WEBVTT

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 If you've got a Bible, turn to Jeremiah.

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 If you haven't got a Bible, you're really going to need one.

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 And so our stewards are there.

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 Stick up a paw, stick up a hand, and they can hand you a Bible.

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 If you look at it on your phone, you'll probably struggle to follow it.

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 So if you need a paper Bible, don't be embarrassed.

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 Okay.

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 It's Paige.

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 What page is it?

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 Jeremiah 2.

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 Six to eight.

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 Every marriage goes through difficult times.

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 Every marriage goes through periods where you seem to be arguing all the time,

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 or periods where you seem to be arguing more.

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 And arguments reoccur.

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 Maybe you're in your marriage going through that right now.

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 In 23 years, I've only ever met one couple that told me that they never argued,

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 and they never had argued.

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 They were lying.

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 And if they weren't lying, there was something really, very seriously wrong.

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 Every marriage goes through difficult times.

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 Jeremiah 2 to six is a conversation between a married couple.

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 It's like a conversation between a married couple that have been arguing, fighting for years.

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 And the conversation is not complicated.

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 There's three, really, points to the argument.

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 One is, it's over.

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 Two, come back to me.

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 And three, enough is enough.

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 It's over.

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 Come back to me.

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 Enough is enough.

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 Chapter 2, verse 1 to chapter 3, verse 5.

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 It's over.

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 I should imagine a husband coming into his wife and saying,

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 there's something I need to say, and there's something I need to tell you.

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 Her heart sinks.

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 That's chapter 2, verses 1 to 13.

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 The word of the Lord came to me.

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 Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem.

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 Thus says the Lord, I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride,

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 how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not so.

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 But even we know that in the story of God's marriage to Israel,

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 when it began, all was not sweetness and light.

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 But compared to what comes next, it was pure joy.

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 The metaphor switches, and the people of God are described as a toxic harvest.

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 And in a throwback to the Garden of Eden,

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 all who ate of it incurred guilt.

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 Disaster came upon them.

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 God's word becomes even more plain as he addresses them in verse 5.

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 What wrong did your fathers find in me?

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 That they went far from me,

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 and went after worthlessness, and became worthless.

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 Jeremiah uses the Ecclesiastes word.

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 Vanity of vanities.

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 This relationship is only going one way,

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 and he highlights their ingratitude, and their amnesia, and their stupidity.

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 Verse 6, they did not say,

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 where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt,

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 who led us in the wilderness?

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 Verse 7, and I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruit and its good things,

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 but when you came in, you defiled my land,

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 and made my heritage an abomination.

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 The priests, they don't seek God.

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 The Bible preachers don't know God.

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 The kings defy God.

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 The prophets don't speak for God.

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 And according to verse 9,

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 God has a significant problem with this.

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 Even on a basic level,

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 this is self-evidently wrong.

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 Verse 10,

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 he says,

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 And God's conclusion is cutting.

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 Verse 12,

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 I think there is no more helpful or damning analysis of sin in the whole of the Bible than that verse.

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 Sin is defying and abandoning God,

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 and it is choosing to be our own God in his place.

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 And the image highlights the utter foolishness of this.

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 So imagine,

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 and you're really thirsty,

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 and there is a gushing spring of fresh water that is beside you.

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 But you embark on the ultimately futile,

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 back-breaking project of digging out your own rainwater tank.

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 It's a rainwater tank which will never hold water,

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 and yet you keep digging it.

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 Can you see the utter stupidity of sin?

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 Many of us slip into an entirely kind of unreformed,

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 unbiblical, works-based way of living.

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 Each day, we don't have a problem.

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 Maybe you don't have a problem with thinking,

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 I'm not perfect.

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 I know that much.

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 And we may even reflect,

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 we give ourselves a score out of 100.

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 That was a 90% day.

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 Today was a shocker.

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 I only reached 63%.

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 The Bible does describe sin as falling short,

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 a shortfall.

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 And that is right,

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 but it can actually flatter you.

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 I would rather think of myself as doing well but falling short than an idiot.

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 An idiot who's broken faith with God

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 and set myself up at the heart of the universe.

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 At the heart of sin,

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 according to God through Jeremiah,

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 it is cosmically stupid.

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 And sometimes we flatter ourselves,

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 don't we?

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 I just fall short.

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 But actually, no, Jeremiah says,

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 sin is cosmically stupid.

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 And if we live with this moment to moment,

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 we will take our sin incredibly seriously.

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 And when confronted with our sin,

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 we won't minimize it.

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 When we become aware of our sins,

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 we won't take refuge that,

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 well, we did well,

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 just not well enough.

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 We won't say,

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 well, yeah,

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 I fall into sin,

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 but look at all the good I do.

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 Because when we do that,

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 we are not addressing the heart of the issue.

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 We won't face the fact

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 that we have been

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 distinctly,

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 catastrophically stupid.

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 Jeremiah

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 causes you and I

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 to embrace the fact

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 that we reject God

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 and we deify ourselves.

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 We are guilty of unbelief

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 on the one hand

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 and idolatry on the other hand.

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 And we do it again

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 and again

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 and again.

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 The painful conversation

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 goes on in verse 14.

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 Instead of seeking security

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 in God,

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 Israel have made alliances

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 with all kinds of nations.

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 They've pressed

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 the diplomatic

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 self-destruct button.

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 And it's got consequences.

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 Look at verse 15.

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 The lions,

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 they're metaphorical lions,

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 the lions have roared

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 against them.

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 They've roared

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 loudly.

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 And they've come in,

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 they've trashed your country.

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 And they've made

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 his land a waste,

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 his cities in ruins

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 without inhabitants.

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 Moreover,

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 the men of Memphis

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 and Tehaphanes

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 have shaved the crown

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 of your head,

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 they've humiliated you.

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 And you've brought this

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 upon yourself

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 by forsaking the Lord

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 your God

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 when he led you in the way.

