WEBVTT

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 Heavenly Father, it is our deepest desire to please you.

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 You are our King, our Lord.

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 You are our God.

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 You are our loving Father.

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 But in order to please you, we need to train up our discernment to know your good and perfect will.

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 To know all that you desire for us that which is true, right, and good.

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 So as we open up your word together, please teach us this evening to know your will and grant us the humility, the fear of God, to follow you and obey you.

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 No matter the cost in every aspect of our lives.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 I will read Proverbs 28 and 29.

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 Please follow along with me in your Bibles.

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 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

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 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers.

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 But with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

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 A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.

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 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.

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 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

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 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

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 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of glutton's shames his father.

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 Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

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 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

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 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

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 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

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 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

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 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

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 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

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 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

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 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

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 If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death.

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 Let no one help him.

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 Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

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 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

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 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

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 To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

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 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

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 Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.

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 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says,

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 There is no transgression, is a companion to a man who destroys.

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 A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

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 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

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 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

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 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

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 He who is often reproved yet stiffens his neck will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

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 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

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 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

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 By justice, a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

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 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

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 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

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 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor.

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 A wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

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 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.

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 If a wise man has an argument with the fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

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 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.

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 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

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 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

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 The poor man and the oppressor meet together.

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 The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

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 If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.

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 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

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 When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

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 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest.

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 He will give delight to your heart.

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 Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint.

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 But blessed is he who keeps the law.

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 By mere words, a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.

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 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?

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 There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.

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 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

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 One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

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 The partner of a thief hates his own life.

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 He hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

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 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

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 Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

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 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 The Bible is not an exhaustive rulebook that has a corresponding rule for every conceivable situation.

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 And if you treat it that way, you will be disappointed because it doesn't answer all of your questions.

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 Rather, it's God's personal revelation.

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 It's a way that God has chosen to reveal himself personally to us.

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 And for that reason, it culminates with the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

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 who is the very image of the invisible God.

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 And when we read the Bible in this sense, then we are not merely familiarizing ourselves with the rules for life,

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 but rather we are familiarizing ourselves with a person.

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 In much the same way we get to know each other through conversing with one another.

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 We get to know God by reading his word.

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 We learn to think his thoughts after him.

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 Another way to put that is that we grow in discernment.

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 The ability to discriminate between what is good and what is evil.

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 Discernment is something that requires training.

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 Romans 12.2 says,

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 Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

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 that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,

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 what is good and acceptable and perfect.

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 Paul says in Philippians 1.9-11,

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 that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment,

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 so that you may approve what is excellent,

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 and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

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 Hebrews 5.14 similarly says,

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 Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment,

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 trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

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 We live in a complex universe where many situations are not black and white,

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 where even Christians who agree that Scripture is God's inspired and inerrant word

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 still disagree on a number of issues.

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 This is why we need to grow in discernment,

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 to learn not only the content of God's word,

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 but also the tenor of God's word,

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 to learn to know what God's good and perfect will is.

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 These two chapters in Proverbs are all about discernment.

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 The word understand or understanding,

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 which is ESV's rendering of the Hebrew word for seeing or discerning something,

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 occurs six times in these two chapters.

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 And these chapters tell us that we are to train our discernment of God's will

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 by keeping the law,

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 that's in chapter 28 verses 1 to 12,

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 and repenting from sin,

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 submitting to discipline,

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 and fearing the Lord.

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 And this last point,

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 fearing the Lord,

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 is really the sum of all four of the points,

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 that we are to train our discernment by living with the fear of the Lord.

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 So first,

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 let's start in the obvious place.

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 We are to train our discernment by knowing and keeping the law of God.

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 Verses 1 to 12 mentioned the importance of keeping the law four times.

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 It says in 4 to 5,

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 verses 4 to 5,

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 those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

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 but those who keep the law strive against them.

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 Evil men do not understand justice,

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 but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

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 In a similar way,

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 that common sense,

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 which we take for granted,

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 or tend to assume most people have,

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 is actually not that common.

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 In a similar way,

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 this assumption that everyone has basically the same conscience,

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 the same sense of right and wrong,

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 is also misleading at times.

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 While human beings do have the innate,

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 God-given sense of right and wrong,

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 due to our sinful rebellion against God,

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 we have become futile in our thinking,

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 we have become foolish and darkened in our hearts,

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 as Romans 1 talks about,

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 apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.

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 And because of this,

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 as Proverbs 16.25 earlier said,

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 there's a way that seems right to a man,

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 but its end is the way to death.

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 It means people's consciences are often confused.

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 People don't know what is right from wrong.

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 So what results is verse 4.

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 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked.

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 We should not be surprised,

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 as we live in this sinful world,

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 when people praise that which God says is wicked.

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 We should not be surprised by that.

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 We should expect that.

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 Because these people,

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 this world,

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 has forsaken God's law.

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 But as those who keep the law,

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 we strive against them.

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 Evil men do not understand justice.

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 Don't assume that when people use,

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 people of this world use the same words that we use,

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 words like justice,

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 words like righteousness,

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 don't assume that they mean the same thing

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 that the Bible does.

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 Only those who seek the Lord

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 understand justice completely.

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 If you want to grow in your discernment,

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 we need to seek the Lord.

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 We need to keep His law.

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 Because ultimately,

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 our sense of right and wrong

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 must come from Him

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 and not from our own head.

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 As it later says in verse 26,

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 whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,

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 but he who walks in wisdom

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 will be delivered.

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 Because our consciences are shaped

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 by our personal experiences,

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 by our cultural context,

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 by our feelings,

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 we need consciously to strive

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 to conform our minds

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 to God's revealed will in Scripture.

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 We need to train our discernment

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 by searching and keeping God's Word.

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 So verse 7 says,

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 the one who keeps the law

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 is a son with understanding,

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 but a companion of glutton

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 shames his father.

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 We possess discernment

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 when we keep God's law.

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 And whenever Proverbs gives us a command,

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 it also provides corresponding motivation

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 for us to follow.

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 It says in verses 1 to 2,

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 So one reason that we should continue

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 and keep God's law

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 is that it lets us live without fear.

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 The wicked are flighty

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 because they're always looking

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 over their shoulders

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 to see if they'll be found out

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 for their wickedness

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 because they're always trying

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 to cover their tracks behind them.

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 And due to this insecurity,

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 the wicked flee

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 when no one is pursuing them.

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 They're easily spooked.

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 They live with constant fear

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 of being found out and punished.

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 Moreover, it says,

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 when a land transgresses,

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 it has many rulers,

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 but with a man of understanding

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 and knowledge,

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 its stability will long continue.

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 This verse 2 is matched

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 by verse 12,

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 which together bracket

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 this subsection.

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 Verse 12 says,

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 when the righteous triumph,

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 there is great glory,

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 but when the wicked rise,

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 people hide themselves.

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 The word great in verse 2

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 is the same word

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 that's translated,

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 great in verse 12

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 is the same word

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 that's translated many

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 in verse 2.

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 So then in a country

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 where the righteous prevail,

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 there's much glory.

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 But in a country

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 where the wicked prevail,

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 there are many rulers.

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 In other words,

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 when a kingdom is founded

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 on righteousness,

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 it promotes stability,

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 prosperity,

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 and longevity.

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 But when it is founded

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 on transgressions,

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 it breeds chaos

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 and conflict

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 with many rulers

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 vying for power.

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 And while righteousness

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 encompasses many things,

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 there's a particular aspect

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 of righteousness

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 that chapter 28

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 focuses on,

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 namely the way we treat

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 the most vulnerable

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 members of society.

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 Verse 3 says,

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 a poor man

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 who oppresses the poor

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 is a beating rain

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 that leaves no food.

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 It's not only the rich

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 who oppress the poor.

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 The poor also

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.519
 oppress the poor.

00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:29.699
 This is particularly grievous

00:15:29.699 --> 00:15:30.579
 because

00:15:30.579 --> 00:15:33.480
 the fellow poor

00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.319
 you would expect

00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:35.279
 compassion from,

00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:36.919
 who of all people

00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.519
 should know

00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.360
 what it's like

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.960
 to be poor

00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:39.720
 and should have pity,

00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:41.639
 instead betrays

00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.279
 the fellow poor

00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:43.059
 and takes advantage

00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:43.439
 of him,

00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.259
 oppresses him.

00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.460
 In the same way,

00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.039
 a rain,

00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:47.259
 you expect the rain

00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.139
 to bring life,

00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.799
 to enable you

00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:50.319
 to farm

00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:51.299
 and to produce grain

00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.100
 that will bring life

00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.659
 to your community.

00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.480
 But instead,

00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.939
 when you get a beating rain

00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:56.000
 that actually sweeps

00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.880
 away the gains

00:15:56.880 --> 00:15:57.960
 of hard work

00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:58.500
 of farmers,

00:15:59.900 --> 00:16:00.680
 it surprises.

00:16:01.140 --> 00:16:01.820
 In the same way,

00:16:01.900 --> 00:16:02.520
 this poor man

00:16:02.520 --> 00:16:03.000
 who oppresses

00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.760
 is like the beating rain

00:16:04.760 --> 00:16:05.560
 that leaves no food.

00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:07.340
 In contrast,

00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.100
 the discerning man

00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.680
 understands verse 6.

00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:11.200
 Better is a poor man

00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.500
 who walks in his integrity

00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.280
 than the rich man

00:16:13.280 --> 00:16:13.780
 who is crooked

00:16:13.780 --> 00:16:14.420
 in his ways.

