignation. 00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:44.980 God, I quit. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.500 I don't want anything to do 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.539 with having to talk to Pharaoh. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:52.399 But Moses' objection, as we know, 00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:54.419 is only sensible from a human standpoint. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:57.720 It makes no sense from a divine standpoint. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:01.000 Remember what God said to Moses in chapter 4, 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:03.140 who has made man's mouth? 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:06.620 Who makes him mute or deaf or seeing or blind? 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:08.120 Is it not I, the Lord? 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.920 Now therefore go, 00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:12.560 and I will be with your mouth 00:19:12.560 --> 00:19:14.820 and teach you what you shall speak. 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.980 In Numbers 22, 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:19.480 God makes Balaam's donkey speak. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:22.740 Can he not then help Moses to speak? 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:24.339 Of course. 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:27.720 But Moses' faith in God 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:30.420 isn't strong at this point. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.579 And God, 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:33.420 even though he was rightly angry at Moses 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:35.000 for thinking so little of him, 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:37.680 he is nonetheless so gracious to Moses 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.799 to provide Aaron. 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:42.660 This is how God responded to Moses 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:44.400 in chapter 4, verses 14 to 16. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:46.480 Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite? 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.799 I know that he can speak well. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.799 Behold, he is coming out to meet you, 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:53.000 and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.359 You shall speak to him 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.639 and put the words in his mouth, 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:57.259 and I will be with your mouth 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.299 and with his mouth 00:19:58.299 --> 00:20:00.079 and will teach you both what to do. 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:03.419 He shall speak for you to the people, 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:05.419 and he shall be your mouth, 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:07.139 and you shall be as God to him. 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.339 It's that promise 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:11.480 that's now being fulfilled in this passage. 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:14.319 God has graciously accommodated Moses 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:16.419 by providing Aaron to be his spokesperson, 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:19.940 to be a priest and a prophet for him, 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:23.480 to intercede on his behalf before Pharaoh, 00:20:23.800 --> 00:20:25.640 to speak to Pharaoh in his stead. 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:30.259 God chose Aaron specifically for this role, 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:32.560 and that's why Aaron is the focal point 00:20:32.560 --> 00:20:33.720 of this passage. 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:37.840 And this selection of Aaron also explains 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:40.539 why later on in the first five books of the Bible, 00:20:41.300 --> 00:20:42.820 it's Aaron and his sons 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:44.180 that are chosen for the priesthood. 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:47.299 And that's why it's also the tribe of Levi 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:49.340 that is chosen to assist the priest 00:20:49.340 --> 00:20:51.039 with work in and around the tabernacle 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.980 and later in the temple. 00:20:53.580 --> 00:20:55.400 Aaron's genealogy is a preview, 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:57.680 and it provides the rationale 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:01.180 for the Aaronic Levitical priesthood. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.860 So the first half of the genealogy 00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:05.160 in verses 14 to 19, 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.519 it begins with the clause, 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:09.299 these are the heads of the father's houses, 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:11.500 and it gives the name of Levi's three sons, 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:13.160 Gershon, Kohath, and Mirari. 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:17.259 So these three are the heads of the divisions 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.360 within the tribe of Levi 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.600 that will lead God's people 00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:22.259 and will take care of the tabernacle, 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:23.100 the tent of God. 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.920 So they will be called Gershonites, 00:21:25.060 --> 00:21:26.200 Kohathites, and Mirarites 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.960 in Numbers 3 to 4. 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:30.360 And this is probably why, 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:32.500 also when Aaron was first introduced to us 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.240 in chapter 4, 00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:35.980 he is specifically called a Levite. 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:38.160 According to Exodus 32, 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.960 when the Israelites made a golden calf 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:43.220 and worshipped the idol as God 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.660 during Moses' long absence, 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:48.040 the Levites remained loyal to Yahweh. 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:51.180 They chose the Lord over their fellow Israelites, 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:54.120 and they purged Israel of the idolaters. 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.400 And for that reason, 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:58.420 Moses said to the Levites in Exodus 32, 29, 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:00.300 today you have been ordained 00:22:00.300 --> 00:22:01.620 for the service of the Lord, 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:03.620 each one at the cost of his son 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.220 and of his brother, 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:07.259 so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day. 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:09.560 So the Levites from that point on 00:22:09.560 --> 00:22:11.620 were consecrated for service to the Lord 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:13.080 in and around the temple, 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.519 assisting Aaron and his sons, 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:15.200 the high priests. 