WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.020 You may be seated. 00:00:07.660 --> 00:00:08.500 Good morning. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:14.839 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:15.780 --> 00:00:18.780 And it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:22.699 Special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:23.740 We're glad that you're here. 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:27.699 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:31.599 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:36.560 And as we follow Jesus together, we've become convinced that there's no one so good. 00:00:36.659 --> 00:00:37.820 They don't need God's grace. 00:00:38.519 --> 00:00:40.579 And no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:40.879 --> 00:00:45.939 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:47.100 --> 00:00:49.840 We're continuing our series in the book of Judges. 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:53.539 And you'll remember that the book of Judges is about a number of things. 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:59.539 It's about the need for constant renewal and revival among God's people. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:04.159 It's about the need for a faithful and true king, 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:09.260 a king who can do what no human can do, which is to change the hearts of men. 00:01:10.060 --> 00:01:12.819 It's about the power of spirit-filled leadership. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:19.460 It's about God's mercy to hard-hearted people, people like you and me. 00:01:19.459 --> 00:01:23.859 This morning we're picking up in Judges chapter 18. 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:29.579 You may remember, if you've been with us, that as we ended chapter 16, 00:01:29.699 --> 00:01:32.179 we actually ended the story of the Judges, 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:35.560 if we think about Judges as the leaders of God's people. 00:01:36.199 --> 00:01:38.179 And while we may be finished with the Judges, 00:01:38.259 --> 00:01:40.859 we are not finished with the book of Judges. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:44.739 Since the last five chapters, turn away from Israel's leaders 00:01:44.739 --> 00:01:49.019 and instead show us what life was like for normal, everyday people, 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:51.399 Monday through Sunday. 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:55.579 Last week, or two weeks ago now, in chapter 17, 00:01:55.879 --> 00:01:57.579 we met the figure of Micah. 00:01:57.739 --> 00:02:02.340 And you'll remember that Micah had stolen 1,100 pieces of silver from his mom. 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:05.599 He found out that she had cursed whoever had stolen the silver. 00:02:05.759 --> 00:02:08.060 And so to avoid the curse, he quickly gave it back to her. 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:10.840 And both of them used it to set up idols, 00:02:11.019 --> 00:02:14.039 violating what we looked at earlier this morning, the second commandment. 00:02:14.739 --> 00:02:16.599 In fact, in the first five verses, 00:02:16.859 --> 00:02:20.459 they managed to break four of God's Ten Commandments. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:24.079 And so we talked about the fact that they had lots of religious show, 00:02:25.219 --> 00:02:26.759 no religious substance. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:31.180 They had lots of religious superstition, religious activity 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:36.519 that wasn't tethered at all to any sort of real holiness or real obedience. 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:41.319 And we saw in verse 6 the phrase that we're now going to begin to hear 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:42.359 at the very end of the book, 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:45.360 that in those days there was no king in Israel. 00:02:46.100 --> 00:02:48.760 Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:51.280 This week in chapter 18, 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:54.160 we're going to pick up on a theme that started last week 00:02:54.160 --> 00:02:56.520 that we left to the side 00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:59.340 because it comes more to the forefront in this chapter, 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:01.620 which is the great disappointment, 00:03:01.980 --> 00:03:04.620 the great futility of idols. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:08.500 Micah makes these idols in chapter 17 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:11.740 with great hope, great expectation, great trust. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:14.379 He finds out in chapter 18 00:03:14.379 --> 00:03:18.219 just what a terrible decision that was. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:22.199 And so with that, I invite you to turn with me in God's word. 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:24.099 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:25.900 You can turn in your phone. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:27.560 You can turn in your Bible. 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:29.860 No matter where you turn, 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:31.460 remember that this is God's word. 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:34.500 And God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:36.080 even the finest gold, 00:03:36.480 --> 00:03:37.580 and it is sweeter than honey, 00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:40.439 even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:42.260 And so that's why we read now 00:03:42.260 --> 00:03:44.960 Judges chapter 18, starting in verse 1. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:49.520 In those days there was no king in Israel. 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:53.120 And in those days the tribe of the people of Dan 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:55.920 was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in. 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:59.840 For until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:00.900 had fallen to them. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:04.280 So the people of Dan sent five able men 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:06.060 from the whole number of their tribe, 00:04:06.700 --> 00:04:08.340 from Zorah and from Eshtael, 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:10.680 to spy out the land and to explore it. 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:13.000 And they said to them, 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:14.620 Go and explore the land. 00:04:15.540 --> 00:04:17.900 And they came to the hill country of Ephraim 00:04:17.900 --> 00:04:20.079 to the house of Micah and lodged there. 00:04:21.160 --> 00:04:22.740 When they were by the house of Micah, 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:25.300 they recognized the voice of the young Levite. 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:28.120 And they turned aside and said to him, 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:29.280 Who brought you here? 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:32.360 What are you doing in this place? 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:34.460 What is your business here? 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:36.780 And he said to them, 00:04:36.840 --> 00:04:38.300 This is how Micah dealt with me. 00:04:38.960 --> 00:04:41.519 He has hired me, and I have become his priest. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:43.560 And they said to him, 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:45.420 Inquire of God, please, 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:49.459 that we may know whether the journey on which we are setting out will succeed. 00:04:50.899 --> 00:04:52.399 And the priest said to them, 00:04:52.540 --> 00:04:53.199 Go in peace. 00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:56.680 The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord. 00:04:57.639 --> 00:04:58.240 Verse 7. 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:03.079 Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, 00:05:03.460 --> 00:05:06.699 how they lived in security after the manner of the Sidonians, 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:12.160 quiet and unsuspecting, lacking nothing that is in the earth and possessing wealth, 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:16.840 and how they were far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:20.420 And when they came to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtail, 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:21.500 their brothers said to them, 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:22.820 What do you report? 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:26.420 They said, Arise and let us go up against them, 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:28.120 for we have seen the land, 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:30.020 and behold, it is very good. 00:05:31.020 --> 00:05:32.340 And will you do nothing? 00:05:33.340 --> 00:05:34.760 Do not be slow to go, 00:05:34.900 --> 00:05:36.540 to enter in and possess the land. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:38.360 As soon as you go, 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:40.439 you will come to an unsuspecting people. 00:05:41.460 --> 00:05:42.420 The land is spacious, 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:44.540 for God has given it into your hands, 00:05:44.840 --> 00:05:48.379 a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:50.780 Verse 11. 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:53.259 So 600 men of the tribe of Dan, 00:05:53.520 --> 00:05:54.759 armed with weapons of war, 00:05:55.460 --> 00:05:57.040 set out from Zorah and Eshtail 00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:00.320 and went up and camped at Kiriath-Jerim in Judah. 00:06:01.100 --> 00:06:01.840 On this account, 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:04.520 that place is called Mahanadan to this day. 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:07.560 Behold, it is west of Kiriath-Jerim. 00:06:08.219 --> 00:06:11.139 And they passed on from there to the hill country of Ephraim 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:13.479 and came to the house of Micah. 00:06:14.419 --> 00:06:15.299 Verse 14. 00:06:16.419 --> 00:06:19.279 Then the five men who had gone to scout out the country of Laish 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:20.120 said to their brothers, 00:06:20.899 --> 00:06:23.479 Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, 00:06:23.599 --> 00:06:26.379 household gods, a carved image, and a metal image? 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:29.759 Now therefore consider what you will do. 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:31.939 And they turned aside there 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:33.680 and came to the house of the young Levite 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:34.800 at the home of Micah 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:36.540 and asked him about his welfare. 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:39.139 Now the 600 men of the Danites, 00:06:39.340 --> 00:06:40.720 armed with their weapons of war, 00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:42.439 stood by the entrance of the gate. 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:45.780 And the five men who had gone to scout out the land 00:06:45.780 --> 00:06:47.980 went up and entered and took the carved image, 00:06:48.220 --> 00:06:49.840 the ephod, the household gods, 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:50.920 and the metal image, 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:53.879 while the priest stood by the entrance of the gate 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:57.019 with 600 men armed with weapons of war. 00:06:58.019 --> 00:06:58.960 Verse 18. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:02.219 And when these went into Micah's house 00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:03.599 and took the carved image, 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:04.239 the ephod, 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:05.259 the household gods, 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:06.139 and the metal image, 00:07:06.739 --> 00:07:07.799 the priest said to them, 00:07:07.919 --> 00:07:08.979 What are you doing? 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:10.699 And they said to him, 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:11.419 Keep quiet. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:13.099 Put your hand on your mouth 00:07:13.099 --> 00:07:14.259 and come with us 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:17.179 and be to us a father and a priest. 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:19.659 Is it better for you to be a priest 00:07:19.659 --> 00:07:21.159 to the house of one man 00:07:21.159 --> 00:07:23.159 or to be priest to a tribe 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:24.539 and a clan in Israel? 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:27.100 And the priest's heart was glad. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:29.960 He took the ephod and the household gods 00:07:29.960 --> 00:07:30.860 and the carved image 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:32.200 and went along with the people. 00:07:33.020 --> 00:07:34.439 So they turned and departed, 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:35.640 putting the little ones 00:07:35.640 --> 00:07:37.700 and the livestock and the goods in front of them. 00:07:38.320 --> 00:07:39.460 When they had gone a distance 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:40.480 from the home of Micah, 00:07:40.540 --> 00:07:41.980 the men who were in the houses 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:43.840 near Micah's house were called out. 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:46.300 And they overtook the people of Dan. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:49.060 And they shouted to the people of Dan 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:50.740 who turned around and said to Micah, 00:07:51.280 --> 00:07:52.740 What is the matter with you 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:54.420 that you come with such a company? 