WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.960 Take your Bibles tonight, turn over to 2 Kings. 00:00:02.020 --> 00:00:05.560 We'll go and dismiss teenagers on up to class there tonight. 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:06.459 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.759 We can see ourselves in the Kings. 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:36.060 We can see our culture in the book of Kings. 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:43.060 We can see the things going on around us even today and the mindset of individuals. 00:00:43.579 --> 00:00:49.480 And we know that while the kings of Judah we've been looking at were generally moderately 00:00:49.480 --> 00:00:53.140 good kings, it says they did right in the sight of the Lord. 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:54.320 That was in their actions. 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:57.820 But their problem was is their heart was not close to the Lord. 00:00:57.820 --> 00:01:00.520 Their heart was away from God. 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:05.460 And we know that you can do the right things outwardly and not have a right heart with the 00:01:05.460 --> 00:01:05.680 Lord. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:11.760 And so as we've learned through that, but meanwhile on the northern kingdom here, the son of Jehu 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:16.460 continued down the path of evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:23.439 And the ways of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, had continued to plague the people of Israel, 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:27.000 drawing them farther and farther away from the Lord. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:32.180 And so tonight we're going to change our focus here back to the northern kingdom and the reign 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:35.659 of Jeroboam, son of Joash, king of Israel. 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:42.700 And this king is often referred to, if you see him referred to in like commentaries and 00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:44.180 stuff, is Jeroboam II. 00:01:44.760 --> 00:01:49.719 Because remember the first king of Israel was Jeroboam, but he was Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 00:01:50.219 --> 00:01:54.019 And this is Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:01:58.679 And so they don't even share a lineage, but they do share a name. 00:01:58.780 --> 00:02:02.699 But they do definitely, they may not share a physical lineage, but you definitely see 00:02:02.699 --> 00:02:04.579 they share a spiritual lineage. 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:10.379 You know, oftentimes we forget that you're passing a spiritual lineage to a next generation. 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:17.240 And it continues moving from one generation to the next, what we invest in our children. 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:24.500 And we see this lineage, even from the days of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, as he turned 00:02:24.500 --> 00:02:31.360 away from God and wanted people to turn away from the Lord, how it impacted the kingdom. 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:40.740 And it continues here, the spiritual lineage, it continued to cause that division of them 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:42.219 away from the Lord. 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:49.900 And so if you found here in 2 Kings chapter 14 here tonight, 2 Kings chapter 14, we'll 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:51.520 begin looking here at verse 23. 00:02:51.760 --> 00:02:56.939 And it says this, in the 15th year of Amaziah, the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam, 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:04.020 the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria and reigned forty and one years. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:07.100 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:12.439 He departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 00:03:12.579 --> 00:03:19.019 He restored the coast of Israel from the entering in of Hamath under the sea of the plain, according 00:03:19.019 --> 00:03:23.000 to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, 00:03:23.579 --> 00:03:27.959 the son of Amittiah, the prophet, which was Gaphir. 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:33.319 And so for the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter and that there was 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:37.959 not any shut up, nor any left, nor any a helper for Israel. 00:03:38.299 --> 00:03:43.039 And the Lord said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:46.379 he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam, the son of Joash. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:51.959 And now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and that which he did and his might and how he 00:03:51.959 --> 00:04:00.000 warred and how he recovered Damascus and Amath, which belonged to Judah for Israel, are they 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:02.639 not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:09.240 And Jeroboam slept with his father, even in the kings of Israel, and Zechariah, his son, 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:11.740 reigned in his stead. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:12.439 So let's pray. 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:16.959 Heavenly Fathers, we take a few moments here this evening as we look into your word, Lord. 00:04:17.019 --> 00:04:23.819 We look at Jeroboam here tonight, Lord, an important figure, the longest reigning king 00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:29.779 in the northern kingdom and his impact, and Lord, even how you used him, even though he 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:31.040 didn't turn to you, Lord. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:37.459 But we know that your mercy shows forth as we look at his life and what you've done and 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:43.339 provided for even Israel as they had rejected you, Lord, but you still had mercy. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:48.240 And Lord, we just thank you for your mercy and your grace that you even give to us today. 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:52.120 Lord, help us to always be mindful that that is part of who you are. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:54.639 And Lord, we just give you all the praise in Jesus' name. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:55.720 Amen. 00:04:56.439 --> 00:05:04.360 You know, as we see here, Joash obviously thought highly after the first king, Jeroboam, 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:04.959 because what? 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:07.300 He named his son after him. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:12.100 You know, usually when people name their children after somebody, it's something that they deemed 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:18.040 important or somebody that had a prominence or somebody that they looked up to or looked 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:19.980 towards in that. 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:28.220 And so we know that Jeroboam, the son of Joash, king of Israel, began his reign about 793 B.C. 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:31.240 And the reign would be the longest of the kings of Israel. 00:05:31.840 --> 00:05:34.100 It'll be 41 years that he reigned. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:36.700 He was the longest reigning king in the northern kingdom. 00:05:36.699 --> 00:05:44.379 And he led the nation through what we might say, on the surface, he was a very prosperous and 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:48.699 productive king because economically, they lived well. 00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:51.039 Economically, they did well. 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:53.980 They did prosper as a people. 00:05:54.519 --> 00:05:58.939 We find here that militarily, they did well. 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:04.240 They conquered and took back territory that they hadn't possessed since the days of Solomon. 00:06:04.839 --> 00:06:07.060 And we see these things. 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:11.399 So the nation prospered under Jeroboam, the son of Joash. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:14.120 On the outside, it looks really good. 00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:21.920 You know, everything politically speaking and economically and militarily, it was a time of 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:24.720 really a prosperous living. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:29.540 People had wealth, they had substance, things were turning around, you know, and oftentimes 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:33.340 we try to judge generations by how much they have. 00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:37.780 But in reality, you can have a lot of stuff and still be wicked. 00:06:38.040 --> 00:06:42.820 You can have a lot of stuff and still not, and still miss what God would have for you. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:49.200 You know, we get tied up in stuff and think that's the measure of success. 