WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.919 at verse 1 in chapter 48. 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:10.040 Sometime later, Joseph was told, 00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:11.839 Your father is ill. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:16.760 So he took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, along with him. 00:00:17.379 --> 00:00:18.519 When Jacob was told, 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:21.179 Your son Joseph has come to you, 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:23.960 Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:26.320 Jacob said to Joseph, 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:30.260 God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:33.240 and there he blessed me and said to me, 00:00:33.859 --> 00:00:36.480 I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. 00:00:37.299 --> 00:00:39.340 I will make you a community of peoples, 00:00:39.620 --> 00:00:42.960 and I will give you this land as an everlasting possession 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:44.460 to your descendants after you. 00:00:45.700 --> 00:00:48.620 Now then, your two sons born to you in Egypt 00:00:48.620 --> 00:00:52.140 before I came to you here will be reckoned as mine. 00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:54.939 Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, 00:00:54.939 --> 00:00:57.239 just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. 00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:01.339 Any children born to you after them will be yours. 00:01:01.799 --> 00:01:03.159 In the territory they inherit, 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:05.959 they will be reckoned under the names of their brothers. 00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:11.060 As I was returning from Paddan to my sorrow, 00:01:11.180 --> 00:01:13.039 Rachel died in the land of Canaan 00:01:13.039 --> 00:01:14.900 while we were still on the way, 00:01:15.560 --> 00:01:17.879 a little distance from Ephraim. 00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:21.259 So I buried her there beside the road to Ephraim, 00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:22.459 that is Bethlehem. 00:01:22.459 --> 00:01:25.739 When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:27.500 he asked, Who are these? 00:01:28.759 --> 00:01:31.079 They are the sons God has given me here, 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:32.439 Joseph said to his father. 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:34.359 Then Israel said, 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:37.139 Bring them to me so that I can bless them. 00:01:38.259 --> 00:01:41.579 Now Israel's eyes were failing because of his old age, 00:01:41.979 --> 00:01:43.060 and he could hardly see. 00:01:43.739 --> 00:01:46.119 So Joseph brought his sons close to him, 00:01:46.479 --> 00:01:48.459 and his father kissed them and embraced them. 00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:51.140 Israel said to Joseph, 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:53.659 I never expected to see your face again, 00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:56.559 and now God has allowed me to see your children too. 00:01:57.739 --> 00:02:00.299 Then Joseph removed them from Israel's knees 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:03.759 and bowed down with his face to the ground. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:06.439 And Joseph took both of them, 00:02:06.799 --> 00:02:09.560 Ephraim on his right towards Israel's left hand, 00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:12.879 and Manasseh on his left towards Israel's right hand, 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:14.939 and brought them close to him. 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:18.359 But Israel reached out his right hand 00:02:18.359 --> 00:02:19.919 and put it on Ephraim's head, 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:21.639 though he was the younger. 00:02:22.319 --> 00:02:23.579 And crossing his arms, 00:02:23.740 --> 00:02:25.979 he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:28.359 even though Manasseh was the firstborn. 00:02:29.359 --> 00:02:31.280 Then he blessed Joseph and said, 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:36.580 May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac 00:02:36.580 --> 00:02:37.539 walked faithfully, 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:42.300 the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:45.740 the angel who has delivered me from all harm, 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:47.800 may he bless these boys. 00:02:48.900 --> 00:02:50.620 May they be called by my name 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:53.639 and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, 00:02:54.180 --> 00:02:57.099 and may they increase greatly on the earth. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:03:01.299 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand 00:03:01.299 --> 00:03:02.219 on Ephraim's head, 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:03.259 he was displeased, 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:05.199 so he took hold of his father's hand 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:06.740 and moved it to Ephraim's head, 00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:09.319 from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:11.859 Joseph said to him, 00:03:12.419 --> 00:03:15.319 No, my father, this one is the firstborn. 00:03:15.919 --> 00:03:17.680 Put your right hand on his head. 00:03:18.659 --> 00:03:21.180 But his father refused and said, 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:23.400 I know, my son, I know. 00:03:23.979 --> 00:03:25.900 He too will become a people. 00:03:25.900 --> 00:03:28.319 He too will become great. 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:31.480 Nevertheless, his younger brother 00:03:31.480 --> 00:03:32.700 will be greater than he, 00:03:33.140 --> 00:03:35.680 and his descendants will become a group of nations. 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:38.360 He blessed him that day and said, 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:41.659 In your name Israel will pronounce this blessing. 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:45.099 May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh. 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:48.520 So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. 00:03:49.200 --> 00:03:50.719 Then Israel said to Joseph, 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:52.379 I am about to die, 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:54.219 but God will be with you 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:56.740 and take you back to the land of your fathers. 00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:00.520 And to you I give one more ridge of land 00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:01.659 than to your brothers, 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:04.159 the ridge I took from the Amorites 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:05.900 with my sword and my bow. 00:04:05.900 --> 00:04:06.000 Thank you. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:14.500 Thanks so much, Louise. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:17.660 Well, let's keep our Bibles open. 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:24.079 Just one comment before we get into our text, 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:30.360 and that is Jacob and Israel are the same people. 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:33.439 Okay, so his names are changed here and there. 00:04:33.860 --> 00:04:35.460 Jacob just means deceiver. 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:38.259 Israel means one who struggles with God. 00:04:38.580 --> 00:04:39.780 His name is used, 00:04:40.780 --> 00:04:41.600 interchanged. 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:44.340 I'll just use the name Jacob throughout, 00:04:44.520 --> 00:04:46.699 so don't get confused with that. 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:51.019 Let's pray before we look at his word. 00:04:56.019 --> 00:04:57.240 Speak, O Lord. 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:00.240 Speak to us, 00:05:00.339 --> 00:05:04.019 because we need to hear your word to us. 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:06.639 We are needy. 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:08.439 We are desperate. 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:13.319 And we know that in your word is life. 00:05:15.539 --> 00:05:17.759 So speak to us afresh today 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:21.659 for our blessing and for our good. 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:23.500 In Jesus' name. 00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:24.699 Amen. 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:34.100 So what do you get a kid that has it all? 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:37.120 It's Christmas time, 00:05:37.220 --> 00:05:40.220 and you're wondering what to buy your nephew or your niece. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:42.660 A voucher is no good, 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:45.560 because, well, they've got more money than cents already. 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:49.360 And it seems that with every item you pick up, 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:50.420 you're saying to yourself, 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:52.720 well, they've already got one of those. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:57.439 But you get a kid who has it all. 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:01.560 Well, look at verse 1 of chapter 48. 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:05.540 Sometime later, Joseph was told, 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:08.319 your father Jacob is ill. 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:12.540 So he took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, 00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:13.920 along with him. 00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:17.980 Jacob is now nearing his end. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:19.759 He's about to die. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:23.659 And that means blessing time. 00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:30.219 So Joseph brings his two boys along to see grandpa for the last time. 00:06:30.220 --> 00:06:36.800 But what does an old man give to a couple of kids like Manasseh and Ephraim? 00:06:38.080 --> 00:06:41.440 Their father Joseph is ruler of all of Egypt, 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:44.000 the most powerful nation at the time. 00:06:44.640 --> 00:06:46.440 They have everything already. 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:49.600 Power, status, position, wealth. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:53.240 These kids are heirs to a fortune. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:07:01.060 What do you give to a child that already has everything? 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:05.300 What about you? 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:06.620 What about me? 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:11.340 Maybe you feel that you've got everything that you need already, 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:15.600 that in your life, well, you're just content with what you have. 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:21.079 Well, it seems that when it comes to God's perspective, 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:24.699 children and adults, all of humanity, 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:27.199 have nothing to lose, 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:31.620 and we have everything to gain. 