WEBVTT

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 We've got quite a long scripture reading today.

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 We've got two different readings.

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! One's quite long and then one's very short.

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 The first one's from Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

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 Near the end of that book, chapter 47, verses 29,

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 and then into chapter 48 to verse 22.

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 And then after I've read the big Genesis passage,

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 I'm going to read a short passage from Hebrews.

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 So there's Bibles at the back of the church.

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 If you don't have a Bible,

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 you're very free to get up and get one whenever you like.

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 The words will also be on the screen,

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 and they're in the bulletin.

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 This is Genesis 47, 29 to 48, 22.

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 And he said, Swear to me.

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 And he swore to him.

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 Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed.

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 After this, Joseph was told, Behold, your father is ill.

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 So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

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 And it was told to Jacob, Your son Joseph has come to you.

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 Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed.

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 And Jacob said to Joseph,

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 God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the battle of Canaan,

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 in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

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 and said to me, Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you.

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 And I will make of you a company of peoples,

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 and will give this land to your offspring after you

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 for an everlasting possession.

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 And now your two sons who were born to you

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 in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt are mine.

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 Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine,

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 as Reuben and Simeon are.

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 And the children that you fathered after them shall be yours.

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 They shall be called by the name of their brothers

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 in their inheritance.

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 As for me, when I came from Paddan,

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 to my sorrow, Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way,

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 when there was still some distance to go to Ephraim.

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 And I buried her there on the way to Ephraim.

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 Ephraim, that is Bethlehem.

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 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said,

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 Who are these?

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 And Joseph said to his father,

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 They are my sons whom God has given me here.

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 And he said, Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.

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 Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age,

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 so that he could not see.

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 So Joseph brought them near him,

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 and kissed him, and embraced them.

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 And Israel said to Joseph,

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 I never expected to see your face.

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 And behold, God has let me see your offspring also.

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 Then Joseph removed them from his knees,

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 and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

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 And Joseph took them both,

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 Ephraim in his right, towards Israel's left hand,

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 and Manasseh in his left hand towards Israel's right hand,

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 and brought them near to him.

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 And Israel stretched out his right hand

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 and laid it on the head of Ephraim,

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 who was the younger,

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 and his left hand on the head of Manasseh,

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 crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

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 And he blessed Joseph and said,

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 The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,

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 the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,

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 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil,

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 bless the boys,

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 and in them let my name be carried on,

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 and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac,

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 and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

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 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand

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 on the head of Ephraim,

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 it displeased him.

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 And he took his father's hand

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 and moved it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.

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 And Joseph said to his father,

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 Not this way, my father,

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 since this one is the firstborn,

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 but your right hand,

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 put your right hand on his head.

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 But his father refused and said,

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 I know, my son, I know.

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 He also shall become a people,

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 and he also shall be great.

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 Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he,

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 and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.

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 So he blessed them that day,

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 saying,

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 By you, Israel,

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 will pronounce blessings,

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 saying,

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 God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh.

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 Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

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 Then Israel said to Joseph,

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 Behold, I'm about to die,

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 but your God will be with you

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 and will bring you again to the land of your fathers.

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 Moreover, I have given to you,

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 rather than to your brothers,

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 one mountain slope that I took

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 from the hand of the Amorites

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 with my sword and with my bow.

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 And in Hebrews chapter 11,

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 verses 20 to 22.

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 By faith, Isaac invoked future blessings

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 on Jacob and Esau.

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 By faith, Jacob, when dying,

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 blessed each of the sons of Joseph,

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 bowing in worship over the head of his staff.

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 By faith, Joseph, at the end of his life,

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 made mention of the exodus of the Israelites

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 and gave direction concerning his bones.

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 Well, as Chris indicated,

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 we're working our way through Hebrews chapter 11,

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 and we come this evening to verses 20, 21, and 22.

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 By faith, Isaac invoked future blessings

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 on Jacob and Esau.

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 By faith, Jacob, when dying,

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 blessed each of the sons of Joseph,

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 bowing in worship over the head of his staff.

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 By faith, Joseph, at the end of his life,

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 made mention of the exodus of the Israelites

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 and gave directions concerning his bones.

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 It's been described as one of the most compelling works

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 of Christian devotion, published in 1650.

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 The Saints' Everlasting Rest

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 by the Puritan minister Richard Baxter.

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 Baxter is a book that has really stood the test of time.

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 That's not true of all Baxter's writings.

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 But it was written when Baxter himself was gravely ill

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 and thought he should die.

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 He was in his early 30s, I think around 31,

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 and he began to write his own funeral sermon,

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 a gathering of his final thoughts

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 to preach to himself as death approached.

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 He told his parishioners at Kidderminster,

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 far from home, cast into extreme languishing

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 by the sudden loss of about a gallon of blood,

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 I bent my thoughts on my everlasting rest.

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 And the book is essentially a reflection

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 on the text of Hebrews 4 verse 9.

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 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

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 It's a book about the glory of heaven.

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 Or as it states on the title page,

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 a treatise of the blessed state of the saints

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 in their enjoyment of God in glory.

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 And Baxter encourages his readers

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 to think and meditate often

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 on the delights and pleasures

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 of the new heaven and earth.

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 Our everlasting comfort is to be found

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 in the enjoyment and possession

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 of the living God.

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 And it's perhaps hard to think

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 of anything more counter-cultural than that.

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 For thoughts of heaven and glory

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 are remarkably rare in the contemporary church.

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 Bruce Mill, a Scottish Baptist minister,

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 wrote these words,

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 This is a serious situation

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 because Christianity,

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 as reflected in the foundational documents

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 of the New Testament,

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 is consistently orientated

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 towards its heavenly hope.

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 If I can put it this way,

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 the life of faith

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 is always the life of heavenly hope.

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 And that's part of what we see

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 in our text this evening.

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 Hebrews 11, verses 20 through 22,

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 our attention is drawn

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 to the immediate descendants of Abraham,

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 Isaac, Jacob, and then Joseph.

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 Indeed, their stories run

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 in the book of Genesis,

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 from Genesis 21

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 to the death of Joseph in Genesis 50,

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 over half the book.

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 And yet, surprisingly,

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 in this great chapter

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 that's all about faith,

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 living by faith,

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 the author of Hebrews

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 chooses to highlight

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 not Isaac's willingness,

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 as Chris reminded us last week,

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 to be laid on the altar

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 as a sacrifice,

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 nor Jacob's wrestling with God

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 at the Jabbok River,

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 nor Joseph's resisting of temptation

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 in the house of Potiphar.