00:16:15.780 --> 00:16:16.620
 In Hebrew,

00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:17.740
 nouns can be singular,

00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:18.200
 plural,

00:16:18.380 --> 00:16:19.040
 or dual,

00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:20.360
 indicating just two,

00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:22.000
 the two of one thing.

00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.759
 And the word ways

00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.799
 at the end of verse 6

00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.820
 is dual.

00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.360
 So it highlights

00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.740
 the duplicitous

00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:30.220
 and double-dealing ways

00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:32.559
 of this crooked man.

00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.860
 He not only does evil,

00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:36.139
 he deceives others

00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.100
 while doing so.

00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.480
 And even though

00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.500
 this seems to work for him

00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.179
 for a little while

00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.000
 because he gets rich

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.580
 off of it,

00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.659
 in the end,

00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.539
 he will be punished

00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.139
 by God

00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:46.159
 who stands behind

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.220
 his standard of justice.

00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.639
 And it says

00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.720
 in verses 8 to 10,

00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.840
 whoever multiplies

00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.320
 his wealth

00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.500
 by interest and profit

00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.519
 gathers it for him

00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.500
 who is generous

00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.040
 to the poor,

00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.460
 if one turns away

00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.379
 his ear from hearing

00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:57.780
 the law,

00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.700
 even his prayer

00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.500
 is an abomination.

00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:01.100
 Whoever misleads

00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.620
 the upright

00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.580
 into an evil way

00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.259
 will fall into

00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:03.860
 his own pit,

00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.559
 but the blameless

00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.600
 will have a goodly

00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.140
 inheritance.

00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.660
 We've seen this

00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.319
 over and over again

00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.039
 throughout Proverbs

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.980
 that God has embedded

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.519
 this paradoxical principle

00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.620
 in the general working

00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:13.360
 of the universe

00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:14.440
 so that those

00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.420
 who defraud others

00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.079
 will ultimately

00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.259
 be impoverished,

00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.299
 but those who are

00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.380
 generous with others

00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:19.920
 will ultimately

00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.640
 be enriched.

00:17:21.419 --> 00:17:22.419
 Those who lead

00:17:22.419 --> 00:17:23.220
 others to ruin

00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.199
 for their selfish gain

00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:24.839
 will themselves

00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:25.839
 come to ruin,

00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:27.039
 while those who live

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.519
 blameless,

00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:28.459
 selfless lives

00:17:28.459 --> 00:17:29.919
 will have a goodly

00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:30.819
 inheritance.

00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.619
 This is why

00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.939
 it's in our best interest

00:17:33.939 --> 00:17:35.559
 to train our discernment

00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.619
 by keeping God's Word.

00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:39.019
 In verse 9,

00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:39.299
 it says,

00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.539
 if one turns away

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.919
 his ear from hearing

00:17:41.919 --> 00:17:42.460
 the law,

00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:44.220
 even his prayer

00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.339
 is an abomination.

00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.299
 Even something

00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.240
 as commendable

00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.019
 as prayer

00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.579
 becomes an abomination

00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.419
 to God

00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:53.099
 if you do not

00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.539
 keep His Word,

00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:55.579
 if you do not

00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:57.059
 hear His Word.

00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.500
 So this is actually

00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.259
 a key principle.

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.460
 If you want your prayers

00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.220
 to be effective,

00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.940
 do you keep

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.559
 God's Word?

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:07.279
 Do you actually

00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:07.899
 believe,

00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.720
 do you have faith

00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.519
 in God's Word

00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:11.039
 enough to obey it,

00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.779
 to walk in accordance

00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.339
 with it?

00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.139
 Because genuine faith

00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:16.159
 is always accompanied

00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:17.480
 by good works.

00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:20.319
 And this is the

00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.259
 chief defect

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.099
 of the rich wicked.

00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.240
 Verse 11 says,

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.380
 a rich man is wise

00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.099
 in his own eyes,

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:25.980
 but a poor man

00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:26.740
 who has understanding

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:28.079
 will find him out.

00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.519
 That's his problem.

00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.360
 He is wise

00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:31.720
 in his own eyes.

00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.700
 So he sees no need

00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.620
 for God's Word,

00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.880
 no need for instruction

00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.559
 from God.

00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.680
 But he will be exposed

00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.579
 by the discerning

00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.700
 poor man.

00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:44.579
 For all Bible-believing

00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.099
 Christians,

00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.279
 Scripture is

00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.120
 the theoretical

00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:48.159
 authority.

00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.679
 But for many

00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.579
 Christians,

00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.859
 Scripture is not

00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.819
 the functional

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.279
 authority.

00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.259
 Instead,

00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.199
 for some people

00:18:56.199 --> 00:18:56.919
 it serves merely

00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:57.939
 to lend support

00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:59.259
 to our own hunches,

00:18:59.719 --> 00:19:00.739
 our own opinions,

00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.419
 or the spirit

00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:03.000
 of the times.

00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.279
 But such people

00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.319
 will be found out

00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.319
 by a poor man

00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.719
 who has understanding.

00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.599
 And this is why

00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:10.459
 we must train

00:19:10.459 --> 00:19:11.159
 our discernment

00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:12.139
 by keeping God's law.

00:19:13.719 --> 00:19:14.739
 The second way

00:19:14.739 --> 00:19:15.259
 we are to hone

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.319
 our skills of discernment

00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.240
 is by repenting

00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.819
 from sin.

00:19:19.439 --> 00:19:20.359
 That's the subject

00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.059
 broadly speaking

00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.839
 of chapter 28

00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.480
 verse 13

00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.259
 to chapter 29

00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.859
 verse 2.

00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:25.159
 And verse 13

00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:25.839
 is actually one

00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:26.480
 of the clearest

00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.119
 explanations

00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:28.179
 of what repentance

00:19:28.179 --> 00:19:28.659
 is.

00:19:29.439 --> 00:19:29.740
 It says,

00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:31.000
 whoever conceals

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.019
 his transgressions

00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.839
 will not prosper,

00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:34.519
 but he who confesses

00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.720
 and forsakes them

00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:37.620
 will obtain mercy.

00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.960
 The word conceal

00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.099
 is contrasted

00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:42.180
 by two words,

00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:44.240
 confess and forsake.

00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.539
 This reveals

00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.759
 two reasons

00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.440
 why people

00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.380
 typically hide

00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:48.980
 their sins.

00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:50.720
 One reason is this,

00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.519
 they don't want

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.039
 their sins

00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:52.720
 to be discovered

00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.900
 because they want

00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:55.039
 to avoid the shame

00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.240
 and reproach

00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.200
 that is associated

00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.680
 with it.

00:19:58.340 --> 00:19:58.940
 That's why

00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.819
 they don't confess it

00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:01.519
 because it's shameful.

00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.100
 Second reason

00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:03.460
 is this,

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.440
 they want to persist

00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.200
 in their sin.

00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:06.960
 And if they want

00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.640
 to keep sinning

00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.519
 in that same way,

00:20:08.580 --> 00:20:09.700
 then it's not possible,

00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.759
 that's no longer possible

00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.920
 if it gets found out

00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.400
 so they keep it hidden.

00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.000
 And because

00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.100
 these two reasons

00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:16.980
 exist for people

00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:18.000
 to hide their sins,

00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:20.160
 we must do two things

00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.180
 in response to sin

00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.840
 in our own lives.

00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:23.160
 We must confess it.

00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.940
 That's the first thing

00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.360
 we must do,

00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.240
 acknowledge it.

00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.700
 because the darkness

00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.819
 of shame and guilt

00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:29.400
 is what incubates sin.

00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:32.039
 If we confess our sins,

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:33.599
 it says 1 John 1, 9,

00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.900
 God is faithful and just

00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:36.099
 to forgive us our sins

00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.339
 and to cleanse us

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:39.559
 from all unrighteousness.

00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.859
 Sin loses its power

00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.859
 when it's brought

00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.940
 into the light

00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.299
 of God's mercy

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.019
 and forgiveness

00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.500
 through confession

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:49.660
 because the shame

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.160
 and the guilt

00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.859
 is dealt with

00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.680
 in light of Jesus Christ.

00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.359
 The second thing

00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.859
 we must do

00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:56.459
 is forsake sin.

00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.979
 When we talk

00:20:57.979 --> 00:20:58.759
 about repenting

00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.299
 of our sins,

00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.740
 repenting doesn't just mean

00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.619
 to feel sorry

00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:02.279
 for one's sins.

00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.000
 It's not the same

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.099
 as regretting it.

00:21:04.199 --> 00:21:04.639
 To repent

00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:06.079
 means to turn away

00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.659
 from it,

00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:08.059
 renounce your sins

00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.159
 and to turn toward God.

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.879
 If your teacher

00:21:10.879 --> 00:21:11.919
 spots an error

00:21:11.919 --> 00:21:13.139
 in a math problem

00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.039
 that you are solving

00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:17.179
 and you keep going

00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:18.000
 trying to solve it

00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.679
 the way you were doing it

00:21:18.679 --> 00:21:19.439
 instead of going back

00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:20.259
 to solve the issue,

00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:21.500
 would he not think

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.619
 that you did not

00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.259
 understand

00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.859
 what he was trying

00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.359
 to tell you?

