WEBVTT

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 God, we thank you for your word, though it was written thousands of years ago, Lord.

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 It's timeless truths inspired by you, by your spirit.

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 Lord, speak to us, instruct us, and draw us closer to you.

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 We pray that you help us with the proper posture of humility to approach your word,

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 so that we may encounter you, hear your voice, and be transformed into the likeness of your son, Jesus Christ.

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 It's in his precious name we pray, amen.

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 When my first daughter, Ine, was two, she saw a kitty cake, ice cream cake in Star Market,

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 and she really, really wanted it.

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 And so we promised her, hey, when you turn three, birthday, we will get you that Hello Kitty cake.

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 And her birthday was still six months away or so, so we thought to ourselves,

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 surely she will forget in the span of the six months, and she's not going to ask us again.

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 But she remembered, and she actually rehearsed that promise in her mind every day, pretty much,

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 saying that, oh, when it's my birthday, you can give me the Hello Kitty cake.

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 When it's my birthday, you can give me the Hello Kitty cake.

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 So she remembered, and so on her third birthday, we did get her that exact Hello Kitty cake.

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 Thankfully, it was still there, and she was delighted.

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 And she hasn't, I mean, as a kid, experienced too many broken promises yet.

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 So she really believes, right?

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 When someone makes a promise to her, she knows and she believes that that's going to happen.

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 And the latest promise that she's been reminding us of daily is that when she turns four,

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 she gets to have not just one, but two vitamin gummies,

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 because that's what it says on the nutritional value chart, right?

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 And so now she's been asking for that nearly every time we give her the gummies.

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 Her eyes get wide, and she'll look at me and say,

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 really, matter of fact, with a teacher-like voice, she'll say,

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 oh, but when I turn four, I get to have two.

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 So I'm like, yeah, you get to have two when you turn four.

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 And so there's something that, as Christians, we can learn from children's example, right?

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 The childlike faith, right?

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 The humility, right?

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 The unqualified trust and dependence on her parents,

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 and really thinking that, yeah, they promised this to me.

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 They're going to give this to me, right?

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 If we had that as Christians, if we really believed God in us,

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 then we would pray, and we would pray persistently,

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 and we'd expect God to answer,

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 and we'd try to keep a record of the promise that He has made,

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 because we believe that He will answer those promises.

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 And that's what we see here happening in these chapters.

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 God had made these promises to Abraham.

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 He promised him a place for them.

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 He promised him a progeny,

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 and we see both of those things,

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 a place and a progeny, a place and a people,

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 fulfilled in chapters 23 and 24, respectively.

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 And then chapter 25 is kind of a summary of all these promises.

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 I'm not really going to cover that in depth,

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 but you could read that as well.

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 And altogether in these chapters,

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 God's teaching us that we can hold on to the promises of God,

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 as Abraham did,

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 because God has steadfast love and faithfulness toward His people.

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 So we can hold on to His promises

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 because God is steadfast in His love and faithful toward His people.

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 So let's go to Genesis 23 first

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 to see how God fulfills His promise of a place.

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 Genesis 23 begins with the notice of Sarah's death in verses 1 to 2.

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 It says,

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 And her husband Abraham wants to give her a worthy burial,

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 so he approaches the Hittites in verse 4 and makes this proposal.

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 I am a sojourner and foreigner among you.

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 Give me property among you for a burying place,

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 that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

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 This is really a revealing statement

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 because Abraham has now been in the land of Canaan for 62 years.

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 And for 62 years,

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 he's been holding on to God's promise

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 that he and his progeny are going to inherit this land.

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 And still he is a sojourner, a foreigner.

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 And that's how he identifies himself in the presence of these people.

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 And this was true.

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 Because even though Abimelech, as we saw earlier,

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 had granted him access to the well,

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 I mean, he has the well,

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 but he has no land property to his name, right?

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 Even though he had given the permission to freely dwell in the land of Canaan,

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 he doesn't still own any of the property.

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 So that's why he approaches the Hittites.

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 And this is a formal gathering.

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 It says it's at the city gates.

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 City gates are where the elders who are leading the town

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 sit together to make important decisions.

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 And conduct businesses.

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 And so here is Abraham presenting the case.

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 And in verse 10,

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 he asks for a property among you for a burying place.

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 Or he asks for it in this first few verses.

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 Now, notice that he's not just asking for permission to bury his wife,

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 but he's asking for the ability to purchase,

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 to buy a place for himself.

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 And the word possession that's used here is the same word that was used in Genesis 17,

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 8 to refer to God's promise of an everlasting possession.

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 It's the same word.

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 So we're about to witness whether God's promise to him of this possession will be fulfilled.

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 And the Hittites respond in a very considerate way,

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 but they're also very calculating.

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 You can see that in verse 6.

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 Hear us, my Lord.

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 You are a prince of God among us.

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 Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs.

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 None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.

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 Well, that's really nice, right?

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 You could bury your wife in the best of our graves.

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 But notice what they leave out.

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 They intentionally omit the fact that of any mention of property and possession.

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 Abraham asked for a place he can buy and own for himself to bury his wife

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 so that it can be guaranteed for the future generations that she'll be safe there.

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 But they don't mention that.

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 They say, no, just bury them among our tombs.

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 That's what they're saying.

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 And now Abraham is not ready to give up yet,

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 so he presses them and surely avoids that omission

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 and makes a second more specific proposition in verses 8 to 9.

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 If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight,

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 hear me and entreat for me Ephron, the son of Zohar,

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 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns.

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 It is at the end of his field.

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 For the full price, let me give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.

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 You could see Abraham's concern to own the place.

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 Because if he receives the place for free,

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 in the future if disputes arise and someone wants to reclaim the land,

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 if Ephron wants to reclaim the land, he could potentially lose it

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 or Ephron could make demands of him because now he's indebted to him.

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 So he wants a secure place.

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 He wants to own the place, a property and possession.

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 And so he insists on that.

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 Now then Ephron responds in this way,

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 I give you the field and I give you the cave that is in it.

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 In the sight of the sons of my people, I give it to you.

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 Bear your dead.

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 And Abraham says, but if you will hear me,

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 I give the price of the field.

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 Accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.

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 And so Ephron is kind of pushing the corner.

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 And so now he finally ascends in a way because he says in verse 15,

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 My lord, listen to me.

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 A piece of land worth 400 shekels of silver.

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 What is that between you and me?

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 Bear your dead.

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 So in other words, he's saying,

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 We're both so rich and we're both so close.

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 What is 400 shekels?

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 Don't worry about it.

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 Just take it, right?

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 That's what he's saying.

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 And this is actually,

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 But the fact that he casually inserts the actual full price of the land

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 shows that he's not really interested in giving away for free.

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 If you're going to take it,

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 and if you're insisting on having to own it,

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 then you better pay me is what he's saying.

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 And that's actually the very typical way in the ancient Near East

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 they made transactions.

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 So it's kind of a semblance of,

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 you preserve a semblance of cordiality and relationship by saying,

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 Oh, you have it for free,

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 but if you're really, I want to know it costs this much.

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 And then they say, Okay, well, fine.

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 And so Abraham doesn't miss a beat.

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 So he goes, Okay.

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 Then he pays the amount.

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 He counts the money,

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 or rather he weighs the silver in verse 16.

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 And this is an official transaction.

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 And the fact that this is a public official transaction

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 is repeated throughout this passage

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 from phrases like in the hearing of the Hittites

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 or in the presence of the Hittites.

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 It's repeated five times throughout this passage

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 to show that this is that momentous time

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 when Abraham finally comes to own property

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 in the land of Canaan.

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 And notice how specific verses 17 to 18 is.

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 So the field of Ephron in Mechapolim,

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 east of Mamre,

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 the field with the cave that was in it

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 and all the trees that were in the field,

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 throughout this whole area,

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 was made over to Abraham

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 as a possession in the presence of the Hittites

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 before all who went in at the gate of the city.

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 And this is important

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 because even though the occasion for this purchase

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 is Sarah's death and her burial,

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 the whole narrative is really taken over

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 by this interaction with the Hittites and Abraham.

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 And the narrator focuses on that intentionally

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 because this shows God's faithfulness

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 in fulfilling his promise to Abraham of a place.

