WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 Psalm 105, let me pray before I read God's Word. 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:08.740 God, thank you for this opportunity to get together as your people, 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:14.500 people whom you have gathered as your special possession, 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:21.660 people whom you have redeemed for yourself, 00:00:22.019 --> 00:00:26.080 so that we might obey you, so we might worship you. 00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:29.580 We ask God that as we go through this psalm together, 00:00:29.579 --> 00:00:34.219 that you would remind us of the wondrous works that you have done 00:00:34.219 --> 00:00:37.960 in our lives and in the history of your people, 00:00:38.219 --> 00:00:43.619 so that we might be spurred on to praise and a life of worship. 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:47.679 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:51.060 Psalm 105. 00:00:52.459 --> 00:00:55.739 We'll give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, 00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:58.420 make known his deeds among the peoples, 00:00:58.420 --> 00:01:01.060 sing to him, sing praises to him, 00:01:01.420 --> 00:01:03.340 tell of all his wondrous works. 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:05.439 Glory in his holy name, 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:08.480 let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:11.280 Seek the Lord and his strength, 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:13.439 seek his presence continually. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:16.719 Remember the wondrous works that he has done, 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:20.060 his miracles and the judgments he uttered. 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:22.280 O offspring of Abraham, his servant, 00:01:22.620 --> 00:01:24.320 children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:26.500 He is the Lord our God. 00:01:26.679 --> 00:01:28.199 His judgments are in all the earth. 00:01:28.619 --> 00:01:30.199 He remembers his covenant forever, 00:01:30.339 --> 00:01:32.699 the word that he commanded for a thousand generations. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:35.179 The covenant that he made with Abraham, 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:36.879 his sworn promise to Isaac, 00:01:37.179 --> 00:01:39.259 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statue, 00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:41.759 to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:42.239 saying, 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:44.819 To you I will give the land of Canaan 00:01:44.819 --> 00:01:46.939 as your portion for an inheritance. 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:50.000 When they were a few in number, 00:01:50.119 --> 00:01:52.199 of little account and sojourners in it, 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:54.099 wandering from nation to nation, 00:01:54.259 --> 00:01:55.899 from one kingdom to another people, 00:01:56.219 --> 00:01:58.359 he allowed no one to oppress them. 00:01:58.699 --> 00:02:00.500 He rebuked kings on their account, 00:02:00.679 --> 00:02:00.959 saying, 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:02.560 Touch not my anointed ones, 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:03.899 do my prophets no harm. 00:02:04.419 --> 00:02:06.459 When he summoned the famine on the land 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:08.000 and broke all supply of bread, 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:09.979 he had sent a man ahead of them, 00:02:09.979 --> 00:02:11.659 Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 00:02:12.379 --> 00:02:13.919 His feet were hurt with feathers, 00:02:14.019 --> 00:02:15.799 his neck was put in a color of iron, 00:02:16.459 --> 00:02:18.739 until what he had said came to pass. 00:02:19.359 --> 00:02:21.120 The word of the Lord tested him. 00:02:21.739 --> 00:02:23.579 The king sent and released him. 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:25.500 The ruler of the people set him free. 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:27.099 He made him lord of his house 00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:28.759 and ruler of all his possessions, 00:02:29.019 --> 00:02:31.239 to bind his princes at his pleasure 00:02:31.239 --> 00:02:33.060 and to teach his elders wisdom. 00:02:34.579 --> 00:02:36.199 Then Israel came to Egypt. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:38.539 Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham, 00:02:38.539 --> 00:02:41.079 and the Lord made his people very fruitful 00:02:41.079 --> 00:02:44.599 and made them stronger than their foes. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:47.159 He turned their hearts to hate his people, 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:49.280 to deal craftily with his servants. 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:51.899 He sent Moses, his servant, 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:53.359 and Aaron, whom he had chosen. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:55.560 They performed his signs among them 00:02:55.560 --> 00:02:57.219 and miracles in the land of Ham. 00:02:57.620 --> 00:02:59.780 He sent darkness and made the land dark. 00:02:59.899 --> 00:03:01.699 They did not rebel against his words. 00:03:02.039 --> 00:03:03.680 He turned their waters into blood 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:05.060 and caused their fish to die. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:06.680 Their land swarmed with frogs, 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:08.480 even in the chambers of their kings. 00:03:08.719 --> 00:03:11.040 He spoke, and there came swarms of flies 00:03:11.040 --> 00:03:12.560 and gnats through their country. 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:14.800 He gave them hail for rain 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:16.659 and fiery lightning bolts through their land. 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:18.659 He struck down their vines and fig trees 00:03:18.659 --> 00:03:20.439 and shattered the trees of their country. 00:03:20.980 --> 00:03:22.560 He spoke, and the locusts came, 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:23.920 young locusts without number, 00:03:24.040 --> 00:03:26.219 which devoured all the vegetation in their land 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:27.819 and ate up the fruit of their ground. 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:31.459 He struck down all the firstborn in their land, 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:33.620 the firstfruits of all their strength. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:37.659 Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, 00:03:38.079 --> 00:03:40.319 and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:42.859 Egypt was glad when they departed, 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:44.680 for dread of them had fallen upon it. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:46.919 He spread a cloud for a covering 00:03:46.919 --> 00:03:48.459 and fire to give light to night. 00:03:48.819 --> 00:03:50.519 They asked, and he brought quail, 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:52.699 and he gave them bread from heaven in abundance. 00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:55.500 He opened the rock, and water gushed out. 00:03:55.500 --> 00:03:57.479 It flowed through the desert like a river, 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:00.080 for he remembered his holy promise 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:01.740 in Abraham his servant. 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:05.180 So he brought his people out with joy, 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:06.979 his chosen ones with singing, 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:09.560 and he gave them the lands of the nations, 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:11.180 and they took possession of the fruit 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:12.180 of the people's toil, 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:15.379 that they might keep statutes and observe his laws. 00:04:15.920 --> 00:04:16.839 Praise the Lord. