1 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,379 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,739 --> 00:00:27,019 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:36,340 Good evening, everybody. 5 00:00:36,899 --> 00:00:37,560 How are you guys doing? 6 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:39,759 It's good to see you. 7 00:00:39,859 --> 00:00:40,380 Good to see you. 8 00:00:40,759 --> 00:00:43,899 The weather is cooling down a bit, right? 9 00:00:44,020 --> 00:00:44,659 That's been nice. 10 00:00:47,979 --> 00:00:52,460 If you got your Bibles, you can turn with us to Judges chapter 3. 11 00:00:53,079 --> 00:00:54,179 My name is Danny. 12 00:00:54,340 --> 00:00:56,000 I think most of you guys know me. 13 00:00:58,200 --> 00:00:59,320 I'm the other Danny. 14 00:01:01,679 --> 00:01:05,260 I was here first, but I'm the other one. 15 00:01:07,980 --> 00:01:08,079 Exactly. 16 00:01:08,500 --> 00:01:08,519 Exactly. 17 00:01:08,780 --> 00:01:10,159 No, no competition. 18 00:01:12,219 --> 00:01:13,219 No competitions. 19 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:14,840 Not that. 20 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:15,579 Anyhow. 21 00:01:16,219 --> 00:01:16,620 All right. 22 00:01:16,980 --> 00:01:17,480 Yes. 23 00:01:18,140 --> 00:01:20,140 So we're going to be in judges three today. 24 00:01:20,859 --> 00:01:26,099 And today I want to talk a little bit about the sin cycle in judges. 25 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:32,200 And we're going to just touch on the covenant mercy of God, being a slave 26 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:36,400 to Christ or to sin, all judges are types of Christ. 27 00:01:36,659 --> 00:01:40,319 And we're going to talk a little bit about how intercession plays a role 28 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:45,420 and prayer plays a role in revival and turning ourselves and our community 29 00:01:45,420 --> 00:01:47,400 and our nation back to the Lord. 30 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:50,340 So we've got a lot of ground to cover. 31 00:01:51,239 --> 00:01:53,579 And I'm excited to dive in and jump in with you guys. 32 00:01:53,959 --> 00:01:58,500 So let's start out and just pray quick and then we'll just jump in 33 00:01:58,500 --> 00:02:01,840 and we'll roll through this sort of verse by verse. 34 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:03,900 So, Lord, we thank you for this time. 35 00:02:04,439 --> 00:02:08,259 Thank you, God, just for all the people here, Lord. 36 00:02:08,479 --> 00:02:09,819 Thank you for people listening. 37 00:02:10,460 --> 00:02:12,539 And I just pray that you would just bless us. 38 00:02:12,620 --> 00:02:16,740 Give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. 39 00:02:16,740 --> 00:02:20,860 Open the eyes of our heart, Lord, that we might see you more clearly, 40 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,919 that we might know you, we might be transformed into your image. 41 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:27,039 Lord, help us to become more like you. 42 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:30,719 Help us to just grow and help us to glean from your word 43 00:02:30,719 --> 00:02:33,840 that the seeds of this word would go deep and that they would bear fruit. 44 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:35,360 In Jesus' name. Amen. 45 00:02:37,780 --> 00:02:38,520 So verse one. 46 00:02:40,099 --> 00:02:45,259 Now, these are the nations that the Lord left to test Israel by them. 47 00:02:45,259 --> 00:02:51,500 That is all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan. 48 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:55,759 It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel 49 00:02:55,759 --> 00:02:59,960 might know war to teach war to those who had not known it before. 50 00:03:00,860 --> 00:03:03,240 These are the nations, the five Lords of the Philistines 51 00:03:03,859 --> 00:03:06,860 and all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, the Hivites, 52 00:03:07,020 --> 00:03:12,560 who lived on Mount Lebanon from Baal-Hermun as far as Lebo-Hammath. 53 00:03:13,340 --> 00:03:17,599 They were for the testing of Israel to know whether Israel would obey 54 00:03:17,599 --> 00:03:21,340 the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. 55 00:03:23,099 --> 00:03:26,460 So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, 56 00:03:26,659 --> 00:03:29,919 the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites. 57 00:03:30,580 --> 00:03:33,639 And their daughters, they took to themselves for wives 58 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:39,099 and their own daughters, they gave to their sons and they served their Gods. 59 00:03:40,340 --> 00:03:43,740 So as we look at that first, this first section, 60 00:03:44,259 --> 00:03:50,840 we can see the beginning of what scholars and what Bible teachers call the sin cycle. 61 00:03:50,939 --> 00:03:56,419 And you guys probably have been over this maybe once or twice in the first two chapters. 62 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:04,659 But in general, there's a pattern that repeats itself in judges over and over again. 63 00:04:05,199 --> 00:04:08,680 And theologians call it the sin cycle and starts out with Israel 64 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:12,740 serving the Lord, and then Israel falls into idolatry. 65 00:04:13,879 --> 00:04:17,220 And then Israel is enslaved by the surrounding nations. 66 00:04:18,459 --> 00:04:19,800 Israel cries out to the Lord. 67 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:22,980 Then God raises up a judge or a savior. 68 00:04:23,819 --> 00:04:27,180 And then Israel is delivered by the hand of that judge or savior. 69 00:04:27,980 --> 00:04:30,079 And then Israel serves the Lord again. 70 00:04:30,579 --> 00:04:34,040 And it just continues to go around and around. 71 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:38,199 Now, I think if you've read judges or you've studied judges at all, 72 00:04:38,199 --> 00:04:43,699 you can see that this cycle is self-evident and it's very apparent. 73 00:04:44,339 --> 00:04:45,180 It happens many times. 74 00:04:45,939 --> 00:04:51,579 So what we see immediately is that the Lord in verses one through four, 75 00:04:51,860 --> 00:04:54,800 he's testing their covenant loyalty. 76 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:59,720 He's testing the Israelites to see if they'll be loyal to him in the covenant. 77 00:04:59,860 --> 00:05:05,319 And what we see immediately is that they are not, unfortunately. 78 00:05:05,319 --> 00:05:13,019 And during my time as a missionary to Muslims, many things or many times 79 00:05:13,019 --> 00:05:22,220 you'll hear Muslims say, God gives us this life as a test, and that this is 80 00:05:22,220 --> 00:05:26,939 a test and we are, some are given easy tests, some are given hard tests. 81 00:05:27,259 --> 00:05:32,579 And that's not the ultimate reality of life, because we know that we are not 82 00:05:32,579 --> 00:05:37,500 saved by passing a test, which is what they believe, but we do see in some 83 00:05:37,500 --> 00:05:41,660 places that the Lord in the scripture, he does test people and he is 84 00:05:41,660 --> 00:05:42,939 testing the Israelites here. 85 00:05:43,819 --> 00:05:48,779 And I think one important thing to always pray in our Christian walk 86 00:05:48,779 --> 00:05:52,019 is basically, Lord, don't test me. 87 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:55,420 I think that's why we have the line in the Lord's prayer of 88 00:05:55,420 --> 00:05:57,319 lead me not into temptation. 89 00:05:58,319 --> 00:06:01,199 And that's just a side, that's just a side thought, not going to be 90 00:06:01,199 --> 00:06:06,199 one of the main points, but I do think that it's interesting that the 91 00:06:06,199 --> 00:06:09,819 Lord wants to test the covenant loyalty of Israel. 92 00:06:10,740 --> 00:06:18,060 And what we see immediately is that Israel ignores the charge that 93 00:06:18,060 --> 00:06:23,040 Joshua gave in Joshua chapter 23, where Joshua says, cling not, 94 00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:26,259 cleave not to the nations, but cleave to the Lord. 95 00:06:27,259 --> 00:06:31,360 And so immediately we see that they're mixing with other nations, 96 00:06:31,639 --> 00:06:32,839 they're cleaving with other nations. 97 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:41,060 In verse six, they're giving their daughters to the sons of the 98 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:47,220 pagan people who are worshiping horrific deities. 99 00:06:47,540 --> 00:06:56,240 Now we kind of read this, zoomed out, and I've said this a couple 100 00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:58,779 of times, but I'll just touch on it very briefly, briefly again. 101 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:05,759 These are cultures that are baptized in child sacrifice. 102 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:12,040 They're burning their children, they're whipping them through basically 103 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:15,459 a bonfire, and they're making them walk and catch fire, and they're 104 00:07:15,459 --> 00:07:20,339 offering this incense of their children's burning flesh to pagan Gods, 105 00:07:20,459 --> 00:07:21,920 particularly that God was Molech. 106 00:07:23,919 --> 00:07:25,740 Also, there's cult prostitution. 107 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:31,100 Okay, there are people who are living in temples, and there's 108 00:07:31,100 --> 00:07:32,279 cult prostitution happening. 109 00:07:32,420 --> 00:07:33,399 I'm not going to go into more detail. 110 00:07:36,279 --> 00:07:38,879 There's all kinds of sorcery and weird things. 111 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:42,420 So we can kind of read this and be like, oh, I can't believe how 112 00:07:42,420 --> 00:07:46,480 like the Lord just wanted to wipe out these nations in the Old Testament. 113 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:51,379 But what we see is that the Lord doesn't move to wipe them out until 114 00:07:51,379 --> 00:07:54,279 they're at the point of no return. 