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 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast.

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 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you.

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 Thank you for joining us today.

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 So we're going to be in Judges 9 tonight.

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 So if you have your Bibles, you can turn there.

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 And my name's Danny, if any of you guys don't know me or haven't

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 heard me when I've been here before.

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 But we're going to be going through Judges 9.

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 And I'm going to be talking about a couple different things.

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 I'll give you a brief outline.

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 The first section, we're going to talk about sowing and reaping.

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 Second section, we're going to talk about God's sovereignty over spirits and wars.

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 And then we're going to talk about leadership and God's judgment.

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 So we've got a bunch of verses to cover.

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 So we're just going to jump in right away and we'll get started.

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 Then we have some questions.

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 Judges 9.

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 All right.

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 So I guess the first thing I want to do is I'm going to back up a couple verses

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 and I'm going to start at verse 29 in chapter 8.

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 Because I'm going to reference this piece, verses 29 through 35.

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 The death of Gideon, Jerubal, the son of Joash, so Jerubal is just another name for Gideon,

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 went out and lived in his own house.

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 Now Gideon had 70 sons, his own offspring, for he had many wives.

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 And his concubine, who was in Shechem, also bore him a son,

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 and he called his name Abimelech.

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 And Gideon, the son of Joash, died in a good old age

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 and was buried in the tomb of Joash, his father, at Ophrah, of the Abiyazites.

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 As soon as Gideon died, and this is the verse that really I wanted to pull from,

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 that as soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again

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 and hoored after the Baals and made Baal, Berea, their God.

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 And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God,

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 who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side.

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 And they did not show steadfast love to the family of Jerubal,

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 that is Gideon, in return for all the good that he had done to Israel.

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 So you guys remember probably, or as you can see,

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 if you've been coming to the study of Judges,

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 we have just this repeating cycle within Judges,

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 where the people of Israel, they are serving the Lord,

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 and then they turn from the Lord, and they serve either a false God,

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 it's generally a false God, they're serving a false God.

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 So in this case, they're serving Baal, Berea.

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 Now, Baal, many of you maybe have heard of the name Baal before,

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 Baal was an ancient Near East pagan deity,

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 and Baal means Lord, and Berea means covenant.

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 So they're literally turning from God, Yahweh,

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 who they have a covenant with, and they're replacing Yahweh

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 with the Lord Baal, Berea, the God of the covenant.

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 So it's an extra insult to the Lord,

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 because he has this covenant with them,

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 and yet Israelites turn in their own unfaithfulness,

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 and they turn to Baal, Berea.

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 And what we see here is the sin cycle

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 starting to happen again, where the people of Israel,

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 they're serving the Lord, they turn, there's chaos,

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 and then the Lord will raise up a judge to save Israel,

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 and then Israel is restored into covenant faithfulness,

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 and this cycle just happens over and over again.

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 And this particular section of Judges

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 deals with a specific section of the sin cycle,

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 and this is what theologians call it.

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 So if you're saying, well, what's the big deal about sin?

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 It's just the name of the theme within Judges.

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 But this particular section of Scripture

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 deals with the section of rebellion.

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 So we have Israel turning,

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 and they're not remembering the things that the Lord did.

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 So basically, it's a discipleship failure.

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 They're not passing down the truths.

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 They're basically not preaching the gospel

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 to the next generation,

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 or that generation possibly rejects it.

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 But either way, it's a failure to pass on the faith

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 to the next generation.

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 And then let's continue with chapter nine, verse one.

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 Now Abimelech, the son of Jerubal,

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 went to Shechem, to his mother's relatives,

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 and said to them, and to the whole clan

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 of his mother's family,

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 say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem,

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 which is better for you,

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 that all 70 of the sons of Gideon or Jerubal

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 rule over you,

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 because he had many sons and many wives,

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 or that one rule over you?

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 Remember also that I am bone of your bone

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 and flesh of your flesh.

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 So this is Abimelech saying this.

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 And his mother's relatives spoke

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 all these words on his behalf

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 in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem,

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 and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech,

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 for they said, he is our brother.

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 And they gave him 70 pieces of silver

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 out of the house of Baal-Barit,

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 which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows

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 who followed him.

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 And he went to his father's house at Ofra

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 and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubal,

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 70 men on one stone.

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 But Yotam, the youngest son of Yerubal,

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 was left, for he hid himself.

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 And all the leaders of Shechem came together,

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 and all Bethmillo,

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 and they went and made Abimelech king

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 by the oak of the pillar of Shechem.

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 And when it was told to Yotam,

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 he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim

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 and cried aloud and said to them,

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 Listen to me, leaders of Shechem,

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 that God may listen to you.

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 So what we see right here is,

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 we see in chapter 8, verse 33,

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 the people of Israel turn to Baal-Barit,

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 and so basically, they are sowing idolatry

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 in their culture and in their life.

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 And so they're sowing idolatry,

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 they're choosing to not follow the Lord

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 and sow into righteousness.

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 And what do they reap?

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 They reap a bloody fratricidal coup

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 against the family of Abimelech.

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 And basically, what we see here

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 is look at verse 4,

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 the temple tithe of Baal-Barit

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 goes to finance this coup.

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 So basically, what we see here is,

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 it's related to our finances

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 and sowing and reaping.

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 It has a financial element,

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 but also it has just like a regular life element.

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 If you sow into certain things,

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 you will reap certain things.

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 And I think we can all understand this intuitively,

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 but particularly here in the Gospel,

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 the Gospels and the New Testament

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 talk about financial giving

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 and or financial sowing and reaping

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 within the context of giving.

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 But think about it,

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 what do our tithes and offerings go to?

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 They go to the church,

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 and then hopefully,

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 what does the church do?

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 Hopefully, they don't finance coups

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 or they don't pay militants

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 or they don't go and wreak havoc

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 and cause chaos.

