WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:25.580 Do you ever find yourself looking around, 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:28.140 maybe at things in your life, 00:00:28.140 --> 00:00:32.079 maybe at the world we live in and just wondering in your heart, 00:00:32.579 --> 00:00:35.560 God, where are you in all of this? 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:39.700 Maybe it's a prayer that you've been praying, 00:00:39.980 --> 00:00:41.399 you've been asking God for something 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:44.640 and the answer hasn't seemed to come yet. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:48.540 Where are you, God? 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:50.859 Why have you not answered my prayer? 00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:56.500 Maybe it's with a big decision that you've been asking for wisdom for 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:59.899 and yet there doesn't seem to be a clear direction. 00:01:01.299 --> 00:01:04.480 Maybe it's with some of the situations in your family 00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:09.579 or some of the things that we see in our world today. 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:13.240 We know that the Lord has promised to return 00:01:13.240 --> 00:01:17.340 and yet it's been 2,000 years since that promise was made. 00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:20.980 Where are you, Lord? 00:01:22.040 --> 00:01:23.900 How long will it be? 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:29.140 I think we've all felt that at one time or another. 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:35.300 This is the kind of feeling that we find Abraham with this morning 00:01:35.300 --> 00:01:37.460 as we continue his story. 00:01:37.459 --> 00:01:40.259 If you have your Bible with you, 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:43.619 please open it to Genesis chapter 15. 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:47.319 Genesis chapter 15. 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:53.259 Last Sunday we heard about how Abraham and his nephew Lot 00:01:53.259 --> 00:01:54.459 went their separate ways. 00:01:55.699 --> 00:01:57.519 Abraham stayed in the promised land. 00:01:58.699 --> 00:02:02.459 Lot went to pitch his tent near Sodom. 00:02:02.459 --> 00:02:05.339 And not long after he did, 00:02:06.179 --> 00:02:07.159 war broke out. 00:02:07.899 --> 00:02:10.719 Five regional kings against four. 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:12.659 And unfortunately for Lot, 00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:14.239 he was on the losing side. 00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:15.699 He was actually captured 00:02:15.699 --> 00:02:17.620 and his possessions, 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.599 all of it and him, 00:02:20.019 --> 00:02:23.500 were taken away as plunder. 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:27.599 Abraham being the wonderful uncle that he is, 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:28.740 when he hears about this, 00:02:28.740 --> 00:02:31.019 he goes after Lot. 00:02:31.020 --> 00:02:33.360 He rallies the troops, so to speak. 00:02:33.480 --> 00:02:36.840 He gets the 318 trained men in his household, 00:02:37.040 --> 00:02:37.500 servants, 00:02:38.020 --> 00:02:40.000 ready for battle. 00:02:40.200 --> 00:02:42.379 And they go out on this rescue mission. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:44.180 And in the middle of the night, 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:45.760 they strike hard 00:02:45.760 --> 00:02:47.660 from two different directions. 00:02:48.040 --> 00:02:49.400 They route the enemy. 00:02:49.960 --> 00:02:50.879 They rescue Lot. 00:02:50.980 --> 00:02:52.340 They bring back all the people 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:53.240 that had been captured 00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:54.620 and their possessions 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:56.240 and return them to 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:58.540 the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah 00:02:58.540 --> 00:02:59.879 and that area. 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:03.500 It seems like everything's going well. 00:03:04.120 --> 00:03:07.300 Abraham ends up playing the role of hero. 00:03:08.260 --> 00:03:09.219 And it's after this 00:03:09.219 --> 00:03:13.420 that we come to this chapter this morning 00:03:13.420 --> 00:03:14.840 where we find Abraham 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:17.840 perhaps wrestling, 00:03:19.340 --> 00:03:20.920 wondering where God is 00:03:20.920 --> 00:03:22.140 in all of this. 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:24.579 verse 1. 00:03:24.579 --> 00:03:25.479 After this, 00:03:25.559 --> 00:03:26.359 the word of the Lord 00:03:26.359 --> 00:03:28.019 came to Abraham in a vision. 00:03:29.299 --> 00:03:31.099 Do not be afraid, Abraham. 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:33.679 I am your shield. 00:03:34.739 --> 00:03:36.879 Your reward will be very great. 00:03:38.919 --> 00:03:41.119 We'll get to Abraham in a moment 00:03:41.119 --> 00:03:42.459 and how he's feeling, 00:03:42.579 --> 00:03:44.000 but let's just take a second 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:45.699 to look at what the Lord has said here. 00:03:46.060 --> 00:03:47.979 Again, the Lord appears to Abraham 00:03:47.979 --> 00:03:50.219 and this is a wonderful moment 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:51.399 whenever it happens 00:03:51.399 --> 00:03:53.060 to have the creator 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:54.599 of the universe 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:56.280 appear to you 00:03:56.280 --> 00:03:57.299 and speak to you. 00:03:57.799 --> 00:03:58.699 And what does he say? 00:03:58.799 --> 00:03:59.120 He says, 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:00.959 Do not be afraid, Abraham. 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:03.239 We don't know why he's afraid. 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:07.339 Is it because of the awesome presence 00:04:07.339 --> 00:04:08.659 of the Lord in this moment? 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:11.460 Or is it maybe because 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:13.520 he might have made some new enemies 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:15.939 in this recent rescue mission? 00:04:16.159 --> 00:04:16.860 We're not sure, 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:17.620 but either way, 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:19.800 the Lord comforts him. 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:22.180 He knows how Abraham is feeling 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:23.259 and he gives him assurance. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:24.519 You don't need to be afraid. 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:27.219 I am your shield. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:30.500 I will protect you. 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:34.779 If they want to touch you, Abraham, 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:37.300 they're going to have to come through me first. 00:04:38.660 --> 00:04:40.160 Don't be afraid. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:42.420 I am your shield. 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:46.439 Your reward will be very great. 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:51.600 It's at this last phrase. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:55.660 Now there's some translation question here. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:57.620 Is it I am your very great reward 00:04:57.620 --> 00:04:59.640 or is it your reward will be very great? 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:02.240 But I think the next verse 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.420 kind of tips the balance towards one. 00:05:06.020 --> 00:05:07.520 Let's just read it in verse two. 00:05:08.660 --> 00:05:10.180 But Abraham said, 00:05:10.540 --> 00:05:10.920 Sovereign Lord, 00:05:11.160 --> 00:05:13.020 what can you give me 00:05:13.020 --> 00:05:14.460 since I remain childless 00:05:14.460 --> 00:05:16.340 and the one who will inherit my estate 00:05:16.340 --> 00:05:18.120 is Eliezer of Damascus? 00:05:19.020 --> 00:05:20.260 And Abraham said, 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:22.340 You have given me no children. 00:05:23.340 --> 00:05:25.440 So a servant in my household 00:05:25.440 --> 00:05:26.500 will be my heir. 00:05:28.460 --> 00:05:29.640 The Lord says, 00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:33.120 Your reward will be very great. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:34.439 And Abraham says, 00:05:34.780 --> 00:05:36.800 in response to reward, 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:38.660 What can you give me? 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:42.360 I'm childless. 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:43.879 Literally, 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:46.639 I am ongoing childless. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:48.240 I remain childless. 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:52.459 The first thing that we notice here 00:05:52.459 --> 00:05:57.459 is that Abraham is respectful 00:05:57.459 --> 00:06:01.560 in how he expresses this. 00:06:01.919 --> 00:06:02.359 He says, 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:03.199 Sovereign Lord 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:06.299 or Lord Yahweh. 00:06:07.419 --> 00:06:09.299 A term of great reverence. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:14.300 We also notice that he's very honest 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:16.420 about what his situation is 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:17.280 and what he sees. 00:06:17.840 --> 00:06:19.199 This isn't the first time 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:20.259 that the Lord has made 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:22.900 big promises to Abraham. 00:06:23.900 --> 00:06:25.800 And here the Lord is again 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:27.100 making another big promise. 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:29.280 Your reward will be very great. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:32.639 And Abraham is honest. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:36.759 What can you give me? 00:06:37.479 --> 00:06:39.379 I don't have. 00:06:39.539 --> 00:06:40.860 You've said in the past 00:06:40.860 --> 00:06:41.860 the sense we get. 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:43.560 I'll give this land 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:44.300 to your offspring 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:46.060 and yet I have no offspring. 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:48.039 Even today, 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:49.479 I remain childless. 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:51.319 You have given me no children. 00:06:51.659 --> 00:06:53.279 A servant in my household 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:55.060 is lined up to be my heir. 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:01.079 As Abraham asked these questions, 00:07:01.180 --> 00:07:02.019 we're kind of wondering, 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:04.839 what's his attitude here? 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:09.180 Is he bitter? 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:11.839 Is he disappointed? 00:07:13.919 --> 00:07:15.099 Is he angry? 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:21.439 Is he expressing doubt 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:24.319 and unbelief in God? 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:27.159 It may be difficult 00:07:27.159 --> 00:07:29.180 for some of us to go there 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:31.099 because we so often see Abraham 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:31.720 as this, 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:33.400 he is the man of faith. 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:37.439 The guy who always believed. 00:07:38.760 --> 00:07:39.180 And yet, 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:40.840 it kind of seems here 00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:42.100 from these questions 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:43.320 that he didn't. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:45.020 Or that he was, 00:07:45.140 --> 00:07:46.120 at the very least, 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.920 wrestling with it. 00:07:47.920 --> 00:07:51.660 I want to suggest 00:07:51.660 --> 00:07:53.240 that perhaps it's both. 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:55.460 In the words, 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:57.560 and I can't help but think 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:58.240 of these words 00:07:58.240 --> 00:07:59.620 when I read this, 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:01.080 in the words of the man 00:08:01.080 --> 00:08:02.780 who spoke to Jesus 00:08:02.780 --> 00:08:04.819 about his child 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:05.660 who was possessed 00:08:05.660 --> 00:08:06.300 with a demon. 00:08:07.460 --> 00:08:08.700 I believe, Lord, 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:12.019 but help me in my unbelief. 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:16.039 There's evidence of both here 00:08:16.039 --> 00:08:16.639 from Abraham. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:17.399 First of all, 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:19.039 we notice that he's respectful. 00:08:20.039 --> 00:08:21.339 We notice that 00:08:21.339 --> 00:08:24.839 he's even raised the issue 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:25.680 of the heir, 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:28.019 of this inheritance, 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:30.979 probably because he took 00:08:30.979 --> 00:08:32.319 the Lord's word seriously 00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:33.220 the first time 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:34.720 and the other times 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:35.139 it's come. 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:35.639 And now, 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:39.799 we also see evidence, 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:40.500 though, 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:41.960 that there's a wrestling 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:43.919 to believe 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:44.779 and to trust. 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:46.819 I believe, Lord, 00:08:46.939 --> 00:08:49.259 but I still don't have a child. 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:50.480 You said you would give me 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:50.939 offspring, 00:08:51.179 --> 00:08:51.439 and yet, 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:53.439 I don't have any. 00:08:54.180 --> 00:08:56.160 You have not given me children. 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:01.420 I think there's a little of both. 00:09:01.420 --> 00:09:03.560 I believe, Lord, 00:09:04.540 --> 00:09:06.420 but help me in my unbelief. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:12.800 Now, I want to be clear here. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:16.460 When we trust the Lord 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:17.880 and take him out his word, 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:18.820 it honors him. 00:09:20.260 --> 00:09:21.220 And when we don't, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:23.840 it doesn't honor him. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:27.720 Nevertheless, 00:09:28.060 --> 00:09:29.660 I think that we find ourself 00:09:29.660 --> 00:09:31.100 in this place 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.360 that we see Abraham 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:35.060 ourselves, 00:09:35.460 --> 00:09:40.100 where we kind of have both. 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:42.120 I hear what you say 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:42.920 in your word, Lord, 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:44.259 and I look at my life, 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:45.560 I look at the things around me, 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:47.259 I look at it all, 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:48.440 and I believe, 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:51.260 but help me 00:09:51.260 --> 00:09:52.660 in my unbelief. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:56.140 Where are you 00:09:56.140 --> 00:09:58.100 in this situation? 00:09:58.400 --> 00:09:58.840 Where are you? 00:09:59.540 --> 00:10:00.440 Where's your answer 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:01.280 to this prayer 00:10:01.280 --> 00:10:02.200 that I've been praying? 00:10:03.140 --> 00:10:04.260 Where's this return 00:10:04.260 --> 00:10:05.500 that you've promised? 00:10:05.780 --> 00:10:07.300 It's getting to be 00:10:07.300 --> 00:10:08.140 a long time 00:10:08.140 --> 00:10:09.980 since you made the promise. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:13.980 I don't want to say 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.360 that it's okay 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:16.159 to doubt 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:18.060 because I don't think 00:10:18.060 --> 00:10:18.840 that's what Abraham 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:20.539 is showing us here. 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:22.800 But I do want to say 00:10:22.800 --> 00:10:23.259 that it's, 00:10:23.920 --> 00:10:24.600 I think we see 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:25.180 from Abraham 00:10:25.180 --> 00:10:26.120 that it's okay 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:27.060 to be honest 00:10:27.060 --> 00:10:27.720 with the Lord 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:29.399 about what we see, 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:31.300 what we feel. 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:34.479 and even to 00:10:34.479 --> 00:10:36.500 ever so respectfully 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.399 and humbly 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.259 say to the Lord, 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:41.479 this is what you've promised 00:10:41.479 --> 00:10:43.459 and yet this is what I see, 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:45.419 this is what I feel. 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:50.120 Would you help me 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:51.279 with my unbelief? 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:55.639 I'm trying to take your word 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:57.000 for what you said, 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:58.879 but it's not easy. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:03.519 How does the Lord 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.519 respond to this? 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:06.340 Verse four, 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.620 then the word of the Lord 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:09.439 came to him. 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:11.159 This man 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:13.179 will not be your heir, 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:15.179 but a son 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:16.240 who is your own 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.720 flesh and blood 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:19.679 will be your heir. 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.879 The Lord took him outside 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:23.500 and said, 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:25.340 look up at the sky 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:27.860 and count the stars. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:29.860 If indeed 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:31.419 you can count them, 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.439 so 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:34.860 shall your offspring 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.939 be. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.360 The first thing 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:39.960 that we notice 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:40.700 is that the Lord 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:42.279 doesn't rebuke him 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:42.539 or 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:44.700 give him a slap 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:45.259 on the wrist 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:45.939 for doubting. 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:47.679 In fact, 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.419 he seems to do 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:49.220 just the opposite. 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:50.500 Abraham expresses 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:52.039 this mixture 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:52.779 of faith 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:53.659 and yet 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:54.240 wrestling 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:55.460 to believe 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.379 and have faith 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:57.960 and the Lord 00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:01.220 helps him. 00:12:01.400 --> 00:12:02.120 He gives him 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:02.700 assurance. 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.060 He gives him 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:05.680 the promise 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:06.680 yet again 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:08.200 and he even 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:08.960 gives it 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:10.400 with more 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:11.080 clarity 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:11.940 and detail. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:13.620 He says, 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:13.900 no, 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:15.400 Eliezer of Damascus, 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:16.080 this servant 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:17.040 that's next in line 00:12:17.040 --> 00:12:17.740 to be your heir, 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:18.720 he's not 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.980 the one. 00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:22.019 You will 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:22.820 have a son, 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:25.019 your own 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:26.039 flesh and blood, 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:28.000 a son, 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.840 a child. 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:30.639 That's where 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.419 it's going to start, 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:31.980 Abraham. 00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:33.799 That's where 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.399 I'm going to start 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:35.199 with keeping 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:35.840 my promise 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:36.299 to you 00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:38.159 and this 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:38.480 is where 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:39.159 it's going to end. 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:40.100 He takes him 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:40.579 outside. 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.319 Look up at the sky. 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:44.480 Count the stars. 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.019 I love the way 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:46.679 the Lord says, 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.360 if indeed 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.039 you can 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:49.879 count them. 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:52.139 There's so many, 00:12:52.319 --> 00:12:52.679 there's so, 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.639 it's so vast, 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.039 it's beyond numbering 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:56.399 to us 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.720 as human beings. 00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.779 This is where 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.460 it's going to start, 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:00.819 Abraham, 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:01.840 with a son 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.259 of your own 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:02.879 flesh and blood 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:03.919 and this is where 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:04.679 it's going to end 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:06.340 with your descendants 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:08.759 beyond numbering. 00:13:11.439 --> 00:13:12.439 How does Abraham 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.740 respond to this? 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:15.059 What does he say 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:15.699 in response? 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:16.840 We've kind of seen 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.679 this little 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.600 back and forth thing. 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.500 The Lord speaks, 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:21.259 Abraham speaks, 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.759 then the Lord speaks 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.899 and now what does 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:25.139 Abraham have to say? 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:27.819 In verse 6, 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:32.159 the narrator 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:32.980 of the story, 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:33.519 Moses, 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:35.220 kind of interjects 00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:36.039 and tells us 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:37.279 what the response is. 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:37.939 You almost get 00:13:37.939 --> 00:13:38.500 this picture 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.139 that Abraham 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.179 is left speechless 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:41.100 just staring up 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:41.700 at the sky. 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:43.139 If we end 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:43.740 the story there, 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:44.439 we wouldn't know 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.240 what happened. 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:47.000 And so, 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.240 Moses kind of 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:48.759 jumps in 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.259 and says, 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.399 now Abraham 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.759 believed. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:54.120 And the Lord 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.580 credited it 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.319 to him 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:57.639 as righteousness. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.080 So here, 00:13:59.179 --> 00:13:59.860 Abraham is 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.919 looking up 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.620 at the sky. 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:02.439 He's heard 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.319 the promise again. 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:03.779 Even though 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.659 he's wrestled 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:07.460 with believing 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.259 these things 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:08.879 because of 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.399 what he sees, 00:14:11.319 --> 00:14:12.500 in that moment, 00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:13.580 he believed. 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:16.059 He embraced 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:16.399 that, 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:16.980 yes, 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:17.659 Lord, 00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:19.139 you will do this. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.720 this will 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.379 come true. 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:24.799 And the Lord 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:25.759 credited it 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.299 to him 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:27.179 as righteousness 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:28.019 and we'll come 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.699 back to that. 00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:31.240 There's a sense 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:31.600 too, 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.059 in this particular 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:33.480 verse, 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:35.539 that it's not 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.279 just describing 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.720 how he responds 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.860 in this moment 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.740 as he stares up 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.500 at the stars. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:41.679 People who know 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.220 more about 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:43.580 the original language, 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:45.519 they all see it here. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.100 maybe a better 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.980 translation is 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:48.199 now, 00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:49.379 Abraham had 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.179 believed 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:52.659 and the Lord 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.519 had credited 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.399 it to him 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.100 as righteousness. 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.059 The sense of that 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.899 is not just that 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:58.019 this is how it is 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.740 in this moment, 00:14:58.740 --> 00:14:59.659 but this is kind 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:00.600 of how it's been 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.519 right back 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.220 to the beginning 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.279 since the Lord 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.139 first spoke 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:04.679 to Abraham. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.539 Abraham had 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.179 believed. 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:08.259 He took God 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:08.879 at his word 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.179 and trusted it. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.519 By and large, 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:13.279 on the whole, 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.299 doesn't mean 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:14.819 that he never 00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:16.099 had wrestlings 00:15:16.099 --> 00:15:17.159 or doubts, 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.319 but on the whole 00:15:18.319 --> 00:15:19.099 he believed 00:15:19.099 --> 00:15:20.620 and on the whole 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.319 the Lord 00:15:21.319 --> 00:15:22.159 had credited 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.139 it to him 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:23.899 as righteousness. 00:15:25.359 --> 00:15:26.259 We'll come back 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.639 to that 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.939 in a moment, 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:29.059 but let's go on 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:29.740 to verse 7 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.519 and see how 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.000 this story 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:32.179 continues to unfold. 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.299 Verse 7, 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.339 he also said 00:15:37.339 --> 00:15:37.639 to him, 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.019 that is, 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.639 the Lord 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.439 also said 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.199 to Abraham, 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:44.440 I am the Lord 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:46.020 who brought you 00:15:46.020 --> 00:15:46.759 out of Ur 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.980 of the Chaldeans 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.560 to give you 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.240 this land 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.640 to take possession 00:15:50.640 --> 00:15:51.140 of it. 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.480 But Abraham 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:55.860 said, 00:15:57.020 --> 00:15:57.740 Sovereign Lord, 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.259 how can I know 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.040 that I will gain 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:00.900 possession of it? 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.060 Here again, 00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:03.759 we see kind of 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.660 a similar thing 00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.080 happening 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.360 in verse 7. 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.540 He also said 00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:07.860 to him, 00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:08.580 there's this sense 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:10.200 at which all of this 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:10.920 kind of happened 00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:12.200 in one event. 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.000 It was kind of 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.780 mixed together 00:16:13.780 --> 00:16:14.800 and yet Moses 00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:15.400 is kind of 00:16:15.400 --> 00:16:16.259 separating out 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.080 the different parts 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:17.940 of the conversation. 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.379 Let's talk about 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:19.920 the promise 00:16:19.920 --> 00:16:20.920 of the Son first 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:22.240 and then let's talk 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.060 about the promise 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:25.020 of the land next. 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:25.680 But it's all 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:26.500 kind of together 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.500 in one. 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.080 And it's, 00:16:29.160 --> 00:16:29.420 again, 00:16:29.660 --> 00:16:31.320 it's similar 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.020 to what's happened 00:16:32.020 --> 00:16:32.440 before. 00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:33.320 The Lord said, 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:34.780 I am the Lord. 00:16:34.900 --> 00:16:35.759 I brought you 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.379 out of Ur 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.160 of the Chaldeans 00:16:37.160 --> 00:16:37.740 and the reason 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.320 I brought you 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:38.740 out of there. 