WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.480 Okay, the repeated cycle, God sends a saviour. 00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:06.620 We have a period of peace with God. 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:09.880 Then the people abandon God when that judge dies. 00:00:10.580 --> 00:00:14.280 Then they're punished by God for their abandoning him. 00:00:14.780 --> 00:00:16.500 And then they cry out to God for help. 00:00:17.620 --> 00:00:19.820 This cycle reflects what judges is about 00:00:19.820 --> 00:00:22.780 and it kind of forces us to ask the question, 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:24.379 well, who can save us? 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:26.039 It keeps going over and over again. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:27.140 Who can save us? 00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:29.620 But what actually drives that judges cycle? 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:31.760 What drives it? 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:35.700 Well, from God's perspective, the cycle is driven by God's mercy. 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:39.480 His willingness to save his people is what actually keeps it going 00:00:39.480 --> 00:00:41.980 because the people are unfaithful over and over again. 00:00:42.100 --> 00:00:46.039 So from God's perspective, it's God's willingness to provide that saviour. 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:48.500 But from a human perspective, 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:53.340 what drives the people of God to move on to the next stage? 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:59.760 From a human perspective, the judges cycle, 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.579 is driven by their punishment. 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:08.379 When Israel is punished, they start to look around for relief. 00:01:08.780 --> 00:01:12.159 When they suffer loss, that's when they begin to experience regret. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:16.539 It's when they lose the things that they really value 00:01:16.539 --> 00:01:19.620 that they start looking to God for help. 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:21.380 Not straight away. 00:01:21.460 --> 00:01:22.800 They try everything else first. 00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:29.280 But God is so merciful that even though in a roundabout way they come back to him, 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:31.700 he still saves them. 00:01:31.700 --> 00:01:38.960 The story of Abimelech is about the detail of this big picture of the judges cycle. 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:41.100 The detail. 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:43.280 It's what happens, we kind of zoom in now, 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:45.120 what happens when the judge dies. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:46.980 It's the only example we have of this really, 00:01:47.260 --> 00:01:50.380 of the judge dying and then things descending into chaos. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:53.900 This is the only part of judges that actually gives us a glimpse 00:01:53.900 --> 00:01:56.500 into the kinds of things that might have been happening all along, 00:01:56.700 --> 00:01:58.219 but we see them in real detail here. 00:02:00.180 --> 00:02:02.980 It zooms in on the detail of what happens 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:05.840 when Israel turns its back on God. 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:09.360 It's about that abandoned God face. 00:02:10.920 --> 00:02:15.780 But it all starts with Abimelech and his father Gideon. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:18.020 You see, Gideon was the last judge. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:20.920 He left a legacy as a last judge as well. 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:26.120 He was offered and refused a dynastic kingship in chapter 8, verses 22 to 23. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:30.340 They offer him the kingship and Gideon says to them, 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:33.280 I will not rule over you and my son will not rule over you. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:35.539 The Lord will rule over you. 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:39.300 He declared that the Lord alone should rule Israel. 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:42.860 And yet, here's his legacy. 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:46.480 Gideon lived like a king. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:49.180 He had many wives. 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:51.759 Many sons. 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:52.520 Seventy sons. 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:53.539 That wasn't one wife. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:54.819 He had many wives. 00:02:55.219 --> 00:02:56.980 You imagine how many wives that would have taken, 00:02:57.580 --> 00:03:03.699 particularly with the kind of death rate amongst babies at that point in time. 00:03:04.420 --> 00:03:05.520 Seventy sons. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:09.120 Even a concubine. 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:09.759 Abimelech. 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:10.259 Abimelech. 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:17.199 And not only that, but Gideon called his son by that concubine Abimelech. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:19.739 Or, what was the other pronunciation? 00:03:19.979 --> 00:03:21.079 That's how I'm saying it. 00:03:21.179 --> 00:03:22.060 So, who knows? 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:23.179 I'm not sure which one's right. 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:25.599 But he called that. 00:03:25.700 --> 00:03:28.700 He called his son by his concubine Abimelech, which means literally, 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:30.700 my father is king. 00:03:31.700 --> 00:03:33.840 I will not be king, says Abimelech. 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:37.219 And then calls his son, my father is king. 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:41.900 Gideon's legacy was that he ruled in everything but name. 00:03:42.859 --> 00:03:44.500 And he wasn't even subtle about that. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:48.939 So, we have on the one hand, Gideon's legacy. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:51.639 On the other hand, we have Abimelech's inheritance. 00:03:53.340 --> 00:03:54.800 Abimelech inherited this legacy. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:03:57.120 He bore the name that told the story. 00:03:57.419 --> 00:03:58.960 He was the son of Gideon's concubine. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:01.860 A concubine was, at best, a second-class wife. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:04.500 At worst, a woman kept for pleasure in those times. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:07.500 So, he was kind of bottom of the heap. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:10.439 Abimelech was last in the line to inherit, 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:15.080 just like his father had been, the least of his tribe. 00:04:17.420 --> 00:04:22.639 Seventy sons all the way down the line, and then Abimelech. 00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:26.900 And if things weren't bad enough for him at that point, 00:04:26.899 --> 00:04:30.060 we read in verse 33 of chapter 8. 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:34.079 As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:38.019 and whored after the Baals and made Baal-barit their god. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:41.639 And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their god, 00:04:41.859 --> 00:04:43.979 who would deliver them from the hand of all of their enemies 00:04:43.979 --> 00:04:44.719 on every side. 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:48.899 And they did not show steadfast love to the family of Jerubbaal, 00:04:49.599 --> 00:04:53.120 that is Gideon, in return for all the good 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:54.099 that he had done to Israel. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:59.560 When Gideon died, the people of Israel did exactly 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:00.420 what they'd always done. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:03.080 They abandoned faithfulness to the Lord their god. 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:05.300 For Baal-barit, of all things. 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:07.100 Baal-barit actually means, literally, 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:08.240 Lord of the Covenant. 00:05:09.740 --> 00:05:12.520 So they had a Lord, and they had a covenant with that Lord. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:14.939 And they abandoned it for an idol. 00:05:16.640 --> 00:05:19.280 Not only did they abandon faithfulness to the Lord their god, 00:05:19.279 --> 00:05:21.779 but they abandoned faithfulness to Gideon and his family. 00:05:23.859 --> 00:05:26.739 And Abimelech was the bottom of the pile of that family 00:05:26.739 --> 00:05:27.359 that was abandoned. 00:05:28.119 --> 00:05:31.159 That pile had come crashing down around his ears. 00:05:33.239 --> 00:05:34.919 So what could he do? 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:39.199 Well, what the heart wants? 00:05:40.239 --> 00:05:41.139 The heart wants. 00:05:42.419 --> 00:05:44.279 Abimelech's world was falling apart around him. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:45.639 He had a choice to make. 00:05:45.979 --> 00:05:47.039 He had two choices, really. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:48.840 He had the choice that every Israelite had. 00:05:49.280 --> 00:05:50.240 The choice we all have. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:52.760 He could choose to be faithful to the Lord, 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:54.900 regardless of what was going on around him. 00:05:56.340 --> 00:05:57.140 Regardless of that. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:05:59.740 He could choose to trust the Lord. 00:06:00.900 --> 00:06:02.020 Trust the Lord to act. 00:06:02.140 --> 00:06:03.280 Trust the Lord with his future. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:07.460 But if he did, this future would be uncertain. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:08.980 He wouldn't know how that would turn out. 00:06:09.200 --> 00:06:10.240 It's certainly up to this point, 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:11.439 he was at the bottom of the pile. 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:12.600 What would happen next? 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:15.680 So he could choose to be faithful to the Lord 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:16.500 and trust him. 