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 And notice it's near Mamre, right?

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 That's the place where God had given Abraham

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 and Sarah the promise

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 that in a year's time,

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 you will have Isaac, a son.

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 That's also the place when Abraham,

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 when he first entered the land of Canaan

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 in chapter 13, 18,

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 he built an altar

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 and staking out the land spiritually,

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 saying,

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 this is the land God has promised to me.

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 So it's a place that's really dear

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 to Abraham and Sarah's heart.

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 And that's the place God first gives to Abraham to own.

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 I hope you can appreciate the tenacity

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 and the perseverance of Abraham and Sarah

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 because it's not easy to be an immigrant.

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 It's not easy to be a foreigner, right?

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 Every day you live, right,

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 you have to learn an unfamiliar language,

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 get used to unfamiliar customs,

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 and they have to live with pervasive reminders

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 everywhere in the culture

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 and the society of their foreignness

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 with the lagging doubt in the back of their minds

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 that they don't quite belong.

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 And Abraham lived with this for 62 years

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 in this land of Canaan,

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 and he stayed

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 because he was holding on to the promises of God.

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 And that's why he's held up as an example of faith

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 in Hebrews 11.

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 It says in Hebrews 11, 9 to 10,

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 by faith Abraham went to live in the land of promise

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 as in a foreign land

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 living in tents with Isaac and Jacob

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 heirs with him of the same promise.

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 For he was looking forward to the city

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 that has foundations

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 whose designer and builder is God.

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 And it says later in verses 13 to 16

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 of the same chapter of Hebrews,

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 these all died in faith,

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 not having received the things promised,

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 but having seen them and greeted them from afar

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 and having acknowledged

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 that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

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 They desired a better country

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 that is a heavenly one.

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 Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God,

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 for he has prepared for them a city.

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 The author of Hebrews is making a typological connection

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 here between the promised land,

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 the physical land of Canaan,

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 and heaven, the dwelling place of God.

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 And he's saying that this land of Canaan

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 that was promised to Abraham was a type,

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 it's a prefigurement of the ultimate promised land,

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 which is to dwell with God in heaven.

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 And as Christians,

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 then we are called to live as sojourners

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 and foreigners on earth,

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 looking ahead to that promised land,

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 holding on to the promises of God

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 in the same way Abraham did.

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 Now, what does that look like for us today,

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 right,

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 to hold on to the promises of God?

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 Well, the world tells us, right,

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 that wealth will bring us happiness,

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 that we should accumulate more

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 so that we could spend more,

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 so that we could be more happy, right?

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 But God tells us in Matthew 6, 19 to 20,

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 do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth

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 where moth and rust destroy,

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 where thieves break in and steal,

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 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven

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 where moth and rust do not destroy,

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 where thieves do not break in and steal.

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 So then we don't place our hope

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 in the riches of this life,

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 but as Christians,

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 what it looks like for us

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 to hold on to the promises of God

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 is we live generously

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 and we give sacrificially

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 and we store up treasures in heaven,

00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:39.220
 holding on to what is promised to us in Christ,

00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.920
 our eternal inheritance,

00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:43.360
 imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,

00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:45.120
 kept in heaven for us.

00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:46.200
 That's what it looks like

00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:47.800
 for a Christian to live

00:12:47.800 --> 00:12:49.379
 holding on to the promises of God.

00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:54.299
 Some of us watch what we eat,

00:12:55.299 --> 00:12:56.960
 exercise regularly,

00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:58.779
 count the calories

00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:01.139
 so that we can be healthy

00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:03.059
 or look good or both, right?

00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:06.600
 And it's a good thing to take care of our body

00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:08.519
 because we're called by God

00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:10.220
 to be stewards of our bodies

00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:12.820
 because they're temples of the Holy Spirit,

00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.080
 as Paul writes in Corinthians.

00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:17.019
 But we do much more than that, right?

00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:19.179
 Because our hope is not in this world

00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:20.159
 but in the world to come.

00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:23.000
 So that's why 1 Timothy 4, 78 tells us,

00:13:23.319 --> 00:13:25.079
 Train yourself for godliness.

00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:28.100
 For while bodily training is of some value,

00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.740
 godliness is of value in every way

00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:33.860
 as it holds promise for the present life

00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:36.079
 and also for the life to come.

00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.720
 So what does it look like

00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:39.779
 to hold on to the promises of God as Christians

00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:42.460
 is we tend to not just to our bodies

00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.919
 but to our souls, right?

00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:46.000
 So we examine ourselves

00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.759
 and we repent of sins in our lives

00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.539
 and we share them.

00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.480
 We surround ourselves with mentors,

00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:52.740
 disciples, pastors, friends, and encouragers.

00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.860
 In short, we surround ourselves with the church

00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:56.360
 so that we can continue to grow

00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.940
 in our likeness to Christ.

00:13:58.559 --> 00:14:00.460
 We train ourselves for godliness

00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:03.100
 by cultivating godly habits and rhythms

00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:05.759
 that foster humility and holiness.

00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.259
 That's what it looks like

00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.620
 to hold on to the promises of God.

00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:12.620
 Some people live and die

00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:14.960
 for the approval of other people, right?

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:18.039
 They work hard in school

00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:19.259
 to earn good grades

00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:21.120
 so they can win the approval

00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.460
 of their parents or teachers.

00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.860
 Or they play really hard

00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:25.860
 and party and drink

00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.139
 so they can win the approval

00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:27.960
 of their peers.

00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:31.279
 They work overtime and grovel

00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.440
 before their superiors

00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:33.980
 so they can win their approval

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.240
 and maybe win a promotion.

00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:37.919
 But Colossians 3, 23, 24 tells us,

00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:40.139
 Whatever you do, work heartily.

00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:42.899
 Ask for the Lord and not for men,

00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.799
 knowing that from the Lord

00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.259
 you will receive the inheritance

00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.180
 as your reward.

00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:49.659
 You are serving the Lord Christ.

00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:50.639
 So what does it look like

00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:52.039
 for Christians to work

00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:54.740
 and to live with the promises of God

00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:56.340
 in hand, holding on to the promises of God?

00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:58.080
 We work as unto the Lord

00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.139
 and we look to Him

00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.259
 and make Him our hope

00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.740
 for the inheritance that we have,

00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.899
 the reward that we will receive,

00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.959
 not men.

00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:06.379
 And we have a wonderful example

00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.879
 of that here, chapter 23,

00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:08.519
 in Abraham,

00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.259
 holding on to the promises of God.

00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:13.639
 And then in chapter 24,

00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:15.399
 so we saw in 23

00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.799
 the promise of place fulfilled

00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:18.399
 and in 24 we see the promise

00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:20.100
 of progeny, of people

00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:21.500
 beginning to be fulfilled.

00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:25.079
 And as he nears,

00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:26.919
 so Abraham is now nearing his death

00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.860
 and as he does so,

00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:29.079
 he's thinking about his future,

00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:31.139
 his child, his Isaac, his son.

00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:33.120
 And he makes charge

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:35.220
 to his most reliable servant

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:37.319
 in verses 2 to 4, chapter 24.

00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.899
 Put your hand under my thigh

00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:41.139
 that I may make you swear

00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:41.759
 by the Lord,

00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.439
 the God of heaven

00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:43.279
 and God of the earth,

00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.840
 that you will not take a wife

00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.460
 for my son

00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.799
 from the daughters of the Canaanites

00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:48.299
 among whom I dwell,

00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:50.360
 but will go to my country

00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.500
 and to my kindred

00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.419
 and take a wife

00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.939
 for my son, Isaac.

00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:58.259
 It's a, here we see,

00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.379
 this is another example

00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.620
 of Abraham holding on

00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.360
 to the promises of God

00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.820
 and the reason why is this,

00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.360
 because land of Canaan,

00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.100
 there's probably dozens

00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.720
 of women, right,

00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:09.039
 who are eligible

00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.620
 that Isaac can marry

00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:13.080
 and Isaac is an heir

00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:14.519
 of a very, very wealthy

00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.939
 and powerful man in Abraham

00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:17.240
 and it would have been

00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.080
 very easy for him

00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:18.939
 to find a wife

00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:19.700
 in the land of Canaan.