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:34.779 You see, God gives 00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:37.719 what we don't have 00:07:37.719 --> 00:07:42.159 and what we all desperately need. 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:45.639 God gives what we don't have 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:49.939 and what we all desperately need. 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:54.399 So, we're going to look and see in the text this morning 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:57.100 four spiritual blessings 00:07:57.100 --> 00:08:01.180 that God offers to us today. 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:05.259 Four spiritual blessings that he offers to us. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:09.480 First, adopted into God's family. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:12.740 So, Joseph, in the text, 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:15.620 and his two boys go to see Pops. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:19.519 And it seems he's in one of his storytelling modes. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.240 Look at verse 3. 00:08:22.339 --> 00:08:23.540 Do you remember, Joseph? 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:27.219 God Almighty appeared to me at Luz 00:08:27.219 --> 00:08:28.459 in the land of Canaan, 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:29.759 and there he blessed me. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:32.159 Verse 7. 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:33.940 Did I ever tell you, 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:37.500 as I was returning from Paddan to my sorrow, 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:39.440 Rachel, your mum, 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:41.620 died in the land of Canaan 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:43.100 while we were still on the way? 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.500 Well, this is no doting grandfather 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:49.600 who's lost his marbles 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:51.440 and loves telling old stories. 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:56.779 Jacob represents God's chosen family. 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:59.920 And as father of God's family, 00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:03.860 he has the authority to bless. 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:08.600 You see, behind Jacob stands God. 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:11.399 And God is working through Jacob 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:14.559 to give what these two boys 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:16.319 don't have. 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:19.360 So, look at verse 5. 00:09:20.959 --> 00:09:22.819 Jacob says to Joseph, 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:23.919 Now then, 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:26.220 your two sons, 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.019 born to you in Egypt, 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:29.720 before I came to you here, 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:31.539 will be reckoned 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:32.939 as mine. 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:36.360 Now, Manasseh and Ephraim 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:37.860 are not Jacob's sons. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:41.340 They are not under God's covenant blessing. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:42.700 They're Egyptians. 00:09:42.940 --> 00:09:44.879 Their father was raised by Egyptians. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:46.740 Their mother was an Egyptian. 00:09:47.180 --> 00:09:49.419 All their life is Egypt. 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:54.100 They're not part of God's family. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:57.680 But yet Jacob speaks to them 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:58.340 and says, 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:01.620 I will count them as mine. 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:04.840 Jacob is adopting 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:06.820 these two boys 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:07.779 into 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:10.500 the blessing of God's family. 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:13.720 And if we're in any doubt about it, 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:15.899 look what the rest of verse 5 says. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:18.919 Ephraim and Manasseh 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:20.320 will be mine. 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.659 Just as Reuben 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:24.419 and Simeon are mine. 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:25.879 Now, Reuben and Simeon 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:27.720 were Jacob's first two children. 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:29.620 So, he's saying to Joseph, 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:31.320 your two boys 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:33.000 are going to be treated 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:33.799 just like 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:35.519 my two boys. 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:37.419 They'll be welcomed 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:38.399 and treasured 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.019 and accepted 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:40.899 as my very own sons. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.720 They're going to come under 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:45.139 the covenant blessings of God. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:47.100 You see, 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:48.000 the father 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:50.460 has the right 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:52.080 to welcome 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:54.360 who he determines 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:56.480 into his family. 00:10:56.480 --> 00:11:00.259 Now, for these two sons, 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.440 these two boys, 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:04.360 being part of the Egyptian elite 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:05.759 was no small thing. 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:09.399 But nothing compares 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:11.200 to being adopted 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:12.460 into God's family. 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:14.060 To be called 00:11:14.060 --> 00:11:15.220 sons and daughters 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:16.460 of the creator God. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:18.539 The God who owns all things 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:20.220 and rules all things. 00:11:21.920 --> 00:11:22.240 You see, 00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:23.700 the Bible is very clear 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:24.480 in its message 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:25.920 that each one of us 00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:26.840 are all born 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:28.639 outside of God's family. 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:29.740 Our rebellion, 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:30.440 our sin, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:32.320 our pushing away 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:33.560 of the creator God 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:35.279 disqualifies us, 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.259 separates us, 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:37.240 keeps us out. 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:39.340 But yet, 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:39.840 God, 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:41.060 in his kindness 00:11:41.060 --> 00:11:43.600 and in his mercy, 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:46.159 brings us in. 00:11:46.680 --> 00:11:47.899 He adopts us. 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:49.680 He embraces us. 00:11:50.800 --> 00:11:51.139 You see, 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.620 that's the kind of God 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:53.940 that we have. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:56.679 God gives what we don't have 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:58.960 and what we all 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:01.299 desperately need. 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:03.799 So that's the first blessing. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:06.060 We can be adopted 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:08.039 into God's family. 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:10.240 Here's the second. 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:14.600 Blessed through God's promise. 00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:17.460 Blessed through God's promise. 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:19.900 As sons of Jacob 00:12:19.900 --> 00:12:21.460 having been brought in 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.700 to God's family, 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:24.100 that means they now 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:25.759 receive the same family 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:26.720 blessings. 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:28.379 And one of those 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:29.400 promised blessings 00:12:29.400 --> 00:12:30.660 was a place 00:12:30.660 --> 00:12:32.280 for God's family 00:12:32.280 --> 00:12:32.920 to live. 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:34.639 Did you notice 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.220 what Jacob kept remembering 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:38.340 in his story time? 00:12:38.900 --> 00:12:39.480 Verse 3. 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:41.860 God Almighty 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.720 appeared to me 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:43.259 at Luz 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:44.340 in the land of Canaan 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:47.000 and then he blessed me. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.320 And in verse 7 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:50.360 he's talking about 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.540 his wife Rachel 00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:52.480 who had died 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.259 where? 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:55.680 In the land of Canaan. 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:57.240 You see, 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.100 it seems as if 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:59.620 he's got Canaan 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.780 on his mind. 00:13:01.040 --> 00:13:02.700 It's in his focus. 