WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.839 So we are in 2 Samuel chapter 14 this morning, 2 Samuel chapter 14. 00:00:07.240 --> 00:00:11.540 Before I read the passage for us, let me just give a few words of introduction. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:16.500 What you need to know if you're new this morning or you're visiting or here for the first time, 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:20.440 let me tell you that we are partway through a series in the book of 2 Samuel. 00:00:20.580 --> 00:00:25.500 We had a pause for the summer holidays and we are now back in 2 Samuel. 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:29.679 So I haven't just picked 2 Samuel chapter 14 at random, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.539 what we try and do as a church is work our way through the Bible together, 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:37.659 taking each passage as it comes. 00:00:38.120 --> 00:00:41.920 Our conviction is that as the Bible is opened and explained, 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:46.879 we experience God speaking to us because this is not just human words. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:48.500 This is not just what people have thought. 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:50.320 This is what God himself has thought. 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:57.519 And so our pattern as a church is just to take book by book and work our way through chapter by chapter. 00:00:57.520 --> 00:01:01.440 That's the sort of the common diet, if you like, on a Sunday morning. 00:01:01.960 --> 00:01:04.380 But before I read this passage, and in case you're new to it, 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:07.420 it might just be helpful for me to give you a few words of introduction. 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:13.719 2 Samuel is the record of King David, King of Israel. 00:01:13.980 --> 00:01:17.420 You might have heard of King David, Israel's most famous king. 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:22.560 And 2 Samuel is the sort of the account about how David became king, 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:26.799 what happened while he was king, and what it was like to live in his kingdom. 00:01:27.060 --> 00:01:30.000 There's a historical record of that. 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:34.400 But it's a mistake to think that 2 Samuel is just history. 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:39.460 You know, this is not written so that you could pass a GCSE history exam. 00:01:39.520 --> 00:01:43.879 You know when you had to remember all the dates for GCSE history or that sort of thing? 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:48.479 And it's not that. It's not written so that you might just remember what happened in a kind of, 00:01:48.839 --> 00:01:50.659 these are important facts for you to know. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:51.319 No, it's not that. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:54.340 It's better to think that 2 Samuel, he's a preacher. 00:01:55.039 --> 00:01:58.659 And what he's doing is he's taking these historical accounts of the life of David, 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.239 and he's preaching them to you, to me, 00:02:01.699 --> 00:02:05.280 that we might learn not just about King David and life in his kingdom, 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:09.359 but that we might learn about King David's God and life in his kingdom. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:13.780 So 2 Samuel is a preacher. He's got a message for us to hear. 00:02:14.420 --> 00:02:17.960 So with that in mind, I'm going to read to you 2 Samuel chapter 14. 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:19.020 I'm going to read the whole chapter. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:22.560 I'm going to try and read it a balance between not being too fast, 00:02:22.640 --> 00:02:25.740 but not so slow that we're still reading at lunchtime. 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:28.040 So here we go, 2 Samuel chapter 14. 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:33.960 Joab, son of Zariah, knew that the king's heart longed for Absalom. 00:02:33.960 --> 00:02:39.700 So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:41.800 He said to her, pretend you are in mourning. 00:02:41.980 --> 00:02:45.340 Dress in mourning clothes and don't use any cosmetic lotions. 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:48.760 Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead. 00:02:49.360 --> 00:02:52.300 Then go to the king and speak these words to him. 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:54.860 Joab put the words in her mouth. 00:02:55.659 --> 00:02:57.960 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, 00:02:58.080 --> 00:03:01.240 she fell with her face to the ground to pay him honour. 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:03.700 And she said, help me, your majesty. 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:06.580 The king asked her, what's troubling you? 00:03:07.260 --> 00:03:08.340 She said, I am a widow. 00:03:08.920 --> 00:03:10.060 My husband is dead. 00:03:10.820 --> 00:03:12.520 I, your servant, had two sons. 00:03:12.640 --> 00:03:14.620 They got into a fight with each other in the field 00:03:14.620 --> 00:03:16.520 and no one was there to separate them. 00:03:16.860 --> 00:03:18.760 One struck the other and killed him. 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:21.480 Now the whole clan has risen up against your servant. 00:03:21.600 --> 00:03:24.280 They say, hand over the one who struck his brother down 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:27.520 so that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed. 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:30.740 Then we will get rid of the heir as well. 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:34.360 They would put out the only burning coal I have left, 00:03:35.040 --> 00:03:40.900 leaving my, sorry, leaving my husband neither name nor descendant on the face of the earth. 00:03:41.540 --> 00:03:45.640 The king said to the woman, go home and I will issue an order on your behalf. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:48.020 But the woman from Tekoa said to him, 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:50.660 let my lord the king pardon me and my family 00:03:50.660 --> 00:03:52.820 and let the king and his throne be without guilt. 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:57.540 The king replied, if anyone, if anyone says anything to you, 00:03:57.540 --> 00:03:59.920 bring them to me and they will not bother you again. 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:01.299 She said, 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:07.200 Then let the king invoke the lord his god to prevent the avenger of blood from adding to the destruction 00:04:07.200 --> 00:04:09.200 so that my son shall not be destroyed. 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:15.740 As surely as the lord lives, he said, not one hair of your son's head will fall to the ground. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:17.600 Then the woman said, 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:20.460 Let your servant speak a word to my lord the king. 00:04:21.140 --> 00:04:22.360 Speak, he replied. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:23.720 The woman said, 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:27.580 Why then have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? 00:04:27.780 --> 00:04:30.280 When the king says this, does he not convict himself? 00:04:30.400 --> 00:04:32.840 For the king has not brought back his banished son. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:37.060 Like water spilled on the ground which cannot be recovered, so we must die. 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:39.480 But that is not what God desires. 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:44.400 Rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him. 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:51.560 And now, I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:54.879 Your servant thought, I will speak to the king. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:57.379 Perhaps he will grant his servant's request. 00:04:57.779 --> 00:05:00.799 Perhaps the king will agree to deliver his servant from the hand of men 00:05:00.799 --> 00:05:03.719 who is trying to cut off both me and my son from God's inheritance. 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:06.360 Now your servant says, 00:05:06.940 --> 00:05:10.580 May the word of my lord the king secure my inheritance. 00:05:10.780 --> 00:05:15.020 For my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. 00:05:15.820 --> 00:05:17.360 May the lord your God be with you. 00:05:18.460 --> 00:05:19.920 And the king said to the woman, 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:22.580 Do not keep from me the answer to what I am going to ask you. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:25.620 Let my lord the king speak, the woman said. 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:26.820 The king asked, 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:30.040 Isn't this the hand of Joab with you in all this? 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:31.580 The woman answered, 00:05:31.700 --> 00:05:33.340 As surely as you live, my lord the king, 00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:35.420 no one can turn to the right or the left from anything. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:36.560 My lord the king says, 00:05:37.020 --> 00:05:39.960 Yes, it was your servant Joab who instructed me to do this 00:05:39.960 --> 00:05:43.020 and who put all these words into the mouth of your servant. 00:05:43.840 --> 00:05:46.800 Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. 00:05:47.320 --> 00:05:49.759 My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God. 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:51.920 He knows everything that happens in the land. 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:53.860 The king said to Joab, 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:55.820 Very well, I will do it. 00:05:56.080 --> 00:05:58.820 Go, bring back the young man Absalom. 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:02.139 Joab fell with his face to the ground to pay him honour 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:03.480 and he blessed the king. 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:04.759 Joab said, 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:08.099 Today your servant knows that he has found favour in your eyes, 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:09.519 my lord the king, 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:12.279 because the king has granted his servant's request. 00:06:13.159 --> 00:06:16.620 Then Joab went to Geshurah and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:17.439 But the king said, 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:19.279 He must go to his own house. 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:20.920 He must not see my face. 00:06:21.539 --> 00:06:23.360 So Absalom went to his own house 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:25.199 and did not see the face of the king. 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:27.019 In all Israel, 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:29.379 there was not a man so highly praised 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:31.099 for his handsome appearance as Absalom. 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:34.139 From the top of his head to the sole of his foot, 00:06:34.219 --> 00:06:35.399 there was no blemish in him. 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:37.519 Whenever he cut the hair of his head, 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:38.980 he used to cut his hair once a year 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:40.759 because it became too heavy for him. 00:06:41.480 --> 00:06:42.279 He would weigh it 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:45.639 and its weight was 200 shekels by the royal standard. 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:48.620 Three sons and daughters were born to Absalom. 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:50.079 His daughter's name was Tamar 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:51.519 and she became a beautiful woman. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:54.039 Absalom lived for two years in Jerusalem 00:06:54.039 --> 00:06:55.560 without seeing the king's face. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:57.319 Then Absalom sent for Joab 00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:58.779 in order to send him to the king, 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:00.479 but Joab refused to come to him. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.120 So he sent a second time, 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:03.139 but he refused to come. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:05.019 Then he said to his servants, 00:07:05.219 --> 00:07:07.459 Look, Joab's field is next to mine 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:08.519 and he has barley there. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:09.819 Go and set it on fire. 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:12.939 So Absalom's servants set the field on fire. 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:16.199 Then Joab did go to Absalom's house 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:17.319 and he said to him, 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:20.019 Why have your servants set my field on fire? 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:21.620 Absalom said to Joab, 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:23.299 Look, I sent word to you and said, 00:07:23.419 --> 00:07:25.859 Come here so that I can send you to the king 00:07:25.859 --> 00:07:26.299 to ask, 00:07:26.719 --> 00:07:27.919 Why have I come from Geshur? 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:30.039 It would be better for me if I were still there. 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:32.439 Now then, I want to see the king's face 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:33.659 and if I am guilty of anything, 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:34.740 let him put me to death. 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:37.759 So Joab went to the king and told him this. 00:07:38.219 --> 00:07:39.560 Then the king summoned Absalom 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:41.620 and he came in and bowed down 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:43.839 with his face to the ground before the king 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:46.379 and the king kissed Absalom. 