WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.400 Let me just pray for us before we preach. 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:15.460 Father, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight. 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:20.100 ! O Lord, our God and our Redeemer. Amen. 00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:23.100 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.179 Those who speak for God in the Old Testament. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:39.420 They're two lesser known stories from their lives, I think. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:44.640 This one's a hard one to stomach, isn't it? 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:48.460 102 people are burned to death in this passage. 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:54.679 And I wonder if you read this to people out there in the street, in the park over there. 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:59.560 And I wonder if they'd say, look, this is a jealous God. 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:07.340 This is just an ancient king, a Messiah, just trying to worship in his own way, in the way of his own father. 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:12.120 And a jealous God that wants to interrupt his life and make it all about him. 00:01:13.460 --> 00:01:18.680 And his angry, intolerant prophet who thinks that only he and his little cult are in the right. 00:01:19.480 --> 00:01:20.500 And everyone else is wrong. 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:23.340 I wonder if that's what they'd say. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:25.140 Perhaps some of them wouldn't say that. 00:01:25.460 --> 00:01:31.500 But if we're honest, we feel this horror a little bit too when we come to these passages. 00:01:31.820 --> 00:01:33.579 It's deep set within us. 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:36.180 How can we receive encouragement, we think? 00:01:36.320 --> 00:01:38.579 This is one of those passages we haven't liked to turn over. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:45.300 Turn the page just hoping our non-Christian friend is really looking too much in the coffee shop. 00:01:47.300 --> 00:01:51.700 But I want to show you that this God, right here in this passage, is gracious. 00:01:51.700 --> 00:01:57.299 I don't want you to feel slightly less bad about what happens in this passage. 00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:59.280 I want you to glorify God. 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:02.520 That there is a God in Israel. 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:05.879 He is jealous but for his people. 00:02:07.020 --> 00:02:09.819 And I want us to see his grace and glorify him. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:12.319 There are only two points if you're a points person. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:14.840 There is a God in Israel. 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:17.099 And he is a gracious God. 00:02:17.299 --> 00:02:18.419 There is a God in Israel. 00:02:19.060 --> 00:02:20.039 He is a gracious God. 00:02:22.620 --> 00:02:24.859 So you should lower through yourself and come to him. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:26.919 So there is a God in Israel. 00:02:27.299 --> 00:02:27.799 Verse 1. 00:02:28.299 --> 00:02:28.919 Launched in. 00:02:29.259 --> 00:02:30.680 After the death of Ahab. 00:02:31.519 --> 00:02:34.060 So Ahab's Israel's worst king. 00:02:34.060 --> 00:02:37.020 This is Ahaziah's father. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:37.620 His model. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:40.860 He's been on the throne for 22 years. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:41.979 And he's just died. 00:02:42.420 --> 00:02:45.140 Moab here rebelled against Israel. 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:46.400 So they just seized their chance. 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:48.479 They've been part of the empire for a good while. 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:49.719 And since the days of David. 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:51.120 Maybe over a hundred years or so. 00:02:51.539 --> 00:02:53.480 And now they've seen weakness. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:54.580 And they rebel. 00:02:55.259 --> 00:02:57.140 Just this sort of province. 00:02:58.080 --> 00:02:59.159 Attached to Israel. 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:03.500 Ahaziah is 22 when he took the throne. 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:04.719 So when these things happen. 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:05.819 23, 24. 00:03:06.979 --> 00:03:08.840 He should be the picture of health. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:11.439 But it seems in verse 2. 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:13.740 That the king is just as sick as the kingdom. 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:16.740 Ahaziah falls through a lattice. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:20.340 It's kind of a weird domestic accident. 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:23.960 Probably a balcony maybe in his upper bedroom. 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:27.139 He tumbles out of his upstairs bedroom. 00:03:27.740 --> 00:03:29.080 And he's in a pretty bad way. 00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:33.560 To have an upper chamber in these days. 00:03:34.420 --> 00:03:35.280 It's pretty rare. 00:03:35.380 --> 00:03:36.140 It's a sign of wealth. 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:37.480 Obviously he's a king. 00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:40.640 But God here is bringing him low. 00:03:41.980 --> 00:03:43.080 How do we know that? 00:03:44.060 --> 00:03:44.700 You might think. 00:03:44.780 --> 00:03:46.120 Maybe it's just a random accident. 00:03:46.420 --> 00:03:48.360 Well, we've been told already. 00:03:48.580 --> 00:03:51.320 That Ahaziah has provoked the Lord. 00:03:52.259 --> 00:03:55.459 So if you see just the page before in your Bibles. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:56.719 1 Kings 22. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:03:57.519 The end of it. 00:03:58.579 --> 00:03:59.400 Verse 53. 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:01.400 He served Baal and worshipped him. 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:06.639 Baal is a neighbouring kind of idol that people worshipped as God. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:07.599 And worshipped him. 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:11.340 Provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger in every way that his father had done. 00:04:11.340 --> 00:04:13.819 So he continues to provoke the Lord. 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:15.599 The Bible tells us this. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:15.680 Listen. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:21.399 He serves Baal and carries on and God acts. 00:04:23.259 --> 00:04:24.339 In several ways. 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:28.439 This fall is curious, isn't it? 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:29.779 But it's meant to tip us off to something. 00:04:30.100 --> 00:04:32.560 There's actually a theme in this passage, if you noticed. 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:34.939 There are a lot of ups and downs. 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:38.060 Ahaziah falls through his lattice. 00:04:38.199 --> 00:04:38.659 Verse 2. 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:41.540 Elijah is told to go up to meet the messengers. 00:04:41.659 --> 00:04:42.079 Verse 3. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.420 Elijah in verse 9 is sitting on top of a hill. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:47.580 And the captains go up to him and ask him to come down. 00:04:48.180 --> 00:04:49.080 Verse 11. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:50.840 But fire comes down instead. 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:51.960 Verse 12. 00:04:52.220 --> 00:04:54.360 Finally the third captain falls on his knees. 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:56.300 And verse 13. 00:04:56.540 --> 00:04:59.780 And Elijah goes down to meet him. 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:01.360 There's a lot of ups and downs. 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:03.540 And we'll see that throughout. 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:05.120 This first fall though. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:06.840 As God brings him low. 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:08.040 It should be a time to reflect. 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:09.040 Shouldn't it? 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:11.420 I wonder if you're... 00:05:11.420 --> 00:05:13.420 When you suffer in life. 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:15.300 When you have things that have gone wrong. 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:16.199 You think... 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:17.780 Why is this happening? 00:05:18.640 --> 00:05:20.340 What is happening in my life? 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:21.360 That this... 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:23.540 Is where I am. 00:05:25.640 --> 00:05:27.780 And perhaps you should wonder... 00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:28.259 Should... 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:30.259 Is it wise to follow... 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:31.659 Just kind of in the ways that... 00:05:31.659 --> 00:05:33.519 That my father has shown me? 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:35.420 Or should I switch direction? 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:36.779 Here's his first chance. 00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:37.099 I'm saying. 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:37.639 To repent. 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:40.939 He's the king of Israel. 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:42.300 He should... 00:05:42.300 --> 00:05:43.939 Worship the God of Israel. 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:44.420 But... 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:46.920 Ahaziah hardens his heart. 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:47.339 Doesn't he? 