115 00:07:54,379 --> 00:07:57,500 He even tells Abraham that I'm not going to wipe them out until 116 00:07:57,500 --> 00:07:59,259 their iniquity is full. 117 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,839 And so what we see is that the Lord is jealous for Israel 118 00:08:03,839 --> 00:08:11,120 that they would be faithful and loyal to him, mainly so that the 119 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:14,519 Lord would have a people on the earth that would reflect his glory. 120 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,480 That's like the main purpose. 121 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:22,680 But also, there is part of following the Lord and following Jesus 122 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:28,500 that gives us, quote unquote, a better life. 123 00:08:28,879 --> 00:08:32,440 Maybe not in the material sense, not like you're going to come 124 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,360 to the Lord and he's going to get you a better job 125 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:40,259 immediately, but your inner life blossoms when you follow the 126 00:08:40,259 --> 00:08:44,320 Lord and you're full of the fruit of the spirit and you're 127 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:46,879 you're walking and growing in union with God. 128 00:08:46,980 --> 00:08:50,039 And that is a beautiful thing for us as well. 129 00:08:50,159 --> 00:08:52,899 And the Lord is jealous for the people of Israel that they 130 00:08:52,899 --> 00:08:57,320 wouldn't mass sacrifice their children, that their daughters 131 00:08:57,320 --> 00:08:59,340 wouldn't become cult prostitutes. 132 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:04,139 And so that's a little bit heavy, but just want to paint a 133 00:09:04,139 --> 00:09:07,019 quick picture again as to what's actually happening. 134 00:09:07,419 --> 00:09:10,639 It's not just like the Baptists marrying the Methodists, 135 00:09:11,199 --> 00:09:15,120 or Catholic marrying this, or whatever, Lutheran. 136 00:09:16,919 --> 00:09:17,840 We're all Christian. 137 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:18,919 We all believe in one God. 138 00:09:19,039 --> 00:09:19,960 We all kind of have the same morals. 139 00:09:20,100 --> 00:09:23,460 No, these are drastically different value systems that 140 00:09:23,460 --> 00:09:28,220 the Lord is saying, please do not go outside of the boundary 141 00:09:28,220 --> 00:09:32,899 of the law that I've set for you because this is really 142 00:09:32,899 --> 00:09:36,679 important for you and for your society and your culture 143 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:38,200 to be healthy and to grow. 144 00:09:38,759 --> 00:09:39,279 Does that make sense? 145 00:09:40,639 --> 00:09:45,340 So I think that's a very important point that I always 146 00:09:45,340 --> 00:09:49,279 like to stress because it paints us a little bit of a 147 00:09:49,279 --> 00:09:51,940 picture of the ancient world. 148 00:09:53,659 --> 00:09:55,519 Real quick, do you guys ever hear of the guy? 149 00:09:55,740 --> 00:09:57,000 Who here has heard of Hannibal? 150 00:09:58,519 --> 00:09:59,659 Yeah, you guys have heard of Hannibal? 151 00:10:00,540 --> 00:10:02,259 Hannibal, the general? 152 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:08,820 His name actually means, Khan Nabal is the grace of Baal. 153 00:10:08,820 --> 00:10:14,180 And he was a Syrophoenician descendant from, 154 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:17,919 I'm doing this off the top of my head, 155 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,179 but like sort of above like Sidon entire area. 156 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:23,500 And then he and a bunch of, well, 157 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:27,960 his ancestors traveled to Carthage and they planted a city 158 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:30,639 there and they called it the new city, 159 00:10:30,740 --> 00:10:32,100 which translates to Carthage. 160 00:10:32,460 --> 00:10:38,200 But there's actually a story of Hannibal's mother 161 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:44,960 and father sacrificing Hannibal to the God of Molech 162 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:48,679 through the fire, but they actually swapped him 163 00:10:48,679 --> 00:10:53,200 with the mother's servant's son, I believe. 164 00:10:53,659 --> 00:10:57,059 So anyhow, but you can find these stories in history, 165 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,159 which they were worshiping Baal. 166 00:10:59,500 --> 00:11:01,000 His name was literally the grace of Baal. 167 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:03,340 And then they also were worshiping Molech 168 00:11:03,340 --> 00:11:04,580 and they're worshiping all these Gods. 169 00:11:04,919 --> 00:11:06,759 So they're all throughout all these stories 170 00:11:06,759 --> 00:11:08,379 are kind of sprinkled throughout history. 171 00:11:08,580 --> 00:11:09,740 Anyhow, let's make too much time on this. 172 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:10,639 Let's keep moving. 173 00:11:18,060 --> 00:11:22,000 All right, so now we get actually into the sin cycle. 174 00:11:22,740 --> 00:11:23,700 So let's continue to read. 175 00:11:24,419 --> 00:11:25,779 And we're just going to read through the rest of it 176 00:11:25,779 --> 00:11:26,899 from seven to 31. 177 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:30,120 And then I'll circle back and we'll run through the sin cycle 178 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:32,940 and then a couple of points and we'll wrap up. 179 00:11:33,939 --> 00:11:35,539 So verse seven. 180 00:11:36,399 --> 00:11:38,500 And the people of Israel did what was evil 181 00:11:38,500 --> 00:11:39,480 in the sight of the Lord. 182 00:11:40,159 --> 00:11:43,240 They forgot the Lord their God and served the Bails, 183 00:11:43,820 --> 00:11:45,600 which Baal can also just mean like Lord, 184 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:51,799 but he served the Bails and the Asheroth, the Asheroth, sorry. 185 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:54,799 Therefore, the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel 186 00:11:54,799 --> 00:11:59,179 and he sold them into the hand of Kushan Rishai'taim, 187 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:00,399 king of Mesopotamia. 188 00:12:00,500 --> 00:12:01,799 Now listen to the language there. 189 00:12:01,799 --> 00:12:03,980 He sold them into the hand. 190 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:06,960 That's slave trade language. 191 00:12:08,039 --> 00:12:10,120 He sold them, just remember that. 192 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:13,480 He sold them into the hand of the king of Mesopotamia. 193 00:12:13,899 --> 00:12:18,259 And the people of Israel served Kushan Rishai'taim eight years. 194 00:12:18,820 --> 00:12:24,139 But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, 195 00:12:24,659 --> 00:12:27,399 the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel 196 00:12:27,399 --> 00:12:29,159 who saved them. 197 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:33,100 Othniel, the son of Canaz, Caleb's younger brother. 198 00:12:33,299 --> 00:12:35,120 So it's Caleb's nephew. 199 00:12:36,899 --> 00:12:39,460 The spirit of the Lord was upon him and he judged Israel. 200 00:12:39,639 --> 00:12:42,960 He went out to war and the Lord gave Kushan Rishai'taim, 201 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:44,840 king of Mesopotamia, into his hand 202 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:48,899 and he prevailed over Kushan Rishai'taim. 203 00:12:49,320 --> 00:12:51,100 So the land had rest for 40 years. 204 00:12:51,620 --> 00:12:53,620 Then Othniel, the son of Canaz, died. 205 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:56,460 And the people of Israel again did what was evil 206 00:12:56,460 --> 00:12:57,399 in the sight of the Lord. 207 00:12:57,820 --> 00:12:59,820 And the Lord strengthened Iglon, 208 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,240 the king of Moab against Israel. 209 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:10,179 Remember, Moab was the son of Lot and Lot's daughter. 210 00:13:11,179 --> 00:13:13,960 It comes from the father. 211 00:13:15,100 --> 00:13:18,340 So literally this nation is the nation 212 00:13:18,340 --> 00:13:21,840 that was born of the mother's father. 213 00:13:22,500 --> 00:13:24,539 And so this is a perverted nation. 214 00:13:24,539 --> 00:13:29,299 Whenever we see this nation in the Old Testament, 215 00:13:30,759 --> 00:13:32,980 ancient readers would have understood that this is a... 216 00:13:32,980 --> 00:13:35,679 From the beginning, it was a perverse nation 217 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:37,980 because a mother and a daughter 218 00:13:37,980 --> 00:13:39,980 are not to have relations together. 219 00:13:41,279 --> 00:13:43,919 So the Lord strengthened Iglon, the king of Moab, 220 00:13:44,220 --> 00:13:45,539 against Israel because they had done 221 00:13:45,539 --> 00:13:46,779 what was evil in the sight of the Lord 222 00:13:47,339 --> 00:13:50,840 and he gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites 223 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,000 and went and defeated Israel 224 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,419 and they took possession of the city palms. 225 00:13:56,379 --> 00:13:58,100 And the people of Israel served Iglon, 226 00:13:58,220 --> 00:14:00,159 the king of Moab, 18 years. 227 00:14:00,820 --> 00:14:02,720 Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord 228 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:06,279 and the Lord raised them up for them a deliverer. 229 00:14:06,919 --> 00:14:08,759 Ihud, the son of Gira the Benjaminite, 230 00:14:09,179 --> 00:14:10,340 a left-handed man. 231 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:13,700 The people of Israel sent tribute by him 232 00:14:13,700 --> 00:14:14,940 to Iglon, the king of Moab. 233 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:18,299 And Ihud made for himself a sword with two edges, 234 00:14:18,659 --> 00:14:19,539 a cubit in length, 235 00:14:19,539 --> 00:14:23,759 and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes. 236 00:14:24,980 --> 00:14:27,480 And he presented the tribute to Iglon, king of Moab. 237 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:29,159 King of Moab. 238 00:14:29,299 --> 00:14:30,899 Now Iglon was a very fat man 239 00:14:30,899 --> 00:14:33,659 and when Ihud had finished presenting the tribute, 240 00:14:33,820 --> 00:14:36,600 he sent away the people who carried the tribute. 