00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:21.460
 But why does Abraham

00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:23.919
 charge his servant

00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.679
 to make sure

00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.879
 he doesn't take a wife

00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.639
 for Isaac

00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.700
 from among the Canaanites?

00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:29.280
 And we see the reason,

00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:30.440
 the rationale for this

00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:32.259
 in the later expression

00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:33.100
 of God's law

00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.080
 through Moses.

00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.620
 In Exodus 34,

00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.720
 verses 13 to 16,

00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.080
 God commands Israelites,

00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:39.780
 don't take the daughters

00:16:39.780 --> 00:16:40.400
 of Canaanites

00:16:40.400 --> 00:16:41.160
 for your sons,

00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.900
 lest their daughters

00:16:42.900 --> 00:16:44.220
 whore after their gods

00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.420
 and make your sons

00:16:45.420 --> 00:16:47.160
 whore after their gods.

00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:49.420
 That's the rationale, right?

00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:50.680
 To intermarry

00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:51.759
 with non-Jews,

00:16:51.780 --> 00:16:52.360
 people who did not

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:52.700
 have faith,

00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:55.060
 was to risk apostasy,

00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:56.099
 to leave God,

00:16:56.239 --> 00:16:58.259
 to risk faithlessness

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.119
 to God himself.

00:16:59.579 --> 00:17:00.219
 And because Abraham

00:17:00.219 --> 00:17:01.239
 knew his identity,

00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.759
 because he knew his call,

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.619
 that his mission

00:17:03.619 --> 00:17:04.539
 was to be a blessing

00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.259
 to the nations

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.240
 and he could only be

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.159
 a blessing to the nations

00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:07.960
 if he's faithful

00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.819
 to the Lord God

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.639
 and make sure

00:17:09.639 --> 00:17:10.299
 that generation

00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.159
 after generation

00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:12.039
 his progeny

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.119
 are faithful to him.

00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.319
 And because of that,

00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:16.460
 he charges his servant

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.700
 to take a wife

00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.419
 for his son

00:17:18.419 --> 00:17:20.119
 from his kindred.

00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:22.000
 And we find,

00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.479
 you know,

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.859
 New Testament counterparts

00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:26.699
 for this as well, right?

00:17:26.739 --> 00:17:28.379
 In 2 Corinthians 16,

00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.239
 Paul tells us

00:17:29.239 --> 00:17:30.819
 equally yoked

00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:31.639
 with unbelievers.

00:17:32.219 --> 00:17:33.899
 In 1 Corinthians 7, 39,

00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.079
 it tells us, right,

00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.739
 he tells us

00:17:35.739 --> 00:17:37.759
 to marry only in the Lord,

00:17:38.179 --> 00:17:38.419
 right?

00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:40.099
 It's the same rationale.

00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:41.479
 It's not because,

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.000
 you know,

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.539
 God hates those people.

00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:45.059
 It's not because,

00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:45.279
 you know,

00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.239
 God doesn't care about those,

00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.359
 but because God cares

00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.839
 so much about people,

00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:50.059
 so much about him.

00:17:51.199 --> 00:17:51.759
 He's jealous

00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.839
 for your affection

00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.599
 and your relations.

00:17:53.959 --> 00:17:54.599
 That's why

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:54.879
 this,

00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.039
 with such severity,

00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:56.939
 right?

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.179
 Abraham charges

00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:59.379
 his servant Isaac.

00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:02.139
 And servant is doubtful

00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:03.319
 that he can accomplish this.

00:18:03.419 --> 00:18:03.539
 You know,

00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.579
 they live kind of far,

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:04.980
 you know,

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.980
 from where his kindred live.

00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:07.879
 You know,

00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:08.740
 and you think that

00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:10.399
 this woman's going to come

00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:11.240
 marry Isaac

00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.519
 whom she has never seen

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.459
 and Abraham

00:18:13.459 --> 00:18:14.240
 whose wealth

00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.039
 she has never seen.

00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:15.379
 Do you think

00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:15.919
 she's going to come

00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.679
 all the way over here

00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:17.159
 and say,

00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.000
 what if she says

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.679
 she doesn't want to come?

00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:19.819
 And so,

00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.980
 the servant's trying to find

00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.220
 because he's making

00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.799
 an oath with Abraham.

00:18:24.199 --> 00:18:26.500
 And Abraham is even more severe

00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.799
 in the way he responds to it.

00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:28.039
 He says,

00:18:28.419 --> 00:18:29.279
 see to it,

00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.039
 verse 6 to 8,

00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.639
 that you do not take

00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.939
 my son back there.

00:18:33.699 --> 00:18:33.879
 Right?

00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.379
 And he says,

00:18:35.439 --> 00:18:36.279
 if the woman's not willing

00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:36.879
 to follow him,

00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:37.599
 then he's released

00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.500
 from his oath.

00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:38.899
 Right?

00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:39.579
 So,

00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.939
 the reason why he does this

00:18:40.939 --> 00:18:41.839
 is because he's holding

00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.259
 onto,

00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:42.759
 once again,

00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.779
 the promises of God.

00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:45.119
 The land of Canaan

00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:45.699
 is placed

00:18:45.699 --> 00:18:47.019
 God had promised for them.

00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.339
 So,

00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:47.960
 don't,

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.119
 whatever happens,

00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.220
 take Isaac back

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.559
 where he came from.

00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.660
 That's what he's saying.

00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.200
 And so,

00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.839
 in verse 10,

00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:57.339
 the servant complies.

00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:59.519
 He takes the oath.

00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:02.480
 And the oath,

00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.119
 interestingly,

00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.460
 is you put your hand

00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.180
 under the thigh.

00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:05.480
 Right?

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:05.799
 That's,

00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.220
 in the ancient Near East,

00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:09.579
 people held onto sacred objects

00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:11.160
 in order to,

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.480
 you know,

00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.900
 make their oath

00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:14.099
 much more severe

00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:14.400
 and,

00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:14.700
 and,

00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.900
 I guess,

00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.440
 it's that way

00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.079
 of showing reverence

00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:19.420
 to that oath.

00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.140
 And so,

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:22.420
 this is a euphemism.

00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.059
 So,

00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:23.900
 under the thigh,

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.180
 really,

00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:24.599
 literally,

00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.059
 probably,

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.640
 it's referring to

00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.400
 under the genitals.

00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:26.740
 Right?

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:27.019
 So,

00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:28.860
 it's considered sacred

00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:29.380
 because it's

00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:30.519
 considered source of life.

00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.599
 And for Abraham,

00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:33.059
 this is particularly significant

00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:34.660
 because he's circumcised.

00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:34.940
 Right?

00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.500
 So,

00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.279
 these genitals

00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:37.240
 not only represent

00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.960
 source of life.

00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.420
 For him,

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:38.980
 it represents

00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.080
 the covenant of God.

00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:40.600
 And so,

00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.299
 under that,

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.500
 the servant makes

00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.759
 this oath.

00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.980
 And he goes in verse 10.

00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.180
 He says,

00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:46.700
 then the servant

00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:48.500
 took ten of his master's camels

00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.980
 and departed,

00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.900
 taking all sorts of choice gifts

00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.500
 from the master.

00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.320
 And he arose

00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:53.559
 and went to Mesopotamia,

00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:55.100
 to the city of Nahor.

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.080
 Now,

00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.019
 this is a,

00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.840
 the reason why

00:19:58.840 --> 00:19:59.820
 he's taking so much stuff

00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.820
 is because in this call,

00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.820
 they had what is called

00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.640
 the bright price.

00:20:03.080 --> 00:20:03.320
 Right?

00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:03.640
 And,

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.860
 and you pay,

00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:05.900
 a bright price

00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:08.000
 to the wife's family.

00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.019
 And then,

00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.279
 and eventually,

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:10.680
 that,

00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.420
 that wealth,

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.080
 the bright price

00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:13.279
 that the wife's family received

00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.160
 will be passed on

00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:14.920
 to the wife

00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:16.039
 when she got married

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:17.400
 as a dowry.

00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:17.660
 Right?