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:39.560 My intention 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:40.740 right from the start 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:42.060 was to give you 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:42.800 this land 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:44.100 so that you 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:45.300 could possess it. 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:47.820 And again, 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.200 Abraham 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:52.820 responds with this, 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:53.920 I'm going to call it 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:54.840 a mixture of 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.940 faith and 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:57.240 wrestling to have 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.680 faith. 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.920 He speaks 00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.660 respectfully, 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.120 sovereign Lord, 00:17:04.620 --> 00:17:06.019 but then there's 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.820 that question. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.619 how can I know 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.200 that I will 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.939 gain possession 00:17:10.939 --> 00:17:11.439 of it? 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.859 I hear what 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.339 you say, 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:15.720 Lord, 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:17.500 and I believe, 00:17:17.939 --> 00:17:19.259 but help me 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.179 in my unbelief 00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:20.919 because when I look 00:17:20.919 --> 00:17:21.439 at the land 00:17:21.439 --> 00:17:21.980 right now, 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:23.259 what do I see? 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.579 It's full of people. 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:25.919 It belongs 00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:26.740 to other people. 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:27.259 They've laid 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:27.980 claim to it. 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.439 How will this 00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:29.859 happen? 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.799 Give me assurance 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.899 that you will 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:34.359 do what you 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:35.000 have promised. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:38.339 And the Lord, 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.039 instead of 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.759 saying, 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:42.180 you shouldn't 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:42.720 doubt me, 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:44.759 just believe, 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.279 what does the 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:46.720 Lord do? 00:17:47.380 --> 00:17:48.160 He gives him 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.640 assurance. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.819 Verse 9, 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.500 so the Lord 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.119 said to him, 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:53.859 bring me a 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.180 heifer, 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.359 a goat, 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.099 and a ram, 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.019 each three years 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.380 old, 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.420 along with a 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.519 dove and a 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.099 young pigeon. 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:03.259 Abram brought 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.119 all these to 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:04.399 him, 00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:05.939 cut them in 00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:06.279 two, 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.599 and arranged 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.059 the halves 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.859 opposite each 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:09.139 other. 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:10.779 The birds, 00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:11.099 however, 00:18:11.219 --> 00:18:11.719 he did not 00:18:11.719 --> 00:18:12.459 cut in half. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.740 Then birds of 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.459 prey came down 00:18:15.459 --> 00:18:16.179 on the carcasses, 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.319 but Abram 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.199 drove them 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:18.559 away. 00:18:19.179 --> 00:18:19.480 We're going 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.099 to skip down 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:21.000 to verse 17. 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.579 We'll come 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.299 back to 12 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.459 in a minute. 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.319 Verse 17, 00:18:25.439 --> 00:18:26.000 when the sun 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.839 had set and 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.500 darkness had 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:27.839 fallen, 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.019 a smoking 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.919 fire pot 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:30.740 with a blazing 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.720 torch appeared 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.400 and passed 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:33.319 between the 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.779 pieces of 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.319 the animals. 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:37.380 And then 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.039 Moses tells 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.220 us what's 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:39.960 happening here 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:40.759 in verse 18. 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.160 He says, 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.299 on that day 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.460 the Lord 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.799 made a 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.180 covenant 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.519 with Abram. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.299 Now as we 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:50.819 read that, 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:51.880 it probably 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:52.539 seems very 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.160 strange to 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:53.339 us. 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:53.720 We don't 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.359 do anything 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:54.940 like that 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.359 in our 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:55.680 day. 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:57.759 Kind of 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.319 disgusting, 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.920 taking these 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.440 animals, 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:02.299 cutting them 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.579 up, 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:04.140 and then 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:05.140 walking through 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:05.680 the pieces. 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.000 I mean, 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:07.039 what is that 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.680 all about? 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:09.279 Well, 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:09.759 Abram 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.420 asked for 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.000 assurance. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.000 And so 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.079 God is 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:16.259 giving him 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.200 assurance, 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.799 but he's 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.500 giving it to 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.819 him according 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.559 to the 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.240 custom of 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:22.660 the day. 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.299 This is how 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.839 they made 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.480 covenants 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.400 back in 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.359 ancient times. 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:26.419 animals. 00:19:26.919 --> 00:19:27.559 They would 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:29.019 take some 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.479 animals, 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:30.399 maybe one 00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:30.859 or more, 00:19:31.219 --> 00:19:31.639 cut them 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.219 in half, 00:19:32.979 --> 00:19:33.559 they put the 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.159 pieces on 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:34.839 either side, 00:19:34.899 --> 00:19:35.379 and then they 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:36.059 would walk 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.699 through the 00:19:36.699 --> 00:19:37.079 pieces. 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.479 Back then, 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.379 they wanted to 00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:41.000 have a way 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.639 to say, 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.000 you can trust 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.699 that I will 00:19:43.699 --> 00:19:44.099 keep my 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:44.399 word. 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:45.500 And this 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:45.799 was how 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.159 they did 00:19:46.159 --> 00:19:46.379 it. 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:48.279 And essentially 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.879 what they were 00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:50.079 saying as they 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.879 did that was, 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:52.820 if I don't 00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:53.320 keep my 00:19:53.320 --> 00:19:53.800 word to 00:19:53.800 --> 00:19:54.100 you, 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.120 then may 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:55.660 what happened 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.080 to these 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:57.400 animals happen 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:57.820 to me. 00:19:59.040 --> 00:19:59.360 It was 00:19:59.360 --> 00:19:59.820 essentially 00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.720 invoking a 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.560 curse upon 00:20:01.560 --> 00:20:02.180 yourself, 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.840 conditionally, 00:20:04.040 --> 00:20:05.000 if you fail 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.680 to keep 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.200 your word. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.760 If I don't 00:20:08.760 --> 00:20:09.200 keep my 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.820 promise to 00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:10.080 you, 00:20:10.840 --> 00:20:11.380 may this 00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:11.960 happen to 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.120 me. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.160 And this 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.600 kind of 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:14.080 interpretation 00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:14.800 of it is 00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:15.240 best seen 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:15.740 in Jeremiah, 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.260 and apparently 00:20:16.260 --> 00:20:16.760 it was still 00:20:16.760 --> 00:20:17.540 being practiced 00:20:17.540 --> 00:20:18.160 as late as 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.380 then. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.860 If I don't 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.399 do what 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:21.899 I've said 00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:22.519 that I 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.899 will do, 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.579 may God 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:28.379 bring the 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:28.819 curse of 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.399 death upon 00:20:29.399 --> 00:20:29.639 me. 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:30.939 There's not 00:20:30.939 --> 00:20:31.439 really a 00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:32.319 nicer way 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.719 to say 00:20:32.719 --> 00:20:32.859 it. 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:33.179 It's a 00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:34.139 very grotesque 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.959 kind of 00:20:34.959 --> 00:20:35.539 thing, 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.179 but it's 00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:37.059 very rich 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.779 in symbolism. 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:39.639 And the 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.059 Lord 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.839 enters into 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.740 this thing 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:44.179 and does 00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:44.899 this thing 00:20:44.899 --> 00:20:46.339 in front 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:46.939 of Abraham. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.699 Now, 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:51.959 there's a 00:20:51.959 --> 00:20:52.099 couple 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.519 things I 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:52.740 want to 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.219 say about 00:20:53.219 --> 00:20:54.000 this whole 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.299 thing. 00:20:54.459 --> 00:20:55.319 The first 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.139 is it 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:56.679 was common 00:20:56.679 --> 00:20:58.819 for two 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.359 people to 00:20:59.359 --> 00:20:59.879 walk through 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.959 the pieces 00:21:00.959 --> 00:21:01.599 together, 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.379 especially if 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:02.899 they both 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:04.159 had an 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:04.699 end of the 00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:05.159 deal to 00:21:05.159 --> 00:21:05.659 keep up. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.000 They would 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.559 both walk 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:06.799 through, 00:21:06.939 --> 00:21:07.299 and then if 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:07.759 one of us 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.299 breaks it, 00:21:08.399 --> 00:21:08.839 then may 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.399 this happen 00:21:09.399 --> 00:21:09.899 to us 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:10.819 kind of 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.099 thing. 00:21:12.199 --> 00:21:12.799 But here 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.559 we see 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.059 that it's 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:15.359 just the 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:16.039 Lord who 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.799 passes between 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.259 the pieces. 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:17.959 And that 00:21:17.959 --> 00:21:18.919 happens in 00:21:18.919 --> 00:21:19.559 verse 17 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.039 when it 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.799 says Abraham 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.359 saw a 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.079 smoking fire 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.619 pot and 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.039 a flaming 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.500 torch. 