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:51.139 As we start this morning to look at that passage, 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:52.319 let me ask you a question. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:55.199 The question I asked to the children earlier, really. 00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:57.740 If you've fallen out with somebody, 00:07:58.040 --> 00:07:58.959 what do you do? 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:01.759 What do you do if you've fallen out with someone? 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:04.240 You see, it's not uncommon, is it? 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:07.159 Relationship problems exist wherever there are people. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:09.300 So what is it that you do 00:08:09.300 --> 00:08:11.019 when you've fallen out with others? 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:12.819 When it's tense? 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:15.500 Yes, when you can't look each other in the eye? 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.920 When crosswords have been spoken 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:20.579 and there's a barrier between you? 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:23.699 What do you do if it's more serious than just that? 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:26.300 What do you do if your husband or your wife 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:27.500 has been unfaithful to you? 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:30.319 What do you do if your parents neglected you 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:31.139 or abused you? 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:33.799 What do you do if you've been accused 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:34.879 of something that you didn't do 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.960 or treated unfairly at work and lost your job? 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:39.799 What do you do if you've been racially abused 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:42.839 or excluded because your face doesn't fit? 00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:44.539 What is it that you should do? 00:08:44.699 --> 00:08:45.159 What do you do? 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:47.379 Now we know, don't we, 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:48.779 those aren't hypothetical questions. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:50.000 I'm not asking those to say, 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:52.120 listen, let's enter a pretend world 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.579 where those kind of things happen. 00:08:53.719 --> 00:08:54.939 No, we live in a world 00:08:54.939 --> 00:08:56.199 where those things happen all the time. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.639 They happen to all of us, don't they? 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:00.719 How do you fix problems like that? 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:04.039 Well, in a way, that is the question 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:06.099 behind 2 Samuel chapter 14. 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:07.940 In 2 Samuel chapter 14, 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:10.620 the background is a massive relational breakdown. 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:11.940 It's a bad one. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:12.860 It's a relationship breakdown 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:14.940 between a son and his father. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:19.159 And the backstory involves rape, murder, and neglect. 00:09:19.300 --> 00:09:21.680 So this is not kind of light stuff this morning. 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:25.279 And 2 Samuel chapter 14 is an attempt 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:27.259 to fix the relationship breakdown 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.279 between the son and his father, 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:31.580 between Absalom and David. 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:34.899 But what we'll discover as we go through it 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:36.959 is that this attempt to fix it 00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:38.679 doesn't actually work. 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:40.659 And it doesn't work 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:42.980 because it's founded on flawed ideas, 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:45.559 a faulty worldly wisdom, 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:48.139 wisdom that can never actually address 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:50.120 the big issue in the relationship breakdown. 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:52.240 A worldly wisdom, if you like, 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:54.259 that is massively popular, 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:56.379 but ultimately doesn't fix anything. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:58.919 Now that's the background to the story. 00:09:59.100 --> 00:09:59.980 What I want to do 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:02.019 before we kind of get into the detail of that 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:04.879 is I want to retell you the story of 2 Samuel chapter 14. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:06.039 Don't know if you're like me, 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:07.179 but when you hear the Bible read, 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:09.899 sometimes it's quite difficult to follow the story. 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:12.960 So let me retell you the story of 2 Samuel chapter 14 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:15.639 so that we can get it in our minds what's going on. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:17.960 The relationship breakdown, as I said, 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:20.779 is between Absalom and his father, David. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:25.120 So you may remember that Absalom has killed his brother, 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:27.000 a guy called Amnon. 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:29.579 He didn't kill Amnon without reason, though. 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:32.259 Amnon had raped Absalom's sister, 00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:34.600 his own half-sister, Tamar. 00:10:35.660 --> 00:10:38.259 Absalom waited two years after that event 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:40.320 to get his revenge on Amnon. 00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:43.740 He eventually killed him at this sheep-shearing party. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:45.480 He gathered all of his brothers together, 00:10:45.820 --> 00:10:47.240 said, hey, you know, I'm shearing the sheep, 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:47.940 let's have a party. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.879 And it was really a false pretense 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.080 to get Amnon in the room 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:53.520 so that when he got him, he could kill him. 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:54.500 And that's what he did. 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:56.460 Following the murder, 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:59.180 Absalom fled to his grandfather's house, 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:01.539 his maternal grandfather's house, 00:11:01.859 --> 00:11:04.339 which was just over the northern border of Israel, 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:06.859 where chapter 13, verse 38, 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.519 tells you, just before our passage, 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:11.919 that he was staying there for three years. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:14.519 Three years in exile. 00:11:15.579 --> 00:11:17.079 And verse one of our passage 00:11:17.079 --> 00:11:18.219 tells you this morning 00:11:18.219 --> 00:11:20.879 that Joab, who is the commander of David's army, 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:23.519 his kind of right-hand man, if you like, 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:26.939 Joab knows that David is still thinking 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:28.800 about that event three years later. 00:11:29.640 --> 00:11:31.200 It's not that surprising 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.220 when you think about it, is it? 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:35.780 I think sort of relationship problems 00:11:35.780 --> 00:11:39.560 or difficulties are the most difficult thing 00:11:39.560 --> 00:11:40.880 to get out of your mind, aren't they? 00:11:42.020 --> 00:11:44.940 And David is still chewing over this heartbreak. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:46.220 It's not going to pass easily. 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:49.920 I don't think you should read chapter 14, verse one, 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:52.700 as seeing that David is full of sympathy, 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:53.580 though, for Absalom. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:56.220 The word long is not actually there 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:57.660 in verse one in the original. 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:59.259 English translators have added it 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:01.120 just to try and make the English flow a bit better. 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.759 But the sense really is more 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:05.519 that David is on Absalom. 00:12:06.420 --> 00:12:08.960 His heart is weighed down by him. 00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:10.480 He is thinking on him. 00:12:11.160 --> 00:12:13.639 David can't shake the sadness of Absalom. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:16.399 It's like a thing that he is carrying around, 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:19.559 a relational pain that wakes him up at night, 00:12:19.699 --> 00:12:21.699 that is there with him in the morning, 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:24.740 takes up that mental processing space, 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.000 chewing it over and over. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.679 And because of that, 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:29.379 Joab, as David's right-hand man, 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:31.360 goes, well, I'm going to help out, David. 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:33.500 I'm going to fix that problem for him. 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:35.439 And to accomplish his plan, 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:37.000 he takes a woman from Tekoa, 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.919 a wise woman, you're told, 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:40.659 to come and speak to the king. 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:44.039 Now, Tekoa is south of Bethlehem. 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:45.419 Bethlehem is south of Jerusalem. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:48.179 So it's kind of near enough for the woman 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:51.039 to get to Jerusalem and speak to David, 00:12:51.079 --> 00:12:52.740 but it's far enough away 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:55.639 so that her story could be made up 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:57.339 and David wouldn't know about it. 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:59.959 So this nameless woman comes and speaks to David. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.559 Now, this is not unusual, right? 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:04.919 So David as the king would listen 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:07.899 to the complex legal cases in the kingdom. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:10.159 If you had a simple case, 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.639 you'd take it to the elders of your town, 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:13.459 they would agree it for you. 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:16.819 You know, I've parked my camel on a double yellow line. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:17.980 What are you going to do? 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:19.179 Well, there's a ticket, right? 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:20.419 That would be solved by them. 00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:21.919 But something more complicated, 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:24.000 you had to take up the courts. 00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:26.120 And the highest court is the court of the king. 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:28.480 And so this case is brought before David. 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:31.720 It wasn't unusual for him to listen to complex cases. 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:35.100 But this woman's story is particularly complicated. 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:36.919 Her husband is dead. 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:39.519 Her two sons have got into a fight 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.059 and one of them has killed the other. 00:13:42.079 --> 00:13:44.679 Now, justice would demand that the murderer 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.959 be put to death for his crime. 00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:48.819 That's what the leaders of her town 00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:50.079 were responsible for doing. 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:52.919 And verse seven tells you that the whole clan 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:54.319 have risen up against the woman 00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:57.139 in order to enact justice like that. 00:13:57.740 --> 00:14:00.079 But clearly then, if they did that, 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:02.120 it would leave this woman in a perilous position 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.240 because her husband's dead, 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:04.299 one of her sons is dead. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:07.039 And if the other son is killed in justice 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:07.859 for what he has done, 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:10.559 it would lead her with nobody to provide for her, 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:13.479 no protector, no heir, no family line. 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:15.279 It would essentially leave her destitute. 00:14:16.459 --> 00:14:17.679 David listens to the woman's case 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:18.779 and tells her in verse eight 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:20.079 that essentially it's going to take some time 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.120 to think about her case. 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:23.019 So go home and wait for the verdict. 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.639 Of course, though, there's no son, is there? 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:27.519 She's not actually a desperate widow. 00:14:27.859 --> 00:14:29.079 She's there for something else. 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:30.560 So she presses him further 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:32.220 for an immediate answer in verse nine. 00:14:32.660 --> 00:14:34.600 So much so that David gives his verdict, 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:36.840 telling her that her son should not die 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:38.800 and that he has the protection of the king. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.660 He ends up repeating the point twice 00:14:40.660 --> 00:14:42.080 just to make it super clear to her. 00:14:43.160 --> 00:14:44.100 But by verse 12, 00:14:44.180 --> 00:14:45.540 David's answer is clearly not enough 00:14:45.540 --> 00:14:46.780 because actually it's not really 00:14:46.780 --> 00:14:48.000 why the woman is there, is it? 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:50.160 The woman has a further point to make 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:51.900 and reveals her true agenda. 00:14:52.540 --> 00:14:53.120 She says, you know, 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:54.800 why if this is the case, 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:57.219 if this is the answer you're giving me for this case, 00:14:57.679 --> 00:15:01.339 why is it that Absalom is still in exile 00:15:01.339 --> 00:15:03.219 for murdering his brother Amnon? 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:06.659 Why won't you bring Absalom back from his banishment? 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:09.099 Now, it's quite clever, really, 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.419 when you think about it, isn't it? 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:13.579 The way the story is set up is clever. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:16.620 It even, her story even sounds a bit like 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:18.000 a story you might have heard in the Bible 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.779 about Cain and Abel, right? 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:22.659 When God didn't enact the death penalty 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:24.120 against Cain for killing Abel, 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:25.460 but instead put a mark on him 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.620 so that no one would touch him. 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:29.259 But however clever the story is, 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:30.740 David sees right through her, doesn't he? 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:33.340 He sees Joab pulling the strings in verse 19. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:35.659 Aha, I know why you're here, he says. 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:38.120 This is Joab trying to fix 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:40.419 the Absalom problem, isn't it? 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:43.360 So much so that she says, 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:45.179 oh yes, you have the wisdom of an angel 00:15:45.179 --> 00:15:46.200 in verse 20 to David. 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:47.560 You really know what's going on 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:48.440 in your kingdom, don't you? 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.480 Before in verse 21, 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:52.120 David then speaks to Joab 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.299 and says, listen, okay, 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:55.279 bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:57.299 but he must never see my face. 00:15:57.359 --> 00:15:59.279 He's not allowed to enter the palace. 00:15:59.719 --> 00:16:00.479 He mustn't come in here. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.599 He can go to his own home. 00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:04.159 So Joab brings Absalom back to Jerusalem 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:04.899 and for a while, 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.500 everything seems as though it's going okay, 00:16:06.599 --> 00:16:07.399 but not for long 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:09.159 because Absalom is not happy 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:10.199 about being in Jerusalem, 00:16:10.359 --> 00:16:12.419 but not being allowed to see David's face. 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:15.579 So he calls Joab 00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:17.240 to tell him that he's not happy 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:19.079 and Joab just buttons him 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:19.879 on his mobile phone. 00:16:20.099 --> 00:16:20.859 I just ignore him. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.879 I don't ignore Absalom. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.779 So Absalom does what you do 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.720 when anybody buttons you 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.399 on their mobile phone. 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.860 You set fire to his crops. 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.399 Yeah, that's how you get his attention. 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.139 So that's what he does. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.560 And Joab goes, hang on a minute. 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.340 Why are you doing that? 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.320 He says, well, I called you 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:35.000 and you didn't answer. 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.560 So he comes in and says, 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.300 listen, I want to see David. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.840 If I don't get to see David's face, 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.899 I might as well be in banishment. 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:42.960 It's like banishment by any other name. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.240 And so Joab goes to David 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.300 to see if Absalom 00:16:46.300 --> 00:16:47.259 can come into his presence, 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:48.720 which he does at the end of the chapter 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.180 as David kisses him 00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:52.560 and is seemingly at least reconciled 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.340 with his oldest son 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.340 and heir to the throne. 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:56.480 Now that is the chapter in a nutshell. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.220 Now it might seem 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.960 as you just glance through it like that, 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:01.820 that Absalom appears at the end 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:03.160 to be reunited with David. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:05.000 The family seems to be stable again. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.299 And perhaps that's what Joab thought. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.400 You know, perhaps Joab's 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.860 patting himself on the back going, 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:10.240 I'm the fixer. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:12.200 I have nailed this right now. 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:12.960 And that's great. 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:14.860 But actually, as you read the story 00:17:14.860 --> 00:17:15.460 more carefully, 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:17.000 that is not what's happening at all. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.640 Instead, what you'll find in the story 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.759 is it's hinging around this word wisdom. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.279 Okay? 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.839 The woman from Tekoa, 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:24.000 you're not given her name, 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:26.200 but she's called a wise woman. 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:29.400 David is called a man of wisdom 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.220 in verse 20. 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.519 But what it turns out 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:34.660 is that there is in 2 Samuel chapter 14 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:37.099 a kind of fatally flawed wisdom, 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:38.980 a worldly wisdom. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.180 And I want to try and show you that. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:41.980 Let me try and show you that 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.960 in three ways. 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.779 The first thing to see is this, 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:45.839 that worldly wisdom, 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:47.980 the wisdom of 2 Samuel 14 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:50.539 uses feelings to deny truth. 00:17:50.699 --> 00:17:51.459 That's how you know 00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:53.339 that the wisdom here is not good. 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.980 Now, if you've been here 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.319 for the series on 2 Samuel, 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:59.379 then the chapter might be 00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.799 sort of vaguely familiar. 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.279 You know, someone standing 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.259 in front of King David 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.240 with a made-up story 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.299 trying to change his mind. 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:06.919 If you know the story 00:18:06.919 --> 00:18:08.019 of David and Bathsheba 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:09.299 and the prophet Nathan 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:10.619 coming to David 00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:11.919 to try and convict him of that sin, 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.119 it might be familiar to you. 00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:14.079 That's in chapter 12. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.579 Nathan the prophet 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.759 made up a story 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.039 about a guy with a sheep 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.699 that got killed by a rich man. 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.099 If you don't know it, 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:21.759 you can go and look at it 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.480 in chapter 12. 00:18:22.939 --> 00:18:24.740 And the similarities are clear. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.960 Both stories are trying 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.099 to pull on David's knowledge 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:27.740 of the scriptures, 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.259 trying to get him 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:31.259 to come to a certain conclusion. 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.740 Like I said before, 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:33.919 here is the story 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.679 of Cain and Abel 00:18:34.679 --> 00:18:35.460 in Genesis 4 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:37.039 where there's a biblical precedent 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.019 for not enacting 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.819 capital punishment. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.019 But despite the similarity 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.819 between those two occasions, 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:44.899 actually there's a massive difference. 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.299 You see, 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:48.220 in chapter 12, 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:50.399 David is full of sinful passion 00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:51.460 for this woman Bathsheba. 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:54.519 He is lustfully desirous 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:56.259 of this beautiful woman Bathsheba. 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:58.200 He longs for her 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:00.379 so much so that he takes her 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:01.059 to himself. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.500 He sleeps with her 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.240 and gets her pregnant 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.759 and kills her husband. 00:19:05.399 --> 00:19:05.500 Right? 00:19:05.919 --> 00:19:06.859 And Nathan the prophet 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.259 comes and tells that story 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:10.240 to arouse David's conscience 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.640 to what his feelings 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.640 have led him to do 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.440 which is wrong. 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.880 And here in this story, 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:17.839 it is the opposite way round, 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:18.359 isn't it? 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.799 Here in chapter 14, 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.319 David's conscience 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.500 is firmly settled 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.240 against Absalom 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.660 which is why he's still in exile. 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.000 David in chapter 14 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.700 has been doing 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.519 the right thing. 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.299 David knows 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.720 that Absalom 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.500 has done wrong 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.859 and that this premeditated 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.740 killing of Amnon 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.900 was a short circuit 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.759 of justice. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.240 Justice which David 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.900 had failed to 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:39.059 or been unwilling 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.819 at least to enact. 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.240 But still it was not 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.119 to be taken on 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:42.919 by Absalom. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.579 So for Absalom 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.500 to be in exile 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:47.240 was a fitting thing. 00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:48.599 So notice that 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.159 the woman's story 00:19:49.159 --> 00:19:49.859 is trying to do 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.439 the opposite 00:19:50.439 --> 00:19:51.439 of Nathan's story. 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:52.819 The woman's story 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.159 is trying to pull 00:19:54.159 --> 00:19:55.859 on David's feelings 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:57.799 to make him do something 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.859 which is wrong, 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.359 untrue. 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:02.200 The story of the sons 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:02.779 is designed 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.539 to make David 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.779 pity Absalom 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.679 and lead him 00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:06.240 to believe 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.240 that exile 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.700 is harsh or unfair. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.840 to think 00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:10.140 that maybe 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:10.740 it would be okay 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.480 just to let Absalom 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:11.980 off 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.440 even though it wasn't. 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:14.860 See here's the 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:16.920 twist of worldly wisdom. 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.220 You know God's wisdom 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.299 sends Nathan 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:20.660 to stop a sinner 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.420 in his tracks 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:23.140 while worldly wisdom 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:23.860 does the opposite 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.160 of that. 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.799 It seeks to 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:26.299 short circuit justice 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:27.299 when it feels 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.220 a little harsh. 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:29.759 You see one 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.299 is an act 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.580 of mercy 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.140 and love. 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:32.799 The other 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.299 is an act 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.240 of manipulation 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.360 and self-interest. 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:36.959 and that's 00:20:36.959 --> 00:20:37.439 the warning 00:20:37.439 --> 00:20:38.240 to you here. 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:39.439 The warning 00:20:39.439 --> 00:20:39.919 is that there 00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.579 is a kind 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.079 of wisdom 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.899 in the world 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:43.439 a worldly wisdom 00:20:43.439 --> 00:20:44.859 that simply 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:46.319 cannot handle 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.399 the truth. 00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:49.059 It can't. 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.459 More specifically 00:20:50.459 --> 00:20:51.559 it can't handle 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:51.939 the fact 00:20:51.939 --> 00:20:52.599 that the truth 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:54.159 does not necessarily 00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:55.679 feel good 00:20:55.679 --> 00:20:56.419 all the time. 00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:57.319 Do you know 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:57.679 what I mean? 00:20:59.139 --> 00:20:59.539 Here 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.899 the truth 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:01.679 of Absalom's exile 00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:02.919 did not feel 00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:03.799 good to David 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:05.619 and so the worldly 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.480 wisdom of human 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.099 hearts seeks 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:07.740 to change 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.319 the truth 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.240 in order to 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:09.799 make it 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.259 accommodate 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.460 our feelings 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.779 editing God's 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.419 plans and God's 00:21:13.419 --> 00:21:14.079 truth accordingly. 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.740 Now you don't 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.379 need me to tell 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:16.940 you now 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.419 hopefully 00:21:17.419 --> 00:21:18.359 that that is 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.139 exactly what 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:19.440 the world 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.240 is still doing 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.799 isn't it? 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:21.859 This is very 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.419 contemporary. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.440 We live in a 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.419 world of Joab's 00:21:24.419 --> 00:21:25.139 worldly wisdom 00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:25.619 don't we? 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.539 We live in a 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.279 world that loves 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.259 to edit truth 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.200 by feelings 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.960 over and over 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.259 and over 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.879 and over again. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.180 Think about 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.879 what Jesus says 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.579 in John 14 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.119 when he tells 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:34.619 the disciples 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.240 I am the way 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.659 the truth 00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.059 and the life 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.819 no one comes 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.259 to the Father 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.919 but by me. 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:38.960 You know 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.619 worldly wisdom 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.220 hears that 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.599 goes 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.619 what really? 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.879 That's really 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.519 the truth? 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.119 No one comes 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.539 to God 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.339 except through 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:47.819 the Lord Jesus 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.179 Christ? 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.619 Is that really 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.059 right? 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.220 It doesn't feel 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.059 like that does it? 00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:51.919 You mean 00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:53.339 do you mean 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.119 to say that 00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:55.539 my lovely 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.339 non-Christian 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.359 neighbor 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.939 my neighbor 00:21:57.939 --> 00:21:58.839 who's nicer 00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.460 than quite a lot 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.019 of my Christian 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.319 friends 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.019 the one who 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.939 looks after my 00:22:01.939 --> 00:22:02.579 cat while I'm 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.500 away who took 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.039 in my Amazon 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.799 parcel yesterday? 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.019 You mean 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.539 to say 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.460 that they're 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.419 going to hell? 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.480 That doesn't 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.199 feel right. 00:22:10.939 --> 00:22:11.359 That doesn't 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.019 feel true. 00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:13.059 Just because 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:14.220 they don't 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.899 trust in Jesus? 00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.279 Are you sure? 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:17.939 Surely we have 00:22:17.939 --> 00:22:18.299 to find a 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:18.740 different reading 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.079 of the word 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.619 no one 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.000 don't we? 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.379 So worldly 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.000 wisdom sets 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.759 about unpicking 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.279 the uniqueness 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.819 of Christ 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.119 because it 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.779 doesn't just 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.799 feel right. 