241 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:39,419 But he himself turned back at the idols near Gilgal 242 00:14:39,419 --> 00:14:42,240 and said, I have a secret message for you, O King. 243 00:14:42,899 --> 00:14:44,440 And he commanded silence 244 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:47,419 and all his attendants went out from his presence. 245 00:14:47,419 --> 00:14:50,039 And Ihud came to him as he was sitting alone 246 00:14:50,039 --> 00:14:52,039 in his cool roof chamber. 247 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:55,120 And Ihud said, I have a message from God for you. 248 00:14:55,779 --> 00:14:57,039 And he arose from his seat. 249 00:14:57,759 --> 00:14:59,919 And Ihud reached with his left hand, 250 00:15:00,279 --> 00:15:02,059 took the sword from his right thigh 251 00:15:02,059 --> 00:15:04,039 and thrust it into his belly. 252 00:15:04,539 --> 00:15:07,220 And the hilt also went in after the blade 253 00:15:07,220 --> 00:15:09,399 and the fat closed over the blade 254 00:15:09,399 --> 00:15:12,440 for he did not pull the sword out of his belly 255 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:13,879 and the dung came out. 256 00:15:14,620 --> 00:15:16,820 Then Ihud went out into the porch 257 00:15:16,820 --> 00:15:19,080 and closed the doors of the roof chamber 258 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:20,600 behind him and locked them. 259 00:15:21,419 --> 00:15:23,379 When he had gone, the servants came 260 00:15:23,379 --> 00:15:24,860 and when they saw that the doors 261 00:15:24,860 --> 00:15:26,460 of the roof chamber were locked, 262 00:15:26,620 --> 00:15:28,980 they thought, surely he was relieving himself 263 00:15:28,980 --> 00:15:31,240 in the closet of the cool chamber. 264 00:15:31,820 --> 00:15:33,899 And they waited till they were embarrassed. 265 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:35,299 But when he still did not open 266 00:15:35,299 --> 00:15:36,299 the doors of the roof chamber, 267 00:15:36,500 --> 00:15:38,019 they took the key and opened them 268 00:15:38,019 --> 00:15:40,279 and there lay their Lord dead on the floor. 269 00:15:41,220 --> 00:15:43,399 And Ihud escaped while they delayed 270 00:15:43,399 --> 00:15:44,860 and he passed beyond the idols 271 00:15:44,860 --> 00:15:46,080 and escaped to Syrah. 272 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:48,360 When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet 273 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:49,840 in the hill country of Ephraim. 274 00:15:50,340 --> 00:15:51,659 Then the people of Israel went down 275 00:15:51,659 --> 00:15:53,179 with him from the hill country 276 00:15:53,179 --> 00:15:54,539 and he was their leader. 277 00:15:55,460 --> 00:15:56,879 And he said to them, follow after me 278 00:15:56,879 --> 00:15:58,659 for the Lord has given your enemies 279 00:15:58,659 --> 00:16:00,480 the Moabites into your hand. 280 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:02,620 So they went down after him 281 00:16:02,620 --> 00:16:05,019 and seized the fords of the Jordan 282 00:16:05,019 --> 00:16:05,980 against the Moabites 283 00:16:05,980 --> 00:16:07,679 and did not allow anyone to pass over. 284 00:16:08,059 --> 00:16:09,259 And they killed at that time 285 00:16:09,259 --> 00:16:11,360 about 10,000 of the Moabites, 286 00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:13,360 all strong able-bodied men, 287 00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:14,559 not a man escaped. 288 00:16:14,559 --> 00:16:16,820 So Moab was subdued that day 289 00:16:16,820 --> 00:16:18,100 under the hand of Israel 290 00:16:18,100 --> 00:16:20,240 and the land had rest for 80 years. 291 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:22,620 And after him was Shamgar, 292 00:16:22,759 --> 00:16:23,700 the son of Anath, 293 00:16:23,740 --> 00:16:26,840 who killed 600 of the Philistines 294 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:27,879 within ox code 295 00:16:27,879 --> 00:16:29,360 and he also saved Israel. 296 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:32,340 That's a pretty cool tribute at the end there. 297 00:16:32,659 --> 00:16:34,639 One little verse to Shamgar. 298 00:16:34,879 --> 00:16:36,000 We don't get any other details. 299 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:42,279 But here we see two stories 300 00:16:42,279 --> 00:16:44,139 and then a byline, 301 00:16:44,980 --> 00:16:46,779 kind of an asterisk for Shamgar. 302 00:16:47,759 --> 00:16:49,879 But we see Othniel and Ehud 303 00:16:49,879 --> 00:16:54,299 and they are the main characters 304 00:16:54,299 --> 00:16:58,019 in the sin cycle salvation story. 305 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,360 We see in both of the stories 306 00:17:01,879 --> 00:17:04,940 that Israel falls into sin and idolatry 307 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:07,339 and we can refer to the covenant. 308 00:17:07,579 --> 00:17:10,079 The Lord says, do not do these things. 309 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:11,880 He literally, there's a list of things. 310 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:13,819 Do not mix with the Israel, 311 00:17:14,039 --> 00:17:16,339 with the Canaanites and the Moabites 312 00:17:16,339 --> 00:17:17,619 and everybody in the land 313 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:20,099 and they go and immediately do that. 314 00:17:20,619 --> 00:17:24,359 So they break their end of the covenant quickly 315 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:30,400 and then the Lord raises up a nation, 316 00:17:30,819 --> 00:17:31,519 an outside nation, 317 00:17:31,619 --> 00:17:33,859 like he says he will do in the law. 318 00:17:34,019 --> 00:17:36,059 He says, if you do not keep my covenant, 319 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:37,920 I will raise up a nation against you. 320 00:17:38,259 --> 00:17:40,279 So the Lord is just doing exactly 321 00:17:40,279 --> 00:17:41,619 what he says he's going to do 322 00:17:41,619 --> 00:17:42,920 in the scripture, 323 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:45,380 in the contract between the Israelites 324 00:17:45,380 --> 00:17:46,339 and the Lord. 325 00:17:47,299 --> 00:17:51,700 And then the Israelites are enslaved 326 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:55,579 in the first section, 327 00:17:56,059 --> 00:17:57,000 the Mesopotamians 328 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,240 and in the second section, the Moabites. 329 00:18:00,380 --> 00:18:01,380 And they're enslaved 330 00:18:01,380 --> 00:18:03,720 both spiritually and physically. 331 00:18:04,079 --> 00:18:05,619 But one important thing is that 332 00:18:06,900 --> 00:18:10,160 first, the enslavement 333 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:11,480 or the slavery happens 334 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:13,339 on the spiritual side. 335 00:18:14,559 --> 00:18:16,200 And they begin to drift 336 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:17,440 away from the Lord, 337 00:18:17,599 --> 00:18:19,400 away from their covenant maker, 338 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:21,779 away from their covenant faithfulness 339 00:18:21,779 --> 00:18:22,359 with the Lord 340 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:24,099 and they begin to lean in 341 00:18:24,099 --> 00:18:26,900 to the spirituality 342 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:32,799 or the practices of the local people. 343 00:18:33,099 --> 00:18:37,539 And they become enslaved spiritually first. 344 00:18:37,539 --> 00:18:40,819 Romans chapter 6 tells us 345 00:18:42,120 --> 00:18:47,359 verse 17 talks about spiritual slavery. 346 00:18:48,500 --> 00:18:50,640 Let me just turn there, 347 00:18:51,380 --> 00:18:52,720 read it for us. 348 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:54,519 But you can turn there. 349 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:55,180 You can turn there. 350 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:56,799 If you want, Romans chapter 6, 17. 351 00:19:00,820 --> 00:19:01,660 There we go. 352 00:19:01,779 --> 00:19:02,400 Got it bookmarked. 353 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:06,619 So verse 17, 354 00:19:06,619 --> 00:19:07,880 or we can start at 16. 355 00:19:08,180 --> 00:19:08,640 Paul says, 356 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:09,859 do not know 357 00:19:09,859 --> 00:19:11,180 that if you present yourselves 358 00:19:11,180 --> 00:19:13,079 to anyone as obedient slaves, 359 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,180 you are slaves of the one 360 00:19:15,180 --> 00:19:15,960 whom you obey, 361 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:17,559 either of sin 362 00:19:17,559 --> 00:19:19,039 which leads to death 363 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:21,180 or of obedience 364 00:19:21,180 --> 00:19:22,640 which leads to righteousness. 365 00:19:23,500 --> 00:19:24,380 But thanks be to God 366 00:19:24,380 --> 00:19:26,279 that you who are once slaves of sin 367 00:19:26,279 --> 00:19:27,660 have become obedient from the heart 368 00:19:27,660 --> 00:19:29,019 to the standard of teaching 369 00:19:29,019 --> 00:19:30,160 to which you're committed. 370 00:19:30,579 --> 00:19:33,019 And having been freed from sin, 371 00:19:33,319 --> 00:19:35,960 you have become slaves of righteousness. 372 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:37,700 And so but what we see here 373 00:19:37,700 --> 00:19:38,500 is the opposite 374 00:19:38,500 --> 00:19:40,160 of what Paul is talking about. 375 00:19:40,700 --> 00:19:41,859 Paul is talking about 376 00:19:41,859 --> 00:19:43,400 you have been slaves of sin 377 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,059 and then when you come to Christ, 378 00:19:46,460 --> 00:19:48,700 you become a slave of righteousness. 