WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.300 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm one of the pastors here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:19.740 We're continuing our series in the book of Genesis, which is the first book in the Bible. It tells the origin story of God's people Israel. 00:00:19.739 --> 00:00:30.399 This summer we're in the story of Isaac and Jacob, mostly Jacob in chapters 25 through 36. And last week Leah had this breakthrough. 00:00:30.739 --> 00:00:42.119 She was trying to use her children to gain love from Jacob. And finally with her fourth child, she says, this time I will praise the Lord. 00:00:42.119 --> 00:00:52.679 So you'll remember we saw that as Leah's hope for love from her husband fades, her contentment in God grows. She sets her eyes in the right place. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:01:05.659 This week, unfortunately, Leah goes back into her old habits. Both her and Rachel are going to work using kids to get love, which reminds us that the Christian life is full of ups and downs. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:13.179 Victories and failures as we follow God, it is not always linear. 00:01:13.819 --> 00:01:25.459 This week we're going to be talking about relying on ourselves versus relying on God. You'll see our sermon title on page 8 of your worship guide, Our Scheming God's Power. 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:32.979 And so it's with that I invite you to turn with me to Genesis chapter 30, which you'll find on page 7 of your worship guide. 00:01:32.980 --> 00:01:35.820 As we come to it, remember that this is God's word. 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:42.780 Jeremiah chapter 23 tells us that God's word is like a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces, 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:50.820 which is a way of saying that there is no power so great that God's word is not more powerful still. 00:01:51.880 --> 00:01:57.140 And so that's why we read now Genesis chapter 30, starting at verse 1. 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:03.519 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:08.740 She said to Jacob, Give me children or I shall die. 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:18.300 Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel and he said, Am I in the place of God who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb? 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:22.120 Then she said, Here is my servant Bilhah. 00:02:22.760 --> 00:02:29.280 Go into her so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:34.520 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife and Jacob went into her. 00:02:35.640 --> 00:02:38.080 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:49.180 Then Jacob said, God has judged me and has also heard my voice and given me a son. 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:52.560 Therefore she called his name Dan. 00:02:53.540 --> 00:02:57.439 Rachel's servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:04.680 Then Rachel said, With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and I have prevailed. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:07.620 So she called his name Naphtali. 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:09.440 Verse 9. 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:16.439 When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:20.000 Then Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:23.900 And Leah said, Good fortune has come. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:26.500 So she called his name Gad. 00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:30.280 Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:36.020 And Leah said, Happy am I, for women have called me happy. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:38.980 So she called his name Asher. 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:41.260 Verse 14. 00:03:42.380 --> 00:03:48.200 In the days of wheat harvest, Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. 00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:53.980 Then Rachel said to Leah, Please give me some of your son's mandrakes. 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:59.780 But she said to her, Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:03.099 Would you take away my son's mandrakes also? 00:04:03.979 --> 00:04:09.819 Rachel said, Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:15.159 When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, 00:04:15.799 --> 00:04:20.519 You must come into me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:23.240 So he lay with her that night. 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:28.500 And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:35.699 Leah said, God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. 00:04:36.279 --> 00:04:38.579 So she called his name Issachar. 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:40.399 Verse 19. 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:45.120 And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. 00:04:45.899 --> 00:04:49.599 Then Leah said, God has endowed me with a good endowment. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:55.560 Now my husband will honor me because I have borne him six sons. 00:04:56.159 --> 00:04:58.279 So she called his name Zebulun. 00:04:59.299 --> 00:05:02.479 Afterward, she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah. 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:04.339 Verse 22. 00:05:04.339 --> 00:05:10.659 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 00:05:11.659 --> 00:05:16.339 She conceived and bore a son and said, God has taken away my reproach. 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:22.859 And she called his name Joseph, saying, May the Lord add to me another son. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:27.860 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:34.699 Our Father in heaven, we do thank you again this morning for calling us together as your church, 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:41.860 for giving the sun and the rain to provide life to the earth, for giving us your word, 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:44.759 which you tell us brings dead things to life. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:50.000 And so we ask that you would do that this morning, that you would use your word in a powerful way in our lives. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:53.060 That you would break through our hardness of heart. 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:54.519 You'd soften us. 00:05:55.539 --> 00:05:58.920 Father, you'd break through the fog in our minds, that we would have clarity. 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:05.300 That you would help us to see and hear and understand everything that's written about you and your word. 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:07.279 And most of all, we would see Jesus. 00:06:08.099 --> 00:06:11.339 That he would be more beautiful to us than ever before. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:14.379 And we ask all of these things in his mighty name. 00:06:14.979 --> 00:06:15.239 Amen. 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:22.019 I want you to remember where we are at in the story. 00:06:22.179 --> 00:06:23.859 We've got a big problem. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:26.019 And the big problem is this. 00:06:26.099 --> 00:06:29.279 There is one man and two women. 00:06:29.739 --> 00:06:35.479 Of those two women, one is loved, one is unloved. 00:06:35.539 --> 00:06:40.299 In fact, the author of Genesis goes so far as to say she's not just unloved, she's actually hated. 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:45.060 And so you don't have to be a genius to know that we have trouble on our hands. 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:51.319 And that trouble last week got even worse because Leah has four children. 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:54.720 Rachel, zero children. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:59.960 We were told, verse 31 of chapter 29, Rachel was barren. 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:05.439 And so we have this odd situation where Leah has children but no love. 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:08.399 Rachel has love but no children. 