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:05.259 Because the land of Canaan 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.620 was the land 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.960 that God had promised 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:09.400 to God's family. 00:13:09.400 --> 00:13:10.540 It was going to be 00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:12.160 a land of blessing. 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.120 And the land 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:14.480 was important to Jacob 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:15.700 and as he gets older 00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:16.320 in his age 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.360 and as he's dying 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.899 all he can think of 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.179 is Canaan. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.460 But the problem is 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:26.580 Jacob and his family 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:28.600 are now down in Egypt 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:30.919 in a foreign land. 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.759 So where's the blessing? 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:35.799 Well, 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.539 Jacob is holding on 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:38.259 to the promise. 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:38.980 Look at the end 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:39.700 of verse 4. 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:43.400 God said to Jacob 00:13:43.400 --> 00:13:44.879 end of verse 4 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:47.400 I will give this land 00:13:47.400 --> 00:13:49.700 as an everlasting 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:51.640 possession. 00:13:53.540 --> 00:13:54.759 Now there's something 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:55.860 about that word 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:56.840 everlasting 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:58.320 that should grab 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.120 our attention. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.200 The land, 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.379 the place 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.759 for God's family 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.000 would be permanent, 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.140 eternal. 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.679 It wasn't just 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:08.240 going to be 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.319 for the here and now. 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:10.580 He says it will be 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.919 an everlasting 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.799 possession. 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:14.539 You see, 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.759 Jacob's vision 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.139 was beyond 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.500 anything temporal 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.439 on this earth. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.559 His focus 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:22.139 was on the promise 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:22.779 of something 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:23.819 better and greater 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:24.319 to come. 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.460 He was looking 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:26.480 forward to 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.819 an eternal 00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:28.939 possession. 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:30.740 An inheritance 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.899 that lasts 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:32.840 forever. 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:33.919 God's 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:35.100 eternal kingdom. 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:37.000 And that's 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.700 what he wants 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.259 for these 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.120 two boys. 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:40.180 Jump ahead 00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:41.019 to the end 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.060 of verse 16. 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.779 See the second 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:46.060 half of verse 16. 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:47.899 He says, 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.639 May he bless 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.540 these boys. 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:51.580 May they be 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.779 called by my name 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:53.320 in the names 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.080 of my fathers 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:54.920 Abraham and Isaac. 00:14:55.040 --> 00:14:55.600 May they be 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.879 adopted and welcomed 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.759 into my family. 00:14:58.180 --> 00:14:59.360 And may they 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.680 increase greatly 00:15:00.680 --> 00:15:02.420 on the earth 00:15:02.420 --> 00:15:03.019 or literally 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:05.080 in the land. 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.680 He wants 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:07.600 them to share 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.379 in the 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.000 inheritance. 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.500 You see, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.060 the kingdom 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:12.840 of Egypt 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:14.940 would be a 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.879 great inheritance 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.379 for these 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:16.980 two boys. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:17.960 Their father 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:19.259 Joseph is the 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.560 ruler. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.960 He's in charge. 00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:23.080 They are set up 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:23.680 to inherit 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:24.720 something great. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.740 The prospect 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.460 of wealth 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:27.080 and power 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.960 is enticing. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.360 But you know 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:29.560 what? 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:30.080 It's also 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.740 temporary. 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:33.460 When we die, 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.060 we take 00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:35.720 nothing with 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:35.919 us. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.360 It all 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:37.379 stays behind. 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.379 But when 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.120 we're adopted 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.139 into God's 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:41.500 family, 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.720 we become 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.019 heirs of 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:44.639 a heavenly 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.139 kingdom, 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.379 a land full 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.060 of blessing 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:48.740 and everlasting 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.600 possession. 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.879 It's the 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.799 heavenly kingdom, 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.360 the new 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.980 creation. 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:58.259 You see, 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.820 that's the 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.399 kind of 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.039 God that 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.700 we have. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.220 God gives 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:02.720 what we 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.879 don't have 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.060 and what 00:16:05.060 --> 00:16:05.940 we all 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:06.960 desperately 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:08.100 need. 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.139 So we 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.860 are blessed 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:12.060 with an 00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:12.820 eternal 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:14.080 inheritance. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:16.379 Third 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:16.879 blessing, 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:18.980 sustained 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.460 by God's 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.080 faithfulness. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.960 So these 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.800 two boys, 00:16:22.800 --> 00:16:23.240 as they're 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.779 brought into 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.159 Jacob, 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.919 have been 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:25.519 adopted 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.360 into God's 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:26.779 family. 00:16:27.459 --> 00:16:27.719 They've 00:16:27.719 --> 00:16:28.199 been given 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:29.240 an eternal 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.000 inheritance. 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.100 But they're 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:32.419 young, 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:32.899 aren't they? 