WEBVTT

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 One television personality who was having a pretty rough year found out on the same day

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 that she was losing her TV show and that her husband was leaving her.

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 She responded, I know the Lord won't send me more trouble than I have the strength to bear,

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 but I do wish he didn't have such a good opinion of me.

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 Many of us might know that feeling.

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 I've heard people say on a number of occasions over the years

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 that the things that have really happened to me lately have really shaken my faith.

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 That is, at times when there's bereavement, serious illness, times of tragedy,

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 or even just a whole string of negative things happening,

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 it's hard to believe in a God who is love and a God who is in charge or rules the world,

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 as we sang tonight, God who is sovereign.

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 And it is an important thought.

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 It's a really serious question.

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 Many sceptics would say that belief in an all-loving and an all-powerful God

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 is just simply wishful thinking.

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 You can't have both of those things together in the world in which we live.

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 Some even go as far as saying that they refuse to believe in such a God

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 unless that particular God was to turn up and to fix certain things in their life.

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 And the assumption is that God has to think like I do about the world

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 and solve my problems or the world's problems in the way that I think that they should be solved.

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 Now, I get why we might say that,

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 and I get the feeling behind that and the sentiment behind that,

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 but in the end it would be a pretty benign God

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 if that God was limited to my understanding of the world

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 and how I think things should be fixed in the world.

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 Over the next number of weeks,

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 we're going to go back two and a half thousand years

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 into the book of Esther,

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 which we're just looking at now.

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 It was read out a couple of chapters just then.

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 Here, two and a half thousand years ago,

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 is one of the most perilous times for the people of God.

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 They are on the brink of extermination.

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 And on the surface, when you read those first couple of chapters,

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 it appears that this is one of those Cinderella stories.

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 You know, orphan girl rises to be the queen of Persia,

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 most powerful nation in the world at its time.

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 But it's actually not the thrust of the story.

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 It's actually about how God saves his people from the brink of disaster.

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 And yet, there is no mention of God in the book of Esther at all.

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 Not once.

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 Kind of strange, really,

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 when it's about God rescuing his people from the brink of disaster.

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 So why is that?

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 Why is God not mentioned in this book?

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 Now, I'm pretty sure it's not an oversight.

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 It's not like the writer got to the end, full stop,

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 and went, oh, my hat, I forgot to mention God.

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 I don't think that's the case.

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 I think the writer here is making a point.

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 And I think, let me just try and explain this.

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 You see, whenever the God of Israel saw his people in trouble in the past,

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 he comes to their aid through extraordinary ways.

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 The events are extraordinary.

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 But in Esther, there's no mighty miracle.

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 There's no vision.

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 There's not even a dream.

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 God appears to be absent here in this book.

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 Totally silent.

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 There are, however, this whole string of apparent coincidences.

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 They all happened at the right time.

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 And if they hadn't have happened, the Jews would have been wiped out.

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 But they all happened in the right sequence at the right time.

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 And they were saved.

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 If Xerxes, just from chapter one and two,

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 if Xerxes had not gotten drunk and he had not made that boast,

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 if that hadn't happened, Vashti would still be queen.

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 And Esther wouldn't have been queen.

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 And she couldn't have used her influence to save the Jews.

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 What if, for instance, Esther hadn't been pretty?

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 What if the king favoured one of the other girls?

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 The whole narrative all the way through is,

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 what if, what if, what if, what if?

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 And all of them are just these ordinary little things, everyday life.

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 And by themselves, they don't seem to be significant at all.

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 And here's the point that I think is underlying here through Esther.

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 When you see one of the ten plagues in Exodus,

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 where God uses his mighty power to rescue his people from Egypt,

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 and you see his hand at work, you go,

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 oh, that's God.

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 Yeah.

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 Extraordinary.

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 When you see the king drunk,

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 you don't go, oh, wow, God at work.

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 You just don't make that connection.

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 Esther is telling us, I think,

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 when you put it all together,

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 don't make the same mistake.

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 Don't make the mistake of the materialist

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 who judges situations based on what they see

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 and what they feel

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 and what they can experience firsthand.

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 We may not see God at work,

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 but that doesn't mean he's not.

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 God's silence is not his absence.

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 His hiddenness is not his abandonment.

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 God is not obsessed with appearances the way that we are.

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 He's working out his promises even when it appears that he's not even around.

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 That's one of the underlying themes right through Esther.

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 There are things going on for us,

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 even for us right now,

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 things going on for us in our lives

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 that we're looking right at,

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 things that God is doing,

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 and they seem so ordinary

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 and we have got no idea,

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 which is why that graphic that Yui put together

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 is just so brilliant.

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 Did you notice the invisible hands under the woman?

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 Ooh, it all makes sense.

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 And even in the ugliness of these first two chapters,

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 and frankly, they are ugly,

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 there's a whole lot wrong here.

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 God is at work.

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 He's even using flawed and failed

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 and questionable people like Esther and Xerxes

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 to bring about his plans and his purposes.

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 So let's just launch straight in on chapters one and two.

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 The book of Esther,

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 if you've got your Bibles open,

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 begins introducing us to the great empire of King Xerxes I.

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 It says,

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 notice how it reads, it says,

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 verse one,

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 this is what happened during the time of Xerxes.

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 And you say,

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 Xerxes?

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 Which Xerxes?

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 And he says,

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 well,

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 the Xerxes have ruled over 127 provinces

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 stretching from India to Kush.

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 He reigned from 486 BC

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 to 465 BC.

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 And his empire included the north-western part of India,

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 Pakistan,

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 Afghanistan,

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 Uzbekistan,

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 Iran,

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 Iraq,

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 Armenia,

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 Azerbaijan,

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 Syria,

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 Lebanon,

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 Israel,

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 Jordan,

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 Turkey,

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 northern Greece,

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 Egypt,

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 Libya,

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 Eritrea,

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 Ethiopia,

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 and Sudan.

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 a pretty big area he covered.

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 There was no person more powerful,

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 more greater on the face of the earth at the time,

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 and he knew it.

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 He was not a modest man.

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 Sort of like the first president of Tunisia,

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 Habib Burugibi,

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 he once explained to his National Assembly

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 that leadership abilities such as his were,

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 and I quote,

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 a miracle of nature

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 that rarely occurs in our history.

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 Do you like that modesty?

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 Isn't that nice?

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 He was also asked once,

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 so what's the Tunisian system of government?

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 System of government?

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 I am the system of government.

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 Isn't that a modest sort of man?

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 So Xerxes is that kind of guy,

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 and he holds a party for all of his main men

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 throughout his whole empire

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 so he can show off how great he is.

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 It's a party,

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 verse 4,

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 in chapter 1,

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 that says,

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 it went on for a full 180 days.

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 He displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom

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 and the splendour and glory of his majesty.

