WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.000 futures 00:00:15.980 --> 00:00:17.980 Now 00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:24.460 35 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Thank you. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:29.980 Thank you. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.000 Thank you. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:37.840 We're going to get started, so if you want to try to find your seat. 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:42.740 Thank you. 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:58.579 Good morning. 00:01:58.819 --> 00:02:04.500 So we're going to be reading from Jeremiah chapter 33 this morning. 00:02:07.399 --> 00:02:09.240 Jeremiah chapter 33. 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:13.580 If you have the Blue Bible, it's on page 662. 00:02:19.320 --> 00:02:22.860 Jeremiah chapter 33, verse 1. 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:29.140 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court 00:02:29.140 --> 00:02:29.719 of the guard. 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:35.780 Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it, the Lord 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:36.680 is his name. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:42.219 Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:43.080 have not known. 00:02:43.760 --> 00:02:48.580 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of the city and the houses of the 00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:53.480 kings of Judah that were torn down to make a defense against the siege mounds and against 00:02:53.480 --> 00:02:54.020 the sword. 00:02:54.920 --> 00:03:00.379 They are coming in to fight against the Chaldeans and to fill them with the dead bodies of men 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:03.259 whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath. 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:07.539 For I have hidden my faith from this city because of all their evil. 00:03:08.799 --> 00:03:15.019 Behold, I will bring to it health and healing and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance 00:03:15.019 --> 00:03:17.240 of prosperity and security. 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:23.120 I will secure, I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel and rebuild 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:24.900 them as they were at first. 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:29.700 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me and I will forgive all 00:03:29.700 --> 00:03:32.040 the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:39.280 And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:42.900 of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:49.580 They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:50.040 for it. 00:03:50.860 --> 00:03:57.900 Thus says the Lord, in this place of which you say it is a waste without man or beast in 00:03:57.900 --> 00:04:03.060 the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate without man or inhabitant or 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:03.439 beast. 00:04:03.980 --> 00:04:09.020 There shall be heard again the voice of the birth and the voice of gladness, the voice 00:04:09.020 --> 00:04:11.159 of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:16.159 The voices of those who sing as they bring offerings to the house of the Lord. 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:22.519 Give thanks to the Lord of hosts for the Lord is good for his steadfast love endures forever. 00:04:23.420 --> 00:04:26.839 For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first says the Lord. 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:33.600 Thus says the Lord of hosts in this place that is waste without man or beast and in all 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:34.300 of its cities. 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:40.000 There shall again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks in the cities of the hill 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:46.079 country in the cities of the Shelfella and in the cities of the Negev in the land of 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:50.540 Benjamin that places about Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:55.079 Flock shall again pass under the hands of the one who counts them says the Lord. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:05:01.099 Behold the days are coming declares the Lord when I will fulfill the promise I made to the 00:05:01.099 --> 00:05:02.959 house of Israel and the house of Judah. 00:05:03.599 --> 00:05:09.319 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous branch to spring up for David and 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:12.139 he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 00:05:12.819 --> 00:05:19.099 In those days Judah shall be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely and this is the name by which 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:21.900 they will be called the Lord is our righteousness. 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:25.379 Jeremiah chapter 33 verse 17. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:31.180 For thus says the Lord David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:37.140 and the Levitical priest shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings to 00:05:37.140 --> 00:05:41.820 offer to burn grain offerings and to make sacrifices forever. 00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:44.560 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:50.459 Thus says the Lord if you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night 00:05:50.459 --> 00:05:55.959 so that day and night will not come at their appointed time then also my covenant with David 00:05:55.959 --> 00:06:02.060 my servant may be broken so that he shall never so that he shall not have a sub to reign on his 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:07.819 throne and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers as the host of heaven cannot be 00:06:07.819 --> 00:06:13.980 numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured so I will multiply the offspring of David 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:17.439 my servant and the Levitical priests who ministered to me. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.860 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 00:06:21.340 --> 00:06:26.460 Have you not observed that these people are saying the Lord has rejected the two clans that he chose? 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:31.960 Thus they have to despise my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight. 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:39.860 Thus says the Lord if I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:50.980 then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 00:06:51.460 --> 00:06:55.680 For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:57.660 This is the word of the Lord. 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:00.020 Let's pray. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:25.839 Father thank you for this passage of hope of your faithfulness and your love that you restore joy to those who are downtrodden who experienced your judgment. 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:31.779 But in their pain and suffering you also give them the message of hope. 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:42.339 And as your covenant with the earth and skies that you've created that those things can never be changed. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:46.539 That your covenant with David would never be broken as well. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:59.700 And thank you that even here we're able to see your prophecy of your son coming. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:05.680 And so we just want to give you this morning and pray for Sean that you would speak through him. 00:08:06.840 --> 00:08:12.259 Prepare our hearts and we want to honor you and we want to praise you this day. 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:13.300 In Jesus name, amen. 00:08:16.540 --> 00:08:28.340 Good morning for those who are visiting. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:31.720 My name is Sean and I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:36.100 And I'll be preaching from Jeremiah 32 and 33. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:38.659 But we just asked Ruth to read chapter 33. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:44.539 And I'll because it's a long passage and I'll read incorporate chapter 32 as I preach. 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:57.579 And some of you have already kind of experienced the pain of being deserted by someone or rejected by someone or having promises made to you broken. 00:08:57.779 --> 00:08:59.360 Because our world is full of that, right? 00:08:59.699 --> 00:09:07.579 People whom we trust, whether it's a parent, a boss, a political leader, a spouse, a boyfriend or girlfriend or best friend. 00:09:08.099 --> 00:09:11.939 They disappoint us, break their promises and sometimes leave us. 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:16.100 And sometimes these experiences make us guarded and aloof. 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:19.260 We become fearful of trusting people again. 00:09:19.540 --> 00:09:24.760 So instead of being vulnerable, instead of intimacy, we choose isolation and indifference. 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:31.760 Instead of honesty and authenticity, our lives become increasingly preoccupied with presentation and performance. 00:09:32.760 --> 00:09:37.740 We think that we can control how others perceive us by behaving in a certain way. 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:44.460 Sometimes we carry over this kind of fear and mistrust into our relationship with God also. 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:48.200 We think that God is fickle like human beings. 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:52.879 We think that we have to appease Him and keep Him happy in order to get what we want. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:59.799 When we have disobeyed Him and sinned against Him, we feel overwhelmed by shame and guilt and we are afraid to approach Him. 