00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.259
 If while you're

00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.099
 driving south

00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.960
 and someone tells you

00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.500
 that you're supposed

00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.539
 to be driving north,

00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.920
 but after acknowledging

00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.519
 your mistake,

00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:33.099
 you continue to drive south,

00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:34.559
 wouldn't the person

00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.619
 who corrected you

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.559
 and gave you directions

00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.940
 be right to think

00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.900
 that you didn't hear him

00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.059
 or didn't understand him

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.900
 or didn't believe him?

00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.220
 True repentance

00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.579
 means to believe

00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.700
 in God enough

00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.059
 to renounce

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.900
 the sins

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.500
 that are in your own life,

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.700
 to turn away from it.

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:52.960
 That's why repentance

00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.440
 is also a fight of faith

00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:56.660
 because if you really see

00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.799
 and you really believe

00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:59.759
 what sin is,

00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.880
 if you see the ugliness

00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:02.100
 of sin for what it is,

00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.980
 if you see the destructiveness

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:05.279
 of sin for what it is,

00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.100
 if you really believe

00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:07.220
 what God says about it,

00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:08.519
 you will turn from it.

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:09.940
 You will renounce it.

00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.799
 And it's only those

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.380
 who confess

00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:14.140
 and forsake

00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.920
 their transgression

00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.440
 that will obtain

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.400
 mercy.

00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:22.900
 And that wonderful reality

00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:24.960
 should set our hearts

00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.920
 toward repentance,

00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.299
 soften our hearts for it.

00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.320
 It says in verse 14,

00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:30.279
 Blessed is the one

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:32.059
 who fears the Lord always,

00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:34.220
 but whoever hardens his heart

00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:36.019
 will fall into calamity.

00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.980
 Verse 14 is matched

00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.480
 by chapter 29, verse 1.

00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:41.980
 He who is often reproved

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.360
 yet stiffens his neck

00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:44.799
 will suddenly be broken

00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.680
 beyond healing.

00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.980
 The word hardened

00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.980
 and the word stiffen

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.000
 are different translations

00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.140
 of the same word.

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.080
 When we are corrected

00:22:52.080 --> 00:22:53.320
 by the word of God

00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.299
 or by our brothers

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.340
 and sisters in Christ,

00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.060
 we must repent

00:22:57.060 --> 00:22:58.799
 by confessing and forsaking.

00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:01.080
 A misshapen pottery

00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:03.019
 that's been hardened already

00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.259
 will be shattered

00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:06.180
 by the hand of God's discipline

00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:08.200
 because it's no longer malleable.

00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:11.080
 But if that piece of pottery

00:23:11.080 --> 00:23:11.940
 is softened,

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.600
 if that clay is softened

00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:15.320
 by the water of God's mercies,

00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:17.339
 then it will be molded

00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:18.599
 to fit God's purposes

00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.279
 and priorities.

00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.779
 So how do you respond

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.740
 to godly correction?

00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:26.019
 Is your habit

00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.119
 to respond

00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.659
 in defensiveness and denial?

00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:31.059
 Or do you have a posture

00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.539
 of humility

00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.599
 before God and others?

00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:35.619
 We are to train our discernment

00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:37.019
 by repenting from our sins.

00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:41.900
 The rest of the subsection

00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:44.960
 offers specific examples

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.920
 of how we need to live

00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.799
 with the fear of God

00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.980
 in governing society

00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.960
 and gaining income.

00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.879
 Verses 15 to 18

00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:52.200
 focus on governance.

00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.180
 It says,

00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.299
 Like a roaring lion

00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.379
 or a charging bear

00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:56.660
 is a wicked ruler

00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:58.099
 over a poor people.

00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:00.220
 A ruler who lacks understanding

00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.720
 is a cruel oppressor,

00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:03.680
 but he who hates unjust gain

00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.920
 will prolong his days.

00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:09.120
 So earlier in Proverbs 19, 12,

00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:11.380
 and 22, 20 verse 2,

00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:13.120
 the king's righteous wrath

00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.420
 punishing evildoers

00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:16.480
 was compared to a roaring lion.

00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.820
 And so the repurposing

00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:20.840
 of that same metaphor

00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.940
 is shocking

00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:23.620
 because here we see

00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.320
 that the king,

00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.940
 who should be executing justice

00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:27.580
 on behalf of the poor,

00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.640
 instead turns against

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:32.220
 his own poor people.

00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:34.579
 Instead of protecting his own,

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:36.380
 he preys upon them.

00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.380
 And he does this

00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:40.600
 because he lacks discernment,

00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.140
 lacks understanding.

00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.579
 He's untrained.

00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.039
 And for that reason,

00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:46.420
 he will suffer the consequences.

00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.480
 Verse 16 says,

00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:49.460
 He who hates unjust gain

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.600
 will prolong his days.

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:52.259
 The word unjust gain

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.240
 is literally something

00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.519
 that is cut off,

00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.500
 a rip off,

00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:57.720
 a short changing of somebody.

00:24:58.360 --> 00:25:00.019
 And this forms a neat contrast

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.880
 to the word prolong.

00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:03.340
 He who short changes others,

00:25:03.520 --> 00:25:05.640
 the king who short changes others

00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.640
 will be short lived.

00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:09.260
 Instead,

00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.180
 the king should be

00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.320
 an enforcer of justice.

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.820
 It says in verses 17 and 18,

00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.900
 If one is burdened

00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.740
 with the blood of another,

00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:16.060
 he will be a fugitive

00:25:16.060 --> 00:25:16.740
 until death.

00:25:17.100 --> 00:25:18.040
 Let no one help him.

00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.740
 Whoever walks in integrity

00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.480
 will be delivered,

00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.520
 but he who is crooked

00:25:21.520 --> 00:25:22.180
 in his ways

00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:23.200
 will suddenly fall.

00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.140
 The one who sheds

00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:25.900
 innocent blood

00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.700
 will be a fugitive

00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.520
 until death.

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:29.500
 He will,

00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.139
 it says,

00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.859
 the word fugitive

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.879
 is just a noun form

00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.680
 of the word flee

00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.579
 in verse 1

00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.500
 where he said,

00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.319
 The wicked flee

00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.480
 when no one pursues,

00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.099
 but the righteous

00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:38.180
 are bold as a lion.

00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.940
 So the lion imagery

00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.660
 makes an interesting

00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:42.079
 connection to verse 15.

00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.299
 The ruler who preys

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.359
 upon the innocent poor

00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.400
 like a roaring lion

00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:47.220
 will shrink and shrink

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.539
 until he is

00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.680
 no longer bold

00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.259
 as a lion

00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.940
 like the righteous,

00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.660
 but instead becomes

00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.980
 a flighty fugitive.

00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:56.019
 Looking over his shoulders,

00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.920
 suspicious that his officials

00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.519
 will be talking

00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.339
 behind his back

00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:01.079
 or conspire against him,

00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.619
 fearful that his subjects

00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.680
 will rebel against him,

00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.980
 and increasingly filled

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.639
 with fear

00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.980
 as he feels the grip

00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.400
 of God's sovereign justice

00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.859
 closing in around him.

00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.539
 As verse 18 summarizes,

00:26:12.619 --> 00:26:13.839
 Whoever walks in integrity

00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.519
 will be delivered,

00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.639
 but he who is crooked

00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.339
 in his ways

00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.259
 will suddenly fall.

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.599
 A person who has nothing

00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.079
 to hide

00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.160
 has nothing to fear.

00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.940
 And after addressing

00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.400
 the importance

00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.359
 of governing justly,

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.639
 verses 19 to 27

00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.399
 deals specifically

00:26:27.399 --> 00:26:28.879
 with gaining justly.

00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:32.639
 Verses 19 to 20

00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.099
 says this,

00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.279
 Whoever works his land

00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.459
 will have plenty of bread,

00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.619
 but he who follows

00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.479
 worthless pursuits

00:26:37.479 --> 00:26:38.740
 will have plenty of poverty.

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.219
 A faithful man

00:26:40.219 --> 00:26:41.459
 will abound with blessings,

00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:42.639
 but whoever hastens

00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.299
 to be rich

00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:45.279
 will not go unpunished.

00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:47.279
 This is the right way

00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.979
 to earn a living

00:26:48.979 --> 00:26:50.979
 with honest hard work,

00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:51.959
 faithfulness,

00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:53.119
 constancy,

00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.240
 dependability,

00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:56.120
 rather than relying on

00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:57.519
 or seeking a stroke of luck

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:59.480
 or a get-rich-quick scheme.

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:03.460
 And then verses 21 to 25

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:05.039
 give us five more examples

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.700
 of bad ways of earning money.

00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:08.700
 One is taking bribes.

00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:10.559
 Two is being stingy.

00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.160
 Three is flattery.

00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.480
 Four is robbery.

00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.960
 And five is quarreling.

00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:19.380
 I'll just expand a little bit

00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:20.420
 on the robbery

00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.200
 and the quarreling.

00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:21.860
 Verse 24,

00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.220
 it says,

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.539
 Whoever robs his father

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.180
 or his mother

00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:26.180
 and says that is no transgression

00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.940
 is a companion

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.480
 to a man who destroys.

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.740
 Robbing one's own parents

00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.900
 who raised him

00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:35.440
 and selflessly provided for him

00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:37.039
 is contemptible.

00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:39.700
 In Mark 7, 9 to 13,

00:27:39.860 --> 00:27:41.620
 Jesus rebukes the Pharisees

00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:43.259
 for doing exactly this.