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.600 They're going 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.100 to need 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:34.579 God's 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:35.019 continued 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:35.939 care and 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:36.339 keeping 00:16:36.339 --> 00:16:37.419 as they 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.259 continue 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.039 through life. 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.259 So having 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.139 embraced the 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:42.899 two boys, 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.120 Jacob now 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.279 steps forward 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:45.939 to bless 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:46.199 them. 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:46.819 Look at 00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:47.639 verse 13 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.199 with me. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:53.320 And 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:54.020 Joseph took 00:16:54.020 --> 00:16:54.640 both of 00:16:54.640 --> 00:16:54.960 them, 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.080 Ephraim 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:56.640 on his 00:16:56.640 --> 00:16:57.120 right, 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.040 towards 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:58.820 Israel's 00:16:58.820 --> 00:16:59.640 left hand, 00:17:00.420 --> 00:17:01.020 and Manasseh 00:17:01.020 --> 00:17:01.480 on his 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:01.900 left, 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.460 toward 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.280 Israel's 00:17:03.280 --> 00:17:04.180 right hand, 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.440 and brought 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.000 them close 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.420 to him. 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:07.940 Now you 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.319 might be a 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:08.620 little bit 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:09.660 confused about 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.220 all these 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.700 hands, 00:17:10.840 --> 00:17:11.259 left and 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:11.519 right, 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:11.900 what's 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.420 going on. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.039 Well we're 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:13.220 going to 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.620 come back 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:13.960 to that 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.360 in a 00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:14.539 minute, 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.240 hold on 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:15.740 to that. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.819 But for 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:17.240 now I 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.620 want us 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:17.960 to look 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.259 at the 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.799 blessing 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:20.059 that 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.640 Jacob 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.700 gives. 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.420 Let's 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:22.700 pick it 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.019 up in 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.779 verse 15. 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.720 May the 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.720 God before 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.720 whom my 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.819 fathers Abraham 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.559 and Isaac 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.000 walked 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.620 faithfully, 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.160 the God 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:33.559 who has 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.319 been my 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.279 shepherd all 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:35.960 my life 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.380 to this 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:36.740 day, 00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:38.480 the angel 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:38.960 who has 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.720 delivered me 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.380 from all 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:40.839 harm, 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:42.099 may he 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:43.700 bless these 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.120 boys. 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:46.559 Jacob is 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:48.039 scanning back 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.659 over his 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:49.799 life and 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.419 he's seeing 00:17:50.419 --> 00:17:51.059 that God 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.419 has been 00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:52.559 faithful to 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.439 him every 00:17:53.439 --> 00:17:54.019 step of 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.359 the way. 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:56.719 He describes 00:17:56.719 --> 00:17:57.139 it like 00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:57.439 this, 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:57.959 first he 00:17:57.959 --> 00:17:58.239 says, 00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:58.479 do you 00:17:58.479 --> 00:17:58.719 see it 00:17:58.719 --> 00:17:59.000 there in 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.699 verse 15? 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.399 God who 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:01.839 has been 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.779 my shepherd 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:04.379 all my 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:04.959 life, 00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:06.639 right up 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.079 to this 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.439 day. 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:09.619 Jacob, 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.059 as we 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:10.599 know through 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.399 our studies, 00:18:11.719 --> 00:18:12.459 had been a 00:18:12.459 --> 00:18:13.259 cheater and 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:13.819 a liar. 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:15.099 He had 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.799 deceived his 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.179 family, 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.019 he was an 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.699 unfaithful 00:18:17.699 --> 00:18:18.199 husband, 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.119 he was a 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.939 hopeless father, 00:18:20.239 --> 00:18:20.719 he was an 00:18:20.719 --> 00:18:21.979 absolute mess. 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:23.819 Yet in it 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.119 all, 00:18:24.219 --> 00:18:24.939 verse 15, 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.159 God was a 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:27.139 shepherd to 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:27.459 him. 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:28.899 God was 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.459 with him, 00:18:30.159 --> 00:18:30.819 God watched 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.439 over him, 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.639 God provided 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.099 for him, 00:18:33.479 --> 00:18:35.439 God persevered 00:18:35.439 --> 00:18:36.839 with this 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.819 messy, 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:38.719 broken, 00:18:38.959 --> 00:18:39.839 sinful man. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:39.939 man. 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.099 And then 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:42.599 he says, 00:18:42.699 --> 00:18:43.539 verse 16, 00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:45.779 the angel, 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.779 that is a 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.480 reference to 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.519 the angel of 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.259 the Lord, 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:52.179 the one who 00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:53.659 represented God 00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:54.579 as he met 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.359 with God. 00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:56.559 So he talks 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.059 about the 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.319 angel who 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.079 has delivered 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:00.059 me from all 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.579 harm. 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:02.139 Well, 00:19:02.179 --> 00:19:02.839 Jacob in his 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.720 early life was 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.459 running from 00:19:04.459 --> 00:19:05.539 his brother who 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.179 was chasing 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:07.019 after him to 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.720 kill him. 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.940 he was going 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:09.500 to be killed 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.200 by his own 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.600 brother. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.240 Well, 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.600 that's what 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.180 happens when 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:12.920 you go stealing 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.620 your brother's 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.180 inheritance. 