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:22.340 Or he could choose to take matters into his own hands. 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:25.879 He could act to shape his future. 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:27.939 He could act to provide the stability, 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:32.060 the security, the success that he wanted for himself. 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:34.959 And what the heart wants? 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:37.000 The heart wants. 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:40.899 Abimelech chose to take matters into his own hands. 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:43.839 And the story of Abimelech is the story of this struggle. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:46.240 The struggle to choose between trusting a God 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:47.519 who has proven to be faithful, 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:49.600 to be good, 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:54.019 versus trusting ourselves with our future. 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:56.759 Taking matters into our own hands. 00:06:57.160 --> 00:06:58.899 Seizing control of circumstances 00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:01.579 to guarantee a favorable outcome for me. 00:07:02.239 --> 00:07:04.639 To secure those things we really miss 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:06.399 when we suffer loss. 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:10.979 Notice in the cycle, 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:13.120 they abandoned God. 00:07:13.219 --> 00:07:16.000 They didn't miss the peace they had with God. 00:07:16.979 --> 00:07:18.079 They weren't struggling 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:21.179 until things that they did love were taken away. 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:25.959 Abimelech had two choices. 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:28.359 He made the bad choice. 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:31.279 And he was crafty in how he did it, wasn't he? 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:34.500 He appealed to everyone else's desire 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:35.479 to control outcomes. 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:36.859 To get what they want. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:41.459 Genesis, he appeals to the Genesis. 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:43.560 And there's a lot of parallels 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.819 with the Genesis account as well of the fall. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:48.659 The early chapters of Genesis in these verses. 00:07:49.299 --> 00:07:51.219 You see, Abimelech went to his mother's home in Shechem 00:07:51.219 --> 00:07:53.620 and he kindled their desire as well 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:55.179 for stability, security and success. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:56.720 He said to his mother's family, 00:07:57.400 --> 00:07:59.459 Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:01.300 Which is better for you? 00:08:01.780 --> 00:08:04.819 That all 70 of the sons of Jerubal rule over you? 00:08:06.340 --> 00:08:08.120 Or that one rule over you? 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:12.819 Remember that I am your bone 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:14.480 and your flesh. 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:17.259 Verse 2, chapter 9. 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:21.519 Abimelech appealed to his deep connection to them. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:23.460 He was their flesh and blood. 00:08:23.459 --> 00:08:25.899 Do you recognize these words, 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:27.279 these two words, bone and flesh, 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:29.000 where they first appear in the Bible? 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:32.120 Genesis, chapter 2, verse 23. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:34.220 These are the words that Adam used 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:35.899 to celebrate the bond he felt with Eve 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:37.419 when he first saw her. 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:38.960 This, at last, 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:40.179 is bone of my bones 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:41.299 and flesh of my flesh. 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:42.740 He was saying, 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:43.759 I'm not just your friend, 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:44.659 I'm your family, 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:45.960 your intimate family. 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:50.160 Surely, the people of Shechem are thinking, 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:51.800 a ruler from amongst us, 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:52.480 a ruler like this, 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.460 with this kind of connection, 00:08:53.660 --> 00:08:55.100 surely he is going to favor us. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:08:58.960 So they helped him to seize control 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:00.820 in a way that's reminiscent of Genesis 4. 00:09:02.440 --> 00:09:04.000 In verse 4 of chapter 9, 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:04.420 we read this, 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:25.199 Genesis 4, 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:26.540 just as Cain killed Abel. 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:30.560 Abimelech sees his brothers in the way 00:09:30.560 --> 00:09:32.060 of the thing that he wanted 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:33.840 and lines them up 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:35.140 and kills them. 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:37.879 He took money from the temple 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:39.860 to Baal. 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:42.540 He hired worthless men 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:45.019 and he killed his brothers 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:47.599 in a horrific way. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:50.879 Must have just lined them up 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:52.099 and slaughtered them 00:09:52.099 --> 00:09:52.860 one after the other. 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:55.819 All his brothers, that is, 00:09:56.860 --> 00:09:57.740 except for Jotham, 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:58.740 who escaped by hiding. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:02.519 Then in verse 6, we read, 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.019 once this was done, 00:10:05.079 --> 00:10:06.139 all the leaders of Shechem 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:06.819 came together 00:10:06.819 --> 00:10:08.500 and all Beth Milo 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:10.159 and they went 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:11.480 and made Abimelech king 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:12.600 by the oak 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.720 of the pillar at Shechem. 00:10:17.560 --> 00:10:18.420 This, friends, 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:19.500 is what life looks like 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:20.060 without God. 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:22.180 It's a brutal scene. 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:23.759 What could possibly 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.720 move a person 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.560 to do that kind of thing? 00:10:28.300 --> 00:10:29.240 Why would you want 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:30.259 someone like this 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:31.840 to be your king? 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:34.800 Well, Abimelech's story 00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:36.019 spells out the answer for us. 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:37.399 You see, when we seize control 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:38.500 like this, 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:40.240 we replace God. 00:10:40.560 --> 00:10:41.220 Something else, 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:42.519 becomes our first delight. 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.399 Paul described this 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:45.379 in Romans 1, 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:46.540 verses 18 and following, 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.360 and you can read that later 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:47.860 if you like. 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:49.840 But what he says 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:50.779 in those verses 00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:51.680 is as we turn away 00:10:51.680 --> 00:10:52.460 from our Creator, 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:54.279 our hearts turn 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:55.700 toward created things 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:57.080 and we pursue them. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.080 And we pursue them 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:00.160 with increasing energy. 00:11:01.160 --> 00:11:02.740 And as we do, 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.280 Paul describes, 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:05.820 we descend further 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:06.680 and further 00:11:06.680 --> 00:11:07.580 into our ignorance 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.340 and depravity. 00:11:09.640 --> 00:11:10.660 Without God, 00:11:11.780 --> 00:11:13.460 whatever we desire most 00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:14.440 becomes our God. 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.540 And we will do anything 00:11:16.540 --> 00:11:17.460 to serve this God. 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:20.140 And we will sacrifice anything 00:11:20.140 --> 00:11:21.259 to this God. 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:24.980 but we just don't see 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:25.779 what we're doing. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:30.000 So God used Jotham 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.759 and Abimelech 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.960 to show his people 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:32.679 their own hearts. 