WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.700 Gracious Father, as we come to your word now, we pray that you would send your spirit and that you would bless us with soft and tender hearts to your word. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:14.380 Rescue us, we pray, from hard hearts where your word just washes straight off. 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:18.300 Bless us with repentance, we pray. 00:00:18.420 --> 00:00:19.460 Give us that gift tonight. 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:20.719 In the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:21.219 Amen. 00:00:21.219 --> 00:00:21.320 Amen. 00:00:23.619 --> 00:00:34.659 I'll be honest with you, I felt sorry for myself when last Monday I began to read through the final three chapters of Hosea in preparation for tonight's message. 00:00:35.079 --> 00:00:38.439 I thought to myself, not again. 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:43.480 Another passage about sin, another passage about judgment. 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:48.560 They have been the dominant themes throughout the three messages so far in Hosea. 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:51.460 Sin and judgment, sin and judgment, sin and judgment. 00:00:52.700 --> 00:00:57.320 And then I thought for a moment, if that's how I feel, spare a thought for poor old Hosea. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:01.920 I mean, which is actually what his original name means. 00:01:02.160 --> 00:01:03.000 It actually means Hosea. 00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:05.579 It's no wonder we call him Hosea. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:11.420 For about 30 or 40 years, this was his message to the northern kingdom. 00:01:11.420 --> 00:01:21.359 God summoned Hosea to tell his people that they have rebelled against him and that they would face his judgment. 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:26.060 And Hosea must have groaned at times. 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:30.859 It's like the CDs stuck day after day after day after day. 00:01:31.020 --> 00:01:33.840 Sin and judgment, sin and judgment, sin and judgment. 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:39.260 But the message couldn't change because the people had not understood. 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:45.640 Israel hadn't accepted the seriousness of their sin. 00:01:45.740 --> 00:01:49.520 It's like with their hard hearts, it just washed straight off. 00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:56.180 And so I wonder whether or not that is true of us too. 00:01:56.180 --> 00:02:02.960 For three weeks now, we have looked at the catalogue of Israel's sin. 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:06.500 They were cavalier about it. 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:11.240 But we've seen how serious God takes sin. 00:02:13.260 --> 00:02:17.219 We've seen his heart exposed, broken. 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:22.600 We've seen the damage that our sin does to his heart. 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:27.719 So has anything changed for you? 00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:35.019 Has your life changed in light of what God has been saying to you through the prophet Hosea? 00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:36.359 Through his word. 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:40.000 How quickly we forget. 00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:45.639 How quickly we hear it and then just push it to one side. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:49.579 We might nod in agreement and say, yes, I agree with that. 00:02:49.580 --> 00:02:54.719 And even wonder at times how Israel could have been so stupid. 00:02:55.920 --> 00:03:01.600 And then go and put someone down behind their back within 10 minutes of leaving the building. 00:03:01.740 --> 00:03:03.160 Or in fact, not even leaving the building. 00:03:05.600 --> 00:03:07.760 And so we need to hear it again. 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:09.240 And again. 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:10.640 And again. 00:03:11.460 --> 00:03:11.960 And again. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:15.320 So have your Bibles open. 00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:19.500 We're up to chapters 12, 13 and 14. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:26.139 And it would be great if you could have God's word in front of you to come with me on this. 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:29.539 We're looking at the end of chapter 11, verse 12. 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:33.680 We get introduced again to Israel's sin. 00:03:36.139 --> 00:03:40.359 This is another bit to add to the catalogue of sin. 00:03:40.360 --> 00:03:41.820 Chapter 11, verse 12. 00:03:41.900 --> 00:03:44.020 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies. 00:03:44.460 --> 00:03:47.020 The house of Israel with deceit. 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:49.140 That's God's charge against them. 00:03:49.880 --> 00:03:50.940 They're dishonest. 00:03:51.520 --> 00:03:52.480 That's it in a nutshell. 00:03:52.640 --> 00:03:53.580 They can't be trusted. 00:03:53.720 --> 00:03:54.580 They say one thing. 00:03:54.660 --> 00:03:55.400 They mean another. 00:03:56.140 --> 00:03:57.120 They're deceitful. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:03:59.660 The evidence there is in their foreign policy. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:01.420 Chapter 12, verse 1. 00:04:01.760 --> 00:04:03.480 Ephraim feeds on the wind. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:06.120 He pursues the east wind all day. 00:04:06.220 --> 00:04:08.160 It multiplies lies and violence. 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:12.240 He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt. 00:04:13.299 --> 00:04:19.819 And so what's happening here is Israel is trying to be allies with two powers, two superpowers, if you like. 00:04:20.159 --> 00:04:21.899 They're at each other's throats. 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:27.540 And so Israel's over here trying to form a partnership with Assyria against Egypt, 00:04:27.719 --> 00:04:31.399 while all the time sending gifts to Egypt to say, hey, we're on your side, guys. 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:35.259 They're trying to keep them both happy. 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:37.720 They're trying to sit in the middle, keep the balance there, sit on the fence. 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:41.660 It's a foreign policy which is driven by self-interest. 00:04:42.080 --> 00:04:46.140 Any sense of truth or conviction is just pushed to one side. 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:51.740 They tell either side whatever they want to hear, all to serve their own interests. 00:04:52.280 --> 00:04:55.660 They are untruthful and they are deceitful. 00:04:57.080 --> 00:04:59.080 They were just like their forefather Jacob. 00:04:59.200 --> 00:05:00.160 See it there in verse 2. 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:22.800 Quite noticeably, God doesn't call the ten tribes of north Israel or Ephraim or Samaria, 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:25.000 which is what he's been doing right throughout this prophecy. 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:27.720 Here he calls them Jacob. 00:05:28.759 --> 00:05:31.400 Jacob was one of the founding fathers of Israel. 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:34.500 His 12 sons formed the 12 tribes of Israel. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:37.480 His name was later changed to Israel. 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:44.660 But at first he was named Jacob, which means deceiver. 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:47.460 That was Jacob. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:49.819 That was his character. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:53.860 He deceived his older brother out of his inheritance 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:57.280 and he deceived his father-in-law out of a massive wealth. 00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:03.219 And God quite deliberately calls his people Jacob. 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:08.279 Doesn't call them Israel here. 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:09.179 He calls them Jacob. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:12.500 You are just like your forefather. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:15.179 You're deceptive. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:18.079 And they're also deceptive in their business practice. 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:18.939 See there in verse 7. 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:21.059 The merchant uses dishonest scales. 00:06:21.559 --> 00:06:22.879 He loves to defraud. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:26.819 And so Aunt Mary is assuming she's buying a kilo of flour. 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:29.980 But in actual fact she pays for a kilo of flour 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:31.779 but gets about 900 grams instead 00:06:31.779 --> 00:06:35.680 because the scales have been adjusted before she gets there 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:37.219 to rip her off. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:40.360 They're lying and cheating their own people. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:43.939 And the word merchant there in the original text 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:46.800 is the same word as Canaan. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:52.500 You see, Canaan was the name of the land that God gave his people. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:55.959 As their special place. 00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:59.659 And the Canaanites were so well known. 00:06:59.719 --> 00:07:00.959 The people who used to inhabit it 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:03.219 were so well known as travelling merchants 00:07:03.219 --> 00:07:05.920 that the word Canaan became synonymous 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:07.899 with the words trader and merchant. 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:10.500 And it's very significant here 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:13.259 for Hosea to use this word. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:16.860 God's people are not just deceptive like their forefather. 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:18.240 They're even worse than Jacob. 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:20.719 They are in fact just like the pagans. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:25.380 Just like the people that I judged and cast out of the land 00:07:25.380 --> 00:07:27.280 you were the same as those people. 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:28.600 You're no different. 00:07:30.460 --> 00:07:32.300 But you know, it just gets worse. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:35.360 Because verse 8 I think is shocking. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:40.240 There is no sense of guilt for the people of God. 00:07:41.280 --> 00:07:42.480 Ephraim boasts, 00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:44.120 I am very rich. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:46.080 I have become wealthy. 00:07:46.580 --> 00:07:49.460 With all my wealth they will not find in me 00:07:49.460 --> 00:07:52.120 any iniquity or sin. 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:55.720 You see, but God on the other hand, 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:57.460 remember we're looking at this from God's perspective. 00:07:57.819 --> 00:07:59.040 He sees it. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.319 He's a God of truth. 00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:01.340 He sees the lies. 00:08:01.339 --> 00:08:03.519 He sees the deceit, the hypocrisy, 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:05.159 the dishonesty, the sin. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:07.719 He expects his people to be people of truth. 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:11.139 And the life of God's people here in Hosea 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:13.199 is one big lie. 00:08:14.659 --> 00:08:17.959 They are not who they say they are. 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:21.819 One big lie. 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:26.879 Now apparently lies typically take place 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:29.360 in a fifth of all conversations. 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:31.000 Have a think about that, 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:32.299 how many conversations you've had today. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:36.899 The figure rises to one in three 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:40.080 if the people talking are university trained. 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:44.139 So be careful of university trained people 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:44.879 and especially us. 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:47.159 I'm assuming the more qualifications you've got, 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:48.059 the bigger lie you are. 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:48.939 Maybe, I don't know. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:54.440 But I wonder if Christians are any different. 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:57.660 I mean, we should be. 00:08:58.840 --> 00:09:00.940 We should take lying 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:03.820 and whether truth is what comes out of our mouth seriously. 00:09:04.880 --> 00:09:07.520 How easy it is for us to say as Christians 00:09:07.520 --> 00:09:08.740 that we believe the truth, 00:09:09.760 --> 00:09:11.880 that we're a church that teaches the truth. 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:15.939 We have a certain sense of pride 00:09:15.939 --> 00:09:18.139 in being part of a diocese 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.320 that's committed to the truth 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:20.200 and known for that. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:22.700 And yet in our daily lives, 00:09:22.779 --> 00:09:24.240 in our conversations with one another, 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:27.419 we play fast and loose with the truth. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:31.340 How easy it is to tell people what they want to hear, 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:34.439 to embellish a story in conversation, 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:38.700 or to withhold key information, 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:40.500 to give the impression 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:45.080 that's different than the original impression intended. 00:09:45.760 --> 00:09:48.000 And the list can go on and on and on. 00:09:49.020 --> 00:09:51.260 That to be people of truth 00:09:51.260 --> 00:09:54.300 means that we are to be rigorously truthful 00:09:54.300 --> 00:09:56.900 in all of our lives. 00:09:56.899 --> 00:10:00.840 not just to say that I am a person of truth. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:02.139 I believe the truth. 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.259 Of course, the worst kind of deception 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:08.720 is there at the end of verse 8, 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:09.659 what I read out before. 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:12.220 This is the biggest lie of all. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:16.559 They will not find in me any iniquity or sin. 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:20.139 The worst kind of deception is self-deception. 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:22.460 This is the biggest lie here. 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:23.779 I'm okay. 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:28.319 Is there anything worse than self-deception? 00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:31.199 You know, it's like, 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:33.759 based on my assessment of my character, 00:10:34.339 --> 00:10:35.839 I'm okay. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:39.819 I mean, it's not really sin. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.259 When I embellish that story, 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.459 it's not really sin. 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.539 It's not that serious. 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:46.679 God won't take it that seriously. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:50.199 Hosea says he does. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:51.980 Really seriously. 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:58.000 I wonder whether, 00:10:58.839 --> 00:11:02.679 as Hosea has been open in the last three weeks, 00:11:02.959 --> 00:11:04.259 whether you've been doing that. 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:09.720 You know, have you put yourself in Hosea's shoes 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:11.059 rather than Goma's shoes? 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.339 You know, that is, 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:15.720 I can see how this word would apply 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.980 to so many people in this room. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.159 You know, there's so many people here 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:19.980 that really need to hear, 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:21.179 yeah, they're Goma's all right. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.439 Unfaithful people? 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:23.059 Seriously. 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:26.599 Or you know who Goma's are? 00:11:32.239 --> 00:11:34.059 One of the big points of this prophecy 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:36.359 is that we are Goma. 00:11:36.939 --> 00:11:38.239 God is Hosea. 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:39.739 We are Goma. 