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 And now,

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 what do you gain

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 by going to Egypt

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 to drink the waters

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 of the Nile?

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 Or what do you gain

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 by going to Assyria

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 to drink the waters

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 of the Euphrates?

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 Your evil will chastise you.

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 And your apostasy

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 will reprove you.

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 Know and see

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 that it is evil

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 and bitter

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 for you to forsake

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 the Lord your God.

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 The fear of me

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 is not in you.

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 And there are

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 very few of us

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 that enjoy

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 hard conversations.

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 There are fewer

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 still of us

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 that enjoy

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 our hearts

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 being ripped open

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 and torn

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 into tiny pieces.

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 But that is the kind

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 of thing

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 that's going on here.

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 God lays out

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 the reality

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 of Israel's

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 past and present

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 in a way that can be

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 neither denied

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 or ignored.

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 In chapter 2

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 in verse 20

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 to 37

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 there's a long section

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 and it's actually

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 quite easy

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 to pick your way

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 through it.

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 Jeremiah

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 builds this case

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 on seven statements

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 that Israel makes.

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 Verse 20

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 For long ago

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 I broke your yoke

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 and burst your bonds

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 but you said

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 I will not serve.

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 Yes,

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 on every hill

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 and under every green tree

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 you bowed down

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 like a whore.

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 And God's assertion

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 in verse 22

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 is despite all this

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 scrubbing

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 the stain of your guilt

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 is still before me.

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 Israel speaks again

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 and they say

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 I'm not unclean.

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 I haven't gone

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 after the bales

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 but God says

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 in verse 24

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 you're like a randy donkey.

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 And their third statement

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 in verse 25

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 confirms

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 that assessment.

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 It is hopeless

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 for I've loved foreigners

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 and after them

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 I will go.

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 It's just the way I am.

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 It's just the way I am.

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 And the people of God

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 continue to give themselves

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 away by their ideology.

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 Verse 26

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 they're kings

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 they're officials

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 they're priests

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 they're prophets

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 who say to a tree

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 you are my father

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 who say to a stone

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 you gave me birth.

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 And in the light of that

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 their plea to arise

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 and save

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 sounds well ridiculous

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 and presumptuous.

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 And they've repeatedly

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 asserted their independence.

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 The sixth statement

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 in verse 31

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 says

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 we are free

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 we will come

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 no more to you

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 the relationship

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 is well

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 and truly over.

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 There's no repentance

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 no self-awareness

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 no recognition

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 of reality

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 and finally

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 verse 34

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 in spite of all these things

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 you say

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 I'm innocent.

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 Surely his anger

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 has turned

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 from me.

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 God says

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 it is

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 over.

00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:27.980
 Chapter 3

00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.080
 verse 1 to 5

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 sums it up

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 not only is the honeymoon

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 over

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 the whole marriage

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 is over.

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 If a man divorces

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 his wife

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 she goes from him

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 and becomes

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 another man's wife

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 will he return to her?

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 Would not that land

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 be greatly polluted?

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 Again

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 for us

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 that's Deuteronomy 24

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 language.

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 God has prohibited

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 this kind of behavior.

00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.180
 This language

00:10:53.180 --> 00:10:53.519
 was there

00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.300
 to protect women

00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:54.879
 from becoming

00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:55.340
 like a kind of

00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:56.159
 marital football

00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:57.920
 getting kicked around

00:10:57.920 --> 00:10:58.420
 from one man

00:10:58.420 --> 00:10:58.840
 to the next

00:10:58.840 --> 00:10:59.240
 and Jeremiah

00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.420
 uses this text

00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:01.300
 to say

00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:02.399
 it's over.

00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:04.500
 You've played the

00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.279
 whore with many lovers

00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:07.000
 and would you

00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.539
 return to me

00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:08.039
 to declare to the Lord

00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:08.959
 lift up your eyes

00:11:08.959 --> 00:11:09.679
 to the bare heights

00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:10.139
 and see

00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:11.779
 where have you

00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:12.779
 not been ravished

00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:13.659
 by the wayside

00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.740
 you've sat

00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.379
 awaiting lovers

00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:16.000
 like an Arab

00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.579
 in the wilderness

00:11:16.579 --> 00:11:17.459
 you've polluted

00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:17.859
 the land

00:11:17.859 --> 00:11:18.639
 with your vile

00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.240
 whoredom

00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:20.299
 therefore the showers

00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.019
 have been withheld

00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:21.799
 and the spring rain

00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:22.379
 has not come

00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:23.079
 it's the curse

00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:23.620
 of the covenant.

00:11:26.599 --> 00:11:27.259
 You have the

00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.159
 forehead of a whore

00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:29.979
 you refuse

00:11:29.979 --> 00:11:30.639
 to be ashamed

00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:31.279
 have you

00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:33.500
 not just now

00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:34.139
 called to me

00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.799
 my father

00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.939
 you are the friend

00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:36.500
 of my youth

00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.039
 will he be angry

00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:37.480
 forever

00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.639
 will he be indignant

00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:39.199
 to the end

00:11:39.199 --> 00:11:40.179
 behold you've spoken

00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:41.159
 but you've done

00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:42.159
 all the evil

00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:42.679
 that you could.

00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.179
 And at this point

00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:46.620
 it's really

00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.340
 tempting

00:11:47.340 --> 00:11:49.199
 to rush

00:11:49.199 --> 00:11:50.080
 to the New Testament

00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:52.039
 and ease

00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:52.980
 the relentless

00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:53.600
 discomfort

00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.500
 of these chapters

00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:56.259
 but stop.

00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:59.700
 stop and let

00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:00.500
 the relentless

00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:02.439
 pain of these

00:12:02.439 --> 00:12:03.259
 words sink in.