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:45.220
 For they used their piety

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.180
 as a pretext

00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.339
 for withholding provisions

00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.480
 from their parents.

00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:50.319
 They would tell their parents,

00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.339
 Hey, what I have

00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.559
 is actually dedicated to God.

00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.220
 So I can't give it to you.

00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.460
 I can't help you.

00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:59.480
 There are many ways nowadays

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.200
 that adults,

00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.420
 adult children

00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.799
 can shirk their feeling

00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.460
 of responsibility

00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.720
 to care for their parents.

00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:08.579
 They could rationalize

00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.860
 that it's all wealth

00:28:09.860 --> 00:28:10.600
 that will eventually

00:28:10.600 --> 00:28:11.500
 come to them anyway.

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.920
 Well, it's all my money.

00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.759
 It's all in the family.

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.600
 It's all shared.

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.640
 Or they might argue

00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.380
 that their parents

00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:19.380
 are too infirm

00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:20.380
 or incompetent

00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.600
 to manage their own finances.

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.700
 I'll take it over.

00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.339
 I'll manage it.

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:28.059
 They might pocket

00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:29.700
 their parents' earnings,

00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:31.100
 their social security checks,

00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:32.700
 or like the prodigal son

00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.480
 in Luke 15,

00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.860
 and presumptuously demand

00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:37.120
 their inheritance prematurely.

00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:39.019
 All these are ways

00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:40.240
 that children can rob

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.940
 their parents

00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:42.039
 and those who hasten

00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.440
 after wealth in this way

00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:45.740
 through bribery,

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.120
 being miserly,

00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.319
 or flattering others,

00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.519
 robbery, or quarreling,

00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:51.380
 will be punished by God

00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.420
 for their destructive ways.

00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:58.660
 Verses 26 to 27

00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.519
 sum it up this way.

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.519
 Whoever trusts

00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.500
 in his own mind

00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.019
 is a fool,

00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.180
 but he who walks

00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.759
 in wisdom

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.480
 will be delivered.

00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.620
 Whoever gives

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.299
 to the poor

00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.560
 will not want,

00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.900
 but he who hides

00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.500
 his eyes

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:12.080
 will get many a curse.

00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.320
 Again,

00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.920
 the counterintuitive principle

00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:16.860
 that those who are generous

00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.500
 to the poor

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.240
 will be enriched.

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:23.299
 In this next subsection,

00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:24.080
 chapter 29,

00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:25.320
 verses 3 to 21,

00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.820
 we once again see

00:29:26.820 --> 00:29:27.840
 contrasting pictures

00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.460
 of the righteous

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.039
 and the wicked,

00:29:29.560 --> 00:29:30.720
 and then we are taught

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.799
 how to train up

00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.660
 righteous people.

00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:33.740
 Namely,

00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.600
 by training them

00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:36.720
 up through timely discipline.

00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.279
 So that's the third point.

00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.380
 Submitting to discipline

00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:40.079
 is one way

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.860
 we are to grow

00:29:40.860 --> 00:29:41.640
 in discernment.

00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.680
 This subsection

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.640
 contains several

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.680
 rearing proverbs,

00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.539
 parenting proverbs.

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.319
 Verse 3 says,

00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.460
 he who loves wisdom

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:51.360
 makes his father glad.

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.880
 Verse 17 says,

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:54.180
 discipline your son

00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:55.160
 and he will give you rest.

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.079
 He will give delight

00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.759
 to your heart.

00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.799
 In other words,

00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.579
 the wise son

00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.519
 who loves wisdom

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.519
 is raised

00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:02.019
 through parental discipline.

00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:03.700
 Similarly,

00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.640
 verse 15 says,

00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:06.119
 the rod and reproof

00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.740
 give wisdom,

00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:07.720
 but a child

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.539
 left to himself

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.299
 brings shame

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:09.960
 to his mother.

00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.480
 The rod and reproof

00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.140
 bring together

00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:13.099
 corporal punishment

00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:13.819
 on the one hand

00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:15.019
 and verbal reproof

00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.579
 on the other.

00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.859
 They join them together

00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.599
 as they did

00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.559
 in chapter 26,

00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.579
 verses 3 to 5.

00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:21.339
 Both are necessary

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:23.720
 because sinful human beings

00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:25.160
 left to their own devices

00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:26.340
 will err.

00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.140
 They need correction.

00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.420
 Similarly,

00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:31.700
 verses 19 to 21

00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.880
 speak of the importance

00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.820
 of discipling

00:30:33.820 --> 00:30:34.759
 or disciplining

00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:36.000
 those under one's authority.

00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.040
 It says,

00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:38.200
 by mere words,

00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.860
 a servant is not disciplined

00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:41.640
 for though he understands,

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:43.120
 he will not respond.

00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.840
 Do you see a man

00:30:44.840 --> 00:30:46.140
 who is hasty in his words?

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:46.960
 There is more hope

00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.620
 for a fool

00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.279
 than for him.

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.860
 Whoever pampers

00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.900
 his servant from childhood

00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.640
 will in the end

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.820
 find him his heir.

00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.880
 So what's in view here

00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:56.380
 is a foolish servant?

00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.640
 We know that

00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:59.240
 because in Proverbs 17, 2,

00:30:59.580 --> 00:31:01.000
 it said that a wise servant

00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.340
 will actually take over

00:31:02.340 --> 00:31:03.000
 for a son

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.260
 who is a shameful son

00:31:04.260 --> 00:31:05.720
 and he will become

00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.620
 one of the brothers

00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:07.260
 of the children.

00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:09.160
 So there are some servants,

00:31:09.280 --> 00:31:10.080
 wise servants,

00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:11.660
 that you want

00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.900
 to become your heir.

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.800
 Someone who you want

00:31:14.800 --> 00:31:15.620
 as your successor.

00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.620
 But the one here

00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:20.040
 is not a wise servant

00:31:20.040 --> 00:31:21.220
 but a foolish servant

00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:23.020
 who needs discipline.

00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:25.420
 And it says that

00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:25.839
 this servant

00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.660
 will not learn

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.819
 from words alone.

00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.960
 So if you have someone

00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:31.059
 who is foolish

00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:32.519
 under your charge,

00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:34.059
 whether it's as a,

00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:34.920
 maybe,

00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:36.299
 whether it's as your role

00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.859
 as a parent

00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.879
 or as a manager

00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:38.660
 at workplace

00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:40.160
 or if you're

00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.240
 a governing authority

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.420
 or just,

00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:44.200
 you're in some kind

00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:44.799
 of organization,

00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.359
 have some kind

00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.160
 of leadership role,

00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.799
 and if you have a person

00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:49.039
 who under your charge

00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:50.400
 who needs to be corrected,

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.359
 who needs discipline,

00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:53.159
 you need to bring in

00:31:53.159 --> 00:31:54.319
 some kind of negative

00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.979
 and positive reinforcements,

00:31:56.379 --> 00:31:57.899
 something more than words

00:31:57.899 --> 00:31:59.319
 to discipline them.

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.439
 And if you're the type

00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:02.079
 of person who,

00:32:02.199 --> 00:32:03.000
 as verse 20 says,

00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.419
 is hasty in his words,

00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:06.599
 perhaps you're quick,

00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.939
 too quick to utter

00:32:07.939 --> 00:32:09.139
 threats,

00:32:09.419 --> 00:32:10.199
 empty threats

00:32:10.199 --> 00:32:12.699
 or rash promises

00:32:12.699 --> 00:32:15.719
 in order to control

00:32:15.719 --> 00:32:17.339
 this employee's behavior

00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:19.539
 that you have no intention

00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:20.559
 of following through on.

00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.659
 If you're that type

00:32:22.659 --> 00:32:23.079
 of person,

00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:24.500
 it says there's less hope

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.159
 for you

00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:26.559
 than for the fool

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.759
 that is under your charge.

00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:32.599
 You need to be careful,

00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.899
 measure in your words,

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:35.500
 and you need to exert discipline

00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.720
 in order to bring

00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.539
 that person

00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:40.399
 into the right order.

00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:43.059
 Loving discipline

00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.859
 is one of the ways

00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:45.159
 that God also disciplines

00:32:45.159 --> 00:32:45.759
 his children.

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.720
 Hebrews 12, 5-6,

00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:47.819
 says,

00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:48.279
 My son,

00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.440
 do not regard lightly

00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.420
 the discipline of the Lord,

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.180
 nor be weary

00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:52.380
 when reproved by him,

00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.819
 for the Lord disciplines

00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.759
 the one he loves

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:56.259
 and chastises every son

00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:57.279
 whom he receives.

00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.539
 Even Jesus,

00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:02.160
 it says,

00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:03.819
 in Hebrews 5,

00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.460
 verse 8,

00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.339
 although he was a son,

00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:08.059
 he learned obedience

00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:10.360
 through what he suffered.

00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:13.460
 Though Jesus was perfect,

00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.620
 he did not need

00:33:14.620 --> 00:33:15.319
 to be disciplined

00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.740
 for any wrong he had done

00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.859
 because he was without sin,

00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:20.159
 he nonetheless learned obedience

00:33:20.159 --> 00:33:22.439
 through what he suffered.

00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:25.240
 And we know from Luke 2,

00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:25.879
 verse 52,

00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:26.779
 that Jesus,

00:33:27.299 --> 00:33:28.500
 even though he was fully God

00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.759
 because he was also fully man,

00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:31.500
 he increased in wisdom

00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.759
 and in stature

00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:34.179
 and in favor with God and man.