00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:15.559 That was the 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.220 kind of person 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.240 Jacob was. 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.440 And then later 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.140 in life, 00:19:19.600 --> 00:19:20.120 he and his 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.900 family were on 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.680 the brink of 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.759 starvation because 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.440 of a famine. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.279 And he was 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.220 too stubborn to 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:26.740 get up and 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.339 move to 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.100 Egypt to go 00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:28.860 and get food. 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.839 They were all 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.559 going to die. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.420 But yet he 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.160 was delivered 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:35.779 from all 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.240 harm. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:38.839 God delivered 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:40.279 him time 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.339 and time 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:41.819 again. 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.019 Now when we 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:44.819 look back on 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.799 Jacob's life, 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:47.640 it's a wonder 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.299 that he even 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.000 managed to 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.700 make it so 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.120 far. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.960 He was a 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.759 deceiver and 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.519 a struggler. 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.740 But yet God 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:57.259 stood by 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:57.660 him. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.640 God never 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:00.559 gave up 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.259 on him. 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.940 In spite of 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.839 Jacob's sin, 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:04.980 God remained 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.440 faithful. 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.240 the only 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.080 reason why 00:20:07.080 --> 00:20:07.960 Jacob was 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.380 where he 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:08.740 was, 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.559 was because 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:09.940 of the 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.559 faithfulness 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.019 of God 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:11.820 who sustained 00:20:11.820 --> 00:20:12.200 him. 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.860 So Jacob 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.700 with all 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.160 of this 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.559 in his 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.160 mind, 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.160 he now 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.900 turns to 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:19.440 these two 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.299 boys and 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:20.640 he says, 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.740 may this 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.299 God, 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.640 the God 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:23.960 who has 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.660 been my 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.160 shepherd, 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.140 the God 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.480 who has 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.200 been my 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:28.039 deliverer, 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:28.940 may he 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.820 bless these 00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:30.299 boys. 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.200 You see, 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.720 if these 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.440 two boys 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:33.920 are going to 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.360 make it, 00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:35.039 if they're 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.340 going to 00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:35.940 get through, 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.940 they're going 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.680 to need a 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:38.480 faithful God 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.300 like this. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.660 Now isn't 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.039 this the 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:43.400 kind of 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:43.860 God that 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:44.519 we need? 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.240 The God 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:47.640 who will 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.680 shepherd us 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:50.220 and who 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.779 will deliver 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.440 us, 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.560 who sticks 00:20:53.560 --> 00:20:54.420 with us 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.320 and keeps 00:20:55.320 --> 00:20:56.060 with us 00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:57.400 year in, 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.400 year out, 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.779 despite our 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.320 mess and 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:01.100 our brokenness 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.439 and our 00:21:01.439 --> 00:21:01.719 sin. 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:03.779 This is 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.199 the kind 00:21:04.199 --> 00:21:04.559 of God 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.240 we have. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.480 He gives 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.299 what we 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.279 don't have 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.679 and what 00:21:10.679 --> 00:21:11.299 we all 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.419 desperately 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.419 need. 00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:15.699 So, 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.500 on to 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.039 our fourth 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.539 blessing. 00:21:21.139 --> 00:21:21.679 Humbled 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:23.419 by God's 00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:23.899 grace. 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.500 So they've 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.199 been adopted, 00:21:27.199 --> 00:21:28.079 they've been 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.659 blessed, 00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:28.800 blessed, 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.040 they are 00:21:30.040 --> 00:21:30.360 being 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:31.240 sustained, 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:34.000 but now 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.960 humbled. 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:36.920 Let's go 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.380 back to 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.180 verse 13, 00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:39.740 that funny 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.420 hands 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.060 business. 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.460 Joseph 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.400 presents his 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:44.940 sons to 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.560 his father 00:21:45.560 --> 00:21:46.380 and Joseph 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:47.920 does what 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.700 is tradition 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.820 and practice. 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.140 Verse 13, 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:52.840 Joseph took 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.420 both of 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.660 them, 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.779 Ephraim 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.360 on his 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.380 right towards 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.400 Israel's 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.440 left hand, 00:21:58.660 --> 00:22:00.080 and Manasseh 00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:00.580 on his 00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:01.180 left hand 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:02.519 toward Israel's 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.880 right hand 00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:05.160 and brought 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.700 them close 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.120 to him. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.240 You see, 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:07.940 the right 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:09.080 hand was 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:09.640 a symbol 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.680 of authority. 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.100 So Manasseh 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:14.259 is presented 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.500 to Jacob's 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.820 right hand. 