00:22:26.659 --> 00:22:27.539 But 2 Samuel 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.500 chapter 14 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.000 says listen 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.059 beware of that 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.699 worldly wisdom. 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:32.480 I'll give you 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.039 another example 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.319 can't you? 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:33.700 What about 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.259 the Bible's 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.860 teaching on 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:36.140 marriage to 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.779 mean that all 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.680 sexual activity 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.420 outside of the 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:39.019 marriage of a 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.640 man to a 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.960 woman is wrong 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.400 and immoral? 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.900 I mean you 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.340 really think 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:44.519 that? 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:45.080 You really 00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:46.039 think that? 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.279 Is that how 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.200 the world feels? 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.759 Does that mean 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.819 that loving 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.860 same-sex couples 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.299 or those 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.140 cohabiting that 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:53.360 all sexual 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.120 activity outside 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:55.140 of human 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:55.840 marriage, the 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.319 marriage of a 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.720 man to a 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.180 woman, all of 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.779 that is wrong? 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:59.619 Are you sure? 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.559 Is that really? 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.420 You can't believe 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:01.660 that. 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.700 That doesn't feel 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.500 right, doesn't 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.740 feel loving. 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.279 So we bend the 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.039 truth to match 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.619 what we feel. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.539 All the time we 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:08.940 do it. 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.059 Worldly wisdom 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.519 where feelings 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.480 override the 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.460 truth because they 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.399 can't handle the 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:14.759 truth. 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:15.599 And so 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:17.680 consciences are 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.160 compromised. 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.379 And that's why 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:19.920 the wisdom of 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.619 Joab here is 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.039 never going to 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.639 fix the problem 00:23:21.639 --> 00:23:22.819 because it can't 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.359 face up to the 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.839 truth. 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.240 Second thing 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.579 though here, 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:25.920 there's a 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.420 worldly wisdom 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.259 which is impressed 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.019 by appearances. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.700 Impressed by 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.000 appearances. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.819 I think this is 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.500 almost amusing 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:30.940 here in the 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.559 passage but if 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.160 you notice that 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:33.099 verses 25 and 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.980 27 are sort of 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.619 out of place, 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:35.940 aren't they? 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.420 If you look down 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:36.839 at your Bible 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.519 you'll notice that 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.339 there is a 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.359 strange detail 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:39.579 here. 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.379 Why in all 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:40.940 that's happening 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.779 are you told in 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.640 great detail about 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.460 Absalom's appearance? 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.599 You are told about 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.500 the weight of 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.299 Absalom's hair. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.740 Absalom cut his 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.619 hair once a year 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:52.140 and it weighed 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:53.299 two kilograms. 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.339 I mean I think 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.819 these are some of 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.379 the most offensive 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:56.980 verses in the 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.200 Bible. 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:57.839 I mean I find 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.400 this very difficult 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:58.880 to accept. 00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.700 Imagine having 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.680 two kilos of 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:00.920 hair. 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.380 I would be 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:03.420 grateful for a 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.519 few grams of 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.079 hair, right? 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:08.140 But why is this 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:08.960 detail in here? 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.460 I mean if you 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:10.779 look at the 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.640 passage, verses 00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:12.880 24 and 28 would 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.799 go perfectly well 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.200 together. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.339 The writer is 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.259 putting this in. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.579 Why the 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.059 interruption? 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.740 Well I think 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.259 because they're 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.120 another example of 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.519 the fact that 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.259 there's a twist 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.180 on wisdom here. 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.720 If you jump 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.200 back a few 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:25.779 pages in your 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.519 Bible to 1 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.060 Samuel chapter 00:24:27.060 --> 00:24:28.080 16 you'll 00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:28.820 notice this 00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:28.980 why. 00:24:29.080 --> 00:24:29.940 So just over 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.440 a few pages 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.100 back to 1 00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:31.900 Samuel chapter 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.279 16. 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.440 This is when 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.580 David is chosen 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.480 to be king in 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.700 1 Samuel chapter 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.340 16. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.820 1 Samuel chapter 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:40.100 16 verse 6. 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.120 It will come on 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:41.740 the slide behind 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.279 me as well. 00:24:43.600 --> 00:24:44.000 Let me read 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.539 those verses to 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:44.680 you. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.440 When they 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.940 arrived, Samuel 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.340 who's the 00:24:47.340 --> 00:24:48.019 prophet saw 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:49.080 Eliab and 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:49.860 thought surely 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:50.400 the Lord's 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.340 anointed stands 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.100 here before the 00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.500 Lord. 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.539 But the Lord 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.259 said to Samuel 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.180 do not consider 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:56.039 his appearance 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.299 or his height 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.380 for I have 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.180 rejected him. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.200 The Lord does 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.740 not look at the 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.360 things people 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:01.900 look at. 00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:02.880 People look at 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.380 the outward 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.180 appearance but 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.200 the Lord looks 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.960 at the heart. 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:09.080 When Samuel was 00:25:09.080 --> 00:25:09.720 going to anoint 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.400 David as king 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.160 he was really 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.840 impressed by his 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.220 brothers. 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.640 They're tall, 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.800 handsome, 00:25:15.780 --> 00:25:16.300 got a great 00:25:16.300 --> 00:25:16.920 voice, 00:25:17.780 --> 00:25:18.540 luscious hair. 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.580 Surely, 00:25:20.060 --> 00:25:20.680 surely this is 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.759 who God wants 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.200 to be king. 00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:22.680 And God says 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:24.040 no, you're 00:25:24.040 --> 00:25:24.720 looking at it 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:26.040 as man looks 00:25:26.040 --> 00:25:26.340 at it. 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:26.960 I am looking 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.940 at the heart. 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.100 Now you come 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:29.680 back to 2 Samuel 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.320 chapter 14. 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:30.860 Don't you see 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:31.560 that this is an 00:25:31.560 --> 00:25:32.740 exact example of 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.520 that kind of 00:25:33.520 --> 00:25:34.120 worldly wisdom? 