00:07:55.300 --> 00:07:56.060 And he said, 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:57.740 You take my gods that I made 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:59.260 and the priest and go away 00:07:59.260 --> 00:08:00.400 and what have I left? 00:08:01.080 --> 00:08:02.460 How then do you ask me 00:08:02.460 --> 00:08:03.740 what is the matter with you? 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:06.360 And the people of Dan said to him, 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:09.260 Do not let your voice be heard among us, 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:12.140 lest angry fellows fall upon you 00:08:12.140 --> 00:08:13.939 and you lose your life 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:15.700 with the lives of your household. 00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:18.160 Then the people of Dan went their way. 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:20.240 And when Micah saw 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:21.800 that they were too strong for him, 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:24.280 he turned and went back to his home. 00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:26.640 Verse 27, 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:28.699 But the people of Dan 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:29.919 took what Micah had made 00:08:29.919 --> 00:08:31.500 and the priest who belonged to him. 00:08:31.919 --> 00:08:33.080 And they came to Laish 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:35.139 to a people quiet and unsuspecting 00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:37.559 and struck them with the edge of the sword 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:39.819 and burned the city with fire. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.120 And there was no deliverer 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:43.740 because it was far from Sidon 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:45.360 and they had no dealings with anyone. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:47.199 It was in the valley 00:08:47.199 --> 00:08:48.699 that belongs to Beth Rehob. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:50.759 Then they rebuilt the city 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:51.460 and lived in it. 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:53.500 And they named the city Dan 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.800 after the name of Dan, 00:08:54.900 --> 00:08:55.660 their ancestor, 00:08:55.800 --> 00:08:57.040 who was born to Israel. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:08:59.160 But the name of the city 00:08:59.160 --> 00:09:00.600 was Laish at the first. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:02.400 And the people of Dan 00:09:02.400 --> 00:09:04.100 set up the carved image for themselves. 00:09:04.300 --> 00:09:04.820 And Jonathan, 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:05.840 the son of Gershom, 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:06.600 son of Moses, 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:07.840 and his sons 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:09.300 were priests 00:09:09.300 --> 00:09:10.900 to the tribe of the Danites 00:09:10.900 --> 00:09:11.600 until the day 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.060 of the captivity of the land. 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:15.740 So they set up Micah's carved image 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:16.400 that he made 00:09:16.400 --> 00:09:18.320 as long as the house of God 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:19.740 was at Shiloh. 00:09:21.940 --> 00:09:23.260 I invite you to pray with me 00:09:23.260 --> 00:09:24.480 as we come to this portion 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:25.640 of God's word. 00:09:27.020 --> 00:09:28.040 Our Father in heaven, 00:09:28.160 --> 00:09:29.980 we do thank you again 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:30.780 for your word 00:09:30.780 --> 00:09:31.780 that you 00:09:31.780 --> 00:09:34.020 create, 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:34.960 nurture, 00:09:35.160 --> 00:09:35.980 sustain life 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:36.600 by your word. 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:37.120 You did it 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:38.640 in the creation of the world. 00:09:39.540 --> 00:09:40.200 And you do it 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:40.760 through the scriptures 00:09:40.760 --> 00:09:41.860 that you've given to us. 00:09:42.540 --> 00:09:43.500 And so we ask this morning 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.580 that you would give us life. 00:09:45.300 --> 00:09:46.380 That you would use 00:09:46.380 --> 00:09:47.680 this passage 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:48.839 to encourage 00:09:48.839 --> 00:09:49.919 and to challenge us. 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:50.959 You'd use it 00:09:50.959 --> 00:09:51.599 to change us 00:09:51.599 --> 00:09:52.319 and to grow us. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:53.639 And most of all, 00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:54.099 you'd use it 00:09:54.099 --> 00:09:54.879 to show us, Jesus, 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:55.939 that we would see 00:09:55.939 --> 00:09:57.399 our great need 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:58.819 and we would also see 00:09:58.819 --> 00:09:59.719 his great mercy. 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:01.219 You would use it 00:10:01.219 --> 00:10:02.139 to make us 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:03.379 more and more like him. 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:05.219 We ask these things 00:10:05.219 --> 00:10:06.239 in his mighty name. 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:07.120 Amen. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:11.079 As we begin 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:12.019 chapter 18, 00:10:12.439 --> 00:10:13.579 we are confronted 00:10:13.579 --> 00:10:14.219 immediately 00:10:14.219 --> 00:10:15.919 with a major problem. 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:18.120 The tribe of Dan, 00:10:18.199 --> 00:10:19.679 which is one of the 12 tribes 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:20.279 of Israel, 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:20.979 it turns out, 00:10:21.079 --> 00:10:22.399 actually have no territory. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:24.099 They do not have 00:10:24.099 --> 00:10:24.779 the land 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:25.719 that they need 00:10:25.719 --> 00:10:26.240 and that raises 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:27.360 the question of why not. 00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:28.539 Well, that, 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:29.439 to understand, 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:29.939 would take us 00:10:29.939 --> 00:10:30.659 all the way 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:31.719 back to chapter 1. 00:10:31.819 --> 00:10:32.919 You might remember 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:34.399 back in chapter 1, 00:10:34.479 --> 00:10:35.579 we heard the story 00:10:35.579 --> 00:10:36.620 of how the different tribes 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:37.479 were coming in 00:10:37.479 --> 00:10:38.979 and taking the territory 00:10:38.979 --> 00:10:40.480 that belonged to them. 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:41.799 And yet, 00:10:41.939 --> 00:10:43.059 part of the warning 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:44.639 at the very beginning 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.579 of the book of Judges, 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:46.739 part of the foreshadowing 00:10:46.739 --> 00:10:47.599 was that we saw 00:10:47.599 --> 00:10:48.279 that they were not 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:49.419 actually able 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.839 to take the land 00:10:50.839 --> 00:10:51.799 that God had given them. 00:10:52.099 --> 00:10:53.039 You may also remember 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:54.299 one commentator said this, 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.699 that they said 00:10:55.699 --> 00:10:57.759 we could not take the land 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:59.539 and God in chapter 1 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:00.119 basically says, 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:00.459 no, 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:01.979 you would not 00:11:01.979 --> 00:11:02.879 take the land. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.339 You were not faithful. 00:11:04.479 --> 00:11:05.299 You did not believe 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:06.359 the promises 00:11:06.359 --> 00:11:08.519 that I gave to you. 00:11:09.619 --> 00:11:10.399 And so this failure 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.379 that we encounter 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.539 right here at the beginning 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:13.399 is this lack 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:15.039 of faith and obedience. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.460 The lack of obedience 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:17.500 from the tribe of Dan 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:18.919 is catching up with them. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:19.740 In fact, 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:20.580 there's a problem 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:21.600 that's not explicit 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.360 in the passage 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:23.159 but that we know 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:23.960 from geography 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:25.059 which is that 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:26.559 they are squeezed in. 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:27.659 The tribe of Dan 00:11:27.659 --> 00:11:29.039 does not have 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:29.899 what they need 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:30.740 in terms of land 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:31.779 to grow crops, 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:33.399 to sustain themselves, 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:34.860 and to feed themselves. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:37.100 And so their disobedience 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:37.659 has really, 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:38.179 in a sense, 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.679 put them into a corner. 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:41.779 They don't have the land 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:43.039 they actually need 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:44.019 to survive. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:45.359 And so that, 00:11:45.559 --> 00:11:46.719 rather than obedience 00:11:46.719 --> 00:11:47.539 and faith 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:48.639 and trust in God, 00:11:48.819 --> 00:11:50.319 is what's pushing them 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:51.699 to finally do 00:11:51.699 --> 00:11:52.899 what they should have done 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:54.219 a long time ago. 00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:55.839 It makes sense then 00:11:55.839 --> 00:11:56.719 that this is the land 00:11:56.719 --> 00:11:57.479 that they take. 00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:59.359 We're told in verse 10, 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:00.879 it is a place 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.559 where there is no lack 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.359 of anything 00:12:03.359 --> 00:12:04.979 that is in the earth. 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:07.099 So they're living, 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:08.319 not enough land, 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.780 not the right land. 00:12:10.300 --> 00:12:11.800 Suddenly they find 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:12.520 the spies 00:12:12.520 --> 00:12:13.280 that go out 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:15.340 the greatest land. 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:16.500 Now we're getting 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:17.980 ahead of ourselves here though. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:19.560 This story breaks up 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:20.500 into several parts 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.480 and the first couple parts 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.980 are these two expeditions. 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:24.440 The first expedition 00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:25.360 is the expedition 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:27.080 of five men 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:28.260 who are meant to spy. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.560 And then after that 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:31.320 there's an expedition 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:33.040 of 600 men 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:34.760 who are meant to capture. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:37.419 And so we find first 00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:38.860 the spying expedition 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:40.340 in verse 2. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.539 These five men 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:42.980 are sent out 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:43.679 and what is it 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:44.720 that they discover 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:45.480 very quickly? 