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:50.819 We find out in the prophecy actually. 00:05:51.099 --> 00:05:52.500 That he's gone up. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:53.579 Verse 4. 00:05:53.679 --> 00:05:54.719 Have a look at verse 4. 00:05:56.579 --> 00:05:58.199 Is it because there's no God in Israel... 00:05:58.199 --> 00:05:59.779 That you're going to inquire of Baal-zebub... 00:05:59.779 --> 00:06:00.359 The God of Ekron? 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:02.019 Now therefore... 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:02.719 Thus says the Lord... 00:06:02.719 --> 00:06:04.419 You shall not come down from the bed... 00:06:04.419 --> 00:06:05.120 To which you've gone up. 00:06:05.179 --> 00:06:06.120 But you shall surely die. 00:06:08.339 --> 00:06:08.620 He's... 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:09.459 He's gone up. 00:06:09.939 --> 00:06:11.579 It reveals more than just his location. 00:06:12.219 --> 00:06:13.219 God's brought him low. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:14.179 But what has he done? 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:17.180 He's propped himself back up... 00:06:17.900 --> 00:06:19.180 On his cushions... 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:21.120 And dictated. 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:22.240 Sent messengers. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:27.040 Is there a God in Israel? 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:30.600 Ahaziah doesn't seem to think so, does he? 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:33.319 He could send Elijah, the prophet. 00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:34.300 He's not hard to find. 00:06:34.540 --> 00:06:35.960 They find him immediately in verse 9. 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:39.920 He could send for a prophet of Yahweh. 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:41.079 The true God. 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:42.280 But no. 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:42.960 He sends messengers. 00:06:42.960 --> 00:06:43.660 Verse 2. 00:06:44.180 --> 00:06:45.400 To Baal-zebub. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:47.160 As if they were not a God in Israel. 00:06:47.300 --> 00:06:48.660 To inquire of his word. 00:06:50.900 --> 00:06:52.319 Ahaziah is sending to this guy. 00:06:52.400 --> 00:06:53.620 Whether he'll get better, isn't he? 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:55.139 He wants to get well. 00:06:56.840 --> 00:06:58.180 He seeks... 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:00.180 The wisdom of this world. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:01.780 By sending for... 00:07:01.780 --> 00:07:03.100 For Baal-zebub. 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:04.300 In the land of the Philistines. 00:07:04.340 --> 00:07:06.240 About a 90 mile round trip. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:07.600 For his messengers. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:08.780 So it's quite a serious thing... 00:07:09.460 --> 00:07:09.840 To do. 00:07:09.840 --> 00:07:10.840 Especially to have the patience... 00:07:11.480 --> 00:07:12.819 To wait for them to come back. 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:15.959 He seeks the wisdom of this world. 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:17.079 And ignores... 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:18.079 When it comes down to it. 00:07:18.159 --> 00:07:18.819 The God of Israel. 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:21.699 Now... 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:22.779 I... 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:22.920 I... 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:24.339 It's hard to know, isn't it? 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:26.040 But I wonder what you would do... 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:27.639 In this situation. 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:30.039 Some of you will probably have been... 00:07:30.039 --> 00:07:31.600 In this type of situation. 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:33.600 When you're fearing for your life. 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:35.039 Where you're wondering... 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:37.800 Will I have a next day... 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:38.280 A next week... 00:07:38.280 --> 00:07:38.879 A next month? 00:07:42.460 --> 00:07:43.420 People around you... 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:45.140 Are very keen to give you advice... 00:07:45.140 --> 00:07:46.000 Aren't they at these times? 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:48.600 They often say... 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:49.500 You need your family. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:51.420 Those who mean most of you. 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.160 As well as a good doctor. 00:07:53.280 --> 00:07:54.460 We pray for wisdom... 00:07:54.460 --> 00:07:54.920 For the doctors. 00:07:56.500 --> 00:07:56.879 Yes. 00:07:57.020 --> 00:07:58.360 All of those things. 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:00.360 But... 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:02.259 What do we need? 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:05.360 Ultimately... 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:08.360 We need to know the true God. 00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:10.360 That there is comfort... 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:11.939 In calling to him. 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:13.740 But even more... 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:14.879 In that he can answer. 00:08:17.780 --> 00:08:18.360 And indeed... 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:19.360 Even in... 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:21.360 Not in calling to the true God... 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:22.280 As I can't answer. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:22.759 Doesn't he? 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:25.759 We're tempted to believe... 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:26.439 All sorts of things... 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:28.379 About what makes life worth living. 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:30.300 When it comes down to this moment. 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:32.559 In these kind of moments... 00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:34.399 Where you're very ill. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:36.159 The kind of fleeting pleasures... 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:37.080 Of this world sort of... 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:37.939 Evaporate don't they? 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:38.720 That you kind of... 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:39.639 Nothing is important... 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:40.819 When you worry that you might have... 00:08:40.819 --> 00:08:42.059 This grave illness. 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:43.539 Everything else kind of... 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:44.240 Turns to black. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:44.740 And you just think... 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:45.960 Forget about all that nonsense. 00:08:46.439 --> 00:08:47.539 What am I going to do? 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:50.059 Who will you send for? 00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:51.059 Therefore... 00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:52.059 Ahaziah... 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:53.899 Could have trusted the Lord... 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:54.339 Yahweh. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:55.639 But instead... 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:56.399 He sends messages... 00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:57.739 To the Lord of the flies. 00:08:58.059 --> 00:08:58.619 Verse 2. 00:08:58.839 --> 00:09:00.159 That's what Baal-zeba means. 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:01.259 Lord of the flies. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:02.379 It's not actually... 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:03.399 What the Philistines called him. 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.659 They called him Baal-zeba. 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:07.019 Kind of Lord exalted. 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.199 Or Lord prince. 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:10.059 But the authors... 00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:11.000 Using this name... 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:11.879 To show that... 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:13.359 Whenever we exalt... 00:09:13.359 --> 00:09:14.059 In this life... 00:09:15.339 --> 00:09:17.059 If we put it in the highest place... 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:19.059 That is not God... 00:09:19.059 --> 00:09:22.359 It can do nothing... 00:09:22.359 --> 00:09:23.279 For us in death. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:26.199 Except point the flies... 00:09:26.199 --> 00:09:27.339 In the direction... 00:09:27.339 --> 00:09:28.219 Of our corpse. 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:32.559 Baal-zeba is an idol. 00:09:33.579 --> 00:09:34.479 He's a kind of... 00:09:34.479 --> 00:09:35.659 Self-help God. 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:37.079 It may seem a little bit strange. 00:09:37.199 --> 00:09:38.399 Why is this guy coming... 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:40.099 And talking to us about Baal-zeba? 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:42.819 Fair enough. 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:46.299 But he is a kind of... 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:47.439 Self-help God. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:49.640 And the only problem... 00:09:49.640 --> 00:09:50.660 With self-help... 00:09:50.660 --> 00:09:51.820 Is that when you're unable... 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:53.420 To help yourself... 00:09:53.420 --> 00:09:54.820 Nothing else can help... 00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:55.080 Either. 00:09:57.140 --> 00:09:57.780 Aikazai... 