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.720 And those 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.419 things probably 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:28.299 have a 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.279 significance to 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.179 this ritual 00:21:30.179 --> 00:21:30.819 back in the 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:31.460 day that's 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.299 probably lost 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:32.700 on us 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.059 today. 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.619 But the 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.179 sense is 00:21:36.179 --> 00:21:37.119 that the 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:38.299 Lord chose 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.399 to manifest 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.019 himself, 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:40.639 to reveal 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.519 himself in 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.319 this form. 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:42.960 The invisible 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.220 God showed 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.899 himself in 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:45.639 this way as 00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.119 a smoking 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.899 fire pot and 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:47.299 a flaming 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.740 torch passing 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.319 between the 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.619 pieces. 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.539 And Moses 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:50.939 kind of 00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:51.579 confirms that 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:51.960 in verse 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.619 18 where 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.039 it says, 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.500 on that 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:54.919 day the 00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:55.439 Lord made 00:21:55.439 --> 00:21:55.879 a covenant 00:21:55.879 --> 00:21:56.639 with Abram. 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.399 It was 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:59.259 God himself 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.859 who passed 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.839 through the 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.339 pieces. 00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:04.240 But Abraham 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.419 didn't. 00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:07.700 And so 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.139 this is 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:09.379 signaling right 00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:10.059 here that 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.700 these promises 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.200 that I've 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:12.899 made to you, 00:22:13.399 --> 00:22:14.099 I'm taking 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:15.119 on myself 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.339 the full 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.399 weight of 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.160 responsibility 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.320 to see 00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:19.720 that they 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.160 come to 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.120 pass for 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:21.380 you. 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:23.960 There's 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.900 no obligation 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.600 for Abraham 00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:26.019 to do 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.420 anything. 00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:29.420 Interesting. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:31.680 The second 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.160 thing that I 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.540 want to say 00:22:32.540 --> 00:22:33.000 about this 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.440 ritual, 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:37.019 did the 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.660 Lord really 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.400 have to do 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.480 this for 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:39.860 Abraham? 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.320 Did going 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:42.900 through this 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:44.000 ancient human 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:46.040 ritual and 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.539 making a 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.220 covenant like 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:49.559 this make 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.480 it any more 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.119 sure that 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:51.500 the Lord 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:51.960 would keep 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.539 the promises 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:52.980 that he 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.500 had made? 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.399 My answer 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:56.859 to that is 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.180 no. 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.599 The Lord 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.659 intended to 00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.139 keep his 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:01.819 promises when 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.259 he made 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:04.259 them and 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.980 that was 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.379 enough. 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.359 And so 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.220 in a sense 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.879 we see 00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:11.359 here kind 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:11.940 of the 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:13.379 humble love 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:13.940 of God, 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.659 the kindness 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.259 of God, 00:23:15.340 --> 00:23:15.640 that he 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.000 is going 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.040 to stoop 00:23:17.040 --> 00:23:17.740 down to 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.500 Abraham's 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.720 level and 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.980 say it, 00:23:21.800 --> 00:23:22.640 demonstrate it 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.440 in a way 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.160 that Abraham 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.740 understands, 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.700 that is 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.240 deeply 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.060 meaningful to 00:23:28.060 --> 00:23:29.680 him as 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:31.160 he goes 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.900 through this 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.120 ancient ritual. 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.179 people. 00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:38.699 This is 00:23:38.699 --> 00:23:39.419 God's way 00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:40.579 of saying 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.799 in Abraham's 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.899 language and 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.379 tradition, 00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:46.000 I will 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.879 go to 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.739 the uttermost 00:23:47.739 --> 00:23:49.039 lengths to 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.519 keep my 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.139 promise to 00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:50.399 you. 00:23:54.919 --> 00:23:55.639 Now I 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:55.859 don't want 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.219 to press 00:23:56.219 --> 00:23:56.739 this beyond 00:23:56.739 --> 00:23:57.099 what it's 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:57.459 meant to 00:23:57.459 --> 00:23:57.719 say, 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:58.419 but some 00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:59.079 people take 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.739 issue with 00:23:59.739 --> 00:24:00.899 God kind 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:01.819 of going 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:02.379 through a 00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:03.159 ceremony like 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:03.559 this. 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.779 It's kind 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.339 of a dark 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.960 ceremony, 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.099 cutting animals 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.659 and stuff. 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.179 Would God 00:24:09.179 --> 00:24:09.700 really do 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.019 that? 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:10.439 Would he 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:12.240 invoke a 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.879 curse upon 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:13.539 himself, 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.419 a curse of 00:24:14.419 --> 00:24:14.839 death? 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.819 That just 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.879 doesn't feel 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:17.279 good, 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.720 it doesn't 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.599 feel right. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.700 But I 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.200 just can't 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.679 help but 00:24:21.679 --> 00:24:22.240 see the 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.980 statement that 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.799 comes out 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.279 of this 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.919 kind of a 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.200 thing. 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.619 When you 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.079 went through 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.579 the pieces 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:27.960 of the 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.279 animal, 00:24:28.439 --> 00:24:28.679 you were 00:24:28.679 --> 00:24:29.139 essentially 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.819 saying, 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:31.659 may God's 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.259 curse, 00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:33.500 the curse 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.099 of death 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:34.700 be upon 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:36.819 me if I 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:38.339 fail to 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:38.779 keep my 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.259 word to 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.519 you. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.279 Would God 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:44.319 go that 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:46.839 far to 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.279 keep his 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.619 word, 00:24:48.419 --> 00:24:49.159 to bless 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:49.659 Abraham, 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.939 to show 00:24:50.939 --> 00:24:52.359 kindness to 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:52.779 Abraham? 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.539 I can't 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:57.899 help but 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:59.059 see and 00:24:59.059 --> 00:24:59.579 think of 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:00.220 the words 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:00.899 of Paul 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.740 in Galatians 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.079 3, 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:02.919 verse 13. 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:04.759 Christ 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.639 redeemed us 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.179 from the 00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:06.720 curse of 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.159 the law. 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:07.879 How? 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:09.599 By 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.220 becoming 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.179 a curse 00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:12.319 for us. 00:25:12.939 --> 00:25:13.439 For it 00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:13.879 is written, 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.639 cursed is 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.759 everyone who 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.299 is hung 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.279 on a 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.539 pole. 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:22.059 Not 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.579 only 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:25.199 would 00:25:25.199 --> 00:25:25.679 God 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:27.460 say 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:30.519 may I 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:30.779 be 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.779 cursed 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.799 if I 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.759 fail to 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.180 keep my 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:34.740 word for 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.019 you, 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.180 but he 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.559 did 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.680 fall under 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.640 a curse. 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.860 Paul was 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.420 talking about 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.220 the Mosaic 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.039 law and the 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.840 curses that 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.360 were attached 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.740 to that, 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.140 so it's 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.420 somewhat 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:45.420 different in 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:45.960 its meaning, 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.319 but the 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.220 effect is 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.640 still the 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:48.960 same. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:50.700 yes, 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:51.960 the Lord 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.720 is saying, 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.240 may I 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.740 go to 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:53.960 the 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.539 uttermost 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:54.960 lengths. 00:25:56.600 --> 00:25:57.440 I will 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:57.960 suffer the 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.380 ultimate 00:25:58.380 --> 00:26:00.519 cost to 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.000 keep my 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.600 promise to 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:01.880 you. 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.500 See that 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:06.140 picture of 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.319 Jesus hanging 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:07.799 on the 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.240 cross, 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:11.539 bearing the 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:11.900 curse, 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:12.819 the punishment 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:14.100 of sin that 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.960 we deserved. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.660 yes, 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.200 I will 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.980 go to 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.299 that 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.779 length 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:19.059 if 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.700 necessary 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.380 to keep 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:20.720 my 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.420 promise to 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.620 you and 00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.160 to bless 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:23.860 all the 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:25.059 families of 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.539 the earth. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.299 I won't 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.140 let anything, 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.700 not even my 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:34.000 own justice, 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.819 stand in the 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:38.440 way of the 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.140 blessing that I 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:39.779 have promised. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:44.759 there are 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.200 some people 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:47.039 that will 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.519 say to 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:47.700 you, 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.119 the God 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.399 of the 00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:48.579 Old 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.240 Testament is 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.660 not the 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.059 same as 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.379 the God 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:50.660 of the 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:50.799 New 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.539 Testament or 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.680 Jesus that 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.139 we see in 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:53.399 the New 00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:53.839 Testament. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.940 But if you 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.440 really look 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:55.899 closely, 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.899 it's not 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.240 true. 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.160 We see 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:00.899 in this 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:01.619 dark, 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.420 ancient 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.200 covenant 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.879 ritual, 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.500 the same 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.079 kind of 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.519 humble, 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.139 stooped 00:27:06.139 --> 00:27:06.680 down to 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.519 our level 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.039 love. 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.480 As we 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.879 see at 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.440 the cross, 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.240 as God 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.960 goes through 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:15.519 this dark 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.160 and horrific 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.859 moment, 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.960 Jesus carrying 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:20.639 this cross 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.519 up to 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.759 Calvary to 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.460 die as a 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:25.359 sacrifice for 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.920 the sins of 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.379 the world. 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.420 The God 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:29.960 of the Old 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:30.980 Testament is 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.740 the God of 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.059 the New 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.519 Testament. 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.559 We see 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.420 his humble 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.099 love and 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:38.859 grace just 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.399 the same. 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:45.859 second 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.240 thing I 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.639 want to 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:49.639 talk about 00:27:49.639 --> 00:27:50.000 here, 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.319 I want to 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:52.700 be very 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.440 careful here 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.740 because there 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.279 are some 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.039 people out 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.139 there today 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:58.039 who have 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.500 kind of 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.279 got this, 00:27:59.379 --> 00:27:59.740 I want to 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.039 call it 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.299 new, 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:00.879 it's probably 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.279 not, 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:01.639 but it's 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.579 very fresh, 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.500 I'm just 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:03.740 going to 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.019 call it 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:04.299 what it 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.579 is, 00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:05.299 false 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.859 teaching, 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.920 in which 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.579 they're saying 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.180 things like, 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.500 look, 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.080 see, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.480 see what 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.000 Abraham, 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:11.840 what God 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:12.259 did for 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.120 Abraham here? 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:15.140 He didn't 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:17.440 actually endorse 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.299 the cutting of 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.220 the animals into 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.060 pieces and all 00:28:20.060 --> 00:28:20.620 that stuff, 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.060 he just, 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.100 he just did it 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.840 that way to 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:25.100 demonstrate that 00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:26.160 in a language 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.860 that Abraham 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.880 would understand. 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:29.640 there's not 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.200 really any 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.060 significance to 00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.840 this ancient 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.820 ritual beyond 00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:35.180 the symbolism. 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:36.960 In the same 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.200 way, 00:28:37.280 --> 00:28:37.640 there's not 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.140 really any 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:38.920 significance to 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.800 the cross beyond 00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.360 the symbolism. 00:28:40.580 --> 00:28:41.240 It's just God 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:41.780 saying, 00:28:42.300 --> 00:28:43.020 I love you, 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.900 in a way that 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:46.720 our primitive 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.500 ancestors, 00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:49.420 our barbaric 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.420 ancestors could 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:50.980 understand. 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:54.599 there's nothing, 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.500 this is 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.079 absolutely, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.200 it's deadly, 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:01.839 is what it 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.120 is. 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.279 It's stripping 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:03.940 the cross of 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.480 its power. 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.880 It's a very 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.819 dangerous way 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.759 of looking 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:10.440 at the 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:10.759 scripture. 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.539 Just because 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.220 this human 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:12.700 covenant, 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.799 this covenant 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.839 was a human 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.299 covenant, 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:17.079 doesn't mean 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.539 that God 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.440 didn't actually 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.519 do it and 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.160 mean it, 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.940 that the 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.259 covenant 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.080 wasn't 00:29:22.080 --> 00:29:22.759 somehow 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.759 significant. 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:24.500 Yes, 00:29:24.560 --> 00:29:25.080 it was. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.300 God put 00:29:27.300 --> 00:29:28.220 himself into 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.160 an ancient 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:30.019 human tradition 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.320 and bound 00:29:31.320 --> 00:29:32.860 himself there 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:35.140 in a real 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:37.220 sense so 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.600 that for 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.540 generations to 00:29:38.540 --> 00:29:38.820 come, 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.380 people could 00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:40.140 look back on 00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:40.660 that and 00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:40.860 say, 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.300 yes, 00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:42.120 God will 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.620 keep his 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:42.980 word. 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.400 We might 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:44.940 find it 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:46.240 disgusting 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.820 that the 00:29:46.820 --> 00:29:47.480 animals were 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.140 cut in two, 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:50.800 but the 00:29:50.800 --> 00:29:51.280 Lord wasn't 00:29:51.280 --> 00:29:51.840 just doing 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.420 this to 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:54.500 pretend, 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.860 to give 00:29:55.860 --> 00:29:56.960 Abraham a 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.480 sense of 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.160 who he is, 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.720 the right 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.140 idea, 00:29:59.220 --> 00:29:59.700 even though I 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.120 completely 00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:00.920 disagree with 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.460 this whole 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.880 ritual here. 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:03.500 It's gross. 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.340 It's disgusting. 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:05.460 No, 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.580 this covenant 00:30:06.580 --> 00:30:07.120 that God 00:30:07.120 --> 00:30:07.560 made with 00:30:07.560 --> 00:30:08.000 Abraham, 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:08.520 even though 00:30:08.520 --> 00:30:08.920 it was a 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:09.640 human custom, 00:30:09.800 --> 00:30:10.520 it was real 00:30:10.520 --> 00:30:12.000 and it was 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.460 binding. 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:14.740 if the 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:16.200 Lord does 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.880 something that 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.559 we do, 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:20.299 he does it 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:21.019 in the way 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.519 that we 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.299 should do 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.420 it, 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:22.799 which in 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.460 this case, 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.160 in a covenant 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.720 ceremony, 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.759 means that he 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.860 fully intends 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:27.559 to keep his 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.160 word and to 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:29.500 be bound in 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.160 that moment 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.539 in history by 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.319 what he said 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.299 he would do. 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.720 Just because 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.299 it's a human 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:36.819 tradition, 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.740 a human custom 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.340 doesn't make 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.360 it less 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.500 significant that 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.240 God did it. 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.799 the fact that 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.559 God entered 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.220 into this 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:44.960 human tradition 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.559 and custom 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.339 and made 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.880 this covenant 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.640 in this way 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:48.920 infuses it 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.599 with meaning. 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:50.779 It takes 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.620 what is earthly 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:54.259 and it 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.880 makes it 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:55.400 glorious. 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.839 It redeems 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.019 it. 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:57.839 It purifies 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.180 it. 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.960 It increases 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:04.099 the significance 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.880 of it beyond 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:05.440 what it would 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.779 have meant 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.759 to just two 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.920 people doing 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.200 it. 