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.019 Well in verse 4 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:47.879 they run across 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.659 our character 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:49.319 that we met 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:50.220 in the last chapter, 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:50.720 Micah. 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:52.100 And you may remember 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:53.200 I told you 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:55.179 Micah was looking 00:12:55.179 --> 00:12:55.779 for work. 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:57.939 He had a LinkedIn profile. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:58.840 He had changed 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.779 his profile picture 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.460 and it said 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:01.500 open to work 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.240 because he wanted 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:03.299 everyone to make sure 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:04.459 that they knew 00:13:04.459 --> 00:13:05.699 that he was a Levite 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:06.659 and he was ready 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.159 to serve 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.419 in whatever way possible. 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:09.519 Of course that's 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:10.299 what he's excited 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:10.959 to tell them. 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.319 He shares with them 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:13.179 in verse 4 00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:14.179 how good this is. 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:15.659 This is how Micah 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:16.439 dealt with me. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.979 He has hired me 00:13:17.979 --> 00:13:19.679 and I have become 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.740 a priest. 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:22.719 In other words 00:13:22.719 --> 00:13:23.899 wow look at me guys 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:25.439 I got the job 00:13:25.439 --> 00:13:26.759 I have the income 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:27.799 I made the deal. 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:29.740 Notice what Micah 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:30.559 doesn't say. 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:31.679 He doesn't say 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:33.679 wow I am so grateful 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:35.039 that God has given me 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.699 this position 00:13:35.699 --> 00:13:37.099 so I can serve him 00:13:37.099 --> 00:13:38.459 and teach people his ways. 00:13:38.839 --> 00:13:40.019 Now we already know 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:41.120 from last chapter 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.120 Micah is not really 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.679 that interested 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:44.039 in teaching people 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:44.759 God's ways. 00:13:45.479 --> 00:13:45.919 He's someone 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:46.879 who has figured out 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.639 how to use 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:49.339 religious service 00:13:49.339 --> 00:13:50.819 simply for 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:51.759 an income. 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:53.659 That's a foreshadowing 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:54.479 in and of itself 00:13:54.479 --> 00:13:55.399 of what's going to happen 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:56.299 to Micah next. 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.599 If he's interested 00:13:57.599 --> 00:13:59.279 in one good job 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.459 will he not 00:14:00.459 --> 00:14:01.079 of course 00:14:01.079 --> 00:14:01.819 be interested 00:14:01.819 --> 00:14:03.679 in an even better job? 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:04.919 And that's what's 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:05.980 going to be 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:07.000 offered to him. 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:08.740 Knowing that he's 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.360 a Levite 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.120 of course they want 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.120 a word from the Lord 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.379 verses 5 and 6 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.860 to know if their journey 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:15.339 is going to be successful. 00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:16.980 And this is actually 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.759 one of the stranger 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.939 parts of this passage. 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:20.299 We don't hear 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.279 that Micah actually 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.439 inquires of the Lord. 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.699 There's no indication 00:14:23.699 --> 00:14:25.159 that this is a true word 00:14:25.159 --> 00:14:26.079 that he gives them. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:27.279 Even more than that 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.620 it's extremely ambiguous. 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.600 Look with me 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:30.940 at verse 6. 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:31.679 He says 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:32.240 the journey 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.139 on which you go 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.340 is under the eye 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.019 of the Lord. 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:37.799 Which means what? 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.200 I don't know. 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.580 Yeah, God's aware 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.060 of your journey. 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:45.060 It's under his eye. 00:14:46.560 --> 00:14:47.360 It could be good. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.019 It could be bad. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.519 I don't know. 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.399 He's in a sense 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:53.080 a wise false teacher. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:54.139 He gives them 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.940 something that could 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.200 go in multiple directions. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.759 These men though 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.240 looking for God's favor 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.919 hear exactly 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.460 what they want 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:03.340 to hear. 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.399 So they go out. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.679 They spy out the land. 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.759 Verses 7 through 10 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.179 they see, 00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:09.340 hey, this is a place 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.080 that is ripe 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.720 for the picking. 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:12.720 It's a good land 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:15.700 and it's an unsuspecting land. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.399 Remember later 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.259 it says they took it 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.759 because they were 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:19.819 so far away 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:20.860 from the Sidonians. 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:22.179 They had no communication 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:22.740 with anyone. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:23.980 They didn't have 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.279 the allies they needed. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:27.279 And so the spying expedition 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:28.740 goes extremely well. 00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:29.480 We move quickly 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.959 to the conquering expedition 00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:33.399 verses 11 through 20 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:36.120 but things very quickly 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:37.240 get pretty strange. 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.740 Verse 14, 00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.799 we see the scouts 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.639 who have gone ahead 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.439 decide to give 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:43.480 the 600 men 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.620 sort of this 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.860 inside scoop. 00:15:46.839 --> 00:15:47.519 They tell them, 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.659 hey, we met this guy 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:50.039 named Micah 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:50.839 and they say this. 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.860 This is verse 14. 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:53.440 Do you know 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.460 that in these houses 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.519 there are an ephod, 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.460 household gods, 00:15:56.560 --> 00:15:57.399 a carved image, 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:58.539 and a metal image? 00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.700 Now therefore, 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:01.560 consider what you will do. 00:16:02.680 --> 00:16:03.700 In other words, 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:04.700 hey guys, 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.480 we just want to make sure 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.120 you know 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.560 there's some great things 00:16:07.560 --> 00:16:08.139 in this house. 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:10.379 I'm not going to tell you 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.120 what to do with that. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.519 You do what you want. 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.779 What do we find out 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:17.240 right away? 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:18.860 The 600 men 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.080 make a show of force 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.480 outside of the house 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.680 and they go ahead, 00:16:22.780 --> 00:16:23.720 they steal the idols 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:25.680 and they take Micah 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:26.639 as well. 00:16:27.800 --> 00:16:28.560 In fact, 00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:29.960 in verses 16 and 17 here, 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:30.879 this is simply that. 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:31.780 It's a show of force. 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.379 The 600 men, 00:16:33.560 --> 00:16:34.420 they don't have to do 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:34.879 any fighting. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:35.700 They just stand by 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.759 the entrance of the house 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:37.600 so that Micah 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.460 and his people know 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.740 there is no point 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.860 in pushing back. 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.259 This battle is over 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.540 before it's begun. 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:45.360 With the 600 men outside, 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.280 the five men 00:16:46.280 --> 00:16:47.180 who are the scouts 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:47.720 go in, 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:49.000 they plunder the house, 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.519 they get what they want. 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.340 Micah should here 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:52.899 be providing 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:54.120 some sort of protection. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.360 We're moving forward 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.980 to verses 18 through 20. 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.480 But instead, 00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.299 they tell him, 00:16:59.399 --> 00:16:59.539 hey, 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.860 keep your mouth shut. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.220 Verse 4, 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.500 he's told them, 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:05.319 wow, 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.180 I have a job. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.059 Isn't this great? 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.039 Verse 19, 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.819 they say, 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.240 wow, 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:10.779 you know what? 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:11.359 We'll give you 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:11.920 a better job. 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:14.660 Is it better for you 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:16.279 to be a priest 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:16.840 to the house 00:17:16.840 --> 00:17:17.620 of one man 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:19.019 or to be a priest 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.860 to a tribe 00:17:19.860 --> 00:17:20.900 and a clan 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.800 in Israel? 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:24.279 And how does Micah respond? 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.700 Does he say, 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.180 no, 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.680 I have to remain 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.900 faithful to God 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.680 and his ways. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.779 Don't you realize 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.220 you're breaking 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:33.120 the eighth commandment? 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.960 You're stealing things 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.740 you shouldn't steal. 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:35.880 Don't you realize 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.560 God's blessing 00:17:36.560 --> 00:17:37.440 may not be with you 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.040 because you haven't 00:17:38.040 --> 00:17:38.640 obeyed him? 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:39.640 No, 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.720 that's not Micah's word. 00:17:41.820 --> 00:17:42.400 Verse 20, 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:44.380 and the priest's 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.759 heart was glad. 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:49.700 Micah has the promotion 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.540 he wants. 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.840 His influence, 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.940 his power, 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.880 perhaps his compensation 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:58.420 are going up. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.120 Then Micah decides 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:03.400 he's going to chase them down. 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:05.380 This is verses 21 through 26. 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:06.540 He quickly realizes 00:18:06.540 --> 00:18:07.620 he's outgunned 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.300 and overpowered, 00:18:08.560 --> 00:18:09.759 so he heads home. 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.380 Conquering expedition, 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:13.100 they roll in 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:13.760 to Laish, 00:18:14.300 --> 00:18:14.960 they find that 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.760 it's unprotected, 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:16.960 they conquer it, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.560 they wreck it. 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.680 Very end, 00:18:18.760 --> 00:18:19.760 we have this sad note, 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:20.600 verse 31. 00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:21.940 They set up 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:23.480 a rival worship site 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.000 to God's true 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.860 worship site 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:27.000 at Shiloh. 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:30.460 So what do we do? 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.800 What does the author 00:18:32.800 --> 00:18:33.240 of Judges 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.340 want us to understand 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:35.880 from chapter 18 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:36.600 as we think about 00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:37.420 Micah's story, 00:18:37.540 --> 00:18:38.120 his setting up 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:38.720 of the idols, 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.700 his hiring of the Levite, 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.660 and then his losing 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.259 of him? 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.000 Some of it, 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.799 we see a similar theme 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.580 to last week. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.680 Remember last week, 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:47.660 we talked about the fact 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.660 that they were full 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:49.940 of religious show 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:51.360 and they had no 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:52.519 religious substance. 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:53.140 And we see that 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.559 all over again 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:56.000 as the story continues here. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.279 They care about 00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:58.400 having a Levite, 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:58.660 right? 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.580 Just like Micah did. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.319 The men of Dan 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.240 want the same thing. 00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:03.380 They don't care about 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:04.080 the fact that maybe 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:04.680 they're stealing 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.340 a lot of things 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:05.920 and doing some 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.799 underhanded business 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.319 to get there. 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.960 They want to know 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.200 that God is with them. 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.200 It's important to them 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:13.500 that the Levite 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.799 gives them this word 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.440 of success 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.440 on the one hand. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.000 On the other hand, 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.759 they really don't care 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.480 about how crazy 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.480 the stuff they're doing is. 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:21.200 Right? 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.220 Religious show, 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:24.659 no religious substance. 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.680 They end up doing 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.700 what God says 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.460 he hates 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.940 in the name 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.819 of worshiping God 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.819 and honoring God. 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.359 Following after God 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.099 on the one hand, 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:36.740 supposedly setting up 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.839 a rival worship site 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:39.019 on the other hand. 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:39.939 Of course, 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.579 sad here, 00:19:40.679 --> 00:19:41.259 the Levite 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.859 obviously cares 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.699 about money 00:19:43.699 --> 00:19:44.619 and prestige. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:47.559 He cares not at all 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.699 for God's honor 00:19:48.699 --> 00:19:50.119 and his glory. 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:51.559 No, 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.419 he's available 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.359 to the highest bidder. 00:19:54.219 --> 00:19:55.240 Whoever pays him 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.740 gets his services. 00:19:57.939 --> 00:19:58.339 And so that's 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.099 a repetition 00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.759 in a sense 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.419 a continuation 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:01.819 of the theme 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.740 from last week. 00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:03.899 What's new 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.939 about this week 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:05.740 is this, 00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:07.779 Micah's idolatry 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:10.100 finally comes 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:11.320 home to roost. 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:14.019 The stupidity 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.660 of the creation 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.519 of these idols, 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.340 the fact that he made 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:18.360 this carved image 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:19.200 and the metal image, 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.080 he has the ephod, 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.080 the household gods 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:21.920 in the shrine, 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.480 the consequences 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.180 of that 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.340 finally come out 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:26.259 to bear. 00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:28.980 He gets to face 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.940 the music 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:30.940 of what he's done. 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.480 And just for a sake 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.299 of review, 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.519 we've seen this quote 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:34.960 before, 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.680 but I'm going to invite 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.319 you to look at page 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.599 eight of your worship guide. 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.500 As we talk about idolatry, 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.079 we're talking about 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:41.579 this larger concept 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.960 of what it is 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.659 that we worship 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.240 and love. 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.099 And we're told this 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.819 as a definition. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.799 Idolatry is loving 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.819 anything more 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.839 than Jesus Christ. 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.819 Idolatry is treating 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:53.000 anything as more 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.419 important than Jesus Christ 00:20:54.419 --> 00:20:55.119 for your meaning 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:55.680 in life, 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:56.859 for your happiness, 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.960 for your security 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.559 and hope, 00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:01.220 or for your self-regard. 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.619 Idolatry is looking 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:05.639 to good things 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.579 as great things. 00:21:06.679 --> 00:21:07.399 It's taking 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:08.740 something that's good 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.079 and saying, 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.599 I want this to give me 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.980 something that God alone 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:13.079 can provide. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.159 I want this thing, 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.559 in this case, 00:21:15.639 --> 00:21:16.599 Micah wants the idols 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.819 to give him the security 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.839 and success 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:20.980 that only God 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:22.000 can bless him with. 