00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:05.960
 God's marriage

00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:06.819
 has been difficult

00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:07.799
 for a very long time

00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:09.340
 God's marriage

00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:09.740
 to Israel

00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:10.259
 has been difficult

00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:10.840
 for a long

00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:11.480
 long time

00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:12.500
 they've been fighting

00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.259
 night after night

00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:13.799
 after night

00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:15.960
 there's no question

00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:17.000
 who is at fault

00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:19.279
 and the disbelief

00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:21.699
 how can it be over?

00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:24.919
 You've always

00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:25.740
 forgiven me

00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:27.959
 what's different

00:12:27.959 --> 00:12:28.519
 about this time?

00:12:30.819 --> 00:12:31.579
 Why can't we have

00:12:31.579 --> 00:12:32.339
 one more chance?

00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:33.539
 Another go

00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:36.100
 but God says

00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:36.539
 it's over

00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:40.439
 and what I think

00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:41.100
 is interesting

00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:42.879
 and quite disconcerting

00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.079
 is that there are

00:12:44.079 --> 00:12:45.379
 places in the New Testament

00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:47.059
 that pick up

00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:47.539
 on this kind

00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.000
 of language.

00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:51.259
 The idea

00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.620
 that our relationship

00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:53.500
 as a church

00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:53.919
 with God

00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.899
 is a fragile marriage

00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:58.419
 and so the Apostle John

00:12:58.419 --> 00:12:58.860
 in Revelation

00:12:58.860 --> 00:12:59.899
 applies it to the church

00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:02.019
 and Jesus speaks

00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.399
 to the church

00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:02.820
 in Ephesus

00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:03.439
 to the angel

00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:03.840
 of the church

00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.220
 in Ephesus

00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:04.679
 and he says

00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:05.700
 the words of him

00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:06.220
 who holds

00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:06.899
 the seven stars

00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:07.580
 in his right hand

00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:08.620
 who walks

00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:09.240
 among the seven

00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.259
 golden lampstands

00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.019
 I know your works

00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:11.480
 your toil

00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.840
 your patient endurance

00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:13.480
 and how you cannot

00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.039
 bear with those

00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:14.360
 who are evil

00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.220
 I know you are

00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.139
 endearingly patient

00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:17.320
 and bearing up

00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:18.139
 for my name's sake

00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.960
 and you've not

00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:19.379
 grown weary

00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.000
 but I've got this

00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.480
 against you

00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.200
 that you've abandoned

00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:21.899
 the love you had

00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.340
 at first.

00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:24.279
 Remember therefore

00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:24.840
 from where you've

00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:25.379
 fallen repent

00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.340
 and do the works

00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:26.879
 you did at first

00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:27.340
 if not

00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:28.960
 I will come to you

00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.539
 and I will remove

00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.120
 your lampstand

00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.600
 from its place

00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.480
 unless you repent.

00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:35.980
 And we mustn't

00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.300
 soften those words

00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:39.840
 by kind of doing

00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:40.820
 a theological

00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.639
 sleight of hand

00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:43.899
 about whether

00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:44.639
 or not

00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.179
 Jesus actually

00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:45.679
 really means

00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.159
 what he says

00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:48.340
 and we must

00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:49.220
 hear those words

00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.299
 as a real warning

00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:50.980
 against spiritual

00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:51.439
 adultery

00:13:51.439 --> 00:13:54.840
 but we must

00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:55.539
 also recognize

00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:56.159
 we are not

00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:57.059
 in the same place

00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:59.939
 because of

00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:00.559
 the Lord Jesus

00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.019
 Christ

00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:02.199
 things have

00:14:02.199 --> 00:14:02.819
 changed

00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:05.139
 and we are

00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:05.799
 his bride

00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:08.240
 and ultimately

00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:08.919
 he will not

00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.460
 let his people

00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:09.780
 go.

00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.620
 John goes on

00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:12.920
 to say in

00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:13.759
 Revelation 19

00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.080
 doesn't he

00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:14.300
 says

00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:14.759
 hallelujah

00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.379
 hallelujah

00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:16.100
 for the Lord

00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:16.440
 our God

00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:16.820
 the almighty

00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:18.220
 reigns

00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:18.780
 and let us

00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:19.480
 rejoice

00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:19.960
 and exalt

00:14:19.960 --> 00:14:20.519
 and give him

00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:20.960
 the glory

00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:22.240
 for the marriage

00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.139
 of the lamb

00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.560
 has come

00:14:23.560 --> 00:14:25.000
 and his bride

00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.420
 has made

00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:25.920
 herself ready

00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:27.639
 it was granted

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.900
 to her

00:14:28.900 --> 00:14:29.680
 to clothe herself

00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.320
 with fine linen

00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:30.879
 bright and pure

00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.060
 for the fine linen

00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:32.860
 is the righteous

00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.700
 deeds of the saints

00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:34.320
 and the angel

00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:34.800
 said to me

00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:35.340
 write this

00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.580
 blessed are those

00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:37.639
 who are invited

00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:39.360
 to the marriage

00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:39.939
 supper of the lamb

00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:42.939
 and God

00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.460
 will never

00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:44.199
 say to us

00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:44.899
 because we are

00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:45.600
 in Christ

00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:47.439
 it is over

00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:51.000
 but the power

00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:52.439
 and the strange

00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:53.480
 dark beauty

00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.580
 of Jeremiah

00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:56.460
 is that it

00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.279
 encourages us

00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:57.899
 not to run

00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.259
 there too

00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:58.539
 quickly

00:14:58.539 --> 00:15:01.379
 it's not exactly

00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.860
 what we might

00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.519
 expect at this

00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:02.759
 point

00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:05.939
 in the narrative

00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:06.799
 but in the wake

00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:08.519
 of all these

00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.100
 passionate

00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.059
 outbursts

00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.379
 aimed at

00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:12.860
 convincing

00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.460
 the really

00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.139
 complacent

00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:14.879
 Judahites

00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:16.379
 that the writing

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.100
 is on the wall

00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:19.220
 and so in chapter