00:09:57.780 --> 00:09:59.340 Doesn't want to change course here. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.820 He's been made king... 00:10:00.820 --> 00:10:01.380 Over God's people. 00:10:02.060 --> 00:10:03.240 With all the benefits... 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:03.840 That brings. 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:05.580 But he doesn't want... 00:10:05.580 --> 00:10:07.720 To live in God's world. 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:09.440 All he wants... 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:12.020 Is his health back... 00:10:12.020 --> 00:10:12.960 So he can keep doing... 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:13.740 What he was doing before. 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:14.440 So he can keep worshipping... 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:16.140 Baal. 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:18.159 Sort of reminds me... 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:19.240 A little bit of the pandemic... 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.179 Where a number of people... 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:22.240 Will have just kind of... 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:22.939 Thought... 00:10:22.939 --> 00:10:23.639 This... 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:24.379 Is terrible... 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.000 But we'll... 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:26.100 We'll just wait it out... 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:27.600 And do exactly the same thing... 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.080 Afterwards. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:28.919 No reflection. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:29.539 No repentance. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:30.340 There's nothing... 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:32.220 To do... 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:33.080 Except for wait... 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:33.939 Until things... 00:10:33.939 --> 00:10:34.559 Are a bit better... 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:35.899 To do exactly the same thing. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:36.960 Now... 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:38.139 This is what he wants. 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:39.639 But Baal-zeba... 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:39.960 Just... 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:40.819 It's kind of a mirror. 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:43.280 He just holds up a mirror... 00:10:43.280 --> 00:10:44.860 To Ahaziah's... 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:45.920 And worldly... 00:10:45.920 --> 00:10:46.879 Based desires. 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:49.500 He's hurtling... 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:50.600 Towards the grave... 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:52.180 From an upper chamber... 00:10:52.180 --> 00:10:53.640 And he's given one more chance... 00:10:53.640 --> 00:10:54.840 To humble himself... 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:57.340 But he props himself back up... 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:58.360 On his bed... 00:10:58.360 --> 00:11:00.360 And sends messengers out... 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:02.740 With a temporary extension request... 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:03.379 For his life. 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:06.320 And I kind of want to say... 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:09.159 If you find yourself tempted... 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:11.320 To look into all manner of... 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:13.120 Other answers... 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:16.580 Putting things in the highest place... 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:17.080 Health... 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:17.360 Wealth... 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:18.879 Whatever it might be... 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:20.519 And it happens easily... 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:22.200 What is the world offering you there? 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:26.200 Is it not just the same deal... 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:28.279 As Ahaziah has... 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:30.200 To be propped up... 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:31.320 Back on your bed... 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:33.200 For a few more years... 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.840 With a mirror... 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:36.420 Just looking into it... 00:11:36.420 --> 00:11:37.440 With your own desires... 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.020 Staring back... 00:11:38.020 --> 00:11:39.620 Perhaps even a smartphone... 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:40.300 Is a good example... 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:41.600 It just magnifies... 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:42.480 Your own... 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:43.560 Wants and desires... 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:45.200 And sends them right back at you... 00:11:46.280 --> 00:11:46.920 If you're thinking... 00:11:46.920 --> 00:11:48.200 That's a pretty bleak picture... 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:50.200 Fair enough... 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:53.200 How do we get out of this loop... 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:54.700 Of our own desires... 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:55.660 And the items we serve... 00:11:55.660 --> 00:11:56.720 The things that we want... 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:58.020 But we haven't checked them... 00:11:58.020 --> 00:11:59.560 At all... 00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:00.360 And the answer is... 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:01.140 We don't, isn't it? 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:03.180 We don't get out of that loop... 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:05.859 God... 00:12:05.859 --> 00:12:07.259 Has to break in... 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:08.319 To our closed off... 00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:09.279 Little worlds... 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:09.779 Doesn't he? 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:13.139 Ahaziah sends out... 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:13.539 Messengers... 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:15.059 And he doesn't want them to go... 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:16.159 Anywhere near... 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.019 The God of Israel... 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:18.039 But they're intercepted... 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.459 By God's word... 00:12:19.459 --> 00:12:20.779 God's prophet... 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:22.159 He sends for the Lord... 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:22.939 The flies... 00:12:22.939 --> 00:12:23.819 But he gets a response... 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:25.399 From the Lord of all... 00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:26.000 Colossians... 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:27.139 Verses 5 to 6... 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:28.340 The messengers returned to the king... 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:28.860 And he said to them... 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:29.639 Why have you returned? 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:31.139 It would have been a long journey... 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:31.840 So they've... 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.819 Clearly come back too early... 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:33.419 And they said to him... 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.799 There came a man to meet us... 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:35.799 And he said to us... 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:38.240 Go back to the king who sent you... 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:38.959 And say to him... 00:12:38.959 --> 00:12:40.079 Thus says the Lord... 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:55.540 Thus says the Lord... 00:12:55.540 --> 00:12:57.620 Is it because there's no God in Israel... 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.860 That you're sending to inquire? 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.580 The answer is of course... 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:02.780 But there is a God in Israel... 00:13:02.780 --> 00:13:03.980 And what would make you... 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.080 Want to go anywhere else? 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:08.940 There is a God of this world... 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:10.060 And we have the same problem... 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:11.059 That there are people... 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:12.059 Who want to go anywhere else... 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:13.059 And... 00:13:13.819 --> 00:13:15.059 It's understandable... 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:19.159 As we go about our lives... 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.500 Serving the different gods... 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.059 That we have made... 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.399 What happens is... 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:24.059 That God sends for us... 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.319 Doesn't he? 00:13:25.339 --> 00:13:26.059 He has a habit... 00:13:26.719 --> 00:13:27.059 Of interrupting... 00:13:28.219 --> 00:13:29.059 Our lives... 00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:31.119 If you're sitting here... 00:13:31.119 --> 00:13:32.059 And you're a newcomer to church... 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.279 Wondering what it's all about... 