WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.200 In Proverbs chapter 19, verse 23, right all the way to chapter 20, verse 12. 00:00:16.080 --> 00:00:17.600 Can you read out loud for us? 00:00:21.740 --> 00:00:27.440 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests to satisfy. 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:30.040 He will not be visited by honor. 00:00:30.940 --> 00:00:35.280 The slugger buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 00:00:36.480 --> 00:00:39.539 Strike a scoffer and the simple we run up to him. 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:43.200 Reprove a man of understanding and he will gain knowledge. 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:50.859 He who does violence to his father, chases away his mother, is a son who brings shame and reproach. 00:00:51.900 --> 00:00:55.980 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 00:00:55.979 --> 00:01:01.599 A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 00:01:02.839 --> 00:01:06.560 Condemnation is ready for scoffers and beating for the backs of fools. 00:01:08.259 --> 00:01:13.539 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:16.679 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion. 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:19.420 Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:24.700 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be poorer. 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:27.519 The slugger does not plow in the autumn. 00:01:27.980 --> 00:01:29.879 He will seek an harvest and have nothing. 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:35.780 The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw him up. 00:01:36.620 --> 00:01:40.540 Many a man proclaims his own step-by-step love, but a faithful man. 00:01:40.540 --> 00:01:47.160 The righteous who walks in his integrity, blessed are his children after him. 00:01:47.940 --> 00:01:52.340 A king who sits on the throne of judgment, minnows all evil with his eyes. 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:55.160 He can say, I have made my heart pure. 00:01:55.440 --> 00:01:56.780 I am praying for my son. 00:01:58.160 --> 00:02:02.120 Omniple weights and unequil measures are built for my own foundation to him. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:09.420 When the child makes himself known by God, by whether his conduct is pure or not good, 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:13.400 the hearing, ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord has made me. 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:16.840 This is God's glory and glory to the Lord. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:24.240 Please excuse the noise and different things we're dealing with. 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:27.920 It's sitting on a second Sunday here, so I think we're still working out some of the things. 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:31.819 And thank you guys for making this possible. 00:02:31.959 --> 00:02:36.339 People who are serving on the sound and live stream and all that. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:43.319 In some ways, those are really thankless jobs because people only notice when something's not working. 00:02:43.979 --> 00:02:46.619 And then they're fiercely contacting people who are in charge and whatnot. 00:02:47.419 --> 00:02:49.779 But you don't notice it many times. 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:50.659 It's broken seamlessly. 00:02:51.259 --> 00:02:54.819 And a lot of people serve together to make this service possible. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:03:03.859 Just to remind you guys from last week's passage, it concluded by saying that it's better to be poor than a liar. 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:09.719 And our passage begins in chapter 19, verse 23, by saying this, 00:03:09.799 --> 00:03:14.819 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied. 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:17.139 He will not be visited by heart. 00:03:17.139 --> 00:03:26.359 So using the imagery of resting satisfied, this is an image of being contented after a wholesome, tasty meal. 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:35.459 And verse 23 reiterates the fact that it is not luxurious banquets and abundant feasts that ultimately satisfy. 00:03:36.179 --> 00:03:39.639 It is the fear of the Lord that ultimately satisfies. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:47.459 Because people of this world think that they can buy contentment with enough worldly goods and experiences, 00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:54.119 enough money, enough boyfriends and girlfriends, enough parties, enough power, enough food. 00:03:54.659 --> 00:03:56.979 But the truth is, they are never enough. 00:03:57.779 --> 00:04:00.539 Just as hunger indicates that there is such a thing as food, 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:04.019 just as thirst indicates that there is such a thing as water, 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:08.320 our spiritual hunger, the persistent feeling of emptiness, 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:10.020 that feeling of being unfulfilled, 00:04:11.040 --> 00:04:14.360 that lingering sense that something is not quite right about this world, 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:16.019 that longing for eternity, 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:20.280 that every human being innately knows, 00:04:20.900 --> 00:04:23.720 can only be satisfied by one thing, 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:26.259 and that is the fear of the Lord, 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:29.699 being restored to proper relationship with God, 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:32.639 between the Father and the Spirit, 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:35.120 between the Creator and creatures, 00:04:35.579 --> 00:04:37.800 between the King and His subjects. 00:04:39.039 --> 00:04:41.719 So the fear of the Lord is the main theme of this passage, 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:43.879 and really, if you can whip us throughout this series, 00:04:44.019 --> 00:04:44.839 is to put the problems, 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:47.599 the theme of every passage in the book of Proverbs. 00:04:48.599 --> 00:04:51.479 And the main point that this passage teaches us this morning 00:04:51.479 --> 00:04:53.519 is that those who mock God's ways 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:56.319 will be judged by the Lord's anointed King. 00:04:57.060 --> 00:05:00.519 So we see the fool's mockery in chapter 19, verse 23, 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:01.919 and chapter 20, verse 1. 00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:03.740 And then the King's judgment, 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:06.500 in chapter 20, verse 2 to 12. 00:05:10.340 --> 00:05:12.180 Let me know if there's anything I need to do here. 00:05:16.140 --> 00:05:18.139 So let's look at the fool's mockery first, 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:19.639 chapter 19, verse 23, 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:20.960 to chapter 20, verse 1. 00:05:21.900 --> 00:05:24.040 Verse 24 is continuing that image 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:25.660 of being satisfied with food. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:25.980 It says, 00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:28.100 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:30.360 and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:33.160 This is true on multiple levels. 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:36.960 The sluggard who spurns the diligence commanded by God, 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:39.060 it's God's wisdom, 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:43.240 as a way of gaining and being satisfied. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:47.199 This sluggard who spurns that is depriving himself. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.280 And the image is really ridiculous, 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:51.740 if you think about it. 00:05:51.780 --> 00:05:54.840 The image of a sluggard burying his hand in the middle. 00:05:54.839 --> 00:06:06.799 He's burying his hand in the middle of a dish with food, 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:09.399 but he's too lazy to actually lift his hands 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:11.639 and feed himself, bring it to his mouth. 00:06:12.219 --> 00:06:16.000 But it appropriately captures the plight of the sluggard. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:20.259 It's not that work is not available to him. 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:23.279 It's not that the means of satisfying his hunger 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.980 is unavailable to him, 00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:28.079 but he's unable to make use of the means 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:29.500 that are afforded to him. 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:32.259 He has food, but won't feed. 00:06:33.579 --> 00:06:35.920 And this indictment is true also about the sluggard 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:38.699 who refuses to be satisfied with the fear of the Lord, 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:40.480 the wisdom of God. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:44.199 It's not that God's wisdom is withheld from him. 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:46.139 He has access to it. 00:06:46.719 --> 00:06:48.159 It is presented to him, 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:50.579 but he is too lazy to receive it. 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:53.860 And this is a sobering warning to all of us 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:57.019 who are busily satisfying our bodily appetites 00:06:57.019 --> 00:07:00.680 to the neglect of satisfying our spiritual hunger. 00:07:02.919 --> 00:07:07.659 Even in dire situations, times like ours currently, 00:07:08.159 --> 00:07:10.360 we are all going to grocery stores 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:12.879 or having groceries delivered to us 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:16.819 by people who may or may not have contracted the virus. 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:20.600 We are visiting hospitals for urgent treatments. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:23.240 Even with the threat of COVID-19, 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:25.639 we're still meeting with and spending time 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:26.819 with family and friends 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:29.420 that we deem essential to our well-being. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:33.439 But can we say, as Job did in Job 23, 12, 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:36.879 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips. 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:39.159 I have treasured the words of his mouth 00:07:39.159 --> 00:07:41.339 more than my portion of food. 00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:44.839 When people around us observe our lives, 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:48.139 will they say his values, her values? 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:52.379 He or she values God's word more than food. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:55.980 Will they say so-and-so treasures eternal life 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:57.339 more than temporal life? 00:07:58.199 --> 00:08:00.219 Or will they say that we are sluggish 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:03.259 with regard to satisfying our spiritual appetite, 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:05.779 which is of the utmost importance? 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:09.219 People respond in various ways 00:08:09.219 --> 00:08:10.620 when confronted with this truth. 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:11.519 In verse 25, 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.480 the scoffer and simple 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:16.099 both belong to the category of fools. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:17.920 But the scoffer is the worst. 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:21.259 Scoffers are those who are too prideful 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:23.699 to listen to or to submit to anyone else. 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:26.259 They have an overinflated confidence 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:27.379 in their own opinions, 00:08:27.539 --> 00:08:28.420 and so they sneer, 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:29.399 they mock, 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:32.419 they express their disbelief and disapproval 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:33.779 toward others in ways 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:35.120 that make them feel small. 00:08:37.819 --> 00:08:40.599 And they feel superior to others, 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:41.240 these scoffers. 00:08:41.699 --> 00:08:42.419 And to others, 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:43.059 to many people, 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:44.479 they come across as intelligent, 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:46.019 even sophisticated, 00:08:46.599 --> 00:08:47.419 but in reality, 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:49.199 the Bible describes them as fools. 