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 He got all of his wealth,

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 all of his possessions,

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 his livestock and all that sort of stuff,

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 and he's in the big banqueting hall

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 with all his head honchos,

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 and it's just,

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 he's marching it through the banquet hall.

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 And it took six months

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 from the beginning to the end

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 for all of his possessions and wealth

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 to be shown off to all his mates.

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 And at the time,

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 they're sitting there drinking wine.

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 It's no wonder he got drunk.

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 Six months of it.

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 We are meant to gaze wide-eyed here

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 at the gold and the silver and the jewels

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 and the sheer accumulation of wealth and power

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 in exactly the same way

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 that Alexander the Great did

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 when a hundred years,

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 just about a hundred years later,

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 he went into the citadel of Susa

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 and he discovered

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 over one and a half tonnes of gold alone,

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 let alone the piles of silver

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 and the jewels and everything else.

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 And Alexander the Great looked at it

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 and went,

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 my goodness.

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 Even Alexander the Great

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 was impressed by this guy.

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 So,

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 we read the first few verses

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 and we go,

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 who's the main man?

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 Who's in control here?

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 Who's in charge?

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 Xerxes

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 except he's got a woman.

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 Queen Vashti.

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 Now,

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 she has been given

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 a separate banquet

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 over here for the ladies.

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 And as there are no ladies

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 to civilise

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 the men,

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 Xerxes' party

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 gets out of control.

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 Verse 10,

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 Xerxes is in high spirits

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 from wine.

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 I think that's meant

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 to be an understatement there.

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 The guys had one too many

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 for sure.

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 And he decides

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 it's time

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 not just to show off

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 all of his wealth

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 and all of his splendour

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 and all of his majesty

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 and all of his power,

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 he wants to show

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 his mates

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 that he's also married

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 to the best looking woman

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 in the world.

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 So,

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 verse 11,

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 he says,

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 bring Vashti out

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 wearing a royal crown

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 in order to display

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 her beauty

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 to the people

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 and the nobles

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 for she was lovely

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 to look at.

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 He's not wanting

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 to show Vashti off.

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 He's not wanting

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 them to meet her,

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 to be friends with her,

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 to see whether

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 she's got a personality

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 or anything like that.

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 It's,

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 bring her out

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 so that my drunken mates

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 can drool over her

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 and gawk at her.

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 Now,

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 for reasons

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 that the text

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 doesn't explain,

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 she decides

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 that that's not

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 a great idea.

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 I mean,

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 it's not hard

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 to imagine why.

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 She refuses

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 to come

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 and that act

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 in itself

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 is an act

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 of incredible bravery.

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 in a hierarchical

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 shame

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 and honour culture

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 for an authority

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 like Xerxes

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 to be rejected

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 was a cultural crisis.

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 and this king

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 is furious

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 with his queen

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 but instead

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 of marriage counselling

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 he has a cabinet meeting

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 to work out

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 what to do

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 with her.

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 And of course

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 he pulls in

00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:37.059
 all the nobles,

00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.059
 all the head honchos,

00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:39.059
 they're all concerned

00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:39.519
 as well

00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.259
 because what if

00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:40.899
 Vashti sends

00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:41.960
 a priest in here

00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:43.159
 and our wives

00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:44.419
 do the same thing?

00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:46.019
 Anarchy will reign,

00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.720
 we'll get a bit

00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.419
 of pushback

00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:48.399
 from our wives.

00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:50.959
 The outcome

00:12:50.959 --> 00:12:51.379
 of it all

00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.159
 is that Vashti's

00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:53.179
 banished

00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:54.120
 a royal decree

00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.559
 went to the whole

00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:55.980
 kingdom

00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.879
 in all different

00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:57.340
 languages

00:12:57.340 --> 00:12:58.019
 from India

00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:58.579
 right through

00:12:58.579 --> 00:12:59.240
 to Sudan

00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.679
 so that everyone

00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:01.240
 heard it

00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.179
 in their language

00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:03.240
 all the women

00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.959
 will respect

00:13:03.959 --> 00:13:04.639
 their husbands

00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.559
 from the least

00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:07.139
 to the greatest.

00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:11.079
 What an idiot.

00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:14.639
 What an incredible

00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:15.500
 comical

00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:17.639
 overreaction.

00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:20.399
 a drunken

00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:21.019
 reaction

00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.519
 and then

00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:23.419
 beginning of chapter

00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:24.279
 two the grog's

00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:24.899
 worn off

00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:26.299
 so Xerxes wakes

00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:26.980
 up with a headache

00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:29.100
 and did I do

00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:29.480
 that?

00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.879
 Yes you did.

00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.480
 And he just

00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.279
 realises

00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:37.740
 that Vashti

00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.860
 the most beautiful

00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.220
 woman that he'd

00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:40.860
 ever met

00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.939
 is never to

00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:42.539
 approach him

00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.019
 again

00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:43.600
 ever.

00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:45.759
 and so he

00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.620
 needs a new

00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.399
 trophy wife

00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:49.080
 and the whole

00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:49.680
 kingdom is

00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.220
 searched for

00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:50.620
 the best

00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.379
 looking woman.

00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.300
 Chapter two

00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:53.100
 verse eight

00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.340
 suggests that

00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:54.920
 they weren't

00:13:54.920 --> 00:13:55.800
 invited to

00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:56.379
 apply

00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:57.360
 they were

00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:57.680
 picked

00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.220
 and they

00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:58.820
 were taken.

00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.340
 I mean

00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:01.840
 you couldn't

00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.320
 imagine

00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:03.800
 too many

00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:04.940
 clear

00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:05.659
 thinking

00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.220
 women

00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.840
 wanting to

00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.440
 marry a guy

00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:08.240
 like Xerxes

00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:08.879
 could you?

00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:11.779
 Although

00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.940
 Donald Trump

00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:14.220
 seems to be

00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:14.759
 sorry

00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:21.159
 and so

00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:22.419
 we have

00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.399
 international

00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:24.539
 beauty pageant

00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.259
 Miss Persian

00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:25.740
 Empire

00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.980
 482 BC

00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:29.220
 some scholars

00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:29.840
 have suggested

00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.419
 there is many

00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.980
 1,000

00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.600
 virgins

00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.279
 were brought

00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.039
 back to the

00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:34.460
 king's

00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:34.820
 harem.

00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:38.840
 and then

00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.580
 for a year

00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.440
 they underwent

00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.340
 beauty treatments

00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:41.840
 and they were

00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:42.879
 in training

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.720
 to get ready

00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.580
 for one night

00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:44.940
 with the

00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:45.260
 king.