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 But here, what we see is idolatry,

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 sowing idolatry reaps chaos

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 and reaps sin, reaps a coup.

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 If you sow righteousness,

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 you reap peace and order.

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 And that's what we see within Judges.

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 We just see this continual cycle

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 of sowing into idolatry

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 and they reap this chaos.

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 And yeah, just on the topic

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 of sowing and reaping real quick,

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 this is not super related to the text,

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 but I felt led to share this.

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 Finances has such a big part of our life

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 and has such a big part

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 of what the Lord focused on in his ministry.

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 And I think some people,

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 like some of us,

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 we need to give more financially.

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 We need to either give 10%

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 or beyond wherever you're at

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 in your giving journey.

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 But I'd encourage you to give more.

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 And I don't get anything from this,

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 so it's impartial.

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 But you get something from the Lord

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 when you sow,

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 and particularly in finances.

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 It's not like a fixed investment return

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 or anything like that.

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 But I'll just share one story

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 that I felt led to share.

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 When I was in Bible school

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 and I basically had no money

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 and I was trying to pay for a mission trip

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 and I was trying to raise funds

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 and I was asking so many people about,

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 can you support my mission and all this?

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 And I had about $600 in my bank account

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 and nothing was coming in.

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 No money was coming in.

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 The Lord, for whatever reason,

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 wasn't blessing me with sponsorships

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 or whatever at this particular time.

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 And I just took all the money

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 in my bank account

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 and I just gave it away.

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 There was some fundraiser

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 at the Mission for Refugees or whatever.

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 So I just gave it all and I just said,

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 Lord, I'm sowing this in

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 and I want to trust you

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 that it'll come back.

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 And hey, whatever you want to do.

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 The next week,

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 I got like three or four times

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 that amount of donations right back.

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 And it was almost like bam bam.

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 And I just began to just give away

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 a lot of money during that time.

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 I don't remember exactly how much.

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 But the Lord eventually,

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 he just provided all of my financial needs

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 in that season and beyond.

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 And even until now.

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 But I feel like,

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 yeah, I just feel like maybe

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 that's for somebody listening here

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 or maybe online

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 or maybe in a few years

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 that financial giving

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 will result in the Lord blessing you.

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 It may not look exactly the way you expect.

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 Maybe it's not even going to result

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 particularly in money coming back to you,

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 but it frees your heart

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 because the Lord said,

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 where your heart is,

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 there your treasure is also.

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 And so we want to put our heart

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 where our treasure is.

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 We want to have our treasure

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 aligned with our heart.

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 And yeah.

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 So just when it comes to

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 sowing and reaping,

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 you can sow financially,

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 but also you can also sow spiritually.

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 And that can look,

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 it can look different for different people.

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 But I do believe a big part of it is financial.

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 So I'd encourage you

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 to just pray about that.

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 Or if there's something that

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 the Lord is trying to speak to you,

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 don't ignore it.

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 Anyway, we're going to keep moving.

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 And so we get to this scene

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 where Abimelek and his crew

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 that he financed with the temple money

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 because the people of Israel

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 are tithing to this temple

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 because they're all adulterous.

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 And that's not in the text,

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 but we can assume that's the case.

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 As a house, do they have

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 a big treasure chest of money in there?

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 Maybe they're not giving exactly 10%,

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 but they're giving some money.

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 They're offerings.

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 And then they kill

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 all of Abimelek's brothers,

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 except one,

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 this one named Jotam or Jotham.

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 And I'm saying Jotam

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 because there's a guy I knew

265
00:12:56,179 --> 00:12:57,240
 who went by Jotam

266
00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:58,419
 and he spelled it like this.

267
00:12:58,419 --> 00:12:59,860
 And I just can't get over

268
00:12:59,860 --> 00:13:00,899
 saying it any other way.

269
00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,580
 So I got to say it like that, Jotam.

270
00:13:04,419 --> 00:13:05,659
 And he was a character.

271
00:13:05,980 --> 00:13:06,820
 He is a good guy.

272
00:13:07,839 --> 00:13:10,519
 So Jotam is the one brother

273
00:13:10,519 --> 00:13:12,659
 out of 70 that is left.

274
00:13:13,980 --> 00:13:16,600
 And he goes up to Mount Gerizim,

275
00:13:17,340 --> 00:13:20,340
 which Mount Gerizim was where the,

276
00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:22,600
 I believe,

277
00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:25,820
 yeah, now I'm drawing blank,

278
00:13:25,940 --> 00:13:27,139
 but I think it was where

279
00:13:27,139 --> 00:13:30,899
 the, I think it was where,

280
00:13:31,639 --> 00:13:31,919
 well, nevermind.

281
00:13:32,039 --> 00:13:33,100
 I actually don't know where this was.

282
00:13:33,279 --> 00:13:34,159
 I looked it up earlier,

283
00:13:34,539 --> 00:13:35,600
 but I'm just going to pass on that

284
00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:37,279
 because not 100% sure where that is.

285
00:13:37,620 --> 00:13:39,320
 So if somebody wants to look up

286
00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,679
 the significance of Mount Gerizim

287
00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:42,340
 and shout it out,

288
00:13:42,419 --> 00:13:42,980
 they're welcome to.

289
00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:46,919
 But it has some spiritual significance,

290
00:13:47,179 --> 00:13:48,379
 but Jotam goes up and says,

291
00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:50,620
 listen to me, you leaders of Shechem,

292
00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:52,519
 that God may listen to you.

293
00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:54,899
 The trees once went out

294
00:13:54,899 --> 00:13:56,159
 to anoint a king over them,

295
00:13:56,159 --> 00:13:57,879
 and they said to the olive tree,

296
00:13:58,279 --> 00:13:59,039
 reign over us.

297
00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:02,379
 But the olive tree said to them,

298
00:14:02,879 --> 00:14:04,019
 shall I leave my abundance

299
00:14:04,019 --> 00:14:05,840
 by which Gods and men are honored

300
00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:07,600
 and go hold sway over the trees?

