WEBVTT

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 Morning Church. Turn with me in your Bibles to the book of Ezra.

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 The book of Ezra, chapter 1, it's on page 362 in your Bibles.

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 Last week, Pastor Nick gave us an overview of Ezra and Nehemiah.

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 And two books, they were originally one book, most likely.

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 They still are one book in Hebrew Bibles today.

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 This book about the people of Israel returning from their exile in Babylon.

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 So this morning we're going to dig into the first two chapters of the book of Ezra.

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 And I want to start by reading chapter 1 and the first two verses of chapter 2.

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 So let's read these verses together.

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 The book of Ezra.

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 In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled,

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 the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia,

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 so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing.

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 Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia,

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 The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth,

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 and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

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 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him,

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 and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah,

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 and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel.

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 He is the God who is in Jerusalem.

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 And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns,

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 be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts,

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 besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.

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 Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin,

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 and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred,

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 to go out to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.

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 And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts,

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 and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered.

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 Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord

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 that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods.

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 Cyrus, king of Persia, brought these out in the charge of Mithradath,

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 the treasurer who counted them out to Shesh-bazar, the prince of Judah.

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 This was the number of them.

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 Thirty basins of gold, a thousand basins of silver,

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 twenty-nine censers, thirty bowls of gold, four hundred ten bowls of silver,

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 and a thousand other vessels.

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 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand four hundred.

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 All these did Shesh-bazar bring up when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.

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 Now these were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity

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 of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, had carried captive to Babylonia.

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 They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town.

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 They came with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Zerah, Rileah, Mordecai,

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 Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigbi, Rehum, and Bono.

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 Now, what's your family history?

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 What are your roots?

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 On the one hand, many people who live in modern cities are increasingly disconnected from their roots.

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 Many of us live far from parents and grandparents and uncles and aunts and cousins.

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 Some people move to cities for that purpose, to escape the oppressive patterns

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 and unwanted constraints of their families of origin.

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 Other people would prefer to stay where they grew up,

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 but the educational and career opportunities are lacking,

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 and so people are drawn to move.

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 But those opportunities are often temporary,

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 and they often lead to more travel and more transients,

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 and it's hard to find a place to settle down and plant roots.

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 Now, on the other hand, though many of us are disconnected from our roots,

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 we can also see a growing interest in reconnecting with our roots.

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 The past couple of years, one of the most popular Christmas presents

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 has been DNA testing kits from companies like AncestryDNA or 23andMe

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 that tell you where your ancestors may have come from.

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 And there are also all kinds of websites and apps.

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 Some of you are probably more familiar with them than I,

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 but they can help you build a family tree

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 and even connect with long-lost relatives.

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 I know for some of you it's been very meaningful to meet a relative

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 that you didn't know existed,

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 or to learn about a part of your family history

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 that had been forgotten over time.

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 Why are we drawn to reconnect with our roots?

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 Even though it can be inconvenient,

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 even though it can be at times painful

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 to learn about troubling or broken parts of our family history.

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 Well, I would suggest this.

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 As human beings,

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 we don't flourish by trying to live completely disconnected from the past.

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 Whether or not we want to admit it,

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 we wouldn't be here today

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 apart from those who have come before us.

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 And part of being human is that

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 we want to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

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 Self-actualization,

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 whatever that is,

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 doesn't all by itself end up being that fulfilling

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 in the long term.

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 We want to be part of a people.

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 We want to be part of a family.

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 We want to be part of a legacy

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 that has roots in the past

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 and that will live on into the future.

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 We want a place to belong.

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 And that's in large part

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 what these books,

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 Ezra and Nehemiah,

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 were willing to provide.

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 Ezra and Nehemiah

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 tell the story of

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 the Israelite exiles

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 returning to the land.

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 We've entitled this sermon series

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 Rebuilding the Ruins.

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 The story covers over 100 years

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 from 538 B.C.

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 at the beginning of Ezra

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 to about 430 B.C.

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 at the end of Nehemiah.

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 Now we don't know exactly

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 when the book was compiled

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 or who wrote it.

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 Some have suggested

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 that Ezra himself

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 may have been responsible

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 for compiling it.

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 But the author

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 drew from several

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 historical sources.

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 We have quotes

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 from Persian government

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 correspondents.

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 We have census records.

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 We have other official lists.

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 And we have personal memoirs

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 of both Ezra and Nehemiah.

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 As we'll see

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 throughout these books,

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 there are many reasons

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 to believe that these books

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 are historically accurate.

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 But Ezra is about

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 much more than preserving

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 historical information

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 from a bygone era.

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 What Ezra is doing

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 is he's connecting

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 the people's present experiences

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 with their past history.

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 These people have been displaced.

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 Their ancestors were moved

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 to Babylon unwillingly.

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 And then they come back.

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 Their lives have been

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 sort of in upheaval.

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 They're rebuilding

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 a ruined city

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 and a ruined nation.

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 But Ezra wants them to know

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 that they are not

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 ruthless.

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 They have a heritage.

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 They have a history.

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 And because they have

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 a heritage

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 and because they have

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 a history,

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 they have a mission

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 in the present

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 and they have a hope

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 for the future.

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 And for those of us

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 who are Christians,

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 if you are a Christian,

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 this is also part

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 of your spiritual heritage.

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 Ezra Nehemiah

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 is a part of our heritage

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 that perhaps we may have

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 neglected or forgotten

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 or haven't spent,

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 perhaps we're not as familiar

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 with it as with some other parts

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 of our spiritual heritage.

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 But it points us

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 to our mission

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 in the present

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 and our hope

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 for the future.

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 If you're not a Christian,

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 if you're exploring Christianity,

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 I hope that as we look

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 through these books

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 over the next couple of months

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 and today,

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 that they'll introduce you

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 to the story of the Bible

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 and to the God of the Bible.

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 Because if you come to believe

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 and trust

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 in the God of the Bible,

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 then this story

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 becomes your story too.

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 It becomes part

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 of your heritage as well.

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 This morning we're looking

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 at the first two chapters

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 of Ezra

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 and I want to do two things.

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 I want to show you

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 the story that Ezra

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 was telling his people

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 and second,

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 why that story matters

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 to us today.

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 So the story Ezra

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 is telling his people

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 in these two chapters

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 is this,

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 the same God

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 who brought the children

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 of Israel

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 out of slavery in Egypt

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 has now brought you back

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 from exile in Babylon.

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 The same God

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 who long ago

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 brought the children

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 of Israel

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 out of slavery in Egypt

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 has now brought you back

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 home from exile

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 in Babylon.

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 If you notice,

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 Ezra ends,

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 or sorry,

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 Ezra begins

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 with the two verses

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 that 2 Chronicles,

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 the page right before Ezra,

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 end with.

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 Okay?

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 If you look back

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 at that page,

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 2 Chronicles 36.22

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 now in the first year

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 of Cyrus,

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 King of Persia,

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 blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

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 Beginning of Ezra

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 in the first year

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 of Cyrus, King of Persia

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 goes on.

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 So Ezra is very intentionally

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 picking up

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 on an unfinished story.

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 It's continuing

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 the story

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 of Chronicles.

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 Now,

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 Chronicles

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 summarizes

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 the history

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 of God's people

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 from the creation

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 of the world.

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 The first

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 part of Chronicles

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 begins

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 with

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 a genealogy

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 that goes from

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 Adam

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 to Abraham.

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 It's basically

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 summarizing

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 in condensed form

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 the entirety

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 of the Old Testament

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 from Genesis

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 to the end

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 of Kings

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 in one book.

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 So Chronicles

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 just sort of

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 gives you

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 a compact version

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 and highlighting

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 certain things.

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 Ezra is continuing

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 that story.

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 Intentionally

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 and self-consciously

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 he's continuing

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 this story

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 that has already begun.

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 And specifically

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 in chapters 1 and 2

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 we see three

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 significant parallels

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 between what God

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 did to bring

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 the children of Israel

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 out of slavery

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 Egypt

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 and what God

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 did to bring

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 the children of Israel

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 back from exile

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 in Babylon.

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 So let me show you

00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:13.879
 these three parallels.

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 First,

00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:15.480
 first parallel

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 one,

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 God works

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 through a pagan

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 king

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 to deliver

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 his holy people.

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 We see this

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 in verses 1

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 to 4

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 of Ezra chapter 1.

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 Now,

00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:27.220
 if you are familiar

00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:27.740
 with the story

00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:28.240
 of the Exodus

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 we studied

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 the book of Exodus

00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:32.919
 last year

00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:36.059
 but I'll sort of

00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:36.799
 try to summarize it

00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:37.059
 for you

00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:37.699
 if you're not familiar

00:11:37.699 --> 00:11:38.839
 with it.

00:11:38.959 --> 00:11:39.539
 It's the story

00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:40.179
 of God bringing

00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:40.919
 the people of Israel

00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:41.719
 out of slavery

00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:42.139
 in Egypt

00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.159
 teaching them

00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:43.759
 his law

00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.899
 and then coming

00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:45.459
 to dwell

00:11:45.459 --> 00:11:46.239
 among them.

00:11:46.939 --> 00:11:47.739
 Sort of God

00:11:47.739 --> 00:11:49.019
 making these people

00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:49.479
 his own.

00:11:50.219 --> 00:11:50.819
 And at the beginning

00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:51.599
 of the book of Exodus

00:11:51.599 --> 00:11:53.639
 we encounter Pharaoh

00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.579
 the king of Egypt

00:11:54.579 --> 00:11:56.299
 and he's the enemy

00:11:56.299 --> 00:11:57.139
 of the Israelites.

00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:58.519
 He is dead set

00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.159
 against them

00:11:59.159 --> 00:11:59.819
 from the beginning.

00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.939
 He tries to get rid

00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:01.180
 of them.

00:12:01.260 --> 00:12:02.480
 He tries to exterminate

00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.880
 them first quietly

00:12:03.880 --> 00:12:04.640
 and gradually

00:12:04.640 --> 00:12:05.620
 and then openly

00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:07.500
 and he resists

00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.580
 the repeated warnings

00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.520
 of Moses and Aaron

00:12:09.520 --> 00:12:10.340
 even of his own

00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.080
 court officials.

00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.700
 But what we see

00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:13.160
 in Exodus

00:12:13.160 --> 00:12:14.340
 is that at the same

00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.180
 time that Pharaoh

00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:16.540
 is the sworn enemy

00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:17.680
 of God's people

00:12:17.680 --> 00:12:20.160
 he also ends up

00:12:20.160 --> 00:12:21.880
 being an unwitting

00:12:21.880 --> 00:12:23.380
 instrument of God's

00:12:23.380 --> 00:12:23.960
 purposes.

00:12:25.020 --> 00:12:26.420
 So Exodus chapter 9

00:12:26.420 --> 00:12:27.000
 verse 16

00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.880
 God says to Pharaoh

00:12:27.880 --> 00:12:28.740
 for this purpose

00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.980
 I raised you up

00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:31.159
 to show you

00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:32.000
 my power

00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.019
 that my name

00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:34.240
 may be proclaimed

00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:36.240
 in all the earth.