00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:36.679
 So then Jesus learned

00:33:36.679 --> 00:33:38.619
 what fullness of obedience

00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.779
 entails

00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:41.639
 through his suffering

00:33:41.639 --> 00:33:42.679
 on the cross

00:33:42.679 --> 00:33:43.839
 in obedience to his Father.

00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:47.980
 God has ordained

00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.859
 that we,

00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.859
 as his children,

00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.519
 train our discernment

00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.619
 by submitting

00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:53.939
 to his fatherly discipline.

00:33:55.659 --> 00:33:56.980
 I know that many people

00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.500
 in our church

00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.039
 are going through

00:33:58.039 --> 00:33:59.939
 some really rough patches

00:33:59.939 --> 00:34:00.619
 in their lives,

00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:02.399
 whether it's dealing

00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:03.099
 with illnesses,

00:34:03.459 --> 00:34:03.859
 depression,

00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.959
 or family issues,

00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.959
 different kinds of trouble.

00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:08.819
 Often,

00:34:09.679 --> 00:34:10.539
 if this is a measure

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.960
 of hope,

00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.860
 comfort for you,

00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.900
 often periods

00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:14.599
 of intense suffering

00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:16.280
 are the times

00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:18.140
 of most prolific growth

00:34:18.140 --> 00:34:18.780
 for the Christian.

00:34:20.120 --> 00:34:21.300
 Because it's through

00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.620
 the crosses we bear,

00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:23.960
 because it's through

00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:25.360
 the sufferings we endure

00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:25.960
 that we,

00:34:26.140 --> 00:34:26.620
 like Jesus,

00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.420
 learn obedience.

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:31.559
 We learn to grow

00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.320
 in our discernment

00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:32.820
 through testing.

00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:36.260
 And the rest

00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:36.860
 of this subsection

00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:37.519
 tells us about

00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.320
 the consequences

00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:39.320
 of not submitting

00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:40.820
 to God's discipline

00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:42.140
 or the discipline

00:34:42.140 --> 00:34:43.019
 of those who have

00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:44.019
 authority over us.

00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.460
 It says,

00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.059
 one might become

00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:47.440
 a companion of prostitutes

00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.360
 who squander his wealth,

00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.039
 verse 3,

00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.659
 or a king who exacts

00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:51.639
 gifts from his subjects

00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.780
 and tears his kingdom down,

00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.400
 verse 4,

00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:54.559
 a man who flatters

00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.039
 his neighbor

00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:55.780
 and thereby spreads

00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:56.740
 a net for his neighbors

00:34:56.740 --> 00:34:57.199
 and ultimately

00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:57.900
 his own feet,

00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.619
 verse 5,

00:34:58.920 --> 00:34:59.740
 or a wicked man

00:34:59.740 --> 00:35:00.519
 who disregards

00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.500
 the rights of the poor,

00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.159
 verse 7,

00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:03.159
 or a scoffer

00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:04.320
 who sets a city aflame,

00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:04.980
 in verse 8,

00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.460
 or a fool

00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.519
 who rages and laughs

00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:07.800
 and gives full vent

00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:08.440
 to his spirit

00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.260
 instead of being

00:35:09.260 --> 00:35:10.019
 self-controlled,

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:11.480
 in verses 9 and 11.

00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:15.480
 It says in verse 12,

00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:16.280
 when a ruler

00:35:16.280 --> 00:35:17.539
 listens to falsehood,

00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:18.300
 all his officials

00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:18.940
 will be wicked.

00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.380
 If you're in a position

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:20.960
 of authority

00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:21.539
 and leadership

00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:23.000
 and you give year

00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.880
 to falsehood,

00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:25.599
 it will make

00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.559
 all your officials

00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:27.320
 wicked

00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:30.099
 because they will see

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.820
 and they will learn

00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.679
 that you're not interested

00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:32.320
 in the truth

00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:33.659
 and then they will start

00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:34.099
 to tell you

00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:34.940
 what you want to hear.

00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:38.300
 That's how kingdoms crumble.

00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.260
 That's how organizations

00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:40.059
 crumble.

00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:43.480
 And it's interesting

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.480
 how we've seen

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.480
 over and over again

00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.679
 throughout these two chapters

00:35:46.679 --> 00:35:48.679
 but also in previous chapters

00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:49.219
 of Proverbs

00:35:49.219 --> 00:35:51.240
 that the author often

00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:53.240
 puts rearing Proverbs,

00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:54.179
 parenting Proverbs,

00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:55.340
 right next to Proverbs

00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:56.059
 that deal with

00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:57.300
 governing a society.

00:35:57.780 --> 00:35:58.860
 Proverbs about kings.

00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:00.800
 This is because

00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:01.539
 the family

00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:03.119
 is the nucleus

00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:04.139
 of civilization.

00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:06.000
 It's the backbone

00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:06.900
 of a society.

00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.860
 When a generation

00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:09.840
 of parents

00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:11.460
 fail to bring up

00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:11.980
 their children

00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:12.639
 in the instruction

00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.079
 and discipline

00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:13.639
 of the Lord,

00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:15.360
 society itself

00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:15.900
 crumbles.

00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:19.860
 Verse 18

00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:21.320
 continues this dire warning

00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:21.980
 where there is

00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:23.320
 no prophetic vision.

00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:24.659
 The people cast off

00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:25.099
 restraint

00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:26.659
 but blessed is he

00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:27.780
 who keeps the law.

00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:29.539
 The author envisions

00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.659
 a time like the one

00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.920
 described in 1 Samuel

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.179
 chapter 3 verse 1.

00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:33.920
 It says,

00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.900
 The word of the Lord

00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:36.480
 was rare in those days.

00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:38.639
 There was no frequent vision.

00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:42.699
 It's a scary thought.

00:36:43.779 --> 00:36:45.159
 Or like Lamentations

00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.239
 chapter 2 verse 9,

00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:47.519
 The law is no more

00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:48.339
 and her prophets

00:36:48.339 --> 00:36:50.019
 find no vision

00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:51.079
 from the Lord.

00:36:52.199 --> 00:36:53.259
 Imagine how scary

00:36:53.259 --> 00:36:53.679
 that would be.

00:36:53.739 --> 00:36:54.980
 The silence of God.

00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.980
 The absence

00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:58.960
 of the word of God.

00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:00.519
 The guiding law of God.

00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:03.679
 When there is no one

00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:04.379
 in this world

00:37:04.379 --> 00:37:05.379
 who can discern

00:37:05.379 --> 00:37:06.379
 God's will

00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:07.099
 for the people.

00:37:07.700 --> 00:37:08.480
 When the guidance

00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:08.960
 of God

00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:10.180
 through His prophets

00:37:10.180 --> 00:37:11.900
 and through His teachers,

00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.680
 through His word

00:37:12.680 --> 00:37:13.480
 are lost,

00:37:13.820 --> 00:37:15.320
 people cast off restraint.

00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:17.280
 And the absence

00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:17.940
 of God,

00:37:18.519 --> 00:37:19.800
 absence of God's law

00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:21.240
 does not result

00:37:21.240 --> 00:37:22.000
 in freedom.

00:37:22.900 --> 00:37:23.619
 It results

00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:24.460
 in anarchy.

00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:27.820
 Which is the absence

00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:28.300
 of freedom

00:37:28.300 --> 00:37:29.280
 where no one

00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:29.660
 is free.

00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:33.400
 This is why

00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.099
 it's so important

00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:34.500
 for us

00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:35.360
 as God's people

00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:37.400
 if we don't want

00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:37.940
 that to happen

00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:38.700
 to our world,

00:37:38.840 --> 00:37:39.700
 to our nation,

00:37:39.860 --> 00:37:40.660
 to our city,

00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:42.039
 to our neighborhoods,

00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:44.079
 to our church.

00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.320
 We need to train

00:37:45.320 --> 00:37:46.180
 our discernment

00:37:46.180 --> 00:37:46.880
 by submitting

00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:47.920
 to the discipline

00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.539
 of our Lord.

00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:53.579
 And the final subsection,

00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:54.340
 chapter 29,

00:37:54.420 --> 00:37:55.599
 verses 22 to 27,

00:37:56.599 --> 00:37:58.220
 it sums up

00:37:58.220 --> 00:37:59.760
 all the preceding sections

00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:00.500
 by telling us

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.599
 that we need to train

00:38:01.599 --> 00:38:02.360
 our discernment

00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:03.680
 of God's will

00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:04.219
 by living with

00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:04.819
 the fear

00:38:04.819 --> 00:38:05.339
 of the Lord.

00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:08.299
 It ends

00:38:08.299 --> 00:38:09.039
 the chapter

00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:09.799
 with the same

00:38:09.799 --> 00:38:10.299
 dilemma

00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:10.879
 that we started

00:38:10.879 --> 00:38:11.440
 out with.

00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:13.139
 An unjust man

00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:13.819
 is an abomination

00:38:13.819 --> 00:38:14.799
 to the righteous,

00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:16.119
 but one whose way

00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:16.779
 is straight

00:38:16.779 --> 00:38:17.500
 is an abomination

00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:18.480
 to the wicked.