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:03.039 So instead we avoid Him. 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:05.620 We postpone repentance. 00:10:06.459 --> 00:10:09.219 We procrastinate in our prayers and scripture reading. 00:10:09.959 --> 00:10:12.899 But we must not think of God in this way. 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:18.519 Because this passage teaches us that God's posture toward His children is mercy. 00:10:19.079 --> 00:10:22.799 And His policy concerning them is His everlasting covenant. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:25.079 That's the main point of this passage. 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:27.440 And I'll cover it in two points. 00:10:27.520 --> 00:10:29.540 In chapter 32, we see the field of promise. 00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:32.500 In 33, we see the word of promise. 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:37.060 And as we've been going through this book together, we've gone through 30-something chapters. 00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:43.020 I applaud you all for sticking with us all this time if you were guests that first came to our church during that time. 00:10:43.660 --> 00:10:50.220 And as we have seen throughout Jeremiah, alongside some of God's seemingly harshest judgments, 00:10:50.780 --> 00:10:54.360 we see the most promising words. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:57.500 We also see promises of hope and restoration. 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:00.960 And that's what we see here in chapters 30-33. 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:05.720 And this prophecy begins this way in verse 2 where we see the context. 00:11:05.800 --> 00:11:10.340 At the time, the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem. 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:15.000 And Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:16.519 I'm in chapter 32, verse 2. 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:21.460 So a more detailed historical background of this is given later in chapter 37, 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:27.460 where some of Judah's officials falsely accuse Jeremiah of defecting to the Chaldeans, the Babylonians. 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:31.419 And then on that plea text, they imprison him in a dungeon. 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:37.759 And at that point, Jeremiah gets an audience with King Zedekiah. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.159 And he asks him, appeals to him, I haven't done anything wrong. 00:11:41.219 --> 00:11:43.360 All I've done is prophesy judgment according to God's word. 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.599 Can you help me? 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:46.939 And Zedekiah doesn't really help him. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:48.059 He still keeps him in prison. 00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:49.919 But he slightly improves his condition. 00:11:50.059 --> 00:11:51.059 Takes him out of the dungeon. 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:53.619 And puts him under house arrest at the court of the guard. 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:57.759 So it's at that time when he was at the court of the guard under house arrest, 00:11:57.959 --> 00:12:02.059 living with the royal guards, that's when this word came to him. 00:12:03.579 --> 00:12:09.839 But since Zedekiah is ultimately responsible for Jeremiah's ongoing imprisonment, 00:12:10.199 --> 00:12:12.779 the blame is placed on the king in verses 3 to 5. 00:12:12.839 --> 00:12:13.319 Read with me. 00:12:13.819 --> 00:12:16.299 For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying, 00:12:16.619 --> 00:12:19.099 Why do you prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord? 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:22.220 Behold, I am giving the city into the hand of the king of Babylon, 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:23.720 and he shall capture it. 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:27.779 Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:31.019 but shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:35.500 and shall speak with him face to face, and see him eye to eye. 00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:37.540 And he shall take Zedekiah to Babylon, 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:40.480 and there he shall remain until I visit him, declares the Lord. 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:43.740 Though you fight against the Chaldeans, you shall not succeed. 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:48.399 So it seems that the epistopical background is that Zedekiah resented the fact 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:53.179 that Jeremiah repeatedly prophesied that he would lose to the Babylonians, 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:54.919 that he would be exiled to Babylon. 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:59.559 Instead of giving him false assurances of deliverance like the other false prophets of the Lord, 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:03.399 Jeremiah prophesied judgment and confrontation with the king of Babylon. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:08.939 And so for these, quote-unquote, seditious prophecies, Zedekiah was imprisoned. 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:15.480 But while Jeremiah was under house arrest, God tells him to do something really strange. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.280 I look at verses 7 to 8. 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:23.100 Behold, Hanamel the son of Shalom, your uncle, will come to you and say, 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:28.039 Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:31.500 Then Hanamel my cousin came to me in the court of the guard, 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:33.679 in accordance with the word of the Lord, 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:38.039 and said to me, Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:40.759 for the right of possession and redemption is yours. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.279 Buy it for yourself. 00:13:42.839 --> 00:13:45.500 Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:50.500 So Jeremiah's cousin, Hanamel, visits him at the court of the guard, 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:55.340 and then he tells him to buy this field, his field that's at Anathoth, Jeremiah's hometown, 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:58.399 since that was his right of redemption by purchase. 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:02.259 According to Leviticus 25, when an Israelite becomes poor, 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:07.059 and therefore has to forfeit his land in order to pay a debt that he owes to someone, 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:12.460 it was that his relatives, his closest relatives were called upon to come 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:14.820 and redeem the property and buy it for themselves. 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:19.080 So that that property doesn't leave the tribe, the family. 00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:21.580 And of course, this was important in Israel, 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:27.520 because all the land that they had were specifically given, distributed by God himself. 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:31.360 And so to belong to Israel meant to belong in the land. 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:34.660 So to lose the land really was to be excluded in that covenant. 00:14:34.780 --> 00:14:37.700 So it was important for the family members to redeem that property. 00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:40.360 So we don't know what the financial background of Hanamel is, 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:43.460 but it seems that he needs someone to redeem this land, 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:48.379 and Jeremiah is basically the next person in line that's supposed to redeem this land. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:50.340 So he's supposed to buy it with his own money. 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:53.440 Now think about this proposition for a moment, right? 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:57.399 Under normal circumstances, this would have been a great economic opportunity, right? 00:14:57.460 --> 00:15:00.980 Because Jeremiah gets to enlarge his territory, gets to buy more property. 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:06.300 But remember that Jeremiah knows better than anyone else in all of Judah 00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:13.980 that the Babylonians are about to take over, rendering that transaction virtually meaningless. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:17.080 So this is really a crazy proposition. 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:21.480 Yet Jeremiah, because the Lord had revealed it to him that he should buy the field, 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.399 agrees to buy the field. 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:25.920 He says, read verses 9 to 12 with me. 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:55.899 He says, 00:15:55.919 --> 00:16:02.399 And he went through the whole nine yards to get this property for himself, 00:16:02.479 --> 00:16:03.779 to make it a legal transaction. 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:05.879 And isn't it humorous kind of to think about it? 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:08.219 He's under house arrest at the court of the guard, 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:12.699 and Jerusalem is presently besieged by the Babylonian army. 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:16.360 And here is Jeremiah buying a field 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:20.379 that he will probably never see again in his life. 00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:23.519 And he goes through all the legal positions to make it official. 