WEBVTT 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:04.839 We can turn back to our reading in Deuteronomy chapter 29. 00:00:07.259 --> 00:00:10.040 ! We're going to be looking at the whole chapter. 00:00:10.040 --> 00:00:12.500 We can read again at verse 9. 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:15.660 ! Deuteronomy 29 at verse 9. 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:19.359 Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:23.519 that you may prosper in all that you do. 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:29.300 A nation stands on the threshold of freedom, 00:00:29.439 --> 00:00:32.899 having been under the rule of a foreign nation for many years. 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:37.039 The people are being encouraged to make a choice, 00:00:37.219 --> 00:00:39.700 to make a stand that will affect their future 00:00:39.700 --> 00:00:42.920 and the future of generations to come. 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:47.879 It sounds like something we hear almost on a daily basis just now, 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:51.260 whether we're looking at our own nation or other nations around the world. 00:00:51.259 --> 00:00:56.099 People looking for deliverance, people looking for a way forward. 00:00:56.799 --> 00:01:00.060 But this is not a present-day political rally. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:05.379 This is turning to the Word of God and what we see here in the book of Deuteronomy 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:08.840 is this very kind of setting. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:14.979 And it's hard for us to imagine what it has taken for the children of Israel 00:01:14.979 --> 00:01:20.700 to arrive at this point that we're reading of in chapter 29 of Deuteronomy. 00:01:21.260 --> 00:01:24.200 They have come through so much. 00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:27.840 When we were singing there in Psalm 114, 00:01:27.960 --> 00:01:31.880 we were given a little taste of just the kind of things that they came through, 00:01:31.980 --> 00:01:37.000 coming out of Egypt, having been an oppression there for many years as slaves 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:39.760 and suffering under the cruelty of that, 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:44.120 and then being led out of Egypt, but not an easy way, 00:01:44.520 --> 00:01:47.580 a very difficult way, coming through many different challenges, 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:50.219 to such a point that the people cried out, 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:54.700 would it not have been better for us to stay in Egypt where we were? 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:59.859 And yet all the time God was leading them to that promised place, 00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:03.879 a place that's described as flowing with milk and honey, 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:06.939 a place that the spies spied out. 00:02:07.039 --> 00:02:09.000 And only two of them, Joshua and Caleb, 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:10.240 came back saying, 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:11.560 here is a great land, 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:14.900 a place that God has prepared for us that we can go into. 00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:16.180 And others said, 00:02:16.260 --> 00:02:17.680 no, it is too difficult. 00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:21.240 They've come through so many challenges. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:22.620 And from that point, 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:24.560 when the spies returned and said, 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:25.680 no, it's too difficult, 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:27.980 and the people went along with them, 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:31.960 they were then 40 years wandering in a wilderness, 00:02:32.740 --> 00:02:35.200 so that none of those who actually came out of Egypt, 00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:37.039 far from Joshua and Caleb, 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:39.639 would go into the promised land. 00:02:40.619 --> 00:02:42.919 The rest lost their way. 00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:45.419 They lost their focus on God. 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:48.099 But what Moses is here doing 00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:49.699 is bringing them to that point 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:52.219 where they're here on the border of the promised land, 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:53.899 saying, how are we going to go forward? 00:02:54.239 --> 00:02:56.139 How are we going to go into this land? 00:02:56.659 --> 00:02:59.299 How are we going to go from strength to strength? 00:02:59.839 --> 00:03:04.560 And Moses is saying it is by putting the Lord central to it all, 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:07.180 by keeping the Lord as our focus. 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:09.620 Otherwise, we lose our way. 00:03:09.699 --> 00:03:12.819 Otherwise, the devil comes in and displaces us, 00:03:13.219 --> 00:03:15.800 misguides us, leads us in the wrong ways. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:19.060 In the former Soviet Union, 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:23.420 government frequently published maps that were inaccurate. 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:26.580 They had false information put on them. 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:28.300 It was vague. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:30.659 Towns, rivers, roads, 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:33.560 they were all misplaced or mislabeled. 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:35.000 Why? 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:35.800 Why? 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:38.080 Why would anybody want to do that? 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:40.620 Well, it was for national security. 00:03:40.780 --> 00:03:41.780 That's what they said. 00:03:42.420 --> 00:03:45.240 So if anybody came and tried to spy the land 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:47.599 or find a way or where a city was, 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:49.699 then they would be confused. 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:51.599 They would be in the wrong place. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:53.800 They would be looking in the wrong places. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:57.960 But it caused confusion for everyone. 00:03:57.960 --> 00:04:02.580 It was a tactic called maskerovka. 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:06.240 It means misdirection or misinformation. 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:09.680 But all it does is lead to confusion. 00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:13.860 And you can almost say that's a devil's tactic, maskerovka. 00:04:14.420 --> 00:04:17.900 It's the kind of thing that he wants us to fall into as well. 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:19.740 Misdirection, confusion, 00:04:19.740 --> 00:04:24.160 not knowing the way we should go by looking in the wrong place. 00:04:25.220 --> 00:04:28.379 But God speaks to us and God guides us. 00:04:28.460 --> 00:04:29.560 And that's what we need. 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:33.620 We need an accurate map to have an accurate way. 00:04:34.340 --> 00:04:36.860 And God's word is just that. 00:04:36.960 --> 00:04:40.780 And that is what Moses is giving to the people here in Deuteronomy. 00:04:40.779 --> 00:04:45.439 As they're about to go in to this great land that they've been promised. 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:48.799 He speaks from the outset of the book in this way. 00:04:48.979 --> 00:04:51.079 He says in Deuteronomy 1 verse 1, 00:04:51.739 --> 00:04:56.899 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:59.819 God was speaking through Moses. 00:05:00.619 --> 00:05:03.799 And you see it here again in 29 verse 1. 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:05.500 These are the words of the covenant 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:09.399 that the Lord commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel. 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:11.279 God was speaking. 00:05:11.859 --> 00:05:14.019 God was giving them guidance. 00:05:14.779 --> 00:05:16.759 A nation to go forward. 00:05:17.479 --> 00:05:18.819 A nation to be blessed. 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:20.859 A people to be blessed. 00:05:21.299 --> 00:05:23.879 It was by trusting in the Lord. 00:05:24.859 --> 00:05:28.079 You know when we think of nations and our own nation today. 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:31.419 Leaders will produce manifestos. 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:34.319 They will talk about this is the way we are to go forward. 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:38.439 This is the way we will go forward and prosper in so many different ways. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.420 Information and plans for a better future. 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:43.319 But does it become reality? 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:45.620 So often it doesn't. 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:50.920 So often it doesn't because the promises that are made just cannot be fulfilled. 00:05:51.779 --> 00:05:54.199 But above all there's no thought of God. 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:57.500 There's no putting God first in it all. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:02.899 And for God's people, whether it's in the days of Moses or our own day, 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:06.139 what we need is God first and foremost. 