301
00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:09,960
 And the trees said to the fig tree,

302
00:14:10,399 --> 00:14:11,820
 you come and reign over us.

303
00:14:12,259 --> 00:14:13,539
 But the fig tree said to them,

304
00:14:13,759 --> 00:14:14,759
 shall I leave the sweetness

305
00:14:14,759 --> 00:14:16,059
 of my good fruit

306
00:14:16,059 --> 00:14:18,159
 and hold sway over the trees?

307
00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:21,759
 They have a lot of sweet fruit.

308
00:14:21,879 --> 00:14:22,879
 My kids love fig bars.

309
00:14:23,299 --> 00:14:24,960
 And the trees said to the vine,

310
00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:26,940
 you come and reign over us.

311
00:14:27,059 --> 00:14:27,700
 But the vine said,

312
00:14:27,879 --> 00:14:28,960
 shall I leave my wine

313
00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:30,360
 that cheers God and men

314
00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:32,059
 and go hold sway over the trees?

315
00:14:32,820 --> 00:14:34,759
 Then all the trees said to the bramble,

316
00:14:35,059 --> 00:14:36,779
 you come and reign over us.

317
00:14:37,139 --> 00:14:38,620
 And the bramble said to the trees,

318
00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:40,179
 if in good faith

319
00:14:40,179 --> 00:14:42,039
 you are anointing me king over you,

320
00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:44,779
 then come and take refuge in my shade.

321
00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:45,679
 But if not,

322
00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:47,299
 let fire come out of the bramble

323
00:14:47,299 --> 00:14:49,059
 and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

324
00:14:49,659 --> 00:14:50,179
 Now therefore,

325
00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:51,620
 if you acted in good faith

326
00:14:51,620 --> 00:14:52,299
 and integrity

327
00:14:52,299 --> 00:14:54,259
 when you made Abimelech king,

328
00:14:54,259 --> 00:14:55,559
 and if you have dealt well

329
00:14:55,559 --> 00:14:57,820
 with Jerubal and his house,

330
00:14:58,120 --> 00:14:59,120
 and have done to him

331
00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:00,080
 as his deeds deserved

332
00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:01,419
 for my father fought for you

333
00:15:01,419 --> 00:15:02,320
 and risked his life

334
00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:03,379
 and delivered you

335
00:15:03,379 --> 00:15:04,299
 from the hand of Midian,

336
00:15:04,679 --> 00:15:05,500
 and you have risen up

337
00:15:05,500 --> 00:15:07,059
 against my father's house this day

338
00:15:07,059 --> 00:15:08,179
 and have killed his sons,

339
00:15:08,779 --> 00:15:09,879
 seventy men on one stone

340
00:15:09,879 --> 00:15:11,000
 and have made Abimelech

341
00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:12,799
 the son of his female servant,

342
00:15:13,299 --> 00:15:15,039
 the king over the leaders of Shechem

343
00:15:15,039 --> 00:15:16,279
 because he is your relative.

344
00:15:16,899 --> 00:15:18,320
 And if you have acted in good faith

345
00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:20,120
 and integrity with Jerubal

346
00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:22,379
 and with his house this day,

347
00:15:22,399 --> 00:15:23,940
 then rejoice in Abimelech

348
00:15:23,940 --> 00:15:26,000
 and let him also rejoice in you.

349
00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:27,080
 But if not,

350
00:15:27,259 --> 00:15:28,879
 let fire come out from Abimelech

351
00:15:28,879 --> 00:15:30,639
 and devour the leaders of Shechem

352
00:15:30,639 --> 00:15:31,840
 and Bethmillo

353
00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:33,000
 and let fire come out

354
00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:34,000
 from the leaders of Shechem

355
00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:34,879
 and from Bethmillo

356
00:15:35,879 --> 00:15:36,659
 or sorry,

357
00:15:37,179 --> 00:15:39,120
 yeah, and devour Abimelech.

358
00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:40,220
 And Yotam ran away

359
00:15:40,220 --> 00:15:43,539
 and fled and went to Bir and lived there

360
00:15:43,539 --> 00:15:45,919
 because of Abimelech, his brother.

361
00:15:46,539 --> 00:15:49,940
 Now just a quick note on leadership.

362
00:15:50,279 --> 00:15:50,720
 It's interesting,

363
00:15:50,740 --> 00:15:52,159
 this little parable

364
00:15:52,159 --> 00:15:54,000
 that Yotam tells

365
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,700
 and Yotam is a prophetic voice

366
00:15:56,700 --> 00:15:57,879
 in this story

367
00:15:57,879 --> 00:16:00,419
 and he's preaching basically

368
00:16:01,039 --> 00:16:03,059
 the demise of Abimelech

369
00:16:03,059 --> 00:16:04,240
 and his followers

370
00:16:04,879 --> 00:16:06,299
 because of their wickedness

371
00:16:06,299 --> 00:16:07,840
 and because of their departure

372
00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:10,120
 from the way of the Lord.

373
00:16:10,679 --> 00:16:13,240
 Gideon symbolizes the way of the Lord

374
00:16:13,759 --> 00:16:16,259
 and these men have risen up

375
00:16:16,259 --> 00:16:17,779
 against the way of Gideon

376
00:16:17,779 --> 00:16:20,639
 and have made war against him

377
00:16:20,639 --> 00:16:21,259
 and his family

378
00:16:21,259 --> 00:16:23,259
 and frankly dishonored

379
00:16:23,259 --> 00:16:25,100
 and shamed Gideon's legacy

380
00:16:25,100 --> 00:16:27,179
 by killing and wiping out

381
00:16:27,179 --> 00:16:28,820
 69 out of 70

382
00:16:28,820 --> 00:16:31,039
 or 68 out of 70 of his kids

383
00:16:31,659 --> 00:16:33,080
 which is a pretty big deal.