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:26.279 It's kind of like, you know, you're watering your garden 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:29.620 when you know a hurricane is about to come through and rip it all up, right? 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:34.100 So then Jeremiah says in verses 13 to 14, 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:36.060 I charged Baruch in their presence, saying, 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:38.539 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:43.019 Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:47.399 and put them in an earthenware vessel that they may last for a long time. 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:50.500 And what is Jeremiah's rationale for this? 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.620 It's in verse 15. 00:16:51.959 --> 00:16:55.199 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 00:16:55.740 --> 00:17:01.379 Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land. 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:05.920 Jeremiah's purchase of this field in the presence of all these witnesses, 00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:08.460 in the presence of the Judeans that were at the court of the guard, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:11.980 serves a powerful symbol of God's promise 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:16.120 that he will one day bring back these exiles in Babylon 00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:20.360 to Judah once again, so that these lands will be bought again, 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:22.140 these lands will be sold again, 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:26.039 and they will occupy the land again as promised by the Lord, 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:30.279 and so that at that point this signed deed will matter. 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:33.799 It served as a symbolic act of assuring his people. 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:37.640 At the very cusp of Judah's greatest calamity, 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:40.400 God assures them of his promise for the future. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:44.680 And this was no small act of faith on Jeremiah's part, 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:47.700 because isn't it easy to trust God when the going is easy? 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:51.099 It's harder to trust God when the going gets hard. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:55.319 At the lowest moments of Judah's national existence, 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:57.860 God calls the people of Judah to trust him. 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.860 Do we do this? 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:05.779 Sure, we trust that God is good when marriage is good, 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.980 when work is good, 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:11.279 when parenting is good, school is good, 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:13.299 relationships are good, 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:16.980 but what about when your marriage is falling apart? 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:22.599 What about when that job or that promotion you are counting on falls through? 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:25.079 What about when you are struggling in school? 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:28.579 What about your relationship that you thought were going somewhere disintegrates? 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:31.559 When you are at the end of yourself, 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.379 when you are accumulating debt, 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:35.759 and your life appears to be falling apart at the seams, 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:38.099 do you trust God then? 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:43.759 Do you still believe that God intends good for you? 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:47.339 That's the true test of faith. 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:50.859 What normally functions as your security blanket in your life, 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:54.160 what are some of the objects of comfort that you have in your life, 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:57.960 a friend, a spouse, a savings account, whatever it may be, 00:18:57.960 --> 00:19:05.440 it's when these things are taken away that we truly find out whether or not our faith was in God or in something else. 00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:07.900 At their lowest moment, 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.539 God calls them to trust and offers his great promise. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.759 At the conclusion of this transaction, 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:16.180 Jeremiah orders a fitting prayer in verses 17 to 23. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:16.880 He prays, 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:18.360 Ah, Lord God, 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:23.520 it is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:26.720 Nothing is too hard for you. 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:29.360 You show steadfast love to thousands, 00:19:29.520 --> 00:19:32.460 but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them. 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:34.480 Oh, great and mighty God, 00:19:34.540 --> 00:19:36.400 whose name is the Lord of hosts, 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:38.920 great in counsel and mighty in deed, 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:41.880 whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:45.220 rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:51.100 You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt and to this day in Israel and among all mankind 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:55.059 and have made a name for yourself as at this day. 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:59.799 You brought your people, Israel, out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:03.539 with a strong hand and outstretched arm and with great terror. 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:05.400 And you gave them this land, 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:07.180 which you swore to their fathers to give them, 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.839 a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:11.620 And they entered and took possession of it. 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:15.939 One great way to stoke your faith in God in those difficult times 00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:19.679 is by recounting the faithfulness of God throughout your life. 00:20:20.159 --> 00:20:21.899 How he saved you. 00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:23.719 How he provided for you. 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:25.459 How he answered your prayers. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:29.379 That's why typically prayers in the Bible begin by praising God. 00:20:29.979 --> 00:20:32.119 Acknowledging his promises, his greatness. 00:20:32.679 --> 00:20:36.000 Because Jeremiah, as he recounts God's deliverance of Israel throughout the ages, 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:39.019 knows, his faith rises up. 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:42.019 He knows that nothing is too hard for God. 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.920 That he can indeed do good for them, 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:46.240 even in this lowest moment of their life. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:50.519 Then Jeremiah continues in verses 23 to 25. 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:54.160 But they, God's people, 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:56.160 in spite of all that God did for them, 00:20:56.160 --> 00:21:00.019 but they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:04.180 They did nothing of all you commended them to do. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.840 Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them. 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:10.180 Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:12.259 And because of sword and famine and pestilence, 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:14.259 the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.759 who are fighting against it. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:18.700 When you spoke, what you spoke has come to pass. 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.560 And behold, you see it. 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.940 Yet you, O Lord God, have said to me, 00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:25.300 buy the field for money and get witnesses. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:28.639 Though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans. 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:31.720 The fact that Jeremiah has faith in God 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:34.779 doesn't mean that he never wonders or asks questions. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.700 Jeremiah knows of God's saving act in history. 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:40.539 He believes that God can do good for them still 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:42.079 because nothing is impossible for them. 00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:44.000 Yet even then, he still wonders, 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:47.419 why God are you telling me to buy this field? 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.539 Jeremiah still has faith. 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.500 He still obeys God. 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:54.200 Yet this doesn't stop him from wondering what God has in mind. 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:58.220 And God graciously answers in verses 26 to 35. 00:21:58.400 --> 00:22:02.000 And the way he answers is parallel to, 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:06.080 it follows, it mirrors the structure of Jeremiah's prayer. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:10.180 So that structure shows us that God's indeed answering Jeremiah's prayer point by point. 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.539 And you can see it this way. 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:13.680 And this kind of shows you how they're parallel. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:16.180 The A is parallel with A prime. 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.819 You can see that. 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:19.019 So Jeremiah began his prayer in verse 7 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.779 by acknowledging God as the creator 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:23.019 and affirming nothing is too hard for you. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:25.539 And then God answers Jeremiah in verse 27 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:28.879 by assenting that he is indeed the creator, 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.079 the God of all flesh, 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:32.019 and by asking the rhetorical question, 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.980 is anything too hard for me? 00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:34.779 It matches. 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:37.399 Likewise, in verses 17 to 23, 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:40.339 Jeremiah recounted all the faithful acts of God toward Israel 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:42.279 and about how he ultimately gave them the land. 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:44.079 Then in verses 28 to 35, 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:47.019 God recounts all the unfaithful acts of Israel 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:50.639 and how he declares that he will give away the land to Babylon. 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:53.019 And in verses 23 to 24, 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:56.319 Jeremiah recounts how God has brought disaster upon Israel. 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:58.399 And in verses 36 to 52, 00:22:58.579 --> 00:23:03.259 God promises to reverse this disaster and bring good to Israel. 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:05.440 And then lastly, in verse 25, 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:07.660 Jeremiah wonders why he should buy the field. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.640 And in verses 43 to 44, 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:12.079 God promises that a day will come 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:16.200 when fields will be bought again in the land of Israel. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:18.579 Now here's why this matters, 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:20.900 why this parallel structure is important, 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:26.500 because it shows us that all the faithfulness lies with God 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:30.539 and all the unfaithfulness lies with the Israelites. 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:36.680 The mirror image shows us the radicalness of God's grace and compassion toward them, 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:38.180 because all Israel did, 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:41.059 they did nothing of what God has commanded them, 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.940 but God says, 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.519 nothing is too hard for me. 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:46.079 In fact, I will even do good for you. 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:50.159 In Israel's relationship with God, 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:53.359 all that they bring is their sin. 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:58.059 And yet God meets them with grace and mercy. 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:03.599 Do you know that that's the same in your relationship with God? 00:24:06.699 --> 00:24:10.179 There's a beautiful saying that's popularly attributed to Jonathan Edwards, 00:24:10.419 --> 00:24:13.379 but it's probably a misattribution, 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.879 because I tried to find a source, 00:24:14.959 --> 00:24:15.799 and I couldn't track it down. 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:17.619 In this age of the internet, 00:24:17.699 --> 00:24:18.699 if you can't track down a source, 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.799 it's probably a misattribution. 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.799 But it's still true, 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.759 so I'll still quote him with the question mark. 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.019 Jonathan Edwards, 00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:28.579 the only thing you contribute to your salvation 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:32.119 is the sin that makes it necessary. 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:37.559 Our one and only contribution to our relationship with God is our sin. 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:42.599 Faith is not something that we contribute to our salvation. 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:45.940 Faith is simply the bringing of our sins to God, 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.379 trusting that He can deal with it. 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:53.160 And even that faith is a gift of God, 00:24:53.520 --> 00:24:54.900 Ephesians 2.8 teaches us. 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:57.700 The only thing we bring to the Spirit of God, 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:59.220 our cleansing water, 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:01.660 is our filth and squalor. 00:25:02.020 --> 00:25:04.980 The only thing we bring to Jesus Christ, 00:25:05.060 --> 00:25:05.720 our Redeemer, 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:08.340 is our debt and slavery. 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:11.060 The only thing we bring to our Heavenly Father 00:25:11.060 --> 00:25:14.140 is our disobedience and insubordination. 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:16.660 Yet God cleanses us, 00:25:17.100 --> 00:25:18.060 forgives us, 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.380 redeems us, 00:25:19.540 --> 00:25:20.480 restores us, 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.380 liberates us, 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:23.360 and adopts us. 00:25:25.300 --> 00:25:27.160 That's the amazing love of God. 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:33.220 Look at the wonderful promise of God in verse 37-41. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:36.420 I will bring them back to this place, 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:39.460 and I will make them dwell in safety, 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.860 and they shall be my people, 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.640 and I will be their God. 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:45.259 I will give them one heart in one way, 00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:46.560 that they may fear me forever, 00:25:46.780 --> 00:25:47.780 for their own good, 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:49.520 and the good of their children after them. 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:54.400 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:57.700 that I will not turn away from doing good to them. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:59.820 And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:01.360 that they may not turn from me. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:03.240 I will rejoice in doing them good, 00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:05.820 and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, 00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:08.380 with my heart and all my soul. 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.160 Isn't that amazing? 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.160 The promise. 00:26:11.300 --> 00:26:15.519 It was Israel's duty to love God with all of their heart and soul. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.519 That was their duty, 00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:17.600 Deuteronomy 6 and 5. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:20.560 But they failed miserably to love God. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.000 So God says here, 00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:25.140 I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, 00:26:25.320 --> 00:26:26.820 with all my heart, 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:28.340 and all my soul. 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:32.019 Your heart has not been true to me, Israel, 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:35.220 but my heart will be wholly true to you. 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:39.799 In your few short years of earthly life, 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:42.299 you have repeatedly broken my covenant, 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:47.000 but I will make you keep my everlasting covenant. 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:49.960 I will never break my everlasting covenant with you. 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:57.240 God's posture toward His children is mercy. 00:26:57.240 --> 00:27:02.680 And His policy concerning them is everlasting covenant. 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:06.740 And how can Judah know that this seemingly far-fetched promise 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:09.559 will happen right when they're being invaded and taken over? 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:11.180 God says in verse 42, 00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:12.420 Thus says the Lord, 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:15.700 Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:19.160 so I will bring upon them all the good that I promised them. 