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:55.839 But we see in the life of Jeroboam that just because he had everything that everybody would 00:06:55.839 --> 00:06:58.219 want in this life didn't mean he was successful. 00:06:59.899 --> 00:07:05.240 And it's easy to get distracted even today because, you know, how often do we judge people 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:10.719 by what they possess or how successful they are in the eyes of the world to how successful 00:07:10.719 --> 00:07:11.579 a person they are? 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:15.839 You know, you can possess a lot of things and be miserable spiritually. 00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:20.459 You can possess all the things of this world and go to hell. 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:27.939 You can miss, have everything and miss the most important thing that you can have. 00:07:27.979 --> 00:07:33.059 But we know that he was a king that welded military might and political influence. 00:07:33.179 --> 00:07:39.039 It says he recovered Damascus and Amoth, both of which had been under the authority of David 00:07:39.039 --> 00:07:40.379 and Solomon. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:47.659 And his reign was centered upon the same ideological motivation that his namesake had used earlier, 00:07:48.159 --> 00:07:51.040 Jeroboam, the use of religion to control people. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:58.079 You know, throughout history, you can see that the devil loves to use religion to control people. 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:04.120 Religion can be a tool of control, but you know, God doesn't want us to control us. 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:06.759 He wants us to submit and turn to him. 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:13.920 There's a difference in that because we need, God tells us we have a choice. 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:17.480 You can't force somebody to worship God. 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:20.759 You cannot force somebody to do that. 00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:22.699 It's against their will. 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:26.019 And we understand God calls us to repentance. 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:29.920 And we're going to see that picture even here with the children of Israel. 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:36.940 You know, when we understand that his motivation, though, he kept the idolatry that was established 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:40.420 for political reasons, mainly to keep the people from going to Jerusalem. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:46.100 You know, why did the first Jeroboam set up the golden calves in Bethel and Dan? 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:47.220 What did he do that for? 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:50.200 To keep the people from going back to Jerusalem to worship. 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:52.680 He says, these are good enough, O Israel. 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:56.479 Here's the God who brought you out of Egypt. 00:08:57.539 --> 00:09:03.019 Remember, we went back and looked at when we covered Jeroboam, the first king, Jeroboam. 00:09:03.099 --> 00:09:04.079 We talked about that. 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:10.339 It's a picture of how he used what took place coming out of Egypt. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:15.139 But, you know, it's interesting that people love to do that, but they don't tell you the 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:15.779 whole story. 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:20.079 There's many people lost their lives because they worshiped the golden calf. 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:27.879 You know, we love to have this part of a story, but we see he used these things as a way to 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:35.120 keep people from worshiping in Jerusalem and cutting off that tie, both religiously and 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:35.680 politically. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:42.020 You know, when we see this dynamic, his focus was not to turn the people back to the Lord, 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:45.140 but instead to keep the people loyal to the throne. 00:09:45.300 --> 00:09:49.200 You know, that's how people use religion, is to keep people loyal. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.520 It keeps control of people. 00:09:52.140 --> 00:09:56.340 And we need to understand, especially as people who believe the Bible, we don't use the Bible 00:09:56.340 --> 00:10:00.520 to control people because we believe they ought to surrender to the conviction of the Holy 00:10:00.520 --> 00:10:02.840 Spirit and allow God to work in their lives. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:05.660 They need to be changed from the inside out. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:15.020 You know, that's the reason it's such an important dynamic that liberty that we have in Christ and 00:10:15.019 --> 00:10:19.100 His focus, though, was to keep those things and have this state-run religion. 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:21.120 You know, look back in our text here. 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:22.259 Look at verse 24. 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:24.199 As it tells us here, it says, 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:26.679 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:30.279 and he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:33.120 who made Israel to sin. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:38.299 You know, we find here that God allowed him and the kingdom to prosper, 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:45.019 even though he never once thought or concerned himself with the things of God. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:48.460 You say, well, why would God do that? 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:54.799 You know, why would God allow Jeroboam, a wicked man, a man that turned his back upon God, 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:57.180 why would God allow his reign to prosper? 00:10:57.500 --> 00:11:01.060 You know, that's a question sometimes we get frustrated with, isn't it? 00:11:01.059 --> 00:11:04.939 Lord, why are you letting somebody, a wicked person, be successful? 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:07.799 You know, I think as we look at Jeroboam's reign tonight, 00:11:07.859 --> 00:11:10.219 we're going to see that it had nothing to do with Jeroboam. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.359 It had everything to do with God. 00:11:13.079 --> 00:11:16.199 When God allows somebody that's wicked to be successful, 00:11:16.599 --> 00:11:21.279 it has everything to do with what God is doing and how God is working. 00:11:21.359 --> 00:11:24.559 Because we're going to see God was working mightily in the days of Jeroboam. 00:11:25.579 --> 00:11:28.619 We're going to see that God was doing some things. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:31.460 He was working in hearts and lives. 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:34.759 He was working through the prophets that he sent. 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:42.179 And we understand that Jeroboam here will look and see he was a fulfillment of a promise earlier from his grandfather. 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:46.320 You know, look back over into 2 Kings chapter 13 for a moment. 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:50.299 You know, if you remember over here in 2 Kings chapter 13, 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:52.120 look down here at verse 4. 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.120 And it says, 00:11:54.080 --> 00:12:13.019 You know, what took place here? 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:16.039 Well, very simply is this. 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:21.779 God raised up Jeroboam to remove the oppression that was upon the people. 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:26.259 In other words, God allowed him to be successful to remove. 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:33.659 He was fulfilling the promise that he made to his grandfather who had besought the Lord because of the oppression of the Syrians. 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:39.959 God was allowing him to be successful to push off that oppression. 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:43.240 And when he sought the Lord, God was listening. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:46.860 He was not because they merited God's kindness. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:52.879 It wasn't because they merited his mercy or God's longsuffering. 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:58.399 I want you to understand that it was because of who God is and God's promises that he allowed it. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:02.879 Because God was allowing these things to take place. 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:04.419 You know, take a look at verse 25. 