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:44.440 We are the people of deep and committed unfaithfulness. 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:46.600 That is who we are. 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:53.340 Has that hit you, brothers and sisters? 00:11:54.060 --> 00:11:55.180 Has it hit you yet? 00:11:55.179 --> 00:12:00.879 Let me read to you the best email 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.699 that I've received in a long time. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:05.079 This was written to me 00:12:05.079 --> 00:12:08.120 from one of the members of our church family 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.639 after the first sermon 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:13.879 that I preached on this series in Hosea. 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:16.720 And particularly the sermon 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:19.659 was focusing on the marriage of Hosea and Goma 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:23.019 and all the ugliness of Goma's unfaithfulness. 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:25.639 Let me read to you. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:29.320 It was a sermon that cut me clean open 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:32.059 and pricked the proud, arrogant part of my soul 00:12:32.059 --> 00:12:33.259 that deceives me the most. 00:12:33.939 --> 00:12:35.159 When you began the sermon, 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:37.620 my pride diverted me light years away 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:39.240 from conceiving the proposition 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.980 that I could be Goma. 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:43.700 When you were halfway through the sermon, 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:45.899 my pride kept me light years away 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:48.940 from the possibility that I could be Goma. 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:52.159 When you would nearly finish the sermon, 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:54.440 my pride kept me light years away 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:58.060 from the reality that I am Goma. 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:03.960 It was not until you directly stated the obvious 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:07.200 that my pride had nowhere to hide. 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:10.500 I don't normally get overly emotional about things, 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:12.740 but I found myself in church about to cry. 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:16.399 I felt acutely embarrassed at myself before God 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:19.740 and sad that after being a Christian for 15 years, 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:23.100 I had so effortlessly viewed myself 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:25.220 as removed from the relationship 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:27.419 between Hosea and Goma. 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:28.600 In particular, 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:32.159 it was the lack of mental wrangling required 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:35.039 to deceive myself into viewing Goma 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:37.200 as someone quite different to me 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:39.259 that disturbed me the most. 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:41.820 It showed me how strong 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:44.259 my natural default inclination 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:46.700 is to judge others before myself 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:49.700 and to deny myself how really bad I am 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:52.140 at keeping my part of the bargain 00:13:52.140 --> 00:13:53.540 in my relationship with God. 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:56.640 Just realising that I am Goma, 00:13:57.140 --> 00:13:58.920 particularly hit home to me 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.700 the faithfulness of Christ 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:02.879 that he sustains, protects, 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:05.740 and nurtures me despite my shortcomings. 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:08.259 He paid a terrible price 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.439 so that he and I could have a relationship. 00:14:11.179 --> 00:14:13.360 I cannot imagine why he persists, 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:15.480 but he does as he promised. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.720 The sermon also forced me 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:20.039 to re-examine my relationship with my family 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:21.360 and my faithfulness to them, 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:24.439 that the degree to which I am like Goma 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:26.279 in my relationship with Christ 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:29.019 is the degree to which that I am equally like that 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:29.980 to my own family. 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:32.379 It was hard medicine to swallow. 00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:35.200 The exquisitely beautiful thing 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:35.980 in all of this 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:38.139 is that there is no mystery for me 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:40.240 in how to deal with all of this. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.060 It is also scary 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.019 because it follows 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.899 that if there is no mystery, 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.879 then there's no excuse either. 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.879 To live and struggle 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:50.580 to follow Christ with his help, 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:52.820 to be obedient and humble before him, 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:54.860 being mindful of what lies at the heart 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.620 of why he purchased me, 00:14:57.060 --> 00:14:58.879 is surely restorative. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:02.899 I read that email. 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:05.259 We were on staff retreat at the time. 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.500 I had to excuse myself. 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:10.700 I went off away from the rest of the group, 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:12.220 sat in the corner under a tree, 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:14.259 and I just cried. 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:18.139 I cried for two reasons. 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:26.460 My friend helped me see the sin in my own heart 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:29.539 as they expressed the sin in their heart. 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:32.439 And I just cried. 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:36.120 You know, just nailed it for me. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:37.019 That's the first thing. 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:39.879 And the second thing was that I, 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.299 in between crying, 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:43.959 I was just laughing 00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:47.000 with joy at the same time 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:50.219 of what Christ has done for me 00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:52.240 and the security that I felt 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.240 and the security that this person felt 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.659 at the same time 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:58.120 as their sin was exposed. 00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:59.919 It was so beautiful. 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:01.839 It was so beautiful. 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:06.000 What has been your response 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:09.139 as you've heard the word of God come to you? 00:16:09.479 --> 00:16:11.639 This is the word of God through Hosea. 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:16.519 Has it struck you yet that you are Goma? 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:24.480 Hosea has helped us to see the seriousness 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:27.519 of Israel's sin and our sin. 