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:24.480 The fulfillment of the promised restoration is as sure and certain 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:27.940 as the prophesied judgment that has already overtaken them. 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:30.740 Some people are saying right now in that context, 00:27:30.860 --> 00:27:32.600 I believe it when I see it. 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.920 God tells the people of Judah, 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:38.880 Well, do you see the judgment that I told you would come? 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:42.540 Yes, it's right at the doorstep. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:47.500 Likewise, the restoration that I promise you will certainly come. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:51.160 That's the meaning of the field of promise. 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:55.900 Then we turn to the word, the promise. 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.759 It's all the word. 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.839 But in chapter 33, 00:27:57.839 --> 00:28:02.079 we see the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah a second time 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:04.920 while he was still shut up in the court of the guard. 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:06.680 So he's still under house arrest, 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:09.339 and the word of the Lord comes to him a second time as a follow-up. 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:12.900 And the second prophecy expands on the gracious promises of God 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:15.599 given at the end of chapter 32. 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:21.579 And it follows the pattern of God first recounting the current state of things in Israel, 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:22.919 of destruction and judgment, 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:26.980 and then expounding on the future state of things after God restores Israel. 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:30.019 Read verses 2 to 5 again with me in chapter 33. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:33.160 Thus says the Lord who made the earth, 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:35.480 the Lord who formed it and established it, 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.819 the Lord is his name. 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:40.379 Come, call to me, and I will answer you, 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:44.119 and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:46.700 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:50.160 concerning the houses of the city and the houses of the kings of Judah 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:53.480 that were torn down to make a defense against the siege mountains and against the sword. 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.720 They're coming in to fight against the Chaldeans 00:28:55.720 --> 00:29:00.019 and to fill them with the dead bodies of men whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:03.059 For I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.900 That's the current state of things, 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:06.720 the state of judgment and destruction, 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:10.059 a besieged and beleaguered city filled with dead bodies, 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:12.079 an object of God's wrath. 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:15.440 But then God speaks concerning their future in verses 6 to 9. 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:19.680 Behold, I will bring to health and healing, 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:23.799 and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. 00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:27.240 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:29.920 and rebuild them as they were at first. 00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:33.180 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:36.580 and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin rebelling against me. 00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:40.500 And this city shall be to me a name of joy, 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:44.759 of praise, and of glory before all the nations of the earth 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:46.839 who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:50.579 God promises to do a number of things here, right? 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:55.859 Heal, reveal, restore, rebuild, cleanse, and forgive. 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:59.819 That pattern of present punishment and future restoration 00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:02.839 continues in verses 10 to 11. 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:06.960 It's a reversal of the covenant curses that have been repeated up to this point 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:11.019 and that God continues His promise in verses 12 to 13. 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:15.039 Thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:19.339 In this place that is waste without man or beast and in all its cities, 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:23.099 there shall again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks. 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:29.720 So the shepherd is a common metaphor throughout the Old Testament for kings. 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:34.440 Kings who lead their nations were called shepherds who are leading their flock. 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:36.740 And many times throughout the Old Testament, 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:40.559 God reveals Himself as the shepherd king of His people. 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:44.799 And so here, again, I think it's a metaphorical reference 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:48.019 to the future kings that will come to care for God's people. 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:50.480 And we see that clearly in the context that follows. 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:53.920 But notice once again that in all of these promises, 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:55.299 that they are one-sided. 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:58.440 God doesn't make His promises contingent 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.860 on the level of repentance 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:03.779 and the right level of right doing by Israel. 00:31:04.159 --> 00:31:07.159 Remember what God said earlier in chapter 32, 39 to 40. 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:08.119 God didn't say, 00:31:08.719 --> 00:31:10.699 If they fear Me, I will restore them. 00:31:10.979 --> 00:31:11.759 No, He said, 00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:14.299 I will give them one heart and one way 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:16.199 that they may fear Me forever 00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:18.319 for their own good and the good of their children. 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.939 God didn't say, 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:21.899 If they keep My covenant, 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:23.579 I will not turn away from doing good to them. 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:23.959 He said, 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:26.599 I will make them an everlasting covenant 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:29.399 that I will not turn away from doing good to them. 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.319 Again and again, 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:32.259 God shows that He is the one 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:34.559 that will be responsible for this covenant 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:37.179 and to making sure that He sees it through. 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:40.139 Salvation, in short, is from the Lord, 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:40.980 not from man. 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.559 God will accomplish their salvation 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:45.740 from the beginning to the end. 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:48.619 But how will God accomplish this? 00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:49.859 That's the question. 00:31:50.679 --> 00:31:53.099 And verses 14 to 17 tell us the answer. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.700 Read with me. 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:57.500 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:59.880 when I will fulfill the promise I made 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:01.779 to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:04.000 In those days and at that time, 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:06.180 I will cause a righteous branch 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:07.740 to spring up for David, 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:10.380 and he shall execute justice 00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:12.119 and righteousness in the land. 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:14.680 In those days, Judah will be saved, 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:16.339 and Jerusalem will dwell securely, 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:18.920 and this is the name by which it will be called, 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:21.180 The Lord is our righteousness. 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:23.039 For thus says the Lord, 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.840 David shall never lack a man 00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:27.799 to sit on the throne of the house of Israel. 