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.559 For the rest 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.200 of eternity, 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:10.880 we're going 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.240 to look 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:12.160 back on 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:13.040 this moment 00:31:13.040 --> 00:31:14.980 and say, 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.500 yes, 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.080 Lord, 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:16.940 you made 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.640 a covenant 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:20.980 and you've 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.380 kept the 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:21.840 promise. 00:31:23.120 --> 00:31:23.960 That covenant 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:24.600 was made 00:31:24.600 --> 00:31:26.280 when he walked 00:31:26.280 --> 00:31:27.520 through the 00:31:27.520 --> 00:31:29.220 bloody pieces 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.180 of animals 00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:32.820 and for the 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:33.480 rest of eternity, 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.040 we're going to 00:31:34.040 --> 00:31:34.780 look back in the 00:31:34.780 --> 00:31:35.340 same way on 00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:35.960 the cross. 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.360 God 00:31:37.360 --> 00:31:38.200 and 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.279 yes, 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:39.180 it actually 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.019 did something. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.759 It had 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.640 real weight 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:42.360 and significance. 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:42.960 It wasn't 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:44.200 just a show 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:45.640 to communicate 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.559 the right idea. 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.200 It really 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.860 did something. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.240 It secured 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.880 forgiveness 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:51.420 for us 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:52.299 of our sins 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:54.200 as horrific 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:56.000 and barbaric 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.680 as it was. 00:31:56.680 --> 00:32:01.140 we should 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:01.500 sing. 00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:02.640 We should 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.380 wonder that 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.039 God would 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.980 humble himself 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.740 and bring 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.539 his glorious 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:09.100 perfection 00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:10.700 down into 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.840 our world, 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:13.500 down into 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.840 a human body 00:32:14.840 --> 00:32:15.560 in the person 00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:16.160 of Christ, 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:17.259 down into 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:18.019 some of our 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.740 customs and 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.519 traditions and 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.279 lift those 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:20.960 things up 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:23.220 and make 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:23.799 them glorious 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.700 and serve 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.400 his purposes. 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.960 This is the 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.299 covenant 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.120 ceremony. 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:32.860 In the midst 00:32:32.860 --> 00:32:33.500 of all this, 00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:33.960 we skipped 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.519 over a few 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:34.900 verses. 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.420 God gives 00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:38.319 Abraham assurance 00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:38.980 in a different 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.319 way. 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.640 The covenant 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.200 ceremony, 00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:41.779 that's the 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.740 tangible thing. 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.400 That's the 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:43.819 thing that he 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.420 can see with 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:44.920 his eyes. 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:46.180 But God 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:46.779 also gives 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.360 him a few 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:48.160 more words, 00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:49.299 a bit of 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:50.000 an explanation 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.880 as to how 00:32:50.880 --> 00:32:51.700 these promises 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:52.240 will be 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.660 kept to 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.160 help him, 00:32:54.260 --> 00:32:54.640 to give him 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:55.160 assurance. 00:32:57.300 --> 00:32:57.980 So what 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.240 does he 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.560 say? 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.580 Verse 12, 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.340 As the sun 00:33:05.340 --> 00:33:05.900 was setting, 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.100 Abram fell 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:07.820 into a deep 00:33:07.820 --> 00:33:08.280 sleep, 00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:10.120 and a thick 00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:10.760 and dreadful 00:33:10.760 --> 00:33:11.540 darkness came 00:33:11.540 --> 00:33:12.040 over him. 00:33:13.080 --> 00:33:13.480 Then the 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:13.980 Lord said 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.400 to him, 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.620 Know for 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:16.940 certain that 00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:17.700 for 400 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.520 years, 00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:20.280 for 400 00:33:20.280 --> 00:33:20.860 years, 00:33:20.880 --> 00:33:21.580 your descendants 00:33:21.580 --> 00:33:22.060 will be 00:33:22.060 --> 00:33:22.760 strangers in 00:33:22.760 --> 00:33:23.220 a country 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.780 not their 00:33:23.780 --> 00:33:24.140 own, 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.400 and that 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:25.680 they will 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.300 be enslaved 00:33:26.300 --> 00:33:27.420 and mistreated 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:27.780 there. 00:33:28.780 --> 00:33:29.540 But I will 00:33:29.540 --> 00:33:30.080 punish the 00:33:30.080 --> 00:33:30.640 nation they 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.080 serve as 00:33:31.080 --> 00:33:31.460 slaves, 00:33:31.780 --> 00:33:32.900 and afterward 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.300 they will 00:33:33.300 --> 00:33:33.720 come out 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.380 with great 00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:34.940 possessions. 00:33:36.180 --> 00:33:36.460 You, 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:36.820 however, 00:33:36.840 --> 00:33:37.400 will go to 00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:38.120 your ancestors 00:33:38.120 --> 00:33:38.760 in peace 00:33:38.760 --> 00:33:39.080 and be 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.620 buried at a 00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:40.000 good old 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.400 age. 00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.700 In the 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:41.920 fourth 00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:42.540 generation, 00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:43.360 your 00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:43.820 descendants 00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.780 will come 00:33:44.780 --> 00:33:45.440 back here, 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.640 for the 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.380 sin of the 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:47.900 Amorites 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.420 has not 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.220 yet reached 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.100 its full 00:33:50.100 --> 00:33:50.460 measure. 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.380 So not 00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:53.960 only does 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.980 God give 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.880 assurance 00:33:55.880 --> 00:33:58.280 visibly and 00:33:58.280 --> 00:33:59.060 tangibly through 00:33:59.060 --> 00:33:59.519 the covenant 00:33:59.519 --> 00:33:59.980 ceremony, 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.860 but he actually 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:01.420 gives an 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.660 explanation to 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.400 assure Abraham 00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:04.180 of how things 00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:04.560 are going to 00:34:04.560 --> 00:34:05.040 unfold. 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:06.019 And this is 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.360 new. 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:06.740 This is 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.460 something Abraham 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.720 hasn't heard 00:34:08.720 --> 00:34:09.079 yet. 00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:12.320 Abraham's 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:12.880 received all 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.460 these great 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:13.960 promises, 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.099 promises, 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:16.760 and now 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:17.139 the Lord 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:17.679 gives some 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.099 clarity. 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.220 These promises 00:34:21.220 --> 00:34:21.820 will come 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.139 true. 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.019 I will see 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.420 to it, 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:24.780 Abraham, 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.579 but it's 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.820 not maybe 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.380 how you 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:28.500 expected it 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:28.920 to go. 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:30.880 I mean, 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.320 Abraham's 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:31.639 got to have 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.179 been wondering, 00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:32.780 do I just 00:34:32.780 --> 00:34:33.920 pitch my tent 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.440 here and do 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:35.039 we just keep 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.679 growing and 00:34:35.679 --> 00:34:36.220 growing and 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:36.699 eventually, 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:37.900 what, the 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.500 people that are 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.019 already here 00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.659 just are going 00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:40.079 to leave? 00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:41.460 How will 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.059 this happen? 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.440 The Lord 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:44.920 gives some 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.300 clarity. 00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:47.500 It's not 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:47.880 going to be 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:49.360 right away. 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.500 It's actually 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:50.920 going to be 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.760 400 years 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:52.320 from now. 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.579 Four generations 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.460 from now. 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:57.940 And it's not 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.280 going to be 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:58.860 the way that 00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.699 maybe Abraham 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:00.699 expected. 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.240 It's actually 00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:02.920 going to involve 00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:03.599 your descendants 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:04.900 going to 00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:05.800 another country 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.960 where they're 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.320 going to be 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:07.900 mistreated 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:09.340 and oppressed 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:11.400 and enslaved. 00:35:12.840 --> 00:35:13.619 Don't worry, 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:13.980 I'm not 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.339 going to let 00:35:14.339 --> 00:35:14.799 the country 00:35:14.799 --> 00:35:15.319 that does 00:35:15.319 --> 00:35:15.639 that to 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:15.960 them get 00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.420 away with 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:16.639 it. 00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:18.139 Absolutely 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.699 not. 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.339 Justice will 00:35:20.339 --> 00:35:20.839 be done. 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:22.779 But it's 00:35:22.779 --> 00:35:23.179 not until 00:35:23.179 --> 00:35:24.039 400 years 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.480 from now 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.019 when they 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:26.239 come out 00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:27.480 that your 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:27.940 descendants 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.739 will truly 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:30.319 in a fuller 00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:31.059 sense possess 00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.980 this land. 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.199 Why? 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.819 Why this 00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.119 way? 00:35:38.779 --> 00:35:39.440 There's only 00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:40.159 one reason 00:35:40.159 --> 00:35:40.699 given in 00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:41.599 this passage. 00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:41.679 church. 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:43.839 There's 00:35:43.839 --> 00:35:44.519 probably more 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:45.960 reasons that 00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:46.279 the Lord 00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:46.759 has. 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:48.799 One of the 00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:49.319 reasons in 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:50.019 verse 16, 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.659 for the sin 00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:51.539 of the Amorites 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.440 has not yet 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.779 reached its 00:35:53.779 --> 00:35:55.139 full measure. 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.199 Well, that's 00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:57.719 interesting. 00:36:00.279 --> 00:36:00.920 I'm going to 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:01.559 give this land 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:01.860 to you, 00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.139 Abraham. 