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 These great dramatic acts of faith

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 are not his focus.

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 Instead, to illustrate faith,

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 our author takes us to three scenes

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 at the close of these individuals'

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 earthly lives.

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 He was wanting to show us

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 how these men faced death,

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 how they persevered

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 in the life of faith

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 to the very end.

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 They each continued

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 to hold on to

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 the promise of God.

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 In verse 13 of the chapter,

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 he says,

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 these all died in faith,

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 not having received

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 the things promised,

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 but having seen them

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 and greeted them

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 from afar,

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 and having acknowledged

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 that they were strangers

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 and exiles on earth.

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 And so, what we have

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 in these verses

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 are three very brief portraits

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 of mature faith.

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 Three men looking forward

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 in faith,

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 trusting in God's promises

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 right to the end

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 of their lives.

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 Here are these men

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 looking to the future

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 with God.

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 And as we consider

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 these verses tonight,

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 let me highlight

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 three things

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 about their forward-looking faith.

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 Their faith in the future

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 that God had for them

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 and their descendants.

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 And the first thing

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 I want you to notice with me

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 is that their faith

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 is faith in the God

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 of surprising ways.

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 By faith, we're told,

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 Isaac invoked future blessings

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 on Jacob and Esau.

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 And so, the writer's

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 taking us back

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 to Genesis chapter 27,

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 those events surrounding

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 the blessing of Jacob and Esau.

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 Both these sons are blessed.

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 But it's a famous story

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 because Isaac is deceived

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 in that story

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 into giving Jacob

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 the primary blessing

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 rather than Isaac's eldest son, Esau.

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 Back in Genesis 25,

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 God speaks to Rebekah, Isaac's wife.

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 Two nations are in your womb.

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 Two peoples from within you

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 shall be divided.

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 The one shall be stronger

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 than the other.

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 The older shall serve the younger.

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 That's Genesis 25-23.

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 And this is what God

00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:14.580
 decreed would happen.

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 That's a kind of reversal

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 of social and cultural expectation.

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 It's a reminder

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 that God Himself

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 does not conform Himself

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 to human standards

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 or conventions.

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 And as the story unfolds,

00:12:33.479 --> 00:12:35.539
 Isaac pursues really

00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.459
 his own agenda.

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 Esau is his firstborn,

00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:40.719
 his favorite.

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 Tradition demanded

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 that he would receive

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 what was known

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 as the birthright,

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 receiving a double portion

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 of the inheritance,

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 assuming leadership

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 of the family

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 upon the father's death.

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 But as the story again

00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.480
 is unfolds,

00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:58.740
 Esau despised that birthright

00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:00.579
 and sold it to Jacob

00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:02.860
 for a bowl of stew.

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 But despite that,

00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:07.779
 Isaac resolves

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 to formally bless Esau

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 before he dies.

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 And he really acts

00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.360
 in rebellion

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 against what God

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 had decreed.

00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:19.240
 It appears not a very

00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:22.600
 good example of faith

00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:24.779
 because his actions

00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:26.419
 really fly in the face

00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.759
 of what God

00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:29.220
 has revealed to him.

00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.319
 He chooses to do things

00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:31.860
 His way.

00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:33.199
 The blessing must go

00:13:33.199 --> 00:13:34.879
 to the eldest, Esau.

00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:37.720
 But God, of course,

00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:38.659
 has other ideas.

00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:40.259
 And through a combination

00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:42.000
 in Genesis 27

00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.719
 of Isaac's poor eyesight,

00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:47.719
 Rebekah and Jacob's machinations,

00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:49.879
 Isaac is deceived

00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:52.279
 into blessing Jacob

00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:53.600
 rather than Esau.

00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.860
 When Esau eventually

00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.019
 appears on the scene,

00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.419
 it's too late.

00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:01.959
 We read in Genesis 27, 33,

00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.120
 Isaac trembled

00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.819
 very violently and said,

00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.959
 Who was it then

00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:07.000
 that hunted game

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.220
 and brought it to me?

00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:09.379
 And I ate it all

00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.379
 before you came

00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.559
 and I have blessed him.

00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:13.960
 Yes, and he shall be blessed.

00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:18.019
 Isaac's eyes were dim,

00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:20.720
 but even he could see

00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.840
 the providence of God.

00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.399
 In Genesis 27,

00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.259
 he doesn't revoke

00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:25.860
 that blessing.

00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.779
 He doesn't renounce Jacob.

00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.399
 He doesn't express

00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.659
 any condemnation.

00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:32.679
 He makes no actual attempt

00:14:32.679 --> 00:14:33.600
 to change anything.

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.039
 He simply accepts

00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.919
 what God has done.

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.379
 Because he's been outwitted,

00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:40.879
 not by Rebekah and Jacob,

00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:43.139
 but by God.

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:45.960
 The God of surprising ways.

00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.639
 This is what God

00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.919
 had decreed would happen.

00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.100
 And this is the mysterious

00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.019
 will of God.

00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.639
 Isaac doesn't argue about it.

00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.860
 He simply accepts it.

00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:58.000
 His accidental blessing

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.740
 of Jacob is repeated

00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:01.080
 in a more willing fashion

00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.440
 in the following chapter.

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.700
 Chapter 28,

00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.039
 God Almighty,

00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:05.980
 Isaac tells Jacob,

00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:06.679
 God Almighty,

00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.339
 bless you,

00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:08.319
 make you fruitful,

00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.459
 multiply you,

00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:10.459
 that you may become

00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.439
 a company of peoples.

00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.719
 May he give the blessing

00:15:12.719 --> 00:15:14.079
 of Abraham to you,

00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:15.579
 to your offspring with you,

00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.919
 that you may take possession

00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.679
 of the land

00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:19.099
 of your sojournings

00:15:19.099 --> 00:15:20.740
 that God gave to Abraham.

00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:21.939
 And so,

00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.779
 against the social convention

00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.419
 of his day,

00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.719
 even against his own

00:15:25.719 --> 00:15:26.039
 inclinations,

00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.199
 Isaac comes to

00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:29.199
 willingly bless

00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:30.139
 the younger

00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:31.360
 before the older.

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:33.539
 And that is faith.

00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.840
 Because it recognizes

00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:37.300
 that God is God.

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.460
 That he works

00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:40.200
 in his own way.

00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:41.980
 His plans and purposes

00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:43.600
 cannot be thwarted.

00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.399
 He can be trusted

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:47.600
 to accomplish his purposes

00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:49.019
 even when things

00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.259
 don't go according

00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.720
 to our plans.