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:17.480 And so by emphasizing 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:19.580 the Levitical heritage of Aaron here, 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:21.640 Moses is bolstering the credibility 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:23.460 of the Levites in their priestly role. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:25.400 Here's why I've set the Levites apart. 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:28.779 Aaron, Moses come from the tribe of Levi. 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:31.120 And it's this Aaron and this Moses 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:32.920 that God chose to use 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:34.620 to deliver Israel from Egypt, 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.559 to speak to Pharaoh. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.740 Similarly, the second half of the genealogy, 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.840 verses 20 to 25, 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:42.259 tells us about Amram. 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:44.720 Amram and how he had three generations of sons 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:47.759 after him, Aaron, Eliezer, and Phinehas. 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:51.700 And they all serve as high priests 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:53.720 of the Lord for Israel. 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:57.079 So this section provides a preview of that as well 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:59.160 and a justification for Aaron's descendants 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.460 serving as priests. 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:03.740 It's because God chose Aaron alongside Moses 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:05.220 to serve the priestly function 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:08.519 of representing God's people to God, 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:11.279 as well as the prophetic function 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:13.980 of speaking for God to God's people. 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:16.480 And that's why it's fitting for Aaron's descendants 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.799 to follow that tradition 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:20.440 to serve as priests of the nation of Israel. 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:23.779 The genealogy concludes with Phinehas, 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:25.079 which is also significant. 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:27.000 In Numbers 25, 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.640 where the Israelites, 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.420 it says, 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:31.039 whore after Moabite woman, 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:33.579 and they begin to worship their idols, 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.819 their false gods. 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:37.779 And when a plague breaks out as a result of that, 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:40.240 it's Phinehas who stays God's judgment 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:42.680 by making atonement for the people of Israel. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.660 And after that incident, 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:47.980 God says concerning Phinehas in Numbers 25, 11 to 13, 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.860 Phinehas, 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.860 the son of Eliezer, 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:51.200 the son of Aaron the priest, 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:53.880 has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:57.100 in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:59.380 so that I did not consume the people of Israel 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:00.180 in my jealousy. 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.700 Therefore say, 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.220 behold, 00:24:02.320 --> 00:24:04.200 I give to him my covenant of peace, 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.640 and it shall be to him 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:07.160 and to his descendants after him 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:09.360 the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:11.980 because he was jealous for his God 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:15.220 and made atonement for the people of Israel. 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:17.940 So by noting three generations 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:19.799 of the Aaronic high priests here, 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:22.039 Moses is also bolstering their credibility 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:25.779 that they are indeed the descendants of this Aaron, 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.960 the very Aaron who confronted Pharaoh 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:29.799 on behalf of the Israelites and delivered them. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.900 They are the ones whom God chose 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:34.099 to serve as priests for Israel. 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:37.759 And why is it so important to note 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.099 and to support, 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:42.279 add this kind of additional support 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.319 for Moses and Aaron, 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.459 and Aaron in particular? 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:47.339 It's necessary because Israelites, 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.639 as we'll find out, 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:51.219 are prone to grumble against God 00:24:51.219 --> 00:24:53.639 and prone to rebel against their leaders. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:56.839 If you look at verse 21, 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:58.039 it names Korah, 00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:00.039 one of Esar's sons. 00:25:00.699 --> 00:25:02.359 So Korah is Aaron's cousin. 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:06.599 If you're familiar with the Bible, 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:08.359 you'll recognize the name Korah 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:09.579 from number 16. 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:14.299 Korah is the man who gathers 250 chiefs 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.079 of the congregation, 00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:16.339 well-known men, 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:18.799 and then rebels against Moses 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:20.259 and against Aaron, 00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:21.379 saying to them, 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:23.419 you have gone too far, 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:26.659 for all in the congregation are holy. 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.119 All, everyone is holy. 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:30.259 And the Lord is among them. 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:33.119 Why then do you exalt yourselves 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:34.779 above the assembly of the Lord? 