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:05.360 He says, 00:13:05.459 --> 00:13:09.220 He restored the coast of Israel from the entering in of Hamath under the sea of the plain, 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:13.459 according to the word of the Lord of Israel, which spake by the hand of his servant Jonah. 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:18.679 And yes, this is the same Jonah who went to Nineveh, up to the Assyrians. 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:27.159 Later on, you're going to see the impact of Jonah's ministry in their interaction with the Assyrians. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:34.340 Jonah was the one who brought the word of the Lord to Jeroboam saying, 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:40.439 Hey, God's going to allow you to do this because of what promise he made. 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:43.699 God's going to allow these things. 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.860 God's going to do this. 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:47.539 He's going to have mercy upon you. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:54.279 And we see that as Jonah was there, this period here is recorded in more detail. 00:13:54.279 --> 00:14:04.799 You know, Jonah was the prophet that told him, but you find Amos and Hosea, both are minor prophets there. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:09.100 But you read through, they're dealing with the kings in this time period. 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:12.899 Even Isaiah is dealing with some of this. 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:17.339 And we see those prophets that God sent to declare the truth. 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:22.759 And we know that Jonah was definitely a mighty prophet in that day. 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:26.720 I mean, God didn't send him up to Nineveh just because he was timid. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:30.540 You know, we understand that Jonah had his own struggle with things. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:35.280 And we can look and understand why those things might be. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:39.519 But we know that Jonah here delivered the Lord's message to Jeroboam, 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:44.000 that he would be victorious in taking back the lands that were lost to Syria. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:49.139 You know, in doing so, that affliction would be lifted from Israel. 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:55.759 You know, this ought to cause us to pause and consider some things about God. 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:59.919 You know, when we consider some things about God as we read through this account, 00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:05.440 because you think about God's patience and mercy towards his people, 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:12.240 even though they were rejecting him in the midst of it. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:18.879 God's love and God's promise supersedes the actions of people. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:20.200 God's going to keep his word. 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:23.360 God's keeping his word to Israel. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:27.960 Even though they had rejected him, he still shows them mercy. 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:30.779 He gives them better days than they deserve. 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:33.519 He sends the prophets to warn them. 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:37.639 You know, oftentimes we don't consider that God's sending somebody 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:40.180 to tell you that you need to get right with God. 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:42.120 You ought to say that's a blessing from God. 00:15:43.439 --> 00:15:44.399 What's God desiring? 00:15:44.459 --> 00:15:45.859 He wants you to be right with him. 00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:47.779 Why'd he send somebody to tell you to get right? 00:15:47.859 --> 00:15:50.939 Or why'd he convict you with his spirit through the word of God? 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.139 Hey, to get right. 00:15:54.319 --> 00:15:58.120 That's God's mercy to repent and to turn to the Lord. 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:00.120 Or all's going to be lost. 00:16:00.239 --> 00:16:05.919 You know, the prophet Hosea stressed the compassion and mercy of God for the wicked, 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:09.319 both for the unfaithful king and for the people. 00:16:10.099 --> 00:16:14.379 You know, Hosea there, if you remember his account, he was married to an adulterous woman. 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:23.559 And that picture of him and his relationship with his wife was a picture of God's relationship to Israel. 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:27.839 And he preached through those things. 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:32.399 And his own heartbreak in his own personal marriage, 00:16:32.859 --> 00:16:36.879 the prophet declared that God loves the people who had turned away from them, 00:16:37.239 --> 00:16:40.819 those who had committed spiritual adultery against him, 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:44.319 but he would accept and forgive them if they just turned back. 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:46.939 That's what the whole book is about. 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:50.259 He's preaching here the message that, hey, turn to God. 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.240 God will forgive. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.939 Come back to God. 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:56.759 You know, look over to Hosea there, chapter 4. 00:16:57.240 --> 00:17:03.559 You know, we see here in Hosea chapter 4 and verse 1, it tells us this. 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:03.879 It says, 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:06.019 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:10.559 For the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:14.420 You know, that's a nice way of saying it, isn't it? 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:16.779 You know, you're rejecting God. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:21.680 He says, hey, we have a controversy with you. 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.700 But really it is. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.700 It is a controversy. 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:28.940 You know, they didn't want to do what God had for them. 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.500 And we see here, it says, 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:36.099 Because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.839 Hey, think about that. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:45.179 God says that I want you to come to me and I'm sending people to let you know what you're missing. 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:51.199 That you need to understand who I am and what there is about me. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:57.679 But notice here, instead of teaching truth and showing mercy or understanding God, 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.459 in verse 2 it says, 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:01.819 By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and committing adultery, 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:04.419 they break out and blood touches blood. 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:08.279 In other words, they're lying, cheating, stealing, manipulative killers. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:11.359 He says, God shows you mercy and you turn your back on him. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.940 You do exactly the opposite. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:15.279 Turn to chapter 6. 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:19.059 Chapter 6 in verse 4 says this, 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:21.779 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:27.859 Because remember, Ephraim is another name we find for the northern tribe of Israel. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:34.599 It's a picture here of a prominent tribe within. 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:38.059 And it says, O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:40.819 You know, he's still talking to Judah even. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.119 This is a lesson. 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:45.459 Judah had kings who still pointed him to the Lord. 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:49.179 And God's saying, hey, pay attention because what I'm about to do to Israel, 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:51.039 if they don't repent, it's going to happen to you. 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:54.719 God says, my judgment's coming. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:57.579 My judgment's going to be held to account. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:19:01.599 Now, and notice here it says, for your goodness is as the morning cloud, 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.419 and the early dew it goeth away. 