WEBVTT

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 As members of a society, people are bound to each other by legal contracts and personal relationships.

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 A contract prevents a tenant from breaking a lease, right?

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 And it gives the power to the owner the option of pursuing legal action if the tenant were to break the lease, right?

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 A contract protects a company, right, that provides services that ensures that it gets paid by its clients.

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 And a contract likewise binds the citizens to their government so that breaking certain laws can get them jailed.

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 A contract is legal but not necessarily personal, right?

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 You can be a legal citizen of the United States, for example, but be highly unpatriotic and feel no relationship to it.

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 So on the one hand, our lives are governed by contracts.

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 On the other hand, our lives are governed by relationships.

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 A relationship is what keeps you going back to the same barber over and over again for a bad haircut, right?

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 A relationship makes you call a group of friends to go out to movies together, right?

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 A relationship makes you go out on dates with someone.

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 A relationship is personal but not necessarily legal.

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 Relationships are not legally enforced like contracts.

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 Then there's the third category, the divinely instituted covenants.

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 A covenant is something that God ordains and sanctions, and it is enduring and legally binding like a contract,

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 but it's also intimately personal and affectionate like a relationship.

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 A marriage, for example, is a covenant.

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 It's entered into before God and is binding for life, yet it is also voluntary and relational.

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 It's characterized by love and affection.

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 Similarly, the church is formed around the covenant.

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 Throughout Scripture, God describes his relationship with his people as a covenant.

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 And because a covenant is both legal and personal, breaking it is all the more wicked and wrong.

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 It makes you a lawbreaker and a promisebreaker.

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 It makes you a rebel and a renegade.

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 So Judah had repeatedly violated their covenant with God.

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 And so in Jeremiah 11 through 13, which is our passage for today,

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 we see both the legal and personal consequences of their sins.

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 And through it, we learn that God is righteous to punish sinners,

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 yet gracious to restore them through Jesus Christ.

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 That's the main point of this passage.

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 That God is righteous to punish sinners, yet gracious to restore them through Jesus Christ.

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 First, we're going to see the disregarded promise in chapter 11, verses 1 to 17.

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 And then we'll see a disillusioned prophet in chapter 11, verse 18 to chapter 12, verse 17.

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 And then lastly, we'll see the damaged pride of Judah in chapter 13.

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 God first recounts the covenant that he had entered into with Judah in verses 2 to 5 of chapter 11.

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 Follow along with me in your Bibles.

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 It says in chapter 11, verses 2 to 5,

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 Hear the words of this covenant and speak to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

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 You shall say to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel.

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 Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant that I commanded your fathers

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 when I brought them out of the land of Egypt from the iron furnace, saying,

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 Listen to my voice and do all that I command you.

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 So shall you be my people, and I will be your God,

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 that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your fathers,

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 to give them a land flowing with milk and honey as at this day.

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 Then I answered, So be it, Lord.

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 There is a threefold repetition of the word hear and listen in these verses.

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 First, in verse 2, God commands the people of Judah to hear the words of this covenant now.

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 And then in verse 3, God confirms the oath that their forefathers had made

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 by saying, Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant that I command your fathers

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 when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.

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 And then he says, Listen to my voice and do all that I command you.

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 So God's reminding them of the covenant that they made with him after being rescued out of Egypt.

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 It's a covenant that God's people made through Moses on Mount Sinai.

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 And that the heart of that covenant, the main obligation and command was to listen to the Lord,

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 to hear him, because Judah was his special exclusive possession.

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 But they did not hear the words of this covenant or do them.

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 God says in verses 7 to 8,

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 I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt,

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 warning them persistently even to this day, saying, Obey my voice.

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 As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, obey is the same Hebrew word as hear or listen.

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 So you did not obey or incline their ear.

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 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear.

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 But everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart.

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 Therefore, I brought upon them all the words of this covenant,

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 which I commanded them to do.

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 But they did not.

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 You can see kind of how the punishment fits the offense.

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 Because they did not hear the commands of the covenant.

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 Now they will bear the curses of the covenant.

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 The covenant that did not keep will come upon them and punish them.

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 And their stubbornness in doing evil is described in verse 9,

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 metaphorically as a conspiracy, right?

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 It's a form of mutiny, a treason.

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 They conspired against their gracious master who had given them every blessing that they enjoy.

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 They rebelled against their benevolent king who had taken care of them

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 and has been unwaveringly and steadfastly committed to them.

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 Yet instead of following him, they turned against God.

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 And it says in verse 10 that they turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers.

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 Refused to hear my words.

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 And this is how they broke the covenant that I made with their fathers.

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 That's what God says here in verse 10.

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 Therefore, he says in verses 11 to 14, he pronounces disaster on them.

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 And he tells them that he will not listen to them.

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 Just as they have not listened to him or obeyed him, he will no longer listen to them.

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 In addition to that, he tells Jeremiah, his prophet and representative, to not pray for them

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 because if he prays for them, he will not listen when they call to him in time of trouble.

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 So again, their punishment fits the crime.

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 Those who refuse to listen to God will not be listened to by the Lord.

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 Then as God continues his verdict in verses 16 to 17,

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 he interestingly refers to himself in the third person as the Lord.

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 So look at the verses 16 to 17.

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 That's a literary device called eleism where the speaker refers to himself in the third person

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 in order to create a sense of distance from the hearers or the readers and a sense of dignity.

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 So that's kind of to convey the fact that this is a personage that's not supposed to be dealt with lightly,

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 that he is grand, that he is of dignity.

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 That's, for example, how in the Gallic Wars written by Julius Caesar,

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 he refers to himself consistently in the third person.

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 The he, the Julius Caesar, right?

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 William Shakespeare also uses this device to refer to multiple characters

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 and he makes them refer to themselves in the third person.

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 Of course, when a man does this, he's being conceited and self-important, right?

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 But God is justified when he does this because he's the one being in the universe

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 who is glorious and deserves to be glorified.

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 And so he says this,

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 Do you feel that kind of distance and dignity, right, from that third person usage, right?

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 Because by using the third person, there's a sense of finality about what God is doing.

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 The Lord has decided this and there's nothing you can do about it.

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 And then at the end of verse 7, when describing their specific against the Lord,

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 God returns to the first person to convey just how personal their sins are toward him.

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 He says,

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 They provoked me to anger by making offerings to Baal, right?

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 When a wife catches her husband committing adultery or looking at pornography,

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 it doesn't matter how much he insists, saying,

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 This is nothing personal.

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 This is just my lust, my addiction.

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 It's me.

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 Don't worry about it.

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 It doesn't have anything to do with you.

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 It doesn't reflect on how beautiful you are or how desirable you are.

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 It doesn't matter how much the husband says that.

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 The offense is personal.

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 And in a real way, it affects the wife.

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 In the same way, every sin committed against God is deeply personal.

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 Judah can't say,

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 Oh God, it's nothing personal.

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 We brought you offerings in the temple too.

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 We just need to make sure that we bring offerings to Baal also

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 to make sure that our lands are fruitful and that our families are fertile.

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 Nonsense.

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 Idolatry is always personal.

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 And God says,

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 You provoked me to anger by making offerings to Baal.

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 And God's punishment is just and fair.

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 And that's conveyed by the repetition of the Hebrew word that means evil.

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 You see the words, the words consumed, disaster, evil in verses 16 to 17.

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 They're all actually variations, the same Hebrew word that means evil.

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 So if you were to translate that to show that, it will be like,

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 You will be consumed by evil, for the Lord has decreed evil against you

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 because of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have done.

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 As they have done, it will be done to them, not more, not less.

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 Evil will befall evildoers.

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 Divine justice is exact and exacting.

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 God is righteous to punish sinners.

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 And that's the first point, the broken covenant.

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 And because of Judah's disregarded promise, right,

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 they disregarded the promise that they made to the Lord,

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 we see a portrait of a disillusioned prophet in the following verses

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 who has to announce God's judgment.