00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.220
 3 and verse

00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:20.679
 6

00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:22.919
 God's prophet

00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:23.600
 calls the people

00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.080
 to repent

00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:24.960
 come back to me

00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.240
 come back to me

00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.000
 3 verse 6

00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.819
 to 4 verse 4

00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:29.379
 the word occurs

00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.740
 14 times

00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:32.780
 15 times

00:15:32.780 --> 00:15:32.980
 actually

00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:34.140
 in different forms

00:15:34.140 --> 00:15:34.820
 return

00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.420
 return

00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:36.620
 return

00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.120
 return

00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.740
 return

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.160
 return

00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:38.640
 return

00:15:38.640 --> 00:15:41.060
 this drumbeat

00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:41.640
 of the call

00:15:41.640 --> 00:15:42.180
 to repentance

00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:44.879
 is silenced

00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.620
 only by the fact

00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.260
 that those reading

00:15:46.260 --> 00:15:47.040
 the final version

00:15:47.040 --> 00:15:47.780
 of Jeremiah's

00:15:47.780 --> 00:15:48.540
 work in exile

00:15:48.540 --> 00:15:49.860
 would know

00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.580
 only too well

00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.440
 that those 15

00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.340
 calls to repentance

00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:52.900
 were ignored

00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:54.780
 along with many

00:15:54.780 --> 00:15:55.120
 others

00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:58.639
 I don't know

00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:58.899
 whether you've

00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.560
 had this experience

00:15:59.560 --> 00:16:01.379
 you are given

00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:01.940
 a list

00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.039
 to go to the shop

00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:04.919
 you go to Lidl

00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.960
 and the list

00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.639
 isn't as clear

00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.519
 as you would like it

00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.639
 and so

00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.480
 there are a number

00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:11.860
 of options

00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.120
 you could

00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.700
 so you

00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:14.179
 ring your

00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:14.940
 wife

00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:17.600
 but she doesn't

00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:17.879
 answer

00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.560
 and so you ring

00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:20.000
 again

00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.399
 and she doesn't

00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:21.680
 answer

00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:23.259
 and you ring

00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:23.940
 a third time

00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.779
 and she doesn't

00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.000
 answer

00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.000
 so you ring

00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.539
 your son

00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:28.360
 and he doesn't

00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:28.659
 answer

00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:30.399
 and then you

00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.179
 ring your daughter

00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:32.899
 and she doesn't

00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.240
 answer

00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:35.220
 and finally

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.919
 you ring your

00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:36.399
 wife again

00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.000
 and she does

00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.720
 pick up the phone

00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:39.480
 what do you say

00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.419
 oh it's lovely

00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.200
 to speak to you

00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:42.320
 don't you

00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:45.159
 the experience

00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.500
 of being ignored

00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:49.419
 drives me mad

00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:51.539
 drives you mad

00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:54.259
 time after time

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.039
 time after time

00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.720
 you ring

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.399
 and they don't

00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.139
 pick up the phone

00:16:57.139 --> 00:17:00.019
 well God

00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.620
 presents himself

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.000
 as a God

00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.379
 who time

00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:01.840
 after time

00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.319
 after time

00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:02.720
 is calling

00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.179
 his people

00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:07.379
 he calls his people