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:30.919 We're seeing sin from God's perspective 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:33.500 and like no other book in the Old Testament 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.600 and probably the new, 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:36.779 let's just leave with the Old Testament. 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:39.419 He rips open his heart 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:41.980 to show us what his heart is like. 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:45.199 We make little of it. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.299 We explain it away. 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:47.359 We excuse it. 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:49.519 We call things like little white lies. 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.939 God has no such category. 00:16:53.339 --> 00:16:54.839 We justify it. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:58.079 But God is angry. 00:16:58.219 --> 00:16:59.379 He is a lover scorned 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:01.099 as Hosea is the picture 00:17:01.099 --> 00:17:02.259 that Hosea gives us. 00:17:02.579 --> 00:17:03.699 His holiness demands 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.680 that he must judge 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:06.960 and God's judgment is inevitable. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:09.339 We see it there in chapter 13, verse 3. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:11.180 They will be like the morning mist, 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:13.639 like the early dew that disappears, 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.680 like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:18.019 like smoke escaping through a window. 00:17:18.560 --> 00:17:20.240 Back in chapter 6, verse 4, 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:24.100 it was Hosea who likened Israel's love 00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:26.320 to the morning mist that vanishes so quickly. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:29.140 That's what their faithfulness is like to God. 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.600 It's like they're gone. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:33.399 And now it's shifted. 00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:36.279 It will be Israel themselves 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:38.099 that will vanish in an instant 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:39.379 like steam from a kettle. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:42.199 It's an image that speaks 00:17:42.199 --> 00:17:43.659 of the effect of God's judgment. 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.000 They had forgotten God 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.500 and so God here, 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:48.259 in verse 3, chapter 13, 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:48.879 says, 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.920 I will forget them. 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:52.600 And that's what happened 00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:54.720 when Assyria came in 722 BC. 00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:57.020 God said it was going to happen. 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.340 He meant it. 00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.300 In the same way, 00:18:00.760 --> 00:18:02.040 when he says that the Lord Jesus 00:18:02.040 --> 00:18:04.120 will come and judge the living and the dead, 00:18:05.040 --> 00:18:07.020 he will judge everyone who's ever lived 00:18:07.020 --> 00:18:07.960 and he will judge everyone 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.940 who's in this building. 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.260 It will happen. 00:18:10.760 --> 00:18:11.460 He said it. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.519 It's going to happen. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.319 And yet, 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:18.059 as we saw last week, 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:21.940 God's judgment isn't the end. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.720 We are sinful people. 00:18:26.120 --> 00:18:27.259 He is a holy God, 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:30.360 but he is a God of infinite grace. 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.960 And so it's not surprising 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:36.160 in amongst all the gloom 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:38.500 of sin and judgment in these chapters, 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:41.440 there are just like shafts of light. 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.539 which just come down. 00:18:42.620 --> 00:18:44.180 They just give you just a bit of hope 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:46.519 that it's not all gloom. 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.940 And one of the shafts of light there 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.579 is in chapter 12, verse 6. 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:53.460 You must return to your God, 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:56.120 maintain love and justice, 00:18:56.600 --> 00:18:59.559 and wait for your God always. 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:01.600 What it's saying there is 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:04.200 that there's an opportunity here, Israel. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.400 There's an opportunity to turn back. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.400 It's not a done deal yet. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.279 Turn back. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:14.339 And that is how the prophecy ends 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.399 in chapter 14. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:18.440 Chapter 14 is a call to return 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:20.359 to the Lord 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.980 before it's too late. 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:22.920 See it there in verse 1. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.799 Return, O Israel, 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.980 to the Lord your God. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:27.599 Your sins have been your downfall. 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:29.980 Sin is always your downfall. 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:32.920 The word return there in verse 1 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:34.680 literally means to turn. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.519 It means turn. 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.420 In other words, just turn. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.900 Turn and face God. 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:43.279 It's one of the great covenant words. 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:45.759 It's used 25 times in Hosea. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:47.500 Not always positively, mind you, 00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:50.000 but it's used 25 times in Hosea. 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:52.680 The great call of Hosea, 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.820 and in fact all of the prophets 00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.860 in the Old Testament, 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:58.880 is turn, turn, turn, 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:00.560 and face your God. 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:04.160 Stop putting him to your back. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:08.640 They consistently call God's people 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.980 to covenant faithfulness. 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:13.700 Stop turning away from him. 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:15.260 Stop turning to religion. 00:20:15.520 --> 00:20:16.880 Stop turning to other security. 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.760 Stop turning to wealth. 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:21.640 Stop turning to sex and physical desires. 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:23.300 Stop turning to personal ambition. 00:20:23.760 --> 00:20:26.120 Stop turning to comfort and indulgence. 00:20:26.300 --> 00:20:27.300 Stop turning to sin. 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:30.059 Stop turning to anything else. 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.919 But turn and come. 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:36.419 Come to your greatest treasure, 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:39.839 your God, your lover. 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:43.599 And as verse 2 says, 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:45.359 take words with you 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:47.159 and return to the Lord. 