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 As God's representative, Jeremiah, whether he likes it or not,

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 he encounters the same refusal and rejection that God faces

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 and experiences from his own people.

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 And so Jeremiah says in verses 18 to 20 of chapter 11,

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 The Lord made it known to me, and I knew.

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 Then you showed me their deeds, but I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter.

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 I did not know it was against me they devised schemes, saying,

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 Let us destroy the tree with its fruit.

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 Let us cut him off from the land of the living,

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 that his name be remembered no more.

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 But O Lord of hosts who judges righteously,

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 who tests the heart and the mind,

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 let me see your vengeance upon them,

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 for to you have I committed my cause.

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 So some people had apparently devised schemes against Jeremiah.

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 They didn't want to hear any more of Jeremiah's message of doom and judgment,

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 and they decided that the best way to silence him is to kill him

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 by destroying the tree with its fruit.

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 And especially since Jeremiah was unmarried and childless,

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 this would ensure that he is cut off from the land of the living

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 and his name be remembered no more.

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 It would put an end to Jeremiah and his prophetic ministry once and for all.

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 But as they were scheming this, God alerted Jeremiah of this,

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 and we could see how surprised Jeremiah was,

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 because he says in verse 19,

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 but I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter.

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 I did not know it was against me they devised schemes.

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 Jeremiah, as a prophet for the people,

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 he loved the people of Judah.

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 He sincerely believed that he was serving them

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 by announcing God's impending judgment

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 and calling them to repentance.

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 And yet, unbeknownst to him,

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 these very people for whom Jeremiah labored tirelessly

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 were plotting to kill him.

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 Jeremiah was like a gentle lamb,

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 which, though it's being led to the slaughter,

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 neither protests nor resists,

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 because it is completely unaware of what is happening.

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 Then, in verses 21 to 23,

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 Jeremiah gives us more details about this scheme.

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 And it's surprising.

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 Verse 21,

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 Therefore, thus says the Lord,

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 concerning the men of Anathoth,

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 who seek your life,

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 and say,

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 Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord,

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 or you will die by our hand.

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 Shockingly,

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 the people who plotted to kill Jeremiah

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 were the men of Anathoth,

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 Jeremiah's hometown,

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 the village he came from.

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 They had apparently threatened him,

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 If you prophesy in the name of the Lord,

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 you will die by our hand.

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 But the Lord hears of this,

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 and it's not Jeremiah that will die,

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 but they,

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 because God intervenes on behalf of his servants.

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 He says,

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 Behold, I will punish them.

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 The young men shall die by the sword.

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 Their sons and their daughters shall die by famine,

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 and none of them shall be left.

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 For I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth,

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 the ear of their punishment.

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 The men who told Jeremiah that he would die by their hands

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 will instead die by the Lord's hand.

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 This may seem shocking to us,

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 but in the ancient Near East,

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 much like the modern Middle East,

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 and much of Asia really,

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 has a shame culture.

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 And bringing shame upon one's own family or tribe

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 is considered a capital offense.

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 And sometimes members of the same family

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 in the ancient Near East

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 would send members of their own household

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 out to avenge the honor of the family

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 by killing off the offending member.

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 And that seems to be what is happening here

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 is that Jeremiah was notorious

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 throughout all the land

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 for his message of judgment,

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 his prophetic ministry.

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 And this unpopular message

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 brought great shame

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 on his own hometown of Anathoth.

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 And these men decided

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 that they better kill him

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 and make do good on the threat

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 that they had made to him.

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 And can you imagine

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 how Jeremiah was feeling?

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 I mean, obviously,

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 this is the very foundation

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 of ancient society,

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 that village,

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 that community,

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 that family.

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 And he's basically being cut out

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 from that very fabric society

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 that was holding that community together.

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 He's losing everything.

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 He has no support,

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 no community,

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 no fallback plan.

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 And Jeremiah is so disillusioned by this,

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 he complains to God

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 in chapter 12,

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 verses 1 to 4.

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 Righteous are you, O Lord,

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 when I complain to you.

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 Yet I would plead my case before you.

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 Why does the way of the wicked prosper?

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 Why do all who are treacherous thrive?

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 You plant them,

00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.700
 and they take root.

00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:52.019
 They grow and produce fruit.

00:14:52.660 --> 00:14:54.300
 You are near in their mouth

00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:56.120
 and far from their heart.

00:14:56.660 --> 00:14:57.220
 But you,

00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.480
 you, O Lord,

00:14:58.560 --> 00:14:59.019
 know me.

00:14:59.200 --> 00:14:59.920
 You see me

00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:01.259
 and test my heart toward you.

00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.900
 Pull them out like sheep

00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:03.560
 for the slaughter

00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.820
 and set them apart

00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:06.040
 for the day of slaughter.

00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:08.100
 How long will the land mourn

00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:10.040
 and the grass of every field wither?

00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:12.519
 For the evil of those who dwell in it,

00:15:12.819 --> 00:15:14.879
 the beasts and the birds are swept away

00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.919
 because they said,

00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:17.980
 he will not see our latter end.

00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:21.079
 If you recall what I read earlier,

00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:21.719
 chapter 11,

00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:22.919
 verses 18 to 23,

00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:24.879
 and then kind of put that side by side

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.699
 with chapter 12,

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.579
 verses 1 to 4,

00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:27.620
 they mirror each other.

00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:29.139
 There's a lot of parallels

00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.639
 between those passages.

00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:33.299
 And they together reveal

00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.740
 the mixed emotions

00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.220
 that Jeremiah is feeling.

00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:38.120
 Because in 11, 19,

00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:38.980
 Jeremiah said,

00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:40.539
 I was like a gentle lamb

00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.299
 led to the slaughter.

00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:42.980
 But then in chapter 12,

00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:43.460
 verse 3,

00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.000
 he says,

00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.600
 pull them out like sheep

00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.159
 for the slaughter.

00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:46.879
 Right?

00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:48.960
 He's being led to the slaughter

00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.600
 like a gentle lamb,

00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:49.879
 but he said,

00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.639
 they're the ones

00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.480
 who should be slaughtered,

00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.019
 not me.

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.679
 And then in chapter 11,

00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.240
 verse 20,

00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.240
 Jeremiah said to God,

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.700
 I commit my cause to you.

00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:59.240
 But to the Lord

00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.259
 who tests the heart

00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:00.780
 and the mind.

00:16:01.400 --> 00:16:02.460
 But then in chapter 12,

00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.280
 verses 1 to 3,

00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:03.900
 he cries out,

00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:05.540
 yet I would plead my case

00:16:05.540 --> 00:16:06.360
 before you.

00:16:06.780 --> 00:16:07.160
 O Lord,

00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:07.820
 you know me,

00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:08.440
 you see me,

00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.700
 and test my heart

00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:10.360
 toward you.

00:16:10.520 --> 00:16:10.640
 Right?

00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:12.000
 So you, Lord,

00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.540
 see my heart,

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.040
 test my heart,

00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:14.080
 so now I ask you

00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.600
 to test my heart

00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.680
 and come to my aid.

00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:17.720
 And then again,

00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:18.480
 in chapter 11,

00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:19.140
 verse 19,

00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.280
 Jeremiah said that

00:16:20.280 --> 00:16:21.220
 these men of Anathos

00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.460
 schemed among themselves,

00:16:22.640 --> 00:16:22.900
 saying,

00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:24.860
 let us destroy the tree

00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.879
 with its fruit.

00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.500
 But then in chapter 12,

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.080
 verse 2,

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.220
 Jeremiah complains,

00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:31.059
 you plant them

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.840
 and they take root

00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:33.919
 and they grow

00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:35.639
 and produce fruit.

00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:37.500
 These evil men

00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:39.460
 who plot to cut me off

00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:41.159
 and destroy all my fruit,

00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.419
 they're the ones

00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.419
 who should be cut off

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.360
 and without fruit.