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:11.259 And neither one is happy. 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:18.060 Which takes us to the very first scene of this passage where we find out Rachel is livid. 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:19.839 That's verse 1. 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:24.419 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:30.139 She said to Jacob, give me children or I shall die. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:35.239 So once again, we see the idolatry that's just right here on the surface. 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:40.299 She's looking to children to make her life whole, to make it worth living. 00:07:40.419 --> 00:07:42.559 Very similar to Leah last week. 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:46.980 And we're told, again, this is verse 1, she envied her sister. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:53.360 Jacob, in his own bumbling way, gets to the heart of the issue. 00:07:54.079 --> 00:08:00.779 Verse 2, am I in the place of God who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb? 00:08:00.779 --> 00:08:06.039 Now, Jacob is insensitive, but he's also correct. 00:08:06.859 --> 00:08:07.799 He's insensitive. 00:08:07.919 --> 00:08:12.759 He does not handle it the way that Isaac handled it back in Genesis chapter 25. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:17.679 In chapter 25, when Rebecca is unable to have children, Isaac doesn't scold her. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:19.099 He prays for her. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:27.859 And we're told explicitly at that point that Rebecca gives birth when and because of Isaac's prayers. 00:08:28.599 --> 00:08:30.279 So Jacob doesn't pray for Rachel. 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:31.619 He just scolds her. 00:08:31.739 --> 00:08:33.159 He handles things poorly. 00:08:34.839 --> 00:08:36.379 But he's also not wrong. 00:08:37.699 --> 00:08:39.779 He's saying, your anger isn't at me. 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:47.579 Your anger actually is at God, which is exactly what envy is. 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:54.360 If you look on page 8 of your worship guide, you'll see this quote from Jerry Bridges defining envy. 00:08:54.360 --> 00:09:05.539 We must recognize that the envious or jealous of someone is either eliminating God from the picture or else accusing him of being unfair. 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:08.879 So Jerry Bridges is saying envy is one of two things. 00:09:08.919 --> 00:09:14.460 It's either saying God is not in control or it's saying God is not good. 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:19.960 If you say God is not in control, that's what he means by eliminating God from the picture. 00:09:19.960 --> 00:09:25.940 If you say God is not good, that's what he means by accusing him of being unfair. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:32.100 Envy, in other words, is accusing God of wrongdoing. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:37.240 God, you should have given to me what you gave to them. 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:41.120 You have not run this world correctly. 00:09:41.800 --> 00:09:44.940 Envy rejects God's goodness and care and kindness. 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:57.440 Envy fails to recognize that God is in control of all things. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:05.400 And so Rachel decides it is time for her to be in control of all things. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:12.980 That explains for us what happens next in verses 3 through 8. 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:18.399 Verses 3 through 8, Rachel gives her servant Bilhah as a surrogate to Jacob, 00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:23.200 which is the same play that Sarah ran back in Genesis chapter 16 with Hagar. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:26.659 The result here is that Bilhah has two kids. 00:10:27.220 --> 00:10:32.440 And as the old saying goes, two can play that game. 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:35.000 So Leah sees what Rachel's done. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:37.100 She thought, well, that seems like a good idea. 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.060 I'll do the same thing. 00:10:38.060 --> 00:10:41.060 So in verses 9 through 13, Leah goes to work. 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:43.099 She gives her servant Zilpah. 00:10:43.699 --> 00:10:45.439 So then she has two kids. 00:10:45.539 --> 00:10:49.319 So in total, we have four more kids, two from Bilhah, two from Zilpah. 00:10:49.699 --> 00:10:51.079 The women are fighting. 00:10:52.559 --> 00:10:55.079 And Jacob is passive. 00:10:55.080 --> 00:11:08.300 And God is quietly working to keep his promise to Abraham. 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:17.400 His promise to Abraham that Abraham would be the father of many nations. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:27.840 God is always at work keeping his promise. 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:36.759 Despite in the midst of our failures, our mistakes, our sin, 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:43.600 God's purposes always prevail. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:59.500 That takes us to the next part of the story, which is the war over the mandrakes. 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:02.879 In fact, this is actually the war between Leah and Rachel. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:06.740 You'll remember Reuben from last week was Leah's first son. 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:11.259 Verse 14, he finds some mandrakes, brings them to his mom, Leah. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:14.319 And you might be wondering who cares about mandrakes. 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:18.879 Well, apparently Rachel cares a lot because she says, verse 14, 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:21.379 give me some of your son's mandrakes. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.700 This is the good stuff. 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:26.620 And the reason for this is that there's this superstition at that time 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:28.899 that mandrakes were an aphrodisiac. 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:34.019 So if you had the vitamin shop or GNC back in the ancient Near East 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:35.220 and you had walked in, 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:39.240 they would have had mandrake supplement right at the front of the store for you. 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:44.580 If this was 2026, we would expect that Rachel is on YouTube, 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:47.440 she's on Facebook, and she's seeing these ads, 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.720 and the person in the ad is saying, 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:52.259 you know, my husband, he lacked energy and interest in life, 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:54.639 and then he took the mandrake supplement. 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:59.159 And you too, if you get the promo code right now, 20% off, 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:01.899 your relationship will be better than ever. 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:05.039 It'll be like your husband's in his 20s again. 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:13.839 And remember, Rachel hasn't had a child, only her servant Bilhah. 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:19.659 She needs, she wants Jacob as interested as possible, 00:13:19.839 --> 00:13:24.860 and if the old wives' tale is true, which it isn't, 00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:30.519 it's really going to help if mandrakes are part of Jacob's diet. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:36.220 So Rachel's request, Leah's mandrakes, which she has from her son Reuben, 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:39.600 triggers this particular battle in this larger war, 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:42.899 and that brings Leah and us to verse 15 where she says this, 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:46.639 is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:50.340 In other words, I married him first, he's mine. 