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:49.000 You see, God isn't wanting you 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:50.099 to come back to him 00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:52.539 with a whole list of things 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.240 that you must do. 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:55.399 He's not interested in, you know, 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:57.240 looking for you to do some more 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.100 religious ceremonies, 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.320 looking for sacrifice. 00:21:00.060 --> 00:21:01.220 He wants you. 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:02.360 This book of Hosea 00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:03.720 is all about a relationship 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:05.960 with the living God. 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.860 And the image here 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:09.560 takes us back into chapter 3. 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.380 Remember it, 00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:11.220 if you can cast your mind 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.280 back to the first sermon. 00:21:14.780 --> 00:21:15.880 Hosea goes out 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:17.240 and he pays a price 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:20.940 to redeem his unfaithful wife 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.860 out of the arms 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:22.700 of another lover. 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:24.559 He actually has to buy her back 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.920 and he gives everything 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.559 that he's got 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:28.299 in order to buy her back. 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.779 And he's brought her back 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.980 out of the arms 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.700 of another lover. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.600 He brings her 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:34.740 into the family home 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.980 but he has no intimacy 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.799 with her. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.720 It literally says 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:41.039 in chapter 3, 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.700 I will wait for her. 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:47.319 Hosea has done the work 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.559 of purchasing his wife 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:50.680 and now he waits for her 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:52.039 to come to him. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.480 And he doesn't want her 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.420 to come to him 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:56.080 and cook his favourite meal 00:21:56.080 --> 00:21:57.259 or to clean the house 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.920 to try and somehow 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:59.460 make it up to him 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.240 in some way. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:03.259 He wants her to come 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:05.759 with words like verse 2. 00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:08.940 Forgive all of our sins 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:11.180 and receive us graciously 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:13.080 that we may offer 00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:14.140 the fruit of our lips. 00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:16.320 Sorry. 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:19.919 You see, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.099 God's saying 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:22.000 return and come to me. 00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:23.059 I'm not interested 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:23.779 in your money 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.779 without your heart. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.740 I'm not interested 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.419 in your worship 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:27.079 without your heart. 00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:27.599 I'm not interested 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.659 in your service 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:29.379 without your heart. 00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:29.939 I'm not interested 00:22:29.939 --> 00:22:30.679 in your prayers 00:22:30.679 --> 00:22:31.539 without your heart. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:34.579 He wants our heart 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.799 because when he has 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.419 our heart, 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.539 he has our money 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.720 and our worship 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.819 and our service 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.960 and our prayers 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:43.039 and our hands 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.639 and our feet 00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.720 and all of our lives. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:52.180 you see return to fellowship with the father here requires exposure of my heart 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:59.420 expressed in words of heartfelt admission confession and acknowledgement of the lord 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:08.180 you see genuine repentance is turning away turning to god and away from other gods 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:14.519 that's the picture of verse 3 of chapter 14 they have now turned their backs on a cereal 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:22.400 that's what the call is turn your backs on assyria turn your backs on your idols and turn to me 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:30.720 you see repentance is not mere words repentance is a daily decision it is a moment by moment 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:38.039 decision it's an all-of-life decision for the person of god to turn to him rather than other loves 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:48.539 and in returning to god daily we are making commitment to faithfulness to love and 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:54.920 acknowledgement of god the three things that god accuses israel of not having towards him 00:23:54.920 --> 00:24:01.160 faithfulness love and acknowledgement of god 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:14.140 so friends what what sins have you committed what sins are you committing if i can put it in the 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:18.519 hosea image which gods are you in bed with 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:26.019 how about that for an image which gods are you in bed with 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:33.599 are they priorities that displace god so that you don't love the lord your god with all your heart 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:40.259 soul and mind is there a small part of your life that you want to keep control of 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:45.019 he could have most of it but this bit here is pretty much untouchable i need to keep control of that 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:52.099 do you claim personal relationship with god but you slander his name by the way you live 00:24:52.099 --> 00:25:00.160 are you busy with personal personal ambition and self to ever let go and find rest with god 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:02.119 are they your sins 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:07.740 then they'd be the sins that break the first five commandments 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:17.880 or are they the sins against god that are against your neighbors perhaps the abuse of privileges and 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:24.420 the lack of honor to your mother and father maybe it's a savage rejection of another person in the way 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:32.660 that you speak about them think about them and put them down are your sins sexual has greed given way 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:36.560 a deception so that you take more than your that is yours 00:25:36.560 --> 00:25:40.360 and you think it's by right 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:43.300 are lying lips 00:25:43.300 --> 00:25:45.360 and