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:22.480 I don't know if you guys have ever 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:26.280 heard someone tell a story 00:04:26.280 --> 00:04:29.580 in a very halting and fragmented way. 00:04:30.900 --> 00:04:33.660 Or maybe you've told such a story before. 00:04:34.280 --> 00:04:35.319 You start to tell a story, 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:36.840 and then you're hazy on the details, 00:04:37.020 --> 00:04:38.220 so you wonder out loud 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:40.120 whether it happened on this occasion 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:41.040 or that occasion, 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:42.780 or whether it was this guy or that guy 00:04:42.780 --> 00:04:43.960 that said this or that. 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:47.020 And soon enough, you've lost all the momentum, 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:49.140 and the story never gets off the ground. 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:53.060 And you probably also know a few people 00:04:53.060 --> 00:04:55.279 that know how to tell stories 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:56.099 exceptionally well. 00:04:56.399 --> 00:04:57.479 They tell really good stories. 00:04:58.180 --> 00:04:59.479 And usually, good storytellers 00:04:59.479 --> 00:05:01.300 have a couple things in common. 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:03.459 One is that they tend to talk a lot. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:07.039 And two is that they tend to repeat themselves a lot. 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:08.120 They tell the same stories 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:09.459 in different contexts often. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:11.680 And that's because that's the reason 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:12.259 why they're good, 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:14.180 because they're practiced. 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:15.759 They've been telling the stories, 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:17.500 and because they've repeated the stories 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:18.839 over and over again to different people, 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:20.639 the details are fresh for them, 00:05:20.859 --> 00:05:22.599 and that's why they're able to retell it 00:05:22.599 --> 00:05:23.539 in an engaging way. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:27.159 So in order to retell a story well, 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:29.479 you need first to recall it well. 00:05:30.579 --> 00:05:33.979 And Psalm 105 is really teaching us 00:05:33.979 --> 00:05:36.259 to recall the wondrous works of God 00:05:36.259 --> 00:05:38.199 so that we can retell it to others. 00:05:38.719 --> 00:05:40.059 It's telling us to rehearse 00:05:40.059 --> 00:05:41.079 the wondrous works of God 00:05:41.079 --> 00:05:44.299 so that we can retell it to other people. 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:46.519 So the first part, 1 to 11, 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:48.339 verses 1 to 11 is about 00:05:48.339 --> 00:05:49.899 retelling God's wondrous works, 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:52.019 the command to retell God's wondrous works. 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:53.819 And then verses 12 to 45 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:56.579 is the command to recall God's wondrous works, 00:05:56.659 --> 00:05:57.680 what he's done in the past. 00:05:58.519 --> 00:06:01.240 And you can see in verses 1 to 5 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:02.579 a series of commands. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:05.019 Give thanks, call upon God's name, 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:06.079 make known his deeds, 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:07.579 sing, sing praises, 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:09.120 tell of all his wondrous works, 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:10.459 glory in his holy name, 00:06:10.859 --> 00:06:12.180 rejoice, seek the Lord, 00:06:12.419 --> 00:06:13.219 seek his presence, 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:14.060 remember. 00:06:14.700 --> 00:06:15.920 So these are the commands 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:17.680 to retell God's wondrous works 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:18.860 to those around us. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:20.940 And then that hinge command, 00:06:21.180 --> 00:06:21.600 remember, 00:06:21.880 --> 00:06:23.180 connects it to the rest. 00:06:23.820 --> 00:06:24.880 Verses 5 to 11 00:06:24.880 --> 00:06:27.700 describe our part of the covenant 00:06:27.700 --> 00:06:28.460 to God, 00:06:28.700 --> 00:06:29.660 our relationship to God, 00:06:30.020 --> 00:06:31.180 and God's part of the covenant 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:32.260 to us 00:06:32.260 --> 00:06:33.400 in a mirroring structure, 00:06:33.500 --> 00:06:34.380 verses 5 to 11. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:36.940 So verse 5a tells us 00:06:36.940 --> 00:06:38.640 to remember the wondrous works 00:06:38.640 --> 00:06:39.320 that God has done. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:41.259 And then verses 8 to 11 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:42.800 tell us that God himself 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:44.620 remembers his covenant forever. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:47.199 Verse 5b tells us 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:48.620 to remember the judgments 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:49.939 that God ordered. 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:51.680 Verse 7b tells us 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:52.699 that God's judgments 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:53.579 are in all the earth. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:55.100 And then verse 6 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:56.439 tells us who we are 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:57.740 in this covenant relationship, 00:06:58.039 --> 00:06:59.240 the offspring of Abraham, 00:06:59.420 --> 00:06:59.980 God's servant, 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:01.319 children of Jacob, 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:02.300 God's chosen ones. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:03.819 And then verse 7a 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:04.959 tells us who God is. 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:05.819 He's the Lord. 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:07.740 That's the proper name 00:07:07.740 --> 00:07:08.480 for God, Yahweh. 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:09.540 He's the Lord, our God. 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:11.819 So there's this mutuality 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:13.579 in our relationship with God. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:14.879 God is our Lord. 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:15.960 We are his servants. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:17.540 God remembers his covenant 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:18.079 with us, 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:19.060 and we are to remember 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:21.079 how he's kept his covenant 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:22.280 and praise and worship him. 00:07:23.620 --> 00:07:24.639 And verse 11 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:26.180 closes this section, 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:27.300 first section of the psalm, 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:28.060 by telling us, 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:29.400 reminding us of God's promise. 