00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.440
 See Pharaoh

00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:39.360
 wanted to be

00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.379
 in charge of everything.

00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:42.800
 And yet

00:12:42.800 --> 00:12:43.279
 what you see

00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:44.000
 in the book of Exodus

00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.759
 is that God

00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.960
 was working out

00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.000
 his sovereign purposes

00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.500
 even through Pharaoh

00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:50.259
 who was dead

00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:50.600
 to death

00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.360
 against God

00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:51.940
 and his people.

00:12:54.420 --> 00:12:55.460
 Exodus even says

00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.139
 in several places

00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:57.159
 God hardened

00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.100
 Pharaoh's heart.

00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:58.700
 In other words

00:12:58.700 --> 00:12:59.820
 God judged Pharaoh

00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.379
 by sort of

00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.200
 giving him over

00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:02.120
 to his own

00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.659
 stubborn desires

00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:04.540
 and plans

00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:05.920
 and then working

00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:07.080
 his purposes

00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:07.639
 through them

00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:08.180
 so that everyone

00:13:08.180 --> 00:13:08.820
 would ultimately

00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.700
 see that God

00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:10.420
 and not Pharaoh

00:13:10.420 --> 00:13:11.200
 was the true

00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.820
 Lord over all.

00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:14.500
 So in Exodus

00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.500
 God worked

00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.320
 through a hostile

00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.240
 pagan king

00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.560
 in order to deliver

00:13:18.560 --> 00:13:19.840
 his holy people

00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:21.180
 and in Ezra

00:13:21.180 --> 00:13:23.040
 we see that

00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:23.660
 same pattern.

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:25.779
 God works

00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:26.279
 in the heart

00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.419
 another pagan king

00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:27.919
 to deliver

00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:28.860
 his holy people

00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.159
 namely Cyrus.

00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:31.579
 Now Cyrus

00:13:31.579 --> 00:13:32.659
 is not

00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:33.819
 openly hostile

00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:34.519
 like Pharaoh.

00:13:34.959 --> 00:13:35.259
 Cyrus

00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.259
 has a much more

00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:36.679
 friendly

00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:37.579
 and tolerant

00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:38.539
 policy.

00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:40.659
 We know about

00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:41.259
 Cyrus from

00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.059
 several historical

00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:42.500
 sources

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.799
 not only

00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:45.100
 the biblical text

00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.159
 but from many

00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.319
 other historical

00:13:47.319 --> 00:13:47.720
 writings.

00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.319
 He defeated

00:13:48.319 --> 00:13:49.240
 the Babylonians.

00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:49.839
 He ascended

00:13:49.839 --> 00:13:50.480
 to power

00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:52.299
 in 539 BC.

00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:53.839
 That's the first

00:13:53.839 --> 00:13:54.480
 year Cyrus

00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.259
 came in Persia

00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.720
 and in contrast

00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.799
 to the Babylonian

00:13:57.799 --> 00:13:58.580
 and Assyrian

00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.379
 kings who had

00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.299
 preceded him

00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:02.120
 he took a much

00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:02.919
 more tolerant

00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:04.580
 policy towards

00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:05.559
 conquered people

00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:06.799
 groups and

00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.659
 their local

00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.899
 religious customs.

00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:10.519
 So previous

00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.600
 Babylonian emperors

00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.620
 like Nebuchadnezzar

00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.879
 had deported

00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.960
 conquered people

00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:16.019
 groups and

00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:16.819
 had destroyed

00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.439
 their temples

00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:19.100
 and had confiscated

00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.740
 their valuable

00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.580
 artifacts and

00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.439
 brought the images

00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:22.379
 of their gods

00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:23.559
 and the vessels

00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:24.200
 from their temples

00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:24.759
 to Babylon

00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:26.060
 to sort of

00:14:26.060 --> 00:14:26.740
 show off

00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.780
 and say

00:14:27.780 --> 00:14:28.120
 ha

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.540
 you see

00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:31.000
 we conjured

00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.820
 your gods

00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:34.940
 we conjured

00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:35.800
 your people

00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:37.700
 and now

00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.560
 we're going to

00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:39.340
 show it off

00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:39.879
 to the world.

00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.600
 But Cyrus

00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.680
 took a different

00:14:42.680 --> 00:14:43.120
 attack.

00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.020
 Cyrus was

00:14:45.020 --> 00:14:45.560
 wanting to

00:14:45.560 --> 00:14:45.940
 build a big

00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.379
 empire

00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:48.220
 but he thought

00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:50.800
 better to

00:14:50.800 --> 00:14:52.100
 use carrots

00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.120
 than sticks

00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:53.940
 shall we say.

00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.639
 He said

00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:56.240
 let's make

00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.039
 people happy

00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:57.580
 let's let

00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:58.080
 people go

00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.700
 back home

00:14:58.700 --> 00:15:00.080
 let's let

00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.440
 everybody

00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:01.039
 worship their

00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:01.620
 own gods

00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:01.940
 as they

00:15:01.940 --> 00:15:02.500
 please

00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:04.460
 and then

00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:04.960
 they'll be

00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:05.759
 happier to

00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.159
 you know

00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:06.539
 they won't

00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:06.860
 be as

00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.240
 prone to

00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:07.639
 rebel.

00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:09.779
 You know

00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:10.779
 they'll be

00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.340
 on board

00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:12.220
 with our

00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:12.740
 big virgin

00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.240
 empire.

00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.000
 So

00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.580
 archaeologists

00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:15.960
 have found

00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:16.379
 a place

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:16.840
 still in

00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:17.299
 or commissioned

00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:17.899
 by Cyrus

00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.860
 explaining his

00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:19.539
 policies in

00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.099
 this regard.

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.120
 Here's what's

00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:22.439
 called the

00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:23.199
 Cyrus cylinder

00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:24.819
 from 539

00:15:24.819 --> 00:15:25.839
 BC or 538

00:15:25.839 --> 00:15:26.699
 BC says

00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:29.019
 Cyrus writes

00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.679
 I returned

00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.379
 the images

00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.079
 of the gods

00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:31.379
 who had

00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.120
 resided in

00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:32.839
 Babylon to

00:15:32.839 --> 00:15:33.500
 their places.

00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.000
 I gathered

00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.379
 all their

00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.279
 inhabitants and

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:36.759
 returned to

00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.099
 them their

00:15:37.099 --> 00:15:37.620
 dwellings.

00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.299
 I settled

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.000
 in their

00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:39.839
 habitations the

00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.240
 gods of

00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.719
 Sumer and

00:15:40.719 --> 00:15:41.719
 Akkad whom

00:15:41.719 --> 00:15:42.219
 the former

00:15:42.219 --> 00:15:42.939
 Babylonian

00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:43.259
 emperor

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:43.980
 Nabonidus

00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:44.459
 had brought

00:15:44.459 --> 00:15:45.279
 into Babylon.

00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:46.620
 Then he

00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.120
 says here's

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.559
 sort of the

00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:49.459
 religious worldview

00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:50.059
 behind it.

00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:50.679
 He says may

00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.439
 all the gods

00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:51.860
 whom I

00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.639
 settled in

00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.220
 their sacred

00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:54.199
 centers ask

00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:55.039
 daily of

00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:56.100
 Bel and

00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:58.000
 Nabu that

00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:58.879
 my days be

00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.839
 long and

00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:00.240
 may they

00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.299
 intercede for

00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:02.019
 my welfare.

00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:03.259
 So he's

00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.819
 basically hoping

00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.519
 that all these

00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.360
 other gods in

00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:05.819
 sort of these

00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:06.439
 far-flung

00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.319
 provinces would

00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:08.079
 pray to the

00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:08.759
 head gods who

00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.179
 he really

00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:10.079
 believed in

00:16:10.079 --> 00:16:10.899
 Bel and

00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:11.339
 Nabu who

00:16:11.339 --> 00:16:11.559
 were the

00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:12.079
 Babylonian

00:16:12.079 --> 00:16:12.379
 gods.

00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:13.600
 And he

00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:13.959
 thought you

00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:15.019
 know they'll

00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:15.480
 help out

00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:15.720
 you.

00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:18.799
 So that's

00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.340
 sort of

00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:19.639
 Cyrus'

00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.579
 motivation.

00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:21.259
 Cyrus was

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.240
 not a

00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:22.720
 believer.

00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.319
 He was

00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:23.860
 not a

00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.460
 believer in

00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:24.740
 the God

00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:24.960
 of the

00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:25.240
 Bible.

00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:26.840
 He did

00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.419
 not believe

00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:27.699
 that the

00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:28.000
 God of

00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.279
 the Bible

00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:28.620
 was the

00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:28.899
 one and

00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.279
 only true

00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:29.620
 God.

00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.460
 And if

00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:31.840
 you read

00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.340
 verses 2

00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.860
 to 4

00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.059
 they're not

00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:34.779
 a declaration

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.539
 of exclusive

00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.939
 loyalty to

00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.779
 the Lord.

00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:39.399
 Cyrus

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.419
 sort of

00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:40.819
 carefully

00:16:40.819 --> 00:16:41.439
 avoids

00:16:41.439 --> 00:16:42.980
 making a

00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.639
 declaration of

00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.460
 exclusive loyalty

00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:44.860
 in those

00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.519
 verses even

00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:45.840
 though he's

00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.580
 very respectful

00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:48.080
 to the

00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:48.320
 Jewish

00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:49.180
 exiles who

00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:49.660
 wanted to

00:16:49.660 --> 00:16:50.259
 rebuild their

00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:50.780
 own temple.

00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.220
 So Ezra

00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:54.840
 tells us that

00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.519
 he extended

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.360
 the policy

00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:57.960
 that was

00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.980
 inscribed on

00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.639
 that cylinder

00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:00.180
 to the

00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:00.800
 Israelites as

00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:00.940
 well.

00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:01.540
 He permitted

00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:01.879
 and even

00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.420
 promoted the

00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.000
 return of the

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.560
 exiles to

00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.200
 Jerusalem and

00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.740
 the rebuilding

00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.799
 of a temple

00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.440
 to the God

00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:06.980
 of Israel

00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.259
 there.

00:17:07.360 --> 00:17:07.740
 So this is

00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.039
 the first

00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.100
 parallel in

00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:09.640
 Exodus.

00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.940
 God works

00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.240
 through a

00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.900
 hostile pagan

00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.680
 king to

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.160
 deliver his

00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.360
 people and

00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:15.020
 Ezra God

00:17:15.020 --> 00:17:15.540
 works through a

00:17:15.540 --> 00:17:16.140
 friendly pagan

00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:17.020
 king to

00:17:17.020 --> 00:17:17.480
 deliver his

00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:17.800
 people.

00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.200
 So that's

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.460
 the first

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:19.840
 parallel.