slanderous tongue 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.320 you're failing 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:51.600 or is it the internal motions of envy and jealousy 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:53.540 that have you tearing 00:25:53.540 --> 00:25:55.120 yourself and others apart 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:59.180 because you cannot have what god never intended for you to have 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:05.220 all i've simply asked you to reflect upon in just that moment 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:08.920 is the ten commandments given to israel at sinai 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:12.900 have you broken the commandments of god 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:16.759 if you have 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:22.019 then join with me and return to the living god 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:25.039 that's what hosea is calling us to do 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.500 return to him 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:29.940 our confidence in turning to god is there in verse four 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:32.759 these are magnificent words 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:34.339 and and for you 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:36.240 who might be feeling 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:38.440 conscious stricken right now 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.279 feeling guilty 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:41.240 these are tender 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.900 hearted words 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:45.700 for the pricked conscience 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:47.940 i will heal 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:49.339 their waywardness 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:51.559 and love them freely 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:53.259 for my anger 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:55.180 has turned away from them 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:57.240 you see 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:58.940 remember what we saw last week 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:00.279 god has turned 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:02.039 all of his centuries 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:03.160 of pent up 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.340 held back 00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:04.940 anger 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:07.299 he's turned it away from us 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:09.060 and he's unleashed it 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:10.779 on the lord jesus christ 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.720 on the cross 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:16.960 jesus is the one 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.660 who paid the penalty for our sin 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:22.580 he's the one who has dealt with all the consequences of our sin 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:26.939 and if you put your trust in jesus 00:27:26.939 --> 00:27:30.500 god accounts righteousness to your account 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:33.240 his righteousness to your account 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:36.039 so there is no sin in your account 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:37.859 and when there is no sin 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:39.779 there is no anger from god 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:41.019 directed at you 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.859 where there is no sin 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:44.019 there is no anger 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:45.659 there is no condemnation 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:47.059 from god 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:48.019 to you 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:52.099 my friends 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:54.000 he is a fearful god 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.779 but he is safe 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:57.220 and he is good 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.940 come to him 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:05.039 there is only blessing for those who turn to him 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.019 in faith and repentance 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:08.680 that's the point of verses 5 to 8 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:10.160 of chapter 14 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:12.639 your gracious father will pick you up 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:14.240 and he will restore you 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:17.779 and so will you 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:22.559 that's the point of the very last verse of this prophecy 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:24.599 hosea ends with a question 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:27.839 what are you going to do 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.960 it says 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.140 who is wise 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.759 he will realize these things 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.680 who is discerning 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:34.019 he will understand them 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:35.559 the ways of the lord are right 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:37.259 the righteous walk in them 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:39.799 but the rebellious stumble in them 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:42.339 and so the word of god 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.980 through hosea has spoken 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:46.180 and this word from god 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.860 has helped us to see 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:50.200 our inclination towards sin 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:52.860 and the intensity of god's emotions 00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:55.779 towards the unfaithfulness of his people 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:58.620 it has nailed for us 00:28:58.620 --> 00:29:01.680 the universality of rebellion against god 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:06.539 hosea has also revealed the uncharted depths 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:08.900 of god's love and his commitment 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.980 to love his people 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:15.740 the god whom everyone in this room 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:19.000 should meet in wrath and anger 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:21.160 has turned 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:23.059 to meet us in mercy 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:25.839 isn't that magnificent 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:30.400 and so we're left with a choice 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.339 it says 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.440 heed the warning 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.279 be wise 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.819 and turn to god 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:36.180 through the lord jesus 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.960 or ignore it 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:39.740 and continue with a cavalier attitude 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.900 she'll be right 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:50.860 seems like a pretty simple choice 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:55.519 but israel didn't do it 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:58.720 see chapter 13 verse 13 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:01.220 see the awful picture here 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:03.380 pains as of a woman 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.480 in childbirth 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.420 come to him 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:07.480 but he is a child 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.440 without wisdom 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:11.019 when the time arrives 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.319 he does not come 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:13.759 to the opening of the womb 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:17.400 the picture here is 00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:18.619 