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:30.379 To you, 00:07:30.519 --> 00:07:32.079 I will give the land of Canaan 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:32.780 as your portion 00:07:32.780 --> 00:07:33.639 for an inheritance. 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:36.199 And the rest of the psalm 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:38.300 is really about recalling 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:39.819 those wondrous works 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:40.479 that God did 00:07:40.479 --> 00:07:41.639 in giving his people 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:42.379 the land of Canaan 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:43.240 as their inheritance. 00:07:44.779 --> 00:07:46.240 There are three major 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:47.319 geographic movements 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:49.180 in that next section, 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:50.399 verses 12 to 45. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:52.039 So 12 to 22, 00:07:52.219 --> 00:07:53.599 recall God's wondrous works 00:07:53.599 --> 00:07:54.459 from the wilderness 00:07:54.459 --> 00:07:55.219 to Egypt. 00:07:55.899 --> 00:07:57.279 And then 23 to 36, 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:58.839 about God's wondrous works 00:07:58.839 --> 00:07:59.360 from Egypt 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:00.699 back out to the wilderness. 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:03.539 And then verses 37 to 45 00:08:03.539 --> 00:08:05.079 is about from the wilderness 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:06.180 to the promised land. 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:09.979 And because this redemptive outline 00:08:09.979 --> 00:08:12.300 of the old covenant people of God, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:16.060 it's a shadow of the redemptive realities 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:18.740 that we've experienced through Christ. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.819 It's the shadow of the new covenant people. 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:23.799 And there is an application 00:08:23.799 --> 00:08:24.860 for all of us as well 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:25.899 as we're reading this psalm, 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:26.740 even though it's about something 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:28.120 that happened in the past to Israel. 00:08:29.099 --> 00:08:30.659 Twice in this psalm, for example, 00:08:30.799 --> 00:08:31.979 God's people are described 00:08:31.979 --> 00:08:33.019 as sojourners. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.960 Look at verse 12 and verse 23. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.340 So sojourners in the wilderness 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:38.600 and sojourners in Egypt. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:41.280 And 1 Peter chapter 2, 11 00:08:41.280 --> 00:08:44.520 describes us Christians this way. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:47.440 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:49.520 and exiles to abstain 00:08:49.520 --> 00:08:50.920 from the passions of the flesh 00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:52.460 which wage war against your soul. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:54.259 So Israel's sojourning 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:54.780 in the wilderness 00:08:54.780 --> 00:08:56.879 and in Egypt foreshadows 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.720 our sojourning in the world. 00:08:59.400 --> 00:09:00.600 And Israel's possession 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:01.720 of the promised land 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:03.580 foreshadows our eventual 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:05.720 full possession of the kingdom of God 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:07.379 and the new heavens 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:07.960 and the new earth. 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:09.360 So we could relate 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:10.259 all of these things 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:11.740 to our circumstances as well. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:13.820 So so let's first look at 00:09:13.820 --> 00:09:15.139 the faithfulness of God 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:15.580 to his people 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:16.840 from the wilderness to Egypt 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:18.320 in verses 12 to 22. 00:09:19.180 --> 00:09:21.040 Verses 12 to 15 say this, 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:22.719 when they were few in number 00:09:22.719 --> 00:09:23.779 of little account 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:25.379 and sojourners in it 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:27.279 wandering from nation to nation 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:28.259 from one kingdom 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:29.179 to another people. 00:09:29.579 --> 00:09:30.620 He allowed no one 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:31.319 to oppress them. 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:32.279 He rebuked kings 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:32.980 on their account 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:33.319 saying, 00:09:33.459 --> 00:09:34.980 touch not my anointed ones 00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:36.639 do my prophets no harm. 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:40.099 I think because we've rehearsed 00:09:40.099 --> 00:09:41.319 or heard this story 00:09:41.319 --> 00:09:42.079 so many times 00:09:42.079 --> 00:09:42.939 of God's, 00:09:43.219 --> 00:09:44.000 of the exodus 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:44.819 and that redemption 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:45.459 of his people 00:09:45.459 --> 00:09:46.559 that it's, 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:47.799 we sometimes forget 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:49.139 how far fetched 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:49.819 it really is. 00:09:50.099 --> 00:09:50.299 You know, 00:09:50.339 --> 00:09:51.519 that how unlikely 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.199 it was for this 00:09:53.199 --> 00:09:54.319 to actually happen to them. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:54.779 You know, 00:09:55.339 --> 00:09:55.719 I mean, 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:57.019 it began with God 00:09:57.019 --> 00:09:58.139 promising Abraham, 00:09:58.439 --> 00:09:58.619 right, 00:09:58.739 --> 00:09:59.439 a people, 00:09:59.599 --> 00:10:00.099 a nation 00:10:00.099 --> 00:10:01.839 and a place 00:10:01.839 --> 00:10:03.139 for them to dwell in 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:04.339 with the presence of God. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:04.819 A people, 00:10:05.079 --> 00:10:05.539 a place 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:06.479 and the presence of God 00:10:06.479 --> 00:10:06.859 with them. 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.119 The only thing that he 00:10:08.119 --> 00:10:09.039 really had going for him 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:09.959 was the presence of God 00:10:09.959 --> 00:10:11.279 because he didn't even 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:12.119 have a single child 00:10:12.119 --> 00:10:12.739 to his name 00:10:12.739 --> 00:10:13.759 at the time 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:14.599 God gave him the promise, 00:10:14.719 --> 00:10:14.899 right? 