00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.360
 And that,

00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.480
 it's easy for us

00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:19.700
 to,

00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:19.980
 you know,

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.800
 look at that

00:20:20.800 --> 00:20:21.000
 and,

00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.180
 and,

00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.580
 and think,

00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:21.860
 oh,

00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.580
 how primitive,

00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.320
 why do they do that?

00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:23.980
 They're treating women

00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.560
 like property.

00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:25.800
 What's going on?

00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.019
 Right?

00:20:26.060 --> 00:20:26.320
 It's,

00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.800
 in this day and age,

00:20:27.840 --> 00:20:28.560
 in this culture,

00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:29.660
 it's,

00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.720
 women do not work.

00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.279
 Right?

00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:33.560
 And they're working at home.

00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:33.940
 Right?

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.700
 And they don't get,

00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:35.540
 have paid jobs.

00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:36.240
 And so,

00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.380
 if they happen to be

00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.019
 so unfortunate

00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.859
 to come across

00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.779
 a dud of a husband

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:41.140
 who neglects her

00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:41.460
 and,

00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.259
 and abandons her

00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.099
 or divorces her,

00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.660
 she has no source

00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.240
 of livelihood,

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.920
 especially if her,

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.200
 her parents have passed.

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:48.680
 And so,

00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.799
 dowry ensures,

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.599
 dowry is guaranteed

00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.180
 to the wife.

00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.720
 It doesn't belong

00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.259
 to the couple.

00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.299
 And that ensures

00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.779
 that the wife

00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.700
 has a source of livelihood,

00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.819
 even if she were

00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.440
 to come across

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.019
 a bad husband.

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:57.980
 Not only that,

00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.880
 the bright price

00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.120
 ensures that the families

00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:00.779
 are more tied

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.579
 collectively together,

00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.019
 and it dissuades,

00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:03.380
 you know,

00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.019
 frivolous,

00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:04.279
 you know,

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.720
 promiscuous suitors

00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.539
 from coming and saying,

00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:06.940
 oh, hey,

00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.920
 I'll marry your wife

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.120
 and,

00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.100
 and then I will marry

00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:09.559
 this woman

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.259
 and marry her

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.019
 and then abuse her

00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.779
 and leave her.

00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:12.240
 Right?

00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:12.900
 You can't do that.

00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.079
 So,

00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.700
 the substantial requirement

00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.539
 of the bright price

00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.779
 discouraged,

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.259
 you know,

00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:18.059
 frivolous suitors

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.900
 and encouraged

00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:19.339
 and made sure

00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.579
 that only serious suitors

00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.740
 who we want,

00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.680
 intended to marry

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.180
 and keep,

00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.059
 stay married,

00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.120
 came to,

00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:27.360
 to court these women.

00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.539
 And so,

00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.180
 the servant goes

00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:30.600
 and he takes 10 camels.

00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:30.759
 So,

00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.319
 this is a suggestion

00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.160
 of great wealth

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.640
 of Abraham.

00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.120
 Camels are like

00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:34.680
 the Porsche

00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.460
 and Ferraris

00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:36.000
 of their day,

00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.340
 right?

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.240
 Really expensive

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.759
 and rare.

00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.420
 And the fact

00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.200
 that he has 10 of them

00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.059
 he can spare

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:42.319
 along with his servant

00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:42.779
 is a sign

00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.360
 of great,

00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.100
 great wealth.

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.160
 So,

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.700
 he leaves.

00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.160
 And then,

00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:48.039
 once he leaves,

00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.440
 he,

00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:49.980
 when he arrives

00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:50.779
 at his destination,

00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:52.160
 he prays to God first,

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.279
 asking God for help

00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.559
 and he devises

00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.279
 an ingenious test.

00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:57.779
 He prays

00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.240
 that the woman

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.000
 who comes out

00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.620
 to water,

00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:00.759
 who not only

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:02.079
 offers him drink,

00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.480
 but also offers

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.000
 to water

00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.099
 all his camels,

00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:06.460
 should be the one

00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.899
 that God has appointed,

00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:08.839
 the word is used,

00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.579
 for Isaac to marry.

00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.439
 Now,

00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:11.899
 at first,

00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:12.859
 this might seem like,

00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:14.259
 that's not too difficult.

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.699
 I mean,

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.939
 if I were in that station,

00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.859
 I think I would have done that.

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.000
 And especially considering

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.179
 the ancient hospitality,

00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.679
 you might think this,

00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.419
 anyone,

00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.359
 maybe the first woman

00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.099
 who comes would do that.

00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.000
 But this is actually

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.599
 not the case

00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.980
 because it's really easy

00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.019
 for the woman

00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:28.480
 to offer Abraham a drink.

00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.279
 I mean,

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:29.759
 not Abraham.

00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.700
 Abraham served in a drink.

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.899
 But it's actually

00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.599
 very difficult

00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.539
 for the woman

00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.779
 to water all the camels

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.799
 because how many camels

00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.299
 did Abraham's servant bring?

00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:40.279
 He brought 10 camels

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.399
 and the camels

00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:43.039
 are known to be

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.899
 animals of burden

00:22:43.899 --> 00:22:44.399
 in the desert.

00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:44.759
 Why?

00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.700
 Because they're so good

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.759
 at going without water

00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.660
 for many days.

00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.579
 And if a camel goes

00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.399
 for several days

00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:50.359
 without water,

00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.639
 as they would have done

00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.379
 in this case,

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:54.059
 they are so parched,

00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:55.359
 it says that one camel

00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:55.819
 can drink

00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:58.039
 as much as 25 gallons

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.740
 of water.

00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.440
 25 times 10,

00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:02.559
 250 gallons of water.

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.319
 And a container

00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.940
 of that time

00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.440
 would be what?

00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.259
 At max,

00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.960
 a few gallons.

00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.720
 And if you look down later,

00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.879
 it says that it's a,

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.599
 verse 16,

00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.240
 it tells us that

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.740
 it's a well

00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.240
 that you have to walk down to

00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.579
 to fill with water

00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.759
 and you walk up

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.680
 three gallons.

00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.920
 Or how many trips is that?

00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.220
 Right?

00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:20.859
 80 trips to the well?

00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:23.279
 This is a lot of work.

00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.519
 And even if we,

00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:24.859
 you know,

00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:26.220
 offer more conservative estimates

00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:26.980
 and say that camels

00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.099
 were not completely parched,

00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:29.359
 this is still very,

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:29.740
 very,

00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:31.019
 very labor intensive.

00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:32.339
 So he takes a woman

00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.199
 of great,

00:23:33.699 --> 00:23:35.740
 exceptional hospitality

00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.939
 and kindness

00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.759
 to offer that.

00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:39.539
 So he's devised

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:41.039
 a pretty stiff test.

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.719
 And he prays

00:23:42.719 --> 00:23:43.399
 that God will make

00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:44.199
 this woman do this.

00:23:44.919 --> 00:23:46.179
 And before the servant

00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:47.139
 could even finish

00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:48.000
 uttering his prayer,

00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:49.439
 it says that our female,

00:23:49.439 --> 00:23:50.639
 our female protagonist

00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:51.579
 comes on the scene

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.399
 in verse 15.

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:54.740
 Before he had finished speaking,

00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:55.240
 behold,

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.120
 Rebekah,

00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.740
 who was born to Bethuel,

00:23:57.840 --> 00:23:58.720
 the son of Milcah,

00:23:58.800 --> 00:23:59.700
 the wife of Nahor,

00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:01.019
 Abraham's brother,

00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:03.080
 came out with her water jar

00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:04.120
 on her shoulder.

00:24:04.820 --> 00:24:06.380
 I love the way it's phrased.

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:08.200
 This reveals the graciousness,

00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.120
 the eagerness

00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.640
 of our heavenly father

00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:12.000
 to answer prayers

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.019
 according to his will.

00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.019
 Because God said

00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.600
 about his people

00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:16.259
 in Isaiah 65, 24,

00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:17.620
 Before they call,

00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.700
 I will answer.

00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:21.039
 While they are yet speaking,

00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.000
 I will hear.

00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:23.200
 That's what we see here

00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.059
 God doing.

00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.160
 That's God's heart

00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.140
 to answer our prayers

00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:26.660
 when we pray

00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.519
 according to his will

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.620
 for our good

00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.740
 and for God's glory.