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:30.140 It's very similar to the promise 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:32.120 that God gave earlier in chapter 23. 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:35.279 It's a promise of the Messianic king 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:37.360 who will come to save Judah 00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.860 and secure Jerusalem. 00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:41.779 There will be one particular king 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:44.200 that will rise from the Davidic line, 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:47.180 and he's described as a righteous branch. 00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:50.240 And he will finally and ultimately fulfill 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:52.480 the divine charge that God had given to kings, 00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:55.420 which is to execute justice and righteousness 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:57.580 in the land and save Israel and Judah. 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.840 And when he reigns in Jerusalem, 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:01.539 the city will also be characterized 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.620 by his righteousness, 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:04.100 so the city will be called, 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:05.440 The Lord is our righteousness. 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:07.000 And as I've mentioned 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:08.860 when I preached on chapter 23, 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:11.420 that name, The Lord is our righteousness, 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:14.060 is a wordplay on the name Zedekiah, 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:16.980 who's that king of Judah at the time. 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.100 Whose name means, 00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:19.700 The Lord is my righteousness. 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:22.279 And recall that Zedekiah is the one 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:24.460 who put Jeremiah under house arrest. 00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:26.620 He was not executing justice 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.700 and righteousness in the land, 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:29.259 but God promises here 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.960 an alternate king, 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.500 the Messianic king, 00:33:32.580 --> 00:33:34.220 the righteous branch, 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.980 who will truly bring forth 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.360 the righteousness of God, 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.940 and that royal succession 00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:40.000 of the Davidic line 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:42.259 will never cease from that point on. 00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:44.380 And God doesn't stop 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.380 with merely promising 00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:47.480 a king from David. 00:33:47.800 --> 00:33:49.380 He also promises 00:33:49.380 --> 00:33:50.160 a continuation 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:51.840 of the Levitical priesthood. 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:53.860 Look at verse 18 with me. 00:33:53.860 --> 00:33:55.420 And the Levitical priests 00:33:55.420 --> 00:33:57.320 shall never lack a man 00:33:57.320 --> 00:33:57.980 in my presence 00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:59.480 to offer burnt offerings, 00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:00.980 to burn grain offerings, 00:34:01.060 --> 00:34:03.040 and to make sacrifices forever. 00:34:04.540 --> 00:34:05.780 Verse 20 to 22, 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.420 they continue, 00:34:06.560 --> 00:34:07.180 Thus says the Lord, 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.340 If you can break my covenant 00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:08.960 with the day 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.280 and my covenant with the night, 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.500 so that day and night 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:12.059 will not come 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:13.119 at their appointed time, 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.460 then also my covenant 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:15.760 with David my servant 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.440 may be broken, 00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:17.980 so that he shall not have 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:19.400 a son to reign on my throne, 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.260 and my covenant 00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:21.400 with the Levitical priests, 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.480 my ministers. 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.680 Listen to how strong 00:34:24.680 --> 00:34:26.800 this assertion is, 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:28.300 this promise is, right? 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:30.380 Hurricanes can hit, 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.180 the earth can quake, 00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:33.880 and loved ones can die, 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:35.139 and yet no matter 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:36.720 what happens during the day, 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:37.559 no matter how long 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:38.319 and hard it is, 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:39.959 or great and easy it is, 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:41.419 the sun still sets, 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:43.939 and the sun still rises again. 00:34:44.839 --> 00:34:46.259 For people having good days 00:34:46.259 --> 00:34:47.019 and bad days alike, 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.799 for old people 00:34:47.799 --> 00:34:48.719 and young people alike, 00:34:48.819 --> 00:34:49.500 for nice people 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.599 and mean people alike, 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:51.719 the sun sets, 00:34:51.939 --> 00:34:53.719 and the sun rises again 00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:54.859 every single day. 00:34:54.919 --> 00:34:56.379 That is a certainty of life 00:34:56.379 --> 00:34:57.519 that the entire world 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.639 counts on 00:34:58.639 --> 00:35:01.000 literally every single day. 00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:01.919 And God says, 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:03.539 just as the cycle of day 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.500 and night continues 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.619 without interruption 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.699 or deviation, 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:07.839 my covenant 00:35:07.839 --> 00:35:09.219 with Davidic kings 00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:10.099 and Levitical priests 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.500 will continue forever. 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:14.459 But there's kind of 00:35:14.459 --> 00:35:15.339 a glaring problem 00:35:15.339 --> 00:35:16.139 with this promise. 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:19.259 Zedekiah, 00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.879 the king of Judah, 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:23.619 was, in fact, 00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.819 the last king 00:35:25.819 --> 00:35:28.199 from the line of David 00:35:28.199 --> 00:35:29.000 to reign in Israel. 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:33.960 And the temple, 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:36.280 where the Levitical priests 00:35:36.280 --> 00:35:37.019 were to offer 00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.860 burnt offerings 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.739 and sacrifices 00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:40.659 supposedly forever, 00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:42.559 was destroyed 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:44.139 by Nebuchadnezzar, 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:45.500 who is right now 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:46.760 invading Jerusalem. 00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:50.360 587 B.C. 00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:53.120 So, did God's promise 00:35:53.120 --> 00:35:53.700 fail? 00:35:58.620 --> 00:35:59.400 But the thing is, 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.400 Jeremiah knew all this. 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:04.039 Because he prophesied, 00:36:04.680 --> 00:36:05.360 chapter 22, 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.700 Jehoahaz, 00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:07.700 the last rightful 00:36:07.700 --> 00:36:08.360 Davidic king 00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:09.620 who was in exile, 00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:11.579 would die in exile. 00:36:11.700 --> 00:36:12.420 He prophesied, 00:36:12.640 --> 00:36:13.660 again in chapter 22, 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.360 that Jehoahaz, 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:15.740 Zedekiah's nephew, 00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:18.019 would go down 00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:18.399 in history 00:36:18.399 --> 00:36:19.419 as a childless king 00:36:19.419 --> 00:36:20.139 because the dynasty 00:36:20.139 --> 00:36:21.019 will come to an end. 00:36:21.299 --> 00:36:21.679 He said, 00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:23.039 he will say 00:36:23.039 --> 00:36:25.659 in the next chapter, 00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.319 chapter 34, 00:36:26.839 --> 00:36:27.839 that Zedekiah himself 00:36:27.839 --> 00:36:29.099 will die in exile 00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:29.659 in Davalon. 