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:09.139 You know, the dew doesn't last very long in the morning. 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:12.079 You know, for it bakes away. 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:15.639 And we see, therefore I have hewed them by the prophets. 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:18.879 I have slain them by the words of my mouth and my judgment, 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.500 as are the light that goeth forth. 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:23.399 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:26.000 and knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 00:19:26.320 --> 00:19:29.300 Now, let me put that in what we might call today. 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.360 In other words, God says, 00:19:30.800 --> 00:19:33.800 I'm more concerned about why you're doing something than what you're doing. 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:38.540 Because you can be doing all the right things for the wrong reason. 00:19:38.800 --> 00:19:40.280 God says, you can put on a show, 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.780 you can do all the right things, 00:19:41.800 --> 00:19:43.280 and everybody else is looking at you saying, 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.500 hey, you're doing all right. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:46.840 Because remember the kings of Israel did what? 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:49.600 They did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:52.360 but not with a perfect heart. 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:58.680 They did what was expected when everybody was looking, 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:01.000 but did their own thing when nobody wasn't. 00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:03.600 They wanted to do their own thing. 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.400 And we see here that verse 7, it says, 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:08.740 but they like men have transgressed the covenant, 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:12.259 and they have dealt treacherously against me. 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:15.960 You know, look over to chapter 13. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:21.200 Chapter 13 here, we find that in verse 1, 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:23.559 the prophet tells him this. 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:23.900 He says, 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:25.600 When Ephraim spake trembling, 00:20:26.120 --> 00:20:28.259 he exalted himself in Israel, 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.960 but when he offended in Baal, 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.980 he died. 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:33.740 And now they sin more and more, 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:37.440 and have made them molten images of their silver and idols, 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:39.200 according to their own understanding. 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:41.740 All of it the work of the craftsmen, 00:20:42.120 --> 00:20:43.600 they say of them, 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:46.599 let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves, 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:49.279 and therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:51.179 as the early dew that passes away, 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:54.000 as the shaft that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.919 and as the smoke out of the chimney. 00:20:56.799 --> 00:21:01.000 Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:03.219 and thou shalt know no God but me, 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:05.399 for there is no Savior beside me. 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:08.000 And you think about it, what's God telling them? 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.079 He says, 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:11.279 All your stuff just burns up into nothing 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:14.200 if you forget about who I am, 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.539 because I'm the only God. 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:17.900 You know, we like to make a lot of gods that we worship. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.960 You know, our culture today, 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:21.920 we worship money, 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.000 we worship power, 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:25.420 we worship, you know, lineage. 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:28.619 You know, this person was born of this person. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:31.400 People think that has some prominence to it. 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.700 It may in this life, 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.180 but you know, 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.880 who your parents were 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:36.000 is not going to get you to heaven. 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.400 Who your grandparents were 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.440 aren't going to get you to heaven? 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:40.380 Your children aren't going to get to heaven 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.720 if they don't know about the Savior. 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:46.080 If they don't make a choice for the Savior, 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:48.000 and we see here that 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:52.900 God's calling the people to repentance. 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:55.340 The final chance for the people to repent 00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:57.920 and turn back to God had passed. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.800 You know, we're going to see here, 00:21:58.800 --> 00:22:00.940 instead of forsaking their wicked ways, 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:03.120 they continue to commit evil 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:05.480 in every form imaginable. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:08.380 They continue to go down this road 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:10.180 away from God, 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:12.420 even though God had showed him mercy. 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.539 Have you ever heard something, 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:15.240 well, if God just did this for me, 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:16.079 I'd turn to him. 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:17.500 You know, if God just answered 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:19.200 this one prayer that I really need, 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.420 then I'll believe in him. 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.579 You know what the problem is? 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:24.980 If you don't believe God where you're at, 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.640 you're not going to believe 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.799 if he does something good for you. 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:27.460 But you know, 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.980 we have a fallacy in our mindset 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.380 that, you know, 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.839 if God just does something good for some, 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:31.420 you know, 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:33.000 then they'll turn to him. 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.420 You know, I want you to understand, 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:36.420 the Bible tells us that's not the case. 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:40.200 You think about Israel. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:44.319 They were the most prosperous they had been 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:47.299 since the division of the kingdom 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.279 under Jeroboam, 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.220 the son of Joash. 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:53.039 They took more land, 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:54.119 held more territory, 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.460 threw off the oppressors, 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.779 had more money, 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:59.140 had more resources, 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:01.359 had everything was more profitable, 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:03.639 economically, politically, militarily. 00:23:03.719 --> 00:23:05.659 Everything was going just smoothly 00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:07.019 the way they thought it was going to be. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.099 And you know what? 00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:10.339 They went farther and farther away from God 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:13.459 instead of closer and closer to him. 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:16.439 They continued to reject 00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:19.419 those things of God. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:21.259 You know, take a look over to Amos, 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:24.059 the prophet Amos there in chapter 2. 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:27.059 And as he's describing this dynamic 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.839 that's taking place, 00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:30.139 look here in verse 6, 00:23:30.219 --> 00:23:30.879 it says this, 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:32.100 Thus saith the Lord, 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:35.180 For three transgressions of Israel, 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.820 and for four I will not turn away 00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:38.180 the punishment thereof. 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.280 Because they, 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.280 notice what they were doing, 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.740 why they had all this prosperity. 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:44.620 They sold the righteous for silver, 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:46.400 and the poor for a pair of shoes. 00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:48.880 That pant after the dust of the earth 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:50.920 on the head of the poor, 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:54.080 and turn aside the way of the meek, 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.560 and a man and his father 00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:56.880 would go into the same maid 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:58.420 to profane my holy name. 00:23:58.420 --> 00:24:01.200 And they lay themselves down upon clothes 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:03.500 laid to pledge by every altar, 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.320 and they drink the wine of the condemned 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:07.380 in the house of their God. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:08.640 Think about that for a moment. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:11.080 They oppress the poor. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:13.360 They don't do justly. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.320 In other words, 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:19.100 they're modifying the judicial system for advantage, 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:22.079 and immorality was rampant. 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.379 Doesn't sound far from today, 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:23.779 does it? 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:27.319 When you see this dynamic taking place, 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:27.599 you know, 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:29.339 look here in Amos chapter 4. 00:24:29.939 --> 00:24:30.179 You know, 00:24:30.219 --> 00:24:32.519 notice what he says here in verse 1 of chapter 4. 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:32.759 It says, 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:43.140 You know, 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:45.319 the people loved wealth more than kindness. 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.579 Hey, 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.740 let's just have a good time. 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.140 You know, 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:49.099 as you read through the days of Jeroboam, 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:51.000 it's amazing that it's very similar 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:54.279 to where even our culture is today. 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.619 Whatever it is, 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.759 so I can have a good time, 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.839 that's all we're looking for. 00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:02.299 Stock market's doing good. 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.759 My retirement's doing good. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.799 And this is doing good. 00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.899 And that's doing good. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:08.319 And let's just party and have a good time. 00:25:08.659 --> 00:25:12.500 And we'll ignore what the foundation that got us here. 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:14.599 We're going to do what we want to do. 00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.119 Culturally, 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:21.099 they have all these things that are counter to the things of God. 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:21.559 You know, 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.139 look over to Amos chapter 6. 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.980 What he tells them here, 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.619 he says this, 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:25.980 he says, 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:28.059 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.659 and trust in the mountain of Samaria, 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:32.059 which are named chief of the nations 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:33.859 to whom the house of Israel came. 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:34.740 You know, 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.720 look down at verse 3. 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.099 It says, 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:38.799 Ye that put far away the evil day 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:41.299 and caused the seed of violence to come near 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:43.519 that lie upon the beds of ivory 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:45.679 and stretch themselves upon their couches 00:25:45.679 --> 00:25:47.279 and eat the lambs out of the flock 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:49.099 and the calves out of the midst of the stall 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:51.440 that chant to the sound of the vial 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:55.339 and invent to themselves instruments of music like David. 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:57.399 They drink the wine in bowls 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:59.480 and anoint themselves with the chief ointments, 00:25:59.679 --> 00:26:02.879 but they are not greed for the affliction of Joseph. 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.339 Let me sum that up for you. 00:26:04.399 --> 00:26:05.439 They want to have a good time 00:26:05.439 --> 00:26:07.059 and don't care whether it's sinning or not. 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:09.240 There's no fear of God before their eyes. 00:26:10.699 --> 00:26:13.179 They could care less what God had to say about it. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:15.939 You might say this is a party generation 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:17.279 before the party generation. 00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:20.980 They had no thought of what the next day may bring. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:24.460 You know, you consider the dynamic here, the ease. 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:27.259 They appreciated the ease of things 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:29.380 was more important than righteous character. 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.740 You know, when you get to heaven, 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.559 God doesn't care what you possessed here. 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.019 There's only one thing gonna matter 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:35.440 and that's what you've done with Christ. 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:37.980 And when we understand that importance, 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:39.759 as a result, we're gonna see here 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:42.500 that God was left with no choice 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:44.980 for the people had proven they would not repent. 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:48.140 They would never live righteous lives 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:52.480 or build a peaceful, compassionate, and just society. 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:55.280 Judgment was now gonna begin to fall upon the nation. 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:59.120 And as we're gonna see at the end of the reign of Jeroboam, 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:01.400 the end of the nation was coming quickly. 