379 00:19:50,140 --> 00:19:52,319 And this is where we all start out. 380 00:19:52,519 --> 00:19:54,839 We all start out as one 381 00:19:54,839 --> 00:19:56,640 that is not walking 382 00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:59,039 in covenant faithfulness with the Lord. 383 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:00,640 And we need to acknowledge that 384 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:01,460 and we need to repent 385 00:20:01,460 --> 00:20:03,119 and we need to believe in Christ 386 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:04,980 and then we need to follow him 387 00:20:04,980 --> 00:20:07,319 and we need to walk in covenant faithfulness. 388 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:09,200 And this all happens by his grace. 389 00:20:09,220 --> 00:20:11,700 It's his grace that empowers us to do this. 390 00:20:11,859 --> 00:20:15,460 So it's not like you're drumming this up yourself, right? 391 00:20:15,559 --> 00:20:16,599 Don't get the wrong idea. 392 00:20:17,059 --> 00:20:20,180 But we need to walk with the Lord as well. 393 00:20:20,660 --> 00:20:22,319 And as Paul says, 394 00:20:22,519 --> 00:20:24,440 as we present ourselves 395 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:26,619 as obedient slaves, 396 00:20:27,220 --> 00:20:29,740 you are slaves to the one whom you obey. 397 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:35,079 So everybody in this world, 398 00:20:35,819 --> 00:20:38,440 whether you know Jesus 399 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:40,059 or don't know Jesus 400 00:20:40,059 --> 00:20:42,220 or you just know about Jesus 401 00:20:42,779 --> 00:20:46,319 or never heard of Jesus, 402 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:50,220 everybody is either a slave to sin 403 00:20:50,220 --> 00:20:53,079 or they are a slave to righteousness and to God. 404 00:20:54,460 --> 00:20:56,920 And what we see here is the Israelites, 405 00:20:56,920 --> 00:21:01,559 they are first enslaving themselves spiritually. 406 00:21:02,299 --> 00:21:03,759 They are first becoming obedient 407 00:21:03,759 --> 00:21:07,480 to the practices of the local people. 408 00:21:07,599 --> 00:21:09,960 See, the thing is our spirituality today 409 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:12,519 and the spirituality of the ancient near east 410 00:21:12,519 --> 00:21:13,539 is very different. 411 00:21:14,859 --> 00:21:16,299 Today, it's in America especially 412 00:21:16,299 --> 00:21:17,880 in our cultural context, 413 00:21:18,059 --> 00:21:19,759 especially in evangelicalism, 414 00:21:20,180 --> 00:21:21,420 which I'm not knocking this 415 00:21:21,420 --> 00:21:22,440 but it's just the way it is. 416 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:24,460 It's so much about head knowledge, 417 00:21:24,740 --> 00:21:25,880 so much about learning, 418 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:29,460 it's so much about getting the right thoughts 419 00:21:30,120 --> 00:21:33,380 and agreeing to the right doctrinal propositions 420 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:37,019 and then we get it all right, 421 00:21:37,099 --> 00:21:39,940 which there's a clear need 422 00:21:39,940 --> 00:21:41,980 and an emphasis for that 423 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:44,160 in the scripture, 424 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:46,480 which praise God for the Reformation, 425 00:21:46,900 --> 00:21:48,539 but in ancient near east, 426 00:21:48,599 --> 00:21:50,240 it was so much about what you did. 427 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:52,619 You see in the first five books, 428 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:54,140 the Old Testament, in the Torah, 429 00:21:54,140 --> 00:21:56,259 so much of the spirituality is, 430 00:21:56,680 --> 00:21:58,220 hey, do these feasts, 431 00:21:58,559 --> 00:21:59,779 don't do these things, 432 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,339 put the scripture on your forehead, 433 00:22:02,500 --> 00:22:03,460 put it on your door, 434 00:22:03,779 --> 00:22:05,200 when you walk, when you sit, 435 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:05,960 when you do this, 436 00:22:06,099 --> 00:22:08,019 as you move and go throughout life, 437 00:22:08,220 --> 00:22:09,799 it wasn't so much of, 438 00:22:10,460 --> 00:22:14,140 hey, memorize these 28 points about Yahweh, 439 00:22:14,339 --> 00:22:16,339 it was this is how you live 440 00:22:16,339 --> 00:22:18,259 and breathe as a people 441 00:22:18,259 --> 00:22:19,440 and we as Christians, 442 00:22:19,740 --> 00:22:21,220 we also have those prescriptions, 443 00:22:21,220 --> 00:22:24,400 but so much of our spiritual experience 444 00:22:25,140 --> 00:22:27,460 is centered around head knowledge 445 00:22:27,460 --> 00:22:29,980 and we have to try to fight against that, 446 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:31,640 put our faith into practice 447 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:33,039 and the more we do that, 448 00:22:33,079 --> 00:22:34,140 the more we'll have a balanced 449 00:22:34,660 --> 00:22:36,740 and informed life 450 00:22:36,740 --> 00:22:37,960 because in Christ, 451 00:22:38,140 --> 00:22:39,200 because they go together, 452 00:22:39,900 --> 00:22:42,160 but so much of their world was, 453 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:43,859 hey, we have Passover, 454 00:22:44,180 --> 00:22:46,079 we remember that we were slaves in Israel 455 00:22:46,079 --> 00:22:48,079 by eating the lamb 456 00:22:48,079 --> 00:22:49,279 and breaking the bread 457 00:22:49,279 --> 00:22:50,519 and drinking the cup 458 00:22:50,519 --> 00:22:53,720 and then the kids would play these games 459 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:58,400 that would reenact the exodus from Egypt. 460 00:22:58,559 --> 00:23:02,619 So anyhow, what we see is the people of Israel, 461 00:23:02,940 --> 00:23:04,319 they're starting to practice 462 00:23:04,319 --> 00:23:07,140 and become slaves to that culture. 463 00:23:07,299 --> 00:23:09,539 They're beginning to walk as those people 464 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:12,680 and before they're enslaved politically, 465 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:14,099 they're enslaved spiritually. 466 00:23:15,660 --> 00:23:19,500 Before the Lord lifts his hand of protection over them, 467 00:23:19,500 --> 00:23:21,859 they walk away from God. 468 00:23:23,619 --> 00:23:26,359 And I think that has deep implications 469 00:23:27,019 --> 00:23:29,920 on a political, like a national level as well. 470 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:33,140 My objective is not to talk deeply 471 00:23:33,140 --> 00:23:35,000 about the state of the nation, 472 00:23:35,140 --> 00:23:38,380 but I do think that we need, 473 00:23:38,660 --> 00:23:39,079 as believers, 474 00:23:39,339 --> 00:23:41,519 we need to stand before the Lord as priests 475 00:23:42,140 --> 00:23:45,180 and intercede for the nation 476 00:23:45,180 --> 00:23:48,660 that the Lord would not lift his hand 477 00:23:48,660 --> 00:23:50,319 of protection over our nation. 478 00:23:50,940 --> 00:23:52,240 And this is not our final home, 479 00:23:52,660 --> 00:23:54,960 but the Lord has really blessed this country 480 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,079 in many ways for all our faults. 481 00:23:57,259 --> 00:23:58,259 We do have lots of faults 482 00:23:58,259 --> 00:24:00,559 that we should and need to repent of, of course. 483 00:24:01,519 --> 00:24:04,119 But okay, we're gonna get to that. 484 00:24:04,319 --> 00:24:05,160 Here we are, we're there. 485 00:24:05,799 --> 00:24:08,740 So we are at the part where, 486 00:24:08,740 --> 00:24:10,160 okay, recap. 487 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:12,420 Israel falls into sin and idolatry. 488 00:24:12,819 --> 00:24:13,640 Israel is enslaved. 489 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:15,599 Then Israel cries out to the Lord. 490 00:24:15,599 --> 00:24:17,519 Look at verse 15. 491 00:24:18,900 --> 00:24:19,619 I think it is. 492 00:24:20,140 --> 00:24:21,440 And should be, 493 00:24:24,039 --> 00:24:25,640 20 something, now I lost my place again. 494 00:24:27,619 --> 00:24:28,400 I'll get there. 495 00:24:31,279 --> 00:24:32,619 I know it's verse 15. 496 00:24:36,500 --> 00:24:37,460 That's what I get for now, 497 00:24:37,519 --> 00:24:38,839 writing it down on the sheet. 498 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:45,220 Yeah, when they cry out to the Lord. 499 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:46,640 So, 500 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:50,400 awesome. 501 00:24:52,279 --> 00:24:52,539 Cool, yeah. 502 00:24:52,819 --> 00:24:54,740 Verse nine in the first section. 503 00:24:55,140 --> 00:24:57,220 But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, 504 00:24:57,460 --> 00:24:59,740 the Lord raised up a deliverer who saved them. 505 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:01,619 And then in verse 15, 506 00:25:01,859 --> 00:25:03,579 then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord 507 00:25:03,579 --> 00:25:05,559 and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer. 508 00:25:07,859 --> 00:25:10,180 So even while we are in, 509 00:25:10,779 --> 00:25:14,559 we or a nation is in spiritual compromise, 510 00:25:14,559 --> 00:25:20,359 the Lord is desirous to raise up a deliverer for the people. 511 00:25:22,279 --> 00:25:26,819 And do you guys know where we first actually see this happen? 512 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:29,420 I think it's the first time. 513 00:25:29,579 --> 00:25:31,559 I'm 99.9% sure it's the first time. 514 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:33,920 Maybe if somebody can find a time earlier than this 515 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:34,460 in the scripture, 516 00:25:35,319 --> 00:25:37,619 I'll give them a high five. 517 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:41,299 But, mince, we're at mince. 518 00:25:42,099 --> 00:25:44,960 But in Exodus chapter two, 519 00:25:45,319 --> 00:25:47,180 verse 23 through 25, 520 00:25:47,799 --> 00:25:49,480 while the Israelites are in slavery, 521 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:52,740 they are so oppressed by Pharaoh, 522 00:25:52,900 --> 00:25:53,480 they're enslaved, 523 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:57,079 that they groan and cry out to the Lord. 524 00:25:58,220 --> 00:25:59,559 And you know what the verse says? 525 00:25:59,759 --> 00:26:02,079 It says the Lord hears their cry. 526 00:26:02,420 --> 00:26:04,839 And then the next section of scripture 527 00:26:04,839 --> 00:26:07,420 is the burning bush with Moses. 