00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:30.559 So, Jeremiah knew 00:36:30.559 --> 00:36:31.659 that the Davidic dynasty 00:36:31.659 --> 00:36:33.159 is coming to 00:36:33.159 --> 00:36:34.919 an inglorious end. 00:36:35.839 --> 00:36:36.279 Likewise, 00:36:36.479 --> 00:36:37.239 in chapter 7 00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:38.119 and chapter 26, 00:36:38.479 --> 00:36:39.319 Jeremiah prophesied 00:36:39.319 --> 00:36:40.199 that the temple, 00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:40.799 too, 00:36:40.899 --> 00:36:41.759 would be destroyed. 00:36:42.419 --> 00:36:43.279 So, Jeremiah knew 00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:43.959 all of this. 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:44.719 So, then what, 00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:45.599 then, 00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:47.239 did his prophecy mean? 00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:49.119 What is 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:50.559 the everlasting covenant? 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:54.439 How will the kingship 00:36:54.439 --> 00:36:55.899 and the priesthood 00:36:55.899 --> 00:36:56.739 continue forever? 00:36:57.939 --> 00:36:58.899 We learn 00:36:58.899 --> 00:36:59.879 the true meaning 00:36:59.879 --> 00:37:00.679 of this promise 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:02.599 only in its fulfillment. 00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:04.719 When the promised 00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:06.459 messianic king 00:37:06.459 --> 00:37:08.000 and priest 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:09.399 comes to deliver 00:37:09.399 --> 00:37:10.759 his people. 00:37:11.779 --> 00:37:12.779 17 times 00:37:12.779 --> 00:37:13.599 in the New Testament, 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:15.099 Jesus is described 00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:16.839 as the son of David. 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:19.319 His physical lineage 00:37:19.319 --> 00:37:20.759 is traced through David. 00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:21.440 And yet, 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.619 Jesus is far more 00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:23.940 than a son of David. 00:37:24.219 --> 00:37:25.639 He is the messianic king. 00:37:25.759 --> 00:37:27.380 He is the son of God. 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:28.400 Which is why, 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:29.139 in Mark 12, 00:37:29.219 --> 00:37:30.259 35 to 37, 00:37:30.360 --> 00:37:31.219 Jesus points out 00:37:31.219 --> 00:37:32.619 that in Psalm 110, 00:37:32.799 --> 00:37:33.039 1, 00:37:33.199 --> 00:37:34.279 even King David 00:37:34.279 --> 00:37:35.920 refers to the son of God 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.920 as Lord. 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:36.980 Lord. 00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:39.360 The kingship of Jesus 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.240 is superior 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:41.480 to that of David. 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.340 And so, 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:43.320 Hebrews 1, 00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:44.019 8 to 9 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.760 says this 00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:45.639 about Jesus, 00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:46.420 the son of God. 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:47.039 Of the son, 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:47.659 he says, 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.780 your throne, 00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:49.280 O God, 00:37:49.340 --> 00:37:50.420 is forever and ever. 00:37:50.700 --> 00:37:52.220 The scepter of uprightness 00:37:52.220 --> 00:37:52.860 is the scepter 00:37:52.860 --> 00:37:53.800 of your kingdom. 00:37:54.200 --> 00:37:55.420 You have loved righteousness 00:37:55.420 --> 00:37:57.000 and hated wickedness. 00:37:57.280 --> 00:37:57.420 Therefore, 00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:57.840 God, 00:37:57.940 --> 00:37:58.480 your God, 00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.980 has anointed you 00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:01.500 with the oil of gladness 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:03.280 beyond your companions. 00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:06.400 Jesus is the prophesied king 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:08.500 who executes justice 00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:09.579 and righteousness 00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:10.480 in the land. 00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:11.639 We, 00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:12.480 his people, 00:38:12.720 --> 00:38:13.780 were once a nation 00:38:13.780 --> 00:38:14.960 without its king, 00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:16.559 a subjugated people, 00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:18.139 an oppressed people 00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:19.920 with no one to rescue them 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:21.079 and lead them out 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:21.740 of their slavery 00:38:21.740 --> 00:38:22.880 to sin and Satan. 00:38:23.180 --> 00:38:24.960 But God sent our champion, 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:26.559 our king who returned 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.599 to save us 00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:28.599 and execute righteousness 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.599 in the land. 00:38:29.699 --> 00:38:30.960 He is that promised king. 00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:32.860 And he is also 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.960 the promised priest. 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:35.639 Hebrews 10, 00:38:35.740 --> 00:38:36.760 11 to 12 says, 00:38:37.019 --> 00:38:38.000 And every priest 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:38.860 stands daily 00:38:38.860 --> 00:38:39.679 at his service, 00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:41.019 offering repeatedly 00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:42.440 the same sacrifices, 00:38:42.760 --> 00:38:43.679 which can never 00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:44.639 take away sins. 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:45.539 But, 00:38:46.000 --> 00:38:47.260 when Christ 00:38:47.260 --> 00:38:48.139 had offered 00:38:48.139 --> 00:38:49.599 for all time 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:51.659 a single sacrifice 00:38:51.659 --> 00:38:52.280 for sins, 00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:53.300 he sat down 00:38:53.300 --> 00:38:54.179 at the right hand 00:38:54.179 --> 00:38:54.800 of God. 00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:57.019 Him sitting down 00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:57.559 at the right hand 00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:57.940 of God 00:38:57.940 --> 00:38:58.920 means it's done. 00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:02.300 The Levitical priests 00:39:02.300 --> 00:39:02.860 of old 00:39:02.860 --> 00:39:03.659 had to offer 00:39:03.659 --> 00:39:05.139 the same sacrifices 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:06.179 repeatedly 00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:08.139 because these sacrifices 00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:09.559 served to remind people 00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:10.679 of their continual sins 00:39:10.679 --> 00:39:12.019 and because ultimately 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:13.039 the blood of bulls 00:39:13.039 --> 00:39:13.519 and goats 00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:15.119 had no power 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:16.519 to take away sin, 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.220 as Hebrews 10, 00:39:17.300 --> 00:39:18.420 3 to 4 says clearly. 00:39:19.019 --> 00:39:20.280 The temple sacrifices 00:39:20.280 --> 00:39:21.699 were not the ultimate solution. 00:39:21.699 --> 00:39:23.019 They instead served 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:24.039 to foreshadow 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:25.599 the true sacrifice 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:26.439 of Jesus Christ, 00:39:26.539 --> 00:39:27.759 the righteous Lamb of God. 00:39:28.719 --> 00:39:30.460 And they showed us 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.500 that that would be necessary. 00:39:31.659 --> 00:39:32.799 So in much the same way, 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:34.059 Christ is superior 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:35.259 to the Davidic kings, 00:39:35.519 --> 00:39:36.739 he's also superior 00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:38.599 to all the Levitical priests, 00:39:38.819 --> 00:39:39.539 so that instead 00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:41.439 of offering sacrifices daily, 00:39:41.839 --> 00:39:43.439 he offers himself 00:39:43.439 --> 00:39:45.659 as the ultimate sacrifice 00:39:45.659 --> 00:39:47.799 once and for all 00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:49.180 and takes away the sins 00:39:49.180 --> 00:39:50.380 of all those 00:39:50.380 --> 00:39:51.640 who would trust in him. 00:39:52.720 --> 00:39:53.680 In this way, 00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.200 that's the way 00:39:55.200 --> 00:39:56.460 in which Christ, 00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:58.400 sent by God, 00:39:59.320 --> 00:40:01.120 establishes an everlasting 00:40:01.120 --> 00:40:03.120 covenant with his people 00:40:03.120 --> 00:40:05.000 and fulfills the promise 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:07.200 of Jeremiah 32 to 33. 