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.879 Korah is not wrong 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:39.400 in what he is saying. 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.700 The Lord is among 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:43.720 the entire congregation of Israel. 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:45.339 And he did promise them 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.619 in Exodus 19, 6, 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.759 you shall be to me 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:49.019 a kingdom of priests 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:50.500 and a holy nation. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.480 So all Israel is holy. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.279 And in a sense, 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.900 there is a priesthood of all believers. 00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:55.859 Everyone is, 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.879 in some sense, 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:58.779 part of the kingdom of priests. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:00.359 However, 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:02.339 that does not mean 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:03.680 that there are no 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.779 divinely sanctioned, 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.980 duly appointed leaders 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.339 in the nation of Israel. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.960 So Moses responds to them, 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.539 hear now, 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.480 you sons of Levi, 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.119 is it too small 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:15.859 a thing for you 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.799 that the God of Israel 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.819 has separated you 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.160 from the congregation of Israel 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:21.000 to bring you near to himself 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.819 to do service 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:23.119 in the tabernacle of the Lord 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.379 and to stand before 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.099 the congregation 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:26.420 to minister to them 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:28.140 and that he has brought you 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:28.740 near him 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.779 and all your brothers, 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.000 the sons of Levi, 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.720 with you? 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:33.320 And would you seek 00:26:33.320 --> 00:26:34.660 the priesthood also? 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.279 Therefore, 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.840 it is against the Lord 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:39.320 that you and all your company 00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:40.160 have gathered together. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.480 What is Aaron? 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:43.400 That you grumble against him. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:46.420 So from Moses' response, 00:26:46.600 --> 00:26:47.440 we can infer that 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:49.140 Korah and his prominent men 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:50.680 were grumbling against Aaron 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.360 in particular. 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:53.059 And they were leveraging 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.159 their special status 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:55.179 as Levites, 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.240 as assistants 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.519 in and around the tabernacle 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.740 to make their case. 00:26:59.199 --> 00:27:00.319 Why do you, Aaron, 00:27:01.219 --> 00:27:02.539 get to serve as high priest? 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:04.919 Why do your sons 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:06.799 get that privilege after you? 00:27:07.219 --> 00:27:08.740 I am a Levite also. 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:11.659 My father is your father's brother. 00:27:12.459 --> 00:27:14.000 What makes you so special? 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.759 But God responds 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:19.299 by reaffirming Aaron's role 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.479 as high priest 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:22.220 and consuming Korah 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.940 and his companions. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:26.339 This genealogy makes 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.400 that clear distinction. 00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:29.640 Yes, Korah was a Levite 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:31.240 and there are many other Levites, 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.039 but it was Aaron 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:33.240 and his line 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.279 that God chose 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.680 to minister as priests. 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:39.160 The people whom God chose 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.519 as leaders over Israel 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.440 were not perfect 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.240 by any means. 00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:43.860 Aaron himself 00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:45.160 was not without 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:46.180 his sins and faults. 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.940 He abets Israel 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.960 in their idolatry 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.059 and helps them 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:52.059 craft a golden calf 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:54.160 in Numbers 12. 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:57.220 Aaron himself grumbles 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.940 and slanders Moses 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.799 on account of his 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:01.440 non-Jewish Cushite wife. 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:04.620 Aaron was not perfect 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.740 by any means, 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.940 but he was nonetheless 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.860 a high priest 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:10.740 appointed by the Lord God. 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:13.940 So when Korah rebelled 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.680 against Aaron, 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.660 Moses told Korah, 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.980 it's against the Lord 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.779 that you and all your company 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.460 have gathered together 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.180 because the Lord 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.960 appointed him. 00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:24.680 God takes the leaders 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.480 that he appoints 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.720 seriously. 