00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:46.039
 But you, Lord,

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.820
 plant them.

00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.299
 You make them take root

00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:49.179
 and they grow

00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:50.360
 and bear fruit.

00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:52.019
 What in the world, God?

00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:57.139
 These perils highlight

00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.879
 the paradox

00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.480
 that Jeremiah

00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:00.199
 is experiencing

00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:00.960
 and dealing with.

00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:02.379
 Lord, look at

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.480
 what's happening here.

00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.359
 Do you realize

00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.619
 that I am the one

00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.420
 that's on your team?

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.220
 I am the one

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.200
 that's faithful to you

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.980
 and I'm the one

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.139
 that's here languishing

00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:14.299
 while these men

00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.639
 with murderous intents

00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:16.639
 are thriving.

00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:18.359
 Here am I

00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:19.480
 about to be killed

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.799
 for your sake

00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.480
 while these killers

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.059
 live on.

00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:24.339
 Are you even

00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.559
 seeing this, Lord?

00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.980
 That's the classic

00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.940
 problem of evil,

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.359
 isn't it?

00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:34.059
 If you really are good,

00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:34.399
 God,

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.559
 why is there evil

00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.119
 in this world?

00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:39.759
 If you really are just,

00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:40.179
 God,

00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.539
 why is there injustice

00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.240
 in the world?

00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:45.480
 It's okay to wrestle

00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.599
 with that kind of question

00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:48.279
 as long as you're

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.500
 wrestling sincerely

00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:51.140
 and in faith

00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:51.839
 in the same way

00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.740
 Jeremiah is.

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.140
 Notice how he

00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.460
 wrestles with this.

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.240
 He does not

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.579
 ask this question

00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.519
 to God

00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.279
 from a place

00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.079
 of presumption

00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.920
 and pride,

00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.920
 but he asks

00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.880
 this question to God

00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.460
 from a place

00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.839
 of faith-seeking

00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.559
 understanding.

00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:08.039
 Look at chapter 12,

00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.539
 verse 1.

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.160
 Righteous are you,

00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:10.599
 O Lord,

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.079
 when I complain to you,

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.740
 yet I would plead

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.920
 my case before you.

00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.059
 Jeremiah is not saying,

00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:17.940
 God,

00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.100
 you are wrong

00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:20.539
 and I am right,

00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:21.200
 so you are either

00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.000
 a wicked God

00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.860
 or you do not exist

00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:23.279
 at all.

00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:23.940
 Right?

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.700
 That's the attitude

00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.360
 of many people

00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.180
 who use the problem

00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:26.640
 of evil

00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.320
 as an objection

00:18:27.320 --> 00:18:28.019
 against God.

00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:28.920
 But Jeremiah

00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.880
 doesn't do that.

00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:30.720
 He says,

00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:32.120
 I know you are

00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:32.920
 righteous, O Lord.

00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.460
 I know you are

00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.000
 in the right.

00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:35.880
 I don't question

00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:36.580
 or challenge

00:18:36.580 --> 00:18:37.400
 that you are in the right,

00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.140
 but Lord,

00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:40.360
 I don't understand it.

00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:41.880
 I believe you, Lord,

00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.440
 but now help me

00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:43.960
 to see.

00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:45.680
 It's faith

00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.840
 seeking understanding.

00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.640
 That's the place

00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.200
 upon which we are

00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.060
 to wrestle with God

00:18:49.060 --> 00:18:49.860
 and ask the sincere

00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:50.780
 questions we have.

00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:52.259
 And God's response

00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.500
 in verses 5 to 6

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.300
 is surprising

00:18:54.300 --> 00:18:55.180
 and fascinating.

00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:56.900
 He says,

00:18:57.100 --> 00:18:58.380
 If you have raced

00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.420
 with men on foot

00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:01.080
 and they have wearied you,

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.340
 how will you compete

00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:02.800
 with horses?

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.960
 And if in a safe land

00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:06.080
 you are so trusting,

00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.280
 what will you do

00:19:07.280 --> 00:19:07.900
 in the thicket

00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:08.500
 of the Jordan?

00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:09.960
 For even your brothers

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:10.600
 and the house

00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.240
 of your father,

00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:12.740
 even they have dealt

00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.840
 treacherously with you.

00:19:14.080 --> 00:19:15.180
 They are in full cry

00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:15.620
 after you.

00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.620
 Do not believe them,

00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.299
 do they speak

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.199
 friendly words

00:19:18.199 --> 00:19:18.739
 to you?

00:19:19.439 --> 00:19:21.179
 The word trusting,

00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.759
 there's a second

00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.919
 less common definition

00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:24.839
 of that Hebrew word

00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.139
 and it means

00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:27.739
 falling or stumbling.

00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.279
 That's probably

00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.399
 the better translation

00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:30.759
 of that.

00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.359
 That's in fact

00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:32.679
 how the New International

00:19:32.679 --> 00:19:33.819
 Version translates it.

00:19:33.959 --> 00:19:34.599
 Verse 5,

00:19:34.659 --> 00:19:34.899
 it says,

00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:36.099
 If you stumble

00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.319
 in safe country,

00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.859
 how will you manage

00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.779
 in the thickets

00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.879
 by the Jordan?

00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:41.760
 So basically,

00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:42.860
 God's making an argument

00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.780
 from the lesser

00:19:43.780 --> 00:19:44.660
 to the greater.

00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.660
 God's saying,

00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.620
 If you can't even

00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.580
 compete with men,

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.380
 how will you race horses?

00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:51.880
 If you can't even manage

00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:53.180
 in your safe homeland,

00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:55.020
 how will you manage

00:19:55.020 --> 00:19:55.920
 in the thickets

00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.980
 in the Jordan?

00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.500
 The thickets of the Jordan

00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.880
 were known to be treacherous,

00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:00.840
 difficult to navigate,

00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:02.160
 and lions were known

00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:02.920
 to dwell there.

00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.860
 And so basically,

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.560
 God's saying that

00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:06.420
 things are going to get

00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.300
 even harder, Jeremiah.

00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:09.200
 God doesn't backpedal

00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.139
 and try to justify

00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:11.159
 himself to Jeremiah

00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:12.240
 because he doesn't need to.

00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.220
 He is God

00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:14.180
 and he's in the right

00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:14.819
 and it is his

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.680
 sovereign prerogative

00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:17.019
 to do what he wishes.

00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.940
 But so instead,

00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:20.059
 he tries to enlarge

00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.240
 Jeremiah's perspective.

00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.480
 You think the persecution

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.639
 that you're facing now

00:20:23.639 --> 00:20:24.200
 is evil?

00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.299
 You think that your

00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.099
 current suffering

00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:26.720
 is intense?

00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:29.039
 There's more in store.

00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.000
 You are ruffled

00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.960
 by the little plot

00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:33.039
 of your own villagers.

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.720
 What will you do

00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.559
 when the entire

00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.740
 Babylonian empire

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:38.579
 invades Judah

00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.420
 and threatens you?

00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.319
 What will you do

00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.259
 when you are exiled

00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.059
 out of Judah

00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.579
 among the pagan nations?

00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.920
 What will you do

00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.779
 when you are dealing

00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:48.240
 not with treacherous villagers

00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.519
 but with a hostile

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.680
 foreign army?

00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.299
 Seems a little bit

00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.799
 harsh, right?

00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.259
 But it's actually

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.819
 a very helpful

00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.059
 perspective to have

00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.319
 because often

00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.220
 when we are suffering,

00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:02.079
 we get tunnel vision,

00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.460
 don't we?

00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.620
 We fixate

00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.740
 on our own sufferings

00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.559
 and we let them,

00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.440
 our own sufferings,

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.620
 dominate our thoughts

00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:10.200
 and feelings.

00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.920
 We become self-focused

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.880
 and lose perspective

00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:13.720
 so that our relatively

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.779
 small problems

00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.620
 loom large

00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:16.940
 in our minds

00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.680
 and feel like

00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.559
 the biggest problems

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.620
 in the whole wide world.