00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.180
 again and again

00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:08.680
 and again

00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.180
 and they don't

00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:09.440
 answer

00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:12.440
 during

00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.480
 Josiah's reign

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:13.860
 God

00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:13.860


00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.140
 gives

00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:14.480
 Jeremiah

00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.100
 an insight

00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:16.000
 into this

00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.460
 what it was

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:16.940
 like for him

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.200
 from his

00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.580
 perspective

00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:18.500
 and he goes

00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:18.980
 back to the

00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.380
 days of the

00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.059
 northern kingdom

00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.620
 to Israel

00:17:20.620 --> 00:17:21.380
 and he says

00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:22.019
 do you remember

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.420
 what happened

00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:22.900
 to the northern

00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.200
 kingdom

00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.580
 Israel

00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:24.200
 chapter 3

00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.600
 verse 6

00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.019
 have you seen

00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:25.480
 what she did

00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:25.980
 the faithless

00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:26.220
 one

00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:28.019
 as she went

00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.420
 up on every

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:28.740
 hill

00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.059
 and every

00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.380
 under green

00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:29.620
 tree

00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.079
 she played

00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.539
 the horn

00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.279
 and I thought

00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:31.640
 after that

00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:31.920
 she'll come

00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.259
 back

00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.200
 but she didn't

00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:35.000
 and all the

00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.360
 while her

00:17:35.360 --> 00:17:35.860
 treacherous

00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:36.140
 sister

00:17:36.140 --> 00:17:36.559
 you

00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:36.799
 in

00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.000
 Judah

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.559
 you saw

00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:37.720
 it

00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.240
 you saw

00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.940
 the adulteries

00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.160
 of the

00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:39.519
 faithless

00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:39.700
 one

00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.120
 Israel

00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:41.400
 you saw

00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:41.640
 that I

00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:41.900
 sent her

00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.059
 away

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.220
 with a

00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:42.420
 decree

00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.000
 of divorce

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.140
 yet her

00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:44.759
 treacherous

00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.019
 Judah

00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.620
 you

00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.720
 did not

00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:46.980
 fear

00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:49.059
 but she

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.519
 too went

00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:49.799
 and played

00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.160
 the whore

00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.420
 because she

00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:51.720
 took her

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:51.960
 whoredom

00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.259
 lightly

00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.039
 she polluted

00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.440
 the land

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.140
 committing adultery

00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.660
 with stone

00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.120
 and tree

00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:56.919
 yet for

00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.479
 all this

00:17:57.479 --> 00:17:57.639
 her

00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:58.119
 treacherous

00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:58.439
 sister

00:17:58.439 --> 00:17:58.819
 Judah

00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.259
 did not

00:17:59.259 --> 00:17:59.559
 return

00:17:59.559 --> 00:17:59.779
 to me

00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.019
 with her

00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.199
 whole

00:18:00.199 --> 00:18:00.399
 heart

00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:00.719
 but in

00:18:00.719 --> 00:18:01.179
 pretense

00:18:01.179 --> 00:18:01.639
 declares

00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.019
 the Lord

00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.519
 do you

00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:02.899
 hear that

00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.259
 it's

00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:03.739
 Josiah's

00:18:03.739 --> 00:18:03.919
 day

00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:04.219
 great

00:18:04.219 --> 00:18:04.379
 king

00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:04.959
 Josiah

00:18:04.959 --> 00:18:06.879
 Judah

00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:07.219
 it seems

00:18:07.219 --> 00:18:07.519
 had learned

00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:07.879
 nothing

00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.299
 from

00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.659
 the destruction

00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.099
 of Israel

00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:10.799
 chapter 3

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.319
 verse 11

00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.079
 faithless

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.439
 Israel

00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:12.779
 has shown

00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.059
 herself

00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.319
 more

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.679
 righteous

00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:14.359
 than

00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:14.859
 treacherous

00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:15.179
 Judah

00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:18.799
 you do

00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.000
 wonder

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.239
 don't you

00:18:19.239 --> 00:18:19.459
 what it

00:18:19.459 --> 00:18:19.599
 would have

00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:19.899
 been like

00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.399
 to have

00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.839
 Jeremiah

00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.299
 come

00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:22.619
 as a

00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:22.859
 visiting

00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.199
 preacher

00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:25.620
 he doesn't

00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:25.900
 pull his

00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.440
 punches

00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:26.980
 does he

00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.220
 and this

00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:28.360
 is

00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:28.920
 Josiah's

00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.059
 day

00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:29.360
 not

00:18:29.360 --> 00:18:29.880
 evil

00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:30.080
 king

00:18:30.080 --> 00:18:30.500
 Manasseh's

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:30.720
 day

00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.220
 it's

00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:32.460
 not the

00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:32.779
 reign of

00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.120
 any of

00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:33.120


00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:33.240
 the

00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.279
 hopelessly

00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.680
 idolatrous

00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:35.980
 kings

00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.380
 these words

00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:36.799
 are spoken

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.100
 in the

00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:37.319
 middle

00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.700
 of

00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.299
 good

00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:38.580
 king

00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:39.080
 Josiah's

00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:39.400
 reform

00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:39.559
 of the

00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:39.779
 nation

00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.120
 and God

00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.299
 says

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:40.480
 you're

00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:40.840
 worse

00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:41.000
 than

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.279
 Israel

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:43.759
 he compares

00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.860
 his

00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:45.259
 people

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.240
 with

00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.539
 Israel

00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.080
 I don't

00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.279
 know how

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.660
 you fight

00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.000
 how that

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.279
 works

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.539
 in your

00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:48.900
 marriage

00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:51.040
 but I

00:18:51.040 --> 00:18:51.220
 think

00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:51.700
 comparing

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.280
 people

00:18:52.280 --> 00:18:54.320
 unfavorably

00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:54.820
 seldom

00:18:54.820 --> 00:18:55.500
 gets a

00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.019
 positive

00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.640
 response

00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:58.680
 you are

00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.519
 just like

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.080
 your

00:19:00.080 --> 00:19:00.940
 mother

00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:03.019
 do you

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.280
 know who

00:19:03.280 --> 00:19:03.460
 you're

00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:03.759
 behaving

00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.100
 like

00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:04.800
 you're

00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:05.120
 behaving

00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.340
 like

00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:05.540
 your

00:19:05.540 --> 00:19:06.040
 dad

00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:06.880
 I

00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.080