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:29.259 And this is applicable 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:30.500 in our context as well. 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.779 In 2 Timothy 2, 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.640 14 to 19, 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.500 Paul mentions 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:35.099 Hymenaeus and Philetus 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:36.359 who were false teachers 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:38.279 who were sowing discord 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.699 and undermining 00:28:39.699 --> 00:28:40.819 the ministry of Timothy 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.439 in Ephesus. 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.939 And Paul comforts Timothy 00:28:43.939 --> 00:28:44.859 by alluding 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:46.379 to this very instance 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:47.039 of Korah 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.639 and his rebellion 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.419 against Aaron. 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.679 And this is how 00:28:49.679 --> 00:28:50.759 he reassures him. 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:52.079 The Lord knows 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.079 those who are his. 00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:55.059 Let everyone 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.919 who names the name 00:28:55.919 --> 00:28:56.279 of the Lord 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.399 depart from iniquity. 00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.919 The Lord cares 00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:00.699 that his servants 00:29:00.699 --> 00:29:01.459 are esteemed 00:29:01.459 --> 00:29:02.539 and listened to 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:04.319 because they represent him. 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:07.019 I thought it was 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.539 very appropriate 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.720 that this came up today 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.700 because we had 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:11.179 the joy of ordaining Matt 00:29:11.179 --> 00:29:12.519 into pastoral ministry 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.379 this past week. 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.480 And he will be filling in 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:17.379 for me in a lot of capacities 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:19.019 as I'm gone on vacation 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.019 over the next few weeks. 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.500 And I want to ask 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.259 all of you 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.579 in the same way 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.700 that Paul asked 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:26.039 the Thessalonian church 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.679 in 1 Thessalonians 1, 12 00:29:27.679 --> 00:29:29.200 to respect those 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:30.119 who labor among you 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.879 and are over you 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.359 in the Lord 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.599 and admonish you 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:34.240 and to esteem them 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.339 very highly in love 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:37.199 because of their work. 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:40.119 Not because 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:41.819 the elders are perfect 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:44.819 but because 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.819 the Lord appointed them. 00:29:47.959 --> 00:29:48.879 According to him, 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.539 according to Matt, 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:50.500 the same respect 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.459 and esteem and love 00:29:51.459 --> 00:29:52.179 that you've shown 00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:52.959 to me 00:29:52.959 --> 00:29:53.859 and you poured out 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.679 to me. 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:58.399 Moses was fearful 00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:59.579 about addressing Pharaoh 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:02.240 so God graciously appointed Aaron 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.339 to be his spokesperson. 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.980 Aaron interceded 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:06.199 on behalf of Moses. 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:07.799 He spoke for Moses 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:09.259 to make up for Moses' 00:30:09.419 --> 00:30:10.279 weakness in speaking. 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.199 And when you lack 00:30:12.199 --> 00:30:12.960 the qualifications 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.919 to approach 00:30:13.919 --> 00:30:14.399 and address 00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:15.259 a powerful ruler, 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.519 we also need 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:18.480 an advocate, 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.980 an intercessor, 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.460 a mediator, 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:23.319 a priest. 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:26.220 If Moses needed Aaron 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.299 when speaking to Pharaoh, 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:28.220 a mere mortal, 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.960 how much more 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:31.019 do we need 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.799 an intercessor 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.480 when speaking 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:34.279 with Almighty God, 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.720 the King of Kings, 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:38.059 the Lord of Lords? 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:40.539 This is the most important 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.759 role that Aaron had 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.759 as high priest of Israel. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.859 Priests in those days 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:45.119 were fully devoted to God 00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:46.079 so they were not given 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.500 a piece of the promised land 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.000 like the rest 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.419 of the tribes of Israel. 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:51.220 The rest of the tribes 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.460 of Israel worked the land, 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.299 farmed the land, 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:55.359 to get provisions for them, 00:30:55.439 --> 00:30:55.879 but instead, 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:58.019 Levi and the priests 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.919 were to be fully devoted 00:30:58.919 --> 00:30:59.799 to the service of God 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.539 in the tabernacle. 