00:10:15.239 --> 00:10:16.399 And he didn't have any 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.000 parcel of land 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:19.419 that he could call his own. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:21.600 And so he was a sojourner, 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.240 a wanderer 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:22.980 in foreign nations 00:10:22.980 --> 00:10:24.279 with no place 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:24.919 to call his own 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:25.559 and yet God 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:26.699 protected him 00:10:26.699 --> 00:10:27.360 and his family 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:28.840 and he even rebuked 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:29.819 kings on their account, 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:30.240 he says. 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:31.439 So this is an allusion 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:33.059 to Genesis 12, 17 00:10:33.059 --> 00:10:35.340 and Genesis 23, 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:36.340 20, 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:37.179 chapter 20, 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:37.659 verse 3, 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:39.240 where God rebukes 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:39.779 Pharaoh, 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:40.480 king of Egypt 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.240 and Abimele, 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.419 king of Gerar, 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.279 respectively, 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.860 on account of Abraham 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:46.940 and his wife Sarah. 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:48.519 So it's just, 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.700 it's kind of crazy 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:50.320 to think about, 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:50.620 right? 00:10:51.180 --> 00:10:52.259 This little man 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.659 in this big country 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:54.419 and God rebukes 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:54.899 kings 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:56.220 on account of him. 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:57.600 Likewise, 00:10:57.919 --> 00:10:58.600 Joseph began 00:10:58.600 --> 00:10:59.399 as a slave 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.200 in fetters, 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:01.279 so how unlikely 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:02.980 is it that he, 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:04.000 that the pharaoh, 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:04.680 king of Egypt, 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:05.419 will himself 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:06.600 free this slave 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:07.800 and make him 00:11:07.800 --> 00:11:09.019 the lord over his house 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:09.779 and the ruler 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.560 over his possession. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:11.580 So like, 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.300 all these things show 00:11:12.300 --> 00:11:13.180 that God literally 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:14.139 orders the kings 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:14.699 of earth 00:11:14.699 --> 00:11:15.659 to do the bidding 00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:16.279 of his people 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.299 who are few in number 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:18.579 and of no account. 00:11:19.939 --> 00:11:20.939 And if we were to 00:11:20.939 --> 00:11:22.179 apply that to our lives, 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.359 then why do we worry 00:11:23.359 --> 00:11:24.679 and fret so much 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:27.079 that God's plan 00:11:27.079 --> 00:11:27.479 for us 00:11:27.479 --> 00:11:29.299 might not unfold, 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:29.699 right? 00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:30.659 That we might, 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:31.879 that we, 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:33.019 that God's plan for us 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:33.799 might be frustrated 00:11:33.799 --> 00:11:34.819 by our circumstances 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:35.279 or whatnot 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:36.819 because it doesn't matter 00:11:36.819 --> 00:11:37.620 if you look at 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.679 the story of Israel 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:39.639 how much the odds 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:40.819 are stacked against us 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:42.280 because God's promises 00:11:42.280 --> 00:11:43.460 will be fulfilled 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:45.020 because God can order 00:11:45.020 --> 00:11:46.040 even the kings of earth 00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:46.660 to do our bidding 00:11:46.660 --> 00:11:47.960 whenever he wants. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.820 And the phrase 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:52.020 that God's people 00:11:52.020 --> 00:11:53.100 were few in number 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:54.100 and of little account 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.560 is reminiscent 00:11:55.560 --> 00:11:56.780 of Deuteronomy 7, 00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:57.640 6 to 8. 00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:58.900 It says this, 00:11:59.020 --> 00:12:00.260 For you are a people 00:12:00.260 --> 00:12:01.700 holy to the Lord your God. 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:03.180 The Lord your God 00:12:03.180 --> 00:12:03.920 has chosen you 00:12:03.920 --> 00:12:04.640 to be a people 00:12:04.640 --> 00:12:06.000 for his treasured possession 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.680 out of all the peoples 00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:08.560 who are on the face 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.080 of the earth. 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:11.000 It was not because 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:12.220 you were more in number 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.160 than any other people 00:12:13.160 --> 00:12:13.920 that the Lord 00:12:13.920 --> 00:12:15.139 set his love on you 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:15.759 and chose you 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:17.700 for you were the fewest 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.360 of all peoples 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:20.000 but it is because 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:21.160 the Lord loves you 00:12:21.160 --> 00:12:22.780 and is keeping the oath 00:12:22.780 --> 00:12:23.980 that he swore to your fathers 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:24.920 that the Lord 00:12:24.920 --> 00:12:25.800 has brought you out 00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:26.860 with a mighty hand 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.680 and redeemed you 00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:28.820 from the house of slavery 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:30.320 from the hand of Pharaoh 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.379 king of Egypt. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.120 That's the, 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:36.400 and that logic of salvation 00:12:36.400 --> 00:12:37.720 applies to us as well. 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:38.800 So why do you think 00:12:38.800 --> 00:12:39.560 you are a Christian? 00:12:40.940 --> 00:12:41.740 Why do you think 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.460 that you are saved? 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:46.500 Because if our beginning point 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.360 of our answer 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:49.160 is our merit 00:12:49.160 --> 00:12:51.540 instead of God's grace, 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:53.540 if we start with 00:12:53.540 --> 00:12:54.639 our deservingness, 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:58.440 whether it's our morality 00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:00.600 or our sincerity, 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:02.040 our good works, 00:13:03.040 --> 00:13:04.240 if we start there 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.000 instead of starting 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:06.799 with God's prior love for us, 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.620 then we have 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.539 the sequence backwards. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:09.840 God didn't choose 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.259 his people 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.799 because they were numerous. 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:12.820 He chose them 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:13.779 while they were the fewest. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:14.580 Likewise, 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.679 God chose us 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.539 while we were still dead 00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:17.779 in our trespasses and sins. 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.220 So secondly, 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:20.840 let's look at 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:21.559 God's faithfulness 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:22.039 to his people 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:22.559 from Egypt 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.179 to the wilderness 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:24.899 in verses 23 to 36. 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.700 Jacob came to Egypt 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:29.340 with his relatively small 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.460 extended family, 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:32.360 but as verse 24 says, 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:33.919 the Lord made his people 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:34.659 very fruitful 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.720 and made them stronger 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:36.659 than their foes. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:38.320 So stronger than Egypt, 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.460 which was arguably 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.460 the most powerful nation 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:41.279 in the world at the time. 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.279 And you can see 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:44.200 God's sovereign hand 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.379 through all of history, 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:45.820 right? 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:47.200 Verse 25 tells us 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.980 that it was God 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:49.159 who turned their hearts 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:50.039 to hate his people 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.919 to deal craftily 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.600 with his servants. 00:13:53.560 --> 00:13:54.180 So even though 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:54.960 we could look at that 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:55.940 and see Egypt 00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:56.980 turning against Israel 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.060 and think that 00:13:58.060 --> 00:13:59.860 they were subject 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.500 to the whims 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.159 of the Egyptians, 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:02.079 their hatred, 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:03.299 their power. 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.379 But it was actually 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.179 God who turned 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:05.639 the Egyptians 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.939 against Israel 00:14:06.939 --> 00:14:08.399 because that was 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.199 his way of bringing 00:14:09.199 --> 00:14:10.059 about their redemption 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:10.620 and liberation. 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.419 So it's really, 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:13.339 it's a powerful, 00:14:13.719 --> 00:14:15.139 far-reaching statement 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:15.839 about the sovereignty 00:14:15.839 --> 00:14:16.259 of God. 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:17.659 So likewise, 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:17.980 then, 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.699 we can be assured 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.839 that nothing happens 00:14:19.839 --> 00:14:20.500 to us, 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:22.039 even things that 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.019 seem bad, 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.919 even things that 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:27.039 seem so opposed 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:27.720 to God's will, 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:28.720 things that happen 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.159 to us, 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.799 that they're not 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.579 happening apart 00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:32.240 from God's 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.500 sovereign control. 00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:34.579 It happens, 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:36.559 it's part of his plan 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:38.079 to redeem his people 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:38.879 and bring glory 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.419 to his name. 00:14:41.219 --> 00:14:41.579 And then, 00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:42.899 verses 26 to 36, 00:14:43.099 --> 00:14:44.139 we count how 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.079 God demonstrated 00:14:45.079 --> 00:14:45.620 his power 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.279 through the plagues 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.059 that he unleashed 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:47.759 upon Egypt. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:49.379 These plagues 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.819 are really quite amazing 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:52.299 because each plague 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.719 kind of represents 00:14:53.719 --> 00:14:54.879 a subjugation 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.799 and a repatriation 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:57.419 of the gods 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.659 Egyptians worshipped. 00:14:58.659 --> 00:14:59.899 So it's like 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:00.600 you could 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.860 turn the world 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.419 dark, 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:02.879 for example, 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.240 is a repudiation 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:05.039 of the Egyptian 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:05.819 sun god, 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:06.419 Ra, 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:06.919 right? 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:09.139 And turning 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.159 the Nile into blood 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:11.860 is a repudiation 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.500 of the Egyptian 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.279 god of the Nile, 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.019 Hapi, 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:14.439 right? 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.819 So it's like 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:16.559 making the land 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:17.259 swarm with frogs 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:17.919 is a repudiation 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:18.419 of the Egyptian 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.259 god of fertility, 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:19.759 Heket, 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.819 who was depicted 00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:21.600 in the Egyptian art 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.199 with the face 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:22.839 of a frog, 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:23.679 right? 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.179 So it's like, 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:24.819 and so on. 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.240 So basically, 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:26.600 like, 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.200 the very, 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.180 very things 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:28.740 that the Egyptians 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.480 turned to 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.540 for their security 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:32.060 and the very things 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:33.060 that they boasted of 00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:35.120 are the very points 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:35.640 at which God 00:15:35.640 --> 00:15:36.500 exposed them 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.240 and defeated them, 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:37.600 right? 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.740 It's like so, 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:41.720 it's like so satisfying, 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.020 right? 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.640 But the, 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:43.260 I mean, 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:43.820 you could think of, 00:15:44.140 --> 00:15:44.580 I don't know, 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.480 I was trying to think 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.020 of an illustration, 00:15:46.760 --> 00:15:47.900 like how demoralizing 00:15:47.900 --> 00:15:48.360 that is, 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:48.900 if you're, 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.760 like one that's 00:15:49.760 --> 00:15:50.340 opposing God, 00:15:50.420 --> 00:15:50.580 right? 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.120 Like think of, 00:15:51.140 --> 00:15:51.740 I think of someone 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:53.160 like Simone Biles, 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:53.980 you guys know who that is? 00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:56.640 She's like an American gymnast, 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:56.960 right? 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:00.620 Arguably the most dominant athlete 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:02.120 in the history of modern sports, 00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:03.160 the way she's dominating 00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:04.420 the sport that she's in. 00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:06.940 And so she's, 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.379 because usually gymnasts 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.360 have like a specialty, 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.920 every gymnast has like their own, 00:16:11.140 --> 00:16:12.160 the thing that they're the best at, 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.360 right? 00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:14.600 So if it's like the floor exercise 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.600 or a balance beam, 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.640 like usually you're weaker 00:16:16.640 --> 00:16:17.040 than one, 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:17.760 stronger than the other, 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.280 or evolved. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.400 When you fall behind 00:16:20.400 --> 00:16:21.100 in one of those events, 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:22.500 you hope to make it up 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.100 in the event 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:23.860 that's your strength, 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:25.480 but then when you compete 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.500 against Simone Biles, 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.399 it's completely demoralizing 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:30.019 because you're weak on one 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:30.620 and then you think 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.240 you'll make it up 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:32.100 but then you actually 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:33.159 lose more ground 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:34.879 and lose by a significant margin 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.519 because she's just 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.279 that much better than you 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:36.680 at everything 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:37.300 that you're good at, 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.519 right? 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:37.840 It's like, 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:38.519 that's like what, 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:39.720 it's like kind of like 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.240 what happens, 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.700 like except in a far more 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.899 drastic and dramatic way, 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.500 right? 