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:52.179 And because they're immune to correction, 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:54.139 they're not known to change their minds 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:54.899 on issues. 00:08:55.259 --> 00:08:57.019 Proverbs 9, 7 to 8 warned us, 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:58.879 Whoever corrects a scoffer 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:00.000 gets himself abused, 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:02.120 and he who reproves a wicked man 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:03.100 incurs injury. 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:05.220 Do not reprove a scoffer 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:06.460 or he will hate you. 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:09.259 So there is no use trying to rebuke the scoffer. 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:10.139 It's a waste of time. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:12.139 And the scoffer only understands 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:13.100 one language, 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:14.360 and that is 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:16.240 a flogging, 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:16.879 literally, 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:18.120 or striking, it says. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:20.259 The word strike 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:23.200 refers to the standard method 00:09:23.200 --> 00:09:23.700 of punishment 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:25.000 that was used in these days 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:25.820 by the authorities 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:28.259 who were given the charge 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:29.559 to execute those things. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:30.759 And so, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.019 this is not talking about, 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:32.379 you know, 00:09:32.440 --> 00:09:33.559 if you find a scoffer, 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:34.720 start a fistfight with them 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:35.899 because that would be 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:36.820 a foolish thing to do. 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:39.779 But that's what's appropriate 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:40.440 for a scoffer. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.580 The flogging, however, 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:42.779 is not merely punitive. 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:43.679 It's not just punishing. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:47.259 It also has a pedagogical purpose. 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:48.539 It's intended to teach. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:50.639 Verse 25 continues, 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:51.840 Strike a scoffer, 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:54.120 and the simple will learn prudence. 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:56.460 The second category of people 00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:57.200 is the simple. 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:59.220 The simple refer to 00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:00.799 the ignorant and naive. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:02.980 Their minds are not closed 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:04.159 like that of the scoffer, 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:05.519 but they are empty. 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:07.500 So what they need is learning. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:09.440 And one of the ways 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:09.980 that they learn 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:10.860 is by seeing 00:10:10.860 --> 00:10:12.200 the wicked scoffer hunt. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:13.799 And then there's 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:14.919 the final category of people, 00:10:15.019 --> 00:10:16.139 a man of understanding. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:18.360 Reprove a man of understanding 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:20.000 and he will gain knowledge. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:21.539 In contrast, 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:22.220 the scoffer 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:22.940 who does not learn 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:23.980 even after flogging, 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:24.960 and in contrast, 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:26.360 the simple who only learns 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:27.299 after watching 00:10:27.299 --> 00:10:28.620 a wicked person flaw. 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:30.740 A man of understanding 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:31.960 learns only after 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:32.940 a word of correction. 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:34.860 Unlike the mind 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:35.379 of the scoffer 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:36.060 that's closed, 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:36.860 unlike the mind 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:37.360 of the simple 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.139 which is empty, 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:40.539 the mind of the man of God, 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:41.360 the man of understanding 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.159 is open. 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.740 That's the hallmark 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:44.279 of wisdom, 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:45.379 humility, 00:10:45.820 --> 00:10:46.940 and a receptiveness 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:48.120 to the word of God. 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:50.320 The wisest among men 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:51.480 is the most teachable 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:53.460 while the foolish scoffer 00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:54.580 is incorrigible. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:57.159 But how do some people 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:59.100 end up as scoffers? 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:01.379 It doesn't happen overnight. 00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:03.860 Verses 26 to 27 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:04.679 tell us, 00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:05.919 He who does violence 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:06.599 to his father 00:11:06.599 --> 00:11:07.919 and chases away his mother 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:08.959 is a son who brings 00:11:08.959 --> 00:11:10.239 shame and reproach. 00:11:10.959 --> 00:11:12.299 Cease to hear instruction, 00:11:12.459 --> 00:11:12.859 my son, 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:13.659 and you will stray 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.559 from the words 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.239 of knowledge. 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:17.039 Their wickedness 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:18.519 and psychomockery 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:20.399 originated in the home. 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:22.739 The scoffer is immune 00:11:22.739 --> 00:11:23.699 to learning and correction 00:11:23.699 --> 00:11:24.479 out in society 00:11:24.479 --> 00:11:25.439 because he failed 00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:26.899 to listen to the instruction 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:27.899 of his parents 00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:28.979 when he was still 00:11:28.979 --> 00:11:29.839 in their home. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.840 This is why 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:32.639 it's so important 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:33.200 for parents 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.139 to bring their children 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:35.139 up in the discipline 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:35.720 and instruction 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.259 of the Lord. 00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:38.060 By learning humility 00:11:38.060 --> 00:11:38.639 and obedience 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:40.200 from their parents 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:42.340 and humility before 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:43.440 and obedience to God 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:44.280 is also learned. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:45.820 And if they don't listen 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:47.259 to your instructions now, 00:11:47.340 --> 00:11:47.940 if you're parents, 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.420 they will stray 00:11:49.420 --> 00:11:50.080 from the words 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:50.620 of knowledge 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.360 in the future 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.780 and bring shame 00:11:52.780 --> 00:11:53.379 and reproach 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.139 to the household. 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:56.160 And verse 26 00:11:56.160 --> 00:11:56.980 says that this fool 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:57.840 does violence 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:58.460 to his father 00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:59.759 and chases away 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:00.340 his mother. 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:01.500 This could be 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.720 literal or figurative 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:03.919 but in this society 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:04.819 where the elderly 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:06.120 depended exclusively 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.279 on the care 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:07.980 of their children, 00:12:08.439 --> 00:12:09.279 this was an especially 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:10.080 heinous crime. 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:12.519 18th century 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:13.519 American theologian 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.299 Jonathan Edwards 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:15.240 puts it this way, 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:16.740 a Christian family 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:17.720 is as it were 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:18.659 a little church 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.919 and commonwealth 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.580 by itself. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:21.580 And the head 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:22.100 of the family 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.019 has more advantage 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:24.319 in this little community 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:25.600 to promote religion 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:26.360 than ministers 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:27.559 have in congregations 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.779 and magistrates 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.620 in the commonwealth. 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:31.100 They being always 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:31.580 with them 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.500 and having them 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.539 at continual command 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:34.899 and having always 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:35.580 opportunities 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:37.019 of instructing them. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:39.220 For the children 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:39.779 who are listening, 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:40.259 that means 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.340 listen to your parents. 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.100 The son 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:45.779 who ceases 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:46.480 to hear instruction, 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:46.899 however, 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:48.559 becomes a scoffer. 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:49.620 He says in verse 28 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.179 and 29, 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:51.279 a worthless witness 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:52.299 mocks at justice 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.379 and the mouth 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:53.879 of the wicked 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:55.159 devours iniquity. 