00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:31.019
 He's not reluctant.

00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.860
 He's not loath

00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.779
 to answer our prayers.

00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.360
 And when we do that,

00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.660
 before we're even done speaking,

00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.180
 he says,

00:24:36.340 --> 00:24:36.700
 Yes,

00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:38.120
 I want to give this to you.

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.580
 Yes,

00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.759
 that's his heart,

00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.860
 the father's heart for us.

00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.360
 If we only believe

00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.080
 that simple truth,

00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.140
 it'd make us so much

00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.819
 more eager to pray

00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.559
 and transform our life

00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.860
 in interaction with him.

00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.759
 And these next few verses

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.799
 are one of the most

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.580
 exciting passages

00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:54.160
 in the whole book of Genesis,

00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.279
 just brimming over

00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.819
 excitement and anticipation.

00:24:57.580 --> 00:24:58.039
 And by the way,

00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:59.819
 there are some very helpful tips here

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.580
 for singles

00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.340
 who are looking for

00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:02.100
 marriageable partners,

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.980
 so pay attention too.

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.519
 Verse 15,

00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.240
 it tells us

00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:07.120
 that this young woman's name

00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.840
 is Rebekah

00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:09.160
 who was born to Bethuel,

00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:10.059
 the son of Milcah,

00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:10.920
 the wife of Nahor,

00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.720
 Abraham's brother.

00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:12.860
 Of course,

00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:14.319
 that's the most important part

00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.180
 of this description

00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:17.220
 because that's the express reason

00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.740
 for which Abraham's servant

00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.559
 was sent out

00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:21.299
 to find someone among his kindred,

00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.059
 someone who shares

00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:24.640
 the faith of the Lord God.

00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.279
 And then,

00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.000
 secondly,

00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:28.420
 we find here in verse 16,

00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.519
 the young woman

00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.880
 was very attractive

00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.539
 in appearance,

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:33.019
 a maiden whom no man

00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.819
 had known.

00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:34.539
 Now,

00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.559
 this is not a requirement,

00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:36.600
 but it's a nice bonus,

00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:36.940
 right,

00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.960
 if the someone you want to marry

00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.579
 is very attractive to you.

00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:42.420
 And so that's what we find here.

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.480
 And she's also chased.

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.299
 It says she's a maiden

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.680
 whom no man had known.

00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.460
 So she's a virgin.

00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.379
 And in verse 17,

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:50.339
 the servant then carries out his plan

00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:51.559
 and then asks Rebekah

00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:56.019
 if she would offer him some drink.

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:58.940
 And the prayer that the servant prayed

00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:00.960
 is fulfilled in exactly the way

00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.539
 he had prayed it.

00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:03.779
 So Rebekah not only offers him a drink,

00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:06.879
 but offers to water all of his camels.

00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.240
 And she is described

00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:10.419
 as being exceptionally industrious

00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:10.960
 and diligent

00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:13.279
 because twice in verse 18 and 20,

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:15.500
 it says that Rebekah did her work quickly.

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:17.819
 So she's an amazing woman,

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.200
 it seems.

00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.779
 And so by the time Rebekah is done,

00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.700
 the servant is quite confident

00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.980
 that this is the woman

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:25.720
 that God had appointed for Isaac.

00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:30.819
 And so he then showers her with gifts

00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:32.339
 and then questions her

00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:35.099
 so that he is taken back to her house

00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:36.500
 to meet and get the approval

00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.420
 of her family.

00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:38.779
 Now,

00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:40.119
 when he arrives there,

00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:42.019
 he's greeted by Laban,

00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:43.739
 who is Rebekah's brother.

00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:46.439
 And he says this in verse 30,

00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:49.399
 As soon as he saw the ring

00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:52.139
 and the bracelets on his sister's arms.

00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:54.719
 You see where the emphasis is here,

00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.559
 what he's looking at.

00:26:55.919 --> 00:26:57.399
 And heard the words of Rebekah,

00:26:57.439 --> 00:26:57.899
 his sister,

00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:59.219
 thus the man spoke to me.

00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.459
 He went to the man

00:27:00.459 --> 00:27:01.259
 and behold,

00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:03.239
 he was standing by the camels

00:27:03.239 --> 00:27:03.899
 at the spring.

00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.879
 Remember the camels,

00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:06.000
 that's the Ferraris and the porch.

00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:08.599
 So this is a beautiful portrait.

00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:10.160
 It's a wonderful portrait of Laban.

00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:12.119
 So you have Rebekah here

00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:13.680
 who is described as really selfless

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:16.059
 and Laban here is as selfish as can be.

00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.319
 The only thing he's noticing,

00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:18.240
 he's not trying to test

00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.339
 the character of the man

00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.240
 or asking questions.

00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:20.940
 He's looking at,

00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.099
 oh,

00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.460
 he's got lots of bling bling

00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:24.559
 and he's got this nice bride

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.640
 that he's sitting next to,

00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:25.779
 right?

00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.099
 And so when they,

00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:29.680
 and then he offers his hospitality

00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.880
 as a result.

00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:33.880
 But when they sit down for a meal,

00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:35.559
 the servant is very urgent.

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.339
 And he makes this proposition.

00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.400
 He says,

00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:40.039
 I am Abraham's servant,

00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:41.579
 verses 34 and following.

00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:44.440
 The Lord has greatly blessed my master

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.480
 and he has become great.

00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:47.460
 He has given him flocks and herds

00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.440
 and silver gold,

00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.400
 male servants and female servants,

00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:52.099
 camels and donkeys, right?

00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:53.920
 So this is the part that interests Laban.

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:56.460
 And so he mentions it shrewdly.

00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:58.500
 And he's very smart.

00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.500
 He says in verse 35,

00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.180
 and Sarah,

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.200
 my master's wife,

00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:02.619
 bore a son to my master

00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:04.180
 when she was old.

00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.279
 Now this is an important point

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:08.680
 because it's,

00:28:09.080 --> 00:28:11.039
 you can remember Nahor,

00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.580
 right,

00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:13.000
 is Abraham's brother

00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:15.740
 and Rebecca is his granddaughter,

00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.100
 right?

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:18.519
 And Isaac is Abraham's son.

00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.779
 So they could potentially think

00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:22.840
 that there's a huge age gap here.

00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.580
 And then so they met,

00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.400
 the family might be thinking

00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:24.920
 to themselves,

00:28:25.080 --> 00:28:25.220
 oh,

00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.519
 well,

00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.799
 our daughter is a beautiful maiden,

00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.420
 very attractive.

00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.980
 Why should we give her hand

00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.620
 in marriage to this shrivelly old man,

00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:31.940
 right?

00:28:32.320 --> 00:28:33.160
 And so he says,

00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.440
 no,

00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.320
 Sarah,

00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:35.360
 my master's wife,

00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.300
 bore a son to my master

00:28:36.300 --> 00:28:37.440
 when she was old.

00:28:37.800 --> 00:28:39.400
 So this is a young son,

00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:39.600
 okay?

00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:41.240
 She had him when she was old.

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.539
 And not just that,

00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:45.060
 he mentions that the Lord has,

00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.600
 the fact that he mentions

00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:48.039
 that he's the only son

00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.660
 is significant

00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.600
 because that means,

00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.840
 and he mentions that Isaac

00:28:50.840 --> 00:28:52.420
 is the exclusive heir

00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.960
 to all of Abraham's inheritance,

00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:54.340
 right?

00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.939
 So at first,

00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.319
 this may have come across

00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.839
 as a little bit,

00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:59.179
 like if you say Abraham

00:28:59.179 --> 00:28:59.939
 is so blessed,

00:29:00.199 --> 00:29:01.619
 why does he only have one son?

00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.839
 So that could be a fact

00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:04.119
 that's kind of a deterrent for them.

00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.159
 But then the servant

00:29:05.159 --> 00:29:06.000
 turns that around

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.159
 and uses it to his advantage

00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:07.439
 to say,

00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:07.659
 oh,

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:07.959
 ha ha,

00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:10.220
 you thought that was a bad thing,

00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:11.319
 but what turns out to be

00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.539
 his loss is your gain

00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:14.139
 because he's going to get

00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:15.639
 everything Abraham has,

00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:15.819
 right?