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.320 That's what's 00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:35.759 happening here. 00:25:35.840 --> 00:25:36.500 The narrator is 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:36.960 telling us that 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.580 Israel are doing 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.180 the opposite of 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.940 what God does. 00:25:39.540 --> 00:25:39.960 God looks at 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.380 the heart. 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.380 Israel are 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.380 impressed with 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.180 two kilos of 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.460 hair. 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.280 It's really 00:25:45.280 --> 00:25:45.840 laid on thick 00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:46.100 as well, 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.320 isn't it, 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:46.940 in verse 25. 00:25:47.040 --> 00:25:47.280 In Israel, 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:47.620 there was not 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.100 a man so 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.800 highly praised 00:25:48.800 --> 00:25:49.020 for his 00:25:49.020 --> 00:25:49.620 handsome appearance 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.080 as Absalom. 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.960 From the top 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.380 of his head 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:51.860 to the sole 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:52.240 of his foot, 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.880 there was no 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.640 blemish in him. 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.300 That's one 00:25:55.300 --> 00:25:56.060 good-looking guy, 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.380 isn't it? 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.000 There is not a 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.600 guy in the room 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.520 who matches up 00:25:58.520 --> 00:25:58.920 to that. 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.740 But the heart 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.160 of Absalom, 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.680 which we have 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.160 seen and will 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.620 see again, 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.759 is selfish and 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.240 arrogant, 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.240 opposed to David 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.820 and opposed to 00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:06.220 the Lord. 00:26:07.820 --> 00:26:08.340 There's more 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:08.880 than this as well. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.600 I think you can 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.080 probably make a 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:10.620 pretty good case 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.240 that hairy men 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.600 in the Bible 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.580 and Samson. 00:26:15.300 --> 00:26:15.820 Perhaps the writer 00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:16.640 had them in mind. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.540 It's also, 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:17.700 though, 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.440 a point of forward 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.140 to how Absalom 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.820 will die. 00:26:20.340 --> 00:26:20.780 You don't know 00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:21.900 how Absalom dies. 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.620 I'm not going 00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.080 to give it away 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.360 to you. 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:23.720 You can have 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.200 to read on 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.700 in 2 Samuel, 00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:25.380 but it is 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:27.880 connected to his hair. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.220 That will come 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.920 in a few weeks. 00:26:30.540 --> 00:26:30.900 There's also 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.440 something here 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:31.960 as the mention 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.759 of three sons 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.240 and a beautiful 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.340 daughter called Tamar. 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.680 Tamar is given 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.380 the same name 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.000 as his sister 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.540 who was attacked 00:26:37.540 --> 00:26:38.340 in chapter 13. 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:38.860 It's a sign, 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.120 I think, 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.660 that those events 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.240 are still fresh 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.180 in Absalom's mind. 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:43.140 By the time 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.480 you get to 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.160 chapter 18, 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.820 you find that 00:26:44.820 --> 00:26:45.759 Absalom has no heir, 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.539 by which I think 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.160 you're to presume 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.940 that his sons, 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.700 his three sons, 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.340 have died. 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:50.900 You see, 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.700 here's the point. 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.600 Worldly wisdom 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:54.180 would rather look good 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.799 than do the right thing. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.840 That's the point, 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.320 isn't it? 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.000 Worldly wisdom 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:00.160 would rather swap 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.160 deep truth 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:02.680 for shallow appearance. 00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:04.180 So much so 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.000 that murder 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.900 in 2 Samuel chapter 14 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.600 is covered 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.600 by good looks, 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:10.319 by glorious locks 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:10.779 of hair 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.079 and stunning good looks. 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:12.599 And it happens 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.259 all the time, 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.699 doesn't it? 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:14.819 It's why 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:16.500 kind of wicked 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.859 and deceitful politicians 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.859 can still get 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:20.240 a really popular following 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.500 because we would 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.619 rather work 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.659 on appearances 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:24.839 than we would 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:26.059 on what is right. 00:27:27.219 --> 00:27:28.000 But notice 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.059 that this appearance 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.859 over reality 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:31.079 is absolutely 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.959 no help 00:27:31.959 --> 00:27:32.439 in the face 00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:33.319 of relational breakdown. 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:35.039 Absalom's good looks 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.740 are never going 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.259 to atone 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.699 for the fact 00:27:36.699 --> 00:27:37.119 that he's killed 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.500 his brother. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:39.420 The royal photos 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.460 will look miles better 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.180 with Absalom in them, 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.359 right? 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.000 Because he's the best 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.440 looking guy 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:42.940 in the family. 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.779 But the relational tension 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.759 will not go away. 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.480 It's still there. 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.339 You see, 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.400 Joab's worldly wisdom 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.779 really can only ever 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.759 tell David and Absalom, 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:52.039 listen, 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.539 I know that you guys 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:53.900 have got a problem 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.359 with each other, 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.359 but can't you just 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:55.940 fake it? 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.539 Can't we just take a selfie 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.119 and smile, 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.900 post it on Instagram, 00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.539 everyone will think 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.119 we're all right? 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.420 Can we just do that? 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.660 You'll look great. 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.740 You'll look great. 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.799 Let's do it. 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.299 It has no other option. 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.380 Listen, 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.880 I want you to face 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:10.500 this this morning. 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:12.140 Think back to how 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:12.599 we started. 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.599 The wisdom of the world 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:16.119 has nothing to offer you 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.759 in the face of the 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.480 relational breakdown 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.279 that you feel and 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.539 experience every single 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.420 day of your life. 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:22.519 It has nothing to offer you 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:25.099 because there's a price 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.160 for every relational 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.519 breakdown, 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:27.059 isn't there? 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:29.619 Justice is demanded 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:31.079 by Absalom's murder 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:31.599 of Amnon. 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:34.500 For a wife to reconcile 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.619 with an unfaithful husband, 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.480 for a brother to forgive 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.839 his sister who has hurt him, 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:40.799 there is a hurt 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:42.099 that needs to be absorbed. 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.139 There is a truth 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.119 that needs to be dealt with. 00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:44.719 There is the fact 00:28:44.719 --> 00:28:45.659 that something has been 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.819 done wrong. 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:49.779 Someone has abused you, 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.659 mistreated you, 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.099 looked over you 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.819 because of the color 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.439 of your skin. 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.859 There is a price 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.539 to be paid for. 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:58.200 Justice is demanded 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.079 because of that. 