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:09.339 And that's what Moses is doing here in Deuteronomy. 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:12.239 He's giving them a manifesto, if you like. 00:06:12.299 --> 00:06:16.099 A manifesto to live and to prosper and to be blessed. 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:20.000 A road map that is one that is accurate, that is true. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:23.560 And so we need it to go forward. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:26.899 And as with any manifesto, there's key points. 00:06:26.899 --> 00:06:29.179 And that's what we're going to think about this morning, 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:33.679 the key points of what Moses is telling the people here in chapter 29. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:37.679 You see, there's four things just very quickly we want to look at. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:44.079 An overview, an observation, an outcome, and an offer. 00:06:44.739 --> 00:06:48.319 An overview, an observation, an outcome, and an offer. 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:51.399 So the first thing is an overview. 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:55.179 The book of Deuteronomy can be outlined, 00:06:55.339 --> 00:06:57.419 and it's been outlined by some people like this. 00:06:57.879 --> 00:07:02.019 Chapter 1 to 4, it's about looking back. 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:07.859 End of chapter 4 through to chapter 26, it's about looking up. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:13.539 And then chapter 27 to 34, it's looking forward. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:17.399 That's the kind of outline you have in the book of Deuteronomy. 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:20.199 But it's hard just to separate them, isn't it? 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:24.399 You can't look forward without looking back and looking up. 00:07:25.079 --> 00:07:27.759 You can't look back without looking up as well. 00:07:27.979 --> 00:07:30.300 They all just go together. 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:35.459 But so often we can be guilty maybe of just maybe taking one or two of these things. 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:40.079 We can be guilty of looking back and looking forward without looking up. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:42.779 And you can just rehash them all. 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:45.800 Because we need to have all three, really. 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:49.819 And that's what you see with Moses here in chapter 29. 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:56.300 And as he is seeking to go forward, he does it by both looking forward, 00:07:56.659 --> 00:07:58.699 but also looking back. 00:07:59.219 --> 00:08:01.620 But above all, looking up. 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:04.180 Looking up to God. 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:10.540 Because when you see in the outset of this chapter, what you see is this overview of things, 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:14.019 this review of things like any kind of manifesto would have. 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:15.000 Where are we now? 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:16.939 What resources do we have? 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:19.500 What kind of infrastructure do we have? 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:21.079 How can we go forward? 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:26.139 Moses does this with God in mind. 00:08:26.979 --> 00:08:28.500 And that's what you see at the outset. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:34.960 These are the words of the covenant that the Lord commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel. 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:38.480 And then in verse 2, he summoned the people to him. 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:42.439 You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:44.220 So he's taking them back. 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:47.940 He's taking them back there to Pharaoh, to all his servants, 00:08:48.380 --> 00:08:52.560 and then to the journey that they've had coming through to the point they're at now. 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:55.240 The great wonders that they have seen. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:57.740 All the different things that are going on. 00:08:58.140 --> 00:09:01.680 So there's a whole overview of things here for them. 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:04.939 And it's a good thing to do. 00:09:05.579 --> 00:09:09.959 As we think of anything that we're involved in in church or as a people, 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:12.659 we need to look at the bigger picture. 00:09:13.199 --> 00:09:14.739 To look at what's going on. 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:21.019 He reminds them here that they can look back and see that God has been with them faithfully 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:23.019 through 40 years. 00:09:24.079 --> 00:09:28.039 40 years of wandering through the wilderness. 00:09:29.179 --> 00:09:31.299 And he's never failed them. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:36.219 And you see it in just the way the clothes that they wore, the shoes that they wore. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:37.959 They had food, they had drink. 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:39.419 For 40 years, everything. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:41.239 God has been faithful. 00:09:42.979 --> 00:09:43.799 What do we see? 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:46.379 What do you see when you review your life? 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:48.159 When you do an overview of your life? 00:09:48.319 --> 00:09:51.719 Looking back over all your years, what do you see? 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:54.739 Each of us might see different things. 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.299 We will. 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:58.299 We've all come through different experiences. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:10:03.819 Some will say, I was my happiest when I was close to God. 00:10:04.339 --> 00:10:05.419 I knew great blessings. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:09.659 I was lost before I came to faith and everything was wonderful. 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:17.759 But others might say, well, my life I felt was good before I found the Lord, before the Lord found me. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:23.559 But when I came to faith, suddenly my life started to unravel in so many different ways. 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:27.539 How can we marry the two together? 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:31.579 Why should one person have one and another person another? 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:33.539 We cannot understand. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:36.259 You just have to look at the last words of this chapter. 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:53.600 God has revealed to us a way of faith. 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:54.600 God has revealed to us a way of faith. 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:59.759 So that in any overview that we're looking at, we have to look at it in the bigger picture. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:02.940 That God has allowed things into our lives. 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:03.759 Some are good. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:05.940 Some are hard to understand. 00:11:06.899 --> 00:11:09.500 But all the time, God knows. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:11.560 And God is leading. 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:18.959 And we come to a point where we can look back and say, God has been with us every step. 00:11:19.739 --> 00:11:21.419 Never failed us. 00:11:22.299 --> 00:11:23.839 Can you look back like that? 00:11:24.599 --> 00:11:27.299 Are you able to see the bigger picture? 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:34.619 To see in an overview of all things the way the Lord has led to this point? 00:11:35.099 --> 00:11:38.139 Are you able to say, hitherto, the Lord has helped. 00:11:38.239 --> 00:11:39.979 What a blessing it is when you can. 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:42.100 And if you can't. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:47.000 If today you're saying, I just cannot see God in the midst of my life. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:49.980 He is calling you to look to him. 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:51.639 To trust in him. 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.420 To lean upon him. 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:56.740 He is saying that, keep pressing on. 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:59.560 They couldn't see it in all these years. 00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:01.940 40 years of wandering through the wilderness. 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:03.620 Just what was ahead. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:05.600 But they were kept going. 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:07.220 They were kept. 00:12:07.560 --> 00:12:09.580 And that is the way we are to be as well. 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:11.660 The Lord will keep us. 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.440 Through the hardships. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.420 Through the joys. 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:15.139 Through it all. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:17.300 The Lord keeps us. 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:20.700 So the first thing we see here is an overview. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:24.280 And in an overview we see our need of God. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:27.440 And how God is there for us. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:31.580 The second thing we see here is an observation. 00:12:32.660 --> 00:12:37.740 In the bigger picture we focus in on some of the smaller issues as well. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:40.860 We hear problems today. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:44.560 The usual problems when people are talking in a political way. 00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:46.000 Poor health care. 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:47.040 Unemployment. 00:12:47.260 --> 00:12:47.720 Poverty. 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:48.640 Education. 00:12:49.180 --> 00:12:49.880 The economy. 00:12:50.140 --> 00:12:50.540 Crime. 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:52.599 All of these things are mentioned. 00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:58.019 But what is the observation that comes from Moses here? 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:02.379 When you come to this place. 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:04.559 When you come in to this land. 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:06.099 What are they going to find? 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:08.120 What are they going to see? 00:13:08.219 --> 00:13:11.620 Well the biggest problem is idols. 00:13:13.199 --> 00:13:13.799 Idols. 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:18.939 But it points them back to the observation overall. 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:24.359 That the problem with the people is the heart. 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:29.539 Because our hearts are drawn towards idols. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:34.839 Do you think that's true of yourself today? 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:39.399 How is your heart with God today? 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:44.059 Are you feeling that sense of closeness? 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:46.480 Are you trusting in him? 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:49.220 Or are you leaving him out? 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:52.240 Are you pushing him away? 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:57.879 That's the problem that the people here were facing in the days of Moses. 00:13:58.899 --> 00:14:01.199 They are going forward but what to? 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:05.399 There are going to be many different challenges for them. 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:08.699 They are familiar with idols. 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:10.480 They have seen them before. 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.920 You look at verse 16. 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:15.060 You know how we lived in the land of Egypt. 00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:18.480 And how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. 00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:21.100 And you have seen their detestable things. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:23.280 Their idols of wood and stone. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:26.400 Of silver and gold which were among them. 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:31.080 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:33.520 Whose heart is turning away today. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:36.280 Whose heart is turning away today. 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:39.819 It is the heart that is being led astray. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:42.199 John Calvin once said, 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.980 The heart is an idol factory. 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:50.980 In other words, the heart is able to produce idol after idol after idol. 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:54.839 And an idol is something we put in the place of God. 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:58.000 And he is warning them here. 00:14:58.040 --> 00:15:00.780 This is the observation that he has. 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:05.399 This is going to be your greatest danger going forward. 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.680 Your heart. 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:10.060 Frank Sinatra said, 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:11.759 I did it my way. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:15.620 It's a common song at funerals. 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:21.100 And it's what we see in this chapter as well. 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:24.080 We see that that is the danger of this attitude. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:28.360 Of making it out that it is about our ways. 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:34.919 Look at verse 19. 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:39.320 One who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:42.460 blesses himself in his heart, saying, 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:47.279 I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:50.899 There is the attitude of doing it my way. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:54.500 What is the idol of your heart today? 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:58.700 What is it that comes between you and God? 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.720 What easily leads you astray? 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:04.820 There are so many because we can just produce them over and over. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:05.639 Pride. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:09.279 Pride can so often be in our hearts. 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:14.100 Humility can stop us coming to God. 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:15.779 Now that doesn't sound right, does it? 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.320 Humility. 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:18.460 We are told to be humble, 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:20.340 and yet we can have a false humility. 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:24.420 And say that my heart is just so wretched, 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:27.580 so wicked that I'm not good enough to come to God. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:29.280 It's a false kind of humility. 00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:31.639 But it can be a big problem. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:33.820 Stubbornness. 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:36.860 Or too easily led us astray. 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.820 They both seem like opposites, 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.820 and yet they can lead us in the same direction, 00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:42.879 the wrong direction. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.340 Greed or covetousness. 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.060 There's just so many. 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:51.539 Think of this little story of a salesman. 00:16:52.739 --> 00:16:54.179 He used to go around 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:57.819 and would make hundreds of sales, 00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:59.000 going door to door. 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.479 How did he do it? 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.919 Well, just in a few words. 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:05.220 He would say to the people he was visiting, 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.579 let me show you something. 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:09.960 Several of your neighbors have said you couldn't afford. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.339 What does that make you do? 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.579 What would that make you do 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:15.700 if someone said that to you at your doorstep? 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:18.680 It makes you want to prove them wrong, doesn't it? 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:21.000 That stubbornness, 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.720 that covetousness, 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:24.160 that pride, 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:26.100 it can so easily come in. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:30.319 And Moses knew the kind of people he had. 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:34.019 He knew how easy they would be led astray. 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:35.759 He knew the challenges 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.920 that they were going to face up to, 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:41.380 the challenges we read there in verse 16 to 18. 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:43.160 And he says, 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:43.980 beware, 00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:45.780 beware. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.900 And look at how seriously he puts it 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:49.200 at the end of verse 18. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.660 Beware lest there be among you 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:53.500 a root bearing poisonous 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:55.660 and bitter fruit. 00:17:56.340 --> 00:17:58.500 That's how dangerous it is. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.560 Poisonous 00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:01.440 and bitter fruit. 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.580 That's how easily the heart 00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:05.780 can become hardened against God 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.519 and against his people 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.960 and against his ways. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.720 When we are led astray, 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.859 when we are led by idols, 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:15.879 false gods, 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:17.359 and turn away from God, 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:18.619 a poisonous 00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:20.160 and a bitter root 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.980 takes over. 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.079 And that is one thing 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:24.599 we have to guard against 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:26.259 at all times. 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:29.099 So we have an overview, 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.299 we have an observation. 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:31.539 Then thirdly, 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:33.039 we have an outcome. 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.440 An outcome predicted. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:39.119 Any kind of manifesto, 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:39.740 anything that's looking 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.680 to the way ahead, 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:42.419 it always tries to predict 00:18:42.419 --> 00:18:43.419 the outcome. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.839 If we go this way, 00:18:45.899 --> 00:18:46.859 we will prosper, 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.000 we will do well. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.960 But it's always so difficult 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.899 to predict. 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.740 Over the years, 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:53.000 people have always tried 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.940 to predict 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.859 the way things would go. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.500 Famously, 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.399 Thomas J. Watson, 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.800 who was chairman 00:18:59.800 --> 00:19:01.160 of the board of IBM 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.880 back in the 1940s, 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.200 said, 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.800 I can see a market 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:06.200 for computers 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.800 in the world 00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:08.080 of only five. 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:10.060 Five computers. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.920 That was then. 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.100 Look at the world 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:13.040 we live in today. 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:14.320 There's computers 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:15.140 everywhere. 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.840 There's computers 00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:17.360 in your hands. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:21.120 Another man, 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.080 an author, 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:24.320 Geoffrey Gittimer, 00:19:24.600 --> 00:19:25.200 I think it is, 00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:27.400 he said back in 1963 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:29.160 when I graduated, 00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:29.740 there were no 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.900 personal computers, 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.140 no cell phones, 00:19:32.280 --> 00:19:32.920 no internet, 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.120 no credit cards, 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.340 no cassette tapes, 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.180 no satellite TV. 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:40.400 In the space of 60 years, 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.460 all of these things 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:41.900 have come. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.240 In fact, 00:19:42.320 --> 00:19:43.060 some have come 00:19:43.060 --> 00:19:43.640 and gone. 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.940 Cassette tapes, 00:19:45.040 --> 00:19:45.800 now people don't even 00:19:45.800 --> 00:19:46.680 know what they are. 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:48.700 Back in 1963, 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.060 they hadn't been produced. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:53.040 It's hard to predict. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:55.859 But what God does 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:57.619 is deal in certainties. 00:19:59.420 --> 00:19:59.940 In certainties. 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.920 Because there's nothing 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.000 hard for God 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.099 to predict. 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.599 And the predictions 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.299 that he gives 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.119 in this chapter 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.899 are warnings. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.019 If you continue 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.019 in your own way, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.240 if you turn 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.680 to these false gods, 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.980 you see it 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.899 in verse 24 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:17.259 to verse 26. 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.299 A long list 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:19.960 of predictions 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.819 and disasters, 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.779 but there's a reason 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.639 given why. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.379 Verse 24, 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.139 all the nations 00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:25.639 will ask, 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.559 why has the Lord 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.759 done this to the land? 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.879 Why this fierce, 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.259 burning anger? 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:30.819 And the answer 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.319 will be, 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.079 it is because 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.160 this people 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:33.839 abandoned 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:35.000 the covenant 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.899 of the Lord, 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.579 the God of their fathers, 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.259 the covenant 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.319 he made with them 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.339 when he brought 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.220 them out of Egypt. 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:42.240 They went off 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.000 and worshipped 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.899 other gods 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.859 and bowed down 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.440 to them, 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:47.299 gods they did not know, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.259 gods he had not 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.000 given them. 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.379 This is the outcome 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:50.819 predicted. 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:52.099 They will go 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:53.720 because that's 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.859 their natural way. 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.939 But when they go 00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.939 they will find it 00:20:57.939 --> 00:20:58.399 empty. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.559 They will only 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:01.240 find destruction. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.899 That is the warning. 00:21:06.419 --> 00:21:07.119 It's the same warning 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:08.359 as Jesus gives 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.039 in the Gospel 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.759 of Mark, 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.779 chapter 8. 