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.719 condemnation 00:12:56.719 --> 00:12:58.000 is ready for scoffers 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:58.559 and beating 00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:59.219 for the backs 00:12:59.219 --> 00:12:59.759 of fools. 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.079 So the words 00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:02.279 mock and scoffer 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.000 are the same 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.679 Hebrew word 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.620 translated differently 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:06.439 and this word 00:13:06.439 --> 00:13:07.839 occurs four times 00:13:07.839 --> 00:13:08.319 throughout this 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:09.579 first half of the passage 00:13:09.579 --> 00:13:10.679 and the word 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.980 justice and condemnation 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.579 are also 00:13:12.579 --> 00:13:13.759 different translations 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.480 of the same 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:15.339 Hebrew word. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.360 And so there's 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:17.439 a poetic word play 00:13:17.439 --> 00:13:17.699 here 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:18.819 that expresses 00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:20.120 God's poetic justice 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:21.480 that those 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:22.759 who mock justice 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.679 will meet 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.759 his justice. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.480 And in this world 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:27.200 there are people 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.060 wicked people 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:28.759 who instead of 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.860 being sated 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:30.960 satisfied by the 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.700 fear of the Lord 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.919 as verse 23 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:33.720 says we should do 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.620 they make doing 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.500 evil deeds 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.419 their bread and butter 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.720 as verse 28 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.840 says that the mouth 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.220 of the wicked 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.500 devours iniquity. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.060 In this world 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:42.720 they scoff 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:43.320 at the righteous 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.620 and mock justice 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.560 imagining that they 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:46.440 will never be held 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.220 accountable. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.299 But don't be 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:49.879 disheartened 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.600 when that happens 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.120 around you 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:51.939 when the wicked 00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:52.779 seem to thrive 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:54.220 because God's 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.039 justice stands 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.720 ready for scoffers. 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.080 In the last verse 00:13:59.080 --> 00:13:59.580 in this verse 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.639 chapter 20 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.159 verse 1 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:02.460 again the word 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.200 occurs mocker 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:04.559 wine is a mocker 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.980 strong drink 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.600 a brawler 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.539 and whoever is 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.519 led astray by it 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.379 is not wise. 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:12.279 By personifying 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:13.659 wine and strong 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:15.039 drink as a mocker 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:16.019 and a brawler 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:18.059 Solomon graphically 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:19.000 portrays the 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.940 tendency of 00:14:19.940 --> 00:14:21.059 over consumption 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:21.779 of alcohol 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.980 to draw out 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:23.600 the folly 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.299 in all of us. 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:26.320 Even a typically 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:27.279 demure person 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.580 when drunk 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:29.799 becomes a brash 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.419 mocker. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.120 Even a typically 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.000 timid person 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:34.080 when drunk 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:34.980 becomes a 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.320 swaggering brawler. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.240 Proverbs 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.379 often warns 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:40.360 about the dangers 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.000 of alcohol. 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.399 21-17 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.200 warns about 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:44.080 the addictiveness 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:45.100 and the expensiveness 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:45.800 of alcohol 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:46.759 and how it 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.320 impoverishes 00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:47.720 people. 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:49.240 Chapter 31 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.139 verses 45 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.900 warn us about 00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:51.520 the tendency 00:14:51.520 --> 00:14:52.300 of alcohol 00:14:52.300 --> 00:14:52.800 to blur 00:14:52.800 --> 00:14:53.379 our judgment. 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:55.580 But on the 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:56.040 other hand 00:14:56.040 --> 00:14:56.900 some verses 00:14:56.900 --> 00:14:57.580 in Proverbs 00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:58.000 such as 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.520 chapter 3 00:14:58.520 --> 00:14:59.060 verse 10 00:14:59.060 --> 00:15:00.000 speak of 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.879 abundant wine 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.759 as a sign 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.320 of God's 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:02.700 blessing. 00:15:04.060 --> 00:15:04.900 And this 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:05.360 tension 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.440 between seeing 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:07.060 wine as a 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:07.580 blessing from 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:08.340 God and 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:08.800 seeing it as 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:09.300 a dangerous 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:10.080 substance to 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.580 steer clear 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:10.940 from 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:12.200 that tension 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.920 runs throughout 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:14.020 the entirety 00:15:14.020 --> 00:15:14.560 of scripture. 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:15.740 And that means 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.120 we need to 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:16.720 hold on to 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:17.200 that tension 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.720 because that's 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.500 there intentionally. 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:19.780 On the one 00:15:19.780 --> 00:15:20.440 hand those 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.120 who abstain 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.720 from drinking 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:22.300 altogether 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:23.220 should not 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:23.900 paint those 00:15:23.900 --> 00:15:24.400 who drink 00:15:24.400 --> 00:15:24.920 with broad 00:15:24.920 --> 00:15:25.360 strokes. 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:26.580 And remember 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:27.139 that alcohol 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:28.259 can be enjoyed 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.240 appropriately 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.580 responsibly 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.879 in the right 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.480 context. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.660 On the other 00:15:33.660 --> 00:15:34.420 hand those 00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:35.040 who enjoy 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:35.480 drinking 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.360 should keep 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:37.200 the very real 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:37.860 dangers of 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.980 alcohol always 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:39.759 in their 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.140 mind. 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.180 And be 00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:42.000 self-controlled 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:43.379 always in 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:43.840 their drinking. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.340 Chapter 20 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:45.860 verse 1 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:46.840 preserves this 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.200 tension. 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.340 Wine is a 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:48.720 mocker, 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:49.780 strong drink 00:15:49.780 --> 00:15:50.340 of brawler, 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.280 and whoever 00:15:51.280 --> 00:15:51.980 is led 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.200 astray by it 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:53.860 is not 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.460 wise. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.840 It's not that 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:56.400 drinking in 00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:57.020 and of itself 00:15:57.020 --> 00:15:58.139 is foolish, 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.120 but being led 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.180 astray by it 00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:00.780 is. 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.300 The word 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.879 led astray 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.420 has a double 00:16:03.420 --> 00:16:03.740 meaning. 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.520 It means to 00:16:04.520 --> 00:16:04.920 be led 00:16:04.920 --> 00:16:05.720 astray from 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.440 God's wisdom, 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:07.620 but it also 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.220 means to be 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.259 staggered, 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.120 so you 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:10.679 can picture 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:11.360 someone who's 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:11.960 staggered by 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.299 wine. 