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.379 And all the world 00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:01.440 can say to you is, 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.579 smile, let's take 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.399 a nice looking selfie 00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:04.460 and everything will be okay. 00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:06.399 It has nothing to offer you 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:08.259 when it comes to justice. 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.079 All they can do 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.059 is fake it 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:12.460 and pretend it's okay. 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.180 So it leaves you 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:15.920 with nowhere to take 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.559 the ache, 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.339 the tears, 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:17.960 the pain. 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.440 Joab says, 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:19.819 listen, 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.420 I know it's difficult 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:22.980 but it looks good, 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.700 doesn't it? 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.779 But it doesn't deal 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.339 with a problem. 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.779 Which brings us 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.500 to the final point 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:28.980 this morning 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.599 which is this, 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.359 worldly wisdom 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.539 ignores God's king. 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:33.960 What you cannot help 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.059 but miss in these chapters 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:37.119 is that great King David 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:38.779 is basically a passenger. 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:42.000 David in 2 Samuel 14 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.779 is the one 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.579 who's not doing anything. 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:46.000 Joab is kind of 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.779 captain of the ship. 00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:48.059 He's manipulating David 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.159 with this woman at Tekoa. 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.460 Absalom is then 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.659 manipulating Joab 00:29:51.659 --> 00:29:52.539 going as far as burning 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:52.940 his crops 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.720 to get his own wear. 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.139 Interestingly, 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.220 in the passage, 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:57.259 the only mention 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.160 really of the Lord 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:58.660 as well 00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:59.660 is in his relationship 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.220 to David. 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.259 David is like an angel 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.660 of the Lord 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.380 in verse 17 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:03.220 and verse 20. 00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.740 And he's recognized 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.559 in verse 16 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.140 as the holder 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.600 of the covenant 00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:07.480 heritage of God. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.500 But for all that, 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:10.240 David in chapter 14 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.960 is not leading. 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:12.740 He's not being kingly. 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.799 He's not being listened to. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.819 Worldly wisdom 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.620 is leading the way 00:30:16.620 --> 00:30:17.380 in chapter 14. 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.799 The king is silent. 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.819 That should be 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.720 a kind of pointer 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.100 to you 00:30:21.100 --> 00:30:21.940 that not all 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.360 is well 00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:23.180 in chapter 14. 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.279 But let me show you 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.880 something brilliant 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:26.299 about this. 00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:27.400 If you've zoned out 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:27.900 for a moment, 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.059 just tune back in 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.559 because this is, 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:29.980 I think, 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.039 the brilliance 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.319 of 2 Samuel chapter 14. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.680 You and I are reading 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.360 this account 00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:35.539 probably three and a half 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.579 thousand years or so 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.360 after it happened. 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:38.940 You and I know, 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.240 don't we, 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.279 that God's king 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.120 is not really 00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:41.819 King David. 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:43.059 King David is, 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.620 if you like, 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.480 a prototype, 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:46.079 a type of the real 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.980 king of God's people 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:48.039 who is the Lord 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.839 Jesus Christ, 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.859 the one who 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.980 is the ultimate 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:52.420 person who has 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.659 a good heart, 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:53.859 yeah, 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:54.639 a heart after the Lord 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.420 because he is 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:56.899 God in flesh, 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.619 God the eternal son 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.420 come down, 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.399 born as a baby, 00:31:00.879 --> 00:31:01.299 living, 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.200 dying for us. 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.059 So we know that, 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:05.379 don't we? 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.500 So think of a time 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.000 then when, 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:09.639 when God's real king, 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.940 God's king Jesus 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.339 is a passenger 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:14.059 of worldly wisdom 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:15.099 in the same way 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.319 as 2 Samuel chapter 14. 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.659 Can you think 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.100 of a time 00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:19.720 when King Jesus, 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:20.720 the real king 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.380 of God's people 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:22.880 is treated like David 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:24.200 where he's manipulated 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.820 and twisted 00:31:24.820 --> 00:31:26.640 and pushed into doing 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:27.320 all sorts of things? 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.720 Can you think 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.580 of a time like that? 00:31:30.620 --> 00:31:31.460 Do you see 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.620 the Jewish leaders 00:31:32.620 --> 00:31:33.779 and the Roman rulers 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.900 and the puppet kings 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:36.300 conspire to drag 00:31:36.300 --> 00:31:37.160 King Jesus 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:38.440 out of Jerusalem 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:39.040 and nail him 00:31:39.040 --> 00:31:39.720 to a cross? 00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:40.860 I don't think 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.600 that's the ultimate 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:43.000 victory of worldly wisdom. 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.200 That is the ultimate 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:45.800 victory of feelings 00:31:45.800 --> 00:31:47.400 tripping over justice. 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:48.400 We're jealous 00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:49.140 of this man Jesus. 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.759 Let's put him to death. 00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:51.980 This is appearances 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.000 winning over hearts, 00:31:53.040 --> 00:31:53.300 isn't it? 00:31:53.620 --> 00:31:54.600 Jesus is naked 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.440 and bleeding 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.320 and mocked 00:31:56.320 --> 00:31:56.980 by the people. 00:31:57.840 --> 00:31:58.519 I don't want anything 00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:58.940 to do with him. 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.540 He looks terrible. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.800 What is going on 00:32:02.800 --> 00:32:03.880 when that happens 00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:04.560 to the Lord Jesus? 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.060 Let me tell you 00:32:06.060 --> 00:32:06.900 something fantastic. 00:32:07.600 --> 00:32:08.720 In that moment 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:10.580 when worldly wisdom 00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:11.540 seems to be winning, 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:13.039 what you are witnessing 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:15.259 is the wisdom of God 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:17.259 in providing atonement 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:19.200 for relational breakdown. 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.559 That's what you're seeing. 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.339 So much so 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:23.440 that the worldly wisdom 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.079 of the crowd 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:25.220 that nails Jesus 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.180 to a cross of shame 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:27.619 does not defeat Jesus 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:29.220 but glorifies him. 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.599 As in his sacrifice 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:32.539 on the cross 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.960 he is providing the means 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:35.180 for relational forgiveness 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.920 and atonement. 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.000 Not so much 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.899 to be able to bring 00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:39.359 Absalom back from exile 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:40.119 with his grandfather 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.859 but bringing sinners 00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:43.319 back from exile 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.479 into relationship 00:32:44.479 --> 00:32:45.059 with the God 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.639 who made them 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.500 so that people 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.439 like you and I 00:32:47.439 --> 00:32:48.359 who have sinned 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:48.979 against God 00:32:48.979 --> 00:32:50.819 and fallen out with him 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:52.039 and broken our relationship 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.459 with him 00:32:52.459 --> 00:32:53.740 might be brought back 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.500 into relationship 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.000 with the God 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:55.579 who made us 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:57.240 through the atoning power 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.219 of Jesus on the cross. 