 have

00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:07.540
 found

00:19:07.540 --> 00:19:09.200
 that

00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:09.480
 doesn't

00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:09.820
 diffuse

00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:10.000
 the

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.500
 situation

00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:13.140
 it

00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.880
 doesn't

00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.340
 tend

00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:14.560
 to

00:19:14.560 --> 00:19:14.720
 think

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.140
 of

00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:15.600
 course

00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:17.460
 that's

00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:17.820
 exactly

00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.120
 what I'm

00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:18.380
 like

00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.100
 thanks

00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:19.280
 for

00:19:19.280 --> 00:19:19.540
 pointing

00:19:19.540 --> 00:19:19.740
 that

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:19.980
 out

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.240
 I

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.500
 really

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:20.940
 appreciate

00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.280
 that

00:19:21.280 --> 00:19:21.640
 that's

00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:21.740
 not

00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:21.840
 how

00:19:21.840 --> 00:19:21.940
 I

00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.340
 respond

00:19:22.340 --> 00:19:23.820
 and so

00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.320
 comparing

00:19:24.320 --> 00:19:27.360
 Israel

00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:28.640
 to

00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.140
 Judah

00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:29.960
 must have

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.060
 been

00:19:30.060 --> 00:19:30.440
 deeply

00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.000
 irritating

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.860
 but it

00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:33.300
 leads to

00:19:33.300 --> 00:19:33.400
 an

00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:33.760
 outpouring

00:19:33.760 --> 00:19:34.140
 of God's

00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.500
 compassion

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:34.940
 go and

00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.200
 proclaim

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:35.420
 these

00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:35.700
 words

00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.040
 towards

00:19:36.040 --> 00:19:36.200
 the

00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:36.400
 north

00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:36.560
 and

00:19:36.560 --> 00:19:36.900
 say

00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:37.600
 I

00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:40.440
 will

00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:40.580
 not

00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:40.760
 look

00:19:40.760 --> 00:19:40.960
 on you

00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.060
 in

00:19:41.060 --> 00:19:41.320
 anger

00:19:41.320 --> 00:19:41.760
 for I

00:19:41.760 --> 00:19:41.980
 am

00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.440
 merciful

00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:42.880
 declares

00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:43.040
 the

00:19:43.040 --> 00:19:43.220
 Lord

00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:44.620
 I

00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:44.780
 will

00:19:44.780 --> 00:19:44.900
 not

00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:45.040
 be

00:19:45.040 --> 00:19:45.320
 angry

00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:45.700
 forever

00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:45.980
 only

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.540
 acknowledge

00:19:46.540 --> 00:19:46.780
 your

00:19:46.780 --> 00:19:47.080
 guilt

00:19:47.080 --> 00:19:47.460
 that you

00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:47.880
 rebelled

00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:48.280
 against the

00:19:48.280 --> 00:19:48.420
 Lord

00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:48.580
 your

00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:48.820
 God

00:19:48.820 --> 00:19:49.020
 and you

00:19:49.020 --> 00:19:49.420
 scattered

00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:49.720
 your

00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.380
 favours

00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.020
 among foreigners

00:19:51.020 --> 00:19:51.580
 under every

00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:52.100
 green tree

00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:52.480
 that you've

00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.040
 not obeyed

00:19:53.040 --> 00:19:53.520
 my voice

00:19:53.520 --> 00:19:53.860
 declares

00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:54.140
 the Lord

00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:54.580
 return

00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:54.840
 oh

00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:55.300
 faithless

00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:55.680
 children

00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.080
 declares

00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.300
 the Lord

00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:56.560
 for I

00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:56.780
 am your

00:19:56.780 --> 00:19:57.140
 master

00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:58.860
 I will

00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.240
 take you

00:19:59.240 --> 00:19:59.580
 one from

00:19:59.580 --> 00:19:59.940
 a city

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.440
 two from

00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:00.840
 a family

00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.060
 and I

00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:01.320
 will bring

00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:01.580
 you into

00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:01.860
 Zion

00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.559
 god

00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:02.559


00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:02.559


00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.159
 god

00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:03.159


00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:03.159


00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:03.199
 god

00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.199


00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.519
 god

00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:03.519


00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:03.519


00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:03.519


00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.039
 god

00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.039


00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.059
 god

00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.339
 god

00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.059
 god

00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.059


00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:16.459
 god

00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:16.459 --> 00:20:16.459


00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:39.679
 This is new covenant country.

00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:42.599
 Let the detail wash over you.

00:20:42.679 --> 00:20:46.099
 Hear God saying, come back to me and I will fix everything.

00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:50.039
 Verse 19, how would I set you among my sons and give you a pleasant land?

00:20:50.939 --> 00:20:53.000
 A heritage, most beautiful of all nations.

00:20:53.659 --> 00:20:56.240
 And I thought you would call me my father.

00:20:57.459 --> 00:20:59.159
 And would not turn from following me.

00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:01.840
 That's not what happened.

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:11.060
 So he cries out again, verse 22, which is literally, turn, you turning away sons and I will heal your turnings.

00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:14.960
 Come back, a day is envisaged.

00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:22.759
 Behold, we come to you for you are the Lord our God, truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.

00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:25.440
 But there's no softening.

00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:33.860
 Chapter 4, verse 1, he cries out again, if you return to me, if you just repent, the promise to Abraham will be fulfilled.

00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:38.160
 Nations will bless themselves in him and in him they shall glory.

00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:42.140
 God says in verse 3, break up your fallow ground.

00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:44.580
 And he's drawing on Deuteronomy 10.

00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:55.619
 Think about this.

00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:58.759
 Why does God give us all this to go through?

00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:03.599
 Couldn't Jeremiah have got to the point a bit more quickly?

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:08.079
 Couldn't Jeremiah have just said, listen, it's over.

00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.339
 God loves you.

00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:11.480
 There's plenty of evidence of that.

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:13.339
 But this is it.

00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:13.799
 You're toast.

00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.220
 You're done.

00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:19.559
 Well, he could accept the extent of his material.

00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:25.160
 The heightened emotional level.

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:29.019
 The chapter after chapter after chapter of this is part of the point.

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:34.539
 All of this is here to convey to you this is what God is really like.

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:39.460
 And we need to be careful, don't we, reading these prophets.

00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:42.980
 Because we can never quite grasp what God is like.

00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:50.440
 John Calvin speaks about when God communicates with us, he lisps.

00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:54.299
 God lisps to us.

00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:58.099
 That means he condescends to us.

00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:59.039
 God lowers himself.

00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:00.779
 He accommodates himself.

00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:05.420
 He accommodates himself.

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:10.180
 Where God actually gives us the categories to understand something of what he's like.

00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:13.000
 God is God.

00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:19.500
 And though we are made in his image, we must never repay the compliment and remake God in our image.

00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:23.359
 God is not exactly like us.

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.480
 Westminster Confession of Faith makes this clear.

00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.259
 It says this.

00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:47.240
 There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his will, his own immutable and most righteous will.

00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:47.539
 And so on.

00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.700
 God is like us.

00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.059
 But he's not like us.

00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:57.940
 God cannot be made to suffer or to change from the outside.

00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:02.579
 God cannot be overcome with passions.

00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:10.639
 God does not have strong desires that cause him to sort of lose it and behave in an ungodly way.

00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:13.839
 If you want the technical term, he is impassable.

00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:17.159
 But God is not dispassionate.

00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:19.920
 He cares deeply.

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:29.700
 God may not have emotions in the way that we do, but God feels things in a higher, purer way.

00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.980
 But he feels things nonetheless.

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:39.519
 To lose that is to rip the heart out of the revelation of God in the Bible.

00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:43.539
 Paul Helm, he's a theologian, he's just died.

00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:46.279
 He coined the term, themotions.