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.539 He's interrupting your life... 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:36.439 Right now isn't he? 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:38.199 We're often bothered when... 00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:39.279 Kind of Christians... 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:39.939 Come up to us... 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.279 And sort of... 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:42.439 Talk about God... 00:13:42.439 --> 00:13:43.279 You think it's an interruption... 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:44.480 And the answer is... 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.600 Yes it is... 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.279 It is an interruption... 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:47.860 But you're just going about... 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:49.279 Doing the things that you want to do... 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:51.000 Which is the objection... 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.100 Right? 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:51.500 People go... 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.579 I'm just trying to do the things... 00:13:52.579 --> 00:13:53.279 I want to do... 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.559 That's understandable... 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:56.279 But God interrupts our lives... 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.279 And leads us to him... 00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.279 To him... 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:01.839 He does it... 00:14:01.839 --> 00:14:03.279 That we might know... 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.980 That this same God in Israel... 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:06.600 Remains God today... 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:09.159 God interrupts this 90 mile trip... 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:11.019 For the same reason he interrupted my life... 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:12.279 And if you're a Christian... 00:14:12.939 --> 00:14:13.279 Yours... 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:15.659 Or the lives of your parents... 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.279 And grandparents... 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.839 That you may know... 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:19.279 That he is God... 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.000 He is the God of Abraham... 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.379 Isaac and... 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.000 Israel... 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:25.759 This... 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.000 Is his world... 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.279 And we are his creatures... 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:30.759 He interrupts our lives... 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:33.120 While we're busy walking away from him... 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.580 Setting off in the opposite direction... 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:35.000 Because... 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:37.000 He is God... 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.139 And that's one reason... 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.879 That we know that he is God... 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:42.000 Because he does that... 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:43.000 He is our God... 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:45.000 And we are his people... 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.000 Now... 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:47.860 That's my first point... 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.000 Second point... 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:51.299 There is a God in Israel... 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:53.299 And he is a gracious God... 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.299 So... 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:57.059 Maybe you're trapped with me... 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:58.299 You think this God is real... 00:14:59.139 --> 00:14:59.479 You know... 00:14:59.479 --> 00:15:00.039 Fine... 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:01.299 But I want to kind of run a mile... 00:15:02.579 --> 00:15:03.299 From this God... 00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:05.019 Perhaps you understand... 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.279 That in Isaiah's position... 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:08.000 He's sitting on his bed... 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.319 He just wants to get better... 00:15:09.319 --> 00:15:10.299 He doesn't want anything else... 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.299 Perhaps you get that... 00:15:13.979 --> 00:15:15.839 There are a couple of reasons... 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:17.299 Why you might think this God is harsh... 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.719 Are there one... 00:15:18.719 --> 00:15:20.479 His message back to Isaiah... 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:22.480 You shall surely die... 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:23.860 And two... 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.420 The killing of the captains... 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.480 And their 50s... 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.740 In the rest of our time... 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:29.379 I just want to take both of these... 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.720 And turn them around... 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:32.420 I want to show you that God is gracious... 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:33.480 From here... 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:35.480 From his word... 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.740 Firstly... 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.240 This prophecy is actually a second chance... 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.480 For in Isaiah... 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:41.480 It doesn't look like it is... 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.500 Does it? 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:43.500 You might think... 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.340 What are you talking about? 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:45.740 Sure... 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.480 I know God is gracious... 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:48.539 I've ever taught that in Sunday school... 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.159 But... 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.539 But not here... 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:51.919 Not in this passage... 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:55.419 But I want to tell you this... 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:57.379 This is God's call to repentance... 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:59.919 Declarations of judgment from God... 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:01.919 Are opportunities to repent... 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.919 While we're still alive... 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.480 Declarations of judgment from God... 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.919 Are opportunities for us to repent... 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:09.919 While we still live... 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.919 If you know the story of Nineveh... 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:14.919 Jonah... 00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:16.599 Span out of the whale... 00:16:16.599 --> 00:16:18.000 And he comes up to the shore... 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:18.299 And he says... 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.240 What's the message? 00:16:19.819 --> 00:16:21.159 Is it a repent and believe? 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.919 No... 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:25.000 Yet 40 days... 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.539 And Nineveh will be overthrown... 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:26.919 He says... 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.659 But what happens? 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:30.839 The people believed God... 00:16:30.839 --> 00:16:31.919 That's what it says... 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.299 They believe him... 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.079 That he will do it... 00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:35.219 And so he doesn't do it... 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:35.819 That's what happens... 00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:37.159 If God relents... 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:37.480 Well... 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.259 Maybe... 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:38.559 You know... 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:38.879 You think... 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.539 That's in the future... 00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:40.919 Ahaziah couldn't have known this... 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:43.519 But I want to give you an example... 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:44.500 If you want to turn there... 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.039 Feel free... 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:45.759 You don't have to... 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.500 But... 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:48.120 Just a couple of chapters earlier... 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:49.299 In 1 Kings 21... 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.639 There's a prophecy... 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.799 From Elijah... 