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:59.639 Even at the point 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.679 when he was a passenger 00:33:00.679 --> 00:33:01.919 of worldly wisdom. 00:33:04.619 --> 00:33:06.379 Jesus dying in our place 00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:08.179 paying the cost of justice 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:10.620 facing up to the hard truth. 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.759 This is the very definition 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:14.860 of not putting appearances 00:33:14.860 --> 00:33:16.480 above truth and reality 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:18.160 as Jesus the bleeding 00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:20.060 dying suffering one 00:33:20.060 --> 00:33:21.840 naked on a tree 00:33:21.840 --> 00:33:24.180 is the most beautiful 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:26.100 wonderful and glorious saviour. 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:29.140 It's hard to capture this 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.799 but try with me if you can 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:32.900 in the face of the tragic relationships 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:34.220 in 2 Samuel chapter 14 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:35.560 all Joab can do 00:33:35.560 --> 00:33:36.420 is fake it 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.360 and cover it over. 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:39.439 He just can't go deep enough 00:33:39.439 --> 00:33:40.379 to solve the problem 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.079 between Absalom 00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:42.559 and his father David. 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:44.179 He had no means 00:33:44.179 --> 00:33:45.219 to provide justice 00:33:45.219 --> 00:33:46.599 for Absalom's wickedness 00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:47.359 and reconciliation 00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:48.579 for David's love. 00:33:49.199 --> 00:33:50.240 All he had was 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:51.619 shallow solutions 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.899 for deep problems 00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:54.919 and it's always 00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:56.119 the way in the world. 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:58.279 The worldly wisdom 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.199 will take in the face 00:33:59.199 --> 00:34:00.199 of the relationship problems 00:34:00.199 --> 00:34:01.079 that we all suffer from 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:02.219 the world will just say 00:34:02.219 --> 00:34:03.579 oh just forget about it. 00:34:04.459 --> 00:34:05.959 Just go on a nice holiday 00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:07.539 buy yourself something new 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.699 pretend it doesn't happen 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:10.980 but you know it doesn't work 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:12.159 and you know it doesn't work 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.360 because you still wake up 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.960 thinking about them 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:15.659 it's still chewing you up inside. 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.699 But then in the great triumph 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:18.900 of God's glorious wisdom 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:20.220 Jesus dies on the cross 00:34:20.220 --> 00:34:21.579 seemingly the victim 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.639 of this kind of fake it 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.720 and cover it up world 00:34:23.720 --> 00:34:25.039 but he hangs there 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.079 because the Jewish leaders 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:27.400 were so jealous of him 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:29.300 but in those moments 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:31.559 as Jesus breathes his last 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:33.539 he accomplishes relational harmony 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:35.699 not only between God and men 00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:38.159 but between brothers and sisters 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:40.199 men and women 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:42.779 as he provides the means 00:34:42.779 --> 00:34:44.019 for us to forgive one another. 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:47.320 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 25 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:48.219 puts it like this 00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:50.239 because the foolishness of God 00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:51.960 is wiser than human wisdom 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:54.539 and the weakness of God 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:56.559 is stronger than human strength. 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.800 Here's the point 00:34:58.800 --> 00:34:59.719 as simply as I can try 00:34:59.719 --> 00:35:00.380 and put it this morning 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:01.279 relationship breakdown 00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:02.620 comes with a price 00:35:02.620 --> 00:35:03.260 a cost 00:35:03.260 --> 00:35:04.120 a justice. 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.820 So with us and God 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:07.640 if you're not a Christian 00:35:07.640 --> 00:35:08.760 you will never know 00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:09.940 the God who made you 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:11.260 without coming through 00:35:11.260 --> 00:35:11.880 the only one 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:13.040 who can pay the price 00:35:13.040 --> 00:35:14.280 for your reconciliation. 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.300 That remains true 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.220 even when you're a Christian 00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:18.660 and it's true also 00:35:18.660 --> 00:35:19.320 in our relationships 00:35:19.320 --> 00:35:20.019 with one another. 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:22.019 That only Christ 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:23.000 has the resources 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:24.400 for you to forgive another. 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.740 Only Christ can offer you 00:35:26.740 --> 00:35:27.780 the deep solution 00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:29.620 because only he 00:35:29.620 --> 00:35:31.080 has the capital 00:35:31.080 --> 00:35:31.680 if you like 00:35:31.680 --> 00:35:33.220 to pay the price 00:35:33.220 --> 00:35:34.440 for justice and truth. 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.880 Perhaps this morning 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.100 you know that there is 00:35:38.100 --> 00:35:38.820 someone that you've 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:39.600 fallen out with. 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:41.460 Maybe it's a small 00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.519 maybe it's a petty matter 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:44.880 or maybe it's a really big deal 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.880 maybe it's as big as 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:47.680 Absalom and David here. 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:48.960 What do you do? 00:35:50.220 --> 00:35:51.000 Let me say to you 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:53.000 the only thing you can do 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:55.560 is come to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:57.239 and find in him 00:35:57.239 --> 00:35:58.299 all the resources 00:35:58.299 --> 00:35:59.019 that you need 00:35:59.019 --> 00:36:00.219 for forgiveness and grace 00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:01.559 so that you can move 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.519 towards another person 00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:04.500 and say with genuineness 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:06.279 without covering everything over 00:36:06.279 --> 00:36:07.320 with genuineness 00:36:07.320 --> 00:36:08.099 you can say to them 00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:09.460 I forgive you 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:11.519 I love you 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:14.480 because Jesus 00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:17.179 has paid the price of justice 00:36:17.179 --> 00:36:18.719 that our relationship 00:36:18.719 --> 00:36:20.079 reconciliation requires 00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:22.259 and he did it on the cross. 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:24.860 And maybe in some 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.620 of these situations 00:36:25.620 --> 00:36:27.160 reconciliation like that 00:36:27.160 --> 00:36:27.760 won't be possible 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.640 because the other person 00:36:28.640 --> 00:36:30.180 won't speak to you 00:36:30.180 --> 00:36:31.440 or won't engage with it. 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:33.280 What comfort is there then? 00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:35.500 Well you know don't you 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.860 you and I live in a world 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.820 where the wisdom of God 00:36:38.820 --> 00:36:40.940 can take the worldly wisdom 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.900 the folly of man 00:36:41.900 --> 00:36:43.599 and use it 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:45.440 to accomplish his great purposes. 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:47.420 So you don't need to be afraid 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:49.599 you need to trust the Lord 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:51.019 and press on 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:53.039 because in this world 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:54.480 God can be trusted 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:56.420 even to accomplish 00:36:56.420 --> 00:36:57.579 his great purposes 00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:59.179 through the tragedy 00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:00.699 of our worldly twisted wisdom. 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:02.679 Let's pray 00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:04.019 together as we close. 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:07.400 Let me just leave 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:08.460 a bit of quiet 00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:09.199 for you to pray 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:10.139 in your own hearts. 00:37:11.179 --> 00:37:12.079 Maybe come to the Lord 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:13.239 with a situation 00:37:13.239 --> 00:37:14.840 or a problem 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:15.779 that's troubling you. 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:17.340 Thank the Lord 00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:18.000 that he alone 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:18.719 has the resources 00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:20.059 to help you face it. 00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:49.279 Heavenly Father 00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:50.120 we want to say 00:37:50.120 --> 00:37:51.240 thank you for Jesus. 00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:54.400 Thank you that in Jesus 00:37:54.400 --> 00:37:55.400 we can face 00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:57.360 truth and reality 00:37:57.360 --> 00:37:59.620 and find grace 00:37:59.620 --> 00:38:01.019 and mercy 00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:03.140 resources to forgive 00:38:03.140 --> 00:38:03.720 one another 00:38:03.720 --> 00:38:05.840 reconciliation with you. 00:38:06.660 --> 00:38:08.300 Thank you that in the end 00:38:08.300 --> 00:38:10.440 the twisted worldly wisdom 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:12.320 of 2 Samuel chapter 14 00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:13.160 does not win 00:38:13.160 --> 00:38:15.220 but your wisdom 00:38:15.220 --> 00:38:16.280 is stronger 00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:18.220 than the wisdom of man. 00:38:18.219 --> 00:38:20.619 thank you that your weakness 00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.259 is stronger 00:38:21.259 --> 00:38:22.319 than our greatest power. 00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:23.959 So thank you 00:38:23.959 --> 00:38:24.959 that we can trust you 00:38:24.959 --> 00:38:25.839 and turn to you. 00:38:26.859 --> 00:38:27.599 Our Lord please 00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:28.139 we pray 00:38:28.139 --> 00:38:29.099 might we be a church 00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:30.299 that love one another 00:38:30.299 --> 00:38:31.879 because we find 00:38:31.879 --> 00:38:32.480 the resources 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.599 for loving one another 00:38:33.599 --> 00:38:35.319 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:38:35.319 --> 00:38:35.879 and his work 00:38:35.879 --> 00:38:36.779 for us on the cross. 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.619 In his name we pray. 00:38:39.339 --> 00:38:39.719 Amen. 00:38:40.219 --> 00:38:40.480 Amen. 00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:40.659 Amen. 00:38:40.659 --> 00:38:40.699 Amen. 00:38:40.699 --> 00:38:40.759 Amen. 00:38:40.759 --> 00:38:40.779 Amen. 00:38:40.779 --> 00:38:41.279 Amen. 00:38:41.279 --> 00:38:41.759 Amen. 00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:42.279 Amen. 00:38:42.279 --> 00:38:42.759 Amen.