00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.600
 And that is something

00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.940
 that we come to learn

00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:56.340
 in the life of faith.

00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.600
 God fulfills his promises

00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:01.300
 in his own way.

00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:05.340
 Abraham is promised

00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.379
 to be the father

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.279
 of a great nation.

00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:08.399
 His wife, Sarah,

00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:09.300
 is barren.

00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.580
 She can have no children.

00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.639
 Well, I don't think

00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.300
 it could be made

00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.220
 any clearer

00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.759
 that the fulfillment

00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.120
 of this promise

00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.940
 lies really

00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:20.399
 in God's hands alone.

00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.379
 The family line

00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.340
 would be expected,

00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:23.720
 of course,

00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.279
 to come through

00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.560
 the firstborn male,

00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:26.860
 but instead it's,

00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.680
 instead of Ishmael,

00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:28.340
 it's Isaac.

00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.300
 Instead of Esau,

00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:29.940
 it's Jacob.

00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.960
 Instead of Reuben,

00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:31.700
 it's Joseph.

00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:33.300
 Because he is the God

00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:34.899
 of surprising ways.

00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:36.660
 And we see this

00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.639
 in the following verse,

00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.340
 which references

00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:41.160
 and which Chris read for us,

00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.940
 Jacob blessing

00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:42.940
 the sons of Joseph

00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.379
 in Genesis 48.

00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.440
 By faith,

00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:45.920
 Jacob,

00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.700
 when dying,

00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:47.720
 blessed each

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.720
 of the sons of Joseph.

00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:50.759
 And in that chapter,

00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:51.960
 as we read it,

00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.080
 while the act of blessing

00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.120
 was taking place,

00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:56.139
 Jacob crosses his hands

00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:57.460
 and blesses Ephraim,

00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.000
 the younger,

00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.280
 before Manasseh,

00:16:59.379 --> 00:16:59.960
 the older.

00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:02.300
 And this is God's choice.

00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.220
 This choosing

00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.340
 of the younger brother

00:17:05.340 --> 00:17:06.980
 is really a pattern,

00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:07.660
 a motif,

00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:08.759
 that we see right

00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.660
 throughout Genesis

00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.600
 and indeed

00:17:10.600 --> 00:17:11.779
 in many other parts

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.440
 of the Bible.

00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.600
 Because God is not bound

00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:16.240
 by human convention

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.740
 and man-made tradition.

00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.640
 He is a God

00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.460
 of surprising ways.

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:24.160
 His hands often bless

00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:25.079
 the most surprising

00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.680
 of people.

00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:28.420
 He chooses David

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.980
 above his brothers.

00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.299
 He chooses

00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:33.019
 a persecutor Saul

00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.680
 to become an apostle

00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:36.180
 and a missionary

00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.460
 to the Gentiles.

00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.740
 You never know

00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.840
 what God will do

00:17:39.840 --> 00:17:42.420
 in one sense.

00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.500
 We look to Manasseh,

00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:46.180
 and God does a greater work

00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:46.840
 through Ephraim.

00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:48.039
 We look to the strong,

00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:49.419
 God chooses the weak.

00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:51.359
 Remember Paul's words

00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.500
 to the church

00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.240
 in Corinth,

00:17:53.699 --> 00:17:54.859
 1 Corinthians 1,

00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.919
 Consider your calling,

00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.319
 brothers.

00:17:57.459 --> 00:17:58.379
 Not many of you

00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:59.079
 were wise

00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.959
 according to worldly standards.

00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.459
 Not many were powerful.

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:04.379
 Not many were of noble birth.

00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.519
 But God chose

00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.459
 what is foolish

00:18:06.459 --> 00:18:07.359
 in the world

00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.639
 to shame the wise.

00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:09.519
 God chose

00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.119
 what is weak

00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.679
 in the world

00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:11.879
 to shame the strong.

00:18:12.179 --> 00:18:12.759
 God chose

00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.519
 what is low

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.400
 and despised

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.920
 in the world,

00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:16.579
 even things that are not,

00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.079
 to bring to nothing

00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.000
 things that are,

00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:21.980
 so that no human being

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.220
 might boast

00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.259
 in the presence

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.139
 of God.

00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:30.000
 No human being

00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.700
 can boast

00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.599
 in the presence

00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.339
 of God.

00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.440
 Because here is the God

00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.420
 who overturns

00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:37.240
 human expectations.

00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.960
 God's blessings

00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.819
 do not come

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.779
 by right

00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:42.079
 or privilege

00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.319
 or status

00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.559
 or rank,

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.700
 but only by grace

00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.880
 and only through faith.

00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:50.200
 There is never

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.120
 any place

00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:52.920
 in the Christian church

00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.500
 for this idea

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:56.160
 of Christian celebrity

00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.860
 or status.

00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.700
 That's a lesson

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:02.539
 that often can be

00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.319
 a long time

00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.240
 in the learning.

00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:05.759
 God is always faithful,

00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:06.799
 but He

00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.339
 is not always

00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.139
 predictable.

00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.680
 And His plans

00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.500
 and purposes

00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:14.460
 are often,

00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:15.879
 are always far better

00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:17.579
 than we can think

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.680
 or imagine.

00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.700
 Put your faith,

00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.039
 put your future

00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.759
 in the hand

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.519
 of the God

00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:28.859
 of surprising ways.

00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.579
 And then secondly,

00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.839
 faith not just

00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.259
 in the God

00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.259
 of surprising ways,

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.799
 but faith

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.259
 in the God

00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.740
 of goodness

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.019
 and grace.

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.200
 By faith,

00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.579
 Jacob,

00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.140
 when dying,

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.799
 verse 21,

00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.740
 blessed each

00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.220
 of the sons

00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.879
 of Joseph,

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.799
 bowing in worship

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:47.059
 over the head

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.400
 of his staff.

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.440
 And that initial

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.460
 reference is again

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.759
 Genesis 48,

00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.019
 Jacob blessing

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.019
 the sons of Joseph.

00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:54.680
 And we're told

00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:56.900
 that when Israel

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:58.500
 saw Joseph's sons,

00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:01.039
 we read in verse 8

00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.940
 of chapter 48

00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.440
 of Genesis,

00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:03.619
 who are these?

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:05.479
 Joseph says,

00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.359
 these are my sons

00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.119
 whom God has given

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.559
 me here.

00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.519
 Bring them to me

00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.559
 that I may bless them.

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.059
 The eyes of Israel

00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.059
 were dim with age.

00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.059
 He could not see.

00:20:13.179 --> 00:20:14.139
 Joseph brought them

00:20:14.139 --> 00:20:14.839
 near him.