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:35.379 Each man revealed hearts 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:36.179 in a different way. 00:11:37.439 --> 00:11:37.819 Jotham, 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.039 well, he exposed hearts 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:39.720 with his speech. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:42.200 Abimelech expressed his heart, 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.200 demonstrated what was 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:43.740 on his heart 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.840 with his actions. 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:47.200 So first Jotham, 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.300 the hearts exposed by Jotham 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:50.560 in verses 7 to 21. 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.019 When it was told Jotham 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:55.500 about the making 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.200 of Abimelech king, 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:57.639 he went and stood up 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:59.320 on top of Mount Gerizim 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:01.200 and cried aloud 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:01.840 and said to them, 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:03.100 listen to me, 00:12:03.160 --> 00:12:03.879 you leaders of Shechem, 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:05.639 that God may listen to you. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.860 Before Jotham even speaks though, 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:10.139 we have to look at Jotham's name. 00:12:10.280 --> 00:12:10.480 You see, 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.340 before he even cries out 00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:13.660 his message, 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:17.120 his name speaks volumes. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:18.459 Jotham, 00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:20.159 translated from Hebrew, 00:12:20.579 --> 00:12:23.860 means Yahweh is perfect. 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:27.159 Even Jotham's name 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:28.539 was a signpost back to God. 00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:30.860 Whatever they're choosing 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:31.639 to delight in, 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:33.179 whatever they are worshipping, 00:12:33.839 --> 00:12:34.759 Jotham's name says 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:35.659 Yahweh is better. 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:36.579 He is perfect. 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:39.480 God alone is perfect. 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.659 So we have Jotham's name, 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:43.839 then we have Jotham's aim 00:12:43.839 --> 00:12:44.519 in what he's doing. 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.899 Jotham actually had something 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:46.959 really important to say 00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:48.319 and he goes on to tell a parable 00:12:48.319 --> 00:12:49.279 about a bunch of trees 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:49.959 and I think that, 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:50.639 Matt, 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:51.600 you made really good sense of that. 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.360 That was really helpful. 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:53.459 An olive tree, 00:12:53.579 --> 00:12:54.079 a fig tree, 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:54.779 a grapevine 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:55.500 and a bramble. 00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:59.740 This parable takes aim 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:01.219 at the people 00:13:01.219 --> 00:13:02.000 and Abimelech 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:03.600 as Jotham tells this. 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:03.839 You see, 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.879 the people have chosen 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.539 a bramble 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.339 to take shade under. 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:07.740 You guys have seen a bramble, 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.159 haven't you? 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.659 You know what a bramble's like. 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:11.199 It's a low-growing plant. 00:13:11.439 --> 00:13:12.959 It's the most impractical choice 00:13:12.959 --> 00:13:14.259 for shade you could possibly imagine. 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:15.860 It's got thorns all over it. 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.939 It doesn't even fruit. 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.659 Its only use 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:21.879 was for gathering up 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:23.579 and burning as kindling 00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.620 and that's what they used it for 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.279 in those times. 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.600 Getting under a bramble 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:29.100 for shade 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:30.339 means abasing yourself. 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:32.000 It means getting onto your stomach 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.699 and crawling into its shade 00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:35.699 through thorns. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:38.640 It means taking refuge 00:13:38.640 --> 00:13:39.740 in a fuel dump. 00:13:41.020 --> 00:13:42.800 This is what the people chose 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:44.080 over Yahweh, 00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:45.759 their perfect God. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.700 And Abimelech, 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.900 it tells us about him too 00:13:49.900 --> 00:13:50.640 because Abimelech 00:13:50.640 --> 00:13:51.660 is that bramble. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.920 He's the thorny bush 00:13:52.920 --> 00:13:53.960 no one in their right mind 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.900 would seek to shade under. 00:13:55.400 --> 00:13:56.340 He's the one incapable 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:57.160 of bearing fruit. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.620 He's the fire starter. 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.580 He is the fuel dump 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:02.180 ready to go up in flames. 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:05.060 Jotham is saying, 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.299 why in the world 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:08.679 would you choose him 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:09.679 over God? 00:14:11.719 --> 00:14:12.659 Why in the world 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.119 would you? 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:15.979 But we do, 00:14:16.079 --> 00:14:16.359 don't we? 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.339 We do. 00:14:18.239 --> 00:14:19.139 I was chatting with Matt 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:22.739 at the men's camp 00:14:22.739 --> 00:14:23.259 this weekend 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.859 and he made this observation 00:14:24.859 --> 00:14:25.819 about this period in history. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.059 He's been reading Chronicles 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:28.359 and noticing just how 00:14:28.359 --> 00:14:29.479 things just keep going 00:14:29.479 --> 00:14:29.959 in cycles 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:31.000 even through the kings. 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:34.179 People turn away from God, 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:35.139 set up their idols 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:36.759 and then turn back to God. 00:14:38.099 --> 00:14:39.120 They worshipped everything 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:39.799 other than God 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.659 then they return to God. 00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:41.379 They build altars, 00:14:41.459 --> 00:14:42.399 they tore them down again. 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:45.339 And Matt confessed to me, 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.719 I'm outing him here, 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.139 he said, 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.779 he felt like it was a daily pattern 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:50.379 in his life 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.299 that that's what it was like. 00:14:52.479 --> 00:14:53.559 I agreed with him. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.839 It is a daily pattern 00:14:54.839 --> 00:14:55.939 like that in his life 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:57.039 and my life 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:58.259 and your life. 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.919 If we're honest, 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.840 it's true, isn't it? 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.899 Daily pattern for us 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:06.379 to actually continue 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.840 to treasure God 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:09.220 as that perfect saviour. 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.559 To treasure God 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:13.299 for who he is. 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.980 To recognise him 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.960 as the only perfect God. 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:23.820 We choose good things 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.740 over our perfect God 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.259 every day. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:29.900 And what we're seeing here 00:15:29.900 --> 00:15:30.860 is a call back 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.400 to choose God. 