384
00:16:34,179 --> 00:16:37,059
 But Abimelech really wanted to be a leader

385
00:16:37,059 --> 00:16:39,600
 and I just want to say a few notes

386
00:16:40,180 --> 00:16:42,340
 on leadership real quick

387
00:16:42,340 --> 00:16:44,860
 and the parable I think speaks to this

388
00:16:44,860 --> 00:16:49,779
 because when Yotam is telling this story

389
00:16:49,779 --> 00:16:50,399
 or the fable

390
00:16:50,399 --> 00:16:51,960
 he's basically saying

391
00:16:52,900 --> 00:16:56,659
 these other trees are saying

392
00:16:56,659 --> 00:17:01,879
 hey, why would I go and serve as king

393
00:17:01,879 --> 00:17:05,119
 because I already have something to give.

394
00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:07,380
 I have something useful.

395
00:17:07,559 --> 00:17:09,779
 The olive tree has the olives

396
00:17:09,779 --> 00:17:10,640
 and the olive oil.

397
00:17:11,019 --> 00:17:13,319
 The fig tree has the sweetness of his figs.

398
00:17:13,539 --> 00:17:15,920
 The vine has the wine

399
00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:16,859
 but the bramble,

400
00:17:16,940 --> 00:17:17,900
 what does the bramble have?

401
00:17:17,980 --> 00:17:19,960
 The bramble doesn't really have anything.

402
00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:21,240
 Except maybe shade.

403
00:17:21,940 --> 00:17:23,779
 But the idea is that the bramble

404
00:17:23,779 --> 00:17:25,400
 is not fruitful

405
00:17:26,279 --> 00:17:31,640
 and this represents the empty desire

406
00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:33,759
 of Abimelech to want to rule

407
00:17:33,759 --> 00:17:35,740
 and reign over the people.

408
00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:37,599
 And you know that

409
00:17:37,599 --> 00:17:39,859
 whenever somebody desires

410
00:17:39,859 --> 00:17:41,819
 to be empowered too much

411
00:17:42,360 --> 00:17:44,200
 everybody kind of has an intuitive sense

412
00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,799
 that that is not a healthy thing

413
00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:49,660
 and if they're willing to do anything

414
00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:51,559
 to get into power

415
00:17:51,559 --> 00:17:53,880
 like kill 68 of your brothers

416
00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:57,259
 then we know that the fruit there

417
00:17:57,259 --> 00:17:59,279
 there's basically what I believe

418
00:17:59,279 --> 00:18:00,180
 what Yotam is saying is

419
00:18:00,180 --> 00:18:01,359
 where's the fruit here?

420
00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,319
 There's really no fruit in the bramble

421
00:18:05,319 --> 00:18:06,759
 and he's saying

422
00:18:06,759 --> 00:18:08,000
 if you acted in good faith

423
00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,500
 when he knows they didn't act in good faith

424
00:18:10,500 --> 00:18:13,000
 so he's basically saying the opposite

425
00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:15,140
 that they acted in bad faith

426
00:18:15,140 --> 00:18:16,539
 so he's calling them out

427
00:18:17,319 --> 00:18:18,960
 but he's also highlighting

428
00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:23,240
 the wickedness within Abimelech's leadership

429
00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:26,660
 and leadership really shouldn't be

430
00:18:26,660 --> 00:18:28,900
 something that people desire

431
00:18:28,900 --> 00:18:30,759
 for their own gain

432
00:18:30,759 --> 00:18:32,440
 or something that is

433
00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:34,559
 you know birthed out of

434
00:18:34,559 --> 00:18:35,619
 out of bloodiness

435
00:18:35,619 --> 00:18:38,119
 or out of a sinful struggle

436
00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:39,960
 but great leadership

437
00:18:40,559 --> 00:18:42,000
 means great service

438
00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,059
 and really sacrificial leadership

439
00:18:44,059 --> 00:18:45,200
 is the heart

440
00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:47,720
 at the heart of Christian leadership.

441
00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:49,720
 And what do we see these

442
00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:50,880
 all these other trees

443
00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:52,900
 they have something to give

444
00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:56,359
 they have something to offer

445
00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:59,619
 and I also believe that leadership

446
00:19:00,120 --> 00:19:03,660
 is something where you give leadership

447
00:19:03,660 --> 00:19:05,980
 to a specific area

448
00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:10,000
 of some expertise that you have

449
00:19:10,519 --> 00:19:12,200
 like you don't just say like

450
00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:13,119
 oh I'm a leader

451
00:19:13,799 --> 00:19:15,460
 and then they say well what do you lead

452
00:19:15,460 --> 00:19:16,579
 well no I'm just

453
00:19:16,579 --> 00:19:17,420
 I'm a leader

454
00:19:18,279 --> 00:19:20,500
 it's always leader of something

455
00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:22,720
 some skill that you've developed

456
00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:24,759
 or some expertise

457
00:19:24,759 --> 00:19:26,019
 some knowledge

458
00:19:26,019 --> 00:19:28,700
 some thought leadership

459
00:19:28,700 --> 00:19:31,720
 or in the army or the military

460
00:19:32,379 --> 00:19:34,319
 you're leading a squad of people

461
00:19:34,319 --> 00:19:35,640
 and you've been trained

462
00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:36,940
 you've honed skills

463
00:19:36,940 --> 00:19:38,660
 or you're leading a company

464
00:19:38,660 --> 00:19:41,359
 like you don't just go to a leadership seminar

465
00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:42,579
 and walk away and say

466
00:19:42,579 --> 00:19:43,420
 well now I'm a leader

467
00:19:43,420 --> 00:19:44,259
 put me in something

468
00:19:44,259 --> 00:19:46,640
 you have to actually use your skill

469
00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,799
 to lead something actually