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:11.700 What does it 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.500 profit a man 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.579 to gain the whole 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.919 world and forfeit 00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:16.159 his soul? 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:18.900 what's it worth? 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.420 What's your soul 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.220 worth today 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.740 to you? 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:24.720 Is it worth 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.560 turning away 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:26.380 from God 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:28.600 and losing it? 00:21:30.800 --> 00:21:31.960 It's not something 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.040 God wants. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:33.980 And you see that 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.540 as you go on 00:21:34.540 --> 00:21:36.320 into chapter 30 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:37.540 in this book. 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.160 Repentance 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:40.820 and forgiveness 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.540 is the heading 00:21:41.540 --> 00:21:42.460 at chapter 30. 00:21:42.540 --> 00:21:42.980 But just look 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.019 at verse 6. 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.440 The Lord 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.039 will God 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:47.099 will circumcise 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.640 your heart 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.160 and the heart 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:48.839 of your offspring 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.740 so that you 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.200 will love 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.599 the Lord 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.079 your God 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.740 with all your 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.059 heart, 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.740 with all your 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.240 soul, 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.400 that you may 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:54.860 live. 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.939 He doesn't 00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:57.619 want you 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.119 lost. 00:21:58.979 --> 00:21:59.599 He wants 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.500 you to live. 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:01.859 And that is 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.359 the power 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:02.799 that He is 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.179 able to 00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:03.879 produce in 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.659 your heart. 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.619 To circumcise 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.119 your heart 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.639 means to 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:09.019 open your 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.799 heart before 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.359 God. 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.719 To change 00:22:12.719 --> 00:22:13.459 your heart. 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:14.479 That is the 00:22:14.479 --> 00:22:15.259 power that He 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.839 has. 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.240 And that's 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.859 what God 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.979 wants. 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.119 That is the 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.099 outcome He 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:22.699 is looking 00:22:22.699 --> 00:22:23.439 for. 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:25.120 not that 00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:25.559 we would 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.160 perish, 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.320 but that 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:27.680 we would 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.180 live. 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:29.920 And that 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.500 leads us 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.120 to the 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.920 final thing. 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.420 Because the 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.039 final thing 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.820 we see here 00:22:34.820 --> 00:22:35.460 is an 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:35.740 offer. 00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:37.640 An offer. 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.660 You see it 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.340 again in 00:22:40.340 --> 00:22:41.759 chapter 30 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.519 verse 11 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.080 downwards, 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.980 the choice 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:45.140 of life 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.100 and death. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.860 You see it 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:48.340 here in 00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:49.460 chapter 29 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.740 verse 9 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.259 that we read, 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.299 therefore keep 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.180 the words 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.599 of this 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:53.980 covenant 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.500 and do 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.539 them that 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:55.839 you may 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:57.220 prosper in 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.779 all that 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.099 you do. 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:58.400 That you 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.180 may live. 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.339 That you 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:00.819 may know 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.119 deliverance. 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.339 That is 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:03.640 what He 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:04.180 wants for 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.740 His people 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.119 here. 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.059 That is 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.359 what He 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.819 wants for 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.480 His people 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.379 today. 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:12.019 The choice 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.259 that is put 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.200 before us. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.099 The choice 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:15.400 that is 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.700 there. 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.319 Choose 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.939 God 00:23:16.939 --> 00:23:17.759 and live. 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.399 That is 00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:20.960 so often 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.859 the choice 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.119 that we 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.439 see 00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:22.819 throughout 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.279 Scripture. 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:23.879 The choice 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:24.419 that God 00:23:24.419 --> 00:23:25.339 calls us 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:25.740 to. 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:27.879 That is 00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:28.279 the real 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.579 call of 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.500 this passage. 00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:31.220 To find 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:31.980 a way to 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.539 prosper. 00:23:32.679 --> 00:23:33.200 To find a 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:33.460 way of 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.319 deliverance. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.460 To put 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.379 our trust 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:37.039 in God. 