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:35.960 The final thing 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.639 to say about this, 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:37.620 what happens 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:39.060 with Jotham's speech 00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:39.600 is this. 00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:41.139 He says all of this 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.040 in a particularly 00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:43.139 significant place. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.000 When Jotham 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:45.580 has climbed up 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.440 onto Mount Gerizim, 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.380 it's not actually 00:15:47.380 --> 00:15:48.740 the top of Mount Gerizim. 00:15:48.880 --> 00:15:49.600 Apparently the mountain's 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.100 too big. 00:15:50.180 --> 00:15:50.920 If he was at the top, 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:51.860 no one would see him 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.600 let alone hear him. 00:15:53.660 --> 00:15:55.140 He was at a promontory 00:15:55.140 --> 00:15:55.900 but it was a promontory 00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:56.400 that was actually 00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:57.440 used previously. 00:15:58.920 --> 00:15:59.940 It was used 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.760 by Israel before. 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:01.100 You see, 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.340 in Deuteronomy 27, 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.760 Moses instructed 00:16:03.760 --> 00:16:04.300 the people 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.100 when they went 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.140 to the promised lands 00:16:06.140 --> 00:16:07.940 to gather at Shechem 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:10.040 and to basically 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:10.620 do this, 00:16:10.760 --> 00:16:12.240 to have half the tribes 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.460 gather on Mount Gerizim 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:15.280 and half the tribes 00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:16.420 gather on Mount Ebal. 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:16.940 two mountains 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:17.740 opposite each other. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.220 And what they were 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.660 to do was 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:20.700 one group of tribes 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.800 on Mount Gerizim 00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:22.600 were to read out 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.340 the blessings 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.620 that God longs 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.380 to just pour out 00:16:25.380 --> 00:16:25.960 on his people, 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:26.960 Israel. 00:16:28.260 --> 00:16:29.120 And the group 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:29.980 on Mount Ebal 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:31.440 were then to shout back 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.660 the curses 00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:33.900 that would happen 00:16:33.900 --> 00:16:35.300 if they abandoned God. 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.140 So they gathered 00:16:38.140 --> 00:16:39.960 at this place 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.600 in the past 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.540 to read out 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.120 to each other 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.000 the blessings 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.060 and the curses, 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:44.980 to shout them 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.320 across this very valley. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:49.140 all the good things 00:16:49.140 --> 00:16:49.560 that God would 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.500 pour out on his people 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.320 if he kept their covenant 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:51.700 with him, 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.860 all the bad things 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.400 that would happen 00:16:53.400 --> 00:16:54.920 if they didn't. 00:16:57.880 --> 00:16:58.800 And Jotham says 00:16:58.800 --> 00:16:59.400 these words 00:16:59.400 --> 00:17:01.460 now in verse 16, 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.620 now therefore, 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.200 if you acted 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.319 in good faith 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.000 and integrity 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.640 when you made 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:07.460 Abimelech king 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.519 and if you have 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.420 dealt with Jerubal 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:10.319 and his house 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.259 and have done him 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.519 as his deeds deserved, 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:15.319 well, 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.079 there's a possibility 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:16.700 of blessing. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.240 He's standing 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:18.860 on Gerizim, 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:20.539 the mountain 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.140 of blessing. 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:24.480 The only other place 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:26.000 that this phrase, 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:26.700 good faith 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.240 and integrity 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:28.259 appears in the whole Bible 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:30.680 is in Joshua 24. 00:17:32.040 --> 00:17:33.400 This is the famous passage 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.060 where Joshua 00:17:34.060 --> 00:17:34.860 nails his colors 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.340 to the mast 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:35.700 and says, 00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:36.740 as for me, 00:17:36.820 --> 00:17:37.600 choose this day 00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.620 whom you will serve Israel, 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.900 but as for me 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.740 and my house, 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.660 we will serve the Lord. 00:17:44.800 --> 00:17:45.680 So only the time 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.580 this verse is used, 00:17:46.840 --> 00:17:48.200 this phrase is used, 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.740 and Joshua said 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.200 those words 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:50.940 at Shechem 2. 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.200 This place, 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:53.799 the geography 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.319 of this place 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.319 has so much history 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:55.779 for Israel, 00:17:56.080 --> 00:17:56.940 so much history 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.600 that points them 00:17:57.600 --> 00:17:58.600 towards choosing 00:17:58.600 --> 00:18:01.220 a good and perfect God 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:03.940 over feeble substitutes. 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.440 Jotham is trying 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.059 to call the nation 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.420 of Israel 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:10.380 back from the brink. 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.720 He's trying to expose 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.160 the path 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.740 that they're treading 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.620 and he does that 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.259 quite graphically. 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:16.480 He said, 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.180 you've made Abimelech 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:18.180 a worthless man king. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.140 You've risen up 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.880 against Gideon, 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:21.019 a faithful servant. 00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:22.140 You've slaughtered 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:23.140 his 70 sons. 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:27.019 He exposes their path, 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:29.559 but he still lays out 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.200 a choice 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:32.039 in how he does it. 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.840 It's a choice 00:18:33.840 --> 00:18:34.900 that calls the people 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:35.819 back to Yahweh, 00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:37.819 their perfect God. 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.940 They ignore Jotham. 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:45.519 Next thing we read 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.340 in verse 22 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:47.200 is that Abimelech 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.080 ruled over Israel 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.919 for three years. 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:51.839 Abimelech ruled Israel. 00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.139 Remember, 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.480 Gideon refused to rule 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.619 because they already 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.220 had a God. 