00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.140
 Everything

00:14:47.140 --> 00:14:47.860
 turned on

00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.260
 that one

00:14:48.260 --> 00:14:48.720
 night with

00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.140
 the king

00:14:49.140 --> 00:14:52.560
 and depending

00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:53.260
 on how it

00:14:53.260 --> 00:14:53.600
 went there

00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.020
 were only

00:14:54.020 --> 00:14:54.820
 four possible

00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:55.360
 outcomes

00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.060
 only four

00:14:56.060 --> 00:14:57.340
 number one

00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.440
 is that

00:14:58.440 --> 00:14:59.260
 in the morning

00:14:59.260 --> 00:14:59.840
 he goes

00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.840
 I didn't

00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.580
 really like

00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:01.880
 her

00:15:01.880 --> 00:15:04.000
 and he

00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.320
 would

00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:05.600
 send

00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:07.120
 the

00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.640
 girl away

00:15:08.640 --> 00:15:09.740
 to be a

00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:10.200
 permanent

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:11.160
 concubine

00:15:11.160 --> 00:15:12.780
 but he

00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:13.560
 would never

00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.240
 ever

00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.000
 ever

00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.740
 call on

00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.340
 her again

00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:18.420
 and at

00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:19.340
 an age

00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:19.960
 of 18

00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:20.560
 or 19

00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:21.320
 they were

00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:21.840
 essentially

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.620
 banished

00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.260
 to permanent

00:15:23.260 --> 00:15:23.900
 widowhood

00:15:23.900 --> 00:15:24.200
 they were

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:24.940
 never ever

00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.460
 to be allowed

00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:25.879
 with another

00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.300
 man

00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:27.260
 no marriage

00:15:27.260 --> 00:15:27.720
 no children

00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:28.340
 no nothing

00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.500
 permanent

00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:31.380
 banishment

00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:34.320
 no

00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:34.720
 second

00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.379
 option

00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:35.759
 was

00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.159
 he might

00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:36.600
 say

00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.720
 actually

00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:39.039
 I don't

00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:39.220
 mind

00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:39.399
 that

00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:39.779
 one

00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:42.799
 she would

00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.320
 become a

00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:43.740
 concubine

00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.759
 and occasionally

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.379
 at his whim

00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:45.860
 and his will

00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:46.200
 and depending

00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:46.519
 on how much

00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.000
 wine he's

00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.259
 had

00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:47.980
 he would

00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.519
 call on

00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:48.840
 her

00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:52.759
 third

00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.120
 option

00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.420
 is

00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:53.780
 if he

00:15:53.780 --> 00:15:54.759
 you know

00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.019
 if you're

00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:55.180
 really

00:15:55.180 --> 00:15:55.360
 really

00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.660
 really

00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:56.080
 lucky

00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.019
 you might

00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.440
 be one

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:57.700
 of the

00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:58.040
 two or

00:15:58.040 --> 00:15:58.280
 three

00:15:58.280 --> 00:15:58.639
 that would

00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:58.960
 go on

00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.320
 the list

00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.480
 that I

00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:00.960
 might marry

00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.460
 this one

00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:03.160
 and then

00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:03.759
 your children

00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.560
 would be

00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:05.440
 inheritors

00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:06.759
 of royal

00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.420
 stuff

00:16:07.420 --> 00:16:09.000
 number

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.580
 four

00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:11.220
 if you

00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.899
 are super

00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.399
 fortunate

00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:13.680
 and you're

00:16:13.680 --> 00:16:13.980
 the one

00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.280
 that he

00:16:14.280 --> 00:16:15.300
 most favours

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.719
 you became

00:16:16.719 --> 00:16:17.199
 the queen

00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:19.059
 and the

00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:19.240
 other

00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.199
 999

00:16:20.199 --> 00:16:21.699
 weren't

00:16:21.699 --> 00:16:24.399
 now one

00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:24.839
 of the girls

00:16:24.839 --> 00:16:25.079
 who was

00:16:25.079 --> 00:16:25.639
 taken was

00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.019
 a Jewish

00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.799
 orphan named

00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.259
 Esther

00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:27.819
 and when

00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:28.539
 they took

00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:28.919
 her

00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:30.139
 her older

00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.539
 cousin

00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:31.279
 Mordecai

00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.699
 instructed her

00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:33.099
 not to say

00:16:33.099 --> 00:16:33.659
 anything

00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:34.620
 about her

00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:34.919
 Jewish

00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.459
 identity

00:16:35.459 --> 00:16:36.019
 or about

00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:36.719
 her beliefs

00:16:36.719 --> 00:16:38.240
 she was

00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:38.559
 the one

00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:38.979
 Xerxes

00:16:38.979 --> 00:16:39.799
 favoured

00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:41.359
 above all

00:16:41.359 --> 00:16:42.019
 of the rest

00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.939
 he married

00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:43.419
 her and he

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:43.759
 made her

00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.519
 his queen

00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.639
 the Jewish

00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.399
 orphan girl

00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:46.980
 becomes the

00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.360
 queen of

00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:47.779
 the greatest

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.220
 empire

00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:48.639
 of the face

00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.179
 of the earth

00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:52.879
 so what's

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.460
 going on

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:53.740
 here

00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:55.840
 what's

00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.559
 going on

00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:58.319
 this is not

00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:59.199
 marriage advice

00:16:59.199 --> 00:16:59.600
 so let me

00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.179
 just take that

00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:00.620
 bit out

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.340
 it's not

00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.039
 marriage advice

00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:02.519
 it's not

00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.100
 how to hook

00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.559
 up and

00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:03.980
 not any

00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.160
 of that

00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:04.460
 sort of

00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:04.799
 stuff

00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.359
 not dating

00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:05.859
 advice

00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:08.039
 in Persian

00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.599
 culture

00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.599
 the most

00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.200
 important

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.720
 thing

00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.279
 about a

00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:11.700
 man

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.220
 is his

00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:12.559
 wealth

00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.000
 and his

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.539
 power

00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.680
 and the

00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:14.899
 most

00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:15.500
 important

00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:15.759
 thing

00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.180
 about a

00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.460
 woman

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:18.039
 is her

00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.220
 sexual

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.019
 and physical

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.539
 beauty

00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:22.579
 a man's

00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.180
 worth was

00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.740
 determined by

00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.240
 the size

00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.539
 of his

00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:24.879
 wallet

00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:25.240
 and how

00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.579
 big his

00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:25.879
 muscles

00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:26.299
 were

00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.279
 and a

00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.700
 woman's

00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.079
 worth was

00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.519
 determined by

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:28.899
 the size

00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.139
 of her

00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.480
 dress

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:33.359
 isn't it

00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:33.740
 ugly

00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.559
 when you

00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:34.879
 realise

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.119
 that's

00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:35.240
 what's

00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.659
 going on

00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:35.980
 in here

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.240
 in

00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.920
 S's

00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.220
 one and

00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:37.500
 two

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.779
 isn't

00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:38.960
 that

00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.420
 ugly

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:41.759
 the way

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.120
 that people

00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:42.640
 are treated

00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.880
 look at

00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.039
 the way

00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.420
 these women

00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:44.880
 are treated

00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.539
 look at

00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.019
 the pride

00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.320
 and the

00:17:46.320 --> 00:17:46.660
 arrogance

00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.100
 of this

00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:47.380
 bloke

00:17:47.380 --> 00:17:47.800
 Xerxes

00:17:47.800 --> 00:17:49.500
 wouldn't

00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:49.759
 it just

00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.039
 be

00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:51.180
 absolutely

00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.940
 terrible

00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:53.340
 to live

00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:53.700
 in a

00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.120
 culture

00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:55.000
 that judged

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.779
 people like

00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.100
 that

00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:56.940
 and treated

00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.560
 people like

00:17:57.560 --> 00:17:57.860
 that

00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:59.820
 aren't you

00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:00.420
 glad that

00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.039
 we don't

00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.860
 live back

00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:02.300
 then

00:18:02.300 --> 00:18:03.440
 two and a

00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:03.900
 half thousand

00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.560
 years ago

00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:13.099
 with all

00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.700
 the superficial

00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.240
 differences

00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:14.679
 what's

00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:15.119
 changed

00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:17.460
 what's

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:17.639
 really

00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.119
 changed

00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:21.859
 the world's

00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:22.279
 the same

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.700
 it says

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.220
 external

00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.940
 image

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.179
 appearances

00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:27.919
 matter more

00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:28.200
 than your

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:28.599
 character

00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.259
 what you

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.619
 have

00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.460
 matters more

00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:30.819
 than what

00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.539
 you are

00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.720
 beauty

00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.379
 talent

00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:33.779
 money