an opportunity 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.319 for 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:21.420 for israel to be born 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.740 into new life 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:26.539 they're going through all the pain 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.640 of their sin 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:30.440 new life is the option 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:32.640 they have a look 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:34.200 and they go 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:34.680 no 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:36.559 we'll stay put 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:41.259 and hope to 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.159 don't want to have to 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:43.159 gross you out here 00:30:43.159 --> 00:30:45.059 but in my former life 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:46.319 on a farm 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:48.639 we had many issues 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:49.200 where 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:50.119 a 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:51.000 a cow 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.799 or a sheep 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.960 or something like that 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:54.960 could not give birth 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.579 and you either gave it 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.419 a c-section 00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:59.119 or you shot it 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:01.839 because to leave 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:03.419 the baby 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:04.879 inside the mother 00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:06.300 would cause 00:31:06.300 --> 00:31:08.220 an excruciating death 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.740 for both 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:11.320 death is the only option 00:31:11.320 --> 00:31:13.620 no other option 00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:15.980 and israel 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.840 chooses 00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:17.940 death 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:20.600 it's astounding 00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:23.920 their hearts 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.680 were hard 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:27.020 and centuries later 00:31:27.020 --> 00:31:28.380 the writer to the hebrews 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.100 was concerned 00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:29.880 that the christian recipients 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:32.180 of his letter 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:33.840 learnt the lesson 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:35.000 of god's people 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.639 past 00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:36.779 who hardened 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.559 their hearts 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:39.859 and did not 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.500 listen 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.259 or obey 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.259 the word of god 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:44.519 it is a concern 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.099 god has 00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:46.379 for every generation 00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.220 of his people 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:49.359 it isn't just 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:49.959 the writer 00:31:49.959 --> 00:31:50.899 of this letter 00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:52.019 penning some thoughts 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:53.379 in hebrews chapter 3 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:55.299 it is the holy spirit 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.759 who says to us 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.399 today 00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:59.279 if you hear his voice 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:00.299 do not 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.980 harden 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.099 your hearts 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:05.079 that's the central 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.819 issue here 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:07.460 god doesn't want 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.360 us to be asking 00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:09.220 first and foremost 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.900 well what do i need 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.380 to do now 00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:10.920 to make it up 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.420 with god 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.720 the issue 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:14.000 is the heart 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:19.259 our friends 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:22.420 just reflect upon 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.140 this for a moment 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:25.140 a hardened heart 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:27.980 might no longer 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.600 love 00:32:28.600 --> 00:32:30.259 or have a love 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.980 for christ 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.259 as it used 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.580 to 00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:34.800 a hardened heart 00:32:34.800 --> 00:32:36.620 might not 00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:38.120 love christ's word 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:39.980 and prayer 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:41.500 and worship 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.920 and missions 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.920 and generosity 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:44.740 and living 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.400 for the glory 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:45.940 of god 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:49.560 a hardened heart 00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:50.440 finds the 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.160 fleeting pleasures 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.660 of this world 00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.300 more attractive 00:32:52.300 --> 00:32:52.800 than things 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.440 of the spirit 00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.480 you know 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.700 once upon a time 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:57.379 you had a passion 00:32:57.379 --> 00:32:58.379 for those things 00:32:58.379 --> 00:33:01.200 and over time 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:04.440 you're still here 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.940 and you're going 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.799 through the motions 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:07.839 but you're just 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.619 doing it 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:10.960 prayer life 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.419 has become 00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:12.000 formal 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.720 and dry 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:14.279 still praying 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.279 but it's 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:16.119 prayerless praying 00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:17.240 still reading 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.799 the bible 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:19.579 but god 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.339 hasn't spoken 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.619 to you 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:21.359 for years 00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:23.699 it's like 00:33:23.699 --> 00:33:24.419 a verse 00:33:24.419 --> 00:33:24.679 a day 00:33:24.679 --> 00:33:25.079 keeps the 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.719 devil away 00:33:25.719 --> 00:33:27.299 god 00:33:27.299 --> 00:33:27.979 hasn't spoken 