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.500 Abimelech wasn't even 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.460 appointed by God. 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.099 He wasn't even a judge. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.939 He was self-appointed. 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:05.139 He wasn't a saviour. 00:19:05.199 --> 00:19:06.000 He was a bramble. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.919 And he didn't have 00:19:07.919 --> 00:19:08.899 the spirit of God. 00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:11.919 Although God did send 00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:12.359 a spirit. 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:15.099 God sent a spirit 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.059 which characterised 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.019 Abimelech's reign. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.919 An evil spirit. 00:19:19.719 --> 00:19:20.500 In verse 23, 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.099 we read this, 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:21.939 and God sent 00:19:21.939 --> 00:19:22.599 an evil spirit 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:23.339 between Abimelech 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:23.759 and the leaders 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.240 of Shechem. 00:19:24.699 --> 00:19:25.039 And the leaders 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.439 of Shechem 00:19:25.439 --> 00:19:26.419 dealt treacherously 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:27.159 with Abimelech. 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:29.500 God sent an evil spirit 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.000 among them. 00:19:30.979 --> 00:19:32.579 Note that God 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.339 didn't set them 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.039 on their path, 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.279 though. 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:36.799 What God does 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.660 is he gives them 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.559 over to this path. 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.200 They've already 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.000 chosen the path 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.319 of evil. 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:40.740 God says, 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:41.099 okay, 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.759 here you go. 00:19:42.639 --> 00:19:43.299 On your way. 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:46.839 God punished them 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.720 by giving them 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.819 over toward their 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.940 inclination toward evil. 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.700 They had betrayed 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.480 Gideon's family. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.660 Now they were going 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.359 to act treacherously 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.079 toward each other. 00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:59.379 What we see in this 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:01.460 is that that treachery 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.299 stimulates 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:03.559 and motivates 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.139 Abimelech 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.280 to actually seek 00:20:05.280 --> 00:20:05.840 revenge. 00:20:07.020 --> 00:20:07.800 Gal conspired 00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:08.180 with the leaders 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:08.640 of Shechem, 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.060 we read, 00:20:09.540 --> 00:20:10.820 against Abimelech. 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.480 They got drunk 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.180 at a grape harvest, 00:20:12.280 --> 00:20:12.540 apparently, 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.360 and started to slander 00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:14.720 him and plot. 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.660 Zebel was there. 00:20:17.280 --> 00:20:17.920 That's how you say 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:18.300 his name. 00:20:19.020 --> 00:20:19.860 He conspired 00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.380 with Abimelech. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.780 He was a friend 00:20:20.780 --> 00:20:21.259 of Abimelech. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:21.960 He was there, 00:20:22.040 --> 00:20:22.680 heard the plot, 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.000 conspired with Abimelech 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.759 against Gal. 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:27.580 They heard the plans. 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.640 They set a trap. 00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:30.600 The short version 00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:32.560 is everyone dies. 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.559 He was there 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.419 tragically, 00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:34.440 tragically, 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.799 by fire, 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.419 as God's punishment 00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:39.919 for sin. 00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:43.460 Even Abimelech's revenge 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:45.000 serves God's justice. 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.460 And Abimelech's death, 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:49.579 still his death, 00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:51.319 reflects God's mercy. 00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:53.179 You see, 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:53.859 as much as we see 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.200 the hearts of the people 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.619 and perhaps even 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:58.039 a glimpse into our own hearts 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.720 through the choices 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:01.000 that were being made, 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.680 through the actions 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.259 that followed, 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:05.240 we also see 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.319 the heart of our God 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.559 on display here. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.279 The heart of God 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:09.819 is revealed 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.319 in the events 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.299 of Abimelech's life. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.279 God's heart 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.579 is to end suffering, 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.319 even as God's people 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:16.200 rebel against him, 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.200 even as God 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.180 hands out justice. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.740 And we get a glimpse 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.339 of this in verses 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:21.299 50 to 55. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:21.740 You see, 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:23.200 Abimelech is rampant 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.700 in his wrath. 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.779 He launches wave 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.379 after wave 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.159 of attacks. 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.359 He destroys 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.899 his enemies. 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:31.000 And he doesn't stop. 00:21:32.959 --> 00:21:34.059 Shechem and Beth Milo 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.039 are destroyed. 00:21:35.199 --> 00:21:35.899 They were complicit 00:21:35.899 --> 00:21:36.699 in what went on. 00:21:36.979 --> 00:21:37.859 But in verse 50 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:38.659 we read this. 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:39.939 Then Abimelech 00:21:39.939 --> 00:21:40.639 went to Thebes 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.639 and encamped 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.240 against Thebes 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.979 and captured it. 00:21:43.419 --> 00:21:44.500 Why did he do that? 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:47.000 There is no evidence 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.699 in this story 00:21:47.699 --> 00:21:48.619 that Thebes 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.759 had anything to do 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.219 with the trouble 00:21:50.219 --> 00:21:50.959 against Abimelech. 00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:54.639 So it appears 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.859 that Abimelech 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.299 is burning 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.259 like brambles do. 00:21:57.699 --> 00:21:58.000 Hot 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.279 and fast. 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.459 In his anger 00:22:01.459 --> 00:22:02.099 Abimelech 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:03.319 was consuming 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:03.899 anything 00:22:03.899 --> 00:22:04.699 in his path. 00:22:07.979 --> 00:22:08.519 Until 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:10.439 a certain woman 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:11.500 who just happened 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.079 to be carrying 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.539 a millstone 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:12.939 at the top 00:22:12.939 --> 00:22:14.339 of a castle 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:16.319 tossed it over 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:18.039 onto his head. 00:22:19.979 --> 00:22:21.219 A random event? 