00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:17.740
 So this is a very shrewd servant.

00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.339
 No wonder Abraham

00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.799
 entrusted everything he had to him.

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:23.039
 And so he does that

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.019
 and then more importantly,

00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.180
 he gets the main purpose

00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:26.460
 of his journey across

00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:28.599
 in verses 37 to 41,

00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.839
 telling the family

00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.960
 that he has come

00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.279
 to find a wife for Isaac

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:34.359
 among his kindred.

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.180
 And he slips in the fact

00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:36.980
 that, you know,

00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:39.039
 if the woman does not come with him,

00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.379
 the deal is off.

00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.359
 He's going to take

00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.720
 his proposition elsewhere.

00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.599
 And so he's kind of said

00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.720
 everything he needed to say.

00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.920
 And then the final conclusion

00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.819
 in verse 49

00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:50.180
 can't be any stronger.

00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.359
 Now then,

00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.779
 if you are going to show

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.899
 steadfast love

00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.960
 and faithfulness

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.680
 to my master,

00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.299
 tell me.

00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.460
 And if not,

00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.139
 tell me.

00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.039
 Then I may turn

00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.879
 to the right hand

00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.759
 or to the left.

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.539
 Right?

00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:01.879
 He says,

00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.899
 if you are going to show

00:30:02.899 --> 00:30:03.859
 steadfast love

00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.639
 and faithfulness

00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:05.160
 to my master.

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.039
 So in other words,

00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.279
 if you're going to show

00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.359
 kindness to humanity,

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.940
 if you're going to fulfill

00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.819
 your obligation

00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.899
 as Abraham's kindred,

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.579
 well then,

00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.899
 there's only one right answer

00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:14.579
 you can give me.

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:14.839
 Right?

00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.920
 And not only that,

00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.879
 steadfast love

00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:18.120
 and faithfulness

00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:19.160
 are two of the most

00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:21.120
 frequently mentioned

00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:22.040
 attributes of God.

00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.440
 So he's saying,

00:30:23.540 --> 00:30:23.840
 in essence,

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:25.340
 well God's behind this.

00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.200
 God's shown

00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.720
 steadfast love

00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.240
 and faithfulness.

00:30:27.300 --> 00:30:28.680
 So if you don't want

00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.340
 to obey God,

00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:29.720
 if you don't want

00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.320
 to follow His will,

00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.220
 then you can decline

00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.660
 this offer.

00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:33.280
 So this is a really strong,

00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:33.540
 you know,

00:30:33.540 --> 00:30:35.040
 he's pressing his deal.

00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.300
 And so,

00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:36.720
 of course,

00:30:36.800 --> 00:30:37.880
 they can only say

00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.380
 one thing.

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:38.880
 So they say,

00:30:39.320 --> 00:30:40.920
 verses 50 and 51,

00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:42.120
 the thing has come

00:30:42.120 --> 00:30:42.900
 from the Lord.

00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.580
 We cannot speak to you

00:30:44.580 --> 00:30:45.820
 bad or good.

00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:46.740
 Behold,

00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:47.779
 Rebecca is before you.

00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.519
 Take her and go

00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.519
 and let her be the wife

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.480
 of your master's son

00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:52.480
 as the Lord has spoken.

00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:54.539
 It's a really good example

00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.400
 even though they're not

00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:56.920
 the most godly people,

00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:57.420
 it seems,

00:30:57.580 --> 00:30:58.720
 but they still believe

00:30:58.720 --> 00:31:00.220
 that if the Lord has spoken,

00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:01.259
 they must follow it.

00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:01.500
 Right?

00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:03.180
 When the Lord has spoken,

00:31:03.300 --> 00:31:04.320
 when God's word

00:31:04.320 --> 00:31:05.080
 says something,

00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:05.880
 it's not a time

00:31:05.880 --> 00:31:06.440
 to debate,

00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:08.100
 say this is bad or good.

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.259
 No,

00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.039
 it's time to obey

00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.200
 and to submit to His will.

00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:13.160
 But later,

00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.480
 as the servant

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:16.300
 hastes to leave the family,

00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:17.200
 maybe they're starting

00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:18.060
 to second guess

00:31:18.060 --> 00:31:19.440
 this abrupt proposal

00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.100
 and agreement.

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.820
 Maybe they want to,

00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.100
 you know,

00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:23.100
 change some of the terms

00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:23.620
 of the agreement

00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.900
 so they want to buy some time

00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:25.900
 so they try to delay

00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.960
 their departure.

00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.460
 And because

00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.940
 this tension builds

00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:31.180
 and now this is the climax

00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:32.000
 of this narrative

00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:33.720
 and they ask,

00:31:33.860 --> 00:31:35.340
 they decide to bring Rebecca in.

00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.340
 Let's ask her.

00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.240
 Let's make her decide

00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.700
 since she's the one

00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.080
 that's going.

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.259
 Verse 58,

00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:40.460
 and they called Rebecca

00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.180
 and said to her,

00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:43.160
 will you go with the man?

00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.480
 And as they wait

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.500
 with bated bread,

00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.000
 she says,

00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.799
 I will go.

00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:50.200
 And that simple,

00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.180
 decisive statement,

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.180
 I will go,

00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.559
 aligns her

00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:55.440
 with Abraham

00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:57.120
 and not with her family

00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:58.160
 because it's Abraham

00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:59.039
 in chapter 12

00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.840
 who was commanded

00:31:59.840 --> 00:32:00.440
 by God

00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:02.440
 to go from your country,

00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.279
 from your kindred

00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.079
 and your father's house

00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.539
 to the land

00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.279
 that I will show you.

00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.440
 and now Rebecca

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.180
 proves herself

00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:09.180
 to be in that promised line

00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:09.819
 and connected

00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.759
 to Abraham's family

00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.359
 and she says,

00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:12.279
 I will go

00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.960
 and she too

00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:14.259
 leaves her country

00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.200
 and her kindred

00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:16.779
 and her father's house

00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:18.379
 to be part of God's plan.

00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.079
 And so,

00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.139
 it's not surprising

00:32:21.139 --> 00:32:21.980
 that the blessing

00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.700
 that she receives

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.799
 as she departs

00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.799
 exactly mirrors

00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.299
 the blessing

00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.920
 that God had given Abraham

00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:29.700
 in Genesis chapter 22,

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.440
 verse 17.

00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:33.660
 And so,

00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:34.400
 she leaves

00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:36.680
 and then she meets Isaac

00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:38.140
 and verse 67

00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:39.200
 is so tender

00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.840
 and intimate.

00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:40.620
 It says,

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.420
 Then Isaac brought her

00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:43.960
 in to the tent of Sarah,

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.779
 his mother,

00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:46.160
 and took Rebecca

00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:48.980
 and she became his wife

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:50.600
 and he loved her.

00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:53.340
 Biblically speaking,

00:32:53.840 --> 00:32:55.980
 loving the person you marry

00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:57.759
 is a far greater concern

00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:00.200
 than marrying the person you love.

00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:00.600
 Right?

00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:02.220
 The Bible spends much more time

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.160
 talking about loving

00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:04.559
 the person you marry.

00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:04.820
 So,

00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:05.960
 saying that,

00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.160
 you know,

00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.720
 we've fallen out of love

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.400
 and using that

00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:09.720
 as a basis for divorce,

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:11.480
 breaking up a marriage

00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.840
 is a completely

00:33:12.840 --> 00:33:14.400
 unbiblical answer.

00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.360
 A feeling of love

00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:17.519
 can be cultivated

00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.559
 and deepened

00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:20.660
 with persevering acts of love.

00:33:20.820 --> 00:33:20.880
 Right?

00:33:20.900 --> 00:33:22.180
 That's what Christ calls us.

00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:22.900
 And we do this

00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:24.080
 by daily finding

00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:25.340
 our satisfaction in God,

00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.620
 not in our spouses.

00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:27.240
 Right?

00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:28.539
 Because if we,

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:30.240
 if we demand

00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.880
 our spouse

00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.400
 is what God

00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.259
 can only fulfill,

00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:32.740
 then we will be

00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:34.000
 disgruntled and dissatisfied.