470
00:19:49,799 --> 00:19:51,579
 do you guys know what I'm trying to say

471
00:19:52,579 --> 00:19:55,119
 and I think this is kind of what

472
00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:56,940
 the parable is saying

473
00:19:56,940 --> 00:19:58,819
 is that the olive tree

474
00:19:58,819 --> 00:20:00,039
 has something to give

475
00:20:00,039 --> 00:20:02,140
 the fig tree has something to give

476
00:20:02,140 --> 00:20:03,759
 the vine has something to give

477
00:20:03,759 --> 00:20:05,160
 but the bramble doesn't have

478
00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:07,039
 fruit to give

479
00:20:07,919 --> 00:20:09,420
 and he doesn't have fruit

480
00:20:09,420 --> 00:20:11,599
 to provide leadership

481
00:20:13,959 --> 00:20:15,740
 but I think that's

482
00:20:15,740 --> 00:20:18,380
 that's where the heart of leadership is

483
00:20:18,380 --> 00:20:20,200
 it's giving of your skill

484
00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:22,059
 it's sacrificing yourself

485
00:20:22,059 --> 00:20:26,279
 putting your own desires aside

486
00:20:26,279 --> 00:20:29,759
 and putting the needs of the group first

487
00:20:29,759 --> 00:20:30,940
 and what we see is that

488
00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:34,059
 obviously Bimlek didn't do any of that

489
00:20:34,059 --> 00:20:35,980
 and he is just saying

490
00:20:35,980 --> 00:20:37,099
 hey I want to lead

491
00:20:37,099 --> 00:20:38,339
 I'm going to do this

492
00:20:38,339 --> 00:20:39,940
 so I'm going to go get the money

493
00:20:39,940 --> 00:20:41,539
 and I'm going to pay these mercenaries

494
00:20:41,539 --> 00:20:44,319
 to go and wipe out

495
00:20:44,319 --> 00:20:46,039
 all of my brothers

496
00:20:46,039 --> 00:20:50,400
 who would also be co-contenders

497
00:20:51,039 --> 00:20:53,819
 to carry on this line from Gideon

498
00:20:55,279 --> 00:20:58,220
 but one thing I do want to point out though

499
00:20:58,220 --> 00:21:00,359
 is years ago

500
00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:02,039
 I really wanted to

501
00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:04,660
 be in Christian ministry

502
00:21:04,660 --> 00:21:06,259
 I was working at a bank

503
00:21:06,259 --> 00:21:08,220
 in a financial position

504
00:21:08,799 --> 00:21:10,220
 right now I'm an accountant

505
00:21:10,220 --> 00:21:12,099
 so it's a bit poetic

506
00:21:12,099 --> 00:21:13,859
 and I'm kind of back in the same spot

507
00:21:13,859 --> 00:21:14,480
 as I was

508
00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:16,920
 but 10-15 years ago

509
00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:18,160
 when I was in this spot

510
00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:18,880
 that I'm in now

511
00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:20,240
 I was very dissatisfied

512
00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,539
 and I wanted to just serve the Lord

513
00:21:22,539 --> 00:21:23,740
 and I wanted to

514
00:21:23,740 --> 00:21:25,759
 also I really had a desire

515
00:21:25,759 --> 00:21:26,759
 to lead other people

516
00:21:27,539 --> 00:21:30,539
 and I remember talking to somebody

517
00:21:31,100 --> 00:21:32,140
 and saying

518
00:21:32,140 --> 00:21:35,359
 well I know that this desire to lead

519
00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:36,619
 is not really healthy

520
00:21:36,619 --> 00:21:39,140
 because anybody who desires to lead

521
00:21:39,140 --> 00:21:41,380
 like we shouldn't actually desire to lead

522
00:21:41,380 --> 00:21:44,119
 like we should kind of be forced out to lead

523
00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:45,519
 you guys know what I'm saying

524
00:21:46,120 --> 00:21:47,920
 but this guy actually pointed out to me

525
00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:49,740
 1 Timothy 3-1

526
00:21:49,740 --> 00:21:50,380
 where it says

527
00:21:50,380 --> 00:21:53,300
 whoever desires to be an overseer

528
00:21:55,120 --> 00:21:56,980
 desires a good thing

529
00:21:57,759 --> 00:22:00,240
 and so it doesn't mean that

530
00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:04,200
 if you have a desire to lead something

531
00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:06,039
 or lead a movement that is healthy

532
00:22:06,039 --> 00:22:07,359
 and it's in the right place

533
00:22:07,359 --> 00:22:08,700
 and your heart is right

534
00:22:08,700 --> 00:22:10,819
 you don't have to pretend like

535
00:22:10,819 --> 00:22:12,400
 you don't actually want to do that

536
00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:15,059
 in order to be qualified to do that

537
00:22:15,059 --> 00:22:15,779
 do you guys know what I'm saying

538
00:22:15,779 --> 00:22:16,940
 so like oh no

539
00:22:16,940 --> 00:22:17,759
 like a little bit of

540
00:22:17,759 --> 00:22:18,680
 you know you have to like

541
00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:20,220
 try to fake the Lord out

542
00:22:20,220 --> 00:22:20,539
 and be like

543
00:22:20,539 --> 00:22:22,339
 no Lord I don't really want to do that

544
00:22:22,339 --> 00:22:23,920
 but please choose me anyway

545
00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:24,400
 you know

546
00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:25,599
 so there's that

547
00:22:25,599 --> 00:22:26,740
 there's that tension there

548
00:22:26,740 --> 00:22:27,660
 if you have a desire

549
00:22:28,179 --> 00:22:29,839
 to lead something good

550
00:22:30,279 --> 00:22:33,000
 then I would say prayerfully pursue it

551
00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:34,240
 but do it in a way

552
00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:35,960
 that you are discerning

553
00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:38,319
 that you're able to

554
00:22:38,319 --> 00:22:40,079
 put others needs in front of you

555
00:22:40,079 --> 00:22:42,460
 and actually hone your skill

556
00:22:42,460 --> 00:22:43,920
 whatever field it is that

557
00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:45,380
 you desire to lead in