528 00:26:08,099 --> 00:26:10,140 And the Lord raises up Moses 529 00:26:10,140 --> 00:26:12,099 as a deliverer to go 530 00:26:12,099 --> 00:26:14,480 and to lead the people out of Egypt 531 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:17,579 and out of slavery and into the Promised Land. 532 00:26:18,299 --> 00:26:19,420 And that's what brings them here. 533 00:26:19,599 --> 00:26:22,099 And I wonder if people in that day, 534 00:26:23,160 --> 00:26:26,500 in Judges, if they read that verse 535 00:26:26,500 --> 00:26:27,140 and they said, 536 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:28,619 Lord, we need another Moses. 537 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:30,880 That we need another Moses. 538 00:26:31,740 --> 00:26:32,900 And what we hear, 539 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:36,319 what we see in Exodus 540 00:26:36,319 --> 00:26:38,500 is that they use the word, 541 00:26:38,500 --> 00:26:40,640 translators use the word grown. 542 00:26:41,579 --> 00:26:42,759 And it's a visceral, 543 00:26:42,980 --> 00:26:45,680 just crying out to the Lord 544 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:48,720 because of the state of their people. 545 00:26:49,579 --> 00:26:53,259 And we see kind of the same language here. 546 00:26:54,339 --> 00:26:58,019 We see that the people are crying out to the Lord. 547 00:26:58,099 --> 00:26:59,539 They cry out to God, 548 00:26:59,779 --> 00:27:01,240 maybe with actual tears. 549 00:27:01,819 --> 00:27:05,380 And the Lord raises them up, a deliverer. 550 00:27:05,759 --> 00:27:07,339 And then we see later, 551 00:27:08,500 --> 00:27:11,400 in maybe the most famous verse on prayer 552 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:12,559 in the Old Testament, 553 00:27:12,900 --> 00:27:14,319 2 Chronicles 7.14, 554 00:27:14,559 --> 00:27:15,420 that Solomon says, 555 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:16,680 if my people pray, 556 00:27:17,099 --> 00:27:18,200 that I will deliver them. 557 00:27:18,380 --> 00:27:20,299 I will send the rain. 558 00:27:21,420 --> 00:27:22,279 That's what the Lord says. 559 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:23,160 If my people pray, 560 00:27:23,319 --> 00:27:25,180 I will come and deliver them 561 00:27:25,180 --> 00:27:26,539 from their situation. 562 00:27:27,140 --> 00:27:28,180 And so what we see is 563 00:27:28,180 --> 00:27:30,319 that intercession 564 00:27:31,980 --> 00:27:33,099 and prayer 565 00:27:33,859 --> 00:27:36,700 is what God uses 566 00:27:36,700 --> 00:27:38,339 to raise up a savior 567 00:27:38,339 --> 00:27:40,460 and send revival in response 568 00:27:40,460 --> 00:27:41,960 to prayer and fasting. 569 00:27:42,299 --> 00:27:45,480 Matthew 17 verse 21 says, 570 00:27:46,140 --> 00:27:47,700 some of these only come out 571 00:27:47,700 --> 00:27:48,559 through prayer and fasting. 572 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:50,960 The disciples were in a situation 573 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:52,119 where they were trying 574 00:27:52,119 --> 00:27:53,279 to cast out a demon, 575 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:54,599 but they couldn't do it. 576 00:27:54,759 --> 00:27:55,819 And Jesus came along 577 00:27:55,819 --> 00:27:56,460 and they said, 578 00:27:56,559 --> 00:27:57,799 Lord, Lord, why can we not 579 00:27:57,799 --> 00:27:58,660 cast this one out? 580 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:00,000 And Jesus said, 581 00:28:00,019 --> 00:28:01,299 some of these only come out 582 00:28:01,299 --> 00:28:02,440 through prayer and fasting. 583 00:28:03,620 --> 00:28:05,400 And he didn't mean going 584 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:07,359 just fast like a couple of minutes 585 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:08,039 and come back, 586 00:28:08,220 --> 00:28:10,900 but he meant a continual lifestyle 587 00:28:10,900 --> 00:28:12,680 of prayer and fasting. 588 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:14,019 Do you guys know that there's a, 589 00:28:14,319 --> 00:28:15,700 who's ever heard of the diddike? 590 00:28:16,079 --> 00:28:19,720 D-I-D-A-C-H-E, diddike, yeah. 591 00:28:20,079 --> 00:28:22,799 It's one of the earliest documents 592 00:28:22,799 --> 00:28:25,019 along with some fragments of scripture 593 00:28:25,019 --> 00:28:28,299 that describes the New Testament practice 594 00:28:28,299 --> 00:28:29,319 of the church, 595 00:28:29,420 --> 00:28:30,200 of the first believers. 596 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:31,579 And it has in there 597 00:28:31,579 --> 00:28:33,440 that they fasted every Wednesday 598 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:35,279 and Friday, I believe it was. 599 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:36,940 They were fasting two days a week. 600 00:28:37,339 --> 00:28:38,720 This was the rhythm of the church 601 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:40,099 to fast two days a week. 602 00:28:40,220 --> 00:28:41,319 And I think maybe 603 00:28:41,319 --> 00:28:43,180 they weren't fasting completely 604 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:45,380 all food and water. 605 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:48,059 Probably they were drinking water, 606 00:28:48,339 --> 00:28:49,980 but they were giving up something. 607 00:28:50,660 --> 00:28:52,859 Maybe they were just fasting meat 608 00:28:52,859 --> 00:28:53,880 or maybe they were just taking 609 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:54,740 a little bit of bread, 610 00:28:54,759 --> 00:28:56,200 but they had an intensity 611 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:57,700 that went alongside 612 00:28:57,700 --> 00:28:59,559 with their spirituality 613 00:28:59,559 --> 00:29:01,019 that they were walking out. 614 00:29:01,119 --> 00:29:03,400 And I encourage everybody here 615 00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:05,480 that should make fasting 616 00:29:05,480 --> 00:29:07,259 part of your spiritual life. 617 00:29:07,819 --> 00:29:10,299 Make fasting part of your spiritual routine 618 00:29:10,299 --> 00:29:13,940 because fasting will free you somehow. 619 00:29:14,259 --> 00:29:16,599 I'm not sure exactly how it works, 620 00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:17,720 but I can tell you that 621 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:19,180 if you fast and pray, 622 00:29:19,559 --> 00:29:21,240 you will see the Lord work in your life 623 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:23,019 in a greater measure. 624 00:29:23,420 --> 00:29:24,940 And if you're hungry for the Lord to work, 625 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:26,019 if you're hungry for the Lord 626 00:29:26,019 --> 00:29:27,480 to work in our country 627 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:30,099 and to raise up people 628 00:29:30,099 --> 00:29:31,279 who are righteous 629 00:29:31,279 --> 00:29:32,400 to lead our country 630 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:36,759 and also just for the Lord 631 00:29:36,759 --> 00:29:37,779 to save people 632 00:29:37,779 --> 00:29:40,519 and bring them into this new life 633 00:29:40,519 --> 00:29:42,000 in Christ that is so amazing 634 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:43,519 and lead them out of slavery 635 00:29:43,519 --> 00:29:44,740 and into freedom 636 00:29:44,740 --> 00:29:47,500 that there's nothing more powerful. 637 00:29:47,859 --> 00:29:49,059 There's nothing Satan fears more 638 00:29:49,059 --> 00:29:50,420 than a congregation 639 00:29:50,420 --> 00:29:52,619 that corporately takes prayer 640 00:29:52,619 --> 00:29:53,740 and fasting seriously. 641 00:29:54,500 --> 00:29:55,619 And I'm so encouraged that 642 00:29:55,619 --> 00:29:57,119 we have a prayer meeting 643 00:29:57,119 --> 00:29:59,059 every Friday night in this church 644 00:29:59,059 --> 00:30:01,720 and I'm not personally able to make it, 645 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:05,160 but I'm so encouraged 646 00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:07,200 that we are doing that 647 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:10,559 because prayer is really the thing 648 00:30:10,559 --> 00:30:11,559 that moves God's heart. 649 00:30:11,779 --> 00:30:14,000 Nothing else gets the Lord to act. 650 00:30:14,119 --> 00:30:15,420 It didn't say that, 651 00:30:15,960 --> 00:30:17,200 oh, well, they started to obey 652 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:19,319 and the Lord answered them. 653 00:30:19,980 --> 00:30:21,900 It doesn't say they started to 654 00:30:22,519 --> 00:30:24,099 do the right thing 655 00:30:24,099 --> 00:30:25,700 and then the Lord answered them. 656 00:30:25,900 --> 00:30:26,400 No, it said that 657 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:27,960 they cried out to God 658 00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:30,339 that the Israelites in Egypt, 659 00:30:30,339 --> 00:30:31,880 they groaned for God, 660 00:30:32,279 --> 00:30:33,960 that they needed Him. 661 00:30:36,500 --> 00:30:39,140 And we see this just intensity 662 00:30:39,140 --> 00:30:40,019 with the apostles. 663 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:42,420 We see the early church. 664 00:30:43,660 --> 00:30:44,940 Yes, they live close together, 665 00:30:44,940 --> 00:30:46,339 but we have records of them 666 00:30:46,339 --> 00:30:47,660 meeting together for prayer 667 00:30:47,660 --> 00:30:48,420 every morning. 668 00:30:49,339 --> 00:30:52,119 We have a lot of, 669 00:30:52,240 --> 00:30:53,380 for centuries, 670 00:30:54,019 --> 00:30:54,920 Christians went to church 671 00:30:54,920 --> 00:30:55,859 almost every day 672 00:30:55,859 --> 00:30:57,119 and they would pray together. 673 00:30:57,259 --> 00:30:57,859 Now we don't have to 674 00:30:57,859 --> 00:30:58,960 necessarily do that, 675 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:01,799 but because they didn't have Bibles 676 00:31:01,799 --> 00:31:04,740 and we can read our Bible 677 00:31:04,740 --> 00:31:06,319 on our own, that's good too. 678 00:31:06,880 --> 00:31:08,359 But we see this intensity 679 00:31:08,359 --> 00:31:09,839 of people coming together 680 00:31:09,839 --> 00:31:12,099 and praying and fasting. 