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.500 Himself... 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.299 Spoken... 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:55.620 In the days of Ahaziah's father... 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:57.299 This is 1 Kings 21... 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:59.539 Verses 21 onwards... 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.179 And 3... 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:00.919 Verse 21... 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:03.299 We get a picture of it from there... 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:05.299 Behold... 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.299 Says Elijah... 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:08.299 To the king... 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:10.299 Ahaziah's father... 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.159 Behold... 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:12.799 I'll bring disaster upon you... 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.079 I will utterly... 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:15.139 Burn you up... 00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:16.839 And I will cut off from Ahab... 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.720 Every male... 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:19.220 Bond or free in Israel... 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:21.220 Okay... 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.440 That is a... 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:24.019 That is a prophecy of judgment... 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.339 Isn't it? 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.139 I'm... 00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:26.480 That's... 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:28.220 That's what the Lord is saying... 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:31.220 But a few... 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:33.220 Verses later... 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.079 This... 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.639 This happens... 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.180 Read on... 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.220 To verse 27... 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.220 Ahab... 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.819 And Ahab... 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:41.000 Heard those words... 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.600 And he tore his clothes... 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:44.259 And put sackcloth on his flesh... 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.000 And fasted... 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.900 And lay in sackcloth... 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.900 And went about... 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.220 Dejectedly... 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.660 And the word of the Lord... 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.720 Came to Elijah... 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.380 The Tishbite... 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.720 Saying... 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.640 Have you seen... 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.220 How Ahab... 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.039 Has humbled himself... 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:56.539 Before me... 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:59.019 I will not bring... 00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.720 The disaster... 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.220 In his days... 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:02.220 But in his son's days... 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:02.779 I will bring... 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.279 The disaster... 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.220 Upon his house... 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:07.660 He delays this judgment... 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.220 He... 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:10.620 Causes God to relent... 00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:11.579 Because he... 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.880 Is sorry for what he's done... 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:14.220 He tears his clothes... 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.000 Right... 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:16.559 That's... 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.079 That's what can happen... 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:18.400 And... 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:20.220 This happened a few years before... 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.799 This story now... 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:23.039 So do turn back to... 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.079 To Kings 1... 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.220 And... 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:28.220 Elijah... 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:30.759 Is the sign of God's judgment to Ahab... 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.220 To Isaiah... 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:32.019 Isn't he? 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.120 You can kind of tell that with... 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:34.200 With this bit where he... 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.059 He sees him... 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.120 You know that he remembers... 00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:37.019 This prophecy... 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.259 Saying he'll bring disaster... 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.740 Because... 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.580 He says... 00:18:40.580 --> 00:18:41.279 In verse 7... 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.279 What kind of man was this... 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.340 Who came to meet you... 00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:44.620 Who told you these things... 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.400 And they said... 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:45.559 You know... 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.500 He wore a garment of hair... 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:48.120 With a belt of leather... 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:49.019 And he said... 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.480 You can kind of hear the groan... 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.640 It is Elijah... 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:53.640 The Tishbite... 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:56.640 He has a sinking feeling... 00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.840 He knows that his days... 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.960 Are numbered... 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:01.059 And when we come near the grave... 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:03.559 Knowing that we have scorned God... 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:05.480 And we've utterly rejected him... 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:08.099 That we've been propping ourselves... 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.119 Back up on our beds... 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:10.480 For a few more years... 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:13.480 We hear... 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:16.579 The prophecy that... 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:17.799 Ahaziah's father heard... 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:19.480 I will utterly burn you up... 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:21.740 That's what we worry about... 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.120 Isn't it? 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:25.039 But when we repent... 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.799 We hear... 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.519 Because he's humbled himself... 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.400 Before me... 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:31.400 I will not bring disaster... 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.400 In these days... 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.900 God is gracious... 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.819 And he proves it in this... 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:38.460 That declarations of judgment... 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:40.519 Are opportunities for repentance... 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.519 Take yours... 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.400 If you haven't already... 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:45.559 When you come near the grave... 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.200 And you hear... 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:48.240 I will burn you up... 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:50.099 Which is in the Bible... 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:52.099 Take that opportunity... 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:54.419 Of repentance... 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:55.579 And come to the one... 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:57.039 Who gave you life... 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.419 In whose world... 00:19:58.419 --> 00:19:59.099 You live... 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.339 Even Ahab... 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:06.019 Lowed himself to the dust... 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:07.099 When he heard of God's judgment... 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.259 But... 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.200 His son Ahaziah... 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.859 Doesn't repent... 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:10.179 Does he? 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.599 Instead he props himself up... 