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:13.960 So then 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:14.379 those who 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.259 get staggered 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:15.919 by alcohol 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:17.200 are straying 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:17.860 from the 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.259 ways of 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:18.500 God. 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.860 That's the 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.259 mockery, 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:20.879 the false 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.319 mockery. 00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:23.460 Though there 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:23.960 are many who 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.620 make mockery 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.059 of God's 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:25.460 wisdom, 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.720 for that 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.299 reason God 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:28.340 appoints kings 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.340 to execute 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:29.919 his judgment, 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:30.460 and that's 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:30.819 what chapter 00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:31.439 20 verses 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:32.159 2 to 12 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.580 is about, 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.439 the king's 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:33.960 judgment of 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.399 these foolish 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:34.840 mockers. 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.159 It says in 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.639 verse 2, 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.220 the terror 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:37.819 of a king 00:16:37.819 --> 00:16:38.279 is like 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.879 the growling 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.480 of a lion. 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:39.879 Whoever 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.399 provokes 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:40.779 him to 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.159 anger 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:42.340 forfeits 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.919 his life. 00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:43.559 This is 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:44.019 speaking of 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.580 his fierce 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.519 wrath like 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:45.980 a lion, 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.679 young lion 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.120 that lays 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:48.240 claim on 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.779 its prey 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.439 by roaring. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:50.639 And 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:52.840 earlier, 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.759 chapter 19 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.559 verse 11 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:55.080 and 12 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.319 paired a 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:56.919 proverb about 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.379 the king's 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.259 righteous wrath 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:58.980 with the 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.659 proverb about 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.159 patience. 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:01.639 And the 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.220 same thing, 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.240 Solomon's doing 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:03.779 the same thing 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.139 here, 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.500 because it 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:04.799 says in 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.279 chapter 20 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:05.839 verse 3, 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:06.759 it is an 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.359 honor for 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.019 a man to 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.799 keep aloof 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.559 from strife, 00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:10.399 but every 00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:11.079 fool will 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.680 be quarreling. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.500 People often 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.059 get into 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.139 heated arguments 00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:16.059 and quarrels 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:16.879 in order to 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:17.480 defend their 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:17.720 honor, 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.000 but verse 3 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.599 teaches us 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:20.059 that it is 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.559 an honor 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.700 actually for 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.160 a man to 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.079 keep aloof 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.019 from strife. 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.180 The wise 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:26.500 person reserves 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.420 his wrath for 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.920 appropriate occasions 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.899 and does not 00:17:29.899 --> 00:17:30.660 pick fights 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.519 unnecessarily. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.019 The fool, 00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:33.519 on the other 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:33.799 hand, 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.500 has no 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.259 restraint and 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.059 jumps into 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.480 the fray 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.059 wherever he 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:37.480 sees an 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:37.700 opening. 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:39.859 Verse 4 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.640 describes another 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:41.220 type of fool, 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:41.799 the slugger. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.519 While the 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.099 foolish mocker 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.559 is too 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.879 motivated for 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.500 quarreling, 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.119 the foolish 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:46.660 slugger is 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.619 too unmotivated 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.099 for work. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.259 The slugger 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:49.660 does not 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.299 plow in the 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.519 autumn, 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.259 he will seek 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.779 and harvest 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.379 and have 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:53.000 nothing. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.079 Plowing is 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:55.859 the initial 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.940 preparatory step 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.460 in farming 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.339 where farmers 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.279 break up the 00:17:59.279 --> 00:17:59.619 fall of 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.420 ground in 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:00.660 order to 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.140 make it 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:02.660 more conducive 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.379 to planting. 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:03.460 farming. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.300 So this 00:18:06.300 --> 00:18:07.560 slugger is 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:08.540 too lazy to 00:18:08.540 --> 00:18:09.480 take part in 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.200 that first 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.700 step of 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.000 farming. 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.020 However, 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.720 he wants 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.500 nevertheless to 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.360 participate in 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:15.140 the last step 00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:16.040 of farming. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.300 He will seek 00:18:17.300 --> 00:18:17.960 at harvest 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.640 and have 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:18.980 nothing. 00:18:20.300 --> 00:18:21.360 The folly of 00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:22.040 this slugger is 00:18:22.040 --> 00:18:22.820 that he wants 00:18:22.820 --> 00:18:24.280 results without 00:18:24.280 --> 00:18:25.200 hard work. 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.680 He wants to 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:27.400 skip to the 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:27.820 fruit of the 00:18:27.820 --> 00:18:28.680 harvest without 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.720 the toil of 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.820 plowing. 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:32.179 the slugger 00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:32.700 wants a 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.960 job without 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.980 acquiring the 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.639 skills to 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:35.919 do the 00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:36.240 job. 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.059 He wants 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.659 to be fit 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:38.259 and healthy 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.899 without exercising 00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:40.899 any self-control 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.740 in his diet. 00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:42.740 He wants to 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.500 get an A in 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.059 the class 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.200 without reading 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.200 the assigned 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.619 books. 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:47.579 He wants 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:47.960 all the 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.879 pleasures of 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.339 a romantic 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:50.019 relationship 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.179 without any 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:51.480 of its 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.000 hardships. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:53.460 He says, 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.220 such a person 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:54.899 is a slugger 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.339 who will not 00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:55.899 be rewarded. 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.539 Humans are 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.779 complex beings 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.339 and it's 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.000 difficult to 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.000 tell what's 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.759 really on a 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.339 person's mind 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:02.779 at times. 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:03.619 What's really 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:04.279 in a person's 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:04.599 heart. 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.019 But verse 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:07.000 5 says, 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:07.559 the purpose 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.160 in a man's 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.839 heart is like 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.639 deep water, 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.000 but a man of 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.579 understanding 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.440 will dry out. 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.119 It takes a 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:13.519 wise, 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.519 discerning 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.339 person to 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.000 draw out the 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.740 hidden impulses 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.299 and purposes 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:17.899 of a man's 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.119 heart. 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:19.740 And sometimes 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.259 we don't even 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.779 understand our 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.299 own hearts, 00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:21.559 right? 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.059 We don't even 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.819 understand the 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.680 purposes that lie 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.240 behind our 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:27.420 own agenda. 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:29.100 And so it 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.740 says in verse 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.100 6, 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.840 many a man 00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.600 proclaims his 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.259 own steadfast 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.720 love, 00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:33.880 but a faithful 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:34.660 man who 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:35.380 can find 00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:35.680 him. 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:36.620 There's the 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.440 contrast between 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.100 the many and 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:38.519 the one. 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:39.880 Many people 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.720 claim to have 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.600 steadfast love, 00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:43.460 but one real 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.420 faithful man 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.640 who can find 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:45.900 him. 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.320 In other 00:19:47.320 --> 00:19:47.600 words, 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.300 many of us 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:49.000 are hypocrites. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.720 We all tend 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.360 to think that 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:51.860 we are more 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:52.440 ethical and 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:52.980 godly than 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.420 we actually 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:53.779 are. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:54.860 There are 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:55.460 more people 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.300 who think that 00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:56.539 they are 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.300 spiritually mature 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.559 and righteous 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.359 than there 00:19:59.359 --> 00:19:59.899 are actually 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:00.519 people who 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.159 are spiritually 00:20:01.159 --> 00:20:02.339 mature and 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:02.759 righteous. 00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:05.119 We assume 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:05.700 the answer to 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.220 that rhetorical 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.759 question, 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.879 a faithful man 00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:08.740 who can find 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.859 is no one. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.119 There is no 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.319 one who has 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.039 steadfast love 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.700 and faithfulness 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.259 toward God 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.039 in an absolute 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.579 sense. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.859 But there are 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.619 some who follow 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.799 God even though 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.480 in an imperfect 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:19.879 way. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.480 And that's what 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.139 verse 7 is 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:21.639 describing. 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.240 The righteous 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.139 who walks in 00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:23.819 his integrity 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:25.180 blessed are his 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:25.980 children after 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.259 him. 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.759 they will 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.640 live a legacy 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.099 of blessing 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.920 for their 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.359 progeny. 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.240 And in 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.859 all of this 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.379 it's the 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:34.240 king's job 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.759 that God's 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.440 appointed king 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.440 to tell apart 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.079 the hypocrites 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.559 from the 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:38.879 genuinely 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.440 righteous. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:40.660 He says 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.339 in verse 8 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:41.959 a king who 00:20:41.959 --> 00:20:42.679 sits on the 00:20:42.679 --> 00:20:43.119 throne of 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.500 judgment 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.720 winnows all 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.339 evil with 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:45.859 his eyes. 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:46.939 Who can 00:20:46.939 --> 00:20:47.519 say I have 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:47.899 made my 00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:48.500 heart pure? 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:48.819 I am 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.359 clean from 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:49.839 my sin. 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.000 So once 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.500 again the 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.259 metaphor of 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.879 farming comes 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.159 back. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.980 The winnowing 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:55.220 connects to 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.599 when the 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.220 farmers are 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:57.599 trying to 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.419 separate the 00:20:58.419 --> 00:20:59.039 kernel from 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.619 the chaff 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.819 using the 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.079 wind. 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.379 And so the 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:02.959 slugger who 00:21:02.959 --> 00:21:03.359 does not 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.919 plow but 00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:04.279 want to 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.059 take part in 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.679 the harvest 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:07.319 is like 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:08.159 chaff that 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:08.720 the king 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.640 needs to 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.299 winnow out 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.600 to filter out 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:12.120 this kind of 00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:12.460 slugger. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.660 It's the 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.000 king's 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.600 responsibility 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:15.819 to do that. 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.220 All the 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.579 types of 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:16.900 fools that 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.220 are mentioned 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.440 in this 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:17.720 passage, 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.420 the sluggers, 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.019 the liars, 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.759 the perjurers, 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.480 the cheaters, 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.279 the mockers. 00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:21.980 It's the 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.700 king's job 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:24.140 to winnow 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.039 all such 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.360 evil. 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.259 The king 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.680 must do 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.100 this because 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:29.299 he represents 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.819 the Lord 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.339 who appointed 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:30.559 him. 