00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.779
 He kissed them.

00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.799
 He embraced them.

00:20:17.239 --> 00:20:18.379
 And Israel said to Joseph,

00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.619
 I never expected

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:20.939
 to see your face.

00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.279
 And behold,

00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:23.319
 God has let me see

00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.559
 your offspring also.

00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:25.699
 There's something,

00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.500
 there's a wonderfully

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:28.079
 moving scene.

00:20:28.639 --> 00:20:29.939
 Jacob, this old man,

00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.240
 at the end of his life,

00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.879
 his eyesight diminished.

00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.819
 He kisses and embraces

00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:36.639
 these grandsons.

00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.399
 It's a scene that Jacob

00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:41.339
 could not have imagined

00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.839
 in his wildest dreams.

00:20:43.939 --> 00:20:46.220
 Not only had he been reunited

00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:48.419
 with his lost son, Joseph,

00:20:48.699 --> 00:20:49.599
 whom he had thought

00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.659
 had been killed,

00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:53.639
 he also has this opportunity

00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:55.600
 to see and to know

00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:57.180
 Manasseh and Ephraim.

00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.340
 I never expected

00:20:59.340 --> 00:21:00.520
 to see your face.

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.780
 And behold,

00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.000
 God has let me see

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.060
 your offspring also.

00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:05.980
 These two sons,

00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:07.759
 a gift of God

00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.860
 to Joseph in Egypt,

00:21:09.020 --> 00:21:10.360
 are now blessed by Jacob.

00:21:10.820 --> 00:21:12.620
 They're formally welcomed

00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:14.020
 into the covenant family.

00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:15.660
 It's all a wonderful

00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.820
 surprise to Jacob.

00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.820
 It's almost one of these things,

00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.320
 almost feels too good

00:21:20.320 --> 00:21:20.920
 to be true.

00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:23.120
 Because for years,

00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:24.759
 Jacob's life had been marred

00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:27.059
 by pain and loss and grief,

00:21:27.199 --> 00:21:29.219
 and now in an unexpected way,

00:21:29.979 --> 00:21:31.099
 he had received back

00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.719
 not only his son, Joseph,

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:35.299
 but his sons also.

00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.739
 It's a reminder

00:21:37.739 --> 00:21:40.879
 of the goodness of God.

00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.379
 And of course,

00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:46.859
 God is good all the time.

00:21:48.179 --> 00:21:49.399
 And He is good

00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:51.340
 even when things

00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:53.160
 are not good

00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.280
 in our lives.

00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.580
 I came across

00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:59.860
 these words of Corrie ten Boom

00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:00.960
 in her book,

00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:02.100
 The Hiding Place.

00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:04.080
 And she writes this,

00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:06.419
 Often I have heard people say

00:22:06.419 --> 00:22:07.839
 how good God is.

00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:09.919
 We prayed that it would not

00:22:09.919 --> 00:22:11.179
 rain for our church picnic

00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:12.339
 and look at the lovely weather.

00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:13.759
 And yes,

00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.460
 God is good

00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.679
 when He sends good weather.

00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.460
 But God was also good

00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.859
 when He allowed

00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:20.919
 my sister Betsy

00:22:20.919 --> 00:22:21.879
 to starve to death

00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:22.859
 before my eyes

00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:24.839
 in a German concentration camp.

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:27.159
 I remember one occasion

00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:28.259
 I was very discouraged.

00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.699
 Everything around us

00:22:29.699 --> 00:22:30.339
 was dark.

00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.839
 Darkness in my heart.

00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.319
 I remember telling Betsy

00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:33.839
 that I thought

00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:35.799
 God had forgotten us.

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:38.240
 No, Corrie, said Betsy.

00:22:38.699 --> 00:22:39.959
 He's not forgotten us.

00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.939
 Remember His word.

00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.619
 As the heavens

00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.759
 are high above the earth,

00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:45.619
 so great is His steadfast love

00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:46.599
 towards those

00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.500
 who fear Him.

00:22:48.699 --> 00:22:49.459
 There is an ocean

00:22:49.459 --> 00:22:50.539
 of God's love available.

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.799
 There's plenty for everyone.

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.159
 May God grant you

00:22:55.159 --> 00:22:56.079
 never to doubt

00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.559
 that victorious love

00:22:57.559 --> 00:23:00.119
 whenever the circumstances.

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.019
 And sometimes

00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.819
 that goodness

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:07.199
 tastes all the sweeter

00:23:07.199 --> 00:23:08.559
 after a time

00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.480
 of sadness

00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.519
 and sorrow.

00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:13.039
 Some of you

00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.799
 might know the story

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.480
 of the poet,

00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:15.359
 hymn writer

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.899
 William Cooper.

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.319
 Throughout his life

00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.019
 he was plagued

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.839
 by persistent,

00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:21.899
 devastating,

00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:24.220
 at times suicidal depression.

00:23:24.419 --> 00:23:25.039
 And he wrote

00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.759
 these words.

00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:28.619
 Sometimes a light

00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.359
 surprises

00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:30.819
 the Christian

00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.299
 while he sings.

00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.000
 It is the Lord

00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.720
 who rises

00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.779
 with healing

00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:37.079
 in His wings.

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.839
 When comforts

00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.759
 are declining

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.920
 He grants

00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.980
 the soul again

00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.379
 a season

00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.460
 of clear shining

00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.859
 to cheer it

00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:47.019
 after rain.

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:49.579
 And friends

00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.160
 we all know

00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.819
 that sometimes

00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.559
 life is full

00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.519
 of dark moments.

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.460
 Those kind of moments

00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:56.700
 when God seems

00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.539
 either far away

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.619
 or absolutely absent.

00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:02.299
 When we question things.

00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.879
 We wonder

00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.839
 if God is hiding

00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.700
 from us.

00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.440
 And the truth is

00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.500
 we cannot always

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.639
 see the big picture.

00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.559
 And that is why

00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.059
 the light

00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:13.759
 sometimes surprises us.

00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.619
 The shadows

00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.379
 of this life

00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.359
 can be so dark

00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.579
 that when God

00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.899
 even for a brief moment

00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:20.659
 chooses to step out

00:24:20.659 --> 00:24:21.439
 of the shadows

00:24:21.439 --> 00:24:22.859
 and to pull back

00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.679
 heaven's curtain

00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.419
 and let us

00:24:24.419 --> 00:24:25.240
 let a glimpse

00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.379
 of glory shine

00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.939
 into our dark existence.