00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.720
 And when that happens,

00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:23.299
 we wallow in self-pity

00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:25.000
 and lose the ability

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.279
 to be concerned

00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.960
 for others.

00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.420
 So by answering

00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.559
 Jeremiah in this manner,

00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.240
 God jolts Jeremiah

00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:34.240
 out of his self-focus

00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.599
 and self-pity.

00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.359
 And then,

00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.839
 in verses 7 to 13,

00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.120
 God reminds Jeremiah

00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:41.000
 that he will

00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.980
 be wicked

00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.839
 in the land.

00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.339
 When it comes to God,

00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.539
 justice delayed

00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:47.500
 is not justice denied

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.420
 because his judgments

00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.559
 and his timing

00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.660
 are perfect.

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.140
 God says this

00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.359
 in verses 7 to 13,

00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.900
 I have forsaken my house,

00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.880
 I have abandoned

00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.839
 my heritage,

00:21:58.180 --> 00:21:58.740
 I have given

00:21:58.740 --> 00:22:00.380
 the beloved of my soul

00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.580
 into the hands

00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:02.700
 of her enemies.

00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:04.880
 My heritage

00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:07.000
 has become to me

00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.800
 like a lion

00:22:07.800 --> 00:22:08.480
 in the forest.

00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.740
 She has lifted up

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.840
 her voice against me,

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.880
 therefore I hate her.

00:22:12.780 --> 00:22:14.380
 Is my heritage to me

00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.540
 like a hyena's lair?

00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:16.960
 Are the birds of prey

00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.360
 against her all around?

00:22:18.780 --> 00:22:19.740
 Go, assemble

00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.760
 all the wild beasts,

00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:22.020
 bring them to devour.

00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.480
 Many shepherds

00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.620
 have destroyed my vineyard,

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.340
 they have trampled

00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:26.460
 down my portion,

00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.360
 they have made

00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:28.380
 my pleasant portion

00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:30.360
 a desolate wilderness.

00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.760
 They have made

00:22:31.760 --> 00:22:32.800
 a desolation,

00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:34.200
 desolate it mourns to me.

00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.320
 The whole land

00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.180
 is made desolate

00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.040
 but no man

00:22:37.040 --> 00:22:38.060
 lays it to heart.

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.360
 The nouns

00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:42.500
 that God uses here

00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:44.060
 to describe Judah

00:22:44.060 --> 00:22:44.760
 are intimate

00:22:44.760 --> 00:22:45.840
 and personal, right?

00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.820
 He calls them

00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.940
 my house,

00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.660
 my dwelling place,

00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.940
 my family,

00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:51.720
 my home.

00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:53.460
 Then three times

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.060
 he calls them

00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:55.300
 my heritage,

00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.120
 meaning that Judah

00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:57.280
 is his inheritance

00:22:57.280 --> 00:22:58.680
 and special possession.

00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.320
 twice he calls them

00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.220
 my portion

00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.820
 and once he calls it

00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.920
 my vineyard.

00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.740
 But then when you take

00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.560
 these affectionate nouns,

00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:08.200
 terms,

00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.340
 and you pair them

00:23:09.340 --> 00:23:10.279
 with the verbs

00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.039
 that are used,

00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:12.500
 there is this stark contrast

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.860
 because God says

00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:15.279
 he has forsaken them,

00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.820
 abandoned them,

00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:18.019
 given them over

00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.700
 to their enemies

00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.920
 and hated them.

00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:22.920
 These jarring images,

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.080
 these pairings,

00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:25.060
 convey the fact

00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.500
 that it pains God

00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.839
 to punish his people.

00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:29.500
 Much like a father

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.599
 who hates having

00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.759
 to discipline his son

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:33.460
 but does so out of love

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.460
 in order to correct

00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:35.379
 and teach him,

00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:37.460
 God cherishes his people

00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:39.619
 yet he must forsake them.

00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:42.220
 He is for them

00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:44.519
 yet he must oppose them.

00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:46.299
 God loves them

00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:48.000
 yet he must treat them

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.200
 with hatred.

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.419
 Judah has become

00:23:51.419 --> 00:23:52.720
 a hyena's lair

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:54.120
 and the birds of prey

00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:57.319
 are circling above them

00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:57.819
 all around.

00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.680
 The hyenas

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:01.480
 already have a reputation

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.500
 for being scavengers,

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.600
 especially the type of hyenas

00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.740
 that live in the Middle East,

00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.880
 the striped hyenas.

00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.620
 But then on top of that,

00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:09.120
 the birds of prey,

00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.680
 vultures,

00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:11.319
 are also hovering over them

00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:12.579
 to consume whatever is left.

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:14.039
 So this really is an image,

00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:15.259
 a very grim image

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.400
 of complete death

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.200
 and devastation.

00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.759
 And it's so bad.

00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:20.660
 Four times

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:22.100
 in verses 10 to 11 alone,

00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.119
 Judah is described

00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:23.980
 as desolate,

00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.679
 desolate,

00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.319
 desolate,

00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:26.259
 desolation.

00:24:27.459 --> 00:24:28.439
 The shepherds

00:24:28.439 --> 00:24:29.459
 who represent the rulers

00:24:29.459 --> 00:24:30.740
 have destroyed Judah,

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.039
 have reduced it

00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.019
 to a wasteland.

00:24:35.719 --> 00:24:36.240
 But

00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:38.480
 God will not discipline

00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.579
 his people forever.

00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:42.379
 And verses 14 to 17

00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.599
 offer a glimmer of hope

00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:45.119
 and I'll expand on this later

00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.599
 but for now

00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.179
 I'll just read it

00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:46.779
 and go by it.

00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:48.259
 Read verses 14 to 17

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.319
 of chapter 12 with me.

00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:51.299
 Thus says the Lord

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:53.200
 concerning all my evil neighbors

00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.279
 who touched the heritage

00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:55.419
 that I have given my people

00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:56.359
 Israel to inherit.

00:24:56.939 --> 00:24:57.299
 Behold,

00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.359
 I will pluck them up

00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:59.019
 from their land.

00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.859
 I will pluck up

00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.639
 the house of Judah

00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:01.379
 from among them.

00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:03.000
 And after I pluck them up,

00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.899
 I will again

00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:05.299
 have compassion on them.

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.299
 And I will bring them again

00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.480
 each to his heritage

00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.960
 and each to his land.

00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:11.599
 And it shall come to pass

00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:13.159
 if they will diligently

00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.980
 learn the ways

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.759
 of my people

00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:16.359
 to swear by my name

00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.419
 as the Lord lives,

00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.560
 even as they taught

00:25:18.560 --> 00:25:19.980
 my people to swear by Baal.

00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:22.100
 Then they shall be built up

00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:23.039
 in the midst of my people.

00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.320
 But if any nation

00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:25.100
 will not listen,

00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.960
 then I will utterly

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.580
 pluck it up

00:25:26.580 --> 00:25:27.300
 and destroy it,

00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:28.320
 declares the Lord.

00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:31.000
 All those neighboring nations

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.000
 who have violated

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.920
 God's heritage

00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:34.680
 too will be punished

00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.220
 by God

00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.060
 for their wickedness.

00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.279
 And God will

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.700
 eventually pluck out

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.200
 his people

00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.259
 from their lands,

00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.279
 from their exile

00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.240
 and restore them

00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.960
 to their heritage.

00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.380
 And even though

00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:45.120
 God's punishment

00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:46.160
 of Judah is severe,

00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.880
 his intention

00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.640
 we see here

00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.660
 is not to destroy

00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.320
 them completely

00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:50.720
 but to discipline them

00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.560
 and restore them.

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.019
 So God promises

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.940
 I will again

00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:55.300
 have compassion on them

00:25:55.300 --> 00:25:56.380
 and I will bring them again

00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.080
 each to his heritage

00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:58.240
 and each to his own land.