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:31.039 Verse 10 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.759 says unequal 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.700 weights and 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.120 unequal 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:34.000 measures are 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.600 both alike 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.279 an abomination 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.039 to the 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.420 Lord. 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.019 It's because 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.680 the Lord 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.840 upholds 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:40.560 justice and 00:21:40.560 --> 00:21:41.000 the king 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.720 sits on 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.080 the throne 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:42.740 of justice 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.880 is he 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.580 must at 00:21:44.580 --> 00:21:44.940 God's 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.200 behalf 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.779 winnow all 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.720 evil with 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.160 his eyes. 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:50.259 Verse 11 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:50.720 says even 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.320 a child 00:21:51.320 --> 00:21:51.980 makes himself 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.480 known by 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.019 his acts 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.680 by whether 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.279 his conduct 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.880 is pure 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:55.440 and upright. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.700 How much 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.480 more then 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.080 can the 00:21:58.080 --> 00:21:58.920 king judge 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.720 fully grown 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.140 men and 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.160 women by 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.019 their conduct? 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:03.160 That's what 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.620 this proverb 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.299 implies. 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.460 The hearing 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.060 ear and the 00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:06.740 seeing eye 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.160 the Lord 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:07.600 has made 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:08.060 them both 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.599 persuade. 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.460 The Lord 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:09.799 is the 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.379 creator of 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:10.859 the hearing 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.379 eye and 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:11.819 the seeing 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.019 eye. 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.279 It's the 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.700 Lord who 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.039 grants 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.639 discernment 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.039 and wisdom 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.379 to the 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:15.000 king so 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.259 that he's 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.679 able to 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:16.179 winnow all 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:16.899 evil with 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:17.539 his eyes. 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:20.159 Unfortunately, 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:20.819 the historical 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.839 reality is that 00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.679 Israel's king 00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:23.579 did not live up 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.179 to this ideal. 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.119 Even Solomon, 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.139 the sage king, 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:29.659 the principal 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.379 author of this 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.179 book of 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:31.579 Proverbs, 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.039 did not walk 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.720 in integrity 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.759 or winnow all 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.419 evil with his 00:22:35.419 --> 00:22:36.220 eyes during his 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.519 days. 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:38.220 1 Kings 11 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.779 tells us about 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.700 Solomon's failure. 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.019 It says, 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:41.980 Now King Solomon 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.119 loved many 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.740 foreign women 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.859 along with the 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.339 daughter of 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:45.619 Pharaoh, 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.700 Moabite, 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.279 Ammonite, 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.819 Edomite, 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.440 Sidonian, 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:48.960 and Hittite 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.700 women from 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.180 the nations 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.000 concerning which 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.579 the Lord has 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.019 said to the 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.420 people of 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:52.779 Israel, 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.819 You shall not 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.400 enter into 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.980 marriage with 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.200 them, 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.180 neither shall 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:56.740 they with 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.059 you, 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:57.980 for surely 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.339 they will 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:58.859 turn away 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.379 your heart 00:22:59.379 --> 00:22:59.920 after their 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.279 gods. 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.639 But Solomon 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.279 clung to 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:02.680 these in 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:02.980 love. 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.440 He has 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.500 700 wives 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:04.779 who are 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.519 princesses, 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.519 and 300 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.299 concubines, 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.119 and his 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:09.059 wives turned 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.879 away his 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.220 heart. 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.160 For when 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:11.740 Solomon was 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.099 old, 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:12.680 his wives 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.339 turned away 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:13.779 his heart 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.480 after other 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:14.920 gods, 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:15.740 and his 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.240 heart was 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:16.940 not wholly 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.440 true to 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:17.940 the Lord 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.759 his God. 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.859 The king 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.379 who wrote 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.079 this book, 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:22.900 who wrote 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.839 chapter 20, 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.799 verse 27, 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:25.879 ceased to 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.660 hear instruction, 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.220 my son, 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.660 and you will 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.299 stray from 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:28.759 the words of 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.139 knowledge. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.379 He himself 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:31.099 ceased at 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.539 some point 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:31.779 of his 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.519 life to 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.359 hear instruction, 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:34.719 and as a 00:23:34.719 --> 00:23:35.279 result he 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.219 strayed from 00:23:36.219 --> 00:23:36.719 the words 00:23:36.719 --> 00:23:37.339 of knowledge. 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:38.659 And the 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:39.199 failure of 00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:39.879 kings and 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.500 rulers and 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.079 presidents 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.859 throughout the 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:42.459 history of 00:23:42.459 --> 00:23:43.159 humanity has 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:44.079 meant the 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:44.679 failure of 00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:45.139 justice. 00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:46.759 Sluggers 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.299 fill their 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.740 bellies. 00:23:48.439 --> 00:23:49.099 Scoppers are 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.979 given platforms 00:23:49.979 --> 00:23:50.799 and microphones. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.459 Children bring 00:23:52.459 --> 00:23:53.899 shame and 00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:54.439 approach to 00:23:54.439 --> 00:23:54.879 their fathers 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.419 and mothers. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.359 False 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:56.759 witnesses 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.559 rise up to 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.379 pervert justice 00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:59.119 in our society. 00:23:59.559 --> 00:23:59.979 The wicked 00:23:59.979 --> 00:24:00.619 devour in 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.619 equity like 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.019 it's their 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.679 daily bread. 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.460 And the 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.019 drunkards 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.140 mock and 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.560 brawl. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.160 Why? 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.820 Because we 00:24:07.820 --> 00:24:08.880 have kings, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.799 we have 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.539 lapped kings 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:11.860 rather, 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.560 who walk in 00:24:13.560 --> 00:24:14.640 integrity or 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:15.180 winnow all 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.680 evil with 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.080 desires. 