00:24:28.679 --> 00:24:30.039
 We blink our eyes

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.899
 and we strain

00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:31.799
 at it.

00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:33.859
 Like somebody

00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:35.419
 suddenly turning

00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:36.199
 on the light

00:24:36.199 --> 00:24:37.319
 when we're fumbling

00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.659
 around in a dark room.

00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.879
 Yes it's welcome

00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:43.259
 but at the same time

00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.899
 it can be

00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:45.019
 disorientating.

00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:47.439
 And our God

00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:49.299
 delights to surprise us

00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.000
 with His goodness

00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.699
 and grace.

00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:52.119
 He gives us

00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:53.399
 unexpected gifts.

00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:55.639
 Periods of refreshment

00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.500
 and encouragement

00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:58.159
 to lift our spirits.

00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.699
 To generate a deep

00:24:59.699 --> 00:25:00.459
 sense of love

00:25:00.459 --> 00:25:01.139
 and gratitude

00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:02.259
 in our hearts.

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.179
 Here is Jacob

00:25:03.179 --> 00:25:03.879
 the schemer

00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.679
 the deceiver

00:25:04.679 --> 00:25:05.500
 the grabber.

00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.139
 Spent a lifetime

00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:08.639
 manipulating things

00:25:08.639 --> 00:25:09.839
 to his own advantage.

00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.719
 Usually with

00:25:11.719 --> 00:25:13.139
 disastrous results.

00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.259
 grace.

00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.380
 And he's humbled

00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:17.040
 and he's bowed down

00:25:17.040 --> 00:25:17.860
 in thankfulness

00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.380
 to God

00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.880
 for all His goodness

00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.900
 and grace to Him.

00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.960
 What wonderful words

00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.480
 of blessing

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.100
 he utters.

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.660
 The God

00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.400
 before whom

00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:28.120
 my fathers

00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.040
 Abraham and Isaac

00:25:29.040 --> 00:25:29.560
 walked.

00:25:30.020 --> 00:25:30.460
 The God

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:30.880
 who has been

00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.620
 my shepherd

00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.660
 all my life

00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.620
 long to this day.

00:25:34.280 --> 00:25:34.900
 The angels

00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.740
 who redeemed me

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.420
 from all evil

00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.560
 bless the boys

00:25:37.560 --> 00:25:39.340
 and in them

00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:40.300
 let my name

00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.839
 be carried on.

00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:43.700
 It is a scene

00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.599
 full of wonder

00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.279
 and gratitude.

00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.759
 Jacob's heart

00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.720
 is full of faith

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:49.539
 in God's goodness

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.200
 and grace.

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.559
 His name

00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.180
 his family

00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:52.720
 his faith

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.759
 will carry on

00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.700
 long after

00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.680
 he is gone.

00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.399
 He confesses

00:25:58.399 --> 00:25:59.240
 the Lord

00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.940
 as his shepherd.

00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.819
 Here is the one

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.519
 who can restore

00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.279
 our souls.

00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.980
 Lead us in paths

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.680
 of righteousness

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.940
 for His name's sake.

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.720
 The one who

00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.599
 in the dark valleys

00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.159
 of life

00:26:10.159 --> 00:26:10.959
 presences

00:26:10.959 --> 00:26:13.359
 Himself with us

00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:15.159
 and comforts us.

00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.339
 The one who

00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.359
 makes our cup

00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:19.059
 to overflow

00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.099
 and pursues us

00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.599
 with goodness

00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:21.599
 and mercy

00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:23.179
 all our days.

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.299
 The one who

00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:25.859
 will take us

00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.879
 to dwell with Him

00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:28.139
 in His house

00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:29.099
 forever.

00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.419
 And that's why

00:26:30.419 --> 00:26:31.659
 Jacob is found

00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:32.419
 worshipping over

00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.419
 the head of his staff

00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:34.719
 the end of his life.

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.259
 He's leaning

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:36.459
 upon the Lord

00:26:36.459 --> 00:26:37.039
 his shepherd.

00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.219
 The reference there

00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.860
 Genesis 47-31

00:26:39.860 --> 00:26:41.500
 Israel bowed

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.240
 himself upon

00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.220
 the head of his bed.

00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.220
 The slightly

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.339
 different translation

00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:46.620
 of the Hebrew.

00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.140
 But the point

00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:48.980
 is the same.

00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.059
 At the end

00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.640
 of his life

00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.720
 Jacob rejoices

00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.380
 in God

00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.500
 and in all

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:53.960
 his goodness

00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.680
 and grace.

00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.360
 May that be true

00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:57.100
 of us also.

00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.339
 It's a wonderful

00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:58.819
 thing

00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:00.799
 to see Christian

00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.480
 men and women

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:03.039
 who through grace

00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.839
 become more

00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:05.079
 thankful over

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.839
 the years.

00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:07.159
 Not grumpy

00:27:07.159 --> 00:27:08.539
 but full of

00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.000
 gratitude.

00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.019
 Not cynical

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.879
 critical

00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.819
 negative

00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:13.419
 but full of

00:27:13.419 --> 00:27:14.240
 love and mercy.

00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.599
 Not full of

00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.220
 themselves

00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:18.119
 but always

00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.759
 striving to

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.359
 bless others.

00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.659
 Not full of

00:27:20.659 --> 00:27:21.240
 pride

00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.299
 but humility.

00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:23.699
 Not full of

00:27:23.699 --> 00:27:24.019
 worry

00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.779
 but worship.

00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.639
 Faith in the

00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.579
 God of surprising

00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.199
 ways.

00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.559
 Faith in the

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.339
 God of goodness

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.579
 grace.

00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.419
 And then

00:27:34.419 --> 00:27:34.759
 faith

00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.899
 quickly and

00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:36.480
 briefly here

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:36.859
 in the God

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.299
 of covenant

00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:37.959
 promise.

00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.139
 By faith

00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:39.720
 Joseph at

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:39.980
 the end

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.220
 of his

00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.579
 life

00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.679
 made mention

00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:41.959
 of the

00:27:41.959 --> 00:27:42.419
 exodus

00:27:42.419 --> 00:27:42.779
 of the

00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.279
 Israelites

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.359
 and gave

00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.039
 directions

00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.039
 concerning

00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.720
 his bones.

00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.539
 These are

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.799
 the reference

00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.139
 to the

00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:50.500
 closing

00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.459
 verses

00:27:51.459 --> 00:27:51.839
 of the

00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.119
 book of

00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.539
 Genesis.