00:25:59.060 --> 00:25:59.759
 But not only,

00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.740
 this is not limited

00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.440
 to God's people

00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.000
 because he will,

00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.680
 not only will he

00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.660
 save his own people

00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.759
 at that point

00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.680
 in time in the future,

00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.840
 he will also offer

00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:08.040
 salvation to those

00:26:08.040 --> 00:26:09.400
 from the foreign nations

00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:11.300
 who forsake their idols

00:26:11.300 --> 00:26:12.740
 and diligently learn

00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:14.000
 the ways of God's people.

00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:16.980
 But nations

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.059
 that refuse to listen

00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.720
 will be utterly

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.299
 plucked up

00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.799
 and destroyed.

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:22.200
 So we saw here

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.859
 the picture,

00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:23.759
 the profile

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.720
 of a broken,

00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.019
 a disillusioned prophet.

00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.259
 And now finally

00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.539
 in the last chapter

00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.079
 we see

00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:30.420
 the damaged pride

00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.160
 of Judah.

00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.599
 Why is God doing this?

00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.759
 In chapter 13

00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.819
 verses 1 to 12,

00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.140
 God commands Jeremiah

00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.859
 to perform

00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:40.119
 a symbolic act,

00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.059
 a prophetic act

00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.119
 that will represent

00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.559
 the damaged pride

00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.359
 of Judah.

00:26:44.939 --> 00:26:45.939
 He says to Jeremiah

00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.819
 in verse 1,

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.019
 chapter 13,

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.519
 go and buy

00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.559
 a linen loincloth

00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.379
 and put it around

00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:51.899
 your waist

00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:53.139
 and do not dip it

00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:53.679
 in water.

00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:55.679
 Linen loincloth

00:26:55.679 --> 00:26:56.399
 that is never

00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.279
 dipped in water

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.039
 means that it's

00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.000
 never been washed.

00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.179
 It's clean

00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:00.959
 and it's dry,

00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.000
 it's brand new.

00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.019
 And even if,

00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.479
 because even if

00:27:03.479 --> 00:27:04.399
 it's just one wash,

00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:05.259
 when you wash linen

00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.679
 you could tell right away,

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.799
 right, it's not brand new.

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.099
 And so he wants,

00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:10.059
 God wants to make sure

00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.139
 that Jeremiah purchases

00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.259
 and wear something

00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.020
 that is brand new.

00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.400
 And the Old Testament

00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.800
 prophets traditionally

00:27:15.800 --> 00:27:17.060
 wore these kind of

00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:18.300
 coarse cloths

00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:21.340
 and a coarse tunic

00:27:21.340 --> 00:27:22.120
 and they wore

00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:23.240
 kind of a cloak

00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.480
 made of hair over it,

00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.060
 kind of a rough,

00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.880
 kind of wild looking

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.600
 really attire.

00:27:28.300 --> 00:27:30.080
 And because of that,

00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:32.160
 and because the linen

00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.420
 loincloth

00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.620
 was a priestly garment,

00:27:35.300 --> 00:27:35.720
 for example,

00:27:35.800 --> 00:27:36.920
 it says in Leviticus 16,

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.080
 that priests are supposed

00:27:38.080 --> 00:27:39.700
 to put on a linen coat,

00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.800
 a linen undergarment,

00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.619
 a linen sash,

00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.440
 and a linen turban.

00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.240
 Everything was linen.

00:27:43.659 --> 00:27:44.259
 So they're like,

00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.079
 they look rich

00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.740
 and they look like

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.639
 they're part of the nobility,

00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:46.919
 right,

00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.619
 unlike the prophets.

00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:49.039
 So for a prominent

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.559
 and recognizable prophet

00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.259
 like Jeremiah

00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.480
 to put on

00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.740
 a priestly garment

00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.779
 made of linen

00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.940
 would have stuck out

00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.940
 like a sore thumb

00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.859
 among the people

00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.539
 in their community.

00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.700
 So they would have

00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.399
 recognized him,

00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.200
 it would have been

00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.919
 kind of a spectacle

00:28:01.919 --> 00:28:02.440
 to behold.

00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.819
 Man, what is this guy doing?

00:28:03.919 --> 00:28:05.119
 He's in his right mind.

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:07.139
 He's wearing a priestly tunic.

00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:09.220
 And then verse 3,

00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.960
 at a later time,

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.880
 it says the word of God

00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:11.600
 came to him again.

00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.380
 The word of God

00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:12.839
 came to Jeremiah

00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.600
 a second time.

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.600
 And this time,

00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.620
 God says in verse 4,

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.019
 take the lowing cloth

00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.860
 that you have bought,

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.360
 which is around your waist,

00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.380
 and arise,

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.579
 go to the Euphrates,

00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.500
 and hide it there

00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.779
 in a cleft of the rock.

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.579
 The Euphrates River

00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:27.759
 was about 350 miles

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:29.120
 northeast of Anathos,

00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.380
 Jeremiah's hometown.

00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.839
 So a round trip

00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.319
 in those days

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.779
 would have taken

00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.680
 about three months.

00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.560
 So Jeremiah's

00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:36.600
 extended disappearance

00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:38.100
 certainly would have

00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:39.019
 attracted the attention

00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:40.080
 of the men of Anathoth,

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.960
 especially because

00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.920
 they were already annoyed

00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:44.039
 by his constant preaching

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.720
 about judgment.

00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.299
 And because the linen

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.940
 lowing cloth

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.940
 had been an object

00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:50.019
 of community gossip,

00:28:50.580 --> 00:28:51.940
 and he was so out of place,

00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.160
 when he returned

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.940
 after three months

00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.500
 of disappearance

00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:55.779
 without the lowing cloth,

00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:56.440
 that would have also

00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.299
 been a talking point,

00:28:57.340 --> 00:28:57.860
 and people would have

00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.480
 been aware of it.

00:28:59.100 --> 00:29:01.019
 Then in verses 6-7 says,

00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.359
 After many days

00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.400
 the Lord said to me,

00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:05.339
 Arise, go to the Euphrates,

00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.819
 and take from there

00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.539
 the lowing cloth

00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.420
 that I commanded you

00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.079
 to hide there.

00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.740
 Then I went to the Euphrates

00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.400
 and dug,

00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.700
 and I took the lowing cloth

00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.379
 from the place

00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.200
 where I had hidden it.

00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.160
 And behold,

00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.019
 the lowing cloth

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.799
 was spoiled.

00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.819
 It was good for nothing.

00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.500
 And then God explains

00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:23.339
 what all this was about

00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.940
 in verses 9-11.

00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.559
 Thus says the Lord,

00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:28.539
 Even so will I spoil

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:30.079
 the pride of Judah

00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.500
 and the great pride

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.099
 of Jerusalem.

00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.679
 This evil people

00:29:33.679 --> 00:29:35.500
 who refuse to hear my words,

00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:37.039
 who stubbornly follow

00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.879
 their own heart

00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.779
 and have gone after

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:40.099
 other gods to serve them

00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.859
 and worship them,

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.139
 they shall be like

00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:43.000
 this lowing cloth

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.119
 which is good for nothing.

00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.000
 For as the lowing cloth

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.039
 clings to the waist

00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.579
 of a man,

00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.759
 so I made the whole

00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.639
 house of Israel

00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.799
 and the whole house

00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:52.119
 of Judah cling to me,

00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:53.059
 declares the Lord,

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:54.079
 that they might be

00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.059
 for me a people,

00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:55.879
 a name,

00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.559
 a praise,

00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.379
 and a glory,

00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:59.960
 but they would not listen.