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.099 So they were charged 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:02.899 with enforcing 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:03.879 the worship of God 00:31:03.879 --> 00:31:05.799 and with making sacrifices 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.539 to atone 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.779 for the sins 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.980 of God's people. 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.919 They were the priests 00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:11.960 that interceded 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.659 before God 00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:13.819 on behalf 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:15.179 of God's people 00:31:15.179 --> 00:31:16.079 and it was only 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.099 because of them 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:18.700 that God's people 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.659 could approach 00:31:19.659 --> 00:31:21.179 God in worship. 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:24.039 only because of them 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.840 that their sins 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:25.740 could be atoned for. 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.740 But despite this 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.060 all-important work, 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:32.320 the priests of Israel 00:31:32.320 --> 00:31:33.620 left much to be desired. 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.460 As Hebrews 7, 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.960 23 to 28 point out, 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:39.460 God appointed men 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.580 in their weakness 00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:41.500 as high priests. 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:44.120 They were many in number 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:45.340 because they were prevented 00:31:45.340 --> 00:31:46.019 by death 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:47.160 from continuing in office. 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.640 These high priests 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.380 were mortal. 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:50.759 So they could not 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.820 provide permanent, 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:53.460 unbroken intercession 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.860 on behalf of God's people. 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.000 Moreover, 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.740 they were still sinful. 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.500 So it says in Hebrews again 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.160 that they were required 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:02.180 to offer sacrifices daily 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:03.759 first for their own sins 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.780 and then for the sins 00:32:04.780 --> 00:32:05.640 of those people. 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:09.160 Look at the genealogy again. 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.060 Look at verse 23. 00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:11.880 It names Aaron's sons, 00:32:12.080 --> 00:32:13.259 Nadab and Abihu. 00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:15.540 Their names 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:17.779 are a stark reminder 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:19.279 of the occupational hazards 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:19.899 of priesthood 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:22.039 because in Leviticus 10, 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:22.639 1 to 2, 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.039 it says, 00:32:23.359 --> 00:32:24.639 Now Nadab and Abihu, 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.680 the sons of Aaron, 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.819 each took his censer 00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:27.680 and put fire in it 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.779 and laid incense on it 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:31.200 and offered unauthorized fire 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.980 before the Lord, 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:33.859 which he had not commanded them. 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:35.819 And fire came out 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:36.659 from before the Lord 00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:37.599 and consumed them, 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:39.099 and they died before the Lord. 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:43.200 Ministering before a holy God 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:45.600 comes with occupational hazards 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:48.460 because God cannot be trifled with, 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:51.420 his commands cannot be taken lightly, 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:55.140 and he must be honored as holy. 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.640 So these priests 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:58.420 were themselves subject 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.319 to the frailties 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.720 and sinfulness of man. 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:02.220 They had to approach God 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.900 in the temple 00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:05.680 with fear and trembling. 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.140 In fact, 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:09.940 in Hebrews 10, 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.460 1 to 3, 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:10.940 it points out 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.840 that the sacrifices 00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:12.779 that the high priest 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:14.000 offered every year 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:15.059 on the Day of Atonement 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:17.600 served as a reminder for sin, 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.220 reminder of sins 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.920 every year 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.860 for it is impossible 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:21.920 for the blood of bulls 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.200 and ghosts to take away sins. 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:25.380 The sacrifice 00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.220 that the priest 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:27.400 worked hard to offer 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.039 ultimately 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:29.220 did not cleanse 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:29.860 God's people 00:33:29.860 --> 00:33:30.680 of their sins. 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:32.440 People remained conscious 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.200 of their sins. 