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.440 From his bed... 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.980 And he sends out spears... 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:15.140 Captains and their companies... 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.480 To seize God's profit... 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:18.980 So we'll move on to that now... 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:22.000 God is gracious... 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.860 That's still the point... 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.600 But I want us to... 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.980 To see that... 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:28.180 There are two ways... 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:28.340 You know... 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:29.980 You can avoid him... 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.299 Altogether... 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.360 Until the last day... 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.480 Or you can lower yourself... 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.980 And come to him... 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:37.180 And that's what happens here... 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.980 One commentator has lamented... 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.160 This passage... 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:40.980 In fact many have... 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.819 They said... 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:44.160 It's the inhumanity... 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.860 Of destruction... 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:46.240 Of innocent captains... 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.099 And fifties... 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.519 But basically... 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.000 How can God do this? 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.319 Verses 9 to 10... 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:55.099 Then the king said... 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.779 To the captain of 50... 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.920 Man with his 50... 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.759 He went up to Elijah... 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.740 Who was sitting on top of a hill... 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.220 And said to him... 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.900 O man of God... 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:00.500 The king says... 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.720 Come down... 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.799 But Elijah answered... 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.579 The captain of 50... 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.700 If I am a man of God... 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:06.039 Let fire come down from heaven... 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:06.759 And consume you... 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.319 And your 50... 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:10.779 We may think... 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.559 That is... 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:13.319 A pretty wild overreaction... 00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:15.119 I think... 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:15.579 A lot of the time... 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.460 We like to... 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.859 See this as a kind of... 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:19.339 An innocent man... 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.319 With quite a polite request... 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.460 It sounds quite nice... 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:23.019 Doesn't it in English? 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.679 Don't worry... 00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:26.279 I'm not going to tell you... 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:27.099 Oh it's much ruder... 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.619 In the Hebrew... 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.319 I'm just saying... 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.319 It sounds... 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:31.319 It sounds quite nice... 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.519 It sounds quite nice... 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:34.160 O man of God... 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.700 The king says... 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:36.480 Come down... 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.359 But these men were... 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.779 Soldiers... 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.440 Following orders... 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:39.779 Weren't they? 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.639 We often hear... 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:42.099 Just following orders... 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.359 But... 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.339 But... 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.660 Their orders were to capture... 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:45.339 The prophet of God... 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:47.660 And intimidate him with weapons... 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.299 And I... 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.839 And I... 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.920 I'm certain... 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.079 That the reason for this... 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.000 Is because... 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.240 They're attempting to get him... 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.519 To reverse the prophecy... 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:54.879 Or say... 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:56.500 No that's not going to happen... 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.539 Well the reason I know this... 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:58.799 Is because... 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.660 Because it's... 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.539 Already happened before... 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:02.160 To another prophet... 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.400 And Micaiah... 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.460 In the past... 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:06.460 In a couple of chapters back... 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.380 They tried to get him... 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:09.380 To change his story... 00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:10.160 And... 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.960 Why are they there? 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:16.759 Ahaziah has already... 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.460 Received the prophecy... 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:17.860 So why... 00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:18.320 Why... 00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:19.640 Why are they bothering... 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:21.320 Going and chasing down the guy... 00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:21.600 You know... 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:22.740 If you don't think it's going to come true... 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.960 Just ignore it... 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.720 If he doesn't believe it... 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.480 Just sit and wait... 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.720 Or send the messengers back... 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.960 To who you were trying to... 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.620 In the first place... 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:31.019 Go to Beelzebub... 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.960 But he doesn't... 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.259 He sends... 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.259 Messengers... 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.960 To Beelzebub... 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.039 But he doesn't do that... 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.720 For the God of Israel... 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:37.980 Does he? 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:39.259 He sends soldiers... 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.259 51 soldiers... 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:43.259 To go and capture one man... 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.259 What he's saying is... 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:47.299 He knows the power of God... 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.259 Or he wouldn't be bothering... 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:51.259 But he doesn't like it... 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:54.259 So... 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.180 He sends these soldiers... 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.620 To the prophet of the true God... 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.259 To the God of Israel... 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.839 Ahaziah wants good news... 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.599 His father Ahab... 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.400 Had tried the same trick... 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.259 With Micaiah... 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.839 He sent the messengers... 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.500 To tell him... 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.759 You better say something good... 