681 00:31:12,539 --> 00:31:14,279 And I just encourage you 682 00:31:14,279 --> 00:31:17,059 to look into that 683 00:31:17,059 --> 00:31:17,799 and ask the Lord, 684 00:31:18,039 --> 00:31:19,000 hey, how can I make 685 00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:19,880 prayer and fasting 686 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:20,940 a regular part 687 00:31:20,940 --> 00:31:22,700 of my spiritual life? 688 00:31:23,259 --> 00:31:24,880 And there's 100 different ways 689 00:31:24,880 --> 00:31:25,619 to fast, 690 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:27,599 but I would encourage you 691 00:31:27,599 --> 00:31:29,599 to fast something with eating, 692 00:31:30,079 --> 00:31:30,579 with food, 693 00:31:31,519 --> 00:31:32,359 something that goes in. 694 00:31:32,519 --> 00:31:33,619 Like a media fast is good, 695 00:31:33,960 --> 00:31:34,519 but that's more 696 00:31:34,519 --> 00:31:35,759 of just a disciplinary thing 697 00:31:35,759 --> 00:31:37,660 from what I see in Scripture. 698 00:31:38,079 --> 00:31:38,660 Make it about 699 00:31:38,660 --> 00:31:40,019 what you put in your body. 700 00:31:40,220 --> 00:31:43,299 And if the only thing you can do 701 00:31:43,299 --> 00:31:45,759 is just stop eating 702 00:31:45,759 --> 00:31:46,900 a little bit before 703 00:31:46,900 --> 00:31:48,119 you stuff yourself 704 00:31:48,119 --> 00:31:50,160 or you fully fill up, 705 00:31:50,420 --> 00:31:51,319 then that works too. 706 00:31:52,119 --> 00:31:54,819 Okay, but we have to have 707 00:31:54,819 --> 00:31:58,380 a intensity around seeking 708 00:31:58,380 --> 00:31:59,619 the Lord and following Him. 709 00:31:59,740 --> 00:32:00,819 And there's nothing that 710 00:32:01,420 --> 00:32:02,299 beelines you quicker 711 00:32:02,299 --> 00:32:03,799 to the throne of God 712 00:32:03,799 --> 00:32:05,200 than a good, 713 00:32:05,220 --> 00:32:07,039 grace-powered fast. 714 00:32:07,579 --> 00:32:09,099 And you can get all off 715 00:32:09,099 --> 00:32:10,799 and I've been in that trap 716 00:32:10,799 --> 00:32:11,599 where you feel like 717 00:32:11,599 --> 00:32:12,519 you're earning something. 718 00:32:12,819 --> 00:32:13,839 This is a mystery, guys. 719 00:32:14,180 --> 00:32:15,119 A lot of things in Scripture 720 00:32:15,119 --> 00:32:15,779 are a mystery. 721 00:32:16,079 --> 00:32:17,700 I can't tell you how or why. 722 00:32:18,039 --> 00:32:19,119 I can just tell you that 723 00:32:19,119 --> 00:32:21,140 the Lord, it's in Scripture 724 00:32:21,140 --> 00:32:23,880 and He says, 725 00:32:23,880 --> 00:32:25,339 when you fast, not if. 726 00:32:25,740 --> 00:32:26,579 We fast, right? 727 00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:27,880 I'm pulling out all the zingers 728 00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:29,200 for this one, all right? 729 00:32:30,019 --> 00:32:31,279 Old timers have heard this 730 00:32:31,279 --> 00:32:32,039 a million times, right? 731 00:32:32,380 --> 00:32:34,940 But it's in the Scripture. 732 00:32:35,599 --> 00:32:36,299 We don't earn anything 733 00:32:36,299 --> 00:32:37,000 through fasting, 734 00:32:37,339 --> 00:32:39,799 but somehow you passively position 735 00:32:39,799 --> 00:32:41,299 yourself before the Lord 736 00:32:41,299 --> 00:32:42,900 to be used by Him, 737 00:32:43,220 --> 00:32:44,000 by His grace. 738 00:32:45,640 --> 00:32:48,480 So anyhow, Israel cries out 739 00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:52,220 to the Lord and the Lord answers. 740 00:32:53,100 --> 00:32:55,180 And then God raises up a judge. 741 00:32:58,420 --> 00:32:59,440 So we see this in 742 00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:02,500 Othniel, Shamgar, and Ehud. 743 00:33:06,799 --> 00:33:10,259 And the Lord delivers Israel 744 00:33:10,259 --> 00:33:10,940 through this. 745 00:33:11,420 --> 00:33:13,920 And so we see in Luke 24 746 00:33:13,920 --> 00:33:15,819 on the road to Emmaus, 747 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:17,240 Jesus is walking 748 00:33:17,240 --> 00:33:19,339 after He's been crucified 749 00:33:19,339 --> 00:33:21,039 and He's resurrected. 750 00:33:21,599 --> 00:33:22,720 He hides Himself. 751 00:33:23,539 --> 00:33:25,359 Like He kind of conceals His identity. 752 00:33:26,200 --> 00:33:27,640 And He's walking along the road 753 00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:29,880 to the town Emmaus 754 00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:33,240 with some disciples of His. 755 00:33:34,059 --> 00:33:37,519 And He starts asking them 756 00:33:37,519 --> 00:33:39,000 what happened this weekend. 757 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:40,079 I said, what, you don't know? 758 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:42,059 Jesus, we thought 759 00:33:42,059 --> 00:33:42,880 was going to be the Christ, 760 00:33:43,079 --> 00:33:43,720 was crucified. 761 00:33:44,339 --> 00:33:45,880 And then He begins to teach 762 00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:47,700 these disciples 763 00:33:47,700 --> 00:33:48,900 about the Old Testament. 764 00:33:49,519 --> 00:33:50,680 And it says in there, 765 00:33:50,680 --> 00:33:52,799 in Luke 24, that He taught them 766 00:33:53,480 --> 00:33:56,039 all of the law and the prophets 767 00:33:56,039 --> 00:33:57,240 were about Himself, 768 00:33:57,779 --> 00:33:58,400 were about Christ. 769 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:00,079 And that the whole Scripture, 770 00:34:00,299 --> 00:34:01,539 basically, the point is 771 00:34:01,539 --> 00:34:03,059 it points to Christ. 772 00:34:03,940 --> 00:34:04,660 And at the end, 773 00:34:04,700 --> 00:34:06,779 the famous part is when the Lord 774 00:34:06,779 --> 00:34:08,300 and Christ reveals Himself 775 00:34:08,300 --> 00:34:09,340 to these men over dinner, 776 00:34:09,880 --> 00:34:11,840 they kind of gasp 777 00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:13,199 and then He just disappears. 778 00:34:13,900 --> 00:34:14,920 And then they look at each other 779 00:34:14,920 --> 00:34:15,679 and go, did our hearts 780 00:34:15,679 --> 00:34:16,780 not burn with us 781 00:34:16,780 --> 00:34:19,900 as the Scripture was explained to us? 782 00:34:20,679 --> 00:34:22,519 But what we see here is that 783 00:34:22,519 --> 00:34:24,780 Othniel, Shamgar, and Ehud, 784 00:34:25,179 --> 00:34:27,019 they are types of Christ. 785 00:34:27,840 --> 00:34:31,420 They are delivering Israel 786 00:34:31,420 --> 00:34:33,500 from bondage and oppression 787 00:34:33,500 --> 00:34:36,679 and spiritual and physical slavery. 788 00:34:37,719 --> 00:34:40,099 And they are pointing towards 789 00:34:40,099 --> 00:34:42,039 the glorious one, the Christ, 790 00:34:42,300 --> 00:34:43,659 the Son of God, the Son of Man, 791 00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:44,820 who is to come 792 00:34:44,820 --> 00:34:47,000 and who is to come down, 793 00:34:47,559 --> 00:34:48,519 born of a virgin, 794 00:34:49,380 --> 00:34:50,960 die, live a perfect life, 795 00:34:51,079 --> 00:34:51,920 die for us, 796 00:34:52,659 --> 00:34:53,699 be resurrected, 797 00:34:53,960 --> 00:34:55,079 and come back 798 00:34:55,860 --> 00:34:57,699 so that we can live in eternity 799 00:34:57,699 --> 00:35:00,139 with Him and the Lord 800 00:35:00,139 --> 00:35:02,079 on earth forever and ever and ever. 801 00:35:02,599 --> 00:35:03,519 And this is what 802 00:35:03,519 --> 00:35:05,039 these three men, Shamgar, 803 00:35:05,219 --> 00:35:06,440 Othniel, and Ehud, 804 00:35:06,539 --> 00:35:07,139 are pointing to. 805 00:35:08,079 --> 00:35:11,159 Now, they're a murky picture. 806 00:35:11,699 --> 00:35:13,280 We don't see all of this, 807 00:35:13,519 --> 00:35:15,559 but we see in verse 10 808 00:35:15,559 --> 00:35:16,639 that the Spirit of the Lord 809 00:35:16,639 --> 00:35:18,219 was upon Othniel. 810 00:35:19,639 --> 00:35:21,639 And that's also a common theme 811 00:35:21,639 --> 00:35:23,699 in the Old Testament 812 00:35:23,699 --> 00:35:25,960 amongst the people 813 00:35:25,960 --> 00:35:26,920 that the Lord is using, 814 00:35:26,920 --> 00:35:28,159 that the Holy Spirit 815 00:35:28,159 --> 00:35:29,940 comes upon men 816 00:35:29,940 --> 00:35:31,480 and they are used of Him. 817 00:35:31,780 --> 00:35:33,260 And as Jesus famously said, 818 00:35:33,659 --> 00:35:34,260 the Spirit of the Lord 819 00:35:34,260 --> 00:35:35,760 is upon me to heal the sick, 820 00:35:36,179 --> 00:35:37,019 to raise the dead, 821 00:35:37,559 --> 00:35:39,539 to let the lame walk, 822 00:35:39,900 --> 00:35:40,679 to cleanse lepers. 823 00:35:41,980 --> 00:35:42,800 And so these men, 824 00:35:43,079 --> 00:35:45,079 these are types of Christ. 825 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:46,219 And that's another fun thing 826 00:35:46,219 --> 00:35:47,179 about reading the Old Testament 827 00:35:47,179 --> 00:35:49,579 is once you see that 828 00:35:49,579 --> 00:35:50,579 you can see Christ 829 00:35:51,179 --> 00:35:52,039 in the Old Testament, 830 00:35:52,380 --> 00:35:53,619 the Old Testament becomes 831 00:35:53,619 --> 00:35:55,420 more enjoyable to read. 832 00:35:56,119 --> 00:35:57,659 And so I'd encourage you 833 00:35:57,659 --> 00:35:58,820 to go on a treasure hunt 834 00:35:58,820 --> 00:35:59,639 in the Old Testament 835 00:35:59,639 --> 00:36:01,400 and just find the ways 836 00:36:01,400 --> 00:36:02,500 that the Old Testament 837 00:36:02,500 --> 00:36:03,440 is pointing to Christ. 838 00:36:06,779 --> 00:36:08,539 So as we kind of wrap up 839 00:36:09,559 --> 00:36:11,079 the cycle of sin, 840 00:36:11,639 --> 00:36:12,519 a couple of takeaways, 841 00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:14,039 and then we'll end. 842 00:36:14,159 --> 00:36:14,820 I have some questions. 843 00:36:15,739 --> 00:36:17,099 But a couple of takeaways 844 00:36:17,099 --> 00:36:18,639 that we see here, 845 00:36:18,900 --> 00:36:20,219 one big theme, I think, 846 00:36:20,639 --> 00:36:21,420 throughout this scripture 847 00:36:21,420 --> 00:36:23,460 is the covenant mercy of God. 848 00:36:24,760 --> 00:36:25,820 Now, when you go and you read 849 00:36:25,820 --> 00:36:26,760 the first, 850 00:36:28,380 --> 00:36:29,719 when you read through the law 851 00:36:29,719 --> 00:36:30,539 the first time, 852 00:36:30,940 --> 00:36:31,880 you probably like, 853 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:33,679 I would personally think 854 00:36:33,679 --> 00:36:34,639 these rules have, 855 00:36:34,659 --> 00:36:35,760 these relates have one shot, 856 00:36:37,179 --> 00:36:37,480 right? 