00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.339
 And Joseph

00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:56.000
 said to his

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.299
 brothers

00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.799
 I'm about

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.319
 to die

00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.419
 but God

00:27:58.419 --> 00:27:58.859
 will visit

00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.139
 you

00:27:59.139 --> 00:28:00.039
 and bring

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.379
 you up

00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:00.639
 out of

00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:01.139
 this land

00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.440
 to the

00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:01.680
 land

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:01.900
 that he

00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:02.120
 swore

00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:02.300
 to

00:28:02.300 --> 00:28:02.720
 Abraham

00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.320
 Isaac

00:28:03.320 --> 00:28:03.560
 and

00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:03.940
 Jacob.

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.180
 Joseph

00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.660
 made the

00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.040
 sons of

00:28:06.040 --> 00:28:06.320
 Israel

00:28:06.320 --> 00:28:06.680
 swear

00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.060
 God

00:28:07.060 --> 00:28:07.259
 will

00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:07.560
 surely

00:28:07.560 --> 00:28:07.900
 visit

00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:08.160
 you

00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.880
 and

00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.020
 you

00:28:09.020 --> 00:28:09.180
 shall

00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.520
 carry

00:28:09.520 --> 00:28:09.740
 up

00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:09.960
 my

00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.440
 bones

00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:10.920
 from

00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.320
 here.

00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.360
 Joseph

00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:13.940
 faced

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.540
 death

00:28:14.540 --> 00:28:15.880
 believing

00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.280
 in the

00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:16.580
 promise

00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.160
 of God.

00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.040
 When

00:28:18.040 --> 00:28:18.360
 everything

00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:18.820
 else

00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:19.560
 in life

00:28:19.560 --> 00:28:19.759
 was

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.259
 disappearing

00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.580
 from

00:28:20.580 --> 00:28:20.940
 view

00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:22.060
 he

00:28:22.060 --> 00:28:22.640
 held

00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.080
 on

00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:23.759
 to

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.140
 God's

00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.680
 promise.

00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:25.600
 He

00:28:25.600 --> 00:28:25.840
 knew

00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:26.080
 that

00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:26.320
 God

00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:26.520
 would

00:28:26.520 --> 00:28:26.820
 keep

00:28:26.820 --> 00:28:27.020
 his

00:28:27.020 --> 00:28:27.360
 promise.

00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:28.200
 He

00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.420
 knew

00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:28.620
 that

00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:28.840
 God

00:28:28.840 --> 00:28:29.020
 would

00:28:29.020 --> 00:28:29.320
 not

00:28:29.320 --> 00:28:29.759
 let

00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.000
 his

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.320
 people

00:28:30.320 --> 00:28:30.820
 down.

00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.399
 He

00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:31.639
 knew

00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:31.839
 that

00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.119
 nothing

00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.399
 could

00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:32.759
 stop

00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:32.960
 the

00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.220
 plan

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.399
 and

00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:33.720
 purpose

00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:33.919
 of

00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.319
 God.

00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.059
 God

00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.319
 will

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.859
 surely

00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.559
 visit

00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:36.819
 you.

00:28:38.159 --> 00:28:38.700
 You

00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:38.960
 shall

00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.319
 carry

00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:39.539
 up

00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:39.759
 my

00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.059
 bones

00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.279
 from

00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.639
 here.

00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.119
 Of course

00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:42.339
 at the

00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.639
 time

00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:43.599
 none of

00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:43.720
 that

00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:43.899
 looked

00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:44.119
 very

00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.460
 likely.

00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.159
 But

00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:46.480
 Joseph

00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.240
 refused

00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.179
 to be

00:28:48.179 --> 00:28:48.859
 conformed

00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.139
 to the

00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:49.559
 pattern

00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.319
 of

00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:50.839
 Egypt

00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.079
 and

00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.279
 this

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.740
 world.

00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.359
 He

00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.579
 was

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:52.839
 sure

00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.139
 of what

00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:53.240
 he

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.619
 hoped

00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:53.599
!

00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.039
 He

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.179
 was

00:28:54.179 --> 00:28:54.480
 certain

00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:54.839
 of

00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:54.980
 what

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.119
 he

00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:55.379
 could

00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:55.579
 not

00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:55.919
 see.

00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:57.140
 And

00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.259
 to

00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.480
 him

00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:57.680
 the

00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.039
 promises

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.320
 of

00:28:58.320 --> 00:28:58.660
 God

00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.039
 were

00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.279
 more

00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.580
 real

00:28:59.580 --> 00:28:59.759
 than

00:28:59.759 --> 00:28:59.920
 all

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.100
 the

00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:00.420
 treasures

00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:00.660
 of

00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:00.940
 Egypt.

00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.420
 Because

00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:02.700
 Egypt

00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.000
 was

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.220
 not

00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.380
 his

00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:03.700
 home.

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.000
 His

00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.360
 home lay

00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:05.860
 elsewhere

00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:06.220
 in the

00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.580
 land of

00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:07.120
 promise.

00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.100
 It lay

00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:08.380
 in that

00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.660
 better

00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.180
 country.

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.420
 And

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.700
 yes,

00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.160
 surrounded

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.640
 by the

00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:11.900
 wealth

00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.100
 of

00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:12.500
 Egypt,

00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.539
 perhaps

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:13.920
 he could

00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.039
 have

00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.460
 erected

00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:14.640
 some

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:14.920
 great

00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.380
 monument,

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.100
 a

00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:16.400
 pyramid

00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:16.700
 to

00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.019
 rival

00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.720
 Pharaohs.

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:19.000
 But

00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.279
 instead

00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.480
 he

00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:19.720
 says

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:19.860
 to

00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.019
 his

00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.279
 brothers,

00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:20.700
 take

00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:21.180
 my

00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:21.700
 bones

00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.380
 with

00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:22.680
 you.

00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.120
 Because

00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:24.319
 his

00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.600
 hope

00:29:24.600 --> 00:29:24.799
 lay

00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:24.960
 in

00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.240
 God's

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.559
 word.

00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.279
 And

00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:27.400
 he

00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.559
 knew

00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:27.740
 that

00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:27.940
 God

00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.140
 would

00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:28.420
 never

00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:28.860
 abandon

00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.100
 his

00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.480
 people.

00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:31.500
 Because

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:31.720
 when

00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.000
 God

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.519
 starts

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.100
 something,

00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.400
 he

00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.600
 is

00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:35.240
 absolutely

00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:35.799
 guaranteed

00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.380
 to carry

00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:36.539
 it

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:36.799
 through.

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.579
 He's

00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.100
 absolutely

00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:39.620
 guaranteed

00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.680
 to finish

00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.019
 it.