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.299 That is 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:37.700 what verse 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.579 9 asks 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.299 of us. 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.099 To 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.939 consider. 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.500 To look 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.279 at all 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.539 that we 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.079 hear in 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:44.759 these words. 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.700 keep the 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.359 words of 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:46.619 this 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.079 covenant. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:48.819 A 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.140 covenant 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:50.200 is a 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.779 promise. 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.500 God 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.039 makes His 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.539 promise 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.500 to us. 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.859 He will 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.400 be our 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.980 God. 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.599 We will 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.140 be His 00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.740 people 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.700 when we 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.140 put our 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:01.879 trust 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.900 in Him. 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:04.720 And it 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.759 comes with 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.379 a warning. 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.400 There is 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.519 always a 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:08.900 warning. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:10.960 Just think 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.619 of Jesus' 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.420 teaching in 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:12.879 the Sermon 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:13.099 on the 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.640 Mount in 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.400 chapter 7 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.080 of Matthew. 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.420 There He 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.340 presents that 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:18.140 great picture. 00:24:18.300 --> 00:24:18.759 Enter by 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.259 the narrow 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.759 gate, for 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.140 the gate 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:20.780 is wide, 00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:21.420 and the 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:21.820 way is 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:22.420 easy that 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:22.900 leads to 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.440 destruction, 00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:24.060 and those 00:24:24.060 --> 00:24:25.440 who enter 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:25.920 by it 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.380 are many. 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:27.900 For the 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.340 gate is 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:28.800 narrow, and 00:24:28.800 --> 00:24:29.060 the way 00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:29.600 is hard 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:30.060 that leads 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:30.740 to life, 00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:31.720 and those 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.300 who find 00:24:32.300 --> 00:24:33.040 it are 00:24:33.040 --> 00:24:33.360 few. 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:33.740 He puts 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.380 the choice, 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.000 the broad 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.920 road and 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.340 the narrow 00:24:36.340 --> 00:24:36.860 roads. 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:38.780 The choice 00:24:38.780 --> 00:24:39.620 between life 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.680 and death. 00:24:40.820 --> 00:24:41.240 It's that 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.860 stark. 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.080 The choice 00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:47.259 that Joshua 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.180 and Caleb 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.660 put before 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:51.820 us so 00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.340 often as 00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:52.600 well, when 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.019 you go back 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.640 to Numbers, 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.100 before they 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:54.500 went into 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.100 the promised 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:56.480 land, Joshua 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.200 and Caleb 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.280 said to the 00:24:58.280 --> 00:24:59.040 congregation of 00:24:59.040 --> 00:24:59.640 the people in 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:00.600 Numbers 14 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.519 verse 6 to 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:01.820 9, 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.639 the land 00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:02.980 which we 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.359 passed 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:03.859 through to 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.279 spy it 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.559 out is 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.279 an exceedingly 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.159 good land. 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:06.899 If the 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.679 Lord delights 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.139 in us, he 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.539 will bring 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.019 us into 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.639 this land 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.059 and give 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.379 it to 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:10.679 us. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.480 Only do 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.179 not rebel 00:25:12.179 --> 00:25:12.839 against the 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.240 Lord and 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.539 do not 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.099 fear the 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.559 people of 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.059 the land. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.059 The Lord 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.639 is with 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:16.879 us. 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.359 Do not 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:17.960 fear them. 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.019 There was 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.519 a choice. 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.419 They chose 00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:21.439 to turn 00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:22.059 away from 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.519 that, to 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.000 turn away 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.720 from God, 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.299 and they 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.659 ended up 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.240 being lost 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:25.579 in the 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:25.960 wilderness. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.039 And here 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.579 we are now 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.500 40 years 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:30.000 later, and 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.359 they're waiting 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:30.899 to go on 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:31.279 again. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.419 And which 00:25:33.419 --> 00:25:33.819 way would 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.599 they choose? 