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:24.079 Well the conclusion 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.919 of the right of the judges 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.659 is anything but 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.279 that it's random. 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:27.580 The conclusion 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:28.220 of the right of the judges 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.259 is that God 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.980 is in control. 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:31.279 God limited 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.660 Abimelech's rampage 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:34.759 to mete out 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.540 the justice 00:22:35.540 --> 00:22:36.820 that God desired, 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.740 that God demanded. 00:22:39.540 --> 00:22:40.720 But no more 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.259 than that. 00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:43.519 God acted 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.220 surgically 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.900 to establish 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.480 justice 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.580 and to end 00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:47.100 suffering. 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:47.179 suffering. 00:22:49.439 --> 00:22:50.259 This is how we 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.799 see some of the 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.599 nature of God 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.959 in wanting 00:22:52.959 --> 00:22:53.619 to end 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.199 suffering. 00:22:54.959 --> 00:22:55.679 But beyond 00:22:55.679 --> 00:22:56.099 that, 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.379 you see Abimelech's 00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:58.019 reign began 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.919 with the desire 00:22:58.919 --> 00:22:59.399 to control 00:22:59.399 --> 00:22:59.899 the outcome 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:00.639 of his life. 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:02.640 to avoid 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.220 the suffering 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.259 in his life, 00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:05.360 he rejected 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:05.940 God's rule 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.540 for his own. 00:23:08.280 --> 00:23:09.280 Then ironically, 00:23:10.560 --> 00:23:11.160 his reign 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:11.740 was characterized 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.440 by violence 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:12.960 and suffering 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.400 for everyone 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.000 around him. 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.259 He was the 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.900 king in name, 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.820 but he couldn't 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.720 lead his people 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.500 to the safety, 00:23:21.280 --> 00:23:21.740 stability 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:23.259 and success 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.180 that he desired. 00:23:26.800 --> 00:23:27.720 If anything, 00:23:27.840 --> 00:23:28.480 the book of Judges 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.140 teaches us 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.840 that if our 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.420 blessing is left 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.100 to our choice, 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:31.920 then we are 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.380 sunk. 00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:34.040 Time and time 00:23:34.040 --> 00:23:34.640 again we see 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.220 those choices 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.560 fail and the 00:23:36.560 --> 00:23:37.120 people of God 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.800 moving away 00:23:37.800 --> 00:23:38.800 from God 00:23:38.800 --> 00:23:39.180 himself. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.140 This book 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.140 doesn't point 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:45.120 us to the 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.160 next big act 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:46.940 that we need 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.520 to do to 00:23:47.520 --> 00:23:48.240 save ourselves. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.320 It points 00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:52.920 us to the 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.740 only Savior 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.620 who could 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.280 break the 00:23:55.280 --> 00:23:56.040 judge's cycle. 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.660 Nothing 00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.120 else 00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.840 but a 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.080 Savior 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.560 from God 00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:00.880 could do 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.160 that. 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.580 And that 00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:02.840 Savior 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.259 didn't do 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:03.500 it by 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:03.779 seizing 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.300 control. 00:24:05.300 --> 00:24:05.759 He did 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.560 it by 00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:07.180 completely 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:07.779 submitting 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.920 to the 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.180 will 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.680 of Yahweh, 00:24:11.300 --> 00:24:11.540 our 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:11.800 Heavenly 00:24:11.800 --> 00:24:12.180 Father, 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.500 in a way 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:14.820 that we 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.279 couldn't. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.620 Our Savior 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:18.140 didn't save 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.620 us from a 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.100 position of 00:24:19.100 --> 00:24:19.440 power, 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.160 exerting 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.720 his influence 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.240 and authority 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.580 over the 00:24:21.580 --> 00:24:21.860 things that 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:22.240 exist. 00:24:22.860 --> 00:24:23.600 He saved 00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:23.980 us by 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.440 emptying 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:24.779 himself 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.639 from absolute 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.139 power. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:26.619 He had 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.059 the power. 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.839 He emptied 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.460 himself from it. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:28.759 He gave 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.019 it up. 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:29.899 He embraced 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.660 our weakness. 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.579 Jesus' death 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.019 on the cross 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.940 satisfies God's 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.519 justice and 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:37.779 mercy. 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.559 Jesus is the 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.160 one that 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:40.139 judges points 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:40.420 to. 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.379 Where time 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:42.859 and time 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:43.559 again human 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.319 saviors 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:44.799 failed. 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:47.940 Jesus, 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.420 God the 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:48.660 Son, 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.259 took on the 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.039 role for us. 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.460 His death 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:51.740 on the 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:51.940 cross 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.460 satisfies 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.819 God's 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.319 justice 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.920 and 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.680 provides 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.039 God's 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.380 mercy. 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.279 And it 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.680 does it in 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.079 the opposite 00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.579 way to the 00:24:59.579 --> 00:24:59.860 one we 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.460 would choose. 