00:33:27.979 --> 00:33:28.179 to you 00:33:28.179 --> 00:33:28.799 for years 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.639 worship 00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:31.899 is no longer 00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:32.939 driven from 00:33:32.939 --> 00:33:33.379 the heart 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:33.699 we're just 00:33:33.699 --> 00:33:34.259 fulfilling 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.539 what we 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:34.879 need to 00:33:34.879 --> 00:33:35.159 do 00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:39.179 and i think 00:33:39.179 --> 00:33:40.139 what hebrew 00:33:40.139 --> 00:33:40.500 says 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:40.819 which is 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.500 what hosea 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:41.979 says 00:33:41.979 --> 00:33:43.000 in verse 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.599 12 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.119 it says 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:45.000 seek to 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.240 it 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.919 brothers 00:33:45.919 --> 00:33:46.539 that none 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:46.799 of you 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:47.259 has a 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:47.699 sinful 00:33:47.699 --> 00:33:48.839 unbelieving 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.139 heart 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:49.659 that turns 00:33:49.659 --> 00:33:49.979 away 00:33:49.979 --> 00:33:50.319 from the 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:50.500 living 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:50.919 god 00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:52.660 see to 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:52.779 it 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.080 it says 00:33:53.080 --> 00:33:53.860 take heed 00:33:53.860 --> 00:33:54.759 take care 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.300 look 00:33:55.300 --> 00:33:56.100 at 00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:56.680 your 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.039 heart 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.640 put the 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:58.519 word of 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:58.840 god 00:33:58.840 --> 00:33:59.480 against 00:33:59.480 --> 00:33:59.759 your 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.180 heart 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.460 and 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:00.880 look 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:05.279 don't 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:05.460 be 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:05.840 careless 00:34:05.840 --> 00:34:06.840 or apathetic 00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:07.600 or dispassion 00:34:07.600 --> 00:34:08.039 or attentive 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.780 or i'll get 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.079 to it 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:09.840 next week 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:12.360 be attentive 00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:12.680 to the 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:13.000 condition 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.300 of your 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:13.559 heart 00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:13.880 we need 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:14.180 to hold 00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:14.320 the 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.740 practical 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:15.000 mirror 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:15.400 of god's 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:15.619 word 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:15.940 to our 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.280 hearts 00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:16.880 so that 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.220 we take 00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:17.400 an 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:17.780 accurate 00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:18.159 reading 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.440 of our 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:18.860 spiritual 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.300 pulse 00:34:19.300 --> 00:34:20.000 and keep 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.539 turning to 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:20.940 god and 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.300 repentance 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:21.820 and faith 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.660 keep doing 00:34:22.660 --> 00:34:23.280 it day 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:23.980 in day 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.680 out day 00:34:24.680 --> 00:34:25.080 in to 00:34:25.080 --> 00:34:25.820 stop making 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.600 excuses for 00:34:26.600 --> 00:34:27.000 sin 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:27.920 if your 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.539 prayer life 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.080 has come to 00:34:29.080 --> 00:34:29.460 all of a sudden 00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:30.180 it's formal 00:34:30.180 --> 00:34:30.960 and it's just 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.000 haphazard and 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.539 doesn't feel 00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:32.880 anything 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:34.580 don't stay 00:34:34.580 --> 00:34:35.039 there 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.580 your 00:34:36.580 --> 00:34:37.100 prayer should be 00:34:37.100 --> 00:34:37.519 god 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:39.000 give me a 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.280 tender 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:39.880 heart 00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:44.640 so brothers 00:34:44.640 --> 00:34:45.140 and sisters 00:34:45.140 --> 00:34:45.700 if you have 00:34:45.700 --> 00:34:46.360 heard god's 00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:47.400 voice dig 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:47.880 deep into 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:48.260 your heart 00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:48.680 through 00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:49.599 hosea 00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:51.019 it is 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.800 your 00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:52.400 merciful 00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:53.660 god 00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:55.140 and father 00:34:55.140 --> 00:34:56.260 and husband 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:57.680 and saviour 00:34:57.680 --> 00:34:58.599 calling to 00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.059 you to 00:34:59.059 --> 00:34:59.740 come back 00:34:59.740 --> 00:35:00.880 he's just 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:01.380 calling you 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:01.700 to come 00:35:01.700 --> 00:35:02.079 back 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:05.260 do not 00:35:05.260 --> 00:35:05.800 harden your 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:06.280 hearts 00:35:06.280 --> 00:35:07.980 wake up to 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:08.780 the deceitfulness 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:09.380 of sin 00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:11.059 turn away 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:11.660 from it 00:35:11.660 --> 00:35:12.800 and turn 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.440 to god 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:15.640 and hold 00:35:15.640 --> 00:35:16.320 fast to your 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.960 confidence 00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.820 and your 00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:18.519 hope in him 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.340 he is a 00:35:19.340 --> 00:35:20.059 fearful god 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:21.260 but he is 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:21.760 good 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:23.400 he is 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:24.140 good 00:35:24.140 --> 00:35:25.539 he is 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:25.800 good 00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.240 come back 00:35:26.240 --> 00:35:26.559 to him