00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.039
 I

00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.259
 recall

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:43.500
 those

00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.799
 words

00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.620
 David

00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:44.980
 Niven,

00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.360
 the

00:29:45.360 --> 00:29:45.740
 actor,

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:46.920
 about

00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.100
 his

00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.279
 good

00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.839
 friend,

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.079
 Errol

00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:49.399
 Flynn.

00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.139
 He

00:29:51.139 --> 00:29:51.399
 said,

00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:51.539
 you

00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:51.740
 can

00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.139
 count

00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:52.359
 on

00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:52.660
 Errol

00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.059
 Flynn.

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.259
 He'll

00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:54.859
 always

00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.319
 let

00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:55.480
 you

00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:55.859
 down.

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.799
 And

00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:57.960
 that

00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.119
 is

00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:58.559
 humanity

00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:58.920
 in a

00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.299
 nutshell.

00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.339
 But

00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:01.759
 not so

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:01.960
 with

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.279
 God.

00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.099
 He

00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.359
 cannot

00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:04.720
 break

00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:04.899
 his

00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:05.220
 word.

00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.099
 He's

00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:06.500
 utterly

00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.039
 faithful

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.240
 and

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.839
 dependable.

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.500
 And

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:09.740
 Joseph

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.180
 believed

00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:10.559
 that God

00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:10.759
 would

00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:10.980
 keep

00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.139
 his

00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:11.579
 promise.

00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:12.720
 That

00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.119
 God

00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.339
 would

00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:13.940
 deliver

00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.180
 his

00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:14.480
 people

00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:14.720
 from

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.139
 Egypt.

00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.079
 Take

00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.339
 them to

00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:16.500
 the

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:16.759
 land

00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.000
 he had

00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.299
 promised

00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:17.519
 to

00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:17.759
 them.

00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.420
 Joseph

00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.200
 in a

00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:20.400
 sense

00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:20.879
 believed

00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.220
 that his

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.480
 very

00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:21.980
 bones

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.660
 had a

00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:23.019
 future.

00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:24.359
 He

00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:24.660
 had

00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:24.879
 in a

00:30:24.879 --> 00:30:25.099
 sense

00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:25.279
 a

00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.740
 resurrection

00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.400
 faith.

00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.339
 Long

00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:27.980
 after the

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.559
 pyramids

00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.059
 of Egypt

00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.379
 had

00:30:29.379 --> 00:30:29.740
 crumbled

00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.420
 to dust,

00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.640
 he knew

00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:31.859
 his

00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.119
 very

00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:32.579
 bones

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:32.819
 would

00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.379
 rise

00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:33.859
 from

00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.079
 the

00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.400
 soil

00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:34.539
 of

00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:34.680
 the

00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.000
 promised

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.359
 land

00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:35.680
 and be

00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.079
 welcomed

00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:36.400
 into

00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:36.660
 that

00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:36.920
 city

00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.119
 with

00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:37.740
 foundations

00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.440
 whose

00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.019
 architect

00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.220
 and

00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.440
 builder

00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:39.660
 is

00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.059
 God.

00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.099
 His

00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:42.359
 words

00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:42.519
 are

00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:42.559
 a

00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:42.980
 reminder

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.279
 that

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.480
 this

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:44.740
 world

00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.140
 is not

00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:45.359
 our

00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:45.740
 home.

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.019
 And that

00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.319
 we are

00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:47.880
 pilgrims

00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.299
 here

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.680
 destined

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.079
 for a

00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.279
 better

00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:50.799
 country.

00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.519
 I wonder,

00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:54.980
 are you

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.440
 living a

00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:55.940
 life of

00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.259
 heavenly

00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.720
 hope?

00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.000
 Where is

00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.220
 your

00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.700
 faith and

00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.019
 hope

00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:00.220
 anchored?

00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.779
 in the

00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.319
 comforts

00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:02.579
 of a

00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:02.920
 passing

00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.440
 world

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:05.059
 or in

00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.200
 the

00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:05.680
 promises

00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.680
 of

00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.100
 God?

00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:08.860
 As

00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:09.180
 Joseph

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.480
 looked

00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:09.900
 beyond

00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.120
 the

00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:10.519
 palaces

00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:10.779
 of

00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.100
 Egypt

00:31:11.100 --> 00:31:11.380
 to

00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:11.579
 that

00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:11.860
 city

00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.079
 with

00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.640
 foundations,

00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.460
 friends,

00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.079
 surely

00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:14.660
 so must

00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:14.980
 we.

00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:16.660
 Our

00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:16.920
 bank

00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.380
 accounts,

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:17.640
 our

00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.000
 pension

00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.380
 pot,

00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:18.600
 our

00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:18.980
 careers,

00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:19.319
 our

00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.900
 plans,

00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:22.200
 they're

00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.360
 all

00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:22.640
 going to

00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:22.960
 turn to

00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:23.360
 dust.

00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:25.579
 Only

00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.039
 what God

00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.200
 has

00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:26.559
 promised

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:26.799
 will

00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.220
 stand.

00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:29.279
 And that's

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.779
 really all we

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.059
 have to

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.480
 hold on

00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:30.680
 to.

00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:31.860
 Remember

00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.420
 Jesus'

00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:32.920
 words,

00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.180
 John 14,

00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:34.620
 let not

00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.100
 your hearts

00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.600
 be troubled,

00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.160
 believe in

00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:36.380
 God,

00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.000
 believe also

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.480
 in me.

00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.180
 In my

00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:38.600
 Father's

00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:38.960
 house are

00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.220
 many

00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.160
 rooms,

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:40.539
 if it

00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:40.880
 were not

00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:41.100
 so,

00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.400
 would I

00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:41.779
 have told

00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.240
 you that

00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.700
 I go to

00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.259
 prepare a

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.720
 place for

00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:43.920
 you?

00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.220
 And if

00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.620
 I go and

00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.059
 prepare a

00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.519
 place for

00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:46.740
 you,

00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.779
 I will

00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.460
 come again

00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.700
 and take

00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.000
 you to

00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.519
 myself,

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.279
 that where

00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.940
 I am,

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.640
 you may

00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.220
 be also.

00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:56.740
 I wonder

00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.000
 if we

00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.519
 believe that

00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.099
 this evening,

00:31:59.460 --> 00:31:59.960
 that God's

00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.440
 word is

00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:01.579
 surer than

00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.180
 the ground

00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.900
 beneath our

00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.279
 feet.

00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:04.880
 Do we

00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.259
 believe in

00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:05.559
 the one

00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:05.880
 in whom

00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.380
 all the

00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:07.120
 promises of

00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:07.740
 God are

00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.259
 yes and

00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.559
 amen?