00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.220
 We do this

00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:36.599
 by daily considering

00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:37.180
 our spouse

00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:38.259
 better than ourselves.

00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:38.779
 Right?

00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:40.019
 Instead of fixating

00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.839
 on their faults

00:33:40.839 --> 00:33:41.400
 and foibles,

00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:41.799
 right?

00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:43.120
 We decide to focus

00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:43.920
 instead on their

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.700
 final traits.

00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:46.259
 And we choose

00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.339
 to love the person

00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:47.940
 we married.

00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:48.500
 And that's what

00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.440
 happens here

00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:49.940
 with Isaac.

00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.700
 Rebecca became his wife

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.859
 and he loved her.

00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:54.799
 And not only is Rebecca

00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.640
 blessed throughout this,

00:33:55.759 --> 00:33:56.339
 through this marriage,

00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.519
 Isaac is blessed

00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.160
 beyond measure.

00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.059
 It says,

00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.960
 Isaac was comforted

00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:03.139
 after his mother's death

00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:04.160
 by his marriage

00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.680
 to Rebecca.

00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.119
 Right?

00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.859
 This is such a,

00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:09.099
 it's kind of a minor detail,

00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:09.940
 but isn't that amazing

00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:11.059
 what kind of character

00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:12.179
 of God this reveals

00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:12.699
 for us?

00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:12.900
 Right?

00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.360
 God's right now

00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:16.280
 fulfilling this cosmic plan

00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:17.340
 which will be fulfilled

00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:17.960
 in Jesus

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.219
 to redeem all,

00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.300
 redeem humanity,

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.320
 to redeem people

00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:21.880
 for himself.

00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:23.780
 And while he is unfolding

00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:25.280
 and implementing

00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:26.760
 this cosmic plan,

00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:28.500
 he's also taking care

00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:29.160
 of Isaac

00:34:29.160 --> 00:34:30.400
 because he's mourning

00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.160
 his mother's death.

00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:32.119
 He comforts him

00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.640
 with Rebecca.

00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:35.680
 God cares about

00:34:35.680 --> 00:34:36.460
 our brokenness,

00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.320
 our suffering,

00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.440
 the small things

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.300
 that we might deem

00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:41.480
 unimportant in the

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.300
 grand scale of things.

00:34:42.340 --> 00:34:43.760
 He cares about those things

00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:45.599
 even though he's

00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:47.140
 the God of the universe.

00:34:48.640 --> 00:34:49.300
 And so we saw

00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:50.200
 in chapter 23

00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:50.880
 God's fulfillment

00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:51.840
 of place.

00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:53.240
 And here we see

00:34:53.240 --> 00:34:53.880
 God's fulfillment

00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:55.300
 of progeny.

00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.680
 And at this point

00:34:56.680 --> 00:34:57.640
 we might object,

00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:58.840
 well, it's easy

00:34:58.840 --> 00:34:59.780
 for Abraham to hold

00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.460
 on to the promises

00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:00.900
 of God

00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:02.640
 because he's seen

00:35:02.640 --> 00:35:04.019
 all kinds of,

00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.519
 you know,

00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:06.140
 evidences of God's

00:35:06.140 --> 00:35:06.700
 faithfulness

00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:07.599
 and his power, right?

00:35:07.840 --> 00:35:08.940
 His wife, Sarah,

00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:10.260
 gave birth to his son

00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:12.019
 when she was 90 years old

00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:12.980
 and menopausal.

00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:15.039
 That's a miracle, right?

00:35:15.140 --> 00:35:15.820
 So of course,

00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:17.400
 Abraham could have faith

00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:18.059
 and hold on to the promise,

00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:19.079
 but what about us?

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:21.299
 How can we hold on

00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:22.099
 to the promises of God?

00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:23.500
 What reason do we have

00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:24.539
 to hold on

00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.059
 and believe

00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:26.559
 in the promises of God?

00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:28.319
 The answer to this

00:35:28.319 --> 00:35:29.400
 lies throughout

00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:30.099
 this passage

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.679
 and the rationale,

00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:32.500
 the basis,

00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:33.759
 the reason

00:35:33.759 --> 00:35:35.000
 for the fulfillment

00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:35.940
 of God's promises

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.880
 in these passages

00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.019
 is given

00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:39.079
 in the repeated words,

00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.739
 steadfast love

00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:42.079
 and faithfulness.

00:35:42.819 --> 00:35:43.340
 Right?

00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:44.500
 In chapter 24,

00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:45.659
 verses 12 to 14,

00:35:45.659 --> 00:35:46.480
 when the servant

00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:47.119
 is praying,

00:35:47.339 --> 00:35:48.079
 asking God

00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:48.799
 to give him success

00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:50.039
 regarding finding Rebecca,

00:35:50.440 --> 00:35:51.279
 he says twice,

00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:52.659
 he calls upon

00:35:52.659 --> 00:35:54.119
 God's steadfast love.

00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.500
 Blessed be the Lord,

00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.299
 the God of my master.

00:35:56.379 --> 00:35:57.639
 This is verse 27 also.

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.679
 After, right,

00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.819
 after God's answer

00:35:59.819 --> 00:36:00.199
 to his prayer,

00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:00.980
 he says again,

00:36:01.339 --> 00:36:02.279
 blessed be the Lord,

00:36:02.339 --> 00:36:03.679
 God of my master Abraham

00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:05.379
 who has not forsaken

00:36:05.379 --> 00:36:06.920
 his steadfast love

00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:08.339
 and his faithfulness

00:36:08.339 --> 00:36:09.879
 toward my master.

00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:11.639
 And then again,

00:36:11.799 --> 00:36:12.579
 in verse 48,

00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.399
 when it says,

00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.559
 the God of my master Abraham

00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:15.159
 who had led me

00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:16.400
 by the right way

00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.259
 to take the daughter

00:36:17.259 --> 00:36:18.219
 of my master's kinsman

00:36:18.219 --> 00:36:18.739
 for his son.

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.900
 Right way

00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.559
 can be translated

00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:21.500
 true way,

00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:22.779
 faithful way.

00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:23.900
 It's the same word.

00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:25.179
 Again, loving,

00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:26.380
 it's a steadfast love,

00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:27.139
 faithfulness.

00:36:27.239 --> 00:36:27.900
 Steadfast love,

00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.460
 faithfulness.

00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.980
 That is the basis

00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:31.039
 for God's fulfillment

00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:31.799
 of his promises

00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:32.480
 to Abraham.

00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:34.880
 And what is steadfast love?

00:36:35.179 --> 00:36:35.659
 Steadfast,

00:36:35.759 --> 00:36:36.619
 it's unchanging.

00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.799
 It harkens back

00:36:37.799 --> 00:36:38.860
 to the gracious,

00:36:39.039 --> 00:36:40.000
 unconditional promises

00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:41.380
 that God made to Abraham.

00:36:41.779 --> 00:36:42.960
 And it's the overflow,

00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:44.079
 it's the overflow

00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:45.740
 of God's loving kindness

00:36:45.740 --> 00:36:47.480
 that finds its basis

00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:49.559
 not in our worthiness

00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:51.059
 or our merit,

00:36:51.280 --> 00:36:52.559
 not our deservingness,

00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:53.440
 but on the fact

00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.639
 that God is generous

00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:55.740
 and giving.

00:36:55.860 --> 00:36:56.400
 Do you know

00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:57.320
 that this is the word

00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:57.980
 that's translated

00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:58.559
 in the New Testament

00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:59.679
 as grace,

00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:02.000
 undeserved favor?

00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:03.380
 Do you realize

00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:04.760
 that we don't deserve

00:37:04.760 --> 00:37:05.579
 God's love?

00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:07.000
 We have not earned

00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.880
 an ounce of it,

00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.559
 yet God,

00:37:08.740 --> 00:37:09.740
 because of his,

00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.380
 solely because of his bounty,

00:37:11.699 --> 00:37:12.559
 his generosity,

00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:13.539
 the overflow

00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.619
 of his loving kindness,

00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:16.079
 he has steadfast,

00:37:16.199 --> 00:37:16.820
 unchanging love

00:37:16.820 --> 00:37:17.259
 towards people.

00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.840
 That's steadfast love,

00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:19.559
 grace.