00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.500
 connections

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.480
 influence

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.700
 matters more

00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.779
 than what

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.519
 you are

00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:40.339
 and what

00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:40.839
 our culture

00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.500
 says is that

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:41.880
 you must

00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.339
 undergo

00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:42.759
 beauty

00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.319
 treatments

00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:45.599
 not just

00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.079
 the women

00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.839
 our culture

00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:48.440
 says that

00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:48.960
 unless you

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.619
 get these

00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.119
 credentials

00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:50.720
 this kind

00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.019
 of beauty

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.480
 this kind

00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:51.880
 of money

00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:52.579
 this kind

00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.000
 of resume

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.559
 this kind

00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.640
 of education

00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.059
 this kind

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.539
 of job

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.440
 unless you

00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.039
 get these

00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:57.640
 things

00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:59.359
 you don't

00:18:59.359 --> 00:18:59.900
 really amount

00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.339
 to much

00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:00.599
 you're not

00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.220
 really worth

00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:01.720
 much

00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.019
 it says it

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.599
 differently to

00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.160
 men and to

00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:04.440
 women

00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.320
 and to

00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:07.059
 different races

00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.559
 and to

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:07.799
 different

00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.360
 classes

00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:09.240
 but it's

00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.980
 basically saying

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.519
 the same

00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:10.840
 thing

00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.240
 it's saying

00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.559
 that you

00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:11.900
 need to

00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.200
 go through

00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.000
 the beauty

00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.620
 treatments of

00:19:14.620 --> 00:19:15.259
 this world

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.960
 you need to

00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.500
 perform

00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.240
 you need to

00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.720
 do all

00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.180
 this

00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.600
 and if

00:19:19.600 --> 00:19:20.200
 you do

00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:22.120
 then we

00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:22.980
 just might

00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.600
 accept you

00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:25.279
 we might

00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.820
 approve of

00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.100
 you

00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:28.779
 that's all

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.240
 of us

00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.680
 we live

00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:30.700
 we live

00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.319
 in a world

00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.120
 of appearances

00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:33.140
 and performance

00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.559
 we elevate

00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.240
 the trivial

00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.420
 in our

00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:36.900
 culture

00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:38.059
 whole magazines

00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.680
 are devoted

00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.640
 to the antics

00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.519
 of soap opera

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.240
 stars

00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.539
 and we pay

00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.759
 incredible amounts

00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.240
 of money

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:46.700
 to grown men

00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.420
 who hit little

00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.420
 balls around

00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:50.059
 we live in a

00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.620
 culture that

00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.599
 considers the car

00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.500
 we drive as an

00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:54.120
 extension of who

00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.539
 we are

00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:54.980
 we're more

00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.660
 impressed by the

00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.140
 school that

00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:57.120
 someone attends

00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.239
 than what

00:19:58.239 --> 00:19:58.599
 they're actually

00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.219
 learning at

00:19:59.219 --> 00:19:59.739
 the school

00:19:59.739 --> 00:20:03.959
 we blow it

00:20:03.959 --> 00:20:06.239
 just like

00:20:06.239 --> 00:20:06.819
 these couple

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.239
 of chapters

00:20:07.239 --> 00:20:07.859
 in Esther

00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:11.639
 we blow it

00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:12.059
 just like

00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.959
 Esther does

00:20:12.959 --> 00:20:13.659
 herself

00:20:13.659 --> 00:20:15.099
 and most

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:15.939
 scholars agree

00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:16.579
 that in these

00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.099
 first couple

00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.559
 of chapters

00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:17.959
 here

00:20:17.959 --> 00:20:18.919
 Esther has

00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:19.719
 completely

00:20:19.719 --> 00:20:20.319
 sold out

00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:20.539
 to the

00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:20.919
 culture

00:20:20.919 --> 00:20:24.959
 she's not

00:20:24.959 --> 00:20:25.879
 a hero

00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:26.500
 here

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:30.259
 she gets

00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.660
 to her

00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.059
 pinnacle

00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:32.000
 through absolute

00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.720
 compliance

00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.980
 she does

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.960
 what Mordecai

00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:36.039
 says

00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.420
 she listens

00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.039
 to the head

00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.519
 guy in the

00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.039
 harem more

00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.519
 than any

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.079
 other woman

00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.440
 there

00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.200
 she did

00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:41.759
 everything

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.200
 that he

00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:42.680
 asked

00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.660
 Esther plays

00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.339
 the Barbie

00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.700
 doll

00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.099
 here

00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.940
 she's the

00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.720
 sex kitten

00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.200
 here

00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:50.200
 she's a

00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.920
 blank page

00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:51.220
 on which

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.880
 these men

00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:52.460
 write what

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.079
 they want

00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:53.480
 and she's

00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.140
 the total

00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.599
 opposite

00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.740
 of Daniel

00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.299
 and his

00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:56.939
 friends

00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.599
 you see

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.000
 when they

00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.439
 were brought

00:20:58.439 --> 00:20:58.939
 into the

00:20:58.939 --> 00:20:59.299
 pagan

00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.819
 court

00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:01.159
 they said

00:21:01.159 --> 00:21:01.839
 up front

00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.339
 that we're

00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:02.539
 here

00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:02.919
 we will

00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:03.579
 serve

00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:05.539
 but we

00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:05.959
 will follow

00:21:05.959 --> 00:21:06.379
 God's

00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:06.679
 dietary

00:21:06.679 --> 00:21:07.439
 requirements

00:21:07.439 --> 00:21:08.240
 they let

00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.740
 everyone

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.179
 know that

00:21:09.179 --> 00:21:09.539
 they were

00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.019
 Jews

00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.419
 and were

00:21:10.419 --> 00:21:11.099
 still going

00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.439
 to follow

00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:11.859
 God's

00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:12.139
 law

00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:12.799
 Esther

00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.139
 kept

00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:13.619
 that stuff

00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:14.039
 secret

00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.399
 and she

00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:14.879
 must have

00:21:14.879 --> 00:21:15.240
 broken

00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.899
 law

00:21:15.899 --> 00:21:16.500
 after law

00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.299
 after law

00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:19.059
 and then

00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.799
 she sleeps

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.279
 with a man

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:20.879
 who she's

00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:21.379
 not married

00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:21.899
 to and then

00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.720
 she marries

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.579
 an unbeliever

00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:25.960
 all were

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.279
 gross violations

00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.599
 of the

00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.359
 biblical law

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.980
 she's

00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.519
 completely

00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.339
 sold out

00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:35.319
 but what

00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.919
 is great

00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:36.799
 about Esther

00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.759
 is that

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.919
 although

00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:41.799
 there is

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.759
 this bad

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.440
 start

00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.799
 by the end

00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.319
 she's the

00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:45.960
 brave heart

00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:48.299
 God works

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.740
 with her

00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.579
 God is

00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.200
 patient with

00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.500
 her and

00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.299
 grows her

00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.259
 and turns

00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.519
 her into

00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.319
 something great

00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.480
 and the

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.100
 reason why

00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.700
 that is so

00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.259
 important is

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:56.700
 that no matter

00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.759
 how bad

00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.140
 you have

00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:59.299
 screwed up

00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.440
 at the

00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:00.920
 beginning of

00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.319
 your life

00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.720
 no matter

00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:03.140
 what terrible

00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:04.039
 moves you've

00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.480
 made and

00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:04.920
 things that

00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.460
 you've done

00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:07.380
 you can never

00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.299
 write yourself

00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:08.980
 out of God's

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.840
 final script

00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:12.299
 the good

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:12.940
 news is

00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:14.279
 and this is

00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:14.799
 the message

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.740
 of the Bible

00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.960
 is that

00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.700
 God does

00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.799
 not bless

00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.779
 those and

00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.940
 save those

00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.839
 who live

00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.859
 moral and

00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.640
 exemplary

00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.240
 lives

00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:26.359
 that's not

00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:26.940
 what God

00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.359
 does

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.259
 the message

00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.859
 of the Bible

00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.900
 is that God

00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:31.240
 persistently and

00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:32.680
 continuously gives