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.839 Because everyone else has... 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.799 Fall in line... 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:07.480 And weapons are quite persuasive... 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.359 To fall in line aren't they... 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.279 So... 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.559 We also know that these captains... 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.559 Have a choice as well... 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:13.680 Before we feel too bad for them... 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.960 They have a choice... 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.480 Of how they approach the prophet... 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.920 And this is important... 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:19.059 Each captain actually... 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:20.559 Says something different to Elijah... 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.559 If you notice that... 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:24.639 The first captain says this... 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.859 The king says... 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:27.299 Come down... 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:29.019 The second... 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.539 Captain... 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:31.940 After they are burned... 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.599 Knowing what's happened... 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:34.779 Hardens his resolve... 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.240 He says... 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.779 Verse 12... 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.619 O man of God... 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:39.319 This is the king's order... 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.259 Come down... 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.700 Quickly... 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.799 Get down here this instant... 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:46.019 This captain is saying... 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.779 The king is trying to treat Elijah... 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.819 Like a naughty schoolboy... 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.599 But the question is... 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:51.019 Is here... 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.539 Who hasn't learned that... 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:54.579 A lesson from this... 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.740 The king... 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.720 Doesn't kneel... 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.000 Does he? 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:58.539 He doesn't come down... 00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.039 You may think... 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:00.720 Yes he's ill... 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.980 Remember in the New Testament... 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.720 People are carried to Jesus... 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:07.259 People who can't move at all... 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.440 Are carried to Christ... 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:08.779 Are they? 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:14.139 But this guy won't suffer... 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:16.039 To be carried to Elijah... 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.720 Instead he treats him with contempt... 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:19.279 And he sends him to be seized... 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.720 At the tip of a spear... 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:25.000 Ahaziah doesn't care about God... 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.720 He doesn't fear him... 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.720 His captains don't fear God... 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.720 Elijah responds... 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.720 Therefore with the fire... 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.720 Of Mount Carmel... 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.240 A story... 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.360 Ahaziah would have known well... 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.100 Where... 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:37.720 Elijah... 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.720 Sent down fire... 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.600 Upon this sacrifice... 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.720 Or God sent down fire... 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.500 After Elijah's prayer... 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.440 Upon this sacrifice... 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.600 At the top of a mountain... 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:48.599 To prove that God is true and real... 00:24:49.179 --> 00:24:50.759 And that Baaz is false... 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.819 That's already happened... 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.599 Just a few years back... 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.480 And yet... 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:56.599 Israel needs teaching here again... 00:24:57.919 --> 00:24:59.599 The fire says... 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.599 That God's word... 00:25:02.439 --> 00:25:03.799 Cannot be seized... 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.740 Or shaped by man... 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.599 You can't shape... 00:25:06.159 --> 00:25:07.519 The fire with your hand... 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.659 When it's raining down on you... 00:25:08.659 --> 00:25:09.019 Can you? 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.599 You can't mould it... 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:11.599 He won't... 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.599 He won't... 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.399 Come down... 00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:14.019 At the demand... 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.599 Of armed men... 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.319 His profit... 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.599 Cannot be handled... 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.519 His word... 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.139 That he speaks... 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:21.079 Can't be changed... 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.099 It can't be moulded... 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.959 And squashed... 00:25:22.959 --> 00:25:23.579 Into the shape... 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.599 That we want it to be... 00:25:25.219 --> 00:25:26.219 It can't be pressed... 00:25:26.219 --> 00:25:27.859 Into our preferred pattern... 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.480 How many of us... 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:28.879 By the way... 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:30.019 If we had our way... 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.719 Before you're thinking... 00:25:30.719 --> 00:25:31.119 You know... 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:32.219 Those people out there... 00:25:32.219 --> 00:25:32.939 They don't want to do that... 00:25:32.939 --> 00:25:34.439 But I love God's word... 00:25:34.439 --> 00:25:35.119 How many of us... 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.000 Would have removed passages... 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.599 Like this from the Bible... 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:39.599 Because they cause offence... 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:42.599 We are just like... 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.019 Aphaziah... 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.459 Are we... 00:25:43.459 --> 00:25:44.579 In that... 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.339 Who would seek... 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:47.119 To remove the prophecy... 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.879 From the mouth of Elijah... 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:50.599 Concerning his own death... 00:25:52.459 --> 00:25:53.740 It should shame us... 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.319 That the man... 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.379 Who had most reason... 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:56.399 To complain about the deaths... 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.759 Of these captains and soldiers... 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.719 Probably one who knew them personally... 00:25:59.719 --> 00:26:00.599 Is the third captain... 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.819 Isn't he? 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:03.439 If there's any single person... 00:26:03.439 --> 00:26:04.599 Who should have compassion... 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:07.039 As we should... 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.599 It is the third captain... 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:10.419 As he comes... 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.299 In verse 13... 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:12.219 Again... 00:26:12.219 --> 00:26:13.199 The king sent... 00:26:13.199 --> 00:26:14.639 The captain of a third fifty... 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.599 With his fifty... 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:20.000 But he does not judge God... 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.179 He doesn't demand... 00:26:21.179 --> 00:26:21.919 That the prophet of God... 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:22.879 Comes down... 00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:23.819 He doesn't demand... 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:25.599 Justice or vengeance... 