00:37:20.799 --> 00:37:22.259
 And the word faithfulness,

00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.460
 it's also translated

00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.159
 as truth.

00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:25.759
 It's a reference

00:37:25.759 --> 00:37:27.159
 to God's faithfulness

00:37:27.159 --> 00:37:28.380
 to his character.

00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:30.759
 He's always true

00:37:30.759 --> 00:37:32.539
 to who he is.

00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.659
 He never changes.

00:37:34.299 --> 00:37:35.219
 He's faithful.

00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:38.119
 And these two ideas

00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:39.199
 is combined.

00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:39.779
 Faithfulness

00:37:39.780 --> 00:37:41.680
 is what lies behind

00:37:41.680 --> 00:37:43.340
 sometimes the New Testament

00:37:43.340 --> 00:37:44.000
 Greek translation

00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:45.160
 of the word truth.

00:37:45.940 --> 00:37:47.440
 And this is what's behind

00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:48.519
 John's statement

00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:49.660
 in John 1, 17,

00:37:49.760 --> 00:37:50.200
 where he says,

00:37:50.560 --> 00:37:51.460
 the law was given

00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:52.060
 through Moses.

00:37:52.640 --> 00:37:54.360
 Grace and truth

00:37:54.360 --> 00:37:56.000
 came through Jesus Christ.

00:37:56.300 --> 00:37:57.260
 Steadfast love

00:37:57.260 --> 00:37:58.440
 and faithfulness

00:37:58.440 --> 00:38:00.440
 came through Jesus Christ.

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.300
 In other words,

00:38:01.640 --> 00:38:03.820
 Jesus is ultimate fulfillment

00:38:03.820 --> 00:38:05.220
 and embodiment

00:38:05.220 --> 00:38:06.620
 of God's grace

00:38:06.620 --> 00:38:07.640
 and truth,

00:38:07.700 --> 00:38:08.680
 his steadfast love

00:38:08.680 --> 00:38:09.960
 and faithfulness.

00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:11.240
 And in Jesus,

00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:11.559
 then,

00:38:11.680 --> 00:38:13.320
 we have a far more

00:38:13.320 --> 00:38:14.760
 compelling reason

00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:15.660
 to hold on

00:38:15.660 --> 00:38:16.680
 to our promises in God

00:38:16.680 --> 00:38:17.519
 than Abraham

00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:18.640
 ever had.

00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:20.320
 Because Jesus came

00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:21.660
 and he died for us.

00:38:21.660 --> 00:38:22.320
 He was the perfect

00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:23.059
 son of God,

00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:24.019
 holy one,

00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:24.700
 yet he died

00:38:24.700 --> 00:38:26.200
 for our sins.

00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:27.500
 He died in our place.

00:38:27.600 --> 00:38:28.460
 That's grace,

00:38:29.059 --> 00:38:29.820
 loving kindness,

00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:30.880
 steadfast love

00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:32.440
 that we did not deserve

00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:34.179
 but poured out for us.

00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:36.440
 Yet God was faithful

00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:37.280
 to who he is.

00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.340
 He's just.

00:38:39.099 --> 00:38:39.800
 We were sinners,

00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:40.539
 we were rebels,

00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:42.099
 and we deserve

00:38:42.099 --> 00:38:42.860
 to be punished

00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:44.220
 and God had to punish

00:38:44.220 --> 00:38:45.280
 if he had,

00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:46.220
 if he's going to be

00:38:46.220 --> 00:38:46.860
 faithful to himself

00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:47.740
 because he's just,

00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:48.920
 because he's holy.

00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:50.760
 And so as I say,

00:38:51.280 --> 00:38:51.440
 right,

00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:52.280
 the proverbial,

00:38:52.920 --> 00:38:54.440
 the proverbial,

00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:56.460
 unstoppable force

00:38:56.460 --> 00:38:57.740
 of God's grace

00:38:57.740 --> 00:38:59.659
 meets the immovable object

00:38:59.659 --> 00:39:01.639
 of his justice,

00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.599
 his truth.

00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:03.920
 And that's when

00:39:03.920 --> 00:39:05.219
 the cross happens.

00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:06.139
 That's the beauty

00:39:06.139 --> 00:39:06.859
 and the paradox

00:39:06.859 --> 00:39:07.619
 of the cross

00:39:07.619 --> 00:39:09.299
 where Jesus dies

00:39:09.299 --> 00:39:09.980
 as our substitute

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:10.779
 so that even though

00:39:10.779 --> 00:39:12.539
 we deserve to die,

00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:14.460
 God unleashes his punishment,

00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:15.440
 meets out his judgment,

00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:16.779
 not on us

00:39:16.779 --> 00:39:18.559
 but on our substitute,

00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:19.559
 Jesus,

00:39:19.799 --> 00:39:20.420
 his son.

00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:21.239
 So he absorbs

00:39:21.239 --> 00:39:22.679
 the punishment himself.

00:39:23.839 --> 00:39:24.900
 And that's the reason

00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:26.879
 why we can have

00:39:26.879 --> 00:39:27.679
 eternal life

00:39:27.679 --> 00:39:29.059
 with him

00:39:29.059 --> 00:39:30.119
 if we believe in him,

00:39:30.199 --> 00:39:30.859
 repent of our sins

00:39:30.860 --> 00:39:31.460
 and believe in him

00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:33.620
 instead of death.

00:39:34.760 --> 00:39:35.500
 And it's when we look

00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.019
 to Jesus,

00:39:36.220 --> 00:39:36.940
 his face,

00:39:37.360 --> 00:39:38.340
 that's when we see

00:39:38.340 --> 00:39:39.180
 steadfast love.

00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.099
 It's when we look

00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:40.620
 to Jesus,

00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:41.840
 that's when we see

00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:42.900
 faithfulness.

00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:44.620
 And when we look

00:39:44.620 --> 00:39:45.039
 to him

00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:46.059
 and hold those

00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:46.700
 two things together,

00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:48.500
 that's when we can live

00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.000
 as Christians

00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:49.940
 who are holding on

00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:50.620
 to the promises

00:39:50.620 --> 00:39:51.099
 of God.

00:39:51.820 --> 00:39:52.760
 So let's pray together.

00:39:52.760 --> 00:40:00.020
 God,

00:40:00.020 --> 00:40:00.060
 God,

00:40:00.060 --> 00:40:09.520
 it's so mind-boggling

00:40:09.520 --> 00:40:10.240
 to think

00:40:10.240 --> 00:40:12.840
 that you yourself

00:40:12.840 --> 00:40:13.780
 have made a way

00:40:13.780 --> 00:40:14.920
 for us to come to you.

00:40:15.580 --> 00:40:16.220
 Even though we

00:40:16.220 --> 00:40:17.280
 were your enemies,

00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:18.060
 even though we

00:40:18.060 --> 00:40:19.140
 rejected you,

00:40:19.180 --> 00:40:19.680
 even though we

00:40:19.680 --> 00:40:21.040
 sinned against you,

00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:22.500
 Lord,

00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:22.960
 thank you

00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:24.179
 for your steadfast love.

00:40:25.079 --> 00:40:25.639
 Thank you

00:40:25.639 --> 00:40:26.659
 for your faithfulness.

00:40:28.119 --> 00:40:28.779
 Thank you

00:40:28.779 --> 00:40:29.719
 for your grace

00:40:29.719 --> 00:40:30.980
 and truth

00:40:30.980 --> 00:40:32.840
 that abounds

00:40:32.840 --> 00:40:34.679
 for us.

00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:35.860
 Help us

00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:36.300
 to live

00:40:36.300 --> 00:40:37.059
 in light of that

00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.500
 today,

00:40:37.940 --> 00:40:38.440
 this week,

00:40:39.559 --> 00:40:42.019
 so that we grow

00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:42.840
 in our love

00:40:42.840 --> 00:40:43.840
 and affection for you

00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:45.019
 and in our faith

00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:46.300
 and trust in you.

00:40:46.739 --> 00:40:47.519
 In Jesus' name

00:40:47.519 --> 00:40:47.860
 we pray.

00:40:48.239 --> 00:40:48.460
 Amen.

00:40:48.460 --> 00:40:48.559
 Amen.