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:35.599 That's what's 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.079 being put 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.919 before them. 00:25:37.899 --> 00:25:38.359 Keep the 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:38.879 words of 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.419 this covenant 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:39.899 and do 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.279 them that 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.579 you may 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.240 prosper. 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.779 What does 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.200 it mean 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:44.079 for you? 00:25:44.159 --> 00:25:44.399 What does 00:25:44.399 --> 00:25:44.740 it mean 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.339 for us 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:45.859 today? 00:25:47.179 --> 00:25:48.000 Keep the 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.399 words that 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.099 God puts 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.099 before us. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.279 The words 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.619 of his 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.139 covenant. 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.679 The covenant 00:25:54.679 --> 00:25:56.299 fulfilled in 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.419 Jesus Christ. 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.960 That deliverance 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.919 is found in 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:00.240 him. 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.439 And when we 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:01.799 put our 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.559 trust in 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.360 him, we 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:03.660 are to 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.840 follow his 00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:06.940 ways, all 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.500 the ways 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:07.900 that he 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:09.160 commands us. 00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:10.920 And there 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.320 are many 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:11.940 things that 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.420 that leads 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.000 us to. 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.539 Love the 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.059 Lord your 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.120 God with 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.559 all your 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.539 heart, soul 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.100 and mind 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.840 and strength. 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.240 And love 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.840 your neighbor 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:22.259 as yourself. 00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:22.860 That's the 00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:24.019 summary of 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.279 it. 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.400 Is that 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:26.960 what we are 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.279 doing? 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:29.099 is that 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.519 the way 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:29.899 that we 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.420 are living? 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.440 Is that 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:32.960 the way 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.779 that we 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.240 are going 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.819 forward? 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.500 Because if 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.180 it's not, 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.299 there is 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.160 that danger 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:39.519 that we 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.000 read of 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.519 here, 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.440 a poisonous 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.680 and a 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.539 bitter fruit 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.360 when we 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:45.980 turn away 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.720 from God. 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:48.220 So let 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.920 us turn 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.900 to him. 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.140 Let us 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:51.700 look to 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.160 him and 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:52.940 go forward 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:54.880 trusting him, 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.500 honoring him, 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:57.880 loving him 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.559 with all our 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.059 hearts, 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.480 loving our 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.680 neighbor as 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.480 ourself, 00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:03.940 seeking his 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:05.220 blessing and 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.779 his good 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.759 to us. 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.200 he is 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.819 faithful who 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.599 has promised. 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:10.920 Let us 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:11.619 be faithful 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:12.660 to him. 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.720 Let us 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:13.940 pray. 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.720 Lord, 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.000 our 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.440 gracious 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:17.940 God, 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.500 we thank 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:18.799 you for 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.460 the promises 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:19.839 that you 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.480 give to 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:20.700 us, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:20.980 that you 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.299 are a 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:21.680 faithful 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.200 God, 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.359 that you 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.200 are the 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.579 God of 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:24.960 Abraham, 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:25.440 Isaac, 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.140 and Jacob 00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:26.720 of old, 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.460 but that 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:27.779 you are a 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.200 God for 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:28.680 all your 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.460 people down 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.039 through all 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.700 generations, 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:31.920 that your 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.779 promises we 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.700 see fulfilled 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.440 in Jesus 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.160 Christ, 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:35.960 our Lord, 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.940 the one 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.680 who directs 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:37.860 us, 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.180 the one 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.720 who shows 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.100 us the 00:27:39.100 --> 00:27:39.279 way, 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:39.559 and may 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.059 you help 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.460 us to 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.480 walk in 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.279 his ways. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.259 May you 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.720 lead us 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.240 by your 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.759 spirit, 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:45.519 may you 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.059 guide us 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.539 by your 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:46.920 truth, 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.259 may you 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.799 forgive us 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.200 in all 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.740 our sin 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.059 as we 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.500 ask it 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:49.779 all, 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:50.860 in Jesus 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.340 name, 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.200 Amen. 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.819 We'll 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.500 conclude by 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.160 singing to 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.600 God's 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.240 praise in 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.400 Psalm 138, 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:03.660 Scottish 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.299 Psalter 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.779 Version, 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.740 page 431 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.279 of the 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.599 Psalm 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:07.920 books, 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.599 Psalm 138, 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.359 we'll 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:13.799 sing from 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.839 verse 3 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.579 to 5. 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.460 Thou didst 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:19.980 me answer 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.539 in the day 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:20.980 when I 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.420 to thee 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.079 did cry, 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.420 and thou 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:23.160 my fainting 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:23.660 soul 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.339 was strengthened, 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.099 strengthen 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.279 inwardly. 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:26.859 All kings 00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:27.480 upon the 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:27.759 earth 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:29.059 shall give 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.779 thee praise, 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.339 O Lord, 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.299 when as 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.799 they from 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.339 thy mouth 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:32.940 shall hear 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.680 thy true 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.759 and faithful 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.240 word. 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.440 We'll 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:35.799 sing from 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.299 verse 3 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.940 to 5 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.920 to God's 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.299 praise. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:46.119 O tits 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.960 me 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:48.700 answer 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:51.039 in 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.019 the 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:53.319 day 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.799 when 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:56.279 I 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.379 to 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.259 thee 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.079 did 00:28:59.079 --> 00:29:00.339 cry, 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.740 and 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.259 thou 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:06.259 my 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:08.220 painting 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.740 soul 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:11.559 with 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.779 strength, 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.359 this 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:16.119 strength 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:17.000 and 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:20.259 inwardly. 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:25.160 All kings 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.259 upon 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:28.259 the 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.960 earth 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:31.279 that 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.720 heart 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:34.100 shall 00:29:34.100 --> 00:29:35.779 give 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.700 thee 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:38.079 praise, 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.079 O 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:41.579 Lord, 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.920 when 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:44.779 last 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.700 they 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:47.079 from 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:48.240 thy 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.660 mouth 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.920 shall 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:52.140 hear 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:53.700 thy 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:55.500 true 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:57.960 unfaithful 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.960 word. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.960 In 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:04.960 the 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:07.440 righteous 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.960 wish 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:09.960 of 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.960 God, 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:12.960 with 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.960 pout 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:15.960 this 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.960 they 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.960 shall 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:19.960 sing, 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:21.960 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:22.960 great 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.960 the 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.960 glory 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.960 of 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:28.960 the 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:30.960 Lord, 00:30:32.100 --> 00:30:32.960 who 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.960 doth 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:36.960 forever 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.960 reign. 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.539 After the 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:42.960 benediction, 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.579 I'll go to the 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.059 door to my 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.340 right. 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:44.920 We'll close 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.640 with the 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.039 benediction. 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:46.920 Now may 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:47.400 grace, 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:47.980 mercy, 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.640 and peace 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.400 from God, 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:49.940 Father, 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:50.420 Son, 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.039 and Holy 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.480 Spirit, 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.460 rest upon 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.039 and abide 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.559 with you 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:53.839 all, 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:54.659 now and 00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:54.960 forever 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:55.359 more. 00:30:55.679 --> 00:30:55.980 Amen. 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.079 Amen. 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.559 Amen.