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:06.960 The fall of Israel and the northern tribes, 00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:08.759 it wasn't gonna be very many years, 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:15.040 less than a generation before Assyria would come 00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:16.100 and take them away. 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:19.240 God had been patient these many years with them. 00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.859 And but we're gonna see here 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:23.899 that judgment was gonna fall upon the nations. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:27.319 Using other nations as the instruments of his judgment, 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:29.319 God allowed the Assyrians to come 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:32.179 and destroy the northern kingdom of Israel. 00:27:33.659 --> 00:27:37.459 You know, Jeroboam died leaving a prosperous kingdom 00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:39.519 to his son, Zechariah. 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:42.000 But you know, within six months, 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:43.299 there was already upheaval 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:45.240 and there was somebody else on the throne. 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:48.980 His son was killed in the streets. 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.859 When we see this dynamic 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:53.099 that they turned their back on God 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:56.139 and we see that the lesson here is very simple. 00:27:57.219 --> 00:28:00.359 There's an important lesson of the life of Jeroboam 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:01.619 and even the children of Israel, 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:02.740 but also for Judah, 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:06.679 who was gonna continue on that same path. 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:09.539 They would have fewer and fewer good kings 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.599 in the coming years. 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:13.779 You'll find they go from great kings 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:16.219 to totally rebellious kings. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:16.879 And you know what? 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:17.939 God's saying, hey guys, 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.959 you should have been paying attention 00:28:18.959 --> 00:28:21.000 to what I did to your brethren up in Israel. 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.799 And you know what? 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:23.299 They did the same thing many people do. 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:24.159 Oh, that was them. 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.179 It doesn't affect me. 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.480 You know? 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.480 It's kind of like we get the, 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:31.620 get out of jail free card. 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:31.940 You know? 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:33.480 We run around, 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.680 this doesn't apply to me. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.680 You know, they deserved it, 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.339 but I don't. 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.779 And we see this lesson. 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:41.019 It was recorded for us even today. 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.140 You know, look over to the New Testament. 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:44.220 Go to Romans chapter 15 for a moment. 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:46.839 That's what Romans 15 tells us here in verse four. 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:47.720 It says, 00:28:47.720 --> 00:29:01.240 You know, one thing about it, 00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:02.960 we can learn a lot about God 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:06.500 because reading through Kings and Chronicles, 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:08.660 we find that God definitely showed himself 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.480 to be patient. 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:12.779 God showed himself to be compassionate. 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:15.940 God showed himself to be plenteous in mercy. 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:18.100 When he tolerated the rejection 00:29:18.100 --> 00:29:21.660 of those that he had blessed so much, 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:23.779 he had brought them out of the oppression of Egypt, 00:29:24.600 --> 00:29:27.080 brought them into a land 00:29:27.080 --> 00:29:30.279 that was plentiful. 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:33.380 And we see where they came down to. 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.740 And I want you to understand, 00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:36.440 it's a picture, a lesson for us 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:38.880 because today God's long-suffering 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:40.200 and compassionate with us. 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:41.360 You know, the problem is, 00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:42.840 is we have a lot of people who preach 00:29:42.840 --> 00:29:44.279 that yeah, God's compassionate 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:46.160 and God's long-suffering, 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.460 but they forget the other part. 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:49.240 God's patience runs out. 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.839 God may be merciful. 00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:55.599 He might allow things to go on for a long time, 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.500 but it's coming a day 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.940 when God's gonna hold to account. 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:02.160 Why does God allow those things to take place? 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:04.160 Why does he allow the wicked to prosper? 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:07.299 Because God's still having mercy upon everybody. 00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:10.039 He's having mercy for us. 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:12.940 And consider how patient God is with us today. 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:15.200 You know, think about our society today in America. 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:18.759 You know, we ought to be thankful God's merciful, 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:20.379 that God's long-suffering. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:22.740 When you consider that our nation, the world, 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:26.440 even the evil and lawlessness that abounds, 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.920 even things that you read on the news, 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:29.420 or you hear on the news, 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:33.099 even the day where you got some young man 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:35.119 who gets all confused and caught up 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:37.019 in the evil of this world, 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:38.459 and he goes and kills others. 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.500 You know, people say, 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:43.479 what's going on there? 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:45.419 I want you to understand that's just, 00:30:45.979 --> 00:30:47.179 God's holding to account. 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.500 God will hold to account, 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.699 but we ought to be thankful 00:30:49.699 --> 00:30:51.819 that God doesn't give us all what we deserve 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:53.019 the moment we deserve it. 00:30:53.239 --> 00:30:55.619 His patience with our sin and wickedness, 00:30:55.699 --> 00:30:56.639 the false worship, 00:30:57.219 --> 00:30:58.819 the rejection of God, 00:30:59.699 --> 00:31:01.539 just as we'll all see with Israel, 00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:03.479 one day the clock is gonna run out. 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:06.539 But yet today we have an opportunity to be forgiven. 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:09.660 You know, today people have an opportunity 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:11.900 to receive a pardon from God 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:13.319 for the choices that they've made, 00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:15.740 for the things that they've done. 