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.400 And I can 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.039 assure you, 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.400 another four 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.019 years of 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.779 President Trump 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.840 is not going 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.820 to solve all 00:24:23.820 --> 00:24:24.380 our societal 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.779 ills, 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.940 nor will 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.380 a President 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.740 Biden make 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.480 our problems 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.140 magically 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.660 disappear. 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:33.040 there's a 00:24:33.040 --> 00:24:33.620 reason why 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:34.000 there's a 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.800 shift in 00:24:34.800 --> 00:24:35.360 the balance 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.779 of power 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.320 between the 00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:36.759 two major 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.120 political 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.700 parties in 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.220 our country 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.220 every decade 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.700 or two. 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.060 Because over 00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:41.440 time, 00:24:41.540 --> 00:24:42.360 dissatisfaction 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:42.800 grows. 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.040 Because society 00:24:44.040 --> 00:24:44.720 is still 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.400 sin-ridden. 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.380 Because there 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:47.019 is still 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.940 injustice. 00:24:48.800 --> 00:24:49.279 There will be 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.900 no perfect 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:51.240 justice and 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.080 peace until 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.640 the true 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.000 King, 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.400 the Lord's 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:54.759 anointed, 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.040 the Messiah 00:24:56.040 --> 00:24:56.840 reigns over 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.199 us all. 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.699 And we 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.139 know His 00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.459 name. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.919 His name 00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:01.439 is Jesus. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.619 When Jesus 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.139 returns, 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.980 He will make 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.619 right all 00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:06.279 that is wrong 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.740 about this 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.000 world. 00:25:07.159 --> 00:25:07.740 That breaks 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.179 your heart 00:25:08.179 --> 00:25:08.599 right now. 00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:11.019 When Jesus 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.500 returns, 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.000 He will meet 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.679 out perfect 00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:13.939 justice against 00:25:13.939 --> 00:25:14.379 those who 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:14.839 have mocked 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.299 justice. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.039 When Jesus 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.559 returns, 00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:18.279 that's when He 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.699 will wipe 00:25:18.699 --> 00:25:19.220 away every 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.759 tear from 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.220 our eyes. 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.319 And death 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:21.799 shall be 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.000 known. 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:25.079 The prophecy 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.700 in Revelation 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.920 1, 13-16 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.940 describes this 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:29.619 magnificent 00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:30.359 picture of 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:30.779 what Jesus 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.400 will be like 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:31.700 when He 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.160 returns. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.279 He says 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.539 that He'll 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.079 be clothed 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:34.380 with the 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:35.079 long robe, 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.920 the golden 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.619 sass around 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.200 His chest, 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.480 symbols of 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:38.920 royalty, 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.180 authority. 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.180 He says 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.680 the hairs 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.000 of His 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.539 head were 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:42.940 white, 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.920 like white 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.339 wool, 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.240 like snow, 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.039 symbolizing 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:47.019 infinite wisdom. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.640 His eyes 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.039 were like 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.599 flame of 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:50.980 fire, 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:51.900 a symbol 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.700 discernment 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.540 and judgment 00:25:53.540 --> 00:25:54.600 so He 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:54.980 can win 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.600 all evil 00:25:55.600 --> 00:25:55.960 with His 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.960 eyes and 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.360 burn of 00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:57.920 the chaff, 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.519 as it says 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:58.940 in Proverbs 00:25:58.940 --> 00:25:59.640 20-8. 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:00.759 And it 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.040 says His 00:26:01.040 --> 00:26:01.580 feet were 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.300 like burnished 00:26:02.300 --> 00:26:02.840 bronze, 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.620 refined in 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:04.259 a furnace, 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.180 with which 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.840 to crush 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:06.480 His enemies 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:06.960 under His 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.280 feet. 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:09.100 It says 00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:09.560 from His 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:10.080 mouth will 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:10.500 come a 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:10.840 sharp 00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:11.340 two-edged 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:11.720 sword, 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:12.720 symbolizing 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.200 the Word 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.660 of God 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.420 which searches 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.019 our hearts 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.019 and pierces 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.600 our souls. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.440 That's the 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.040 King that 00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:19.400 is coming 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.720 back. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:20.780 And He 00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:21.560 alone will 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.119 rule with 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.559 God's 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.099 perfect 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:23.500 wisdom. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:24.259 He 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.139 alone can 00:26:25.139 --> 00:26:25.960 bring God's 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.460 perfect 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.619 justice. 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.559 That should 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.179 fill us, 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.779 God's people, 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:32.220 with hope. 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.579 But for 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.440 some of us, 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.419 the inevitable 00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:36.039 return of 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.539 Christ the 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.179 King is not 00:26:37.179 --> 00:26:38.359 something to 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.119 cheer, but 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:39.619 something to 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:39.940 dread. 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.419 The rhetorical 00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:44.019 questions of 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.899 verse 6 and 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:45.819 9 express our 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.519 dire situation. 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:46.759 It says, 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.460 many a man 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.180 proclaims his 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.819 own steadfast 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.839 love, but 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.339 a faithful 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:50.740 man who 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.180 can find. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.559 Who can 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.140 say, I've 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.619 made my 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.259 heart pure, 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:54.640 I am 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.160 clean from 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:55.700 my sin. 