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:18.080 Manasseh is 00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:19.000 the firstborn 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.700 and the 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.640 firstborn son 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.740 always, 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:22.840 always 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:24.040 gets the 00:22:24.040 --> 00:22:24.440 primary 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:24.920 blessing. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.039 blessing. 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.740 Verse 14, 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.380 but Israel 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.120 reached out 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.019 his right 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:34.320 hand and 00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:35.320 put it on 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.820 Ephraim's 00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:37.240 head, 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:38.539 though he 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.100 was the 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:39.539 younger, 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.220 and crossing 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.920 his arms, 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.519 he put his 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.420 left hand on 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.140 Manasseh's 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.400 head, 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.640 even though 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.460 Manasseh was 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.400 the firstborn. 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:50.320 Verse 17, 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:52.700 when Joseph 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.659 saw his 00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:54.339 father 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.539 placing his 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.480 right hand 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.799 on Ephraim's 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.019 head, 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:58.700 he was 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.220 displeased. 00:22:59.480 --> 00:22:59.960 He was 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.019 furious. 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:02.740 So he 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.619 grabbed hold 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:03.919 of his 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:04.419 father's 00:23:04.419 --> 00:23:05.240 hand to 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.679 move it 00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:05.899 from 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.639 Ephraim's 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.279 head to 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.859 Manasseh's 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.139 head. 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.179 Joseph said 00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:10.539 to him, 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:11.259 no, 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.039 my father, 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.579 this one 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:13.960 is the 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.539 firstborn. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.599 Put your 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.259 right hand 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.859 on his 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.240 head. 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.539 It would 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:20.839 have been 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:21.539 outrageous, 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.500 a scandal. 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:26.839 Now, 00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:27.059 if you're 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.539 finding it 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.000 hard to 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.279 kind of 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.960 get to 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.599 grips with 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.039 this, 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.539 imagine 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.039 with me 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.379 for a 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:32.759 moment 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.240 that King 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.940 Charles 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.819 of the 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.180 monarchy 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.879 across the 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.279 water 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.379 can no 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:38.819 longer 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.680 carry on 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.000 being 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.400 king. 00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:42.339 So in 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.019 a ceremony 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.879 he's 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.519 arranged to 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.140 pass the 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.579 crown 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.659 to his 00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:47.000 son. 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.839 So there's 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.099 King 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.619 Charles 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.099 standing 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.819 before his 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.599 two sons, 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:53.299 William and 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.699 Harry. 00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:55.419 Well, 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.240 everyone knows, 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.799 the world 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.359 knows, 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:57.720 that, 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:57.960 well, 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:58.500 William, 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.619 the firstborn, 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:00.980 gets the 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.379 crown. 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:03.220 He's the 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:03.839 good boy, 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:04.539 isn't he? 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.859 Does what 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.699 everybody wants 00:24:06.699 --> 00:24:07.299 him to do. 00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.299 He's been 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.199 preparing this 00:24:09.199 --> 00:24:09.679 for his 00:24:09.679 --> 00:24:10.519 whole life. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.599 And then 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.240 comes the 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.859 crowning. 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.699 But just 00:24:16.699 --> 00:24:17.179 as the 00:24:17.179 --> 00:24:17.759 crown is 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.179 going to 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:18.699 be placed 00:24:18.699 --> 00:24:19.460 on William's 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.659 head, 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.279 at the 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.019 last moment 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.539 Charles 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.139 stutters, 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.359 turns and 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.460 plonks it 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:24.939 on the 00:24:24.939 --> 00:24:25.619 disgraced 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.000 Harry. 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:29.460 Could you 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.359 imagine the 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:30.960 scandal? 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.919 What would 00:24:32.919 --> 00:24:33.500 be in the 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.319 papers the 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.000 next day? 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:35.839 What's 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.480 going on 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:36.799 here? 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.679 It's 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.379 William, 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:40.519 not Harry. 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.659 Manasseh 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.160 should get 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.380 the 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:44.880 blessing. 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.380 Not 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:47.140 Ephraim. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.620 Everything 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:49.300 is turned 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:50.100 upside down 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:50.400 and on 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:50.940 its head. 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.620 But this 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.019 is no 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.720 mistake. 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:55.779 It's 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.580 intentional, 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.820 verse 19. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.240 But Jacob 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.540 refused and 00:25:01.540 --> 00:25:01.920 said, 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.300 I know, 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.160 my son, 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.560 I know. 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.779 I understand 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.080 protocol and 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:08.220 tradition and 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.680 practice. 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:09.620 I know all 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:10.000 that. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:12.099 he too 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.720 will become 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.220 a people 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.660 and he 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.099 too will 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.460 become 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:14.940 great. 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.480 Nevertheless, 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.319 his younger 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.960 brother will 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.700 be greater 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:21.220 than he. 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.180 Why? 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:23.880 Why? 00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:25.559 Why mess 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.339 with tradition? 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:28.720 Well, it's 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.440 what God has 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.019 been teaching 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.079 us all the 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.839 way through 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.480 Genesis. 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.940 God is a 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.500 God of 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.200 grace. 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.519 He blesses 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.339 the least 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.339 and the 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:39.839 last. 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:41.279 This has 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.000 been God's 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.240 pattern all 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.599 the way 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:43.980 along. 00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:45.039 Israel, 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.119 or Isaac 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:46.480 rather, 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:47.139 was chosen 00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:47.799 over his 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.459 firstborn 00:25:48.459 --> 00:25:48.980 Ishmael. 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.179 Do you 00:25:49.179 --> 00:25:49.500 remember? 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.959 Jacob was 00:25:51.959 --> 00:25:52.699 chosen over 00:25:52.699 --> 00:25:53.480 the firstborn 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.079 Esau. 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.779 And Ephraim 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.720 is chosen over 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.459 the firstborn 00:25:57.459 --> 00:25:58.079 Manasseh. 00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:58.839 There's a 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.480 pattern we 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.000 should pick 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.319 up. 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:01.480 You see, 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.379 God's grace 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.279 doesn't come 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.159 because of 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.019 status and 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.500 position. 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.980 We don't 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.839 receive grace 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.459 because we 00:26:08.459 --> 00:26:09.159 earn it or 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:10.119 deserve it. 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.539 It doesn't 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.199 matter your 00:26:12.199 --> 00:26:12.599 religious 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.399 privilege or 00:26:13.399 --> 00:26:13.980 your social 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.639 standing. 00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:15.919 God gives 00:26:15.919 --> 00:26:16.619 his grace 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:18.659 to who he 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:19.259 determines, 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.579 to the 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.039 humble, 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.039 to those 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.019 who don't 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.259 qualify, 00:26:27.199 --> 00:26:28.240 to those 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.919 who have 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:30.959 nothing and 00:26:30.959 --> 00:26:31.939 need everything 00:26:31.939 --> 00:26:33.419 from what 00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:34.339 God gives. 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:37.519 you see, 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:37.919 if we are 00:26:37.919 --> 00:26:39.139 to experience 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.759 the favour 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.139 and the 00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:41.659 grace of 00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:42.139 God, 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:44.240 we must 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.699 learn 00:26:44.699 --> 00:26:45.639 humility. 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:47.819 Look at 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.799 this scene 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.459 again with 00:26:49.459 --> 00:26:50.199 me of the 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:51.319 two boys 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:51.919 and Jacob 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:52.819 being blessed. 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:53.980 On the 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.599 one side, 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.139 we have 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:56.079 these two 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.579 boys. 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.519 They're young. 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.220 They're the 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.819 elite of 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.099 Egypt. 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.079 They have 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.439 it all, 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:00.980 possession, 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:01.519 wealth, 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.119 and power. 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.739 In the 00:27:02.739 --> 00:27:03.219 eyes of 00:27:03.219 --> 00:27:03.679 the world, 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.579 these two 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:05.219 boys are 00:27:05.219 --> 00:27:05.739 already 00:27:05.739 --> 00:27:06.219 blessed. 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:06.739 They have 00:27:06.739 --> 00:27:07.239 everything. 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.000 And then 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.319 on the 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:09.939 other side, 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.819 picture it, 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.739 an old 00:27:12.739 --> 00:27:13.719 blind 00:27:13.719 --> 00:27:15.299 man on 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.259 his deathbed. 00:27:18.419 --> 00:27:19.199 In the 00:27:19.199 --> 00:27:19.739 eyes of 00:27:19.739 --> 00:27:20.439 the Egyptians, 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.279 he's 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.159 detestable. 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:24.879 Why do 00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:25.219 we say 00:27:25.219 --> 00:27:25.619 that? 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.059 Do you 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.439 remember what 00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:27.939 his job 00:27:27.939 --> 00:27:28.319 was? 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:30.039 He was a 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.359 shepherd. 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.500 shepherd. 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.139 And you 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.399 know what 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:32.819 Egyptians 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.479 thought of 00:27:33.479 --> 00:27:34.099 shepherds? 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.099 Well, 00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:36.000 chapter 43, 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:36.799 verse 32 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.379 tells us 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.039 they wouldn't 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.719 even eat 00:27:38.719 --> 00:27:39.279 with them 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:41.240 because they 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.359 were detestable. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.859 Chapter 46, 00:27:44.979 --> 00:27:45.619 verse 34 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.299 tells us 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.179 that Jacob 00:27:47.179 --> 00:27:47.519 and his 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.359 family had 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:48.879 to move 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.619 to a far 00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:50.359 part of 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:50.699 Egypt, 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:51.519 far away, 00:27:51.919 --> 00:27:53.039 because all 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.939 shepherds are 00:27:53.939 --> 00:27:55.119 detestable to 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.879 the Egyptians. 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.160 Christians. 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.420 Now, 00:27:59.500 --> 00:27:59.920 what can 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.760 an old, 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.200 detestable, 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.720 despised 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:05.160 man give 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.740 to these 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.600 two elite 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.020 boys? 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.920 Well, 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.260 he gives 00:28:10.260 --> 00:28:10.560 them what 00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:11.040 they don't 00:28:11.040 --> 00:28:12.760 have and 00:28:12.760 --> 00:28:13.120 what they 00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:13.600 desperately 00:28:13.600 --> 00:28:14.240 need. 