00:38:18.960 --> 00:38:19.619
 We've seen

00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:20.339
 throughout these

00:38:20.339 --> 00:38:20.779
 two chapters

00:38:20.779 --> 00:38:21.500
 the conflict

00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.359
 between the righteous

00:38:22.359 --> 00:38:22.980
 and the wicked

00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:24.159
 that runs through

00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:24.839
 these entire

00:38:24.839 --> 00:38:25.739
 two chapters,

00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:26.899
 and there's no

00:38:26.899 --> 00:38:27.579
 middle ground

00:38:27.579 --> 00:38:28.460
 in this conflict

00:38:28.460 --> 00:38:29.659
 because a decision

00:38:29.659 --> 00:38:30.919
 is forced upon us.

00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:32.019
 But when there

00:38:32.019 --> 00:38:32.720
 are conflicting

00:38:32.720 --> 00:38:34.220
 visions for what

00:38:34.220 --> 00:38:35.680
 a just society

00:38:35.680 --> 00:38:36.619
 should look like,

00:38:37.320 --> 00:38:38.500
 how are we

00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.280
 to discern

00:38:39.280 --> 00:38:40.559
 the will of God?

00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:42.360
 That's the problem

00:38:42.360 --> 00:38:42.760
 we started

00:38:42.760 --> 00:38:43.780
 to answer.

00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:44.500
 And the key,

00:38:44.659 --> 00:38:45.019
 as I've said

00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.360
 throughout,

00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.380
 is to train

00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.519
 our discernment,

00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:48.599
 and we do that

00:38:48.599 --> 00:38:49.119
 by living

00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:49.860
 with the fear

00:38:49.860 --> 00:38:50.340
 of the Lord.

00:38:51.680 --> 00:38:52.300
 What the man

00:38:52.300 --> 00:38:52.880
 of wrath

00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:53.539
 who causes

00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:54.700
 much transgression

00:38:54.700 --> 00:38:55.900
 in verse 22,

00:38:56.180 --> 00:38:56.960
 and the partner

00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:57.539
 of a thief

00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.280
 who hears

00:38:58.280 --> 00:38:59.260
 God's threat

00:38:59.260 --> 00:39:00.000
 of a curse,

00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:01.200
 and yet still

00:39:01.200 --> 00:39:02.200
 does not disclose

00:39:02.200 --> 00:39:04.020
 his accomplice,

00:39:06.100 --> 00:39:06.800
 they have one

00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:07.580
 thing in common,

00:39:07.660 --> 00:39:08.540
 and that is pride.

00:39:09.340 --> 00:39:10.820
 The prideful assumption

00:39:10.820 --> 00:39:11.900
 that God will not

00:39:11.900 --> 00:39:12.780
 hold him to account.

00:39:14.380 --> 00:39:15.260
 Verse 23 says,

00:39:15.380 --> 00:39:16.200
 One's pride

00:39:16.200 --> 00:39:17.300
 will bring him low,

00:39:17.760 --> 00:39:19.100
 but he who is lowly

00:39:19.100 --> 00:39:21.020
 in spirit

00:39:21.020 --> 00:39:22.020
 will obtain honor.

00:39:22.600 --> 00:39:23.800
 This is the paradoxical

00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:24.800
 way that God works.

00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:25.600
 Whoever exalts

00:39:25.600 --> 00:39:26.140
 himself

00:39:26.140 --> 00:39:27.180
 is brought low.

00:39:27.560 --> 00:39:28.240
 Whoever lowers

00:39:28.240 --> 00:39:28.680
 himself,

00:39:28.679 --> 00:39:29.000
 however,

00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:29.779
 is exalted

00:39:29.779 --> 00:39:30.899
 because God

00:39:30.899 --> 00:39:32.099
 opposes the proud

00:39:32.099 --> 00:39:32.899
 but gives grace

00:39:32.899 --> 00:39:33.799
 to the humble.

00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:35.079
 And humility

00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:37.039
 before God

00:39:37.039 --> 00:39:37.699
 is essentially

00:39:37.699 --> 00:39:38.440
 what the fear

00:39:38.440 --> 00:39:39.199
 of the Lord is.

00:39:39.819 --> 00:39:40.539
 To fear the Lord

00:39:40.539 --> 00:39:41.119
 is to live

00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:42.039
 before the presence

00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:42.519
 of God

00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.759
 under the authority

00:39:43.759 --> 00:39:44.279
 of God

00:39:44.279 --> 00:39:45.619
 for the glory

00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:46.159
 of God.

00:39:47.839 --> 00:39:48.699
 And the fear

00:39:48.699 --> 00:39:49.239
 of the Lord

00:39:49.239 --> 00:39:50.919
 is the only antidote

00:39:50.919 --> 00:39:51.899
 to the fear

00:39:51.899 --> 00:39:52.399
 of man

00:39:52.399 --> 00:39:53.159
 described in

00:39:53.159 --> 00:39:53.919
 verse 25.

00:39:54.739 --> 00:39:55.519
 The fear

00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:56.139
 of man

00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.099
 lays a snare,

00:39:57.599 --> 00:39:57.960
 but whoever

00:39:57.960 --> 00:39:59.159
 trusts in the Lord

00:39:59.159 --> 00:39:59.699
 is safe.

00:40:00.220 --> 00:40:00.840
 Many seek

00:40:00.840 --> 00:40:01.360
 the face

00:40:01.360 --> 00:40:01.880
 of a ruler,

00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:02.340
 but it is

00:40:02.340 --> 00:40:03.139
 from the Lord

00:40:03.139 --> 00:40:03.820
 that a man

00:40:03.820 --> 00:40:04.880
 gets justice.

00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:07.420
 In his insightful book,

00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:08.760
 When People Are Big

00:40:08.760 --> 00:40:09.720
 and God Is Small,

00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:11.360
 counselor and seminary

00:40:11.360 --> 00:40:12.699
 professor Edward Welch

00:40:12.699 --> 00:40:13.679
 gives us two

00:40:13.679 --> 00:40:14.960
 diagnostic questions

00:40:14.960 --> 00:40:16.199
 to figure out

00:40:16.199 --> 00:40:16.740
 whether or not

00:40:16.740 --> 00:40:17.340
 we struggle

00:40:17.340 --> 00:40:18.519
 with what the Bible

00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:19.360
 calls the fear

00:40:19.360 --> 00:40:19.760
 of man.

00:40:21.139 --> 00:40:22.019
 One diagnostic

00:40:22.019 --> 00:40:22.720
 question is this,

00:40:22.719 --> 00:40:23.199
 have you ever

00:40:23.199 --> 00:40:24.079
 experienced peer

00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:24.480
 pressure?

00:40:25.259 --> 00:40:26.039
 Maybe as an

00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:26.419
 adolescent.

00:40:28.459 --> 00:40:29.039
 If you

00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:29.639
 experienced it

00:40:29.639 --> 00:40:29.899
 as an

00:40:29.899 --> 00:40:30.259
 adolescent,

00:40:30.399 --> 00:40:30.839
 it probably

00:40:30.839 --> 00:40:31.980
 still resides

00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:32.539
 within you.

00:40:32.779 --> 00:40:33.239
 It just

00:40:33.239 --> 00:40:34.059
 manifests itself

00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:34.919
 in different ways,

00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:35.639
 in more adult

00:40:35.639 --> 00:40:36.000
 ways.

00:40:38.259 --> 00:40:38.879
 That's just

00:40:38.879 --> 00:40:39.500
 another term

00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:40.119
 for the fear

00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:40.519
 of man.

00:40:42.659 --> 00:40:43.599
 Second diagnostic

00:40:43.599 --> 00:40:44.359
 question is this,

00:40:44.459 --> 00:40:46.239
 is self-esteem

00:40:46.239 --> 00:40:46.959
 a critical

00:40:46.959 --> 00:40:47.879
 concern for you?

00:40:47.880 --> 00:40:50.059
 If you're

00:40:50.059 --> 00:40:51.059
 very concerned

00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:52.579
 for others

00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:53.519
 to support

00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:54.559
 your own sense

00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:55.260
 of well-being

00:40:55.260 --> 00:40:55.780
 and identity,

00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:56.619
 your esteem

00:40:56.619 --> 00:40:57.140
 of yourself,

00:40:57.619 --> 00:40:58.640
 then you deal

00:40:58.640 --> 00:40:59.180
 with the fear

00:40:59.180 --> 00:40:59.539
 of man.

00:41:00.660 --> 00:41:01.780
 Because in both

00:41:01.780 --> 00:41:02.320
 cases,

00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:03.660
 your life revolves

00:41:03.660 --> 00:41:04.860
 around what others

00:41:04.860 --> 00:41:06.420
 think about you.

00:41:07.800 --> 00:41:08.660
 And the heart

00:41:08.660 --> 00:41:09.240
 of the problem

00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:10.140
 is that you

00:41:10.140 --> 00:41:11.260
 need people

00:41:11.260 --> 00:41:12.059
 for your own

00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:13.480
 glory rather

00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:14.460
 than loving

00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:15.200
 people for

00:41:15.200 --> 00:41:15.820
 God's glory.

00:41:15.820 --> 00:41:18.660
 the antidote

00:41:18.660 --> 00:41:19.420
 to this fear

00:41:19.420 --> 00:41:20.019
 of man

00:41:20.019 --> 00:41:21.300
 is the fear

00:41:21.300 --> 00:41:22.180
 of the Lord.

00:41:22.539 --> 00:41:23.500
 To be consumed

00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:25.120
 for the glory

00:41:25.120 --> 00:41:25.680
 of the Lord.