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:57.000 Many people 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.500 in the world 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.319 think that 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.640 they are 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.879 good, but 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:00.440 who can 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:00.859 find a 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.400 person who 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:01.920 is truly 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.539 characterized 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.500 by God's 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.279 steadfast love 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.940 and faithfulness 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.359 in the world 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.879 who can say 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.119 that? 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.640 As Psalm 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.579 53 puts 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.160 it bluntly, 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:08.859 they have 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:09.440 all fallen 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:09.779 away. 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.039 Together they 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.539 have become 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:11.980 corrupt. 00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:13.059 There is none 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.519 who does 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.259 good, not 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.799 even one. 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:16.059 And this 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.619 is dreadful 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:16.919 news. 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.399 Because the 00:27:18.399 --> 00:27:18.879 king who 00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.440 sits on the 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.039 throne of 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.799 judgment winnows 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.579 all evil with 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.099 his eyes. 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:22.940 And as 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.559 chapter 20 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.180 verse 2 says, 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.799 the terror of 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.339 the king is 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:25.700 like the 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.200 growling of 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.599 a lion. 00:27:27.139 --> 00:27:27.319 Whoever 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.819 provokes 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.119 him to 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:28.440 anger 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.099 forfeits 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:29.619 his life. 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.399 We have 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:31.839 provoked 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.399 the king 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:33.639 as sinners. 00:27:34.159 --> 00:27:34.440 And what 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:34.899 awakes 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:37.139 sinners in 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:37.559 the return 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.019 of the king 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.339 is his 00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:39.099 fiery wrath 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:39.559 of death. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:41.879 And if 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.339 you want to 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:42.940 avoid that 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.259 fate, 00:27:43.919 --> 00:27:44.500 if you 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:44.940 want to 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.279 be on 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.660 the right 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.059 side of 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.599 history when 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.299 King Jesus 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.799 returns, 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.000 you must 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.420 come to 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.119 terms with 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:50.480 what he 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:50.940 accomplished 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.299 at his 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:51.859 first coming. 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.000 You must 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.759 acknowledge your 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.240 sinfulness, 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:55.759 submit to 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.000 him, 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.619 and confess 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.240 your rebellion 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.940 against him. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.440 Because when 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.220 Jesus came for 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.920 the first time 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.759 about 2,000 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.299 years ago, 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:02.819 instead of 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.319 ascending to 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:03.839 a throne, 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.480 which is what 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.000 he deserved, 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.119 he ascended 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.259 to a cross. 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.460 Instead of 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.299 having a 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.900 royal diet 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.460 placed on 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:10.920 his head, 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:11.900 he had a 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.279 crown of 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:12.940 thorns placed 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.599 on his head. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.719 Because he 00:28:14.719 --> 00:28:15.459 came in 00:28:15.459 --> 00:28:15.859 his first 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.500 coming to 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.419 save sinners 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:18.039 like you 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.379 and me. 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:19.699 We have 00:28:19.699 --> 00:28:20.399 provoked him 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.079 by living for 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.919 ourselves instead 00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:22.399 of for his 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:22.740 glory. 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:23.679 We have 00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:24.439 committed treason 00:28:24.439 --> 00:28:24.980 against him 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.359 and deserve 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:25.740 death, 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.619 but he died 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.379 in our 00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:28.000 place on 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.519 the cross 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.240 so that we 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:29.719 might be 00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:30.059 spared, 00:28:30.179 --> 00:28:30.579 so that we 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:30.980 might be 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.679 reconciled to 00:28:31.679 --> 00:28:31.859 him, 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.480 so we 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.899 might be 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:34.439 reinstated as 00:28:34.439 --> 00:28:35.299 citizens of 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:35.759 the kingdom 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.219 of God. 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.439 The king 00:28:38.439 --> 00:28:39.279 himself laid 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.679 down his 00:28:39.679 --> 00:28:40.399 life so that 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.679 we might live 00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:42.500 forever with him. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:44.819 let me ask 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.059 you, 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.000 have you 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.480 pledged 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.420 allegiance to 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:48.960 Christ the 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.180 king? 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.519 Have you 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.059 put all your 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.779 trust in him? 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.599 Is he really 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:57.380 the Lord over 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:57.900 your life? 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.059 Or are you 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:01.220 still living in 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.680 rebellion, 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.539 pretending to 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.180 be the masters 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.680 of your own 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:03.980 faith? 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.180 Those who 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.059 mock God's 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.880 ways will be 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:09.099 judged by the 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:09.759 Lord's anointed 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.160 king. 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:12.940 as God's 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.160 people, 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:13.680 we have 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.120 pledged 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.779 allegiance to 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.180 Jesus, 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.279 and we 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:17.660 know he 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.060 has been 00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:18.640 faithful and 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:18.880 true, 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.740 and I 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.279 pray that we 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:21.680 will be a 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.200 people who 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.120 wait for him, 00:29:23.600 --> 00:29:24.180 wait for him 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:24.759 to come with 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.340 his perfect 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:25.940 wisdom and 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.480 justice to 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.140 consummate his 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:27.420 kingdom. 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.120 During this 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:30.340 time, 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.040 let's take a 00:29:32.040 --> 00:29:32.600 moment to 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.420 think about 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.060 this message, 00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:35.820 what it is 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.200 that God 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:37.160 wants you to 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:37.779 hold on to, 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.420 take hold 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:38.859 and take 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.240 forward. 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.619 After you've 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:43.920 done that, 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.139 we're going 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:44.399 to pray 00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:44.759 together. 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:44.980 Amen.