00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.440
 his grace to

00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.220
 people who don't

00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.940
 ask for it

00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.460
 don't deserve

00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.680
 it and don't

00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.380
 fully appreciate

00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:38.960
 it when they

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.720
 receive it

00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:43.500
 despite of

00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.579
 the fact

00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.920
 that we

00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:47.460
 are

00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.839
 into a

00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.759
 great degree

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.920
 influenced by

00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.740
 our systems

00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.940
 our culture's

00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.620
 systems of

00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.539
 values and

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.079
 morals

00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:56.980
 God hasn't

00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.600
 given up on

00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:58.100
 us

00:22:58.100 --> 00:23:01.279
 1 Samuel 16

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.259
 says that man

00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.259
 looks at the

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.240
 outward appearance

00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.940
 but God looks

00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.620
 at the heart

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:07.659
 you see real

00:23:07.659 --> 00:23:08.699
 beauty is

00:23:08.699 --> 00:23:10.779
 different than

00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.519
 what this world

00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.419
 says it is

00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:16.579
 unlike God

00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:19.439
 we judge

00:23:19.439 --> 00:23:20.879
 books by

00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.459
 their cover

00:23:21.459 --> 00:23:23.839
 God doesn't

00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.279
 do that

00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:26.239
 our world is

00:23:26.239 --> 00:23:26.779
 like this

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.719
 chauvinistic

00:23:27.719 --> 00:23:28.439
 tyrant

00:23:28.439 --> 00:23:29.839
 Xerxes and

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.479
 it says to us

00:23:30.479 --> 00:23:31.379
 I'll accept you

00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:33.000
 as my bride

00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.660
 but you have

00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.120
 to work

00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:36.180
 incredibly hard

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.540
 and you have

00:23:36.540 --> 00:23:36.940
 to make

00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.780
 yourself attractive

00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:38.500
 and you have

00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.100
 to come up

00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:39.640
 with an

00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.220
 incredible

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.660
 resume and

00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.520
 make yourself

00:23:42.520 --> 00:23:43.660
 lovable and

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:45.380
 then I might

00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.120
 approve of you

00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:48.000
 then I might

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.640
 approve of you

00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.980
 and it is

00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:50.860
 exhausting

00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:52.780
 it is

00:23:52.780 --> 00:23:53.400
 crushing

00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:57.640
 and there's

00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.280
 only one way

00:23:58.280 --> 00:23:58.540
 out

00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:02.099
 God says

00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.759
 over and

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.299
 over again

00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:03.639
 to us

00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:03.899
 in the

00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:04.200
 Bible

00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.639
 that he

00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.039
 wants to

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.460
 be our

00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:05.980
 spouse

00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:07.700
 he's not

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.079
 just the

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.779
 all powerful

00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.379
 king

00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:10.700
 but the

00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.079
 all loving

00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.599
 husband

00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:14.059
 what makes

00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:14.879
 it so great

00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.559
 is that it's

00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.480
 not about

00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.440
 what we have

00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:17.980
 to do

00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.639
 to make

00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.420
 ourselves

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.819
 so lovable

00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.879
 and good

00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.960
 and worthy

00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:25.399
 God is

00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:26.200
 the exact

00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.079
 opposite

00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:28.099
 of Xerxes

00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:31.740
 Esther

00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.179
 doesn't have

00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:32.519
 a great

00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.299
 start here

00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:34.619
 and yet

00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.299
 God has

00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.119
 got her

00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.659
 by the

00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.099
 hand

00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.919
 God

00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.779
 never gives

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.439
 up on her

00:24:39.439 --> 00:24:40.259
 as this

00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:42.359
 book unfolds

00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:43.019
 God is

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.779
 patient with

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.039
 her

00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.939
 he loves

00:24:44.939 --> 00:24:45.279
 her

00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.819
 and he

00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.240
 turns her

00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.779
 into something

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.219
 great

00:24:47.219 --> 00:24:47.659
 and that

00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.079
 is the

00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.039
 foretaste

00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:50.299
 of the

00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.019
 relationship

00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.879
 with Jesus

00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:52.839
 that Ephesians

00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.579
 5 talks

00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:53.980
 about

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:57.000
 Ephesians

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.940
 5 uses

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.799
 the image

00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.220
 of the

00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.500
 loving

00:24:59.500 --> 00:24:59.960
 husband

00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.279
 this is

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:01.559
 the way

00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:01.940
 God

00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.360
 treats

00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:02.900
 us

00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.539
 it says

00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:03.880
 husbands

00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.339
 love your

00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:04.660
 wives

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.039
 just as

00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.380
 Christ

00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.059
 loved

00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.299
 the

00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.779
 church

00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.759
 and gave

00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.140
 himself

00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:08.759
 up for

00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:08.920
 her

00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.539
 to make

00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:09.779
 her

00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.339
 holy

00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:11.880
 cleansing

00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.319
 her by

00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:12.759
 the washing

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.299
 with water

00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.799
 through the

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.140
 word

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.740
 and to

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.180
 present

00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:15.680
 her to

00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.220
 himself

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.079
 as a

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.539
 radiant

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.099
 church

00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.660
 without

00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.480
 stain

00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.240
 or wrinkle

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.339
 or any

00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:21.920
 other

00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.759
 blemish

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.980
 but holy

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.339
 and blameless

00:25:25.339 --> 00:25:29.000
 that's what

00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.640
 Jesus does

00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.440
 for us

00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.980
 Esther

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.819
 was accepted

00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.640
 by Xerxes

00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:35.079
 because

00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.279
 she was

00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.059
 already

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.680
 beautiful

00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.400
 but Jesus

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.359
 loves us

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.180
 in spite of

00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.759
 our flaws

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.440
 and our sin

00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:42.799
 and our

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.440
 ugliness

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:45.539
 in order

00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.120
 to make

00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.859
 us beautiful

00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.660
 Esther

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.079
 had to

00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.440
 give her

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.900
 life and

00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.339
 her freedom