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.860 That God takes all these things 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:46.139 that Egyptians boasted about 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:47.039 and found their strength 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.519 in and then shows them, 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.779 you just got nothing 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.840 on me, 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.300 right? 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:53.259 And that's how powerful 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.059 God is. 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:57.059 And if that's what the Lord 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:58.459 does for his people, 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.120 like if, 00:16:59.339 --> 00:17:01.019 then of course for us, 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:03.159 even though we might feel weak 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:05.119 in the presence 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:05.720 of the Egyptians, 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.099 we might feel weak 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.159 in our battle 00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:08.919 against the world 00:17:08.919 --> 00:17:09.940 of flesh and the devil, 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:10.419 right? 00:17:10.419 --> 00:17:12.119 That kept us imprisoned 00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:13.220 formally. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.740 They're no match 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.519 for the Lord God 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.740 who redeems his people 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.559 from their slavery. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:20.619 and that's the, 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.220 God, 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:23.039 and Christ, 00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:24.740 as Ephesians 2 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.980 talks about, 00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:28.119 defeats each of those things, 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.480 the world, 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:28.759 flesh, 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.179 and the devil. 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:31.899 He unites us with him 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:33.440 so that we have his resurrection 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.659 power and life in us. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.759 Even after the Exodus, 00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:38.720 the odds of Israel 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.919 surviving in the wilderness 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:41.159 and capturing the land 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:42.119 of Canaan are long, 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.480 right? 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:43.379 I mean, 00:17:43.419 --> 00:17:43.799 they're just, 00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:45.940 they just left their homes 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:47.220 and now they're in the wilderness. 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.259 The desert. 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:50.819 And as verses 37 to 45 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.559 tells us, 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.240 however, 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.299 God leads them safely 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.919 through the wilderness 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:55.159 and into the promised land. 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:57.119 It says that he gave them 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.019 bread from heaven 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.419 and water from the rock, 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.940 gave them the land 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.579 of the nations. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.159 And this journey 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:04.039 of Israel 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.839 from the wilderness 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:05.859 to the promised land 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:07.059 foreshadows our journey 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:08.240 from our present exile 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.579 to the kingdom of God, 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.940 to dwell in place with God. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.399 And that's why 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:13.119 in John 6, 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.519 32, 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.139 35, 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:14.919 Jesus says, 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:15.279 truly, 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:15.659 truly, 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.399 I say to you, 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.300 it was not Moses 00:18:17.300 --> 00:18:17.860 who gave you 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.680 the bread from heaven, 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.400 but my Father 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.420 gives you the true bread 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:20.920 from heaven. 00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:22.259 For the bread of God 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.660 is he who comes down 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.200 from heaven 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.340 and gives life to the world. 00:18:26.040 --> 00:18:27.240 I am the bread of life. 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.460 Whoever comes to me 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.240 shall not hunger 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.240 and whoever believes in me 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.040 shall never thirst. 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.980 So Jesus is explicitly 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.880 taking this account 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.380 in the wilderness 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:35.280 of God providing 00:18:35.280 --> 00:18:35.720 for his people 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.060 and saying, 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:36.980 I am that provision 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.960 to you from God 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.140 to sustain you 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:39.680 in this wilderness 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.480 and to bring you 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.280 into the promised land. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.340 Similarly, 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:42.800 that's why 00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:43.759 in 1 Corinthians 10, 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.000 3, 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.259 4, 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:44.920 Paul writes 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.640 that in the wilderness 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.980 all of God's people 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:48.440 ate the same spiritual food 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.519 and all drank 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.720 the same spiritual drink 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.819 for they drank 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:53.440 from the spiritual rock 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.359 that followed them 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:55.160 and the rock 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.019 was Christ. 