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:23.119 And so we come 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:24.359 to the most perhaps 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.759 devastating statement 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.039 in this entire chapter. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.119 And this perhaps 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:29.480 is the key 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.519 to chapter 18. 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:32.859 And it's in verse 24. 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:35.720 Micah has his idols 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.319 stolen from him 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.339 and he says this, 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.379 You take my gods 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:42.000 that I made 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.680 and the priest 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.960 and go away 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:48.659 and what have I left? 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.659 In other words, 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.139 this was what was 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.159 most important to me. 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.940 This was where 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.659 I had placed 00:21:58.659 --> 00:21:59.639 all my trust 00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:00.359 and confidence. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.359 You take this, 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:06.659 I have nothing left. 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:11.220 And it's his own words 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:11.980 that reveal 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:14.200 how tragic this is 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:16.000 because before he says that, 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.759 he already admits, 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.480 my gods 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:22.240 that I made. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:25.420 of course 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.539 they're powerless, 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.019 right? 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.539 Of course 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.740 they can't deliver him. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.779 Of course 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.700 they can't provide 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.900 hope and security. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:37.140 They didn't make him, 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.720 he made them. 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.440 So the point 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:47.240 of chapter 18 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.279 is very simple 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:50.819 and it's this. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:52.819 Idols 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:54.799 will always 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.599 break 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.779 your heart. 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.019 Idols 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.799 will always 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.420 disappoint. 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:07.220 They will 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.960 never 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.180 deliver 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:10.579 on their promises. 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:14.559 What are 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:14.939 these gods 00:23:14.939 --> 00:23:15.639 supposed to do? 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.539 They're supposed 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.480 to protect Micah. 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.359 What ends up 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:21.720 happening? 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.399 He is 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:24.139 totally 00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:25.019 plundered, 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:25.779 right? 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.439 They cannot 00:23:27.439 --> 00:23:28.079 do 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:29.099 what they 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.659 promise 00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.419 to do. 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:32.579 Idols 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.019 may not 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.279 break 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.980 your heart 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.859 today, 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.619 right? 00:23:36.659 --> 00:23:36.980 We didn't 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.379 see them 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:38.159 breaking Micah's 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.500 heart in 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.279 chapter 17. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:42.220 Give it 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.039 enough time 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.700 and they 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:43.980 will. 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.539 Play 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.339 the timeline 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.599 out 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.700 long enough 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.960 and your 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.399 idols 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:51.980 will 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.940 leave you 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.539 high 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.700 and dry. 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:57.879 Idols 00:23:57.879 --> 00:23:58.779 will always 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.319 break 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.500 your heart. 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.920 It's not 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.480 just that 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.000 Micah has 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.440 lost 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.799 what's 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.180 most 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.740 valuable 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.320 to him. 00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:11.340 It's 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:11.559 that he 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:11.920 finally 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.500 realizes 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.059 what is 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.539 most 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.019 valuable 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.700 to him 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.440 is 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.180 completely 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:17.240 weak 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.820 and 00:24:17.820 --> 00:24:18.180 powerless. 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.279 And so 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.600 there's a 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.000 sense here 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.240 in which 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.799 the punishment 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.320 fits the 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:22.700 crime. 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.000 Micah 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.500 steals 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.019 from his 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.380 mom. 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:25.779 Remember 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.660 last chapter? 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.700 What happens? 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:29.720 Those very 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.320 same things 00:24:30.320 --> 00:24:30.740 are stolen 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.259 from him. 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:32.700 Micah 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.000 steals 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.640 from mom. 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.320 Dan 00:24:34.320 --> 00:24:34.660 steals 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.460 from Micah 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.400 no 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.200 honor 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.980 among 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:39.180 thieves. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.740 Idolatry 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.259 works like 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.620 this. 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.279 If you 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.700 live by 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:46.259 the sword 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.860 you'll 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.160 die by 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.560 the sword. 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.840 If you 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.300 live 00:24:50.300 --> 00:24:50.980 for money 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.700 you'll 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.120 die by 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.400 money. 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.540 If you 00:24:56.540 --> 00:24:56.940 live 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.800 for romance 00:24:57.800 --> 00:24:59.940 you will 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.160 be 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.759 devastated 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:02.140 by romance. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.599 If you 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:04.960 value 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.579 power 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.259 above 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.740 all 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.240 else 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.740 you will 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:08.900 be 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.319 crushed 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:09.900 by 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.299 power. 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:13.079 If you 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.440 pursue 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.059 comfort 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.920 more 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.119 than 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:15.440 anything 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:15.940 else 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:17.259 you 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.660 will 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.079 find 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:18.660 yourself 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.779 extremely 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.940 uncomfortable. 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.859 Maybe 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.279 not 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:23.779 today 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:25.119 but 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.619 eventually 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:26.859 it 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.259 will 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.039 come 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.879 back. 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:33.120 not 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.380 saying 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:33.660 that we 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:33.920 shut 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:34.440 ourselves 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:34.980 off 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:36.460 to 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.720 those 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.120 things 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:37.860 money 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.160 and 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.640 romance 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:38.900 and 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.400 power 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:39.680 have 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:39.880 their 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.480 place 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:40.700 and 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:40.880 their 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.620 value 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.040 in 00:25:42.040 --> 00:25:42.520 life 00:25:42.520 --> 00:25:44.180 and 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:46.020 we 00:25:46.020 --> 00:25:46.320 keep 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:46.480 them 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.580 in 00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:46.700 the 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:46.920 right 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:47.380 place. 