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:56.259 So Rachel says to Leah, okay, you can have him tonight. 00:13:57.399 --> 00:14:01.860 It can be your turn if you give me the mandrakes. 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.340 So they make a deal. 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:07.180 Leah then, in verse 16, goes to Jacob and says, 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.600 you know what, you have to sleep with me tonight. 00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:09.720 I hired you. 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:15.920 And in case you've missed it, this is absolutely bonkers. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:20.360 Jacob has totally lost control of his family. 00:14:20.599 --> 00:14:21.740 He's not in charge. 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:24.379 He's just doing what Rachel tells him to do. 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:28.399 One commentator says that Jacob is just being treated like a stud. 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:34.459 He is a horse that is kept for one purpose and one purpose only. 00:14:34.959 --> 00:14:36.799 So Jacob is humiliated. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:42.699 He is being traded like a commodity by these two women. 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:46.100 Verse 17. 00:14:48.280 --> 00:14:56.100 And God listened to Leah and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 00:14:58.780 --> 00:15:00.920 What was God listening to? 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:07.840 He was listening to Leah's prayers. 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:11.080 That's what she's been up to. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:16.080 And what does Leah not have when she meets up with Jacob? 00:15:17.020 --> 00:15:19.680 She has no mandrakes. 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:24.680 And she still gets a son. 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:28.560 The point is this. 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:35.520 Children come from the Lord, not from mandrakes. 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:44.720 It is God who is in control, not the schemes of men or women. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:50.579 It's the same thing that happens with Rachel. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.539 Verse 22. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:57.500 God remembered Rachel and God listened to her and opened her womb. 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:59.199 God listened to her. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:01.340 God listened to her what? 00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:06.399 God listened to Rachel's prayers. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:09.000 The mandrakes. 00:16:09.780 --> 00:16:11.940 They are all for nothing. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:17.980 It is prayer that makes the difference because it is God who is in control. 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:24.460 There is a tragedy and an irony at this point. 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.820 These two women have been running around. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:27.840 They have been scheming. 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:28.659 They have been plotting. 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.720 They have been trading. 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:37.519 And all they had to do was ask. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:41.040 James chapter 4. 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:46.519 You have not because you ask not. 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:50.519 Remember chapter 25. 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:59.559 Rebecca gives birth when and because Isaac prays. 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:03.579 Remember, Jacob refuses to pray here. 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.519 He just scolds. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:09.119 Takes Rachel's and Leah's prayers. 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:11.019 And it's those prayers. 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:13.500 Not the mandrake gummies. 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:18.919 That God uses to bring these children into the world. 00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:21.559 So all this drama. 00:17:22.479 --> 00:17:23.819 All the plotting. 00:17:24.639 --> 00:17:26.199 It's unnecessary. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.399 It's silly. 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:35.079 Because God and only God rules the world. 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:47.839 The question is this. 00:17:50.419 --> 00:17:54.299 Do you run first to prayer? 00:17:56.539 --> 00:18:00.779 Or do you run to your plans and your schemes? 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:06.779 I know that I'm quick to plan and scheme and strategize. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.779 Often slow. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:11.279 To go to God in prayer. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.339 Do you believe. 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:18.819 That God hears your prayers. 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.819 And do you trust. 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:25.559 God's providence in your life. 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:28.279 Do you really believe. 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.980 That God is at work. 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:31.059 For his glory. 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.240 And your good. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.200 Do you. 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.679 Do you really. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.919 Do you really believe. 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:40.299 That God controls this world. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.659 And everything in it. 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.960 When I was growing up. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:46.500 In my Presbyterian church. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.419 In southern Maryland. 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.919 We would have this time with the kids. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.619 Where we would just sing our kids songs. 00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:52.220 And we would sing this song. 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:54.460 He's got the whole world in his hands. 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:57.779 Do you believe. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:59.980 That God has the whole world in his hands. 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:03.480 Or do you think you have to hold it. 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.400 All together. 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.819 Do you believe it's all up to you. 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.840 That you're this orphan. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:08.220 In a merciless universe. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.500 That you have to say the right words. 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.500 Pull the right levers. 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.840 And do the right things. 00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:14.340 For it all to work. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.360 If you do. 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.640 Like Leah and Rachel. 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:25.540 You will make a mess. 00:19:29.820 --> 00:19:31.140 Psalm 127. 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:35.340 Unless the Lord builds the house. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:38.560 Those who build it labor in vain. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:41.860 Unless the Lord watches over the city. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.900 The watchmen stay awake in vain. 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:46.280 It is in vain. 00:19:46.280 --> 00:19:47.720 That you rise up early. 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.800 And go late. 00:19:49.040 --> 00:19:49.860 To rest. 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.759 Eating the bread. 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:53.120 Of anxious toil. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.759 For he gives. 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:57.400 To his beloved. 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.800 Sleep. 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.940 Do you believe. 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.960 That God gives. 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:09.120 His beloved sleep. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.280 Do you live like it. 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:16.820 Or do you eat the bread. 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:17.620 Of anxious toil. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.420 Because you believe. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.160 In this world. 00:20:21.280 --> 00:20:21.860 You're tossed. 00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.060 Around. 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:24.900 By fate. 00:20:27.820 --> 00:20:28.759 All the plotting. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.140 All the pain. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.580 And all they had to do. 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:35.120 Was ask. 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.720 What a waste. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:41.680 What a waste. 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.600 There are things. 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:47.759 And situations. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.980 In my life. 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.400 Right now. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.140 That I am watching. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.559 And they are slow. 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.420 Motion. 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.600 Train. 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.299 Wrecks. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.360 And I actually. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.319 Believe it or not. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.559 Cannot control. 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.500 Or change. 00:21:01.600 --> 00:21:02.279 Other people. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.600 And in that sense. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.279 I cannot do anything. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:05.759 About it. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:08.140 And there are things. 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.039 About the future. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.119 That I simply. 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.740 Cannot know. 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.819 And the only thing. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.619 I can do. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.960 Is go to the Lord. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.400 And say. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:19.940 Lord. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.059 It is all. 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.079 Yours. 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.180 I cannot scheme. 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.379 Or strategize. 00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:27.839 My way. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.500 Into this. 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.220 Or out of it. 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.319 Now don't hear. 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.099 What I'm not saying. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.299 Right. 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.399 There are situations. 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:33.079 In this life. 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:33.980 Where we have to act. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.639 But if we act. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.119 We're acting. 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:36.819 In obedience. 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.539 To God. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.899 Trusting him. 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:41.279 Not going outside. 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.940 Of his will. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.299 In the way. 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.680 Rachel and Leah do. 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.059 By the way. 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.159 Commentators point out. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.839 Rachel and Leah. 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.599 Like to say. 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.539 When Bilhah and Zilpah. 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:48.980 Give birth. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.240 They say. 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.779 Oh the Lord. 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.559 Has blessed me. 00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.680 They say it. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.019 The narrator. 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:56.019 Doesn't say it. 00:21:57.419 --> 00:21:58.159 The narrator. 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:58.879 Only speaks. 00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.980 About God's blessing. 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.839 When it's actually. 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:02.220 Their children. 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:02.680 In other words. 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.579 They think they're doing. 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.559 This great thing. 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.860 And they're taking life. 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:07.519 Into their own hands. 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.319 Problem is not. 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.039 That they act. 00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:10.980 But that they act. 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:13.400 In unbelief. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.200 I pray often. 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:20.700 That God would give me. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.759 A childlike faith. 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.500 That I would have this. 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.440 Unshakable. 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.759 Confidence in God. 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.559 And trust in him. 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.539 That leads to peace. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.059 And joy. 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:27.740 And boldness. 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.380 And courage. 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.019 And confidence. 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.660 And humility. 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:33.380 Which is a really bad thing to pray. 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.779 Because building trust. 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.740 Requires. 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:39.960 Tests. 