00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:21.360
 Second

00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:23.000
 parallel is

00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:24.320
 in verses 5

00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:25.080
 to 11 God

00:17:25.080 --> 00:17:25.840
 provides the

00:17:25.840 --> 00:17:26.740
 materials for

00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.680
 his people to

00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.320
 build his

00:17:28.320 --> 00:17:28.720
 house.

00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:31.500
 Now if you

00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.120
 read Exodus

00:17:32.120 --> 00:17:32.480
 when the

00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:32.840
 people of

00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:33.340
 Israel left

00:17:33.340 --> 00:17:33.980
 Egypt they

00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.759
 didn't leave

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.620
 empty handed.

00:17:35.820 --> 00:17:36.220
 So Exodus

00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.759
 12, 35 and

00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.700
 36 the people

00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.580
 of Israel asked

00:17:39.580 --> 00:17:40.200
 the Egyptians

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.600
 for silver and

00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:42.660
 gold jewelry and

00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.860
 for clothing and

00:17:43.860 --> 00:17:44.519
 the Lord gave

00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.519
 people favor in

00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.039
 the sight of the

00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.900
 Egyptians so they

00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.620
 let them have

00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:48.480
 what they asked

00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.279
 thus they

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.480
 plundered the

00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.240
 Egyptians.

00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:52.819
 In some ways

00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.600
 it was a

00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:53.980
 reversal.

00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:55.880
 For years,

00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.700
 decades the

00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.299
 Egyptians had

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.019
 been plundering

00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.759
 the Israelites

00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.779
 profiting from

00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.440
 their slave

00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.500
 labor and

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.640
 now as they

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.480
 left the

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:03.799
 Israelites

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.819
 finally received

00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:06.240
 some compensation.

00:18:07.600 --> 00:18:08.100
 And later on

00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:08.480
 in Exodus

00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.180
 we see that

00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:09.799
 those items

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.400
 were used to

00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:11.039
 construct the

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.720
 tabernacle.

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.559
 The dwelling

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.440
 place where

00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.039
 God had

00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.480
 promised to

00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:16.900
 be with his

00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.279
 people.

00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:19.319
 God provided

00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.000
 exactly what

00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.980
 they needed to

00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.640
 build his

00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.140
 house.

00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.380
 We see the

00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.160
 same thing here

00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:24.799
 in Ezra.

00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.319
 Verses 5 to

00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.920
 11, God

00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.500
 stirred up the

00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.200
 spirit of Cyrus.

00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:28.940
 Verse 1, he

00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.420
 stirred up the

00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:29.860
 spirit of his

00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:30.180
 people.

00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:31.940
 Verse 5, and

00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:33.240
 he supplies them

00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.720
 with all that

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.380
 they need.

00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:37.039
 Verses 6 and

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.299
 7, all who are

00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:38.799
 about to

00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.440
 aid in them

00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.000
 with vessels

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.599
 of silver,

00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:41.859
 gold, goods,

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.619
 beasts, and

00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:44.000
 costly wares.

00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.819
 Verse 7 notes

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.899
 that Cyrus also

00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:47.680
 brought out the

00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.319
 vessels of the

00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.839
 house of the

00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.279
 Lord that

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.159
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:51.639
 Babylonian emperor,

00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.839
 70 years ago,

00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.299
 or sorry, 50,

00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:54.799
 it wasn't 70,

00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:55.200
 it was 50,

00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:55.940
 about 50 years

00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.740
 ago, had

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.559
 carried away from

00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.599
 Jerusalem and

00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.259
 placed in the

00:18:59.259 --> 00:18:59.980
 house of his

00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.639
 God.

00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.200
 So again,

00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.680
 there's this

00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.099
 reversal.

00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.139
 Right?

00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:05.040
 What had been

00:19:05.040 --> 00:19:05.920
 lost in the

00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.560
 exodus to

00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:07.380
 Babylon was

00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:07.900
 now being

00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:08.640
 restored to

00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.140
 its proper

00:19:09.140 --> 00:19:10.140
 place in

00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:10.460
 the worship

00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.020
 of God.

00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:12.280
 And verses

00:19:12.280 --> 00:19:13.259
 8 to 11

00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.300
 give us an

00:19:14.300 --> 00:19:15.020
 inventory of

00:19:15.020 --> 00:19:15.620
 some of those

00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.040
 items.

00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.380
 So there's

00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.280
 second parallel,

00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.000
 God provides

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.900
 the materials for

00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.640
 his people to

00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:21.400
 build his house

00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:21.920
 in Exodus,

00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.940
 and again,

00:19:23.280 --> 00:19:23.680
 in Ezra.

00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:25.680
 Third parallel,

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.340
 God organizes

00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:28.280
 the people whom

00:19:28.280 --> 00:19:28.940
 he has

00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:29.400
 delivered.

00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:30.900
 And this is

00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.580
 chapter 2.

00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:34.619
 Now, when

00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:35.079
 God brought

00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.539
 the people out

00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:35.980
 of Egypt,

00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:37.779
 he organized

00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.279
 them in the

00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.639
 wilderness,

00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.199
 and we see

00:19:39.199 --> 00:19:39.859
 this especially

00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.519
 in the Old

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.119
 Testament book

00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.799
 of Numbers.

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.240
 People were

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.439
 organized tribe

00:19:46.439 --> 00:19:47.839
 by tribe,

00:19:48.179 --> 00:19:49.439
 and each tribe

00:19:49.439 --> 00:19:50.279
 had its proper

00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:50.839
 place.

00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:51.740
 There were

00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.799
 three tribes

00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.339
 on the north

00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:53.740
 side,

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.619
 three on the

00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.279
 south side,

00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.159
 three on the

00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:56.759
 east side,

00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.579
 three on the

00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.079
 west side,

00:19:58.159 --> 00:19:58.599
 and in the

00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.159
 middle of the

00:19:59.159 --> 00:20:00.419
 camp was the

00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:01.099
 tabernacle.

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:01.899
 In other

00:20:01.899 --> 00:20:02.159
 words,

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.980
 the Israelite

00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.740
 camp was

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:05.099
 organized around

00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:06.299
 the centrality

00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.279
 of the worship

00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.159
 of God.

00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:09.579
 And the

00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.039
 priests and

00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.619
 Levites were

00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.779
 responsible for

00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.839
 the tabernacle.

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:13.839
 They were

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.639
 assigned specific

00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:16.039
 duties so that

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.599
 the community

00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.259
 would function

00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.179
 as a cohesive

00:20:18.179 --> 00:20:18.919
 whole.

00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:20.839
 And that's

00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.319
 also what we

00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:21.779
 see here in

00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.399
 Ezra 2.

00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.619
 God organizes

00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:25.399
 the people

00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:26.619
 who he

00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.460
 delivers.

00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.339
 Psalm 68

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:30.639
 says,

00:20:30.699 --> 00:20:31.179
 God sets

00:20:31.179 --> 00:20:31.740
 the lonely

00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.599
 in families,

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.299
 he leads

00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:33.819
 forth the

00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.919
 prisoners with

00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.279
 singing.

00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.439
 And that's

00:20:36.439 --> 00:20:36.879
 what God

00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:37.419
 does with

00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:38.299
 the returning

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.199
 exiles.

00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.779
 They're not a

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.319
 nameless,

00:20:40.659 --> 00:20:41.980
 faceless mass.

00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.480
 They're not

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.659
 simply an

00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.699
 aggregate number.

00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.319
 No, in the

00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.099
 family of God,

00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:47.980
 everyone has a

00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.220
 place to belong,

00:20:49.939 --> 00:20:50.720
 and everyone has

00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.779
 a reason to

00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.179
 rejoice.

00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.159
 Now look down

00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:54.699
 to chapter 2

00:20:54.699 --> 00:20:55.099
 for a minute.

00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.480
 We won't

00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:57.939
 read through

00:20:57.939 --> 00:20:58.740
 it, but

00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:00.199
 notice how

00:21:00.199 --> 00:21:00.759
 it's organized.

00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.299
 First, the

00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.799
 first two

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.379
 verses, we

00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:04.879
 see the

00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.899
 leaders of

00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:06.480
 the community

00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.399
 in verse 2.

00:21:08.199 --> 00:21:08.819
 Beginning with

00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.299
 Zerubbabel,

00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.759
 who was a

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.359
 member of the

00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.439
 royal line

00:21:12.439 --> 00:21:13.199
 descended from

00:21:13.199 --> 00:21:13.759
 King David,

00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:15.179
 and Jeshua,

00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:15.919
 who became

00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:16.339
 the high

00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:16.779
 priest.

00:21:17.219 --> 00:21:17.599
 So those

00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.139
 two will show

00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:18.719
 up later in

00:21:18.719 --> 00:21:19.199
 the story.

00:21:20.199 --> 00:21:20.899
 Nehemiah is

00:21:20.899 --> 00:21:21.679
 not the Nehemiah

00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.899
 who comes

00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:24.399
 70 years later.

00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:24.960
 I was

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.580
 a common

00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:26.400
 name at the

00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:26.720
 time.

00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.980
 I was referring

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.280
 to someone

00:21:28.280 --> 00:21:28.600
 else.

00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.660
 Then a list

00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.120
 of other

00:21:30.120 --> 00:21:30.740
 leaders.

00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:32.280
 And Nehemiah

00:21:32.280 --> 00:21:33.300
 7 repeats

00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:34.100
 the list in

00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:34.759
 verse 2,

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.100
 and includes

00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:36.900
 a 12th name,

00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:37.720
 Nahamani.

00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.100
 So we have

00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:40.140
 12 leaders

00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.820
 representing

00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.940
 the 12

00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.720
 tribes.

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.660
 So first,

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.019
 the leaders

00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.240
 of the

00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.519
 community.

00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.040
 Then verses

00:21:46.040 --> 00:21:47.240
 3 to 35,

00:21:48.060 --> 00:21:48.880
 we see the

00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.700
 men of the

00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.240
 people of

00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.700
 Israel.

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.220
 Then verses

00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.100
 3 to 20,

00:21:52.540 --> 00:21:53.360
 lists those

00:21:53.360 --> 00:21:53.600
 who are

00:21:53.600 --> 00:21:54.360
 descended from

00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.379
 particular known

00:21:55.379 --> 00:21:56.259
 families.

00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:58.059
 21 to 35,

00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.799
 we see those

00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.399
 who belong to

00:21:59.399 --> 00:22:00.759
 specific places.

00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.059
 Towns like

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:02.799
 Bethlehem,

00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:03.579
 Nebo,

00:22:03.959 --> 00:22:04.639
 and Jericho.

00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.539
 So the

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:06.919
 leaders,

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.099
 people as a

00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.419
 whole,

00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:09.359
 verses 36

00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:09.879
 to 58,

00:22:10.139 --> 00:22:10.599
 we see the

00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.519
 temple officials

00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.639
 in four groups.