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.539 They still could not enter 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:36.620 the most holy place of God, 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.720 the dwelling place of God 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:39.220 because of their impurities. 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:41.480 So then the sacrifices 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:43.319 served as a kind of exercise 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:44.940 that prefigured 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:46.140 the ultimate atonement 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.779 for sin 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:49.039 that Jesus would make. 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:51.360 Hebrews 7, 22 00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:52.160 says that Jesus 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:54.000 is the guarantor 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.059 of a better covenant 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:56.380 because he, 00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:57.360 unlike Aaron 00:33:57.360 --> 00:33:58.240 and his sons, 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:59.539 is without sin 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:01.200 and because he, 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.500 as the resurrected Lord, 00:34:02.620 --> 00:34:03.480 lives forever. 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.319 And even Levi, 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:06.380 he writes, 00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:08.220 the author of Hebrews writes, 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:10.000 within the loins of Abraham 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.719 paid homage 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:12.259 to priest king Melchizedek 00:34:12.259 --> 00:34:13.119 in Genesis 14. 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.480 And it says there 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.179 that Jesus, 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.259 in Hebrews 7, 00:34:16.339 --> 00:34:17.359 that Jesus is appointed 00:34:17.359 --> 00:34:18.279 high priest 00:34:18.279 --> 00:34:19.480 after the order 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.480 of Melchizedek 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:20.959 rather than 00:34:20.959 --> 00:34:22.239 the order of Aaron. 00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:25.039 So Jesus had 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:25.719 a better, 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.839 eternal priesthood. 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:30.299 Jesus does not need 00:34:30.299 --> 00:34:31.619 to make sacrifice 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:33.399 over and over again. 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:35.240 this is why 00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:36.119 when we come 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:36.980 to the Lord's 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:38.340 table 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.860 for communion, 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.780 for the Lord's supper, 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:42.340 we do not think of it 00:34:42.340 --> 00:34:42.960 or talk of it 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.960 as a sacrifice. 00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:46.059 There's some 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:47.420 denominations that do, 00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.139 but it's not 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:48.880 a sacrifice. 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.559 It's the Lord's table. 00:34:50.740 --> 00:34:51.280 It's not 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:52.440 an altar 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.920 where we offer up 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.320 the Lord 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:55.920 in sacrifice again 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:58.320 because Jesus 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.880 doesn't need 00:34:58.880 --> 00:35:00.320 to be sacrificed again. 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:01.720 It says in Hebrews 7, 27, 00:35:01.719 --> 00:35:03.159 Jesus did this once 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:04.059 for all 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:05.279 when he offered up himself. 00:35:06.279 --> 00:35:07.059 Hebrews 9, 12, 00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:07.939 Jesus entered 00:35:07.939 --> 00:35:09.359 once for all 00:35:09.359 --> 00:35:10.579 into the holy places, 00:35:11.179 --> 00:35:11.879 not by means 00:35:11.879 --> 00:35:12.299 of the blood 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:13.119 of goats and calves, 00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:13.579 but by means 00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.480 of his own blood, 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.599 thereby securing 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:16.619 an eternal redemption. 00:35:17.339 --> 00:35:18.119 Hebrews 10, 10, 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:18.759 it says we have 00:35:18.759 --> 00:35:19.619 been sanctified 00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:20.480 through the offering 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.039 of the body 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.919 of Jesus Christ 00:35:21.919 --> 00:35:24.059 once for all. 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.779 It is finished. 00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:27.579 So we come 00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.419 to the Lord's supper 00:35:28.419 --> 00:35:29.339 to celebrate 00:35:29.339 --> 00:35:30.539 what Jesus has 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.619 already accomplished 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:33.579 so that we can 00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:35.059 remember it, 00:35:35.819 --> 00:35:36.679 memorialize it, 00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:38.099 and so that the benefits 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.920 of what he has 00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.500 already accomplished 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.159 can be applied 00:35:40.159 --> 00:35:41.019 to us spiritually. 00:35:44.319 --> 00:35:45.940 As we read 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.819 in the call to worship 00:35:46.819 --> 00:35:47.719 and in the assurance 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.239 of pardon, 00:35:48.779 --> 00:35:50.639 we have a great 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.279 high priest 00:35:51.279 --> 00:35:51.819 who has passed 00:35:51.819 --> 00:35:52.420 through the heavens 00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:54.039 who is not unable 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.920 to sympathize 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.639 with our weaknesses 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:57.159 and he assures us 00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:57.819 that we will, 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.839 when we approach God, 00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:00.039 receive mercy 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:01.420 and find grace. 00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:05.800 Hebrews 7, 25 says 00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.840 Jesus is always 00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:07.860 making intercession 00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.500 for us. 00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:12.619 It's in the present tense. 