00:25:48.300 --> 00:25:49.000 We 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.440 maintain 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.020 the 00:25:50.020 --> 00:25:50.220 right 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.760 perspective. 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.120 We 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.560 know 00:25:51.560 --> 00:25:52.020 these 00:25:52.020 --> 00:25:52.300 are 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.760 not 00:25:52.760 --> 00:25:53.000 the 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.460 things 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.020 that 00:25:54.020 --> 00:25:54.180 will 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.580 save 00:25:54.580 --> 00:25:54.940 us 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.620 and 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.000 rescue 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.420 us. 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:59.340 We 00:25:59.340 --> 00:25:59.539 see 00:25:59.539 --> 00:25:59.660 in 00:25:59.660 --> 00:25:59.820 this 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.120 chapter 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.620 why 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:00.840 it 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.200 is 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.400 that 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:01.620 we 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.080 flee 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:02.620 away 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.259 from 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.580 idols. 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.539 It's 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:04.700 not 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:04.940 because 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.320 God 00:26:05.320 --> 00:26:05.480 is 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:05.620 a 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:05.820 kill 00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:06.160 joy. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.539 It's 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:07.700 not 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:07.980 because 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.259 he 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.840 hates 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:09.120 for 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.360 his 00:26:09.360 --> 00:26:09.720 people 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:09.900 to 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.100 have 00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:10.400 fun. 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:10.560 It's 00:26:10.560 --> 00:26:10.720 not 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:10.940 because 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.100 he 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:11.400 doesn't 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.660 want 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:11.820 them 00:26:11.820 --> 00:26:12.340 to 00:26:12.340 --> 00:26:12.800 enjoy 00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:13.000 the 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.220 good 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:13.640 things 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:13.820 that 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:14.000 he's 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.300 brought 00:26:14.300 --> 00:26:14.680 into 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:14.960 his 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.420 creation. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:15.779 It 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:15.960 is 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.380 this. 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.640 We 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.200 flee 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.800 away 00:26:18.800 --> 00:26:19.120 from 00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:19.500 idols 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:19.840 because 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:20.259 that 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.940 protects 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.460 us 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.019 from 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.640 great 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.640 danger. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.940 it 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.120 is 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:28.620 God 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:29.880 who 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.240 will 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.700 not 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.400 break 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:32.120 our 00:26:32.120 --> 00:26:32.480 hearts. 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:34.820 You'll 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.140 see this 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.279 on 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:35.480 verse 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:35.980 9 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.539 of 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:36.680 your 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:36.980 worship 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.400 guide 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.500 summarizing 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:38.660 the 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:38.960 warning 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.259 and the 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.580 danger 00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:39.759 of 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.019 idols 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.300 and it 00:26:40.300 --> 00:26:40.460 says 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:40.759 this 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.420 ultimately 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:41.900 we 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.279 pay 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.519 the 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.000 cost 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.720 of 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:43.960 putting 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.380 ultimate 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:44.900 trust 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:45.120 in 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:45.320 what 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:45.560 can 00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:46.120 never 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.700 deliver 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.160 ultimate 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.800 security. 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.519 Ultimately 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.279 it seems 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.860 we never 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:51.259 learn 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.500 that 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.000 false 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.580 gods 00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:53.100 never 00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:54.000 fail 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.480 to 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:54.960 fail. 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.720 That 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:56.880 is 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.059 the 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.380 only 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.920 thing 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.240 about 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.440 a 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:58.720 false 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.160 god 00:26:59.160 --> 00:26:59.600 that 00:26:59.600 --> 00:26:59.740 you 00:26:59.740 --> 00:26:59.900 can 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.259 depend 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.620 on. 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.180 False 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.640 gods 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.220 fail 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.400 that 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:05.299 is 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.519 their 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.200 only 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.200 truth. 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.519 Do you 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:14.700 want 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.100 life? 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.259 Worship 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.920 of the 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.220 true 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.740 God 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.559 is 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:21.759 the 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.200 only 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.100 safe 00:27:23.100 --> 00:27:23.779 worship. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:26.400 hope 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.500 in 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:27.660 the 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:27.940 true 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.400 God 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:28.720 is 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:28.900 the 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.160 only 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.579 hope 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.100 that 00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:30.220 will 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.460 not 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.960 disappoint. 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.640 Security 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:36.420 in 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:36.559 the 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:36.799 true 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.240 God 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.259 is 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.420 the 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:38.660 only 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.120 one 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:39.640 that 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.079 will 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.819 not 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.480 fail. 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.579 Idols 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.380 will 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.079 always 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.960 break 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.799 your 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.059 heart. 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:50.240 I told 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.519 you that 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:50.860 there's 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.880 a key 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:52.140 verse 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:52.440 here in 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:52.600 verse 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.200 24. 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.740 there's 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.140 another 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.140 final 00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:56.480 gut 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:56.819 punch 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.180 we get 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.519 here at 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:57.620 the 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:57.860 very 00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.200 end. 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.080 You 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:00.299 may have 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.600 noticed 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:00.880 that 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.240 last 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.700 chapter, 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.120 chapter 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:02.620 17, 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.819 we were 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.480 told that 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:04.880 Micah had 00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:05.160 a name. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.340 It was 00:28:05.340 --> 00:28:05.680 Micah. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:06.840 We were 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.299 not told 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.779 the name 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.059 of the 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.480 Levite. 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.059 And the 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.500 author of 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.000 Judges 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:12.120 strategically 00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:13.059 saves it 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:14.080 here for 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:14.660 the very 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.900 end of 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.519 the story. 00:28:16.840 --> 00:28:17.019 Verse 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.380 30. 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:32.480 Who is 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.700 this 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.340 unfaithful 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:33.860 Levite? 00:28:34.780 --> 00:28:35.480 Who is 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.040 this man 00:28:36.040 --> 00:28:36.820 who cares 00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:37.640 about money 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.420 and power 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.180 and influence 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.780 more than 00:28:39.780 --> 00:28:40.540 anything else? 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:42.420 This is 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:42.780 Moses' 00:28:43.060 --> 00:28:43.680 grandson. 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:47.160 the 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.720 grandson 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.500 of one 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:48.820 of the 00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.460 greatest 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.140 leaders 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:51.320 of God's 00:28:51.320 --> 00:28:51.900 people. 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.620 And so 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:53.900 what the 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:54.279 author is 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:54.700 telling us 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.220 is this, 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:56.980 this is 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.360 how far 00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:58.920 Israel 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.880 has fallen. 00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:01.880 This is 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:02.580 how bad 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:03.440 things actually 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:03.840 are. 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.779 even 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.459 Moses' 00:29:06.459 --> 00:29:07.579 grandson 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.159 has 00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:08.579 given 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.079 in. 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:10.899 Even 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:11.299 he 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:11.599 has 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:12.099 abandoned 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:13.439 God's 00:29:13.439 --> 00:29:14.199 ways. 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:15.539 And the 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:15.839 point of 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:16.119 all of 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.399 this is 00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:17.139 not to 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.000 make us 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.079 discouraged 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:19.959 or pushed 00:29:19.959 --> 00:29:20.220 down. 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:20.459 No, 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:20.839 it's to 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.500 drive us 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:21.799 to what 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.319 we saw 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.799 in verse 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.220 one. 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:23.839 In 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.299 those 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.859 days, 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.159 there 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:26.000 was no 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.740 king 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.220 in 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.619 Israel. 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.599 In 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:28.959 case 00:29:28.959 --> 00:29:29.220 there 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.419 is 00:29:29.419 --> 00:29:29.720 any 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.179 doubt, 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.240 what the 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.579 author is 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:31.839 trying to 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.179 tell us 00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:32.720 is this, 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.799 Israel 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.799 needs 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.660 rescue. 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.140 And that 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:37.620 rescue 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:38.480 will not 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.380 come from 00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:39.779 a man. 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.259 It wasn't 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.500 going to 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:40.900 come from 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.460 Samson. 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.200 It will 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:42.860 not come 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.160 from the 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:43.600 descendants 00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.380 of Moses. 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.180 No, 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.720 Israel 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.259 needs 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.600 someone 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.039 even 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.500 greater 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.000 and more 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.500 powerful. 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.400 We might 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.059 say that 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.440 Israel 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.100 needs 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.880 a faithful 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:52.980 and true 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.620 king. 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:54.980 Israel 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.500 needs a 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:55.960 king who 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.500 can do 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.339 what no 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:58.120 human can 00:29:58.120 --> 00:29:58.519 do, 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.240 which is 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.000 to change 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.860 the hearts 00:30:00.860 --> 00:30:01.680 of men. 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.660 And so 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.600 once again, 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.059 judges 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:06.079 is pointing 00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.980 us forward, 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.299 right? 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:07.720 This is 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.680 something that 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.440 Solomon and 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.039 David will 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.640 not be 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.180 able to 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.500 do. 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.000 What 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.559 Israel 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.579 needs is 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.259 not a 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.839 earthly 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.380 king, 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.039 but a 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.420 divine 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:16.819 king. 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.680 Micah 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.319 has to 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.819 look to 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.220 something 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.140 beyond 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.960 idols for 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.559 security 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.600 and blessing. 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:24.440 And as 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.140 we now 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.960 know the 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.360 end of 00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:26.920 the story, 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.660 we know 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.420 that Jesus 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.079 is the 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:30.079 true and 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:30.559 greater 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.200 king. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:33.140 we know 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:33.779 that he 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.380 is the 00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:35.059 one and 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.720 the only 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.420 one who 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.120 can rescue 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:37.900 a people 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.660 that have 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.080 fallen 00:30:39.080 --> 00:30:40.640 this far. 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.660 Last week, 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:42.980 we talked 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.480 about Jesus 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:43.900 as the 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.660 true king 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.539 who rules 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.120 by his 00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.620 spirit, 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:46.900 right? 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.539 As he's 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.340 ascended to 00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:48.779 the right 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.380 hand of 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:49.759 God the 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.140 Father, 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:50.759 that he's 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.019 the one 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.319 who's able 00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:51.940 to change 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:52.420 the hearts 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:52.680 of his 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.140 people in 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:53.360 a way 00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:53.840 the judges 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.160 never 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.559 could. 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:55.660 This 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:55.940 week, 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.340 we see 00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:56.779 Jesus 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.440 is the 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.279 true king 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:58.720 who can 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.420 provide 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.779 what idols 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.759 can only 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.500 promise. 