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:19.039 You know, when we understand that picture, 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:21.000 turn to Psalm 78 for a moment. 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.740 You know, is this something important for us? 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.220 Even if you're saved, 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:25.420 it's important to keep in mind, 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:27.259 why does God allow some of these things? 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.319 I want you to understand 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:29.799 because God's long-suffering. 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:33.059 He allows some things. 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:35.779 He allows evil to look like it's prospering 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:39.059 for the benefit of you and I even. 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:42.319 For others to be able to come to Him. 00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:44.619 Notice what it tells in Psalm 78. 00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:45.759 Look down at verse 38. 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.079 It says this, 00:31:47.179 --> 00:31:49.079 but He, being full of compassion, 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:52.700 forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not. 00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:55.480 Yea, many a time turned He His anger away 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:59.480 and did not stir up all His wrath. 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:03.960 You know, sometimes I think we hold an opinion like this 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:05.900 of saying, you know, why doesn't God judge? 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:07.500 I don't think we understand God's wrath. 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:11.039 If God pours out all His wrath, we're in trouble. 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.420 If you want to see a picture 00:32:12.420 --> 00:32:14.440 of what God's wrath being poured out, 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:16.000 you can read through the book of Revelation 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:17.940 where it talks about God pouring out 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.960 the bowls of judgment. 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:22.339 When we understand what's being seen here, 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:24.819 go over a few pages to Psalm 86. 00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:29.299 Psalm 86, look down here at verse 15. 00:32:29.639 --> 00:32:31.000 The Word of God tells us this. 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:31.359 He says, 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:35.259 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:38.099 and gracious and longsuffering 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:41.879 and plenteous in mercy and truth. 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:43.000 You know, I want you to understand, 00:32:43.139 --> 00:32:45.359 God's graciousness, His longsuffering, 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.740 benefits us too. 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:50.619 God being gracious even to us and to others 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.859 because, you know what, 00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:53.720 God wants people to come to Him. 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.740 He's given them opportunity. 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:56.579 Why did He extend this to Israel? 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:58.660 Under the days of Jeroboam, 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:58.960 He says, 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.420 Hey guys, I want to get your attention 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:02.779 and see if you'll come to Me. 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:05.279 He had them under oppression. 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.460 He had them under blessing. 00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:07.980 You know, under both, they did what? 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.799 They rejected Him. 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:12.819 So it has nothing to do with the conditions. 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:15.759 It has everything to do with how people look 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:17.059 and consider who God is. 00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:19.220 You know, look over to the prophet Joel for a moment. 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.579 Joel chapter 2. 00:33:20.900 --> 00:33:22.900 You know, look what it tells us here in verse 13. 00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.500 It says, 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:26.759 And rend your heart and not your garments. 00:33:28.060 --> 00:33:29.280 Now, that's a phrase. 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:30.920 We don't rend garments today usually, 00:33:31.060 --> 00:33:37.060 but it was a sign of either great misery 00:33:37.060 --> 00:33:38.140 or even repent. 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:40.140 You'll see them tear their garment. 00:33:40.280 --> 00:33:41.940 You'll see even when Jonah went to Nineveh, 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.400 what they do, 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.660 they took their garments off 00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:45.759 and sat in sackcloth and ashes. 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.900 You know, it's a picture here. 00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:50.620 It says to rend your heart, not your garments. 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:52.000 Don't put on a big show, 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:55.539 but have it impact you inside. 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.339 Notice what it says here. 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:59.259 And turn to the Lord your God, 00:34:00.479 --> 00:34:02.859 for He is gracious and merciful, 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:04.859 slow to anger and of great kindness, 00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:07.639 and repenteth Him of the evil. 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:10.940 You know, God's going to hold to account. 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.839 Sin's going to run its course, 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.519 and sin's going to end in destruction. 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:19.239 There's going to be terrible destruction, 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.079 but we need to understand, 00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:22.719 why is God merciful? 00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:25.519 Look over at Lamentations chapter 3. 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.860 Lamentations chapter 3. 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:29.039 You know, Lamentations, 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:31.300 here Jeremiah the prophet 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:33.000 tells us something very important. 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:36.960 Notice what he says down in verse 22. 00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:38.820 I want you to think about this statement 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:39.539 as we read it. 00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:40.320 Notice what it says. 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:40.639 It says, 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:48.519 You know, we've got to be thankful God's merciful. 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.219 It says, 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.879 Because His compassion is what? 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:52.859 They fail not. 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:55.739 They are new every morning. 00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:58.839 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:00.420 You know, when we look at Israel 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.319 in the Old Testament, 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:02.359 and we look at the kings, 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:05.400 we can see and understand God's faithfulness. 00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:07.660 When God makes a promise, 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:08.920 He always keeps His promise. 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:11.500 You know, that's important 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.820 when you consider salvation, 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:14.500 because salvation is built upon 00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.539 the promise of God. 