00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:49.660
 up for

00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.220
 the king

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.100
 but Jesus

00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:51.700
 is the

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.519
 only king

00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.400
 the only

00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.059
 spouse

00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.019
 who gives

00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.500
 up his

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.079
 life and

00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.600
 his freedom

00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.700
 for us

00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:59.339
 he gives

00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.720
 up everything

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.279
 for us

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.019
 not because

00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.640
 we are

00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.140
 lovely

00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.720
 but in

00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.200
 order to

00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.059
 make us

00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.519
 lovely

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.360
 in order

00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.980
 to make

00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.700
 us beautiful

00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.100
 and when

00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.779
 we understand

00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.259
 that

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:12.079
 when that

00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:12.559
 shift

00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.279
 happens

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.539
 I think

00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:14.960
 we have

00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.620
 the three

00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:16.400
 things that

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:17.160
 we need

00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.960
 to be

00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.740
 free from

00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.500
 our cultures

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.720
 enslavement

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.740
 to

00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.660
 external

00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.839
 appearance

00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.640
 and

00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.740
 performance

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:28.180
 firstly

00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:30.960
 when you

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.319
 understand

00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:31.819
 what Jesus

00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.099
 has done

00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.519
 for you

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:34.259
 you get

00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.539
 a real

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.039
 definition

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.599
 of beauty

00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:37.500
 our culture's

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.079
 definition of

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.640
 beauty means

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:38.980
 that we

00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.559
 cannot go

00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.259
 by a

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.519
 mirror

00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.460
 without

00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.079
 noticing

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.799
 ourselves

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:44.019
 selfie

00:26:44.019 --> 00:27:11.919
 culture has

00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.720
 dominated

00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.300
 Facebook

00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:15.840
 but then

00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.180
 we see

00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:16.700
 Jesus

00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:18.920
 and

00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.480
 he

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.300
 had

00:27:20.300 --> 00:27:20.800
 ultimate

00:27:20.800 --> 00:27:21.279
 beauty

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.720
 infinite

00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.300
 glory

00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:24.160
 infinite

00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.800
 splendour

00:27:24.800 --> 00:27:25.440
 infinite

00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.080
 majesty

00:27:26.080 --> 00:27:27.380
 and he

00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:27.779
 laid it

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.120
 to one

00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:28.440
 side

00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:28.880
 Ephesians

00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.660
 chapter 2

00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.120
 sorry

00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.460
 Philippians

00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.900
 chapter 2

00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.200
 he laid

00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.640
 it to one

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:31.900
 side

00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:33.660
 gave it

00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.300
 all up

00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:36.000
 he became

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.519
 human and

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:36.820
 he went

00:27:36.820 --> 00:27:37.100
 to the

00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:37.519
 cross

00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.859
 the book

00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.440
 of Isaiah

00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:39.960
 says

00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.500
 talking about

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:40.879
 him being

00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:41.139
 on the

00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:41.480
 cross

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.079
 it says

00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:43.000
 he had

00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.240
 no beauty

00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.319
 that we

00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:45.960
 should desire

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.319
 him

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:49.539
 he became

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.680
 cosmically

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:52.139
 unsightly

00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:54.359
 his father

00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:54.980
 turns his

00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.740
 face away

00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:58.379
 Jesus gave

00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.180
 up his

00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.960
 splendour

00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.639
 his majesty

00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:00.960
 and his

00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.200
 beauty

00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.879
 for us

00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:03.420
 that is

00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.160
 true beauty

00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.139
 genuine

00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:06.079
 beauty is

00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.740
 not self

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.319
 obsession

00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.299
 it is

00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:08.559
 self

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.379
 sacrifice

00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:11.039
 that's the

00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.220
 new

00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.720
 definition

00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.200
 of beauty

00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:12.500
 you get

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.079
 from Jesus

00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.579
 the second

00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.000
 thing we

00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.919
 get when

00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.579
 we understand

00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.019
 that Jesus

00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.039
 gives up

00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.720
 everything

00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.559
 for us

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.039
 to make

00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.960
 us beautiful

00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:22.119
 in his

00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.519
 sight

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:24.079
 is a new

00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.039
 experience

00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.799
 of our

00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.079
 beauty

00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.700
 to him

00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:29.539
 Nat and

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:29.779
 I were

00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.399
 married about

00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:31.039
 17 and

00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.500
 half years

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:31.779
 ago

00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:33.259
 and I

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.200
 still remember

00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:34.679
 the day

00:28:34.679 --> 00:28:36.119
 I remember

00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:36.679
 standing at

00:28:36.679 --> 00:28:36.919
 the front

00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.140
 of the

00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:37.560
 church

00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.560
 and looking

00:28:38.560 --> 00:28:38.840
 to the

00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:39.140
 back of

00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:39.500
 the church

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:39.880
 about this

00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.200
 kind of

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.620
 distance of

00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:40.920
 the doors

00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:41.440
 over there

00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:41.980
 and seeing

00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.539
 Nat appear

00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.120
 in the door

00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:43.580
 trying to

00:28:43.580 --> 00:28:43.960
 wait for the

00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.620
 other bridesmaids

00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.019
 to get out

00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.400
 of the way

00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.620
 and seeing

00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:47.279
 Nat appear

00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.240
 in the door

00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.980
 and I

00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.980
 thought she

00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.980
 was stunning

00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:54.880
 do you know

00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:55.360
 why

00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:57.779
 makeup

00:28:57.779 --> 00:29:02.400
 now just

00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.000
 bear with me

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.299
 here for

00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:03.660
 a moment

00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.900
 let me

00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.279
 finish

00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.539
 not just

00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:06.920
 makeup