00:22:12.719 --> 00:22:13.199
 The priests

00:22:13.199 --> 00:22:13.719
 who had the

00:22:13.719 --> 00:22:14.500
 highest level

00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.359
 of authority

00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.179
 and responsibility,

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.139
 the Levites

00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.939
 who served

00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:18.319
 under the

00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:18.719
 priests,

00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.399
 and then the

00:22:19.399 --> 00:22:20.139
 temple servants

00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:20.679
 and the sons

00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.159
 of Solomon

00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:21.779
 servants who

00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.279
 carried out

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.599
 the more

00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.779
 mundane daily

00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.339
 tasks.

00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.759
 Then in

00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.539
 verses 59

00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.319
 to 63,

00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.939
 we have some

00:22:28.939 --> 00:22:29.399
 people who

00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:29.819
 could not

00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.799
 prove their

00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.359
 lineage.

00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.659
 So it would

00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.059
 be sort of

00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.559
 like somebody

00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.240
 today who's

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:34.759
 lost all

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.279
 their IDs

00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.339
 and has no

00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.839
 way of

00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:38.480
 retrieving them.

00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:41.079
 And so they

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.500
 couldn't

00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:43.259
 demonstrate their

00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:43.819
 family

00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.859
 lineage.

00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:46.559
 And notice

00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.019
 how these

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.459
 people were

00:22:47.459 --> 00:22:48.119
 dealt with.

00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:50.000
 they were

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.639
 included with

00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.579
 the returning

00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.339
 exiles.

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.419
 So they

00:22:54.419 --> 00:22:54.879
 were not

00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:55.519
 sent back

00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.139
 to Persia.

00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.299
 Even in the

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.879
 Old Testament,

00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:00.019
 foreigners who

00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.619
 were pledging

00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:01.259
 their loyalty

00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.919
 to the God

00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:02.619
 of Israel

00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:05.199
 could join

00:23:05.199 --> 00:23:05.699
 the people

00:23:05.699 --> 00:23:06.139
 of Israel.

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.799
 That was

00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.399
 true throughout

00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:08.799
 the Old

00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.199
 Testament.

00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.000
 And you

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.439
 can even

00:23:10.439 --> 00:23:11.839
 notice some

00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.659
 of the names

00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.339
 in verses

00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.679
 43 to 54

00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:15.519
 in particular

00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:18.359
 are non-Israelite

00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.000
 names.

00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:19.919
 Egyptian names

00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:20.819
 like Zihab

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.699
 and Asna,

00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.039
 Sisera,

00:23:23.459 --> 00:23:24.220
 and others.

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.319
 So over

00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.399
 time there

00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.500
 were people

00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.099
 from other

00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:28.899
 nations who

00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:30.099
 joined the

00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:30.699
 Old Testament

00:23:30.699 --> 00:23:31.519
 people of

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:31.919
 Israel.

00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.619
 That was

00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:32.980
 happening

00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.500
 throughout

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.439
 the history

00:23:34.439 --> 00:23:35.779
 by people

00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.639
 declaring their

00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.500
 exclusive loyalty

00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.019
 to the God

00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.579
 of Israel,

00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:41.659
 the males

00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.159
 in the family

00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:43.099
 being circumcised

00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:43.579
 as a sign

00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:43.839
 of that

00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.219
 loyalty

00:23:44.219 --> 00:23:45.199
 and they

00:23:45.199 --> 00:23:46.039
 would join

00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:47.019
 in with

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.319
 the people

00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:47.799
 of Israel.

00:23:49.219 --> 00:23:49.799
 However,

00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.039
 verse 62

00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.359
 says that

00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:52.779
 those who

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.179
 could not

00:23:53.179 --> 00:23:53.980
 prove their

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.639
 descent

00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:55.379
 were not

00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:55.980
 included

00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.480
 in the

00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.000
 priesthood.

00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.299
 God had

00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:58.799
 specifically

00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.500
 commanded that

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.039
 the priest

00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:00.939
 must be

00:24:00.939 --> 00:24:01.619
 descended from

00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.579
 Aaron and

00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.619
 so in order

00:24:03.619 --> 00:24:04.359
 to obey that

00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:04.939
 command they

00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.699
 decided let's

00:24:05.699 --> 00:24:06.419
 play it safe.

00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.000
 If we can't

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.019
 prove that

00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.799
 these men

00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.240
 are descended

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.839
 from Aaron

00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.399
 it's better

00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:12.920
 to play it

00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.320
 safe and

00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:13.600
 wait for

00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.180
 more clarity

00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.820
 in time

00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.680
 rather than

00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.820
 risk disobeying

00:24:16.820 --> 00:24:18.180
 God simply

00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.680
 because of

00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.120
 the present

00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:19.700
 uncertainty.

00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:20.980
 And it

00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.500
 seems like

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:21.860
 at least

00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:22.340
 one of

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.140
 these families

00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.019
 was later

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.600
 proven to

00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.080
 belong to

00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:25.620
 the priesthood

00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:27.300
 because one

00:24:27.300 --> 00:24:27.700
 of the names

00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.500
 appears later

00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.640
 in Ezra

00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.060
 in the list

00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:30.519
 of the priests

00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.140
 so it seems

00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.460
 like they

00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:31.900
 were able

00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.720
 to work

00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.259
 that out

00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.240
 over time.

00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.420
 So finally

00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.620
 verses 64

00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.220
 to 67

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.840
 we get to

00:24:38.840 --> 00:24:39.400
 the totals.

00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.860
 Now by the

00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.280
 time we get

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.899
 to the totals

00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.519
 most of you

00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:42.839
 are ready

00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.480
 to go on

00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.200
 from chapter

00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.099
 two and

00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.639
 go on to

00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.299
 chapter three

00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.440
 and pick up

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.980
 the story

00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.819
 and leave

00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.440
 this long

00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.440
 list behind

00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.000
 and you're

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.519
 thankful that

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:52.879
 I didn't

00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.359
 read the

00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:54.119
 list verbatim.