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:03.980 Paul describes 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.940 the message of 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.500 the gospel as 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.299 foolishness rather 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.900 than wisdom, 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.920 weakness rather 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.620 than strength, 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:09.279 a display of 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.759 weakness rather 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.319 than strength, 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.360 a display of 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:12.460 submission rather 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.160 than exerting 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:14.140 influence or 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.900 authority over. 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.980 And it's a 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.680 wonderful message 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.340 for us too, 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:20.799 because that's 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.340 a message 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:21.980 that as we 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.539 experience 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.000 suffering, 00:25:23.439 --> 00:25:24.220 we can know 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.399 that our 00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:25.899 saviour has 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:26.559 entered into 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:28.519 suffering and 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.079 has conquered 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:30.199 it on our 00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:30.619 behalf. 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:34.579 But to 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.139 finish up, 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.679 it's important 00:25:35.679 --> 00:25:36.000 to actually 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.459 address how 00:25:37.459 --> 00:25:38.019 this blessing 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.619 and curse 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.259 kind of play 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.799 out for us 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.179 now. 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.639 Because what 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:42.919 I want to 00:25:42.919 --> 00:25:43.480 suggest to you 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.159 here is this, 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.480 that the 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.500 saviour who 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:46.980 suffered on 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.639 our behalf 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:49.159 calls us 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:50.199 to a path 00:25:50.199 --> 00:25:50.720 of suffering. 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:53.019 For the 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.439 Israelites, 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.519 the suffering 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:54.859 followed 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.539 disobedience, 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:55.839 followed 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.459 abandoning 00:25:56.459 --> 00:25:56.720 God, 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.319 finding other 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:57.819 things to 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.419 delight in 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:59.399 above God. 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.299 But it's 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:04.639 different, 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.439 it's very 00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:05.879 different for 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.179 us. 00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:08.019 Jesus, 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.579 the suffering 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.139 servant who 00:26:10.139 --> 00:26:10.879 saved us, 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.059 entered into 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.579 suffering in 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.179 our behalf 00:26:13.179 --> 00:26:14.079 and then 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:15.000 invited us to 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.539 follow him on 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.019 his path. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.299 life. 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.220 In Matthew 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.960 16, he 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.139 says, 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.619 take up 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.299 your cross 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.259 and follow 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.559 me. 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.779 Later in 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.279 Matthew, he 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.639 showed us 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.180 exactly what 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.519 that looks 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:24.839 like. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.379 Now, don't 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:28.980 get me wrong, 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.519 there's an 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.200 undeniable 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.819 goodness in 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.359 making the 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.519 good choice to 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.160 honour God 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:35.119 and to live 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:35.680 for him. 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.460 There's deep 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.480 intrinsic blessing 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.220 in obeying God's 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.160 commands and in 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.819 living his way. 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.059 His way is 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.599 fullness of 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.000 life. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.639 But that 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:47.539 equation to 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.240 obey God, 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.279 to delight in 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.899 him, to 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:50.379 worship him 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:51.519 alone, and 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.299 then you'll be 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.779 blessed with 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.480 land, offspring, 00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:54.579 blessing and 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:54.899 so on, 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.220 prosperity and 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:58.099 health, that's 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:59.819 not quite how 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:01.299 God calls us 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.759 to now. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.839 He calls us 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:06.099 to pursue him 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.319 directly. 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.240 Our reward, 00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:09.960 our delight, 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.879 our joy is 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.639 living in close 00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:12.519 relationship with 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:12.940 our God. 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.740 our heavenly 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.919 Father, without 00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:18.139 fear and 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.259 certain of his 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.059 fatherly affection 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.759 for us. 00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:26.240 I can remember 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:28.019 a few years 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.480 ago, one of 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.039 our children 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:32.659 was going 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.579 to chapel at 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.099 their school, 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.059 and at chapel 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.819 at school, the 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.720 repeated message, 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.200 the repeated 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.019 refrain was, 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.099 you can do 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.000 anything if 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.480 you try. 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.619 In God's 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.139 strength, you 00:27:42.139 --> 00:27:42.480 can do 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.019 anything, you 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.480 just have to 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.160 apply yourself, 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.019 you just have 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.640 to work hard 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:45.940 enough. 