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.919 For the lives of those... 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:28.980 Who have been killed... 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:30.599 But he comes on his knees... 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:32.639 And the third captain of fifty... 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.879 Went up... 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.599 See he goes... 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.599 He goes up... 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:38.980 And came and fell... 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:40.759 On his knees... 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.419 Before Elijah... 00:26:41.419 --> 00:26:42.240 And entreated him... 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.099 O man of God... 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.419 Please let my life... 00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:45.159 And the life of these... 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.240 Fifty servants of God... 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:48.259 Be precious in your sight... 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.059 Behold... 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.299 Fire from heaven... 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.299 Consumes... 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:54.000 The two former captains... 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.519 Of fifties... 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.359 With their fifties... 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.000 But... 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:57.299 Now let my life... 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.299 Be precious in your sight... 00:26:58.959 --> 00:27:00.539 That's what he asks for... 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.379 Let my life... 00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:02.599 Be precious in your sight... 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.959 I know that that happened... 00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:04.879 I understand... 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:06.319 And I submit to you... 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.659 And to the Lord... 00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:08.719 I'm not going to kill you... 00:27:08.719 --> 00:27:10.079 I'm not going to intimidate you... 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:12.339 I'm just going to bring you to the king... 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:14.119 This is turning the army... 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:15.259 Against the king... 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.299 By the way... 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.980 That's what's happening here... 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.919 And God does this... 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:21.919 By showing that he is a consuming fire... 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.919 And yet... 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.919 Also that he is merciful... 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.919 And gracious... 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.919 It's the wonder of grace... 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:33.180 We, I think... 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.200 Have a fine habit... 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.640 Of approaching God's word... 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:37.320 With our weapons out... 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:39.940 We like to stand in judgment... 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.620 Over it, don't we? 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.660 We want to cut out... 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.700 Every page of the defense... 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.420 But there are only... 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.920 Two sorts of interactions... 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.360 We can have with the word of God... 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.360 Either we demand... 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:49.759 That it comes down to us... 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.940 At the point of a spear... 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:52.759 So we can interrogate it... 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:54.340 Or we humble ourselves... 00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:54.700 To the dust... 00:27:55.820 --> 00:27:56.700 Before God himself... 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.700 As he speaks to us... 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.700 Knowing he is holy... 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:02.680 In this passage... 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.779 We see that the word of God... 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.560 Can't be shaped... 00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:06.680 And seized by us... 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.500 El-Ziah's name... 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:07.820 By the way... 00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:09.180 Means God seizes... 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.600 So there's a... 00:28:10.600 --> 00:28:11.820 He seeks to seize... 00:28:11.820 --> 00:28:13.140 The prophet... 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:13.880 But in the end... 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:15.519 God seizes him... 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:17.180 Down to the grave... 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:20.180 The wonder of grace... 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.600 Is that our God... 00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:22.420 The true God... 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:23.160 The God of Israel... 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:24.180 Is a consuming fire... 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.740 Yet our God... 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.180 Did come down... 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:28.240 In the New Testament... 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.019 There is grace... 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.879 He poured upon grace... 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.779 It's not just... 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.660 That... 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:31.859 You know... 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.720 Elijah's not wrong... 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.240 To stand on his rights here... 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.720 And say... 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.819 I am the prophet of God... 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:37.119 And you should not... 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:37.819 Try to kill me... 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.819 But in the Garden of Gethsemane... 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.460 We'll finish here... 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:44.240 Jesus was surrounded by enemies... 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.819 With weapons drawn... 00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.819 And he did not... 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.819 Pull that fire upon him... 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:52.619 He came down... 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:55.619 From his holy hill... 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:59.039 And suffered to be seized... 00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:00.899 And beaten and mocked... 00:29:00.899 --> 00:29:01.740 And crucified... 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.599 Elijah wasn't wrong... 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:04.079 To stand his ground... 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:06.619 Christ could also have done so... 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:09.059 But in him... 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:10.659 The grace of God... 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:12.220 The God of grace... 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:14.619 Offers grace upon grace... 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.720 In him the grace of God... 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.460 Is shown... 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:16.839 Isn't it? 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:20.019 We see how much... 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.759 The grace of God... 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:22.319 Goes above and beyond... 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.919 That he is gracious here... 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:25.439 But he is more gracious... 00:29:25.439 --> 00:29:26.679 Even in Christ... 00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:28.599 On the day of Jesus' death... 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:30.539 The fire of God's judgment... 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:32.599 Didn't fall upon the captains... 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.519 The soldiers... 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.240 The centurion... 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.480 Did it? 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:36.539 It fell upon our captain... 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:38.480 The Lord Jesus Christ... 00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:41.039 God is a God of grace... 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.019 There is a God... 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.480 In Israel... 00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:44.480 And he is a gracious God... 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.480 Let us pray... 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.419