558
00:22:45,380 --> 00:22:46,700
 really hone that skill

559
00:22:46,700 --> 00:22:48,180
 get good at that skill

560
00:22:48,180 --> 00:22:50,200
 and people will

561
00:22:51,059 --> 00:22:53,539
 just begin to actually naturally

562
00:22:54,079 --> 00:22:54,720
 follow you

563
00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:55,839
 and the more you develop

564
00:22:55,839 --> 00:22:56,920
 leadership skills

565
00:22:56,920 --> 00:22:58,099
 communication skills

566
00:22:58,099 --> 00:22:59,019
 casting vision

567
00:22:59,839 --> 00:23:01,380
 they will just kind of

568
00:23:01,380 --> 00:23:02,460
 start following you

569
00:23:02,460 --> 00:23:03,980
 and the Lord will lead you

570
00:23:03,980 --> 00:23:05,240
 in that process

571
00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:08,660
 and we need Christians in leadership

572
00:23:08,660 --> 00:23:10,599
 in every sphere

573
00:23:10,599 --> 00:23:11,700
 in every company

574
00:23:11,700 --> 00:23:15,000
 in every social area

575
00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:16,019
 that you can think of

576
00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:18,319
 we ought to be providing

577
00:23:18,319 --> 00:23:20,559
 leadership to people

578
00:23:20,559 --> 00:23:21,799
 and to organizations

579
00:23:22,420 --> 00:23:24,299
 as well in a healthy way

580
00:23:25,060 --> 00:23:27,240
 and you know

581
00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:28,740
 we just follow the example of Christ

582
00:23:29,540 --> 00:23:31,059
 he took up his cross

583
00:23:31,860 --> 00:23:34,039
 and he led

584
00:23:34,039 --> 00:23:35,099
 and he led the way

585
00:23:35,099 --> 00:23:36,539
 for all of us to

586
00:23:37,460 --> 00:23:38,539
 find salvation

587
00:23:40,180 --> 00:23:41,940
 and this is true leadership

588
00:23:41,940 --> 00:23:43,099
 is that when we

589
00:23:43,099 --> 00:23:44,579
 when we take up our cross

590
00:23:44,579 --> 00:23:45,700
 we put others needs

591
00:23:45,700 --> 00:23:47,019
 in front of ours

592
00:23:47,579 --> 00:23:49,180
 and we do what's needed

593
00:23:49,819 --> 00:23:50,480
 in the moment

594
00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,440
 not what is desired

595
00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:53,960
 necessarily by us

596
00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:55,000
 in our flesh

597
00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:56,000
 but we do what's needed

598
00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:56,619
 and necessary

599
00:23:57,339 --> 00:23:58,559
 and the Lord will bless that

600
00:23:58,559 --> 00:23:59,319
 in this age

601
00:23:59,319 --> 00:24:00,160
 or the age to come

602
00:24:01,460 --> 00:24:02,940
 so that's just a little note

603
00:24:02,940 --> 00:24:04,140
 on Christian leadership

604
00:24:04,140 --> 00:24:05,839
 I think we all intuitively

605
00:24:06,559 --> 00:24:07,960
 understand that

606
00:24:09,319 --> 00:24:11,079
 when we get in a small group

607
00:24:11,079 --> 00:24:12,960
 and the question is

608
00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:13,880
 who's your example

609
00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:14,779
 of Christian leadership

610
00:24:14,779 --> 00:24:15,619
 no one's going to pick up

611
00:24:15,619 --> 00:24:16,180
 intellect right

612
00:24:16,879 --> 00:24:18,440
 so I think we all understand

613
00:24:20,079 --> 00:24:21,440
 do whatever the opposite

614
00:24:21,440 --> 00:24:22,359
 that he did

615
00:24:22,959 --> 00:24:23,380
 so

616
00:24:24,460 --> 00:24:25,799
 Yotam tells this story

617
00:24:26,319 --> 00:24:28,039
 and now he runs away

618
00:24:28,039 --> 00:24:29,519
 and he went to live in beer

619
00:24:29,519 --> 00:24:31,460
 which means like a well

620
00:24:31,460 --> 00:24:32,579
 like a literal well

621
00:24:32,579 --> 00:24:33,680
 like with water coming out

622
00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:35,119
 and then he lived there

623
00:24:35,839 --> 00:24:36,440
 near the well

624
00:24:37,199 --> 00:24:38,400
 and so let's pick up

625
00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:39,180
 in verse 22

626
00:24:39,759 --> 00:24:41,519
 so Abimelech ruled over Israel

627
00:24:41,519 --> 00:24:42,319
 three years

628
00:24:42,319 --> 00:24:44,740
 and God sent an evil spirit

629
00:24:44,740 --> 00:24:46,279
 between Abimelech

630
00:24:46,279 --> 00:24:47,500
 and the leaders of Shechem

631
00:24:47,500 --> 00:24:48,920
 and the leaders of Shechem

632
00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:49,880
 dealt treacherously

633
00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:50,720
 with Abimelech

634
00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:51,960
 and the violence done

635
00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:53,019
 to the 70 sons

636
00:24:53,019 --> 00:24:53,900
 of Jerubal

637
00:24:53,900 --> 00:24:54,920
 might come

638
00:24:56,140 --> 00:24:57,339
 and their blood

639
00:24:57,339 --> 00:24:58,720
 be laid on Abimelech

640
00:24:58,720 --> 00:24:59,200
 their brother

641
00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:00,319
 who killed them