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:18.539 It's built upon what He said, 00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.420 what He accomplished, 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:20.460 and what He's done. 00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:21.260 And He says, 00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:23.180 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord 00:35:23.180 --> 00:35:24.019 shall be saved. 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.840 When you call upon the Lord, 00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:26.240 what are you doing? 00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:27.720 You're calling upon His promise. 00:35:27.820 --> 00:35:28.099 He says, 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:29.680 I've taken care of it, 00:35:29.740 --> 00:35:31.119 and I will forgive you 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:32.720 because I've taken care of it 00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:33.639 if you'll turn to me. 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.900 He makes it very clear 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:38.579 the why about it. 00:35:39.780 --> 00:35:40.639 You know, look back over 00:35:40.639 --> 00:35:41.280 in the New Testament. 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.920 Go to 2 Peter chapter 3. 00:35:43.200 --> 00:35:44.380 Look down at verse 9. 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:44.920 It says, 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:46.139 The Lord is not slack 00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:47.500 concerning His promise, 00:35:48.220 --> 00:35:50.340 as some men count slackness. 00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:52.740 You know what? 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:54.340 Sometimes when God allows things 00:35:54.340 --> 00:35:55.180 to take place, 00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:55.559 we say, 00:35:55.680 --> 00:35:57.260 well, why is God allowing that? 00:35:57.320 --> 00:35:59.059 Why is God slack about that? 00:35:59.059 --> 00:35:59.960 Notice what it says, 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:01.680 But as long-suffering to us, 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:02.820 we're not willing that, 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:05.059 what, any should perish, 00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:05.699 but what? 00:36:05.779 --> 00:36:09.119 That all should come to repentance. 00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:11.719 You know, 00:36:11.779 --> 00:36:13.340 why does God allow things 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:14.340 to go on sometimes? 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.480 Because He's working 00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.199 in the background 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:17.559 to lead everybody 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:19.239 to have an opportunity 00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:20.980 to turn to Him. 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:22.400 The reality is, 00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:23.400 is everybody going to turn to Him? 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:24.219 No, but you know what? 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:25.860 God doesn't want, 00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:28.179 nobody's going to stand before God 00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:28.440 and say, 00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:29.320 God, you didn't give me 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:29.900 an opportunity. 00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:32.219 Nobody's going to stand 00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:33.360 before God and say, 00:36:33.360 --> 00:36:35.340 well, I didn't know about that. 00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:36.800 You know, the Bible tells us 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:38.340 very clearly in the book of Romans 00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:40.019 that our conscience bears witness. 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:42.039 We understand that there's a God. 00:36:42.140 --> 00:36:43.460 We understand that there's right 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.079 and wrong. 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.940 Now, we might have a warped conscience 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:47.039 and have a wrong picture 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.720 of right and wrong, 00:36:47.800 --> 00:36:49.019 but it's amazing how many people, 00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.320 have you ever met somebody 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:50.820 who doesn't know 00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:51.539 there's right and wrong? 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:52.620 Because no matter what, 00:36:52.680 --> 00:36:54.039 even if it's a wrong idea 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:54.640 about something, 00:36:54.720 --> 00:36:55.960 they believe there's something right 00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:56.860 and there's something wrong. 00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:59.120 They have a conscience 00:36:59.120 --> 00:36:59.900 that's operating. 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:03.360 They know by nature 00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:04.579 that there's things that are right 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:05.519 and there's things that are wrong. 00:37:05.780 --> 00:37:06.320 What is that? 00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:07.620 That's God telling them 00:37:07.620 --> 00:37:08.460 and revealing to them, 00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:09.539 yes, there's accountability 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:10.720 for your choices. 00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:12.099 There's accountability 00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:13.160 for your sin. 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.519 And God's not willing 00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.800 that any should perish, 00:37:16.120 --> 00:37:18.559 but that all should come 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.860 to repentance. 00:37:20.640 --> 00:37:22.300 And so we see this great picture 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:24.079 even in the days of Jeroboam 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:25.460 as God is working 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:29.360 by having mercy on them. 00:37:30.319 --> 00:37:31.799 Even in their prosperity, 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.900 they rejected Him. 00:37:33.299 --> 00:37:34.900 And when they were oppressed, 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:36.099 they rejected Him. 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:39.199 But God's still merciful to them. 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:41.579 God's still merciful to us. 00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:44.019 We can be thankful 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:46.500 for God's mercies 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:48.039 because without it, 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:50.659 we would all be consumed. 00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:53.679 As we look at the life 00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.500 of Jeroboam, 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.339 and we're going to see 00:37:55.339 --> 00:37:58.839 as his dynasty ends 00:37:58.839 --> 00:38:00.199 very quickly 00:38:00.199 --> 00:38:01.940 under his son, Zechariah, 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.799 lasts six months 00:38:03.799 --> 00:38:06.159 before Shalom comes 00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:07.719 and kills him in the street 00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:10.119 and takes the throne. 00:38:11.399 --> 00:38:13.480 And then it's a constant downward 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:16.859 spiral within the nation 00:38:16.860 --> 00:38:18.760 of conspiracy 00:38:18.760 --> 00:38:20.620 and overthrow 00:38:20.620 --> 00:38:23.240 until the Assyrians come 00:38:23.240 --> 00:38:24.160 and God takes them 00:38:24.160 --> 00:38:24.960 into captivity. 00:38:25.680 --> 00:38:26.660 The first step 00:38:26.660 --> 00:38:27.400 of the captivity. 00:38:27.800 --> 00:38:29.460 And we'll look at that here 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:31.240 in the weeks to come. 00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:32.640 But just remember 00:38:32.640 --> 00:38:33.660 that we can be thankful 00:38:33.660 --> 00:38:35.360 that we have a merciful God 00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:38.039 that gives us a chance 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.740 and desire 00:38:38.740 --> 00:38:39.780 for us to come 00:38:39.780 --> 00:38:41.559 to Him. 00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:42.680 Let's pray. 00:38:42.780 --> 00:38:43.260 Heavenly Fathers, 00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:44.500 we just thank You 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.099 for Your Word. 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:45.639 We're thankful 00:38:45.639 --> 00:38:46.960 for Your compassion.