00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:03.159
 When God first made

00:30:03.159 --> 00:30:03.659
 his covenant

00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:04.359
 with his people

00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.899
 in Exodus 19-6,

00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.559
 he told them

00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.460
 that you shall be

00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:09.279
 a kingdom of priests

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:11.119
 and the priesthood

00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.139
 and the temple

00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:13.159
 were the points

00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:14.079
 of pride

00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.819
 for Judah and Israel

00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:17.240
 and so the priestly

00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.019
 linen garment,

00:30:18.159 --> 00:30:18.759
 the loincloth

00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.759
 that Jeremiah placed

00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.439
 around his waist

00:30:20.439 --> 00:30:21.599
 represent God's people.

00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:22.740
 They were supposed

00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.679
 to cling to him,

00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.859
 to belong to him,

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.699
 and to represent

00:30:25.699 --> 00:30:26.559
 his name,

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.419
 a people,

00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.399
 and for his praise

00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:28.900
 and glory,

00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:29.800
 but they refused

00:30:29.800 --> 00:30:30.600
 to listen to him.

00:30:31.320 --> 00:30:32.019
 And also,

00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:33.540
 both the Assyrian Empire

00:30:33.540 --> 00:30:35.240
 and the Babylonian Empire

00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.240
 are in the direction

00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.320
 of the Euphrates River.

00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:38.600
 So the Euphrates

00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:40.500
 represents the corrupting

00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.600
 influence and idolatry

00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.320
 of these nations.

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.360
 Having spent too much time

00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.000
 with the nations,

00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:45.640
 Judah,

00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:46.320
 the new,

00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:47.019
 fresh,

00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:48.280
 and clean linen

00:30:48.280 --> 00:30:49.060
 loincloth,

00:30:49.360 --> 00:30:50.519
 bought specially

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:52.660
 for God himself,

00:30:53.060 --> 00:30:54.120
 has been ruined,

00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.519
 spoiled,

00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.559
 good for nothing.

00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.319
 Then,

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.879
 in verses 12 to 14,

00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:07.200
 God repurposes

00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:08.180
 a popular saying

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.740
 that was probably

00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.879
 thrown about in parties.

00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.660
 Every jar shall be

00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.539
 filled with wine.

00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.859
 It sounds like something

00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.960
 that the host of a party

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.599
 would say, right?

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.700
 Or a guest

00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.660
 that loves to drink

00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:18.940
 would say,

00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.680
 let's party it up,

00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.420
 fill all the glass,

00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.559
 let no glass be empty.

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.779
 Let every jar

00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:24.559
 be filled with wine.

00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:26.319
 But,

00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:28.200
 God twisted around,

00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.359
 he tells Jeremiah to say,

00:31:29.919 --> 00:31:30.899
 when people respond,

00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:32.379
 do we not indeed know

00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:33.019
 that every jar

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.980
 will be filled with wine?

00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.220
 Of course.

00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:37.159
 But then God says,

00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:38.339
 in verses 13 to 14,

00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.539
 then you shall say to them,

00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.759
 thus says the Lord,

00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.259
 behold,

00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:42.500
 I will fill

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:44.359
 with drunkenness

00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.799
 all the inhabitants

00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.639
 of this land.

00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:48.139
 The kings who sit

00:31:48.139 --> 00:31:49.119
 on David's throne,

00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:49.779
 the priests,

00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:50.460
 the prophets,

00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.399
 and all the inhabitants

00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:52.019
 of Jerusalem.

00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:53.599
 And I will dash them

00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.900
 one against another,

00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.500
 fathers and sons together,

00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.819
 declares the Lord.

00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.920
 I will not pity

00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.539
 or spare

00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.559
 or have compassion

00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.519
 that I should not

00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.460
 destroy them.

00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.700
 It's a shocking twist

00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.299
 of the image

00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:07.319
 of merriment and partying.

00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.339
 Instead of being

00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:09.220
 full of cheers,

00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:10.579
 these people of Judah

00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.180
 will be filled

00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:12.160
 with drunkenness.

00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.819
 Instead of the clinking

00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.799
 and toasting

00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.680
 of wine glasses,

00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:17.200
 they will be shattering

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:18.220
 and dashing.

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.119
 God says,

00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:20.299
 I will not pity

00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.159
 or spare

00:32:21.159 --> 00:32:22.059
 or have compassion

00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.979
 that I should not

00:32:22.979 --> 00:32:23.719
 destroy them.

00:32:24.679 --> 00:32:25.639
 So having proclaimed

00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:26.559
 God's judgment

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:28.039
 with these vivid images,

00:32:28.439 --> 00:32:29.799
 Jeremiah finally pleads

00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:31.699
 with his fellow countrymen

00:32:31.699 --> 00:32:33.559
 in verses 15 to 17.

00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:36.719
 Hear and give ear.

00:32:37.239 --> 00:32:38.359
 Be not proud

00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:39.739
 for the Lord has spoken.

00:32:40.459 --> 00:32:41.559
 Give glory to the Lord,

00:32:41.639 --> 00:32:42.039
 your God,

00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:43.379
 before he brings darkness,

00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:44.919
 before your feet stumble

00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:46.199
 on the twilight mountains.

00:32:46.479 --> 00:32:47.739
 And while you look for light,

00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.059
 he turns it into gloom.

00:32:49.119 --> 00:32:50.899
 And makes it deep darkness.

00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:53.139
 But if you will not listen,

00:32:53.439 --> 00:32:55.099
 my soul will weep in secret

00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.979
 for your pride.

00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:58.500
 My eyes will weep bitterly

00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.799
 and run down with tears

00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:01.039
 because the Lord's flock

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.639
 has been taken captive.

00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:05.500
 The command to hear

00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.379
 or listen again

00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:07.299
 is repeated twice

00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:08.000
 in this passage.

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.199
 And each time,

00:33:09.379 --> 00:33:10.539
 it's used in conjunction

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.779
 with the word pride,

00:33:11.979 --> 00:33:12.599
 which is repeated

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.739
 side by side.

00:33:14.479 --> 00:33:15.179
 Verse 15 says,

00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.339
 Hear and give ear.

00:33:16.399 --> 00:33:17.159
 Be not proud.

00:33:17.679 --> 00:33:18.500
 And verse 17 says,

00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.660
 But if you will not listen,

00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.859
 my soul will weep

00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:22.359
 in secret for your pride.

00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:24.440
 If the people do not listen,

00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.759
 then Jeremiah will weep

00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:27.619
 because of their stubborn pride.

00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:30.460
 This repetition reveals the fact

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.720
 that it is pride

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.940
 that prevents people

00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:34.640
 from listening to God.

00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:36.460
 It's not because

00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:37.359
 they can't hear him.

00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:39.660
 It's because of their pride.

00:33:40.619 --> 00:33:41.680
 They are like travelers

00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.640
 on the mountains

00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.900
 who are lighthearted

00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:45.140
 and lightfooted

00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:46.259
 until suddenly

00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:48.019
 the light begins to fade

00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:49.720
 and they lose their way.

00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:52.940
 Prideful people think

00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.900
 that they know best

00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:55.000
 so they don't solicit

00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:55.620
 others' opinions

00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.440
 and they don't listen.

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:59.220
 Prideful people think

00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.180
 they can do no wrong

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:01.360
 so they do not listen

00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:02.440
 when they are corrected

00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:03.360
 or challenged.

00:34:03.820 --> 00:34:04.500
 In this manner,

00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:05.640
 the people of Judah

00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.660
 were proud

00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.620
 and refused

00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.860
 to listen to God.

00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.660
 Judah was proud

00:34:10.660 --> 00:34:11.519
 of its identity,

00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:13.059
 proud of its heritage,

00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:14.840
 proud of its knowledge

00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:16.480
 and this is precisely

00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.719
 why God said earlier

00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.519
 in verse 9,

00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:20.440
 even so will I spoil

00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.900
 the pride of Judah

00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:23.460
 and the great pride

00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.119
 of Jerusalem.

00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:25.679
 Why is this judgment

00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.099
 happening?

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.460
 Why are these nations

00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.460
 coming to invade Judah?

00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:29.820
 Because their pride

00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:31.259
 must be broken down

00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:32.699
 so that they can finally

00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.539
 hear the Lord

00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:35.460
 and be the people

00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:37.400
 that He intended them to be.