00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.039
 But some

00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.740
 of you might

00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.500
 be detail

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.099
 oriented

00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.799
 persons

00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:00.440
 or perhaps

00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:00.779
 slightly

00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.240
 obsessive

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.639
 compulsive

00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:02.139
 persons

00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:03.660
 and I can

00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.359
 understand that

00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.059
 I had to

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.339
 deal with

00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:05.619
 that and

00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:05.779
 quite

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.359
 prove that

00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:08.039
 but if

00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.599
 you might

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.419
 notice here

00:25:09.419 --> 00:25:10.199
 an important

00:25:10.199 --> 00:25:10.719
 detail

00:25:10.719 --> 00:25:12.439
 or some

00:25:12.439 --> 00:25:13.179
 perhaps

00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:13.579
 troubling

00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.219
 details

00:25:14.219 --> 00:25:15.519
 if you add

00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:15.799
 up the

00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.199
 individual

00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:16.799
 numbers

00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.339
 in all

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.579
 of the

00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:17.779
 lists

00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.179
 in chapter

00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:18.579
 two

00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.759
 they add

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.000
 up to

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:22.219
 29,818

00:25:22.219 --> 00:25:24.379
 but verse

00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:25.159
 64 says

00:25:25.159 --> 00:25:25.539
 the total

00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:27.399
 is 42,316

00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:29.439
 also the

00:25:29.439 --> 00:25:30.019
 list in Ezra

00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.379
 two is

00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.099
 repeated in

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.559
 Nehemiah

00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.359
 chapter seven

00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.219
 but several

00:25:33.219 --> 00:25:33.799
 of the numbers

00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.279
 and a few

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.740
 of the names

00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.479
 in that list

00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.099
 are different

00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:37.980
 and also

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.660
 the temple

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.660
 vessels in

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.880
 verses nine

00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.240
 and ten

00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.660
 of chapter

00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.180
 one

00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.180
 don't add

00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.599
 up to the

00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:44.200
 total in

00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.799
 chapter one

00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.440
 verse 11

00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.940
 so some

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.360
 of you

00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:48.099
 might be

00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.460
 thinking

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.200
 what's the

00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.620
 deal with

00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:49.860
 these

00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.680
 discrepancies

00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:52.400
 can we

00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.180
 really trust

00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.480
 that the

00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.279
 bible is

00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.240
 true and

00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.000
 reliable and

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.680
 authoritative

00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.440
 if the authors

00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.279
 don't even

00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:58.779
 seem to have

00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.240
 their math

00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.599
 facts straight

00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:02.420
 so before

00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.180
 we move on

00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.940
 let me address

00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.620
 that concern

00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:06.739
 with three

00:26:06.739 --> 00:26:07.399
 points

00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:08.079
 first

00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.879
 briefly

00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:10.659
 first the

00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.039
 list are

00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.599
 most likely

00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.119
 incomplete

00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:13.839
 by the

00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.559
 time Ezra

00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.079
 Nehemiah

00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.679
 was written

00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:17.139
 430 BC

00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:17.500
 at the

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.119
 earliest

00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:18.979
 the first

00:26:18.979 --> 00:26:19.359
 group of

00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.959
 exiles had

00:26:19.959 --> 00:26:20.879
 returned over

00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.419
 a hundred

00:26:21.419 --> 00:26:22.599
 years previously

00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:24.419
 and particularly

00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.239
 in that time

00:26:25.239 --> 00:26:27.139
 it's certainly

00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:27.779
 possible that

00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.599
 some of the

00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.099
 records of

00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.539
 particular

00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.079
 families

00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:31.439
 might not

00:26:31.439 --> 00:26:31.739
 have been

00:26:31.739 --> 00:26:32.199
 preserved

00:26:32.199 --> 00:26:33.219
 over those

00:26:33.219 --> 00:26:33.819
 hundred years

00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.339
 so the author

00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.259
 of Ezra Nehemiah

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.939
 would have

00:26:35.939 --> 00:26:36.720
 simply recorded

00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.659
 the information

00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:38.039
 that was

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.619
 available to

00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:38.960
 him at the

00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.399
 time

00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.439
 even if

00:26:40.439 --> 00:26:41.019
 information

00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.720
 about some

00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.339
 family groups

00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:43.159
 was no longer

00:26:43.159 --> 00:26:43.720
 available

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:45.839
 second the

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.480
 list in chapter

00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.240
 2 seemed to

00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.980
 list the men

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.939
 from the tribe

00:26:48.939 --> 00:26:49.419
 of Judah

00:26:49.419 --> 00:26:50.500
 and the priests

00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.079
 from the tribe

00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.439
 of Levi

00:26:51.439 --> 00:26:53.519
 if that's true

00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:55.000
 the extra 13,000

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.819
 could be women

00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.899
 children or

00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.740
 members of the

00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.759
 northern tribes

00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.399
 it would not be

00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:00.939
 surprising

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.000
 for the

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.480
 perilous

00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.120
 four month

00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:03.799
 long journey

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.360
 from Babylon

00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:05.100
 to Jerusalem

00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:05.740
 to attract

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.620
 a disproportionate

00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.039
 number of

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.519
 young single

00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.660
 men and a

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.299
 smaller number

00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.860
 of families

00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:10.400
 with children

00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:12.940
 so that's the

00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.799
 second possibility

00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.600
 third it is

00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:15.299
 possible that

00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.980
 at this point

00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.559
 the original

00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.600
 text of Ezra

00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:18.440
 Nehemiah was

00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.220
 not copied

00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.500
 precisely over

00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.279
 the centuries

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.559
 so for centuries

00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.000
 the books of

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.580
 the bible were

00:27:23.580 --> 00:27:24.860
 copied by hand

00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:26.120
 and we have

00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:27.080
 many copies of

00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:27.559
 the bible

00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.640
 from many

00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.400
 different periods

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.000
 of history

00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.759
 so we have

00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.240
 the Dead Sea

00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.180
 Scrolls from

00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.519
 2nd century

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.920
 3rd, 2nd, 1st

00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.540
 century BC

00:27:35.540 --> 00:27:37.140
 we have the

00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:38.000
 Greek versions

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.080
 a translation

00:27:39.080 --> 00:27:39.519
 of the Old

00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.080
 Testament from

00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:40.600
 Hebrew into

00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:41.259
 Greek that

00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.500
 also is from

00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.320
 sort of pre

00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:43.840
 New Testament

00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:44.460
 times

00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:46.000
 we have the

00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.660
 Old Testament

00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.580
 quotations and

00:27:48.580 --> 00:27:49.180
 a whole range

00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.560
 of other

00:27:49.560 --> 00:27:50.500
 historical documents

00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.280
 we have what's

00:27:51.280 --> 00:27:51.580
 called the

00:27:51.580 --> 00:27:52.420
 Masoretic text

00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.160
 which is the

00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.759
 Hebrew text of

00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.320
 the Old Testament

00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:54.840
 from the early

00:27:54.840 --> 00:27:55.500
 Middle Ages

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.300
 and so you can

00:27:56.300 --> 00:27:57.759
 compare all these

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.280
 copies of the

00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.920
 Old Testament

00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.000
 with each other

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.920
 and by and large

00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.779
 we can demonstrate

00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.519
 that the bible

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.639
 has been extremely

00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:06.500
 well preserved

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.319
 over time

00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:10.019
 the overall story

00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.539
 of the bible

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.680
 has not changed

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:13.119
 and many of the

00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.819
 details have been

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.740
 very carefully

00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.619
 handed out

00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.480
 to us

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.119
 even the

00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:18.599
 widest differences

00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:20.359
 among all the

00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:20.980
 copies of

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.879
 biblical manuscripts

00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:22.980
 do not call

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.759
 into question

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.460
 any significant

00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.379
 biblical or

00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:27.480
 Christian teachings

00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.519
 so even if you

00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.180
 take the copies

00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:29.599
 of the bible

00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.380
 that are most

00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:30.900
 different from

00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.360
 each other

00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:32.500
 you've got the

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.180
 same story

00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.180
 and you've got

00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.360
 the same basic

00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:36.640
 Christian doctrines

00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:38.799
 but when you

00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.360
 compare the

00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:40.019
 different managers

00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.819
 over time

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.599
 there are a

00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:42.240
 couple areas

00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.880
 that do

00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:44.220
 occasionally diverge

00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.039
 and one of the

00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.860
 areas that seems

00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:46.720
 most prone to

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.759
 variation is

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.680
 long lists of

00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.120
 numbers

00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:52.259
 have you ever

00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.099
 tried copying

00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:54.000
 by hand

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.519
 a long list

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.359
 of unfamiliar

00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.019
 names

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.859
 and numbers

00:28:57.859 --> 00:29:00.259
 and then

00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.019
 have somebody

00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.679
 else do it

00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.199
 and then

00:29:02.199 --> 00:29:02.639
 have somebody

00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.379
 else do it

00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:05.979
 so this is

00:29:05.979 --> 00:29:06.479
 an area

00:29:06.479 --> 00:29:07.219
 where we

00:29:07.219 --> 00:29:08.119
 may not be

00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.379
 100% sure

00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:09.819
 what the

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.799
 original author

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.419
 wrote

00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:14.219
 but having

00:29:14.219 --> 00:29:14.599
 said that

00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.199
 we can still

00:29:15.199 --> 00:29:15.759
 trust that

00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.579
 God inspired

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.179
 the original

00:29:17.179 --> 00:29:17.959
 author to write

00:29:17.959 --> 00:29:18.479
 what God

00:29:18.479 --> 00:29:19.019
 wanted him to

00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.279
 write

00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.859
 that's what

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.240
 the doctrine

00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:21.599
 of the

00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.000
 inspiration

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.420
 of scripture

00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:22.899
 means

00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:23.879
 and that

00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:24.700
 God has

00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.839
 preserved for

00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.579
 us all

00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:26.839
 that we

00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.220
 need to

00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.539
 know

00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.960
 so even if

00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.660
 we can't

00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.319
 be 100%

00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:30.799
 sure about

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.119
 some of

00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.639
 the numbers

00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.319
 and how

00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:32.700
 they add

00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.019
 up

00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.039
 we can

00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.500
 for all

00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:34.859
 these other

00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.180
 reasons

00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:35.859
 be confident

00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.940
 in the

00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.660
 trustworthiness

00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:39.160
 of the

00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.460
 scriptures

00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:39.899
 that we

00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.619
 read today

00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:42.319
 so having

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.819
 addressed that

00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.279
 concern

00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.940
 let me get

00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.339
 back to the

00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.000
 main point

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.319
 right

00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:48.059
 the same

00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.539
 God who

00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:48.920
 brought the

00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.300
 children from

00:29:49.300 --> 00:29:49.740
 Israel out

00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.279
 of Egypt

00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:51.480
 has brought

00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:51.980
 them back

00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:53.060
 from exile

00:29:53.060 --> 00:29:53.880
 and Babylon

00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:55.400
 right

00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:55.759
 in those

00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.460
 three parallels

00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.759
 God works

00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.240
 through a

00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.080
 painting to

00:29:59.080 --> 00:29:59.480
 bring back

00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.000
 his people

00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.940
 God provides

00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.340
 them with all

00:30:02.340 --> 00:30:02.740
 they need

00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.039
 to build

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.880
 his house

00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.820
 and God

00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.759
 organizes the

00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.400
 people whom

00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:06.940
 he has

00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.360
 delivered

00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:09.160
 so that's

00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.600
 what Ezra

00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.360
 wants the

00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:10.820
 people to

00:30:10.820 --> 00:30:11.140
 know

00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.580
 at the

00:30:11.580 --> 00:30:11.880
 beginning

00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.340
 of the

00:30:12.340 --> 00:30:12.759
 story

00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.220
 it's the

00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:14.340
 same God

00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:14.860
 who's been

00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.759
 working all

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.259
 along

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.840
 now you might

00:30:16.840 --> 00:30:17.440
 say well why

00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.000
 does that story

00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.779
 matter to us

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:21.160
 right

00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:22.519
 and this is the

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.059
 second half

00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:24.519
 of the message

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.259
 why does this

00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.039
 story matter to

00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.480
 us 2500 years

00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:27.759
 later

00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:30.279
 here's why it

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:30.640
 matters

00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:32.160
 the same God

00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:32.579
 who brought

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.339
 the children of

00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.079
 Israel out of

00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.599
 slavery in

00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:34.940
 Egypt

00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:36.480
 the same God

00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:36.759
 who brought

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.319
 the exiles

00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:38.200
 from Babylon

00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.460
 is the God

00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:39.960
 and father

00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.819
 of our Lord

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.640
 Jesus Christ

00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:43.599
 she's through

00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.119
 his life

00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.680
 death and

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.180
 resurrection

00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.500
 Jesus accomplished

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.120
 an even

00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:47.860
 greater

00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.779
 exodus

00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:51.120
 what did

00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:51.779
 Jesus accomplish

00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.380
 when he died

00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:52.940
 on the cross

00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.039
 he rescued us

00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:55.140
 from slavery

00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:55.900
 to sin

00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.860
 and Satan

00:30:56.860 --> 00:30:57.539
 and death

00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.480
 he opened the

00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.320
 way for us

00:30:59.320 --> 00:31:00.700
 to paradise

00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.759
 once more

00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:03.600
 Jesus came

00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:04.160
 to bring us

00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:05.400
 home to God

00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.100
 out of our

00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:06.660
 exile

00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.240
 out of our

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.960
 lostness

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.820
 out of

00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:10.039
 and back

00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.759
 into God's

00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.220
 family

00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:12.360
 with a place

00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:13.220
 to belong

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:13.880
 forever

00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:15.360
 the apostle

00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:15.920
 Paul wrote

00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.660
 if you belong

00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.600
 to Jesus

00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:18.299
 to Christ

00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:18.960
 to the Messiah

00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.480
 you are

00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.339
 Abraham's

00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.559
 see Abraham's

00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:21.920
 children

00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.740
 and heirs

00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.579
 according

00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.680
 to the promise

00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.799
 of God

00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:28.079
 so if you've

00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.940
 entrusted yourself

00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.380
 to Jesus

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.539
 this story

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.519
 is also

00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.680
 your story

00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:35.259
 this God

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.620
 is also

00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.360
 your God

00:31:37.360 --> 00:31:40.620
 so when we

00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:41.240
 read this book

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.660
 about people

00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.279
 who lived long

00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.039
 ago and far

00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.440
 away

00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.000
 in different

00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.700
 historical

00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.220
 and cultural

00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.799
 contexts

00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.559
 we can still

00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.680
 trace the

00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:48.119
 fingerprints

00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:48.819
 of our

00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:49.220
 faithful

00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.920
 God

00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.559
 and Savior

00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:52.519
 we can still

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.319
 see the same

00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.099
 God at work

00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:55.440
 who is taking

00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.119
 care of us

00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.740
 every day

00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:58.099
 and who

00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.559
 hears our

00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.039
 Christ

00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:01.559
 Paul wrote

00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.279
 in Romans 15

00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.899
 whatever was

00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.480
 written in the

00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.059
 former days

00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.539
 was written

00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.079
 for our

00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.680
 instruction

00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.220
 so that

00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:06.960
 through endurance

00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.680
 and through

00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:08.339
 encouragement

00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.799
 from the

00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.079
 scriptures

00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:09.680
 we might

00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.839
 have hope

00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.919
 so I want

00:32:11.919 --> 00:32:12.379
 to conclude

00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:13.019
 with three

00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:14.339
 specific ways

00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.079
 that Ezra

00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:15.740
 1 and 2

00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:17.099
 gives us

00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:18.179
 mission and

00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:19.039
 hope today

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:21.500
 first

00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:23.079
 God is

00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:24.099
 still sovereign

00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:25.579
 over pagan

00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:27.139
 political leaders