00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:02.559 I'm going to 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:02.900 give it to 00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.400 your descendants, 00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:04.079 but if you're 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.639 to just go 00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:05.059 around and 00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:05.880 start killing 00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:06.639 people here 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:07.079 and taking 00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.480 the land 00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:07.739 from them, 00:36:07.799 --> 00:36:08.119 that would 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:08.500 not be 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:08.859 right. 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:13.119 The Lord 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:15.059 is just. 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:15.920 He is the 00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:16.339 judge. 00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:17.719 He sees that 00:36:17.719 --> 00:36:18.299 the punishment 00:36:18.299 --> 00:36:18.940 fits the 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:19.480 crime and 00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:21.059 they're not 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:21.559 going to be 00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.980 worthy of a 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.420 punishment, 00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:24.460 deserving of a 00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:25.359 punishment like 00:36:25.359 --> 00:36:26.380 is going to 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.000 happen when 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.699 you come back 00:36:27.699 --> 00:36:28.319 in and conquer 00:36:28.319 --> 00:36:29.039 the land 400 00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:29.739 years from now 00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:30.699 for another 00:36:30.699 --> 00:36:31.799 400 years. 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.920 Even here, 00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:36.940 we see the 00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:37.579 Lord's mercy 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:38.200 and grace. 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:40.579 They're 00:36:40.579 --> 00:36:41.400 sinners, yes. 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.900 They deserve 00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:43.500 the same as 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.019 all of us, 00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:44.420 yes. 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.159 But it 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:46.559 wouldn't be 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.260 right for you 00:36:47.260 --> 00:36:47.940 to just take 00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:48.380 this land 00:36:48.380 --> 00:36:48.800 from them 00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:49.079 now. 00:36:49.220 --> 00:36:49.559 The Lord 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.300 is working 00:36:50.300 --> 00:36:51.079 to ensure 00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:52.800 that justice 00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:53.519 is done 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:54.200 in the grand 00:36:54.200 --> 00:36:54.680 scheme of 00:36:54.680 --> 00:36:55.039 things. 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:55.920 He's not 00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:56.220 just going 00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:56.539 to take 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:57.039 this land 00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.639 and give 00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:58.360 it because 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:58.800 he doesn't 00:36:58.800 --> 00:36:59.320 care about 00:36:59.320 --> 00:36:59.860 these people. 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.320 He cares 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:00.880 about them. 00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:02.840 And they 00:37:02.840 --> 00:37:03.200 will have 00:37:03.200 --> 00:37:04.440 time in 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:04.599 the 00:37:04.599 --> 00:37:05.099 meantime 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:06.800 to listen 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:07.639 to Abraham, 00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.380 the Lord's 00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:09.000 prophet who 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:09.440 is among 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:09.780 them, 00:37:10.300 --> 00:37:10.820 speak of 00:37:10.820 --> 00:37:11.179 the Lord. 00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:11.460 They will 00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:11.880 have time 00:37:11.880 --> 00:37:12.240 to see 00:37:12.240 --> 00:37:12.920 him worship 00:37:12.920 --> 00:37:13.579 the Lord 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:15.840 and hopefully 00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:17.460 respond to 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:18.240 and repent 00:37:18.240 --> 00:37:18.880 and believe 00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:19.500 in him. 00:37:26.679 --> 00:37:27.519 So things 00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:27.840 have come 00:37:27.840 --> 00:37:28.400 clearer for 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:28.860 Abraham. 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:30.559 The Lord 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:30.980 has given 00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.940 him great 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:32.460 promises. 00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:34.740 he has 00:37:34.740 --> 00:37:35.099 done his 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:35.619 best to 00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.000 believe 00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:36.440 and yet 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:36.900 he has 00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:37.360 struggled 00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:38.179 to believe 00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:39.280 at moments 00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:41.539 and he 00:37:41.539 --> 00:37:41.960 asked the 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.340 Lord for 00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:42.840 assurance 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:44.300 and God 00:37:44.300 --> 00:37:44.720 gives it 00:37:44.720 --> 00:37:45.039 to him. 00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:46.679 He gives 00:37:46.679 --> 00:37:47.099 it to him 00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:48.460 in very 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.199 powerful 00:37:49.199 --> 00:37:50.539 and tangible 00:37:50.539 --> 00:37:51.139 and real 00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:51.659 ways 00:37:51.659 --> 00:37:54.340 and even 00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:54.659 yet 00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:55.519 with all 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:56.079 this that 00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:56.780 he's now 00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:57.300 heard from 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:57.720 the Lord 00:37:57.720 --> 00:37:58.380 there's still 00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:59.000 so much 00:37:59.000 --> 00:37:59.400 unknown. 00:37:59.400 --> 00:38:02.980 and yet 00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:03.400 Abraham 00:38:03.400 --> 00:38:04.039 believes 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.539 the Lord. 00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:06.180 That's the 00:38:06.180 --> 00:38:06.460 way we're 00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:06.780 meant to 00:38:06.780 --> 00:38:07.340 take verse 00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:07.760 six. 00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:09.019 Now Abraham 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:09.980 had believed 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:11.500 in response 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:12.220 to all of 00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:12.500 this. 00:38:12.680 --> 00:38:13.500 He trusted 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:13.940 that the 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.480 Lord would 00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:15.280 do this 00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:15.860 and maybe 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:17.300 now he 00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:17.880 holds these 00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:18.639 promises with 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.240 a little bit 00:38:19.240 --> 00:38:20.019 more of an 00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.740 open hand 00:38:20.740 --> 00:38:22.960 to let God 00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:23.579 be God, 00:38:23.680 --> 00:38:24.300 to let God 00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:25.000 direct the 00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:26.220 story according 00:38:26.220 --> 00:38:26.920 to what is 00:38:26.920 --> 00:38:27.880 truly best. 00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:29.740 it doesn't 00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.480 always go 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:30.840 the way 00:38:30.840 --> 00:38:31.220 that we 00:38:31.220 --> 00:38:31.800 expect 00:38:31.800 --> 00:38:33.300 or hope. 00:38:38.260 --> 00:38:39.000 Abraham 00:38:39.000 --> 00:38:39.480 believed 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:39.960 the Lord 00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:41.820 and the 00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:42.079 Lord 00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.660 credited 00:38:42.660 --> 00:38:43.800 it to 00:38:43.800 --> 00:38:44.200 him 00:38:44.200 --> 00:38:45.180 as 00:38:45.180 --> 00:38:45.720 righteousness. 00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:47.059 This is 00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:47.380 one of the 00:38:47.380 --> 00:38:48.220 most profound 00:38:48.220 --> 00:38:49.519 amazing 00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:50.000 statements 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:50.360 in the 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:50.740 whole book 00:38:50.740 --> 00:38:51.260 of Genesis. 00:38:53.380 --> 00:38:54.140 Abraham 00:38:54.140 --> 00:38:54.900 responded 00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:55.680 to God 00:38:55.680 --> 00:38:56.559 with faith 00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:59.139 that was 00:38:59.139 --> 00:38:59.500 kind of 00:38:59.500 --> 00:38:59.920 par for 00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:00.460 the course 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.000 for him 00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:02.519 and what 00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:03.059 did God 00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:03.360 do? 00:39:03.779 --> 00:39:04.860 He credited 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:06.679 that to 00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:07.860 him as 00:39:07.860 --> 00:39:08.519 righteousness. 00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:11.340 Think about 00:39:11.340 --> 00:39:11.699 that. 00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:13.480 If you 00:39:13.480 --> 00:39:13.880 credit 00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:14.699 something to 00:39:14.699 --> 00:39:15.179 someone 00:39:15.179 --> 00:39:17.360 it's because 00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:17.860 they don't 00:39:17.860 --> 00:39:18.559 have it 00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:19.679 already. 00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:21.860 Implied in 00:39:21.860 --> 00:39:22.400 these words 00:39:22.400 --> 00:39:22.739 is that 00:39:22.739 --> 00:39:23.219 Abraham 00:39:23.219 --> 00:39:24.539 is not 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.119 righteous. 00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:25.319 righteous. 00:39:26.119 --> 00:39:26.859 He is 00:39:26.859 --> 00:39:27.179 not 00:39:27.179 --> 00:39:27.619 right 00:39:27.619 --> 00:39:28.039 with 00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:28.659 God 00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:29.299 just 00:39:29.299 --> 00:39:29.579 like 00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:29.779 the 00:39:29.779 --> 00:39:30.079 rest 00:39:30.079 --> 00:39:30.279 of 00:39:30.279 --> 00:39:30.599 us. 00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.539 Just like 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:32.019 the rest 00:39:32.019 --> 00:39:32.359 of the 00:39:32.359 --> 00:39:32.719 people 00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:33.319 in this 00:39:33.319 --> 00:39:34.599 larger 00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:35.239 story 00:39:35.239 --> 00:39:35.779 of the 00:39:35.779 --> 00:39:36.139 world. 00:39:38.019 --> 00:39:38.940 And yet 00:39:38.940 --> 00:39:40.779 God 00:39:40.779 --> 00:39:42.460 is giving 00:39:42.460 --> 00:39:42.759 him 00:39:42.759 --> 00:39:43.079 something 00:39:43.079 --> 00:39:43.699 he doesn't 00:39:43.699 --> 00:39:44.119 have, 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:44.719 a right 00:39:44.719 --> 00:39:45.319 standing 00:39:45.319 --> 00:39:45.659 with 00:39:45.659 --> 00:39:45.920 him. 00:39:46.159 --> 00:39:46.500 He's 00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:46.940 treating 00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:47.239 him 00:39:47.239 --> 00:39:47.440 as 00:39:47.440 --> 00:39:47.739 though 00:39:47.739 --> 00:39:48.279 he 00:39:48.279 --> 00:39:48.859 is 00:39:48.859 --> 00:39:49.920 right 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:50.599 with 00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:51.119 himself. 00:39:51.119 --> 00:39:54.599 not 00:39:54.599 --> 00:39:54.940 because 00:39:54.940 --> 00:39:55.139 he 00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:55.500 is, 00:39:56.279 --> 00:39:57.739 but 00:39:57.739 --> 00:39:58.319 simply 00:39:58.319 --> 00:39:59.000 because 00:39:59.000 --> 00:39:59.319 he 00:39:59.319 --> 00:40:00.059 believed. 00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:03.079 What 00:40:03.079 --> 00:40:03.440 is going 00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:03.960 on here? 00:40:05.259 --> 00:40:05.940 What 00:40:05.940 --> 00:40:06.159 about 00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:06.539 divine 00:40:06.539 --> 00:40:06.960 justice? 00:40:07.359 --> 00:40:07.579 This 00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:07.739 is 00:40:07.739 --> 00:40:08.059 certainly 00:40:08.059 --> 00:40:08.619 wonderful 00:40:08.619 --> 00:40:08.920 for 00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:09.480 Abraham, 00:40:10.480 --> 00:40:10.659 an 00:40:10.659 --> 00:40:11.079 incredible 00:40:11.079 --> 00:40:11.679 mercy 00:40:11.679 --> 00:40:12.420 and 00:40:12.420 --> 00:40:12.920 gift. 00:40:14.420 --> 00:40:15.079 Those 00:40:15.079 --> 00:40:15.199 are 00:40:15.199 --> 00:40:15.519 questions 00:40:15.519 --> 00:40:15.699 that 00:40:15.699 --> 00:40:15.839 we're 00:40:15.839 --> 00:40:15.940 going 00:40:15.940 --> 00:40:16.019 to 00:40:16.019 --> 00:40:16.179 get 00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:16.339 to 00:40:16.339 --> 00:40:16.480 in 00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:16.880 October 00:40:16.880 --> 00:40:17.159 when 00:40:17.159 --> 00:40:17.359 we 00:40:17.359 --> 00:40:17.779 flip 00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:17.980 to 00:40:17.980 --> 00:40:18.139 the 00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:18.339 other 00:40:18.339 --> 00:40:18.699 side 00:40:18.699 --> 00:40:18.859 and 00:40:18.859 --> 00:40:18.980 go 00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:19.179 to 00:40:19.179 --> 00:40:19.579 Romans 00:40:19.579 --> 00:40:19.939 and 00:40:19.939 --> 00:40:20.119 look 00:40:20.119 --> 00:40:20.219 at 00:40:20.219 --> 00:40:20.379 what 00:40:20.379 --> 00:40:20.599 Paul 00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:20.799 had 00:40:20.799 --> 00:40:20.960 to 00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:21.239 say 00:40:21.239 --> 00:40:21.960 based 00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:22.299 on 00:40:22.299 --> 00:40:22.779 this 00:40:22.779 --> 00:40:23.460 to 00:40:23.460 --> 00:40:23.639 the 00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:23.919 church 00:40:23.919 --> 00:40:24.139 at 00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:25.079 Rome. 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:26.239 And so 00:40:26.239 --> 00:40:26.559 where do 00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:27.159 we find 00:40:27.159 --> 00:40:28.000 Abraham 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:28.480 at the 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:28.759 end of 00:40:28.759 --> 00:40:28.919 all 00:40:28.919 --> 00:40:29.259 this? 00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:31.779 We 00:40:31.779 --> 00:40:32.099 find 00:40:32.099 --> 00:40:32.419 him 00:40:32.419 --> 00:40:34.039 lying 00:40:34.039 --> 00:40:34.359 in the 00:40:34.359 --> 00:40:34.699 field 00:40:34.699 --> 00:40:36.779 at 00:40:36.779 --> 00:40:37.119 night 00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:38.059 looking 00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:38.299 up 00:40:38.299 --> 00:40:38.500 into 00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:38.719 the 00:40:38.719 --> 00:40:39.079 sky 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:40.439 and 00:40:40.439 --> 00:40:40.839 counting. 00:40:42.659 --> 00:40:43.259 He 00:40:43.259 --> 00:40:43.719 believed. 