00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.460
 God's judgment

00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.380
 will leave Judah

00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:43.119
 with the damaged pride

00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:43.960
 like the ruined

00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.900
 loincloth.

00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:48.340
 And then He mentions

00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.480
 the exile,

00:34:49.640 --> 00:34:50.940
 how they'll be captive

00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:52.480
 and then in verse 23,

00:34:53.180 --> 00:34:53.760
 He mentions

00:34:53.760 --> 00:34:55.940
 how incorrigible they are.

00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.700
 They're so stubborn,

00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.619
 they cannot be changed.

00:34:57.760 --> 00:34:58.380
 Verse 23,

00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:58.840
 He says,

00:34:59.220 --> 00:35:00.200
 Can the Ethiopian

00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:01.140
 change his skin

00:35:01.140 --> 00:35:02.099
 or the leopard

00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:02.960
 his spots?

00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.160
 Then also,

00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:05.160
 you can do good

00:35:05.160 --> 00:35:05.960
 who are accustomed

00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:07.119
 to do evil.

00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:09.960
 The answer to the rhetorical

00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:11.440
 question is no.

00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:11.920
 Right?

00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:14.199
 A black man cannot

00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:15.239
 become a white man

00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:16.500
 nor vice versa.

00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.920
 A leopard cannot erase

00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:19.980
 its spotted skin.

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.679
 If this were possible,

00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:23.440
 then Judah could change

00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.279
 and do good too.

00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.579
 But as it is,

00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:26.579
 it's not possible.

00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:27.420
 So Judah,

00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.279
 which is accustomed

00:35:28.279 --> 00:35:29.019
 to do evil,

00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:30.599
 cannot change.

00:35:31.339 --> 00:35:32.420
 They are beyond

00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.519
 correction.

00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:36.099
 So God Himself,

00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:36.519
 He says,

00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:37.119
 will expose

00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.980
 their shameful sins.

00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:39.880
 He says in verses 26 to 27,

00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:41.900
 I myself will lift up

00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:43.179
 your skirts over your face

00:35:43.179 --> 00:35:44.239
 and your shame

00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:44.920
 will be seen.

00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:45.880
 I have seen

00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:46.840
 your abominations,

00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.920
 your adulteries

00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.599
 and names,

00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.840
 your lewd whorings

00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.820
 on the hills

00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:51.719
 in the fields.

00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.840
 Woe to you,

00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.460
 O Jerusalem!

00:35:53.719 --> 00:35:54.820
 How long will it be

00:35:54.820 --> 00:35:56.480
 before you are made clean?

00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.619
 God describes

00:35:58.619 --> 00:35:59.219
 their idolatry

00:35:59.219 --> 00:35:59.980
 as adultery

00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:00.759
 and whoring.

00:36:01.699 --> 00:36:03.039
 Judah had so thoroughly

00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:03.739
 and repeatedly

00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:04.659
 broken their covenant

00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:05.199
 with God.

00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:06.719
 God had to enforce

00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:07.820
 the terms of the covenant

00:36:07.820 --> 00:36:09.019
 by bringing the stipulated

00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.199
 punishments that were there.

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:12.320
 And it's important

00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.460
 that we recognize

00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:15.059
 this heinous nature

00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:15.579
 of sin

00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.599
 and that's how we have

00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.980
 all sinned against God too.

00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:20.900
 We are all adulterers.

00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:23.579
 God has been a kind,

00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.920
 devoted husband to us.

00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.679
 All His thoughts

00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:29.139
 and actions toward us

00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:30.659
 have been full of love

00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.960
 and good will.

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:33.519
 He has never once

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.480
 let us down

00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:36.579
 or cheated on us.

00:36:37.199 --> 00:36:38.659
 Yet He found us

00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:40.460
 sleeping with other lovers

00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:42.159
 brazenly

00:36:42.159 --> 00:36:44.000
 and repeatedly

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:46.559
 like the people of Judah

00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:49.400
 and like the people of Judah

00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:50.639
 who presumed that just because

00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.420
 they had the temple

00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.159
 in their midst

00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:53.380
 that, oh no,

00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.360
 God can't leave us.

00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.780
 His temple is here with us.

00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:57.220
 In a similar way,

00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:59.179
 we're like this adulterous wife.

00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:02.779
 I have this wedding ring.

00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:04.919
 My husband can never leave me.

00:37:06.859 --> 00:37:08.000
 And brazenly and repeatedly,

00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:10.099
 we cheat again and again

00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:12.639
 and we ignore God's heartfelt call

00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.799
 to return to Him.

00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:16.679
 That's the true picture of sin

00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:18.839
 of which we are all guilty.

00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:21.859
 We have all broken this covenant.

00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:22.059
 covenant.

00:37:22.840 --> 00:37:24.340
 So then how can we be restored

00:37:24.340 --> 00:37:25.720
 to right relationship with God?

00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:28.019
 How can we mend

00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:29.680
 this broken covenant?

00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.039
 Actually,

00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:33.260
 technically speaking,

00:37:33.740 --> 00:37:35.380
 our situation is even worse than that

00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:37.099
 because most of us

00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:37.880
 weren't even part

00:37:37.880 --> 00:37:38.800
 of the initial covenant

00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:39.780
 with God

00:37:39.780 --> 00:37:40.500
 because we're not

00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:41.280
 ethnic descendants

00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:42.079
 of Abraham,

00:37:42.620 --> 00:37:42.900
 Isaac,

00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:43.420
 and Jacob.

00:37:43.980 --> 00:37:44.380
 Instead,

00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:46.640
 we were part of the evil nations

00:37:46.640 --> 00:37:47.760
 mentioned in chapter 12

00:37:47.760 --> 00:37:48.720
 verses 14 to 7

00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:50.440
 that taught Israel and Judah

00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.720
 all their idolatries.

00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:54.280
 We deserve far worse judgment

00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:55.800
 than Israel and Judah.

00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:58.099
 Yet in chapter 12 verse 16,

00:37:58.440 --> 00:38:00.079
 God extends a lifeline

00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:01.220
 even to us.

00:38:01.599 --> 00:38:01.940
 He says,

00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:03.200
 and He shall come to pass

00:38:03.200 --> 00:38:04.380
 if they will diligently

00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:05.659
 learn the ways of My people

00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.900
 to swear by My name

00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:08.059
 as the Lord lives,

00:38:08.220 --> 00:38:09.099
 even as they taught

00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:10.740
 My people to swear by Baal,

00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:12.579
 then they shall be built up

00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:13.760
 in the midst of My people.

00:38:14.240 --> 00:38:15.119
 God promised

00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:16.420
 that that day will come

00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:18.119
 when even the people

00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:19.179
 who were not included

00:38:19.179 --> 00:38:20.539
 as a part of His covenant

00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:22.559
 will be invited in

00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.699
 to be included

00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:24.699
 among God's people.

00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:25.759
 And that day

00:38:25.759 --> 00:38:26.759
 came to pass

00:38:26.759 --> 00:38:27.980
 when the Son of God

00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.739
 became a man

00:38:28.739 --> 00:38:29.779
 to live among us,

00:38:29.859 --> 00:38:30.880
 to save us.

00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:32.500
 When Jesus Christ came

00:38:32.500 --> 00:38:33.079
 and He lived

00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:34.819
 a life of perfect obedience

00:38:34.819 --> 00:38:36.259
 and covenant faithfulness

00:38:36.259 --> 00:38:37.179
 to God His Father,

00:38:37.579 --> 00:38:39.059
 and then He died on the cross

00:38:39.059 --> 00:38:40.579
 not for His own sins,

00:38:40.759 --> 00:38:42.079
 but for our sins,

00:38:42.219 --> 00:38:43.219
 for the sins of those people

00:38:43.219 --> 00:38:44.239
 He came to save.