00:32:27.139 --> 00:32:28.899
 right

00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:29.419
 in Exodus

00:32:29.419 --> 00:32:30.119
 God rescued

00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:30.679
 his people

00:32:30.679 --> 00:32:31.919
 despite

00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:33.099
 Pharaoh's evil

00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:33.759
 designs

00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.759
 in Ezra

00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.339
 God brought

00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:35.740
 his people

00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.220
 home

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.039
 through a

00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.119
 friendly decree

00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:38.799
 of Cyrus

00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.299
 now if

00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:39.679
 were up

00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:40.099
 to me

00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:40.759
 I would

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.079
 always

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.539
 vote for

00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.359
 friendly Cyrus

00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.319
 over persecuting

00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:43.679
 Pharaoh

00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:45.539
 but in both

00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.119
 cases

00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:47.259
 God accomplished

00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.959
 his purposes

00:32:47.959 --> 00:32:48.559
 and God

00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.479
 rescued his

00:32:49.479 --> 00:32:50.079
 people

00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:52.539
 now the

00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:52.919
 New Testament

00:32:52.919 --> 00:32:53.519
 teaches us

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:53.839
 that as

00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:54.339
 Christians we

00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:55.259
 have responsibilities

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.519
 toward our

00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.419
 political leaders

00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:59.179
 to respect

00:32:59.179 --> 00:32:59.599
 those in

00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:00.019
 authority

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.719
 to honor

00:33:00.719 --> 00:33:01.119
 the law

00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:01.339
 of the

00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:01.639
 land

00:33:01.639 --> 00:33:02.119
 unless it

00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:02.559
 conflicts

00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:02.859
 with the

00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.159
 law of

00:33:03.159 --> 00:33:03.519
 God

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.879
 to pray

00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:05.319
 for those

00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:05.899
 in authority

00:33:05.899 --> 00:33:07.000
 whoever they

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.740
 may be

00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:09.220
 to seek

00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:09.660
 justice

00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.180
 and correct

00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.660
 oppression

00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:12.019
 but the

00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.599
 Bible also

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.059
 tells us

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.519
 in Proverbs

00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.000
 21

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.500
 1

00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.440
 the king's

00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:15.759
 heart

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.180
 is a

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:16.460
 stream

00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:16.980
 of water

00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.319
 in the

00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:17.640
 hand of

00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.059
 the Lord

00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:19.180
 and God

00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.660
 turns it

00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.200
 wherever he

00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.480
 will

00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:22.259
 and otherwise

00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:23.539
 he would say

00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.220
 it like this

00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.839
 no matter

00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.359
 who is in

00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:26.980
 power on

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.400
 earth

00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.839
 God is

00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.420
 still on

00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:29.859
 his throne

00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:30.460
 in heaven

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:34.200
 and that's

00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:35.539
 something that

00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:36.879
 we need to

00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:37.180
 remember

00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:37.619
 today

00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:39.500
 we live in

00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:39.899
 uncertain

00:33:39.899 --> 00:33:40.559
 times

00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.599
 divided

00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.099
 times

00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:42.720
 tumultuous

00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:43.359
 times

00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:45.639
 American

00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.119
 Christians

00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:46.599
 today

00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:47.079
 can be

00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.460
 tempted

00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:49.119
 to line

00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:49.960
 up behind

00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.980
 one political

00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.720
 party or

00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.180
 another

00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.579
 to devote

00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.119
 ourselves

00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:54.619
 to one

00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:55.059
 candidate

00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.819
 or another

00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:56.220
 and to

00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:56.559
 give them

00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.480
 uncritical

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.059
 and whole

00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:58.500
 hearted

00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:58.920
 support

00:33:58.920 --> 00:34:01.579
 but if

00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:01.980
 we are

00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.420
 Christians

00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:03.220
 our whole

00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:03.700
 hearted

00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.159
 allegiance

00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.720
 belongs

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.340
 only

00:34:05.340 --> 00:34:06.040
 to

00:34:06.040 --> 00:34:06.300
 Jesus

00:34:06.300 --> 00:34:06.779
 Christ

00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:08.680
 he

00:34:08.680 --> 00:34:09.220
 alone

00:34:09.220 --> 00:34:09.800
 reigns

00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.039
 over

00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:10.240
 the

00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:10.619
 nations

00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:10.900
 in

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.400
 righteousness

00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:13.340
 no

00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:13.800
 other

00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.119
 human

00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:14.579
 being

00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.420
 comes

00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:15.940
 anywhere

00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.519
 close

00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.340
 to his

00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:17.920
 majesty

00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.760
 his

00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.280
 mercy

00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:19.940
 his

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.559
 justice

00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.280
 his

00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:22.099
 faithfulness

00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:23.480
 and so

00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:23.920
 knowing

00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.420
 that God

00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:24.820
 is still

00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:25.119
 on the

00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.460
 throne

00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:25.900
 can give

00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.220
 us a

00:34:26.220 --> 00:34:26.480
 steady

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.280
 confidence

00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:28.320
 when the

00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:28.659
 world

00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.119
 feels

00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:29.579
 shaky

00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:31.880
 it can

00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.200
 give us

00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:32.800
 hopeful

00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:33.480
 perseverance

00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:33.980
 when the

00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.219
 world

00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:35.039
 seems hostile

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.800
 and dark

00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.800
 and it

00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:37.079
 can give

00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.240
 us

00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:37.699
 humble

00:34:37.699 --> 00:34:38.400
 gratitude

00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:39.599
 when things

00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.199
 seem to be

00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:41.380
 going well

00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:43.679
 so that's the

00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.179
 first thing

00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:44.599
 that we can

00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:45.219
 hold on to

00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:45.659
 and remember

00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.380
 is that God

00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:46.880
 is still

00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:47.420
 sovereign

00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.880
 even over

00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:49.480
 pagan

00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:50.000
 political

00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:50.840
 leaders

00:34:50.840 --> 00:34:53.219
 second thing

00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:54.019
 that gives us

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.719
 mission

00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:55.240
 and hope

00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:55.920
 is that God

00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:56.960
 still supplies

00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.960
 all we need

00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:59.539
 to carry out

00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.159
 all that he

00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:00.860
 stirs us

00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:01.920
 up to do

00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:04.039
 so God

00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.640
 stirred the

00:35:04.640 --> 00:35:05.000
 hearts of

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.400
 his people

00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:06.140
 to return

00:35:06.140 --> 00:35:06.780
 and to

00:35:06.780 --> 00:35:07.240
 rebuild

00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.039
 the temple

00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:08.539
 but he

00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.360
 also supplied

00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.180
 them with

00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:10.660
 all that they

00:35:10.660 --> 00:35:11.140
 needed to

00:35:11.140 --> 00:35:11.800
 carry out

00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:12.820
 that task

00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:15.120
 now how

00:35:15.120 --> 00:35:15.480
 did God

00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:15.960
 provide

00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:17.200
 well

00:35:17.200 --> 00:35:17.740
 provided

00:35:17.740 --> 00:35:18.059
 through the

00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.420
 gifts of

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.780
 neighbors

00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:19.400
 in Persia

00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:19.840
 some of

00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:20.160
 whom may

00:35:20.160 --> 00:35:20.440
 not have

00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:20.800
 even been

00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:21.340
 believers

00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:21.840
 verses