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:03.980 Jesus 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.460 is the 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.019 one who 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.920 gives his 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.779 people the 00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:07.359 security 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:08.359 that they 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:09.099 long for. 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:10.779 Idols 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.559 can arouse 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.519 and entice 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.579 they can 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:13.980 never 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.940 fulfill. 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.500 And why 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.039 is it that 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.639 we look 00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:18.460 to Jesus 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.000 as the 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.579 one who 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.220 gives us 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.639 those 00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.059 ultimate 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.539 things? 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:22.740 Jim already 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.420 read it for 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:23.839 us this 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:24.240 morning. 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:24.639 It's on 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.259 page three 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.619 of your 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.279 worship guide. 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.000 Jesus 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.500 makes this 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.220 promise in 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.480 Matthew 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.200 chapter six 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.559 as he's 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.079 preaching the 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.480 sermon on 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:30.839 the mount. 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.259 He says, 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:31.799 therefore, 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.119 do not be 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.559 anxious. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.000 This is 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.920 verse 31, 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:35.759 saying, 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.279 what shall 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:36.639 we eat 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:37.059 or what 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.379 shall we 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:37.639 drink 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.079 or what 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.480 shall we 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:38.819 wear? 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:39.940 For the 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.839 Gentiles, 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.200 in other 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:42.519 words, 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.619 the idolaters, 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.240 those who 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.960 worship carved 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.519 images and 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:47.160 metal images, 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.680 seek after 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.660 these things 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:51.200 and your 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.660 heavenly 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.819 father knows 00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:53.259 that you 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.779 need them 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.079 all. 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.460 idols can 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.059 arouse and 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.619 entice, 00:31:59.339 --> 00:31:59.940 they cannot 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.440 fulfill. 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.940 Jesus says 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.299 here, 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.619 I will 00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:05.180 provide. 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.599 Look at the 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:08.079 birds of the 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.259 air, 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.700 they neither 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.319 sow nor 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:09.799 reap nor 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.460 gather into 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:10.899 barns, 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.359 and yet your 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:12.319 heavenly father 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.279 feeds them. 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.799 Are you not 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.259 of more 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.539 value than 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:16.819 they? 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.039 My hope 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.399 is the 00:32:20.399 --> 00:32:20.839 true hope. 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:22.220 My security, 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:22.639 the true 00:32:22.639 --> 00:32:23.119 security, 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:23.899 my provision, 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.480 the true 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:24.980 provision. 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:26.339 look to 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:26.779 me, 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.440 not to 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:28.799 what you've 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.860 made with 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.339 your hands. 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.259 And how do 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:33.680 we know that 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.299 Jesus' promise 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:34.880 to us is 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:35.099 true? 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.680 How do we 00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:37.319 trust his 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.220 words here in 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.779 Matthew chapter 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.200 six? 00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:41.339 We trust them 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:42.019 because we have 00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.980 an even greater 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.940 promise that has 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.500 been kept. 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:46.319 We trust them 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.240 because we look 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.140 and we see that 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.160 Jesus came and 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:49.920 lived the perfect 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.579 life that we 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:50.920 should have 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:51.240 lived. 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.400 He came and 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.279 died the death 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:53.779 that we should 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.400 have died as a 00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:54.960 punishment for 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.480 our sins. 00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:56.660 He kept his 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.900 promise to 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.380 his people. 00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.380 And as I've 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:00.820 told you many 00:33:00.820 --> 00:33:01.540 times before, 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:02.380 Romans chapter 00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:02.800 eight, 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.820 verses 31 and 00:33:03.820 --> 00:33:04.980 32 tell us, 00:33:05.040 --> 00:33:05.500 hey, look, 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:07.340 he who gave 00:33:07.340 --> 00:33:08.300 you his own 00:33:08.300 --> 00:33:09.780 son, will 00:33:09.780 --> 00:33:10.660 he not also 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.519 with him give 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.340 you all 00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:13.480 things? 00:33:14.300 --> 00:33:15.120 If he gave 00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:15.620 you the great 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:17.200 thing, will 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.720 he not give 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.220 you the small 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:18.700 things? 00:33:19.540 --> 00:33:20.240 You don't need 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.000 to look to 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.420 idols. 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:22.700 you can look 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.680 to him. 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.279 He's given 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:25.779 you ultimate 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:27.220 things and 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:27.660 give you all 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.080 things. 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.539 So we trust 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.380 him, we 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:31.180 follow him 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:32.840 above and 00:33:32.840 --> 00:33:34.160 beyond everything 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:34.519 else. 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.320 Let's pray. 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.360 Our Father in 00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:39.019 heaven, we do 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.980 praise you and 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.660 thank you 00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:44.460 that by being 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:45.140 anxious, we 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:45.820 can't add a 00:33:45.820 --> 00:33:46.900 single hour to 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:47.320 our life. 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:48.000 You care for 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.560 us and protect 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:48.879 us. 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:49.659 You give 00:33:49.659 --> 00:33:50.720 what idols 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.139 can only 00:33:51.139 --> 00:33:51.519 promise. 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.679 We ask that 00:33:52.679 --> 00:33:52.919 you would 00:33:52.919 --> 00:33:53.720 remind us of 00:33:53.720 --> 00:33:54.059 that this 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.460 morning, that 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:54.799 you would 00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.419 stir it up in 00:33:55.419 --> 00:33:55.960 our hearts, that 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.539 we would believe 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.480 it more and 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.000 more, that we 00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:59.039 would look to 00:33:59.039 --> 00:33:59.819 you and you 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:01.480 alone as our 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.119 hope, our 00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:02.700 comfort, our 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.359 protection, our 00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:03.720 provision. 00:34:03.879 --> 00:34:04.740 We ask all of 00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:05.399 these things in 00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:06.039 the mighty name 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.899 of Jesus Christ. 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:07.480 Amen. 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.719 I invite you to 00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:10.340 stand for our 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:10.940 closing hymn.