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.940 You see, 00:28:18.040 --> 00:28:18.440 isn't this 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.220 the way God 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:19.920 works with 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.500 us too? 00:28:21.820 --> 00:28:22.480 If we're 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.520 to experience 00:28:23.520 --> 00:28:24.500 being adopted 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.400 into God's 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:25.820 family, 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.600 blessed by 00:28:27.600 --> 00:28:28.420 his promises, 00:28:29.020 --> 00:28:30.000 sustained by 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.100 his faithfulness, 00:28:31.760 --> 00:28:33.480 we need 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:33.920 to be 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.440 humble. 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:37.500 You see, 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:38.240 before us 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.980 stands the 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.600 Lord Jesus 00:28:39.600 --> 00:28:40.420 Christ, 00:28:41.780 --> 00:28:42.780 despised 00:28:42.780 --> 00:28:44.240 and rejected 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.320 by mankind, 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.240 held in 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.160 low esteem, 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.540 a nothing, 00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:50.420 a nobody. 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:52.180 There he 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.880 is on a 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.300 cross, 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.100 beaten, 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.240 mocked, 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.220 flogged, 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.099 crucified, 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.420 cursed. 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:01.000 What can 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:02.120 a detestable, 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.460 dying man 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.640 possibly give 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.140 to people 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:05.960 like us? 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:08.920 Well, 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.279 he gives 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.640 what we 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.240 don't have 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.720 and what we 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.339 all desperately 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:11.920 need, 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.579 God's 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.019 grace. 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.380 You see, 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.039 the one who 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.660 is nothing 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.339 in the eyes 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.019 of the world, 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:21.220 the one who 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.279 is despised 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.039 and rejected, 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:24.639 humbles 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:25.680 himself for 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.220 us, 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.799 and dies 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.519 for us so 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:28.920 that we 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:29.779 might receive 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.420 from him. 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.240 He goes to 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.779 the cross 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.599 to take my 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.279 sin and your 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.599 sin. 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.680 He takes the 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.740 curse so that 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.460 we can have 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.160 the blessings. 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.420 things. 00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:41.040 It takes 00:29:41.040 --> 00:29:41.720 humility 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:43.320 to come and 00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:44.200 bow before 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.160 a God 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.019 like this, 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.820 to admit 00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:48.320 that you 00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:49.220 actually have 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.100 nothing 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:52.580 and that you 00:29:52.580 --> 00:29:53.120 desperately 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:53.820 need 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:54.779 Jesus. 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.680 God's 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.660 grace flows 00:29:58.660 --> 00:30:00.380 not uphill 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:02.500 but downhill 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:04.300 to the least 00:30:04.300 --> 00:30:05.680 and the last. 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:07.039 It embraces 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.640 the weak 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:07.980 and the 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.299 broken 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.700 and the 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.019 crushed. 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.039 It flows 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.480 to the 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.160 harries of 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.840 this world, 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:13.000 the rebellious 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.320 and the 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:13.880 rejected. 00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:14.920 It comes 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.500 to people 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.240 like you 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.920 and I. 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.259 In 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.880 humility 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:21.420 and by 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.019 grace 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:24.019 we receive 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.660 what we 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.580 don't have 00:30:25.580 --> 00:30:27.259 and what 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.779 we all 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.440 desperately 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.740 need. 00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:32.360 Let's 00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:32.740 pray 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.460 together. 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:51.100 As we 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:51.500 pray 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:53.360 the words 00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:53.799 that we 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.680 started with 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.340 this morning, 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:58.100 these are 00:30:58.100 --> 00:30:58.759 the ones 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.320 I look 00:30:59.320 --> 00:30:59.860 on with 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.380 favour, 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:02.880 those who 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.680 are humble 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:05.759 and contrite 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.519 in spirit 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:08.400 and who 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.160 tremble at 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:09.779 my word. 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.360 Father, 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:12.900 give us 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:13.500 a humble 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.000 heart. 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:15.900 Help us 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.360 to see 00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:16.779 that we 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.500 are empty, 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.180 that we 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:19.860 have nothing 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:21.640 and that 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.480 we desperately 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.539 need the 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.220 Lord Jesus, 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.620 his grace, 00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.660 his kindness, 00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:30.799 his welcome, 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.799 his inheritance, 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.940 and his 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.680 sustaining 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.640 faithfulness. 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.240 Humble us 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.100 before you, 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.680 we pray. 00:31:41.840 --> 00:31:42.680 In Jesus' 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.180 name, 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.660 Amen. 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.140 Well, 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:50.560 we're going to 00:31:50.560 --> 00:31:51.340 sing together. 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.560 When I was 00:31:54.560 --> 00:31:55.000 lost, 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:55.820 you came 00:31:55.820 --> 00:31:57.380 and rescued 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:57.779 me, 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:58.440 just as 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.080 God was 00:31:59.080 --> 00:31:59.560 ashamed 00:31:59.560 --> 00:31:59.680 of me.