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:43.819 And there are many things. 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.839 In my life. 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.660 And in this world. 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.500 That have not. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.420 Gone the way. 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.680 I wanted them to go. 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:52.500 And I have to trust. 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.259 God. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.299 God. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.279 Is at work. 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.200 God. 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.960 Is in control. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:59.120 God. 00:22:59.120 --> 00:23:00.240 God is working out. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.019 His purposes. 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.579 There is nothing too small. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.559 Or too difficult. 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.960 Or too wonderful. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.640 For the Lord. 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:09.039 It is God. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.539 Not mandrakes. 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:12.140 That bring his purposes. 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.019 To bear. 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.539 In this world. 00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:15.940 Lord. 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.640 It is all. 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.900 Yours. 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.200 Yours. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.200 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:23.140 You hold the world. 00:23:23.800 --> 00:23:25.200 The whole world. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.300 In your hands. 00:23:29.300 --> 00:23:31.019 You can go to him. 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.140 You can pray. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.940 It's prayer. 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.759 Not mandrakes. 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:40.360 That move the ball forward. 00:23:40.780 --> 00:23:41.480 For Rachel. 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.779 And Leah. 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.319 Do you believe. 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.660 That God. 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.240 Holds. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.980 The whole world. 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.579 In his hands. 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.339 Or do you think. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.140 That it's up to you. 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:00.079 To change yourself. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.200 That you can win. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.920 In the battle. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.680 Over sin. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.860 Without community. 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.980 Without the Holy Spirit. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.980 If you can just knuckle. 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:06.759 White knuckle. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.039 Enough. 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:10.299 Do you think. 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.079 That you. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:12.220 Can raise. 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.980 Godly children. 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.500 Who love. 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.599 And follow God. 00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:15.879 By yourself. 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:18.599 Because you're just so smart. 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.680 So disciplined. 00:24:20.899 --> 00:24:22.180 Do you think. 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.859 That you are. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.859 Powerful. 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.500 Enough. 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.000 To fix. 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.680 Your family. 00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:30.779 I hope not. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.180 I hope. 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:34.920 That you instead. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.379 Embrace. 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:35.859 Proverbs. 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.639 Chapter 3. 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:38.120 Trust in the Lord. 00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:39.320 With all your heart. 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.900 And do not lean. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.020 On your own understanding. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.980 In all your ways. 00:24:45.280 --> 00:24:46.160 Acknowledge him. 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:48.220 And he will make. 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.200 Your paths. 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:50.560 Straight. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.780 Do you want. 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.840 Straight paths. 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.540 Doesn't come from. 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.020 Mandrakes. 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.340 Trust in the Lord. 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.520 With all your heart. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.060 And lean not. 00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:09.320 On your own. 00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:09.360 On your own. 00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:10.759 Understanding. 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.220 Our Lord Jesus. 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.320 Tells us the same thing. 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:14.780 In Matthew. 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.920 Chapter 6. 00:25:16.020 --> 00:25:16.720 To those who think. 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.600 That they control. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.520 All things. 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.300 He says this. 00:25:20.300 --> 00:25:21.200 Therefore I tell you. 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.020 Do not be anxious. 00:25:22.020 --> 00:25:22.980 About your life. 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.540 What you will eat. 00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.600 Or what you will drink. 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.320 Nor about your body. 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:28.300 What you will put on. 00:25:29.300 --> 00:25:30.300 Is not life. 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.120 More than food. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.820 And the body. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.640 More than clothing. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:35.320 Look at the birds. 00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:36.100 Of the air. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:39.280 They neither sow. 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:41.120 Nor reap. 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:44.259 Nor gather into barns. 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.580 And yet your heavenly father. 00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:47.420 Feeds them. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.960 Are you not. 