00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.400
 I think that's quite helpful.

00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.460
 Themotions.

00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.779
 God has themotions.

00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:57.279
 Like human emotions, but God's vision is higher and purer.

00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:01.420
 And that's what we see on full display here.

00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:06.099
 God longs for us in a way that is packed with themotion for his people.

00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:10.779
 He longs for his people to return to him, to come home to him.

00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:14.599
 To repent, to realign their lives to his agenda.

00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:18.219
 So that his great mission to the nations might move forward.

00:25:20.199 --> 00:25:26.279
 And I do wonder whether this evening we need to be confronted again with what we call the heart of God.

00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:27.939
 For his people.

00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:37.299
 Our God is the God who in the human nature of Jesus Christ, freely, willingly, sovereignly,

00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:39.140
 endued suffering.

00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:42.420
 Actively taking it to himself.

00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:45.360
 That ours might be put to an end.

00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:57.919
 And there is nothing other than the beautifully gratuitous outpouring of his invincible, unsurpassable,

00:25:58.059 --> 00:26:00.639
 endearing love for his creatures like you and I.

00:26:02.659 --> 00:26:04.519
 It's the foundation of grace itself.

00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.439
 This is how God is.

00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:08.919
 Our God is the God who says to people like us in Christ,

00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:14.880
 come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:18.980
 My yoke is easy, my burden is light.

00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:23.779
 And yet our God is also the God who says enough is enough.

00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:30.460
 And so from chapter 4, verse 5, to chapter 6, verse 30, he brings this section to a close.

00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:38.680
 And God tells his people in no uncertain terms that even though life seems to be fine and rosy,

00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.519
 judgment is coming.

00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:46.000
 Chapter 4, blow the trumpet through the land.

00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:49.519
 Cry aloud and say assemble and let us go into the fortified cities.

00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:52.319
 Let's run and hide, raise a standard towards Zion.

00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:56.660
 Flee for safety, stay not, for I bring disaster from the north and great destruction.

00:26:56.660 --> 00:27:00.920
 And remember, Jeremiah is saying this when things are going well,

00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:03.540
 and they are prosperous, stable, and safe.

00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:08.700
 But then there's Jeremiah, the harbinger of doom.

00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:10.720
 The end is near.

00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:15.340
 And he does it over and over and over again.

00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.660
 Disaster is coming.

00:27:19.040 --> 00:27:22.920
 He keeps saying the Babylonians are not only knocking on the door today,

00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:26.800
 well, they will be, they'll be through the door tomorrow.

00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:30.800
 If you just glance with me, let me show you this.

00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:35.700
 Chapter 4, verse 11, God is coming with swift chariots and horses in the form of a Babylonian army.

00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:39.800
 Chapter 4, verse 23, and following, the earth is about to be uncreated,

00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.920
 and the nation as a whole is going to be trashed.

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:46.880
 By chapter 5, verse 10 and 11, the vineyards are going.

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:50.600
 The whole nation is being eaten up in chapter 5, verse 15 to 17.

00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:53.639
 Chapter 6, verse 1 to 5, a siege is about to be led.

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:56.219
 There's the sound of marching boots, can you hear them?

00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:57.500
 And clashing swords.

00:27:58.699 --> 00:28:01.679
 Chapter 6, verse 21 can be heard even now.

00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:06.099
 Jeremiah joins excerpts of his preaching over the years.

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:10.179
 I don't think he did this in one hit, but he draws together his greatest hits,

00:28:10.959 --> 00:28:13.059
 and he draws them together to frightening effect.

00:28:13.459 --> 00:28:18.899
 Chapter 6, verse 23, terror on every side.

00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:20.720
 That's his nickname.

00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:23.400
 And what effect?

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:25.820
 Nothing.

00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:30.300
 God's people are so complacent.

00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:32.759
 Chapter 5, verse 12, they've spoken falsely of the Lord,

00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:34.360
 and have said, he will do nothing.

00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:36.920
 No disaster will come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine.

00:28:37.300 --> 00:28:38.700
 The prophet will become wind.

00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:40.040
 The word is not in them.

00:28:40.300 --> 00:28:41.200
 Thus shall it be done to them.

00:28:41.340 --> 00:28:41.920
 It'll happen.

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.400
 Chapter 5, verse 30.

00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:46.880
 An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land.

00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:48.140
 The prophets prophesy falsely.

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.300
 The priests rule at their direction.

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:52.920
 My people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:54.140
 Chapter 6, verse 13.

00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:59.000
 For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain.

00:28:59.060 --> 00:29:00.880
 And from prophet to prophet, everyone deals falsely.

00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:04.340
 They've healed the wound by people lightly, saying, peace, peace, when there is no peace.

00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:07.720
 But all will be overthrown.

00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.939
 And what does Jeremiah have to do?

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:11.359
 Well, he patiently explains why all this has happened.

00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.599
 And he piles up the reasons.

00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.339
 4.18.

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:16.119
 Your words and your deeds have brought this upon you.

00:29:16.199 --> 00:29:16.679
 4.22.

00:29:17.439 --> 00:29:18.319
 For my people are foolish.

00:29:18.439 --> 00:29:19.000
 They know me not.

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.740
 They are stupid children.

00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.599
 They have no understanding.

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:23.079
 They are wise in doing evil.

00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:23.919
 5.3.

00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.119
 They refuse to take correction.

00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:27.039
 They've made their faces harder than rock.

00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.240
 They've refused to repent.

00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:28.839
 Verse 5.

00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.720
 They've broken the yoke.

00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:30.740
 Verse 6.

00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.980
 Their transgressions are many.

00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.619
 Verse 7.

00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:36.399
 When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the houses of whores.

00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:37.839
 Verse 8.

00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.539
 They were well fed.

00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.379
 Lusty stallions.

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:42.439
 Neighing for their neighbors' wives.

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.000
 Verse 11.