642
00:25:00,319 --> 00:25:01,799
 and on the man of Shechem

643
00:25:01,799 --> 00:25:03,079
 who strengthened his hand

644
00:25:03,079 --> 00:25:04,380
 to kill his brothers

645
00:25:04,940 --> 00:25:06,140
 and the leaders of Shechem

646
00:25:06,140 --> 00:25:07,480
 put men in ambush

647
00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:08,359
 against him

648
00:25:08,860 --> 00:25:09,819
 on the mountaintops

649
00:25:09,819 --> 00:25:11,779
 and they robbed all who passed

650
00:25:11,779 --> 00:25:13,400
 by them along that way

651
00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:15,400
 and it was told to Abimelech

652
00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:18,079
 and Gal the son of Eben

653
00:25:18,079 --> 00:25:19,440
 moved into Shechem

654
00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:20,279
 with his relatives

655
00:25:20,279 --> 00:25:21,559
 and the leaders of Shechem

656
00:25:21,559 --> 00:25:23,279
 put confidence in him

657
00:25:23,279 --> 00:25:25,140
 and they went out into the field

658
00:25:25,140 --> 00:25:26,119
 and gathered the grapes

659
00:25:26,119 --> 00:25:26,940
 from the vineyards

660
00:25:26,940 --> 00:25:27,799
 and trod them

661
00:25:27,799 --> 00:25:28,619
 and held a festival

662
00:25:28,619 --> 00:25:29,559
 and they went into the house

663
00:25:29,559 --> 00:25:30,079
 of their God

664
00:25:30,079 --> 00:25:31,519
 and they ate and drank

665
00:25:31,519 --> 00:25:33,319
 and reviled Abimelech

666
00:25:34,380 --> 00:25:34,900
 and Gal

667
00:25:38,859 --> 00:25:41,200
 the son of Eben said

668
00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:42,680
 who is Abimelech

669
00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:44,220
 and who are we of Shechem

670
00:25:44,220 --> 00:25:45,319
 that we should serve him

671
00:25:45,319 --> 00:25:47,420
 is he not the son of Jerubal

672
00:25:47,420 --> 00:25:50,099
 and is not Zevul his officer

673
00:25:50,099 --> 00:25:52,059
 serve the men of Hamor

674
00:25:52,059 --> 00:25:53,180
 the father of Shechem

675
00:25:53,180 --> 00:25:55,579
 but why should we serve him?

676
00:25:56,339 --> 00:25:57,380
 So anyway here we see

677
00:25:57,380 --> 00:25:59,240
 two different things

678
00:25:59,980 --> 00:26:01,480
 in verse 23

679
00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:02,779
 we see that God

680
00:26:02,779 --> 00:26:04,400
 sends an evil spirit

681
00:26:05,019 --> 00:26:07,619
 to intervene in the affairs

682
00:26:07,619 --> 00:26:09,339
 of the people of Shechem

683
00:26:09,339 --> 00:26:11,500
 and to sow discord

684
00:26:12,319 --> 00:26:16,759
 and chaos within this area

685
00:26:16,759 --> 00:26:17,559
 or you could say

686
00:26:17,559 --> 00:26:19,519
 that this is the reaping

687
00:26:20,059 --> 00:26:21,640
 of what they have done

688
00:26:22,379 --> 00:26:24,500
 within the community of Shechem

689
00:26:24,500 --> 00:26:26,220
 because Abimelech does a cue

690
00:26:26,220 --> 00:26:27,660
 and now what happens?

691
00:26:28,799 --> 00:26:29,940
 Now this guy

692
00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:33,779
 this guy Ga'al

693
00:26:34,740 --> 00:26:37,380
 is trying to stir up a conspiracy

694
00:26:37,380 --> 00:26:39,660
 and a cue against Abimelech

695
00:26:39,660 --> 00:26:41,579
 so what we see here is that

696
00:26:43,820 --> 00:26:45,420
 the sowing

697
00:26:45,420 --> 00:26:46,700
 and then the reaping

698
00:26:46,700 --> 00:26:49,660
 of chaos

699
00:26:49,660 --> 00:26:52,700
 within this city of Shechem

700
00:26:52,700 --> 00:26:54,779
 but what is interesting to me

701
00:26:55,860 --> 00:26:58,299
 is that God sent an evil spirit

702
00:26:59,180 --> 00:27:01,180
 so this is interesting

703
00:27:03,259 --> 00:27:06,559
 what is the Lord's relationship

704
00:27:06,559 --> 00:27:08,440
 with evil spirits

705
00:27:09,019 --> 00:27:09,960
 or with demons?

706
00:27:11,279 --> 00:27:12,420
 That's the question

707
00:27:13,339 --> 00:27:15,019
 and there's a couple of verses

708
00:27:15,659 --> 00:27:16,660
 there's this verse

709
00:27:17,559 --> 00:27:20,480
 so we see that God sent an evil spirit

710
00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:21,259
 between Abimelech

711
00:27:21,259 --> 00:27:22,180
 and the leaders of Shechem

712
00:27:22,940 --> 00:27:25,099
 in order that they would be judged

713
00:27:25,099 --> 00:27:27,559
 so this evil spirit

714
00:27:27,559 --> 00:27:30,700
 is sort of like the Lord's henchmen

715
00:27:30,700 --> 00:27:31,519
 or minion

716
00:27:31,519 --> 00:27:34,960
 he's carrying out some kind of wickedness

717
00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:35,680
 on the earth

718
00:27:37,399 --> 00:27:40,480
 if we look at 1 Kings 22-23

719
00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:43,740
 there's a scene in there

720
00:27:43,740 --> 00:27:45,539
 many of you I'm sure know this scene

721
00:27:45,539 --> 00:27:47,299
 but it's with King Ahab

722
00:27:47,299 --> 00:27:52,099
 and 400 of King Ahab's prophets

723
00:27:52,919 --> 00:27:57,259
 and the Lord he sends a lying spirit

724
00:27:58,620 --> 00:28:00,240
 to the prophets

725
00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:03,279
 in order all 400 of them

726
00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:05,200
 and the Lord actually