00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.940
 verse 6

00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:23.579
 all

00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.140
 more about

00:35:24.140 --> 00:35:24.519
 them

00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.559
 and he

00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:25.800
 provided

00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.320
 in part

00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:27.039
 through a

00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.380
 grant

00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:27.660
 from the

00:35:27.660 --> 00:35:27.860
 Persian

00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:28.280
 government

00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:30.400
 surprise

00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:31.360
 right

00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.000
 and

00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.900
 most of

00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.220
 all he

00:35:33.220 --> 00:35:33.639
 provided

00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:33.980
 with the

00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:34.280
 freely

00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:34.660
 given

00:35:34.660 --> 00:35:35.220
 offerings

00:35:35.220 --> 00:35:35.639
 of his

00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.000
 own

00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.480
 people

00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.480
 chapter 2

00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:38.740
 verses 68

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.860
 and 69

00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:42.200
 God supplies

00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:42.940
 what we need

00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.800
 to carry out

00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:44.440
 what he

00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.360
 wants us

00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:46.019
 to do

00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:47.019
 now

00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:48.680
 this principle

00:35:48.680 --> 00:35:49.180
 can be

00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:49.880
 misused

00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:52.380
 in a variety

00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:52.840
 of ways

00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:54.260
 one way

00:35:54.260 --> 00:35:54.700
 it can be

00:35:54.700 --> 00:35:55.340
 misused

00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:56.380
 is to insist

00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:57.280
 that I

00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:58.139
 know exactly

00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:59.079
 what God

00:35:59.079 --> 00:36:00.159
 has stirred

00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:00.460
 us up

00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.860
 to do

00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:02.039
 and therefore

00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:02.799
 everybody else

00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:03.279
 better get

00:36:03.279 --> 00:36:03.759
 behind me

00:36:03.759 --> 00:36:04.400
 100%

00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:04.880
 and not ask

00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.460
 any questions

00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:05.860
 otherwise

00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:06.059
 they're

00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.539
 disobey

00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:06.940
 God

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:09.880
 but that's

00:36:09.880 --> 00:36:10.539
 presumptuous

00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:13.239
 often that's

00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:13.980
 simply fearful

00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:16.139
 we have to

00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:16.559
 be humble

00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.039
 enough to

00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.539
 admit that

00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:18.000
 we don't

00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:18.579
 always see

00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:18.960
 everything

00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.440
 clearly

00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.239
 from the

00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:20.559
 start

00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:21.279
 and sometimes

00:36:21.279 --> 00:36:21.679
 we need

00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:22.059
 to change

00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.579
 course

00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:24.980
 it's right

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.299
 for us

00:36:25.299 --> 00:36:25.840
 to pursue

00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.840
 plans

00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:27.900
 when they

00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:28.260
 seem

00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:28.880
 wise

00:36:28.880 --> 00:36:29.400
 and right

00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.980
 but

00:36:30.980 --> 00:36:32.360
 our plans

00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:32.820
 are not

00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:34.100
 always the

00:36:34.100 --> 00:36:34.620
 same thing

00:36:34.620 --> 00:36:35.280
 as God's

00:36:35.280 --> 00:36:35.519
 will

00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:38.200
 as the

00:36:38.200 --> 00:36:38.460
 elders

00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:39.000
 we've become

00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.460
 convinced

00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.940
 that this

00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.220
 building

00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:40.620
 project

00:36:40.620 --> 00:36:40.960
 is the

00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:41.160
 right

00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:41.640
 next step

00:36:41.640 --> 00:36:42.019
 for our

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.380
 church

00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:42.680
 and as

00:36:42.680 --> 00:36:42.780
 the

00:36:42.780 --> 00:36:43.079
 members

00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:43.559
 we voted

00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:44.180
 overwhelming

00:36:44.180 --> 00:36:44.880
 last fall

00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.320
 to approve

00:36:45.320 --> 00:36:45.460
 it

00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:45.920
 so we

00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.320
 earnestly

00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:46.860
 desire

00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:47.680
 to see

00:36:47.680 --> 00:36:47.920
 God

00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.260
 supply

00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:48.460
 our

00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:48.680
 need

00:36:48.680 --> 00:36:48.920
 through

00:36:48.920 --> 00:36:49.059
 the

00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:49.400
 freely

00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:50.100
 given

00:36:50.100 --> 00:36:50.620
 offerings

00:36:50.620 --> 00:36:51.100
 of his

00:36:51.100 --> 00:36:51.420
 people

00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:51.800
 and we've

00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:52.420
 been encouraged

00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.640
 by some

00:36:53.640 --> 00:36:53.840
 of the

00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:54.160
 progress

00:36:54.160 --> 00:36:54.420
 we've

00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:54.760
 seen

00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:55.420
 we want

00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:55.940
 to encourage

00:36:55.940 --> 00:37:02.380
 ourselves

00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:02.900
 and our

00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.400
 plans

00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:03.960
 before

00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.220
 the

00:37:04.220 --> 00:37:04.519
 Lord

00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:04.760
 in

00:37:04.760 --> 00:37:05.099
 prayer

00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:07.159
 and

00:37:07.159 --> 00:37:07.639
 depending

00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:08.500
 on him

00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.300
 throughout

00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:09.760
 the

00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:10.240
 entire

00:37:10.240 --> 00:37:11.079
 process

00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:12.579
 and looking

00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:13.099
 to him

00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:13.740
 to lead

00:37:13.740 --> 00:37:14.019
 us in

00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.300
 all that

00:37:14.300 --> 00:37:14.700
 we do

00:37:14.700 --> 00:37:15.860
 we can

00:37:15.860 --> 00:37:16.320
 pray like

00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:17.159
 Paul does

00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:17.840
 in 2nd

00:37:17.840 --> 00:37:18.500
 Thessalonians

00:37:18.500 --> 00:37:18.860
 1

00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:20.320
 Paul says

00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:20.860
 we always

00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:21.420
 pray for

00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:21.760
 you

00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:22.619
 that our

00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:23.079
 God

00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:23.360
 may

00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:23.920
 fulfill

00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.720
 every

00:37:24.720 --> 00:37:25.679
 resolve

00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:26.440
 for good

00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:27.980
 and every

00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:28.500
 work of

00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:28.819
 faith

00:37:28.819 --> 00:37:29.359
 by his

00:37:29.359 --> 00:37:29.819
 power

00:37:29.819 --> 00:37:30.899
 so that

00:37:30.899 --> 00:37:31.419
 the name

00:37:31.419 --> 00:37:31.940
 of our

00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:32.239
 Lord

00:37:32.239 --> 00:37:32.539
 Jesus

00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:32.980
 may be

00:37:32.980 --> 00:37:33.539
 glorified

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.039
 in you

00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:34.599
 and you

00:37:34.599 --> 00:37:35.019
 in him

00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:35.940
 that's

00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.679
 the purpose

00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:37.299
 that we

00:37:37.299 --> 00:37:37.759
 need to be

00:37:37.759 --> 00:37:38.299
 seeking in

00:37:38.299 --> 00:37:39.139
 everything we

00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:39.419
 do

00:37:39.419 --> 00:37:41.079
 you know

00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:41.619
 sometimes it

00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:41.960
 matters

00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:43.139
 less what

00:37:43.139 --> 00:37:43.639
 you do

00:37:43.639 --> 00:37:44.019
 and it

00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.679
 matters more

00:37:44.679 --> 00:37:45.559
 how we

00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:46.059
 do it

00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:48.420
 are we

00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:48.980
 doing it

00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.119
 so that

00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:51.360
 the name

00:37:51.360 --> 00:37:51.920
 of God

00:37:51.920 --> 00:37:52.539
 the name

00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.039
 of Jesus

00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:54.019
 would be

00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:55.500
 seen as

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.239
 beautiful

00:37:56.239 --> 00:37:57.239
 and glorious

00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:58.380
 and the

00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:58.920
 people would

00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.920
 be blessed

00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:02.279
 so let's

00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:02.820
 pray that

00:38:02.820 --> 00:38:03.199
 God would

00:38:03.199 --> 00:38:03.719
 fulfill

00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:04.159
 every

00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:04.759
 resolve for

00:38:04.759 --> 00:38:04.980
 good

00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:05.440
 and every

00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:05.719
 work

00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.159
 motivated

00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:06.759
 by faith

00:38:06.759 --> 00:38:07.079
 that God

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.460
 wouldn't

00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.460
 leave us

00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:10.299
 half finished

00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:10.779
 but he would

00:38:10.779 --> 00:38:11.360
 carry us

00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:12.000
 all the way

00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.320
 through

00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:13.800
 and guide

00:38:13.800 --> 00:38:14.200
 us to

00:38:14.200 --> 00:38:14.680
 the end

00:38:14.680 --> 00:38:16.519
 so that's

00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:16.800
 the second

00:38:16.800 --> 00:38:17.260
 thing God

00:38:17.260 --> 00:38:17.980
 supplies what

00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:18.480
 we need

00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:20.600
 to do what

00:38:20.600 --> 00:38:20.960
 he stirred

00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:21.960
 us up to

00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.160
 do

00:38:22.160 --> 00:38:22.640
 third

00:38:22.640 --> 00:38:23.900
 we can be

00:38:23.900 --> 00:38:24.460
 encouraged that

00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.180
 God still

00:38:25.180 --> 00:38:26.519
 organizes the

00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:27.240
 people whom

00:38:27.240 --> 00:38:27.880
 he has

00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:28.559
 delivered

00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:30.700