00:38:44.619 --> 00:38:45.039
 And then,

00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:46.519
 when He did not stay dead

00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:47.099
 in defeat,

00:38:47.259 --> 00:38:48.519
 but rose victoriously

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.699
 to give new life

00:38:49.699 --> 00:38:50.519
 to all those

00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:51.820
 who would trust in Him,

00:38:52.860 --> 00:38:55.920
 that's when we have given

00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:56.619
 this opportunity

00:38:56.619 --> 00:38:57.699
 to be brought

00:38:57.699 --> 00:38:58.659
 into the covenant.

00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:01.599
 Christ is the one

00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:02.400
 who makes a way

00:39:02.400 --> 00:39:03.340
 for those who have

00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:04.239
 broken the covenant

00:39:04.239 --> 00:39:05.679
 as well as those

00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:06.539
 who were excluded

00:39:06.539 --> 00:39:07.280
 from the covenant.

00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:10.000
 And I'll close

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:11.000
 by reading this

00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:12.440
 from Hebrews 9,

00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:13.480
 15 to 26.

00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:14.719
 This is how Christ

00:39:14.719 --> 00:39:15.759
 fulfilled this.

00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:17.920
 Therefore,

00:39:18.719 --> 00:39:20.500
 Christ is the mediator

00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:21.659
 of a new covenant

00:39:21.659 --> 00:39:23.119
 so that those

00:39:23.119 --> 00:39:24.159
 who are called

00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:25.019
 may receive

00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:25.739
 the promised

00:39:25.739 --> 00:39:26.900
 eternal inheritance

00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:28.460
 since a death

00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.159
 has occurred

00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:30.599
 that redeems them

00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.900
 from the transgressions

00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:32.759
 committed under

00:39:32.759 --> 00:39:33.699
 the first covenant.

00:39:35.239 --> 00:39:36.739
 Not even the first covenant

00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:37.599
 was inaugurated

00:39:37.599 --> 00:39:38.300
 without blood.

00:39:38.759 --> 00:39:40.099
 For when every commandment

00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:40.539
 of the law

00:39:40.539 --> 00:39:41.239
 had been declared

00:39:41.239 --> 00:39:42.559
 by Moses to all the people,

00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:43.739
 he took the blood

00:39:43.739 --> 00:39:44.800
 of calves and goats

00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:45.440
 with water

00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:46.420
 and scarlet wool

00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:46.980
 and hyssop

00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:48.160
 and sprinkled both

00:39:48.160 --> 00:39:49.019
 the book itself

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.840
 and all the people.

00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:51.260
 Indeed,

00:39:51.560 --> 00:39:52.360
 under the law

00:39:52.360 --> 00:39:53.220
 almost everything

00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:54.380
 is purified with blood

00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:55.660
 and without the shedding

00:39:55.660 --> 00:39:56.100
 of blood

00:39:56.100 --> 00:39:57.019
 there is no forgiveness

00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:57.740
 of sins.

00:39:58.200 --> 00:39:58.400
 Thus,

00:39:58.460 --> 00:39:59.240
 it was necessary

00:39:59.240 --> 00:40:00.260
 for the copies

00:40:00.260 --> 00:40:01.519
 of the heavenly things

00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:02.620
 to be purified

00:40:02.620 --> 00:40:03.539
 with these rites.

00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.980
 But the heavenly things

00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:05.580
 themselves

00:40:05.580 --> 00:40:07.760
 with better sacrifices

00:40:07.760 --> 00:40:08.340
 than these.

00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:09.960
 for Christ has entered

00:40:09.960 --> 00:40:11.280
 not into holy places

00:40:11.280 --> 00:40:12.320
 made with hands

00:40:12.320 --> 00:40:13.300
 which are copies

00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:14.059
 of the true things

00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:15.640
 but into heaven itself

00:40:15.640 --> 00:40:16.920
 now to appear

00:40:16.920 --> 00:40:17.860
 in the presence of God

00:40:17.860 --> 00:40:18.579
 on our behalf.

00:40:19.039 --> 00:40:20.300
 Nor was it to offer himself

00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:20.980
 repeatedly

00:40:20.980 --> 00:40:21.860
 as the high priest

00:40:21.860 --> 00:40:22.940
 enters the holy places

00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:23.480
 every year

00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:24.600
 with blood not his own

00:40:24.600 --> 00:40:25.940
 for then he would have

00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:27.180
 had to suffer repeatedly

00:40:27.180 --> 00:40:28.420
 since the foundation

00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:29.160
 of the world

00:40:29.160 --> 00:40:30.539
 but as it is

00:40:30.539 --> 00:40:32.500
 he has appeared

00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.740
 once for all

00:40:33.740 --> 00:40:35.240
 at the end of the ages

00:40:35.240 --> 00:40:36.579
 to put away sin

00:40:36.579 --> 00:40:37.980
 by the sacrifice

00:40:37.980 --> 00:40:39.099
 of himself.

00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:42.360
 The Old Testament temple

00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:43.980
 was merely a copy

00:40:43.980 --> 00:40:44.440
 of heaven

00:40:44.440 --> 00:40:46.500
 and the sacrifices

00:40:46.500 --> 00:40:47.599
 of the old covenant

00:40:47.599 --> 00:40:48.880
 were mere copies

00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:50.559
 of the ultimate sacrifice

00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:52.000
 that Christ would make

00:40:52.000 --> 00:40:53.079
 on the cross.

00:40:54.179 --> 00:40:56.099
 And so Jesus accomplishes

00:40:56.099 --> 00:40:56.699
 for us

00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:57.519
 what Jeremiah

00:40:57.519 --> 00:40:58.500
 could not accomplish

00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:59.519
 for Judah.

00:41:01.299 --> 00:41:03.299
 Jeremiah said

00:41:03.299 --> 00:41:04.239
 what God said

00:41:04.239 --> 00:41:05.380
 in chapter 11 verse 15

00:41:05.380 --> 00:41:07.079
 even sacrificial flesh

00:41:07.079 --> 00:41:08.960
 can't avert their doom.

00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:10.300
 What the sacrifice

00:41:10.300 --> 00:41:10.940
 of animals

00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:11.780
 could not accomplish

00:41:11.780 --> 00:41:13.039
 Christ's once

00:41:13.039 --> 00:41:13.940
 and for all sacrifice

00:41:13.940 --> 00:41:14.460
 on the cross

00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:15.920
 accomplishes for us.

00:41:16.800 --> 00:41:17.680
 Jeremiah was only

00:41:17.680 --> 00:41:18.780
 threatened with death

00:41:18.780 --> 00:41:19.800
 to be led like a lamb

00:41:19.800 --> 00:41:20.400
 to the slaughter

00:41:20.400 --> 00:41:22.320
 but that same description

00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.340
 is applied to Jesus

00:41:23.340 --> 00:41:24.680
 in Acts 8 32

00:41:24.680 --> 00:41:25.900
 because he is

00:41:25.900 --> 00:41:26.519
 the ultimate

00:41:26.519 --> 00:41:27.559
 slaughtered lamb

00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:28.860
 who takes away

00:41:28.860 --> 00:41:29.440
 the sin

00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:30.340
 of the world.

00:41:30.340 --> 00:41:33.740
 we cannot change

00:41:33.740 --> 00:41:34.140
 ourselves

00:41:34.140 --> 00:41:35.340
 we cannot save

00:41:35.340 --> 00:41:36.019
 ourselves

00:41:36.019 --> 00:41:38.019
 but Christ

00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:40.280
 has saved us

00:41:40.280 --> 00:41:41.680
 has died for us

00:41:41.680 --> 00:41:42.700
 and he's opened up

00:41:42.700 --> 00:41:43.400
 this new covenant

00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:44.539
 to all those

00:41:44.539 --> 00:41:45.500
 who would cling to him.

00:41:45.500 --> 00:42:02.539
 unfulfilled

00:42:03.539 --> 00:42:03.860
 to the end