857 00:36:37,699 --> 00:36:38,719 Maybe you read it differently, 858 00:36:39,000 --> 00:36:40,239 but you read it through and like, 859 00:36:40,260 --> 00:36:41,539 okay, they broke the contract, 860 00:36:41,800 --> 00:36:42,500 they broke the covenant. 861 00:36:43,260 --> 00:36:44,159 Now it's kind of like, 862 00:36:44,159 --> 00:36:45,900 okay, they maybe have a shot 863 00:36:45,900 --> 00:36:46,420 at repentance, 864 00:36:47,440 --> 00:36:48,780 but what we see is the Lord, 865 00:36:49,079 --> 00:36:50,480 maybe twice, maybe three times, 866 00:36:50,579 --> 00:36:51,440 what we see is the Lord 867 00:36:51,440 --> 00:36:54,840 is constantly responding to them, 868 00:36:55,099 --> 00:36:57,699 to their sincere, repentant heart. 869 00:36:58,159 --> 00:37:00,219 And he has so much mercy, 870 00:37:00,639 --> 00:37:02,139 and he is such a God 871 00:37:02,139 --> 00:37:03,420 of holy jealousy 872 00:37:03,420 --> 00:37:04,820 and covenant mercy 873 00:37:04,820 --> 00:37:06,980 that he is constantly 874 00:37:06,980 --> 00:37:08,300 inviting them back, 875 00:37:08,599 --> 00:37:10,420 like the prodigal son 876 00:37:10,420 --> 00:37:12,239 over and over and over again. 877 00:37:12,239 --> 00:37:13,960 Like how many times 878 00:37:13,960 --> 00:37:15,659 does the prodigal son, 879 00:37:16,079 --> 00:37:17,260 do we see the prodigal son 880 00:37:17,260 --> 00:37:19,059 go out and come back just once, 881 00:37:19,360 --> 00:37:20,480 but Israel just keeps 882 00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:21,519 leaving the Lord, 883 00:37:21,659 --> 00:37:22,780 they keep forsaking the Lord 884 00:37:22,780 --> 00:37:24,119 and coming back 885 00:37:24,119 --> 00:37:25,679 and the Lord keeps taking them back. 886 00:37:26,039 --> 00:37:27,360 And this is amazing, guys, 887 00:37:27,699 --> 00:37:29,539 because we have to recognize 888 00:37:29,539 --> 00:37:30,239 and remember 889 00:37:30,239 --> 00:37:32,579 that the only way 890 00:37:32,579 --> 00:37:33,619 to the Lord, 891 00:37:33,739 --> 00:37:34,659 the only way that 892 00:37:34,659 --> 00:37:36,360 he pours out his grace to us 893 00:37:36,360 --> 00:37:37,579 is by his grace 894 00:37:37,579 --> 00:37:38,679 and by his mercy. 895 00:37:40,659 --> 00:37:42,440 And never downplay 896 00:37:42,440 --> 00:37:44,340 or never discount 897 00:37:44,340 --> 00:37:46,179 the grace and the mercy of God, 898 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:48,820 because it is so powerful. 899 00:37:49,119 --> 00:37:50,400 And this is a message for us, 900 00:37:50,480 --> 00:37:50,960 because no matter 901 00:37:50,960 --> 00:37:52,699 how many times we mess up, 902 00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:54,000 how many times we sin, 903 00:37:54,139 --> 00:37:56,079 how many times we are just stuck 904 00:37:56,079 --> 00:37:58,460 in a cycle of sin, right? 905 00:37:59,360 --> 00:38:00,320 Because you can be 906 00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:01,579 at the top of the cycle 907 00:38:01,579 --> 00:38:03,039 where you're feeling great, 908 00:38:03,179 --> 00:38:04,039 I got it all together, 909 00:38:04,079 --> 00:38:05,039 and then all of a sudden, 910 00:38:05,239 --> 00:38:06,739 you just start to slip, 911 00:38:06,900 --> 00:38:07,619 and then you get, 912 00:38:08,679 --> 00:38:09,820 you get upset at your kids, 913 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:10,940 you get upset at your wife, 914 00:38:11,059 --> 00:38:11,739 you yell at them, 915 00:38:11,880 --> 00:38:13,039 or you just keep, 916 00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:14,280 whatever that issue is 917 00:38:14,280 --> 00:38:15,199 that you keep dealing with 918 00:38:15,199 --> 00:38:16,119 keeps coming around 919 00:38:16,119 --> 00:38:16,880 and around and around. 920 00:38:17,079 --> 00:38:17,639 And praise God, 921 00:38:18,059 --> 00:38:19,440 we don't have to deal with that 922 00:38:19,440 --> 00:38:20,400 all our lives. 923 00:38:20,519 --> 00:38:21,559 We can walk in freedom, 924 00:38:21,599 --> 00:38:23,739 but it doesn't always happen immediately. 925 00:38:24,480 --> 00:38:25,659 We pray for that deliverance 926 00:38:25,659 --> 00:38:27,019 that happens immediately 927 00:38:27,019 --> 00:38:27,760 and permanently, 928 00:38:27,860 --> 00:38:29,960 but sometimes you're just stuck 929 00:38:29,960 --> 00:38:31,440 in cycles of thought 930 00:38:31,440 --> 00:38:32,699 or cycles of sin. 931 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:35,400 And with this, 932 00:38:35,400 --> 00:38:37,280 we have to also watch our thoughts, 933 00:38:37,280 --> 00:38:39,619 because all of our sin 934 00:38:41,139 --> 00:38:42,719 starts with our thoughts. 935 00:38:43,559 --> 00:38:45,320 This is why the Lord says, 936 00:38:45,579 --> 00:38:46,619 be transformed by the renewal 937 00:38:46,619 --> 00:38:48,380 of your mind, right? 938 00:38:48,480 --> 00:38:49,860 Do not be conformed to this world, 939 00:38:49,860 --> 00:38:50,780 but be transformed 940 00:38:50,780 --> 00:38:51,820 by the renewal of your mind, 941 00:38:51,980 --> 00:38:53,360 renew your mind every day, 942 00:38:53,619 --> 00:38:54,099 every day, 943 00:38:54,099 --> 00:38:55,739 because your thoughts 944 00:38:55,739 --> 00:38:57,760 are where you're going to slip first, 945 00:38:57,760 --> 00:38:59,940 and then you'll slide from there. 946 00:39:01,300 --> 00:39:03,840 So this, but keep in mind, 947 00:39:03,900 --> 00:39:05,659 always that sincere, 948 00:39:05,659 --> 00:39:06,900 repentant hearts, 949 00:39:06,900 --> 00:39:09,400 that the Lord is a God of mercy 950 00:39:09,400 --> 00:39:10,340 and he responds 951 00:39:10,340 --> 00:39:13,320 to sincere and repentant hearts. 952 00:39:14,460 --> 00:39:15,539 And his covenant mercy 953 00:39:15,539 --> 00:39:17,539 is just so evident in this chapter 954 00:39:17,539 --> 00:39:18,539 and all throughout Judges. 955 00:39:19,619 --> 00:39:21,079 It's amazing that he doesn't 956 00:39:21,079 --> 00:39:22,559 totally write them off. 957 00:39:24,880 --> 00:39:26,519 He wanted to with Moses, 958 00:39:26,840 --> 00:39:27,659 but then Moses was like, 959 00:39:27,679 --> 00:39:29,619 ah, slow your roll there. 960 00:39:30,179 --> 00:39:31,559 And then the, 961 00:39:32,300 --> 00:39:32,599 yeah, I mean, 962 00:39:32,619 --> 00:39:34,340 I'm surprised he doesn't suggest that again. 963 00:39:34,880 --> 00:39:36,019 But he doesn't. 964 00:39:37,699 --> 00:39:39,300 The second take away is, 965 00:39:40,980 --> 00:39:42,519 are we slaves to Christ 966 00:39:42,519 --> 00:39:43,559 or slaves to sin? 967 00:39:43,719 --> 00:39:45,420 Do you think of yourself as a slave? 968 00:39:45,559 --> 00:39:46,619 This is going to be one of the questions. 969 00:39:47,300 --> 00:39:48,079 Do we think of ourselves 970 00:39:48,079 --> 00:39:49,400 as a slave to Christ? 971 00:39:50,039 --> 00:39:50,679 In this country, 972 00:39:51,900 --> 00:39:54,219 we probably don't think about 973 00:39:54,219 --> 00:39:56,699 how we are bond servants of Christ 974 00:39:56,699 --> 00:39:58,219 as much as we think 975 00:39:58,219 --> 00:40:00,460 that we are free sons. 976 00:40:00,820 --> 00:40:01,420 Amen, right? 977 00:40:01,500 --> 00:40:03,820 We love freedom in this country, right? 978 00:40:03,820 --> 00:40:05,719 We see it everywhere. 979 00:40:06,380 --> 00:40:07,079 Let freedom ring 980 00:40:07,079 --> 00:40:08,480 or the new license plates, right? 981 00:40:08,719 --> 00:40:11,159 We see, you know, that, 982 00:40:12,199 --> 00:40:13,300 yeah, these values, 983 00:40:13,320 --> 00:40:14,579 we talk about our freedoms 984 00:40:14,579 --> 00:40:15,440 being at stake 985 00:40:15,440 --> 00:40:16,800 and our liberty and all this. 986 00:40:17,340 --> 00:40:19,039 But we as Christians, 987 00:40:19,079 --> 00:40:21,400 we are also slaves to Christ. 988 00:40:21,880 --> 00:40:23,159 We are his bond servant. 989 00:40:23,800 --> 00:40:24,719 We are his slave. 990 00:40:24,840 --> 00:40:25,639 We are his servants. 991 00:40:26,179 --> 00:40:28,719 We are bound to him for life. 992 00:40:29,099 --> 00:40:29,920 And on some things, guys, 993 00:40:30,079 --> 00:40:31,039 we have no say. 994 00:40:31,699 --> 00:40:32,659 You have no say. 995 00:40:32,659 --> 00:40:33,539 It's just commands. 996 00:40:34,940 --> 00:40:36,000 And do we think of ourselves 997 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:37,599 as a slave to Christ? 998 00:40:40,539 --> 00:40:41,920 Or do we not? 999 00:40:42,340 --> 00:40:44,159 It's just maybe a pondering. 1000 00:40:45,519 --> 00:40:46,480 And at the same time, 1001 00:40:46,619 --> 00:40:47,960 don't get down on yourself. 1002 00:40:48,139 --> 00:40:49,219 We're also free sons 1003 00:40:49,699 --> 00:40:51,360 who the son says free is free indeed. 1004 00:40:51,679 --> 00:40:53,239 But we are slaves to Christ 1005 00:40:53,239 --> 00:40:54,760 in regards to righteousness. 1006 00:40:56,039 --> 00:40:58,739 And that is a beautiful thing. 1007 00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:01,039 And that is a sanctifying thing 1008 00:41:01,039 --> 00:41:02,739 if we lay hold of it 1009 00:41:02,739 --> 00:41:05,099 and actually walk in that. 1010 00:41:06,699 --> 00:41:07,500 And then all the judges 1011 00:41:07,500 --> 00:41:08,559 are types of Christ. 1012 00:41:09,360 --> 00:41:11,019 So as we continue through here, 1013 00:41:11,579 --> 00:41:13,980 just try to find Jesus in each story. 1014 00:41:15,280 --> 00:41:17,260 And we find his salvation. 1015 00:41:17,460 --> 00:41:18,659 I mean, these are kind of obvious. 1016 00:41:18,840 --> 00:41:19,579 Once you see it, 1017 00:41:19,860 --> 00:41:20,559 you're going to maybe 1018 00:41:20,559 --> 00:41:22,159 get tired of seeing it. 1019 00:41:22,380 --> 00:41:26,199 But it's preaching the gospel. 1020 00:41:26,940 --> 00:41:28,599 The gospel is in these verses. 1021 00:41:28,800 --> 00:41:30,840 The gospel is in verse 7 through 11. 1022 00:41:30,840 --> 00:41:33,440 The gospel is in verse 12 through 30. 1023 00:41:33,619 --> 00:41:37,860 And the gospel is a little more buried, 1024 00:41:38,099 --> 00:41:39,440 but it's in verse 31. 1025 00:41:40,619 --> 00:41:42,440 And right there, he saved Israel. 1026 00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:45,139 The last piece of that. 1027 00:41:45,340 --> 00:41:46,559 I tried to lobby Sarah 1028 00:41:46,559 --> 00:41:48,340 to name one of our kids Shamgar, 1029 00:41:48,460 --> 00:41:51,000 but that didn't go over too well. 1030 00:41:58,119 --> 00:41:59,860 And then the last one, guys. 1031 00:41:59,860 --> 00:42:01,219 This one is near and dear to my heart. 