00:40:43.839 --> 00:40:43.899 He 00:40:43.899 --> 00:40:44.119 took 00:40:44.119 --> 00:40:44.299 the 00:40:44.299 --> 00:40:44.619 Lord's 00:40:44.619 --> 00:40:44.899 word 00:40:44.899 --> 00:40:45.579 seriously 00:40:45.579 --> 00:40:45.919 and 00:40:45.919 --> 00:40:46.079 so 00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:46.299 there 00:40:46.299 --> 00:40:46.480 he 00:40:46.480 --> 00:40:46.859 is 00:40:46.859 --> 00:40:47.759 counting 00:40:47.760 --> 00:40:48.780 and 00:40:48.780 --> 00:40:48.900 then 00:40:48.900 --> 00:40:49.040 he 00:40:49.040 --> 00:40:49.280 loses 00:40:49.280 --> 00:40:49.680 count 00:40:49.680 --> 00:40:49.900 and 00:40:49.900 --> 00:40:50.080 he 00:40:50.080 --> 00:40:50.600 starts 00:40:50.600 --> 00:40:51.040 again 00:40:51.040 --> 00:40:51.800 and 00:40:51.800 --> 00:40:51.900 then 00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:52.040 he 00:40:52.040 --> 00:40:52.280 loses 00:40:52.280 --> 00:40:52.640 count 00:40:52.640 --> 00:40:52.960 again 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:53.140 and 00:40:53.140 --> 00:40:53.280 he 00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:53.620 starts 00:40:53.620 --> 00:40:54.060 again 00:40:54.060 --> 00:40:55.460 and 00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:55.560 then 00:40:55.560 --> 00:40:55.680 he 00:40:55.680 --> 00:40:55.920 comes 00:40:55.920 --> 00:40:56.200 back 00:40:56.200 --> 00:40:56.520 a week 00:40:56.520 --> 00:40:56.820 later 00:40:56.820 --> 00:40:56.980 and 00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:57.440 realizes 00:40:57.440 --> 00:40:57.820 that 00:40:57.820 --> 00:40:58.480 the 00:40:58.480 --> 00:40:58.720 moon 00:40:58.720 --> 00:40:58.940 was 00:40:58.940 --> 00:40:59.160 up 00:40:59.160 --> 00:40:59.300 and 00:40:59.300 --> 00:40:59.500 now 00:40:59.500 --> 00:40:59.680 that 00:40:59.680 --> 00:40:59.860 it's 00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.140 down 00:41:00.140 --> 00:41:00.420 there's 00:41:00.420 --> 00:41:00.640 even 00:41:00.640 --> 00:41:00.900 more 00:41:00.900 --> 00:41:01.280 stars 00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:01.520 than 00:41:01.520 --> 00:41:01.660 there 00:41:01.660 --> 00:41:01.800 were 00:41:01.800 --> 00:41:02.240 before 00:41:02.240 --> 00:41:02.460 and 00:41:02.460 --> 00:41:02.600 he 00:41:02.600 --> 00:41:02.880 starts 00:41:02.880 --> 00:41:03.320 again 00:41:03.320 --> 00:41:06.020 and 00:41:06.020 --> 00:41:06.120 then 00:41:06.120 --> 00:41:06.240 he 00:41:06.240 --> 00:41:06.400 comes 00:41:06.400 --> 00:41:06.680 back 00:41:06.680 --> 00:41:06.840 in 00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:07.060 three 00:41:07.060 --> 00:41:07.360 months 00:41:07.360 --> 00:41:07.540 and 00:41:07.540 --> 00:41:08.000 realizes 00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:08.320 that 00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:08.540 there's 00:41:08.540 --> 00:41:08.640 a 00:41:08.640 --> 00:41:08.800 whole 00:41:08.800 --> 00:41:09.040 new 00:41:09.040 --> 00:41:09.240 set 00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:09.400 of 00:41:09.400 --> 00:41:09.720 stars 00:41:09.720 --> 00:41:10.740 and 00:41:10.740 --> 00:41:10.860 he 00:41:10.860 --> 00:41:11.160 starts 00:41:11.160 --> 00:41:11.580 again 00:41:11.579 --> 00:41:14.639 and 00:41:14.639 --> 00:41:14.759 when 00:41:14.759 --> 00:41:14.900 he 00:41:14.900 --> 00:41:15.259 finally 00:41:15.259 --> 00:41:15.860 gets 00:41:15.860 --> 00:41:16.259 tired 00:41:16.259 --> 00:41:16.460 of 00:41:16.460 --> 00:41:16.699 trying 00:41:16.699 --> 00:41:16.860 to 00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:17.059 do 00:41:17.059 --> 00:41:17.259 what 00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:17.400 he 00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:17.619 just 00:41:17.619 --> 00:41:17.960 simply 00:41:17.960 --> 00:41:18.480 can't 00:41:18.480 --> 00:41:18.659 is 00:41:18.659 --> 00:41:18.840 that 00:41:18.840 --> 00:41:19.159 one 00:41:19.159 --> 00:41:19.460 star 00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:19.799 two 00:41:19.799 --> 00:41:20.259 three 00:41:20.259 --> 00:41:20.519 is 00:41:20.519 --> 00:41:20.679 that 00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:20.940 whole 00:41:20.940 --> 00:41:21.440 galaxy 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:23.299 he 00:41:23.299 --> 00:41:23.599 closes 00:41:23.599 --> 00:41:23.920 his 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.360 eyes 00:41:24.360 --> 00:41:25.659 and 00:41:25.659 --> 00:41:25.799 he 00:41:25.799 --> 00:41:26.099 thinks 00:41:26.099 --> 00:41:26.279 to 00:41:26.279 --> 00:41:26.500 that 00:41:26.500 --> 00:41:26.940 moment 00:41:26.940 --> 00:41:27.179 where 00:41:27.179 --> 00:41:27.360 he 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:27.699 saw 00:41:27.699 --> 00:41:27.960 the 00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:28.440 smoking 00:41:28.440 --> 00:41:28.900 fire 00:41:28.900 --> 00:41:29.319 pot 00:41:29.319 --> 00:41:30.759 and 00:41:30.759 --> 00:41:30.920 the 00:41:30.920 --> 00:41:31.360 blazing 00:41:31.360 --> 00:41:31.860 torch 00:41:31.860 --> 00:41:32.739 passing 00:41:32.739 --> 00:41:33.059 through 00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:33.259 the 00:41:33.259 --> 00:41:33.779 pieces 00:41:33.780 --> 00:41:40.360 Abraham 00:41:40.360 --> 00:41:41.019 believed 00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:42.700 he 00:41:42.700 --> 00:41:42.940 took 00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:43.100 the 00:41:43.100 --> 00:41:43.300 Lord 00:41:43.300 --> 00:41:44.000 seriously 00:41:44.000 --> 00:41:47.860 and 00:41:47.860 --> 00:41:48.040 he's 00:41:48.040 --> 00:41:48.320 waiting 00:41:48.320 --> 00:41:48.580 to 00:41:48.580 --> 00:41:48.880 see 00:41:48.880 --> 00:41:49.760 how 00:41:49.760 --> 00:41:50.140 God 00:41:50.140 --> 00:41:50.760 will 00:41:50.760 --> 00:41:50.980 work 00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:51.180 all 00:41:51.180 --> 00:41:51.320 of 00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:51.600 this 00:41:51.600 --> 00:41:52.519 according 00:41:52.519 --> 00:41:52.740 to 00:41:52.740 --> 00:41:52.920 his 00:41:52.920 --> 00:41:53.320 plan 00:41:53.320 --> 00:41:53.620 and 00:41:53.620 --> 00:41:54.080 promise 00:41:54.080 --> 00:41:56.200 so 00:41:56.200 --> 00:41:56.360 what 00:41:56.360 --> 00:41:56.500 can 00:41:56.500 --> 00:41:56.620 we 00:41:56.620 --> 00:41:56.840 take 00:41:56.840 --> 00:41:57.019 from 00:41:57.019 --> 00:41:57.360 this 00:41:57.360 --> 00:41:58.900 what 00:41:58.900 --> 00:41:59.320 do 00:41:59.320 --> 00:41:59.460 we 00:41:59.460 --> 00:41:59.760 take 00:41:59.760 --> 00:41:59.960 for 00:41:59.960 --> 00:42:00.220 us 00:42:00.220 --> 00:42:00.660 today 00:42:00.660 --> 00:42:01.620 from 00:42:01.620 --> 00:42:02.000 this 00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:03.579 if 00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:04.079 Abraham 00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:04.340 were 00:42:04.340 --> 00:42:04.800 sitting 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.840 right 00:42:05.840 --> 00:42:06.039 here 00:42:06.039 --> 00:42:06.239 with 00:42:06.239 --> 00:42:06.440 us 00:42:06.440 --> 00:42:06.800 today 00:42:06.800 --> 00:42:07.500 I 00:42:07.500 --> 00:42:07.760 have 00:42:07.760 --> 00:42:08.539 a 00:42:08.539 --> 00:42:08.840 feeling 00:42:08.840 --> 00:42:09.119 that 00:42:09.119 --> 00:42:09.340 the 00:42:09.340 --> 00:42:10.019 first 00:42:10.019 --> 00:42:10.239 thing 00:42:10.239 --> 00:42:10.380 he 00:42:10.380 --> 00:42:10.579 would 00:42:10.579 --> 00:42:10.840 say 00:42:10.840 --> 00:42:11.059 is 00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:11.699 don't 00:42:11.699 --> 00:42:12.000 look 00:42:12.000 --> 00:42:12.159 at 00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:12.699 me 00:42:12.699 --> 00:42:13.260 in 00:42:13.260 --> 00:42:13.480 this 00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:13.960 story 00:42:13.960 --> 00:42:14.500 I'm 00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:14.920 nothing 00:42:14.920 --> 00:42:15.900 look 00:42:15.900 --> 00:42:16.039 at 00:42:16.039 --> 00:42:16.219 the 00:42:16.219 --> 00:42:16.659 Lord 00:42:16.659 --> 00:42:18.539 look 00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:18.679 at 00:42:18.679 --> 00:42:18.860 what 00:42:18.860 --> 00:42:19.039 he 00:42:19.039 --> 00:42:19.579 did 00:42:19.579 --> 00:42:20.519 to 00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:20.800 me 00:42:20.800 --> 00:42:21.059 look 00:42:21.059 --> 00:42:21.179 at 00:42:21.179 --> 00:42:21.320 what 00:42:21.320 --> 00:42:21.420 he 00:42:21.420 --> 00:42:21.739 said 00:42:21.739 --> 00:42:21.960 to 00:42:21.960 --> 00:42:22.360 me 00:42:22.360 --> 00:42:23.780 look 00:42:23.780 --> 00:42:23.920 at 00:42:23.920 --> 00:42:24.059 his 00:42:24.059 --> 00:42:24.559 kindness 00:42:24.559 --> 00:42:24.860 look 00:42:24.860 --> 00:42:24.960 at 00:42:24.960 --> 00:42:25.159 how 00:42:25.159 --> 00:42:25.420 he 00:42:25.420 --> 00:42:25.920 treated 00:42:25.920 --> 00:42:26.320 me 00:42:26.320 --> 00:42:26.579 even 00:42:26.579 --> 00:42:26.739 though 00:42:26.739 --> 00:42:26.940 I 00:42:26.940 --> 00:42:27.199 didn't 00:42:27.199 --> 00:42:27.619 deserve 00:42:27.619 --> 00:42:27.940 it 00:42:27.940 --> 00:42:30.199 look 00:42:30.199 --> 00:42:30.320 at 00:42:30.320 --> 00:42:30.480 how 00:42:30.480 --> 00:42:30.659 he 00:42:30.659 --> 00:42:31.219 responded 00:42:31.219 --> 00:42:31.460 to 00:42:31.460 --> 00:42:31.760 my 00:42:31.760 --> 00:42:32.360 doubt 00:42:32.360 --> 00:42:32.680 and 00:42:32.680 --> 00:42:34.500 struggle 00:42:34.500 --> 00:42:34.780 to 00:42:34.780 --> 00:42:35.300 believe 00:42:35.300 --> 00:42:36.680 so 00:42:36.680 --> 00:42:37.400 graciously 00:42:37.400 --> 00:42:37.700 so 00:42:37.700 --> 00:42:38.140 humbly 00:42:38.140 --> 00:42:38.440 giving 00:42:38.440 --> 00:42:38.640 me 00:42:38.640 --> 00:42:39.240 assurance 00:42:39.240 --> 00:42:39.580 in a 00:42:39.580 --> 00:42:39.760 way 00:42:39.760 --> 00:42:40.000 that 00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:40.440 meant 00:42:40.440 --> 00:42:40.720 the 00:42:40.720 --> 00:42:41.060 world 00:42:41.060 --> 00:42:41.340 to 00:42:41.340 --> 00:42:41.620 me 00:42:41.620 --> 00:42:43.420 look 00:42:43.420 --> 00:42:43.540 at 00:42:43.540 --> 00:42:43.680 his 00:42:43.680 --> 00:42:44.180 kindness 00:42:44.180 --> 00:42:44.880 look 00:42:44.880 --> 00:42:45.000 at 00:42:45.000 --> 00:42:45.180 his 00:42:45.180 --> 00:42:45.860 goodness 00:42:45.860 --> 00:42:46.160 look 00:42:46.160 --> 00:42:46.260 at 00:42:46.260 --> 00:42:46.420 his 00:42:46.420 --> 00:42:46.980 justice 00:42:46.980 --> 00:42:47.400 even 00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:47.960 towards 00:42:47.960 --> 00:42:48.240 the 00:42:48.240 --> 00:42:48.980 Amorites 00:42:48.980 --> 00:42:53.120 don't 00:42:53.120 --> 00:42:53.280 look 00:42:53.280 --> 00:42:53.420 at 00:42:53.420 --> 00:42:53.760 me 00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:55.280 I'm 00:42:55.280 --> 00:42:55.700 nothing 00:42:55.700 --> 00:42:59.180 see 00:42:59.180 --> 00:42:59.420 the 00:42:59.420 --> 00:42:59.920 glory 00:42:59.920 --> 00:43:00.280 of 00:43:00.280 --> 00:43:00.480 the 00:43:00.480 --> 00:43:00.840 Lord 00:43:00.840 --> 00:43:01.660 here 00:43:01.659 --> 00:43:03.019 is 00:43:03.019 --> 00:43:03.179 what 00:43:03.179 --> 00:43:03.299 I 00:43:03.299 --> 00:43:03.719 imagine 00:43:03.719 --> 00:43:04.159 Abraham 00:43:04.159 --> 00:43:04.420 would 00:43:04.420 --> 00:43:04.759 say 00:43:04.759 --> 00:43:05.359 if 00:43:05.359 --> 00:43:05.480 he 00:43:05.480 --> 00:43:05.619 were 00:43:05.619 --> 00:43:05.940 here 00:43:05.940 --> 00:43:06.799 with 00:43:06.799 --> 00:43:07.039 us 00:43:07.039 --> 00:43:07.299 this 00:43:07.299 --> 00:43:07.659 morning 00:43:07.659 --> 00:43:09.019 worship 00:43:09.019 --> 00:43:09.299 his 00:43:09.299 --> 00:43:09.659 name 00:43:09.659 --> 00:43:12.159 the 00:43:12.159 --> 00:43:12.399 true 00:43:12.399 --> 00:43:12.779 treasure 00:43:12.779 --> 00:43:13.179 in this 00:43:13.179 --> 00:43:13.599 story 00:43:13.599 --> 00:43:13.920 the 00:43:13.920 --> 00:43:14.179 true 00:43:14.179 --> 00:43:14.759 reward 00:43:14.759 --> 00:43:15.079 is 00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:15.399 not 00:43:15.399 --> 00:43:15.980 what 00:43:15.980 --> 00:43:16.159 he 00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:16.440 said 00:43:16.440 --> 00:43:16.599 he 00:43:16.599 --> 00:43:16.799 would 00:43:16.799 --> 00:43:17.179 give 00:43:17.179 --> 00:43:18.440 it's 00:43:18.440 --> 00:43:18.719 him 00:43:18.719 --> 00:43:19.759 it's 00:43:19.759 --> 00:43:20.000 this 00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:20.659 relationship 00:43:20.659 --> 00:43:22.980 that I 00:43:22.980 --> 00:43:23.219 have 00:43:23.219 --> 00:43:23.420 with 00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:23.699 him 00:43:23.699 --> 00:43:26.099 and all 00:43:26.099 --> 00:43:26.379 of this 00:43:26.379 --> 00:43:26.819 comes in 00:43:26.819 --> 00:43:26.960 the 00:43:26.960 --> 00:43:27.179 midst 00:43:27.179 --> 00:43:27.339 of 00:43:27.339 --> 00:43:28.139 Abraham's 00:43:28.139 --> 00:43:28.920 seemingly 00:43:28.920 --> 00:43:29.440 mixed 00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:30.079 feelings 00:43:30.079 --> 00:43:32.800 we 00:43:32.800 --> 00:43:33.059 too 00:43:33.059 --> 00:43:33.400 wrestle 00:43:33.400 --> 00:43:33.740 with 00:43:33.740 --> 00:43:35.119 faith 00:43:35.119 --> 00:43:35.760 with 00:43:35.760 --> 00:43:36.300 believing 00:43:36.300 --> 00:43:36.639 at 00:43:36.639 --> 00:43:37.079 times 00:43:37.079 --> 00:43:37.940 just 00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:38.200 like 00:43:38.200 --> 00:43:38.400 he 00:43:38.400 --> 00:43:38.659 did 00:43:38.659 --> 00:43:41.380 we 00:43:41.380 --> 00:43:41.599 live 00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:41.920 often 00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:42.220 in that 00:43:42.220 --> 00:43:42.539 place 00:43:42.539 --> 00:43:42.679 of 00:43:42.679 --> 00:43:42.920 I 00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:43.360 believe 00:43:43.360 --> 00:43:43.659 Lord 00:43:43.659 --> 00:43:43.960 but 00:43:43.960 --> 00:43:45.679 there's 00:43:45.679 --> 00:43:46.179 unbelief 00:43:46.179 --> 00:43:46.420 there 00:43:46.420 --> 00:43:46.720 too 00:43:46.720 --> 00:43:47.059 there's 00:43:47.059 --> 00:43:47.559 doubt 00:43:47.559 --> 00:43:49.800 and we 00:43:49.800 --> 00:43:50.220 see from 00:43:50.220 --> 00:43:50.639 Abraham 00:43:50.639 --> 00:43:53.000 that we 00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:53.460 can bring 00:43:53.460 --> 00:43:53.880 those 00:43:53.880 --> 00:43:54.800 doubts 00:43:54.800 --> 00:43:56.720 to the 00:43:56.720 --> 00:43:57.000 Lord 00:43:57.000 --> 00:43:59.139 we can 00:43:59.139 --> 00:44:00.280 speak to 00:44:00.280 --> 00:44:00.900 him honestly 00:44:00.900 --> 00:44:01.579 about what's 00:44:01.579 --> 00:44:02.260 going on in 00:44:02.260 --> 00:44:02.880 our lives 00:44:02.880 --> 00:44:04.740 we should 00:44:04.740 --> 00:44:05.159 do so 00:44:05.159 --> 00:44:05.860 respectfully 00:44:05.860 --> 00:44:06.420 as he 00:44:06.420 --> 00:44:06.679 did 00:44:06.679 --> 00:44:07.340 and humbly 00:44:07.340 --> 00:44:08.800 and he 00:44:08.800 --> 00:44:09.320 is the 00:44:09.320 --> 00:44:09.800 kind of 00:44:09.800 --> 00:44:10.079 God 00:44:10.079 --> 00:44:10.460 that is 00:44:10.460 --> 00:44:10.820 gracious 00:44:10.820 --> 00:44:11.579 towards us 00:44:11.579 --> 00:44:12.000 and will 00:44:12.000 --> 00:44:12.599 give us 00:44:12.599 --> 00:44:13.400 assurance 00:44:13.400 --> 00:44:14.579 is there 00:44:14.579 --> 00:44:15.200 something in 00:44:15.200 --> 00:44:15.579 here that 00:44:15.579 --> 00:44:16.200 doesn't sit 00:44:16.200 --> 00:44:16.660 right with 00:44:16.660 --> 00:44:16.860 you 00:44:16.860 --> 00:44:17.480 ask him 00:44:17.480 --> 00:44:18.039 about it 00:44:18.039 --> 00:44:20.660 he will 00:44:20.660 --> 00:44:21.039 give us 00:44:21.039 --> 00:44:21.380 assurance 00:44:21.380 --> 00:44:21.900 he's the 00:44:21.900 --> 00:44:22.340 kind of 00:44:22.340 --> 00:44:22.760 God that 00:44:22.760 --> 00:44:23.220 gives his 00:44:23.220 --> 00:44:23.740 promise 00:44:23.740 --> 00:44:24.700 and then 00:44:24.700 --> 00:44:25.260 gives the 00:44:25.260 --> 00:44:25.559 same 00:44:25.559 --> 00:44:26.000 promise 00:44:26.000 --> 00:44:26.400 again 00:44:26.400 --> 00:44:26.780 and then 00:44:26.780 --> 00:44:27.160 gives it 00:44:27.160 --> 00:44:27.559 again 00:44:27.559 --> 00:44:28.039 and gives 00:44:28.039 --> 00:44:28.599 it again 00:44:28.599 --> 00:44:29.780 he knows 00:44:29.780 --> 00:44:30.139 the kind 00:44:30.139 --> 00:44:30.500 of people 00:44:30.500 --> 00:44:30.900 that we 00:44:30.900 --> 00:44:31.139 are 00:44:31.139 --> 00:44:32.579 he knows 00:44:32.579 --> 00:44:32.860 the way 00:44:32.860 --> 00:44:33.039 we 00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:33.480 struggle 00:44:33.480 --> 00:44:36.940 he opens 00:44:36.940 --> 00:44:37.400 our eyes 00:44:37.400 --> 00:44:38.280 just a little 00:44:38.280 --> 00:44:38.760 bit more 00:44:38.760 --> 00:44:39.380 at a time 00:44:39.380 --> 00:44:41.760 and leads 00:44:41.760 --> 00:44:42.300 us along 00:44:42.300 --> 00:44:42.840 in this 00:44:42.840 --> 00:44:43.519 amazing 00:44:43.519 --> 00:44:44.240 relationship 00:44:44.240 --> 00:44:44.900 of love 00:44:44.900 --> 00:44:46.800 what a 00:44:46.800 --> 00:44:47.119 wonderful 00:44:47.119 --> 00:44:47.460 God 00:44:47.460 --> 00:44:48.000 he is 00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:50.360 let's 00:44:50.360 --> 00:44:50.640 pray 00:44:50.640 --> 00:45:00.200 Lord we 00:45:00.200 --> 00:45:00.619 don't come 00:45:00.619 --> 00:45:01.119 to you 00:45:01.119 --> 00:45:02.680 with 00:45:02.680 --> 00:45:03.880 something in 00:45:03.880 --> 00:45:04.380 our hands 00:45:04.380 --> 00:45:04.860 to say 00:45:04.860 --> 00:45:05.340 look at 00:45:05.340 --> 00:45:06.099 how awesome 00:45:06.099 --> 00:45:06.559 we are 00:45:06.559 --> 00:45:06.980 what we 00:45:06.980 --> 00:45:07.460 have to 00:45:07.460 --> 00:45:07.820 give to 00:45:07.820 --> 00:45:08.080 you 00:45:08.080 --> 00:45:10.480 we come 00:45:10.480 --> 00:45:10.760 to you 00:45:10.760 --> 00:45:10.980 like 00:45:10.980 --> 00:45:11.380 Abraham 00:45:11.380 --> 00:45:11.760 did 00:45:11.760 --> 00:45:13.140 so often 00:45:13.140 --> 00:45:13.500 with 00:45:13.500 --> 00:45:14.720 mixed 00:45:14.720 --> 00:45:15.240 feelings 00:45:15.240 --> 00:45:15.980 with doubt 00:45:15.980 --> 00:45:18.059 with some 00:45:18.059 --> 00:45:18.480 faith 00:45:18.480 --> 00:45:18.960 yes 00:45:18.960 --> 00:45:21.580 but you're 00:45:21.580 --> 00:45:22.280 so gracious 00:45:22.280 --> 00:45:22.760 to us 00:45:22.760 --> 00:45:23.059 and we 00:45:23.059 --> 00:45:23.820 praise you 00:45:23.820 --> 00:45:24.460 for that 00:45:24.460 --> 00:45:26.080 we love 00:45:26.080 --> 00:45:26.360 you 00:45:26.360 --> 00:45:28.500 we ask 00:45:28.500 --> 00:45:28.780 that you 00:45:28.780 --> 00:45:29.420 would strengthen 00:45:29.420 --> 00:45:30.019 our faith 00:45:30.019 --> 00:45:30.340 that you 00:45:30.340 --> 00:45:31.200 would teach 00:45:31.200 --> 00:45:31.960 us to walk 00:45:31.960 --> 00:45:32.500 by faith 00:45:32.500 --> 00:45:33.140 like Abraham 00:45:33.140 --> 00:45:33.620 did 00:45:33.620 --> 00:45:36.360 and to 00:45:36.360 --> 00:45:36.800 take your 00:45:36.800 --> 00:45:37.140 word 00:45:37.139 --> 00:45:38.519 as the 00:45:38.519 --> 00:45:38.900 truth 00:45:38.900 --> 00:45:40.139 and live 00:45:40.139 --> 00:45:40.619 by it 00:45:40.619 --> 00:45:42.879 we thank 00:45:42.879 --> 00:45:43.159 you that 00:45:43.159 --> 00:45:43.819 through Christ 00:45:43.819 --> 00:45:44.299 you have 00:45:44.299 --> 00:45:45.099 not treated 00:45:45.099 --> 00:45:45.859 us as we 00:45:45.859 --> 00:45:46.400 deserve 00:45:46.400 --> 00:45:47.379 not Abraham 00:45:47.379 --> 00:45:48.279 and not us 00:45:48.279 --> 00:45:49.639 you've instead 00:45:49.639 --> 00:45:50.259 been gracious 00:45:50.259 --> 00:45:51.019 and given 00:45:51.019 --> 00:45:51.559 your blessing 00:45:51.559 --> 00:45:52.139 to us 00:45:52.139 --> 00:45:54.719 thank you 00:45:54.719 --> 00:45:56.759 it's in 00:45:56.759 --> 00:45:57.500 Jesus name 00:45:57.500 --> 00:45:58.319 that we 00:45:58.319 --> 00:45:58.659 pray 00:45:58.659 --> 00:45:59.579 amen 00:45:59.579 --> 00:46:02.139 to 00:46:02.139 --> 00:46:14.319 hope 00:46:14.319 --> 00:46:17.920 thank you