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.779
 The house of Israel.

00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:45.719
 The house of Judah has been utterly treacherous.

00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.239
 Verse 23.

00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:49.119
 These people are of a stubborn and rebellious heart.

00:29:49.199 --> 00:29:49.659
 Verse 28.

00:29:49.719 --> 00:29:51.019
 They've grown fat and sleek.

00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.500
 They know no bounds of evil.

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.559
 Verse 30.

00:29:53.639 --> 00:29:55.279
 An appalling and horrible thing has happened.

00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:57.199
 And so it goes on and on.

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.719
 Chapter 6.

00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.219
 Verse 6.

00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.119
 Cut down the trees.

00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:00.919
 Cast up a siege mound against Jerusalem.

00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:03.400
 This is the city that must be punished.

00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:05.380
 There's nothing but oppression within her.

00:30:05.820 --> 00:30:06.160
 Verse 10.

00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:08.300
 To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear?

00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:11.240
 Behold, their ears are uncircumcised.

00:30:11.320 --> 00:30:11.980
 They cannot listen.

00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:15.600
 And so I hope you feel the relentlessness of these chapters.

00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:20.039
 Jeremiah wants you to feel like we were there.

00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:23.980
 Day after day after day after day.

00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:27.879
 As he announces, God has said enough is enough.

00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:33.119
 You see, these chapters do not so much explain sin to us,

00:30:33.219 --> 00:30:36.639
 but they batter us with a sense of seriousness.

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:40.419
 With unceasing, unflinching persistence.

00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:42.220
 Do you feel assaulted by these chapters?

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:45.060
 Drained by listening to them?

00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:49.500
 Do you want it to stop so that you can go to tea and coffee?

00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:51.720
 Amen.

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:54.080
 If you feel like that, good.

00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.900
 Because you're getting it.

00:30:56.900 --> 00:31:01.360
 They are overwhelming chapters.

00:31:02.780 --> 00:31:05.400
 And they are designed to be overwhelming chapters.

00:31:05.540 --> 00:31:07.640
 And they are designed to bring Judah to its senses.

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.480
 But amidst the warnings,

00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:12.000
 the declarations of judgment,

00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:14.080
 and amidst the pleas and the pain,

00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:17.960
 there's this scarcely perceptible

00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:21.380
 but persistent note which beeps away in the background.

00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:27.560
 I don't know whether you've ever had the experience

00:31:27.560 --> 00:31:31.080
 of having an alarm clock go off in your suitcase.

00:31:32.340 --> 00:31:33.480
 Do you know that feeling?

00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:37.080
 And you can hear the beep,

00:31:37.820 --> 00:31:39.720
 but it's imperceptible,

00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:41.780
 and you can't hear it,

00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.700
 and you don't know where it is.

00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:47.000
 But it's going off, isn't it?

00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:48.260
 You open your suitcase, and there it is.

00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.560
 You turn it off.

00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:52.720
 And throughout this little passage,

00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.599
 these passages,

00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:56.440
 and there's this scarcely perceptible

00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.399
 but persistent note

00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:58.679
 that keeps beeping away in the background.

00:31:58.819 --> 00:32:00.079
 Sometimes you hear it, sometimes you don't.

00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:00.899
 You don't know what you're hearing.

00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.839
 Are you hearing it in chapter 4, verse 27?

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.500
 Can you see that?

00:32:10.179 --> 00:32:12.059
 The whole land shall be a desolation.

00:32:13.899 --> 00:32:16.240
 Yet I will not make a full end.

00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:19.019
 And if you listen carefully,

00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.799
 you can hear it in chapter 5, verse 10,

00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:22.619
 go up through her vine roads and destroy,

00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:25.039
 but make not a full end.

00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:27.680
 And chapter 5, verse 18,

00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:29.700
 but even in those days declares the Lord,

00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:31.799
 I will not make a full end of you.

00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:34.799
 This is not the end of the story.

00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:38.180
 A day is coming when God will say,

00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.700
 will not say it is over,

00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:42.000
 and enough is enough,

00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.819
 but God himself will say,

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:46.519
 it is finished.

00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:52.279
 When Babylon herself is fallen and judged for her sin,

00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:54.440
 when there is no longer terror on every side,

00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:55.539
 when saying,

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.740
 peace, peace,

00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:57.799
 is not wishful thinking,

00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.400
 but reality.

00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:02.279
 When because of what God has done for us

00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.259
 in the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:05.000
 in his life and death and resurrection,

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.460
 we face not judgment,

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:09.460
 but salvation uninterrupted,

00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:10.180
 uninterrupted,

00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:13.380
 and ending life with God himself,

00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.900
 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:20.019
 Do you remember how John finishes

00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:21.100
 the book of Revelation,

00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.340
 chapter 21?

00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:26.159
 And I saw the holy city,

00:33:26.339 --> 00:33:27.000
 the new Jerusalem,

00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:29.720
 coming down out of heaven from God,

00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:31.720
 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:35.359
 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

00:33:35.459 --> 00:33:37.619
 Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.

00:33:38.959 --> 00:33:39.779
 He will dwell with them,

00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:41.139
 and they will be his people.

00:33:42.439 --> 00:33:44.779
 And God himself will be with them as their God.

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:48.259
 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,

00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:49.559
 and death shall be no more.

00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.839
 Neither shall there be mourning,

00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.539
 nor crying,

00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:55.679
 nor pain anymore,

00:33:56.339 --> 00:33:59.099
 for the former things have passed away.

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:03.959
 And that is the hope that the prophet

00:34:03.959 --> 00:34:06.859
 and preacher Jeremiah will hold out to his people.

00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:11.860
 But first, they and we must take seriously

00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:14.539
 the awesome reality of their God,

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.239
 who is their rescuer,

00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:19.159
 but is also their judge.

00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:22.539
 Let's pray.

00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:22.539