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:58.259 So this is not 00:18:58.259 --> 00:19:00.039 kind of an inappropriate 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:01.279 allegorization 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.039 of the passage. 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.779 Israelites did literally 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.559 drink from water 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.480 coming from a rock, 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:06.299 a literal rock. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.200 But since the Old Testament 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.359 frequently uses 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.660 the image of rock 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.859 to describe God, 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.119 God is our rock, 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.559 Paul's making 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.639 a theological connection 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:16.519 that ultimately 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.339 God is the rock 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.119 who provided water 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:18.699 for his people 00:19:18.699 --> 00:19:19.959 and that in this 00:19:19.959 --> 00:19:20.939 new covenant era 00:19:20.939 --> 00:19:22.359 that Christ is the rock 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.919 from which living water flows 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:25.219 as John 4 talks about. 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.439 So it's through 00:19:26.439 --> 00:19:27.399 the broken body 00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:28.159 and poured out blood 00:19:28.159 --> 00:19:28.979 of Jesus Christ 00:19:28.979 --> 00:19:29.699 through his death 00:19:29.699 --> 00:19:30.199 from the cross 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:30.739 for our sins 00:19:30.739 --> 00:19:31.859 that we receive forgiveness 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:33.319 and new life 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.419 so that we can enter 00:19:34.419 --> 00:19:35.379 into the kingdom of God. 00:19:36.459 --> 00:19:37.500 And that brings us 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:39.000 to the end of the psalm 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.659 which gives us 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:40.359 the purpose 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.239 of this salvation. 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.179 Why does God 00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:42.959 redeem a people 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.539 for himself? 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.000 Verse 45 says, 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:45.900 That they might 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:47.100 keep his statutes 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:48.579 and observe his laws. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.700 Praise the Lord. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.220 Isn't that interesting? 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:51.500 Right? 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.920 God doesn't save them 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.180 because they kept his laws. 00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:55.279 He saves them 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.140 so that they will 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.819 keep his laws. 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.940 And that logic 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.980 is the same for us, 00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.600 for Christians. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:02.660 Ephesians 2, 8-10 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:02.980 says, 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.420 For by grace 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.200 you have been saved 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:05.700 through faith 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.340 and this is not 00:20:06.340 --> 00:20:07.000 your own doing. 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.100 It is the gift of God, 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.980 not a result of works 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.940 so that no one 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:11.400 may boast 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.460 but we are his workmanship 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.580 created in Christ Jesus 00:20:13.580 --> 00:20:14.880 for good works 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:16.200 which God prepared 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.660 beforehand 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.400 that we should walk 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:17.759 in them. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.059 Just as Israel 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.620 was delivered 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.440 and brought 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.240 into the promised land 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:22.000 so that they might 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.940 keep God's statutes 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.820 and observe his laws, 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.120 the church is delivered 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:25.980 from its slavery 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.500 to sin 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.320 and brought into 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:28.180 the kingdom of God 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.140 so that, 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:30.700 not because of the good works 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.500 but so that 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.880 we might do good works. 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:35.860 And so this is 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:36.820 this 00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:38.280 recalling the wondrous 00:20:38.280 --> 00:20:38.860 works of God 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.840 not only are we able 00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:40.960 to tell his works 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.420 to others 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:43.100 it's what enables us 00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:44.640 to persevere 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:46.440 in obedience 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.320 in faith 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:48.100 and to continue 00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:49.140 to live in this 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.920 state of exile 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.560 until we come 00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:50.760 to God.