 God sets

00:38:30.700 --> 00:38:31.340
 the lonely

00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:32.539
 in families

00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:34.059
 and he leads

00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:34.539
 forth the

00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:35.180
 prisoners with

00:38:35.180 --> 00:38:35.500
 singing

00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:37.680
 everyone has

00:38:37.680 --> 00:38:38.360
 a place to

00:38:38.360 --> 00:38:39.059
 belong in the

00:38:39.059 --> 00:38:39.900
 family of God

00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:40.640
 and everyone

00:38:40.640 --> 00:38:41.760
 has a reason

00:38:41.760 --> 00:38:42.720
 to rejoice

00:38:42.720 --> 00:38:44.940
 have you found

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.600
 your place to

00:38:45.600 --> 00:38:46.140
 belong

00:38:46.140 --> 00:38:47.620
 here

00:38:47.620 --> 00:38:49.260
 or in

00:38:49.260 --> 00:38:50.340
 some other

00:38:50.340 --> 00:38:51.160
 local

00:38:51.160 --> 00:38:52.400
 expression of

00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:52.820
 the family

00:38:52.820 --> 00:38:53.380
 of God

00:38:53.380 --> 00:38:55.240
 most of you

00:38:55.240 --> 00:38:55.520
 have been

00:38:55.520 --> 00:38:55.980
 coming to

00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:56.560
 Trinity for a

00:38:56.560 --> 00:38:57.000
 little while

00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:57.640
 you have

00:38:57.640 --> 00:38:58.400
 probably noticed

00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:58.940
 we have this

00:38:58.940 --> 00:38:59.400
 thing called

00:38:59.400 --> 00:38:59.820
 membership

00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:01.920
 and among

00:39:01.920 --> 00:39:02.660
 other things

00:39:02.660 --> 00:39:03.080
 when you

00:39:03.080 --> 00:39:03.540
 become a

00:39:03.540 --> 00:39:03.780
 member

00:39:03.780 --> 00:39:04.920
 we add

00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:05.280
 your name

00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:05.600
 to a

00:39:05.600 --> 00:39:05.920
 list

00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:07.080
 like the

00:39:07.080 --> 00:39:07.500
 list in

00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.100
 chapter 2

00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:12.019
 but you

00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:12.360
 know what

00:39:12.360 --> 00:39:12.860
 we use

00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:13.460
 that list

00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:14.619
 the elders

00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:15.000
 and the

00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:15.619
 staff pray

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.199
 through that

00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:16.579
 list

00:39:16.579 --> 00:39:17.259
 we pray

00:39:17.259 --> 00:39:17.679
 for about

00:39:17.679 --> 00:39:18.339
 10 members

00:39:18.339 --> 00:39:18.920
 by name

00:39:18.920 --> 00:39:19.779
 alphabetically

00:39:19.779 --> 00:39:20.579
 every week

00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:21.019
 at staff

00:39:21.019 --> 00:39:21.299
 meeting

00:39:21.299 --> 00:39:21.880
 and at least

00:39:21.880 --> 00:39:22.440
 once a year

00:39:22.440 --> 00:39:22.960
 the elders

00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:24.179
 try to

00:39:24.179 --> 00:39:24.779
 connect with

00:39:24.779 --> 00:39:25.360
 everyone on

00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:25.940
 that list

00:39:25.940 --> 00:39:27.039
 to specifically

00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:28.319
 ask how

00:39:28.319 --> 00:39:28.900
 at the very

00:39:28.900 --> 00:39:29.319
 least

00:39:29.319 --> 00:39:30.259
 how can we

00:39:30.259 --> 00:39:30.779
 be praying

00:39:30.779 --> 00:39:31.380
 for you

00:39:31.380 --> 00:39:32.799
 to be

00:39:32.799 --> 00:39:33.679
 growing in

00:39:33.679 --> 00:39:34.219
 your water

00:39:34.219 --> 00:39:35.099
 with Jesus

00:39:35.099 --> 00:39:36.659
 and if

00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:36.980
 you're on

00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.519
 that list

00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:37.880
 and if

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.279
 you just

00:39:38.279 --> 00:39:39.019
 sort of

00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:39.539
 disappear

00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.420
 and don't

00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:40.779
 come to

00:39:40.779 --> 00:39:41.299
 church for

00:39:41.299 --> 00:39:42.380
 several weeks

00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:42.759
 or a couple

00:39:42.759 --> 00:39:43.219
 months

00:39:43.219 --> 00:39:44.199
 we'll eventually

00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:44.839
 reach out to

00:39:44.839 --> 00:39:45.380
 you and say

00:39:45.380 --> 00:39:46.480
 we love you

00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:47.400
 and we miss

00:39:47.400 --> 00:39:47.739
 you

00:39:47.739 --> 00:39:48.860
 and can we

00:39:48.860 --> 00:39:49.519
 pray with you

00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.219
 can we help

00:39:50.219 --> 00:39:50.500
 you

00:39:50.500 --> 00:39:51.299
 the bible

00:39:51.299 --> 00:39:51.819
 tells us

00:39:51.819 --> 00:39:52.279
 not to

00:39:52.279 --> 00:39:52.799
 forsake

00:39:52.799 --> 00:39:53.219
 assembly

00:39:53.219 --> 00:39:53.679
 together

00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:54.219
 we don't

00:39:54.219 --> 00:39:54.559
 want to

00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:54.900
 let you

00:39:54.900 --> 00:39:55.440
 just drift

00:39:55.440 --> 00:39:55.839
 away

00:39:55.839 --> 00:39:56.719
 easily

00:39:56.719 --> 00:39:59.259
 you see

00:39:59.259 --> 00:39:59.860
 as the elders

00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:00.440
 we believe

00:40:00.440 --> 00:40:01.019
 that we have

00:40:01.019 --> 00:40:01.599
 a particular

00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:02.460
 responsibility

00:40:02.460 --> 00:40:03.420
 before God

00:40:03.420 --> 00:40:04.980
 to spiritually

00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:05.699
 care for

00:40:05.699 --> 00:40:06.119
 everyone

00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:06.840
 who says

00:40:06.840 --> 00:40:08.000
 count me

00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.300
 in

00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:09.599
 and put me

00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:10.300
 on that list

00:40:10.300 --> 00:40:12.119
 because I belong

00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:12.780
 to Jesus

00:40:12.780 --> 00:40:14.860
 and he's put me

00:40:14.860 --> 00:40:15.300
 on the list

00:40:15.300 --> 00:40:15.740
 in heaven

00:40:15.740 --> 00:40:17.679
 so I want to

00:40:17.679 --> 00:40:18.159
 put myself

00:40:18.159 --> 00:40:18.719
 on the list

00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:19.579
 in a local

00:40:19.579 --> 00:40:20.380
 family of

00:40:20.380 --> 00:40:20.740
 believers

00:40:20.740 --> 00:40:21.420
 on earth

00:40:21.420 --> 00:40:23.059
 so that as

00:40:23.059 --> 00:40:23.840
 the elders

00:40:23.840 --> 00:40:24.539
 as God's

00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:25.199
 under shepherds

00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:25.860
 care for me

00:40:25.860 --> 00:40:26.380
 I can be

00:40:26.380 --> 00:40:27.280
 reminded that I

00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:28.340
 have a great

00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:29.139
 shepherd in

00:40:29.139 --> 00:40:29.440
 heaven

00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:30.820
 who will never

00:40:30.820 --> 00:40:31.519
 forget me

00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:32.840
 and who will

00:40:32.840 --> 00:40:33.659
 not just let me

00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:34.320
 drift away

00:40:34.320 --> 00:40:35.840
 and who will

00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:37.100
 pray and who

00:40:37.100 --> 00:40:37.660
 is always

00:40:37.660 --> 00:40:38.300
 interceding

00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:38.760
 for me

00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:40.640
 you see

00:40:40.640 --> 00:40:41.100
 that's what

00:40:41.100 --> 00:40:41.420
 membership

00:40:41.420 --> 00:40:42.019
 is about

00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:44.100
 it's being

00:40:44.100 --> 00:40:44.720
 reminded that

00:40:44.720 --> 00:40:45.200
 we have a

00:40:45.200 --> 00:40:45.880
 faithful shepherd

00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:46.860
 who is always

00:40:46.860 --> 00:40:47.480
 looking after

00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:47.880
 us

00:40:47.880 --> 00:40:50.340
 so find a

00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:50.780
 place to

00:40:50.780 --> 00:40:51.180
 belong

00:40:51.180 --> 00:40:52.440
 whether it's

00:40:52.440 --> 00:40:53.640
 here or in

00:40:53.640 --> 00:40:54.740
 some family

00:40:54.740 --> 00:40:55.320
 of Christian

00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:55.880
 believers

00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:57.660
 and get on

00:40:57.660 --> 00:40:58.400
 that list

00:40:58.400 --> 00:41:01.460
 finally

00:41:01.460 --> 00:41:02.360
 you have a

00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:02.840
 reason to

00:41:02.840 --> 00:41:03.300
 rejoice

00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:05.200
 not only a

00:41:05.200 --> 00:41:05.539
 place to

00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:05.840
 belong

00:41:05.840 --> 00:41:06.160
 but we

00:41:06.160 --> 00:41:06.500
 have a

00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:06.800
 place to

00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:07.039
 belong

00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:07.260
 we have

00:41:07.260 --> 00:41:07.619
 a reason

00:41:07.619 --> 00:41:08.400
 to rejoice

00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:10.019
 that's why

00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:10.420
 we read

00:41:10.420 --> 00:41:11.639
 Psalm 126

00:41:11.639 --> 00:41:12.160
 earlier

00:41:12.160 --> 00:41:14.119
 when the

00:41:14.119 --> 00:41:14.820
 Lord restored

00:41:14.820 --> 00:41:15.440
 the fortunes

00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:15.880
 of Zion

00:41:15.880 --> 00:41:16.380
 we were

00:41:16.380 --> 00:41:17.079
 like those

00:41:17.079 --> 00:41:17.639
 who dreamed

00:41:17.639 --> 00:41:18.960
 and our

00:41:18.960 --> 00:41:19.480
 mouths were

00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:19.860
 filled with

00:41:19.860 --> 00:41:20.220
 laughter

00:41:20.220 --> 00:41:20.599
 and our

00:41:20.599 --> 00:41:20.880
 tongues

00:41:20.880 --> 00:41:21.320
 chouts

00:41:21.320 --> 00:41:21.900
 of joy

00:41:21.900 --> 00:41:23.119
 the Lord

00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:23.700
 has done

00:41:23.700 --> 00:41:24.599
 great things

00:41:24.599 --> 00:41:25.220
 for us

00:41:25.220 --> 00:41:26.139
 we are

00:41:26.139 --> 00:41:26.840
 glad

00:41:26.840 --> 00:41:29.400
 when we

00:41:29.400 --> 00:41:30.240
 know what

00:41:30.240 --> 00:41:30.720
 God has

00:41:30.720 --> 00:41:31.120
 done for

00:41:31.120 --> 00:41:31.519
 us in

00:41:31.519 --> 00:41:31.740
 Jesus

00:41:31.740 --> 00:41:32.300
 Christ

00:41:32.300 --> 00:41:33.660
 that he

00:41:33.660 --> 00:41:34.200
 loves us

00:41:34.200 --> 00:41:34.500
 that he

00:41:34.500 --> 00:41:35.220
 has reached

00:41:35.220 --> 00:41:35.700
 out to

00:41:35.700 --> 00:41:35.880
 us

00:41:35.880 --> 00:41:36.160
 that he

00:41:36.160 --> 00:41:36.980
 has called

00:41:36.980 --> 00:41:37.340
 us to

00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:37.980
 belong to

00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:38.300
 him

00:41:38.300 --> 00:41:39.519
 and know

00:41:39.519 --> 00:41:40.240
 his love

00:41:40.240 --> 00:41:41.559
 and be

00:41:41.559 --> 00:41:42.220
 assured of

00:41:42.220 --> 00:41:42.840
 his grace

00:41:42.840 --> 00:41:44.620
 and that he

00:41:44.620 --> 00:41:45.100
 will never

00:41:45.100 --> 00:41:45.700
 leave us or

00:41:45.700 --> 00:41:46.440
 forsake us

00:41:46.440 --> 00:41:47.260
 and that he's

00:41:47.260 --> 00:41:48.059
 going to walk

00:41:48.059 --> 00:41:48.519
 with us and

00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:49.059
 bring us all

00:41:49.059 --> 00:41:49.500
 the way to

00:41:49.500 --> 00:41:50.019
 our true

00:41:50.019 --> 00:41:50.440
 home in

00:41:50.440 --> 00:41:50.760
 heaven

00:41:50.760 --> 00:41:53.680
 that gives

00:41:53.680 --> 00:41:54.380
 us a joy

00:41:54.380 --> 00:41:55.519
 that sustains

00:41:55.519 --> 00:41:56.600
 us through

00:41:56.599 --> 00:41:57.699
 every trial

00:41:57.699 --> 00:41:58.699
 and difficulty

00:41:58.699 --> 00:41:59.619
 and disappointment

00:41:59.619 --> 00:42:01.219
 we know

00:42:01.219 --> 00:42:02.039
 we have

00:42:02.039 --> 00:42:02.759
 roots

00:42:02.759 --> 00:42:04.039
 in what God

00:42:04.039 --> 00:42:04.539
 has done in

00:42:04.539 --> 00:42:05.000
 the past

00:42:05.000 --> 00:42:05.500
 and we know

00:42:05.500 --> 00:42:06.119
 that we have

00:42:06.119 --> 00:42:06.679
 a hope for

00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:07.179
 the future

00:42:07.179 --> 00:42:08.259
 because the

00:42:08.259 --> 00:42:08.960
 same God

00:42:08.960 --> 00:42:09.880
 is going

00:42:09.880 --> 00:42:10.659
 to be with

00:42:10.659 --> 00:42:11.880
 us as we

00:42:11.880 --> 00:42:12.380
 move forward

00:42:12.380 --> 00:42:13.279
 let's pray

00:42:13.279 --> 00:42:18.400
 father thank you

00:42:18.400 --> 00:42:18.679
 for your

00:42:18.679 --> 00:42:19.319
 faithfulness

00:42:19.319 --> 00:42:20.259
 to the people

00:42:20.259 --> 00:42:20.839
 of Israel

00:42:20.839 --> 00:42:22.900
 thank you that

00:42:22.900 --> 00:42:23.360
 as we see

00:42:23.360 --> 00:42:24.019
 your faithfulness

00:42:24.019 --> 00:42:24.639
 to them in the

00:42:24.639 --> 00:42:25.279
 scriptures that

00:42:25.280 --> 00:42:25.680
 we can be

00:42:25.680 --> 00:42:26.260
 reminded of

00:42:26.260 --> 00:42:26.860
 your faithfulness

00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:27.300
 to us

00:42:27.300 --> 00:42:27.840
 we pray

00:42:27.840 --> 00:42:29.060
 that you

00:42:29.060 --> 00:42:31.040
 would draw

00:42:31.040 --> 00:42:31.560
 us to

00:42:31.560 --> 00:42:32.700
 near to you

00:42:32.700 --> 00:42:33.940
 and renew

00:42:33.940 --> 00:42:34.460
 our joy

00:42:34.460 --> 00:42:34.860
 today

00:42:34.860 --> 00:42:35.560
 Lord as we

00:42:35.560 --> 00:42:36.560
 celebrate the

00:42:36.560 --> 00:42:37.140
 Lord's Supper

00:42:37.140 --> 00:42:38.620
 renew our joy

00:42:38.620 --> 00:42:39.080
 we pray in

00:42:39.080 --> 00:42:39.620
 Jesus name

00:42:39.619 --> 00:42:40.359
 l relieve

00:42:40.359 --> 00:42:43.819
 of the

00:42:43.819 --> 00:42:44.500
 Jesus name

00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:45.719
麥

00:42:45.719 --> 00:42:48.400
 to the

00:42:48.400 --> 00:42:49.679
 Lord as we

00:42:49.679 --> 00:42:50.599
 have

00:42:50.599 --> 00:42:51.079
 to

00:42:55.960 --> 00:42:56.139
 best

00:42:56.279 --> 00:42:57.299
 to

00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:57.900
ios

00:42:57.900 --> 00:42:58.400
 and

00:42:58.400 --> 00:42:58.460
 to