00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:09.820 And we read about that 00:40:09.820 --> 00:40:12.120 in verses 24 to 26, 00:40:12.120 --> 00:40:13.880 how he fulfills his promise 00:40:13.880 --> 00:40:15.340 to Israel and Judah. 00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:17.539 Bear in mind that 00:40:17.539 --> 00:40:18.539 all of us 00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:19.900 deserve God's wrath 00:40:19.900 --> 00:40:20.500 and punishment. 00:40:22.620 --> 00:40:23.900 People of Judah did 00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:25.160 and we all also 00:40:25.160 --> 00:40:26.880 did at one point. 00:40:27.460 --> 00:40:28.700 We deserve to be 00:40:28.700 --> 00:40:31.000 disenfranchised, 00:40:31.559 --> 00:40:32.840 exiled as a people. 00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:33.820 We deserve to be 00:40:33.820 --> 00:40:34.760 rejected by God. 00:40:35.120 --> 00:40:37.019 We deserve to die 00:40:37.019 --> 00:40:38.760 because the wages of sin 00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:39.680 is death. 00:40:39.680 --> 00:40:40.660 We had nothing 00:40:40.660 --> 00:40:42.440 to offer God 00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:44.360 except our sins, 00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:46.099 yet God had mercy 00:40:46.099 --> 00:40:46.940 on us. 00:40:47.620 --> 00:40:48.860 And Jesus died 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.820 where we should have been 00:40:49.820 --> 00:40:50.660 on that cross. 00:40:51.380 --> 00:40:52.300 If you are not 00:40:52.300 --> 00:40:52.780 yet a follower 00:40:52.780 --> 00:40:53.480 of Jesus Christ, 00:40:53.620 --> 00:40:54.640 God freely offers 00:40:54.640 --> 00:40:55.860 his mercy to you 00:40:55.860 --> 00:40:57.380 right now. 00:41:02.260 --> 00:41:03.820 In human relationships, 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:04.420 right, 00:41:04.920 --> 00:41:06.059 disparity breeds 00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:06.660 insecurity. 00:41:07.360 --> 00:41:08.300 A girl who thinks 00:41:08.300 --> 00:41:10.400 she's not as good looking 00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:11.059 as her boyfriend 00:41:11.059 --> 00:41:12.059 becomes insecure. 00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:15.539 an employee 00:41:15.539 --> 00:41:16.139 who thinks 00:41:16.139 --> 00:41:18.299 she's not as skilled 00:41:18.299 --> 00:41:19.880 as her job requires 00:41:19.880 --> 00:41:21.519 becomes insecure. 00:41:22.619 --> 00:41:23.799 Children who think 00:41:23.799 --> 00:41:24.380 that they are not 00:41:24.380 --> 00:41:25.079 meeting their parents' 00:41:25.199 --> 00:41:26.460 expectations and standards 00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:27.719 become insecure. 00:41:27.719 --> 00:41:29.360 But there is no 00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:30.320 need for you 00:41:30.320 --> 00:41:31.239 to be insecure 00:41:31.239 --> 00:41:32.539 as you approach 00:41:32.539 --> 00:41:33.259 God. 00:41:33.519 --> 00:41:34.400 Because whatever 00:41:34.400 --> 00:41:35.820 God requires, 00:41:36.139 --> 00:41:37.059 Christ has already 00:41:37.059 --> 00:41:38.400 fulfilled on your 00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:38.960 behalf. 00:41:39.099 --> 00:41:40.000 If you'd only trust 00:41:40.000 --> 00:41:40.420 in Him, 00:41:41.380 --> 00:41:43.280 there's no punishment 00:41:43.280 --> 00:41:43.880 left for you, 00:41:43.940 --> 00:41:45.079 only mercy. 00:41:45.460 --> 00:41:46.280 There's no wrath 00:41:46.280 --> 00:41:47.199 left for you, 00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:48.519 only grace. 00:41:48.639 --> 00:41:49.519 If you'd only 00:41:49.519 --> 00:41:50.679 cling to Jesus 00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:51.500 for salvation. 00:41:52.159 --> 00:41:53.199 It doesn't matter 00:41:53.199 --> 00:41:54.340 where you have been, 00:41:54.840 --> 00:41:57.360 what's in your past. 00:41:57.760 --> 00:41:59.019 God loves all those 00:41:59.019 --> 00:41:59.860 who come to Him 00:41:59.860 --> 00:42:01.659 with an everlasting 00:42:01.659 --> 00:42:03.000 love. 00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:05.059 you need simply 00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:06.039 to turn from 00:42:06.039 --> 00:42:07.199 your sins 00:42:07.199 --> 00:42:07.760 and toward 00:42:07.760 --> 00:42:08.460 Christ 00:42:08.460 --> 00:42:09.380 in faith. 00:42:10.300 --> 00:42:11.340 I plead with you 00:42:11.340 --> 00:42:11.719 this morning 00:42:11.719 --> 00:42:12.599 if you do not 00:42:12.599 --> 00:42:13.860 know this God 00:42:13.860 --> 00:42:14.599 or have a relationship 00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:14.960 with Him 00:42:14.960 --> 00:42:15.860 to do so today. 00:42:16.699 --> 00:42:17.519 To begin that 00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:18.380 relationship today. 00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:20.340 If you're already 00:42:20.340 --> 00:42:21.079 a child of God, 00:42:21.159 --> 00:42:22.079 let me remind you 00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:23.300 once again, 00:42:23.940 --> 00:42:24.800 God's posture 00:42:24.800 --> 00:42:25.599 toward you 00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:27.179 is mercy. 00:42:28.199 --> 00:42:29.340 And His policy 00:42:29.340 --> 00:42:30.579 concerning you 00:42:30.579 --> 00:42:32.420 is His everlasting 00:42:32.420 --> 00:42:32.860 covenant. 00:42:34.219 --> 00:42:35.079 Are you weighed 00:42:35.079 --> 00:42:36.099 down by the guilt 00:42:36.099 --> 00:42:37.019 of your own sins? 00:42:38.319 --> 00:42:39.360 Do you feel 00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:40.239 shrouded 00:42:40.239 --> 00:42:41.239 in shame? 00:42:46.460 --> 00:42:46.940 Satan, 00:42:47.079 --> 00:42:47.799 our ancient enemy, 00:42:48.000 --> 00:42:48.819 his name means 00:42:48.819 --> 00:42:49.440 accuser. 00:42:49.779 --> 00:42:50.500 He's always going 00:42:50.500 --> 00:42:51.639 to try to magnify 00:42:51.639 --> 00:42:52.219 your faults. 00:42:52.779 --> 00:42:53.619 And along with that, 00:42:53.679 --> 00:42:54.960 if we also magnify 00:42:54.960 --> 00:42:55.480 appropriately 00:42:55.480 --> 00:42:56.199 God's grace, 00:42:56.299 --> 00:42:57.400 which overabounds 00:42:57.400 --> 00:42:58.519 more than our sins, 00:42:58.659 --> 00:42:59.619 then that would be fine. 00:42:59.619 --> 00:43:00.679 But He doesn't do that. 00:43:00.739 --> 00:43:01.440 He will magnify 00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:02.039 your sins, 00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:02.880 but He will minimize 00:43:02.880 --> 00:43:03.759 God's grace 00:43:03.759 --> 00:43:04.639 and mercy 00:43:04.639 --> 00:43:05.779 because His goal 00:43:05.779 --> 00:43:06.380 and desire 00:43:06.380 --> 00:43:07.059 is to drive 00:43:07.059 --> 00:43:07.900 a wedge between 00:43:07.900 --> 00:43:09.719 God and His people. 00:43:10.500 --> 00:43:11.440 The Heavenly Father 00:43:11.440 --> 00:43:12.079 and His children. 00:43:13.359 --> 00:43:14.539 And when that happens, 00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:17.059 our love for Him 00:43:17.059 --> 00:43:17.639 cools. 00:43:21.179 --> 00:43:22.779 As Matthew Henry, 00:43:22.900 --> 00:43:23.759 a 17th century 00:43:23.759 --> 00:43:24.779 Welsh pastor said, 00:43:24.900 --> 00:43:25.920 good thoughts of God 00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:27.199 would beget love. 00:43:27.199 --> 00:43:27.259 love, 00:43:27.699 --> 00:43:28.699 and that love 00:43:28.699 --> 00:43:29.299 would make us 00:43:29.299 --> 00:43:30.699 diligent and faithful. 00:43:31.339 --> 00:43:32.319 But hard thoughts 00:43:32.319 --> 00:43:32.759 of God 00:43:32.759 --> 00:43:33.699 beget fear, 00:43:34.119 --> 00:43:35.199 and that fear 00:43:35.199 --> 00:43:36.699 makes us slothful 00:43:36.699 --> 00:43:38.819 and unfaithful. 00:43:43.539 --> 00:43:44.579 How do you think 00:43:44.579 --> 00:43:45.000 of God? 00:43:46.199 --> 00:43:47.480 How do you view Him? 00:43:47.480 --> 00:43:52.320 When Satan seeks 00:43:52.320 --> 00:43:53.000 to drive you 00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:54.079 to despair, 00:43:55.599 --> 00:43:57.240 let this word 00:43:57.240 --> 00:43:59.079 from Jeremiah 32-33 00:43:59.079 --> 00:44:01.139 shine in your life 00:44:01.139 --> 00:44:01.800 and dispel 00:44:01.800 --> 00:44:02.440 the darkness 00:44:02.440 --> 00:44:03.579 and the lies 00:44:03.579 --> 00:44:04.559 and remind you 00:44:04.559 --> 00:44:06.260 that God's posture 00:44:06.260 --> 00:44:07.159 toward you 00:44:07.159 --> 00:44:07.860 is mercy. 00:44:09.119 --> 00:44:09.679 His policy 00:44:09.679 --> 00:44:10.420 concerning you 00:44:10.420 --> 00:44:11.980 is His everlasting 00:44:11.980 --> 00:44:12.679 covenant. 00:44:13.099 --> 00:44:13.980 Please close your eyes 00:44:13.980 --> 00:44:14.760 now and reflect 00:44:14.760 --> 00:44:15.480 on that truth. 00:44:15.480 --> 00:44:19.019 And think about God. 00:44:19.099 --> 00:44:19.380 Use your, 00:44:19.500 --> 00:44:20.420 engage your imagination. 00:44:20.699 --> 00:44:21.440 Think about God. 00:44:23.320 --> 00:44:24.260 Receive His love. 00:44:24.980 --> 00:44:25.719 See His posture 00:44:25.719 --> 00:44:26.219 toward you. 00:44:27.659 --> 00:44:28.500 And turn to Him 00:44:28.500 --> 00:44:28.800 in love. 00:44:31.840 --> 00:44:32.760 After you reflect 00:44:32.760 --> 00:44:33.400 it for some time, 00:44:33.480 --> 00:44:34.179 we'll respond together 00:44:34.179 --> 00:44:34.960 by praying corporately 00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:35.480 as a church. 00:44:35.480 --> 00:44:35.579 Amen. 00:44:35.579 --> 00:44:35.619 Amen. 00:44:45.480 --> 00:45:06.320 Amen. 00:45:06.820 --> 00:45:06.860 Amen. 00:45:06.860 --> 00:45:07.480 Amen. 00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:09.460 Amen. 00:45:09.519 --> 00:45:10.079 Amen. 00:45:10.079 --> 00:45:10.380 Amen. 00:45:10.380 --> 00:45:10.559 Amen. 00:45:10.780 --> 00:45:10.880 Amen. 00:45:11.079 --> 00:45:11.139 Amen. 00:45:11.159 --> 00:45:11.380 Amen. 00:45:11.420 --> 00:45:11.659 Amen. 00:45:11.740 --> 00:45:12.079 Amen. 00:45:12.099 --> 00:45:12.539 Amen. 00:45:12.679 --> 00:45:12.760 Amen. 00:45:13.000 --> 00:45:13.380 Amen. 00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:14.019 Amen. 00:45:14.019 --> 00:45:15.300 Amen.