00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.380
 the dress

00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.160
 as well

00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:13.039
 now I

00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.380
 think my

00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:13.900
 wife is

00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.440
 beautiful

00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:15.579
 and in fact

00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:15.880
 she's more

00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.359
 beautiful to me

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:16.700
 now than what

00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:16.960
 she was

00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.319
 then

00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:19.779
 but and

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.740
 the point

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.039
 I'm trying to

00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.720
 make is

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.660
 I've married

00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.160
 a lot of

00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.160
 people in

00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:24.779
 over 20

00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.160
 years of

00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.559
 pastoral

00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.000
 ministry

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.859
 every person

00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.599
 that I marry

00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:29.220
 comes down

00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.680
 the front

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.700
 every bride

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.279
 that I marry

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:31.980
 looks better

00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.460
 on the day

00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.539
 that I marry

00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:33.900
 her than

00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.200
 the day

00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.500
 that I was

00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.259
 doing marriage

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.740
 prep with

00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:35.900
 her

00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:37.980
 that is

00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.320
 that's the

00:29:38.320 --> 00:29:38.660
 point of

00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:39.259
 makeup and

00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.740
 dresses and

00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.240
 stuff isn't

00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.320
 it is that

00:29:41.320 --> 00:29:41.740
 not the

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.000
 point

00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:45.840
 the point

00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.500
 is that

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.680
 you know

00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.039
 all the

00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.480
 makeup and

00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:48.799
 the fancy

00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.060
 all the

00:29:49.060 --> 00:29:49.340
 goop and

00:29:49.340 --> 00:29:49.660
 the fancy

00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.120
 clothes and

00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:50.380
 that sort

00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:50.840
 of stuff

00:29:50.840 --> 00:29:52.779
 it takes

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.400
 people up a

00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:54.240
 notch in

00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.920
 appearance

00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:56.000
 now if you

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.400
 think that I

00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.620
 could have

00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:57.000
 spent a little

00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.560
 bit more time

00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:57.940
 on that you

00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.180
 should have

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.539
 seen me at

00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:58.920
 six o'clock

00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.460
 this morning

00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:05.039
 a number

00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.539
 of all the

00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.340
 imperfections

00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:06.660
 and the

00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.579
 flaws that

00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:08.279
 I'm self

00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.079
 conscious about

00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:09.460
 have been

00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:09.980
 covered up

00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.279
 they've been

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:10.460
 hidden

00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:10.860
 they've been

00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.500
 worked on

00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:13.640
 the point

00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:15.059
 is that

00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.620
 when Jesus

00:30:15.620 --> 00:30:16.360
 uses the

00:30:16.360 --> 00:30:17.259
 metaphor of

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.180
 us being

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.519
 his bride

00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.720
 one of the

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.200
 things that

00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.940
 he has in

00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:23.559
 mind is

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:23.980
 that in

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.519
 spite of

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.100
 all of our

00:30:25.100 --> 00:30:25.500
 spiritual

00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.079
 flaws

00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.980
 in spite of

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.440
 all of our

00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:27.860
 failings

00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:28.360
 in spite of

00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:28.980
 all of our

00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.519
 sins

00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.740
 he has

00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.920
 clothed us

00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.579
 with his

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.160
 righteousness

00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:35.120
 he has

00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.980
 surrounded us

00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.400
 with his

00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.579
 own beauty

00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.160
 that he has

00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:38.839
 given us

00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:40.400
 he has so

00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.799
 cleansed us

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.880
 from our

00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.420
 sin

00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.680
 that when he

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.400
 sees us

00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:46.599
 he goes

00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.599
 wow

00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:49.920
 that's

00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.319
 awesome

00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:52.599
 that is

00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.480
 awesome

00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.420
 his heart

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.299
 bursts

00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.279
 at the

00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:56.720
 sight of

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.039
 us

00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:59.639
 to the

00:30:59.639 --> 00:30:59.980
 degree

00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.460
 to the

00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:00.839
 degree

00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.279
 that you

00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.680
 know

00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.180
 that that

00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.819
 is true

00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:03.279
 of you

00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:03.879
 in his

00:31:03.879 --> 00:31:04.519
 eyes

00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:05.440
 you will

00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.960
 be set

00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:06.299
 free

00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.700
 from our

00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.279
 culture's

00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.039
 enslavement

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.119
 telling you

00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:09.519
 what you

00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.059
 must look

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.419
 like

00:31:10.419 --> 00:31:11.180
 what you

00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:11.940
 must have

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.680
 and what

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.119
 you must

00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.940
 accomplish

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.599
 in order to

00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.200
 be accepted

00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.960
 when you

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.539
 realise that

00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:16.859
 you are

00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:17.419
 beautiful

00:31:17.419 --> 00:31:17.740
 beyond

00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.319
 comprehension

00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:18.759
 in his

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.000
 eyes

00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.559
 because of

00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:19.859
 the work

00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:20.119
 that he's

00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.459
 done for

00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.679
 you

00:31:20.679 --> 00:31:22.919
 so you

00:31:22.919 --> 00:31:23.259
 get a new

00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.679
 definition

00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.139
 of beauty

00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:25.319
 you get a

00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:26.199
 new experience

00:31:26.199 --> 00:31:27.159
 of beauty

00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:28.099
 and the

00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.539
 third thing

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.000
 you get

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.459
 is a new

00:31:29.459 --> 00:31:30.179
 understanding

00:31:30.179 --> 00:31:31.459
 from Jesus

00:31:31.459 --> 00:31:32.199
 in making us

00:31:32.199 --> 00:31:32.559
 beautiful

00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:32.919
 a new

00:31:32.919 --> 00:31:33.439
 understanding

00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:33.740
 of the

00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.139
 hardships

00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:34.539
 and the

00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:34.859
 trials

00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.139
 and the

00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:35.619
 difficulties

00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.699
 that you

00:31:36.699 --> 00:31:37.219
 face

00:31:37.219 --> 00:31:38.579
 this is

00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.159
 taking me

00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:39.539
 back to

00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.000
 the beginning

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:43.639
 there are

00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:44.079
 plenty of

00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.659
 things in

00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:45.219
 this world

00:31:45.219 --> 00:31:45.639
 that will