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:51.160 Of more value. 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:51.980 Than they. 00:25:53.780 --> 00:25:54.840 And which of you. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.759 By being anxious. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:57.280 Can add a single hour. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.300 To his span. 00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:58.940 Of life. 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:07.940 God uses. 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.279 The sin. 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.460 And the unbelief. 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.559 Of Rachel. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.299 And Leah. 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.380 To honor his promise. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.860 That Abraham's offspring. 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:20.220 Will be. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.140 Like the dust. 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:22.320 Of the earth. 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.720 Last week. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.080 Leah's. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.100 Final son. 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.080 Some number four. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.720 Was Judah. 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.519 You know. 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.059 Who comes from. 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.680 The tribe. 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.180 Of Judah. 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.220 Jesus. 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.779 This week. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:37.860 Rachel. 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:39.240 Gives birth. 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.140 To Joseph. 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:42.720 What is Joseph. 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.220 Going to do. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.620 He's going to show up. 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.320 Later in Genesis. 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.200 He's going to rescue. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.900 His people. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.960 You'll see this. 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.799 On page seven. 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.039 Of your worship. 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.019 Guide. 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.500 This quote. 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.120 From Les Mis. 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.039 By Victor Hugo. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:27:00.700 God has his instruments. 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:03.279 He uses whatever tool. 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:04.099 He chooses. 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:07.039 Is this the first time. 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.740 The dung heap. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:10.619 Has helped spring. 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.440 To produce. 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.299 The rose. 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:16.039 That's what's going on. 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:17.259 In Genesis chapter 30. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:20.619 God is using the dung heap. 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.500 Of Rachel. 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.200 And Leah. 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.460 And Jacob. 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:25.400 To produce a rose. 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.640 The rose of Joseph. 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.759 Who will rescue his people. 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.700 In a small sense. 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.559 The rose of Jesus. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.960 Who will rescue his people. 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.519 In his big. 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:37.340 The biggest sense. 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.880 Church. 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.019 That's what he's doing with us. 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.960 He's using the dung heap. 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.759 Of our failure. 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.500 And mistakes. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.460 And unbelief. 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.160 To produce. 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.440 A great. 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.319 Rose. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.940 He holds the whole world. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.579 In his hands. 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.460 So we don't have to. 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.920 All our scheming. 00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.740 And plotting. 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.220 Is for nothing. 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.420 Because it's God. 00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:05.000 Who is in control. 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.579 Don't take matters. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.600 Into your own hands. 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.600 Don't go outside. 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.420 Of God's will. 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.380 Trust him. 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.980 And follow him. 00:28:18.280 --> 00:28:20.260 Because just like he sees. 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.420 Rachel. 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.200 He sees us. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.340 He sees. 00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:25.000 You. 00:28:26.300 --> 00:28:26.980 Let's pray. 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:29.740 Our father in heaven. 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:31.060 We do praise you. 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.860 And thank you. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.260 For your overabunding. 00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:34.260 Mercy and love. 00:28:34.340 --> 00:28:35.960 Even greater than we can understand. 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:37.480 We confess. 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.560 We often forget it. 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:40.040 And refuse to believe it. 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:41.460 And try to rule the world. 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.360 By ourselves. 00:28:42.520 --> 00:28:43.560 Rather than having. 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.260 Childlike faith in you. 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.799 We ask that you would change us. 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.559 And shape us. 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.299 And form us. 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.480 We would have the joy. 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:51.440 That comes from knowing. 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.900 That you are in control. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.779 Of all things. 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:55.059 And we ask these things. 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:56.539 In the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.299 Amen.