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:14.559 God is presently 00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:16.099 and eternally 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:17.619 making intercession 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.940 for us. 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:21.000 yes, 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.960 you are right. 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.579 We are sinners 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:24.980 through and through. 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.340 Yes, 00:36:27.200 --> 00:36:27.880 you are right 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:29.079 that we do not deserve 00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:30.559 to approach God's throne 00:36:30.559 --> 00:36:31.559 lest we be consumed 00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:32.559 by his holiness. 00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:33.820 Yes, 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.460 you are right 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:36.019 that we should never hope 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:37.019 that the Lord 00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:38.400 would listen to us. 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:40.220 But the good news 00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:40.940 is that Jesus 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.340 is our great 00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.340 high priest. 00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.700 Jesus is, 00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:45.480 right now, 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.500 making intercession 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:46.980 for us 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.880 to his heavenly father 00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.960 so that we can 00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:50.079 approach God 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:51.300 and so that 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:52.780 we can have confidence 00:36:52.780 --> 00:36:53.760 to speak to God. 00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:56.219 First John 2, 1 says, 00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:57.380 if anyone sins, 00:36:57.539 --> 00:36:59.119 we have an advocate. 00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:00.740 Jesus is our advocate. 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:01.880 Do you know 00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:03.099 that each time you sin, 00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:04.619 every little sin 00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.360 that you commit, 00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:06.340 every great sin 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:07.059 you commit, 00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:08.159 our great high priest 00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:09.480 is advocating for you 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.159 at the right hand 00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:10.719 of the father. 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:11.880 Father, 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:14.059 I died for her sin. 00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:14.920 I died for her sin. 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:15.480 Father, 00:37:17.880 --> 00:37:19.880 I paid for that sin. 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.960 My righteousness 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:24.659 is on him. 00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:30.280 I don't know 00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:30.680 if some of you 00:37:30.680 --> 00:37:31.180 are like me, 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:32.300 but I have a 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:34.740 deeply sinful 00:37:34.740 --> 00:37:36.340 and prideful 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:38.280 self-centered tendency 00:37:38.280 --> 00:37:39.780 to minimize my own sins 00:37:39.780 --> 00:37:40.659 and make excuses 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:41.320 for myself 00:37:41.320 --> 00:37:44.720 because I can't 00:37:44.720 --> 00:37:47.580 bear the thought 00:37:47.580 --> 00:37:49.059 that I have to 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:51.000 deal with that, 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.420 that that's my problem 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.120 to be dealt with. 00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:55.200 But we don't have to do that, 00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:55.860 brothers and sisters. 00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:57.780 We don't have to 00:37:57.780 --> 00:37:58.519 minimize our sins. 00:37:58.600 --> 00:37:59.460 We don't have to make 00:37:59.460 --> 00:38:01.120 excuses for ourselves 00:38:01.120 --> 00:38:02.260 because we don't 00:38:02.260 --> 00:38:03.519 speak for ourselves. 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:06.280 Jesus speaks for us. 00:38:07.579 --> 00:38:09.280 He intercedes for us. 00:38:09.659 --> 00:38:10.659 He is our forgiveness. 00:38:10.900 --> 00:38:11.780 He is our redemption. 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.980 He is our salvation. 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:14.599 So let's not live 00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:15.619 like a people 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:16.659 who don't have a priest. 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:19.780 Let's not shrink 00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:20.780 in fear and shame 00:38:20.780 --> 00:38:21.579 like we don't have 00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.039 an advocate. 00:38:23.739 --> 00:38:24.880 We have a great 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:26.480 high priest in Jesus 00:38:26.480 --> 00:38:28.519 who is now interceding 00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:28.980 for us 00:38:28.980 --> 00:38:30.780 in the heavenly places. 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.259 Let's pray. 00:38:31.259 --> 00:38:31.300 Let's pray. 00:38:33.519 --> 00:38:45.900 Father, 00:38:46.139 --> 00:38:46.800 what freedom 00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:47.960 we have in Christ. 00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:50.699 What assurance, 00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:52.340 what strong assurance 00:38:52.340 --> 00:38:53.320 we have in Christ. 00:38:55.739 --> 00:38:57.159 We are not our own 00:38:57.159 --> 00:38:58.079 but belong to you. 00:39:00.259 --> 00:39:01.420 We do not speak 00:39:01.420 --> 00:39:02.099 for ourselves. 00:39:02.099 --> 00:39:03.699 Christ speaks for us. 00:39:05.159 --> 00:39:06.400 We thank you for that. 00:39:07.819 --> 00:39:08.839 And help us now 00:39:08.839 --> 00:39:09.900 to live in light 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:10.500 of that truth. 00:39:14.219 --> 00:39:15.480 Help us to boldly 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.259 approach your throne 00:39:16.259 --> 00:39:16.739 of grace. 00:39:18.819 --> 00:39:20.000 Help us to cry out 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.839 to you day and night 00:39:20.839 --> 00:39:21.799 knowing that we have 00:39:21.799 --> 00:39:22.319 a hearing 00:39:22.319 --> 00:39:23.559 from our loving Father. 00:39:23.559 --> 00:39:31.599 we worship you. 00:39:33.219 --> 00:39:34.000 We love you. 00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:36.799 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:39:36.799 --> 00:39:37.940 Amen.