1032 00:42:01,639 --> 00:42:05,300 When I really got on fire 1033 00:42:05,300 --> 00:42:07,480 for the Lord, as they say, 1034 00:42:09,760 --> 00:42:14,619 it was in 2012 or something. 1035 00:42:15,219 --> 00:42:17,619 And it was with a group 1036 00:42:17,619 --> 00:42:19,659 that was big into intercession and prayer. 1037 00:42:21,039 --> 00:42:22,780 And I really learned a lot 1038 00:42:22,780 --> 00:42:24,659 about how to ask the Lord and pray. 1039 00:42:24,760 --> 00:42:25,219 And then when I went 1040 00:42:25,219 --> 00:42:26,039 to the mission field, 1041 00:42:26,380 --> 00:42:27,699 I was a missionary for a few years. 1042 00:42:27,699 --> 00:42:29,719 I was sent with a group 1043 00:42:29,719 --> 00:42:32,079 that really valued prayer and fasting 1044 00:42:32,740 --> 00:42:34,699 and really valued intercession. 1045 00:42:36,139 --> 00:42:38,159 So much so, they didn't value evangelism. 1046 00:42:38,500 --> 00:42:39,860 Then I kind of left that group 1047 00:42:39,860 --> 00:42:41,360 because I valued both. 1048 00:42:41,639 --> 00:42:44,679 But there's value in intercession 1049 00:42:44,679 --> 00:42:46,960 and prayer before the throne. 1050 00:42:47,059 --> 00:42:48,760 It moves God's heart. 1051 00:42:49,400 --> 00:42:51,039 And I remember we were having 1052 00:42:51,860 --> 00:42:54,119 some trouble making headway 1053 00:42:54,119 --> 00:42:55,860 and leading some of the guys 1054 00:42:55,860 --> 00:42:57,119 in our community to the Lord. 1055 00:42:57,119 --> 00:42:58,619 They were like reading the Bible with us. 1056 00:42:58,739 --> 00:43:00,039 And they really liked hanging out with us. 1057 00:43:00,119 --> 00:43:01,139 They were local Turkish guys. 1058 00:43:03,039 --> 00:43:04,380 And it just seemed 1059 00:43:04,380 --> 00:43:05,539 like it wasn't going anywhere. 1060 00:43:05,780 --> 00:43:06,840 We couldn't really do anything. 1061 00:43:07,059 --> 00:43:08,840 And we just kind of decided, 1062 00:43:09,019 --> 00:43:10,079 hey, we're going to do 1063 00:43:10,079 --> 00:43:11,880 a three-day fast for these guys. 1064 00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:13,639 Then we're going to fast once a week. 1065 00:43:14,159 --> 00:43:15,440 And we're just going to see what happens. 1066 00:43:16,119 --> 00:43:18,300 And honestly, within like three 1067 00:43:18,300 --> 00:43:19,719 or four months of doing that, 1068 00:43:20,539 --> 00:43:21,820 like six or seven of them 1069 00:43:21,820 --> 00:43:22,480 came to the Lord. 1070 00:43:23,639 --> 00:43:25,579 And I just remember laughing 1071 00:43:25,579 --> 00:43:26,039 on the phone. 1072 00:43:26,039 --> 00:43:27,119 Many of you know Shaei. 1073 00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:28,679 I remember telling Shaei like, 1074 00:43:29,320 --> 00:43:30,039 I didn't even believe 1075 00:43:30,039 --> 00:43:31,159 it would happen myself. 1076 00:43:32,300 --> 00:43:34,159 But if you pray and fast 1077 00:43:34,159 --> 00:43:36,320 and if you sincerely 1078 00:43:36,320 --> 00:43:38,440 petition the heart of God, 1079 00:43:40,140 --> 00:43:42,199 good things will happen. 1080 00:43:42,420 --> 00:43:43,400 It might not happen immediately. 1081 00:43:43,900 --> 00:43:45,260 I'm not going to promise you anything. 1082 00:43:46,880 --> 00:43:50,039 But the Lord will move in your life 1083 00:43:50,039 --> 00:43:51,099 one way or the other 1084 00:43:51,099 --> 00:43:52,780 if you stick with it. 1085 00:43:52,860 --> 00:43:55,019 And if you give yourself to prayer 1086 00:43:55,019 --> 00:43:59,719 and fasting and seeking his heart. 1087 00:44:00,599 --> 00:44:01,260 And the Lord, who knows, 1088 00:44:01,480 --> 00:44:02,519 the Lord may use you. 1089 00:44:02,579 --> 00:44:04,920 The Lord is using some of you 1090 00:44:04,920 --> 00:44:06,219 powerfully in intercession. 1091 00:44:06,519 --> 00:44:07,619 I know, personally, 1092 00:44:08,139 --> 00:44:10,659 the powerful intercessors we have 1093 00:44:10,659 --> 00:44:11,940 right in this room. 1094 00:44:12,840 --> 00:44:16,619 And intercession, which is basically just, 1095 00:44:17,260 --> 00:44:18,719 if you don't, forgive me 1096 00:44:18,719 --> 00:44:20,500 if you don't know the term intercession, 1097 00:44:20,619 --> 00:44:21,579 but basically just means 1098 00:44:22,139 --> 00:44:24,880 to ask and pray to God 1099 00:44:25,940 --> 00:44:27,599 about somebody or something else. 1100 00:44:28,579 --> 00:44:30,960 And Christ is interceding for us. 1101 00:44:31,079 --> 00:44:32,300 He's praying for us to the Father. 1102 00:44:32,440 --> 00:44:33,360 Anyhow, and the saints 1103 00:44:33,360 --> 00:44:35,440 are also interceding for us, probably. 1104 00:44:36,000 --> 00:44:40,139 But the place of intercession 1105 00:44:41,019 --> 00:44:42,340 is a secret place. 1106 00:44:42,800 --> 00:44:44,400 It's not a place 1107 00:44:44,400 --> 00:44:45,880 that will get you on stage. 1108 00:44:47,400 --> 00:44:48,940 But I just want to say that 1109 00:44:48,940 --> 00:44:51,300 it is a place that will get you 1110 00:44:51,300 --> 00:44:52,320 near to the Lord's heart. 1111 00:44:52,659 --> 00:44:54,420 And that's where all of our targets 1112 00:44:55,019 --> 00:44:55,719 should be. 1113 00:44:57,219 --> 00:44:59,179 And I would encourage us to, 1114 00:44:59,340 --> 00:45:00,900 and I'm trying to encourage myself, 1115 00:45:01,500 --> 00:45:03,360 to get back into that place 1116 00:45:04,039 --> 00:45:05,760 of intercession and prayer 1117 00:45:06,739 --> 00:45:08,179 before the throne of God. 1118 00:45:08,219 --> 00:45:10,239 Because we see that is the thing 1119 00:45:10,239 --> 00:45:11,500 that moves God's heart, 1120 00:45:11,599 --> 00:45:13,519 where he raises up a deliverer 1121 00:45:13,519 --> 00:45:15,179 and the Lord to raise up 1122 00:45:15,179 --> 00:45:16,860 a revival in this country. 1123 00:45:17,079 --> 00:45:19,599 And we are seeing some sprouts of it, 1124 00:45:19,599 --> 00:45:20,719 but even in our community, 1125 00:45:20,840 --> 00:45:22,420 we want the Lord to do more. 1126 00:45:22,559 --> 00:45:23,039 We want the Lord 1127 00:45:23,039 --> 00:45:24,619 to lead more people to the Lord. 1128 00:45:24,619 --> 00:45:27,300 We want the Lord to plant more churches. 1129 00:45:27,539 --> 00:45:28,579 We want to see people 1130 00:45:28,579 --> 00:45:30,239 from all nations come to the Lord. 1131 00:45:30,320 --> 00:45:31,380 We have so many nations 1132 00:45:31,380 --> 00:45:33,179 living here now in America, 1133 00:45:33,480 --> 00:45:34,880 people that weren't born here 1134 00:45:34,880 --> 00:45:36,199 that can come to know the Lord 1135 00:45:36,199 --> 00:45:37,400 and we can worship together. 1136 00:45:37,500 --> 00:45:39,119 We can be like a picture of eternity 1137 00:45:39,119 --> 00:45:41,280 together in the church 1138 00:45:42,179 --> 00:45:44,000 of different nations and tongues 1139 00:45:45,079 --> 00:45:46,039 worshiping together. 1140 00:45:46,500 --> 00:45:49,780 So anyway, let's pray 1141 00:45:49,780 --> 00:45:51,219 and we'll close. 1142 00:45:51,559 --> 00:45:52,460 And then if you guys 1143 00:45:52,460 --> 00:45:53,139 are hanging around, 1144 00:45:53,139 --> 00:45:55,360 I have a couple of questions, 1145 00:45:55,699 --> 00:45:56,699 four questions for us 1146 00:45:56,699 --> 00:45:58,539 that hopefully will just stir 1147 00:45:58,539 --> 00:46:00,059 some conversation and don't feel 1148 00:46:00,059 --> 00:46:00,980 like you have to follow 1149 00:46:00,980 --> 00:46:02,079 the questions exactly. 1150 00:46:02,960 --> 00:46:04,739 But let the questions 1151 00:46:04,739 --> 00:46:06,800 just stir some conversation 1152 00:46:06,800 --> 00:46:10,239 and hopefully stir some application 1153 00:46:10,239 --> 00:46:11,260 in your lives. 1154 00:46:12,239 --> 00:46:12,900 We might have to, 1155 00:46:13,440 --> 00:46:14,559 I only have two sheets 1156 00:46:14,559 --> 00:46:15,739 because I wasn't able 1157 00:46:15,739 --> 00:46:16,860 to print it out today, 1158 00:46:16,880 --> 00:46:17,679 but we might have to snap 1159 00:46:17,679 --> 00:46:19,599 some photos on phones 1160 00:46:19,599 --> 00:46:21,780 with the pictures. 1161 00:46:23,659 --> 00:46:24,880 But yeah, let's pray 1162 00:46:24,880 --> 00:46:26,039 and then we'll break up 1163 00:46:26,980 --> 00:46:27,780 and discuss. 1164 00:46:28,300 --> 00:46:28,960 So Lord, we thank you 1165 00:46:28,960 --> 00:46:29,739 for this time. 1166 00:46:30,039 --> 00:46:32,420 Thank you for your word. 1167 00:46:34,059 --> 00:46:36,059 And we just, we love you, Lord. 1168 00:46:36,219 --> 00:46:37,139 We say that you would 1169 00:46:37,559 --> 00:46:38,800 just work in our lives, 1170 00:46:39,019 --> 00:46:39,800 work in our hearts, 1171 00:46:40,139 --> 00:46:42,199 help us to draw close to you. 1172 00:46:42,559 --> 00:46:43,340 Lord, by your grace, 1173 00:46:43,519 --> 00:46:45,619 would you just give us hunger for you? 1174 00:46:45,760 --> 00:46:47,199 Would you give us thirst for you? 1175 00:46:47,300 --> 00:46:48,800 Would you give us, yeah, 1176 00:46:48,900 --> 00:46:50,219 just that gift of hungering 1177 00:46:50,219 --> 00:46:51,539 and thirsting for righteousness 1178 00:46:51,539 --> 00:46:52,920 that we would just want to see 1179 00:46:52,920 --> 00:46:55,380 our nation and our community 1180 00:46:56,980 --> 00:46:58,739 blossom with revival, 1181 00:46:59,039 --> 00:47:00,179 blossom with salvations, 1182 00:47:00,539 --> 00:47:02,019 blossom with new people 1183 00:47:02,019 --> 00:47:02,980 coming to know you 1184 00:47:02,980 --> 00:47:04,099 and getting discipled 1185 00:47:04,099 --> 00:47:05,179 and just the transformation 1186 00:47:05,179 --> 00:47:07,579 that takes place in a community 1187 00:47:07,579 --> 00:47:08,699 when so many people 1188 00:47:08,699 --> 00:47:10,239 come to the Lord and repent. 1189 00:47:10,460 --> 00:47:12,079 Lord, we yearn for that 1190 00:47:12,079 --> 00:47:13,500 and we yearn that their hearts 1191 00:47:13,500 --> 00:47:15,099 would be united with you 1192 00:47:15,099 --> 00:47:15,639 in eternity 1193 00:47:15,639 --> 00:47:17,960 and would worship you forever. 1194 00:47:18,800 --> 00:47:19,699 And Lord, we pray that 1195 00:47:19,699 --> 00:47:21,400 you would just do this. 1196 00:47:21,400 --> 00:47:22,380 We thank you for your mercy 1197 00:47:22,380 --> 00:47:24,400 and we pray this in Jesus' name. 1198 00:47:24,519 --> 00:47:24,760 Amen.