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.200 Now both of 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.700 my boys have 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.380 had chronic 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:49.960 fatigue syndrome 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.000 for several 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.380 years. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.700 What kind 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.759 of thing 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.319 that does 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:55.980 to someone 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.360 who has 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:56.620 chronic 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.019 fatigue? 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:58.019 things like 00:27:58.019 --> 00:28:00.019 that 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.420 thing? 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:00.920 It says, 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.500 you're the 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:01.920 failure. 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:04.240 That son 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.700 asked me, 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.079 can I stop 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.440 going to 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:06.680 chapel? 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.779 I said to 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.700 him, you 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.139 can go and 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:11.059 ask the 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.740 chaplain if 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.200 he can give 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.519 you a good 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.039 explanation for 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:17.019 why you're not 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.660 able to do 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.200 what he's asking 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.680 you to do, 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.700 and if he 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.879 can't, then 00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:21.299 I'll write a 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.700 letter and 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.160 say you no 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.519 longer have 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.819 to go to 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.059 chapel. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:26.299 He stopped 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.659 going to 00:28:26.659 --> 00:28:28.000 chapel because 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.740 we don't have 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.359 an answer to 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.899 this issue. 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:32.879 Friends, 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.519 this is a hard 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.279 word, so if 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.859 you're not yet a 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.279 Christian and 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:36.639 you're thinking 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.179 about becoming 00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.500 a Christian, 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:37.779 I want to 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.240 tell you this, 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.119 the path of 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.480 the Christian 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.139 life is a 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:40.980 difficult path. 00:28:42.159 --> 00:28:42.919 Not always, 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.460 there's so much 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.619 joy that fills 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:45.679 our lives, but 00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:45.980 there are 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.740 difficult choices 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.500 to make day 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.299 in and day 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.720 out, and we 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.220 don't always 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.940 succeed at that, 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.639 as the 00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:52.419 conversation that 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:52.779 Matt and I 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.039 had related to 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.259 you. 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.039 We don't 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.740 always succeed 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.139 at that. 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.279 But in 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:03.259 Christ, we 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.000 have a God 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.740 who loves us 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.759 so much that 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.700 he's rescued us 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:09.019 from our 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.960 failed attempts. 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.480 He's rescued us 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.299 from our inability 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.299 to achieve what 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.659 he rightfully 00:29:14.659 --> 00:29:16.680 deserves, and 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.500 he's granted it 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.039 to us as a 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.379 gift. 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.420 So yes, 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:23.660 the path of 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.140 suffering, 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:26.039 and yes, 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.460 the guarantee 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.120 of our good 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:29.720 God is that 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:31.180 one day he 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.720 will call us 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:31.980 home. 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.720 Let me pray. 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.360 Father God, 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:41.860 we look at this 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.320 story and we 00:29:42.320 --> 00:29:42.940 can see so much 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.600 of ourselves in 00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.320 so many ways. 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.659 perhaps we're 00:29:45.659 --> 00:29:48.359 thinking in some 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:48.759 ways, well, 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:50.899 we haven't 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.859 succumbed to the 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.399 excesses of 00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:52.919 Abimelech. 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.319 But Lord, we 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.740 know in our 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:58.119 hearts that we 00:29:58.119 --> 00:30:00.099 don't treasure 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:00.579 you as we 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.819 should in 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.579 every aspect of 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:03.119 our lives. 00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:04.919 We know that 00:30:04.919 --> 00:30:05.439 there are aspects 00:30:05.439 --> 00:30:05.960 of our lives that 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.539 we allow to get 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.019 bigger, more 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.659 important, more 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.359 valuable, more 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.139 precious to us 00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:09.519 than you. 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:13.839 So Lord, we 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.299 thank you for 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.000 saving us even 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.680 from that, 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:18.680 even from our 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.480 willfulness, our 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.039 willingness to 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.619 turn away from 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:20.799 you. 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.440 Thank you for 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:24.960 bearing the 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.460 cost of our 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:28.559 rebellion so 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.359 that justice is 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:32.139 served and we 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.920 can just receive 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.500 your mercy, 00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.680 your love, 00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:36.799 uninhibitedly from 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.000 you. 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.639 We thank you, 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.139 Lord, and praise 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.700 you for that. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.019 Amen.