00:41:26.100 --> 00:41:27.260
 To be so aware

00:41:27.260 --> 00:41:28.220
 of God's

00:41:28.220 --> 00:41:28.760
 importance,

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.600
 of God's

00:41:29.600 --> 00:41:30.080
 power,

00:41:30.820 --> 00:41:31.600
 that what man

00:41:31.600 --> 00:41:32.519
 says about you

00:41:32.519 --> 00:41:33.260
 matters very

00:41:33.260 --> 00:41:33.559
 little.

00:41:36.059 --> 00:41:37.080
 And the fear

00:41:37.080 --> 00:41:37.519
 of man

00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:38.519
 ensnares us.

00:41:39.380 --> 00:41:39.860
 So if you're

00:41:39.860 --> 00:41:40.820
 driven by the fear

00:41:40.820 --> 00:41:41.300
 of man in your

00:41:41.300 --> 00:41:41.700
 life,

00:41:42.100 --> 00:41:42.800
 you're not going

00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:43.300
 to discern

00:41:43.300 --> 00:41:44.080
 rightly the will

00:41:44.080 --> 00:41:44.539
 of the Lord.

00:41:45.820 --> 00:41:46.460
 Instead,

00:41:47.260 --> 00:41:49.660
 whoever trusts

00:41:49.660 --> 00:41:50.220
 in the Lord

00:41:50.220 --> 00:41:50.920
 is safe.

00:41:51.800 --> 00:41:53.600
 If we falsely

00:41:53.600 --> 00:41:54.280
 believe that our

00:41:54.280 --> 00:41:55.200
 fate, that our

00:41:55.200 --> 00:41:56.059
 well-being, our

00:41:56.059 --> 00:41:57.160
 future depends

00:41:57.160 --> 00:41:58.360
 on a human

00:41:58.360 --> 00:41:59.120
 being, a human

00:41:59.120 --> 00:42:00.019
 ruler perhaps,

00:42:00.380 --> 00:42:01.180
 then we will do

00:42:01.180 --> 00:42:02.180
 everything in our

00:42:02.180 --> 00:42:03.160
 power to curry

00:42:03.160 --> 00:42:03.840
 that person's

00:42:03.840 --> 00:42:04.800
 favor, whether

00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.600
 it's flattery

00:42:05.600 --> 00:42:06.460
 or bribery.

00:42:07.100 --> 00:42:08.160
 But if we trust

00:42:08.160 --> 00:42:09.080
 that from the

00:42:09.080 --> 00:42:09.900
 Lord the man

00:42:09.900 --> 00:42:10.800
 gets justice,

00:42:11.900 --> 00:42:12.960
 we will discern

00:42:12.960 --> 00:42:13.580
 what is right

00:42:13.580 --> 00:42:14.039
 and live with

00:42:14.039 --> 00:42:14.460
 integrity.

00:42:14.460 --> 00:42:16.099
 that's the

00:42:16.099 --> 00:42:16.579
 key to

00:42:16.579 --> 00:42:17.019
 living with

00:42:17.019 --> 00:42:17.360
 the fear.

00:42:18.840 --> 00:42:19.440
 Living with

00:42:19.440 --> 00:42:19.780
 the fear of

00:42:19.780 --> 00:42:20.059
 the Lord

00:42:20.059 --> 00:42:20.599
 is the key

00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:21.199
 to growing

00:42:21.199 --> 00:42:21.800
 in discernment

00:42:21.800 --> 00:42:22.199
 of God's

00:42:22.199 --> 00:42:22.400
 will.

00:42:23.460 --> 00:42:24.260
 I mentioned

00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:25.480
 earlier in

00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:26.300
 chapter 28

00:42:26.300 --> 00:42:27.240
 verse 13

00:42:27.240 --> 00:42:28.460
 of how God

00:42:28.460 --> 00:42:29.079
 promised us

00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:29.539
 when we come

00:42:29.539 --> 00:42:29.920
 to him

00:42:29.920 --> 00:42:31.820
 to confess

00:42:31.820 --> 00:42:32.559
 our sins

00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:33.340
 and forsake

00:42:33.340 --> 00:42:34.199
 them that we

00:42:34.199 --> 00:42:34.940
 will obtain

00:42:34.940 --> 00:42:35.440
 mercy.

00:42:36.720 --> 00:42:37.460
 The word

00:42:37.460 --> 00:42:38.539
 obtain mercy

00:42:38.539 --> 00:42:40.300
 is actually

00:42:40.300 --> 00:42:41.119
 derived from

00:42:41.119 --> 00:42:42.059
 a Hebrew

00:42:42.059 --> 00:42:42.860
 root for the

00:42:42.860 --> 00:42:44.139
 word womb.

00:42:44.460 --> 00:42:46.519
 it describes

00:42:46.519 --> 00:42:47.539
 the kind

00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.320
 of emotion,

00:42:48.480 --> 00:42:49.220
 the compassion

00:42:49.220 --> 00:42:50.740
 that a mother

00:42:50.740 --> 00:42:53.039
 feels for the

00:42:53.039 --> 00:42:54.039
 baby in her

00:42:54.039 --> 00:42:54.360
 womb.

00:42:55.360 --> 00:42:56.740
 That tender

00:42:56.740 --> 00:42:57.920
 compassion

00:42:57.920 --> 00:43:00.400
 for that

00:43:00.400 --> 00:43:00.960
 vulnerable,

00:43:01.579 --> 00:43:02.079
 frail

00:43:02.079 --> 00:43:04.579
 human being

00:43:04.579 --> 00:43:05.159
 that belongs

00:43:05.159 --> 00:43:05.619
 to you.

00:43:07.420 --> 00:43:08.599
 Do you know

00:43:08.599 --> 00:43:09.039
 that about

00:43:09.039 --> 00:43:09.360
 God?

00:43:09.360 --> 00:43:11.260
 if you've

00:43:11.260 --> 00:43:11.480
 been

00:43:11.480 --> 00:43:12.360
 wallowing

00:43:12.360 --> 00:43:12.780
 in guilt,

00:43:12.860 --> 00:43:13.140
 if you've

00:43:13.140 --> 00:43:13.380
 been

00:43:13.380 --> 00:43:14.519
 ashamed

00:43:14.519 --> 00:43:15.079
 of the

00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:15.519
 sin that

00:43:15.519 --> 00:43:15.740
 you are

00:43:15.740 --> 00:43:16.039
 dealing

00:43:16.039 --> 00:43:16.320
 with,

00:43:16.360 --> 00:43:16.840
 the life

00:43:16.840 --> 00:43:17.180
 that you

00:43:17.180 --> 00:43:17.700
 live,

00:43:18.200 --> 00:43:18.440
 do you

00:43:18.440 --> 00:43:18.800
 know that

00:43:18.800 --> 00:43:19.360
 God's not

00:43:19.360 --> 00:43:19.980
 shaking his

00:43:19.980 --> 00:43:20.640
 head in

00:43:20.640 --> 00:43:21.260
 reproach?

00:43:21.940 --> 00:43:22.640
 That his

00:43:22.640 --> 00:43:23.460
 heart is not

00:43:23.460 --> 00:43:24.320
 callous toward

00:43:24.320 --> 00:43:24.579
 you?

00:43:26.500 --> 00:43:27.240
 Do you know

00:43:27.240 --> 00:43:28.019
 that he's not

00:43:28.019 --> 00:43:28.860
 shaking his

00:43:28.860 --> 00:43:29.380
 head in

00:43:29.380 --> 00:43:29.920
 disappointment

00:43:29.920 --> 00:43:30.760
 and disgust,

00:43:31.099 --> 00:43:31.579
 but that his

00:43:31.579 --> 00:43:32.559
 posture toward

00:43:32.559 --> 00:43:33.440
 you is this

00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:34.660
 womb-like,

00:43:34.880 --> 00:43:35.320
 tender

00:43:35.320 --> 00:43:36.340
 mercy?

00:43:36.340 --> 00:43:36.460
 mercy?

00:43:37.660 --> 00:43:38.220
 That that's

00:43:38.220 --> 00:43:38.600
 his heart

00:43:38.600 --> 00:43:39.100
 toward you?

00:43:41.380 --> 00:43:42.320
 And that

00:43:42.320 --> 00:43:42.860
 heart is

00:43:42.860 --> 00:43:43.740
 displayed most

00:43:43.740 --> 00:43:45.039
 perfectly in

00:43:45.039 --> 00:43:45.800
 the sending of

00:43:45.800 --> 00:43:46.539
 God's own

00:43:46.539 --> 00:43:47.280
 Son, Jesus

00:43:47.280 --> 00:43:48.720
 Christ, as

00:43:48.720 --> 00:43:49.360
 it says in

00:43:49.360 --> 00:43:50.100
 Luke chapter

00:43:50.100 --> 00:43:52.220
 1, verse

00:43:52.220 --> 00:43:53.019
 78 and

00:43:53.019 --> 00:43:54.280
 79, in

00:43:54.280 --> 00:43:54.900
 Zechariah's

00:43:54.900 --> 00:43:55.700
 prophecy, he

00:43:55.700 --> 00:43:57.440
 says that the

00:43:57.440 --> 00:43:58.579
 Lord himself

00:43:58.579 --> 00:43:59.440
 will come to

00:43:59.440 --> 00:43:59.860
 us.

00:44:00.220 --> 00:44:00.740
 Why?

00:44:00.940 --> 00:44:01.240
 He says in

00:44:01.240 --> 00:44:01.800
 verse 78,

00:44:01.980 --> 00:44:03.320
 because of the

00:44:03.320 --> 00:44:04.880
 tender mercy of

00:44:04.880 --> 00:44:05.500
 our God.