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.379
 cause us

00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.119
 to question

00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:48.059
 his

00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.740
 existence

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.139
 God's

00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:49.599
 existence

00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.099
 God's

00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:50.500
 power

00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:50.859
 and his

00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.199
 willingness

00:31:51.199 --> 00:31:51.939
 to intervene

00:31:51.939 --> 00:31:52.279
 in his

00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.679
 love for

00:31:52.679 --> 00:31:52.959
 me

00:31:52.959 --> 00:31:53.819
 plenty

00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.019
 of

00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.459
 things

00:31:54.459 --> 00:31:55.819
 and there

00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.199
 are plenty

00:31:56.199 --> 00:31:56.639
 of parts

00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:56.879
 of the

00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:57.179
 Bible

00:31:57.179 --> 00:31:57.599
 that talk

00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:57.839
 about

00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.240
 suffering

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.859
 and hardship

00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.619
 refining

00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:00.980
 those

00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.459
 Jesus

00:32:01.459 --> 00:32:02.179
 loves

00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:03.139
 and the

00:32:03.139 --> 00:32:03.439
 imagery

00:32:03.439 --> 00:32:03.679
 of the

00:32:03.679 --> 00:32:04.019
 Bible

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.579
 is

00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:06.259
 of gold

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.619
 being

00:32:06.619 --> 00:32:07.299
 refined

00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:08.339
 and the

00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.919
 impurities

00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:09.699
 being burned

00:32:09.699 --> 00:32:10.339
 up in a

00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:10.779
 furnace

00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:12.319
 you see

00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.859
 once you're

00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:13.359
 assured of

00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:13.699
 God's

00:32:13.699 --> 00:32:14.099
 love

00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:16.079
 and really

00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:17.240
 assured of

00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:17.639
 God's

00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:18.059
 love

00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.119
 love

00:32:18.119 --> 00:32:19.339
 when you

00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:19.759
 understand

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.259
 that you

00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.440
 are

00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.399
 beautiful

00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:21.759
 in his

00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.139
 eyes

00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:22.460
 and he

00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.700
 bursts

00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.119
 at the

00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.419
 sight

00:32:24.419 --> 00:32:24.579
 of

00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:24.960
 seeing

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.399
 you

00:32:25.399 --> 00:32:27.779
 then when

00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.079
 you go

00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.359
 through

00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:28.740
 troubles

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:28.940
 and

00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.359
 hardships

00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.779
 you start

00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.119
 to see

00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:31.579
 that it's

00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.039
 actually

00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.819
 purifying

00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.079
 you

00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:33.419
 making

00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:33.639
 you

00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:33.919
 more

00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:34.339
 beautiful

00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:34.819
 to him

00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:37.119
 that's

00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:37.379
 what it's

00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:37.679
 doing

00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:39.899
 it's

00:32:39.899 --> 00:32:40.119
 making

00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:40.299
 you

00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:40.500
 more

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:40.879
 beautiful

00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.220
 on the

00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:41.679
 inside

00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.019
 God

00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.460
 hasn't

00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:42.859
 actually

00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.279
 abandoned

00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.579
 you

00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.359
 he uses

00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:44.599
 the

00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.139
 refining

00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:45.779
 process

00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.799
 to get

00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.159
 rid of

00:32:47.159 --> 00:32:47.639
 pride

00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:48.619
 and foolishness

00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:49.359
 and fear

00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:49.879
 and all the

00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.519
 other sinful

00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.319
 stupid things

00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:51.559
 that we

00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:51.839
 do

00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:53.599
 bit by

00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:53.960
 bit

00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.899
 he is

00:32:54.899 --> 00:32:55.319
 making

00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:55.659
 you

00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:56.179
 more

00:32:56.179 --> 00:32:57.000
 and more

00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:57.679
 beautiful

00:32:57.679 --> 00:32:58.399
 to him

00:32:58.399 --> 00:33:00.000
 once you

00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.139
 are

00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:00.539
 assured of

00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:00.859
 God's

00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.220
 love

00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.819
 then you

00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.359
 see the

00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:03.279
 hard times

00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:05.639
 as God's

00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.420
 spiritual

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:06.940
 beauty

00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.579
 treatments

00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:11.059
 and when

00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.460
 you go

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:11.839
 through the

00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:12.200
 hardships

00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:13.059
 with absolute

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.619
 assurance

00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.039
 that you

00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.740
 are beautiful

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.940
 in God's

00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:16.299
 sight

00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:18.420
 you actually

00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.099
 start to become

00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:19.759
 beautiful in your

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.119
 heart

00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:21.059
 on the inside

00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.940
 just like

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.460
 pressure

00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.220
 creates

00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.399
 a diamond

00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:25.599
 God has

00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:26.220
 not abandoned

00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:26.920
 you in his

00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.319
 troubles

00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.000
 he is at

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.700
 work

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.440
 leading you

00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:29.960
 and holding

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.299
 you

00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:30.980
 and refining

00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.220
 you

00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:31.759
 and saving

00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.099
 you

00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:32.920
 making you

00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:33.560
 more beautiful

00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:34.000
 in his

00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:34.560
 eyes

00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:35.340
 for the

00:33:35.340 --> 00:33:35.720
 day when

00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.000
 he will

00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.600
 see you

00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:37.120
 face to

00:33:37.120 --> 00:33:37.580
 face

00:33:37.580 --> 00:33:38.340
 of the

00:33:38.340 --> 00:33:38.580
 great

00:33:38.580 --> 00:33:38.880
 wedding

00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.340
 banquet

00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.380
 where he

00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:40.519
 will

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.060
 enfold you

00:33:41.060 --> 00:33:41.320
 in his

00:33:41.320 --> 00:33:41.740
 arms

00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.440
 and love

00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:42.660
 you

00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.360
 for all

00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:44.240
 eternity

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:47.820
 and so

00:33:47.820 --> 00:33:48.080
 if that's

00:33:48.080 --> 00:33:48.400
 you right

00:33:48.400 --> 00:33:48.680
 now

00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.120
 trying to

00:33:49.120 --> 00:33:49.440
 not sure

00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:49.740
 whether or

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:49.980
 not he

00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.440
 loves you

00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:50.740
 can I

00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.100
 just get

00:33:51.100 --> 00:33:51.360
 you to

00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:51.660
 look to

00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:52.120
 Jesus

00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:53.420
 and can

00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:53.840
 I have

00:33:53.840 --> 00:33:54.600
 Romans 8

00:33:54.600 --> 00:33:55.240
 floating around

00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.560
 in your

00:33:55.560 --> 00:33:56.000
 mind

00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.200
 we know

00:33:57.200 --> 00:33:57.519
 that in

00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.140
 all things

00:33:58.140 --> 00:33:58.960
 God works

00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.259
 for the

00:33:59.259 --> 00:33:59.579
 good of

00:33:59.579 --> 00:34:00.059
 those who

00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:00.680
 love him

00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.460
 who have

00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.079
 been called

00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:02.920
 according to

00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.619
 his purpose

00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:04.619
 Amen