00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.259
 Do we

00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.980
 believe in

00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:12.720
 the surprising

00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:14.480
 way of a

00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:14.859
 crucified

00:32:14.859 --> 00:32:15.420
 Savior,

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.279
 in the

00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:17.980
 transforming

00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.720
 goodness and

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.220
 grace of

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.559
 Jesus?

00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:21.680
 Because,

00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.039
 of course,

00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.400
 it's not

00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:23.039
 Isaac and

00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.599
 Jacob and

00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:25.180
 Joseph that

00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:25.480
 are the

00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.180
 hero of

00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:26.900
 this text.

00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.440
 It's the

00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:28.779
 God in

00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.099
 whom they

00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:29.519
 trusted,

00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.360
 a God of

00:32:31.360 --> 00:32:31.839
 surprising

00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.420
 ways,

00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.559
 of goodness

00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.259
 and grace,

00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.519
 and of

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:35.940
 sure and

00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.220
 certain

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.819
 promise.

00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:38.519
 And he's

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:38.940
 the only

00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:40.180
 one who

00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.579
 can bring

00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.279
 us comfort

00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:42.000
 and hope

00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.079
 in the

00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:43.480
 face of

00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:43.940
 death.

00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.819
 The good

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.299
 news for

00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:47.799
 this broken

00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.339
 world,

00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.460
 enveloped in

00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.140
 darkness and

00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:51.559
 death,

00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.160
 is that

00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:53.799
 great enemy

00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.379
 death has

00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:54.579
 been

00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:54.980
 defeated.

00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.859
 And Jesus,

00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:58.159
 now clothed in

00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:59.319
 resurrection power,

00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.839
 is reconciling

00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.779
 sinners to

00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.200
 God.

00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.460
 He is the

00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.119
 only one who

00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.639
 can bring us

00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.019
 eternal

00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.500
 comfort.

00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:09.319
 We have

00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:09.839
 only one

00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.319
 hope in

00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:10.779
 life and

00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.180
 death,

00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.200
 Jesus Christ

00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:13.740
 crucified,

00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.220
 risen,

00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:14.680
 and coming

00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.139
 again.

00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:16.220
 And he

00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:16.579
 changes

00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.079
 everything,

00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.819
 even death.

00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:19.500
 The Christian

00:33:19.500 --> 00:33:20.379
 hope rests

00:33:20.379 --> 00:33:20.759
 on the

00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:21.359
 unshakable

00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:22.539
 ground of

00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:23.039
 Christ's

00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:23.559
 resurrection.

00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:25.680
 And yes,

00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.099
 we can

00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:26.960
 tremble at

00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.339
 death's

00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:27.740
 approach,

00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.139
 but the

00:33:28.139 --> 00:33:28.500
 sting is

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:28.799
 gone.

00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:30.099
 The venom

00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.839
 drained from

00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:31.519
 the serpent's

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:31.779
 bite.

00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:33.519
 And in

00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:34.240
 Jesus Christ,

00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:34.980
 death is no

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.599
 longer a

00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:36.159
 doorway to

00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:36.619
 judgment,

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.180
 but a

00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:38.799
 portal to

00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.819
 glory and

00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.299
 everlasting

00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:41.039
 rest.

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:41.980
 Richard

00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:42.359
 Baxter

00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:42.899
 writes,

00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:44.059
 let us

00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.559
 never look

00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:44.779
 at the

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.220
 grave,

00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:46.500
 except to

00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.859
 see the

00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.379
 resurrection

00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:48.240
 beyond it.

00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.579
 Faith is

00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.599
 quick-sighted

00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.899
 and can

00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:52.399
 see as

00:33:52.399 --> 00:33:52.839
 far as

00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:53.240
 that.

00:33:54.219 --> 00:33:54.619
 Yes,

00:33:54.959 --> 00:33:55.599
 even as

00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.599
 far as

00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.179
 eternity.

00:33:58.659 --> 00:33:59.079
 I wonder,

00:33:59.179 --> 00:33:59.500
 does your

00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:01.399
 faith see

00:34:01.399 --> 00:34:02.719
 that far?

00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.039
 What is

00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:05.519
 our hope

00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.240
 in life and

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.619
 death?

00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.339
 Christ alone,

00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.239
 Christ alone.

00:34:09.779 --> 00:34:10.339
 What is

00:34:10.339 --> 00:34:10.819
 our only

00:34:10.819 --> 00:34:12.759
 confidence that

00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.659
 our souls to

00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:14.980
 Him belong?

00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:16.940
 Come to

00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:18.799
 Christ and

00:34:18.799 --> 00:34:19.519
 find rest,

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.559
 eternal rest

00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.099
 for both

00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.860
 body and

00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:22.119
 soul.

00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:23.980
 Come to

00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:25.460
 Christ and

00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.139
 in Him and

00:34:26.139 --> 00:34:27.780
 by faith live

00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:28.579
 a life full

00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.860
 of heavenly

00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:30.639
 hope.

00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:31.820
 Let's

00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:32.079
 pray.

00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:39.139
 Lord, we

00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.659
 ask that our

00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:40.320
 faith might

00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:41.259
 rest not in

00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:41.980
 ourselves,

00:34:42.759 --> 00:34:43.559
 our confidence

00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:44.139
 not in

00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.780
 ourselves,

00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.340
 but in

00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:46.739
 you and

00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:47.519
 in the

00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.019
 Lord Jesus

00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.559
 Christ.

00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:50.300
 Lord, may

00:34:50.300 --> 00:34:50.860
 you strengthen

00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:51.519
 us by your

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.139
 Holy Spirit.

00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.199
 May you

00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:53.679
 grant us

00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:54.759
 faith that

00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:56.059
 trusts your

00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.780
 ways even

00:34:56.780 --> 00:34:57.179
 though we

00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:57.800
 don't always

00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.840
 understand them,

00:34:59.320 --> 00:35:00.259
 that trusts that

00:35:00.259 --> 00:35:01.179
 you are indeed a

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.000
 God of goodness

00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.820
 and grace,

00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.619
 and that trusts

00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.579
 your promises

00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:07.000
 above all

00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.480
 else.

00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.500
 Lord,

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:11.759
 grant us

00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:13.159
 living faith

00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:14.539
 in the living

00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.139
 Lord Jesus

00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:16.519
 Christ, in

00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.119
 whose name we

00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:17.599
 pray these

00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:18.000
 things.

00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:18.739
 Amen.