00:44:05.500 --> 00:44:06.820
 literally the

00:44:06.820 --> 00:44:07.860
 bowels of

00:44:07.860 --> 00:44:08.360
 mercy.

00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:11.059
 The mercy

00:44:11.059 --> 00:44:11.920
 that springs,

00:44:12.239 --> 00:44:13.280
 that wells up

00:44:13.280 --> 00:44:14.039
 from the very

00:44:14.039 --> 00:44:15.300
 heart of God

00:44:15.300 --> 00:44:16.139
 for his people.

00:44:17.820 --> 00:44:19.059
 Because of the

00:44:19.059 --> 00:44:20.079
 tender mercy of

00:44:20.079 --> 00:44:21.059
 our God, whereby

00:44:21.059 --> 00:44:22.119
 the sunrise shall

00:44:22.119 --> 00:44:23.039
 visit us from on

00:44:23.039 --> 00:44:24.059
 high, to give

00:44:24.059 --> 00:44:25.000
 light to those

00:44:25.000 --> 00:44:25.559
 who sit in

00:44:25.559 --> 00:44:26.619
 darkness and in

00:44:26.619 --> 00:44:27.340
 the shadow of

00:44:27.340 --> 00:44:28.400
 death, to guide

00:44:28.400 --> 00:44:29.360
 our feet into

00:44:29.360 --> 00:44:30.619
 the way of

00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:31.260
 peace.

00:44:32.679 --> 00:44:33.719
 That prophecy

00:44:33.719 --> 00:44:34.500
 is fulfilled in

00:44:34.500 --> 00:44:35.000
 the coming of

00:44:35.000 --> 00:44:35.820
 Jesus Christ.

00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:38.539
 The only way we

00:44:38.539 --> 00:44:39.219
 can be forgiven

00:44:39.219 --> 00:44:40.019
 when we come to

00:44:40.019 --> 00:44:41.059
 God and confess

00:44:41.059 --> 00:44:41.739
 our sins and

00:44:41.739 --> 00:44:42.380
 forsake our

00:44:42.380 --> 00:44:43.360
 sins is because

00:44:43.360 --> 00:44:44.179
 someone has

00:44:44.179 --> 00:44:45.039
 paid the price

00:44:45.039 --> 00:44:45.500
 for it.

00:44:46.360 --> 00:44:46.820
 It's because

00:44:46.820 --> 00:44:48.139
 Jesus has paid

00:44:48.139 --> 00:44:49.280
 the price for

00:44:49.280 --> 00:44:49.380
 it.

00:44:49.440 --> 00:44:49.840
 There's no

00:44:49.840 --> 00:44:50.539
 forgiveness of

00:44:50.539 --> 00:44:51.059
 sin without

00:44:51.059 --> 00:44:51.559
 shedding of

00:44:51.559 --> 00:44:51.840
 blood.

00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.019
 There's no

00:44:53.019 --> 00:44:53.599
 forgiveness of

00:44:53.599 --> 00:44:54.019
 sins unless

00:44:54.019 --> 00:44:54.820
 someone, a

00:44:54.820 --> 00:44:55.500
 death has

00:44:55.500 --> 00:44:56.820
 taken place to

00:44:56.820 --> 00:44:57.300
 bear the

00:44:57.300 --> 00:44:57.980
 punishment for

00:44:57.980 --> 00:44:58.440
 our sins.

00:44:58.639 --> 00:44:59.059
 And that's

00:44:59.059 --> 00:44:59.679
 what Jesus

00:44:59.679 --> 00:45:00.239
 did.

00:45:00.960 --> 00:45:01.639
 And Jesus

00:45:01.639 --> 00:45:02.320
 did it not

00:45:02.320 --> 00:45:03.280
 begrudgingly,

00:45:03.780 --> 00:45:05.480
 not merely

00:45:05.480 --> 00:45:06.440
 out of duty,

00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:08.539
 but because

00:45:08.539 --> 00:45:10.039
 of the tender

00:45:10.039 --> 00:45:12.960
 mercies that

00:45:12.960 --> 00:45:13.480
 God has

00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:14.100
 toward us.

00:45:17.300 --> 00:45:18.180
 And it's

00:45:18.180 --> 00:45:18.960
 only when

00:45:18.960 --> 00:45:20.800
 you believe

00:45:20.800 --> 00:45:21.460
 in Jesus,

00:45:22.460 --> 00:45:24.820
 you forsake

00:45:24.820 --> 00:45:25.460
 your sins and

00:45:25.460 --> 00:45:26.280
 turn to Him as

00:45:26.280 --> 00:45:26.860
 your Lord and

00:45:26.860 --> 00:45:27.780
 Savior, believe

00:45:27.780 --> 00:45:28.500
 that He died for

00:45:28.500 --> 00:45:28.940
 your sins and

00:45:28.940 --> 00:45:29.640
 was raised from

00:45:29.639 --> 00:45:30.659
 the dead, only

00:45:30.659 --> 00:45:32.039
 then do we

00:45:32.039 --> 00:45:32.719
 receive the

00:45:32.719 --> 00:45:33.400
 Spirit of God.

00:45:34.219 --> 00:45:34.960
 Only then do

00:45:34.960 --> 00:45:35.319
 we have the

00:45:35.319 --> 00:45:35.779
 law of God

00:45:35.779 --> 00:45:36.279
 written on our

00:45:36.279 --> 00:45:37.259
 hearts so that

00:45:37.259 --> 00:45:37.879
 we can actually

00:45:37.879 --> 00:45:39.079
 walk out these

00:45:39.079 --> 00:45:39.739
 two chapters,

00:45:40.279 --> 00:45:41.059
 discerning the

00:45:41.059 --> 00:45:41.619
 will of God,

00:45:42.179 --> 00:45:42.859
 keeping in step

00:45:42.859 --> 00:45:43.400
 with the Spirit,

00:45:43.839 --> 00:45:44.719
 and living in

00:45:44.719 --> 00:45:45.199
 the manner that

00:45:45.199 --> 00:45:45.859
 pleases Him.

00:45:49.719 --> 00:45:50.480
 Please take a

00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:51.179
 moment to reflect

00:45:51.179 --> 00:45:51.920
 on that truth.

00:45:55.759 --> 00:45:56.759
 How has God

00:45:56.759 --> 00:45:57.779
 been training

00:45:57.779 --> 00:45:58.920
 you to grow

00:45:58.920 --> 00:45:59.780
 in discernment

00:45:59.780 --> 00:46:00.800
 of His will?

00:46:02.639 --> 00:46:03.639
 How has He

00:46:03.639 --> 00:46:04.340
 shown His

00:46:04.340 --> 00:46:05.000
 tender mercy

00:46:05.000 --> 00:46:06.340
 to you?

00:46:07.840 --> 00:46:08.680
 Reflect on that

00:46:08.680 --> 00:46:09.059
 for a few

00:46:09.059 --> 00:46:09.599
 moments and

00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:10.440
 then we're

00:46:10.440 --> 00:46:10.940
 going to respond

00:46:10.940 --> 00:46:11.659
 together corporately

00:46:11.659 --> 00:46:12.180
 by praying.

00:46:12.180 --> 00:46:12.260
 Amen.

00:46:12.260 --> 00:46:12.300
 Amen.

00:46:12.300 --> 00:46:12.360
 Amen.

00:46:12.360 --> 00:46:12.400
 Amen.

00:46:12.400 --> 00:46:12.460
 Amen.

00:46:12.460 --> 00:46:12.500
 Amen.

00:46:12.500 --> 00:46:12.539
 Amen.

00:46:12.539 --> 00:46:12.960
 Amen.

00:46:12.960 --> 00:46:13.139
 Amen.

00:46:13.139 --> 00:46:14.360
 Amen.

00:46:14.360 --> 00:46:14.980
 Amen.

00:46:14.980 --> 00:46:16.460
 Amen.

00:46:16.460 --> 00:46:17.039
 Amen.

00:46:17.039 --> 00:46:17.139
 Amen.

00:46:17.139 --> 00:46:17.240
 Amen.

00:46:17.240 --> 00:46:17.380
 Amen.

00:46:17.380 --> 00:46:17.400
 Amen.

00:46:28.940 --> 00:46:34.420
 Amen.

00:46:34.420 --> 00:46:35.000
 Amen.

00:46:39.019 --> 00:46:39.519
 Amen.

00:46:39.519 --> 00:46:39.940
 Amen.

00:46:40.159 --> 00:46:40.519
 Amen.

00:46:40.519 --> 00:46:41.579
 Amen.

00:46:41.579 --> 00:46:41.740
 Amen.

00:46:41.740 --> 00:46:41.800
 Amen.

00:46:41.800 --> 00:46:42.619
 Amen.

00:46:42.619 --> 00:46:43.280
 Amen.

00:46:43.460 --> 00:46:52.659
 Amen.

00:46:52.659 --> 00:46:53.159
 Amen.

00:46:53.159 --> 00:46:53.200
 Amen.

00:46:53.200 --> 00:46:54.000
 Amen.

00:46:54.000 --> 00:46:54.680
 Amen.

00:46:54.680 --> 00:46:55.220
 Amen.

00:46:55.220 --> 00:46:56.460
 Amen.

00:46:56.460 --> 00:46:58.400
 Amen.