727
00:28:05,720 --> 00:28:07,960
 1 Kings 22

728
00:28:08,679 --> 00:28:09,779
 I have a couple notes

729
00:28:09,779 --> 00:28:11,019
 but maybe I'll just read it

730
00:28:11,019 --> 00:28:12,779
 because I think the language

731
00:28:12,779 --> 00:28:14,200
 is actually interesting

732
00:28:22,700 --> 00:28:23,740
 if you look at

733
00:28:23,740 --> 00:28:24,599
 if you're looking there

734
00:28:24,599 --> 00:28:26,359
 which it's okay if you don't

735
00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:31,220
 1 Kings 22 verse 19

736
00:28:31,220 --> 00:28:32,420
 we'll start at

737
00:28:32,420 --> 00:28:34,799
 and so what happened here is

738
00:28:34,799 --> 00:28:37,019
 Ahab said to his prophets

739
00:28:37,019 --> 00:28:38,579
 should I go up and fight this battle

740
00:28:39,279 --> 00:28:40,619
 and all the prophets said

741
00:28:41,279 --> 00:28:42,240
 yeah go do it

742
00:28:42,240 --> 00:28:43,720
 and then he's like

743
00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:45,299
 wait but there's one more prophet

744
00:28:45,299 --> 00:28:46,799
 this guy Micaiah

745
00:28:46,799 --> 00:28:48,440
 and he always says

746
00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:49,900
 negative things about me

747
00:28:49,900 --> 00:28:51,920
 so let me go get him

748
00:28:51,920 --> 00:28:53,500
 let's see if he's going to agree

749
00:28:53,500 --> 00:28:54,839
 with these other 400

750
00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:56,859
 and so then Micaiah says

751
00:28:56,859 --> 00:28:58,619
 oh yeah like you're gonna

752
00:28:58,619 --> 00:29:00,059
 you're gonna do good

753
00:29:00,059 --> 00:29:01,880
 go up in triumph verse 15

754
00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:03,400
 and then Ahab's like

755
00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:04,839
 hey tell me the truth

756
00:29:05,480 --> 00:29:07,059
 and then in verse 19

757
00:29:07,059 --> 00:29:07,819
 we pick it up

758
00:29:07,819 --> 00:29:10,599
 and Micaiah says to King Ahab

759
00:29:10,599 --> 00:29:12,460
 therefore because Ahab

760
00:29:12,460 --> 00:29:13,259
 was a wicked king

761
00:29:13,259 --> 00:29:15,099
 in case you have no idea

762
00:29:15,099 --> 00:29:15,920
 who Ahab is

763
00:29:16,440 --> 00:29:17,019
 but he says

764
00:29:17,019 --> 00:29:18,960
 therefore hear the word of the Lord

765
00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:20,420
 I saw the Lord

766
00:29:20,420 --> 00:29:21,460
 sitting on his throne

767
00:29:21,460 --> 00:29:22,859
 and all the hosts of heaven

768
00:29:22,859 --> 00:29:24,180
 standing beside him

769
00:29:24,180 --> 00:29:25,140
 on his right hand

770
00:29:25,140 --> 00:29:26,220
 and on his left

771
00:29:26,220 --> 00:29:27,500
 and the Lord said

772
00:29:28,900 --> 00:29:31,460
 who will entice Ahab

773
00:29:31,460 --> 00:29:32,680
 that he may go up

774
00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,660
 and fall at Ramoth Gilead

775
00:29:36,340 --> 00:29:37,700
 and one said one thing

776
00:29:37,700 --> 00:29:38,920
 and another said another

777
00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:40,420
 then a spirit came forward

778
00:29:40,420 --> 00:29:42,240
 and stood before the Lord saying

779
00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:44,220
 I will entice him

780
00:29:45,060 --> 00:29:46,460
 and the Lord said to him

781
00:29:46,460 --> 00:29:47,660
 by what means

782
00:29:48,340 --> 00:29:49,400
 and he said

783
00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:50,319
 I will go out

784
00:29:50,319 --> 00:29:52,460
 and I will be a lying spirit

785
00:29:52,460 --> 00:29:54,859
 in the mouth of all his prophets

786
00:29:54,859 --> 00:29:56,319
 all 400 of them

787
00:29:56,319 --> 00:29:57,660
 and the Lord said

788
00:29:57,660 --> 00:29:58,900
 you are to entice him

789
00:29:58,900 --> 00:29:59,720
 and you shall go

790
00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:00,460
 and succeed

791
00:30:00,460 --> 00:30:02,180
 and go out and do so

792
00:30:02,700 --> 00:30:03,799
 and then Micaiah says

793
00:30:03,799 --> 00:30:05,079
 now therefore behold

794
00:30:05,079 --> 00:30:06,559
 the Lord has put a lying spirit

795
00:30:06,559 --> 00:30:07,920
 in the mouth of all these prophets

796
00:30:07,920 --> 00:30:11,819
 the Lord has declared disaster for you

797
00:30:13,019 --> 00:30:14,440
 so there's that scene

798
00:30:14,440 --> 00:30:16,240
 and then the other scene

799
00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:17,920
 that I think is notable

800
00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:19,980
 is Job chapter one

801
00:30:21,300 --> 00:30:24,299
 where the Lord is having a conversation

802
00:30:24,299 --> 00:30:25,339
 in his counsel

803
00:30:25,339 --> 00:30:26,140
 and he's saying

804
00:30:26,140 --> 00:30:29,299
 to his spirits

805
00:30:30,180 --> 00:30:31,180
 he's basically saying

806
00:30:31,180 --> 00:30:31,759
 look at Job

807
00:30:31,759 --> 00:30:32,819
 he's serving me

808
00:30:32,819 --> 00:30:34,180
 and then Satan says

809
00:30:34,180 --> 00:30:35,079
 hey let me go

810
00:30:35,079 --> 00:30:37,420
 and let me wreak some havoc on Job

811
00:30:37,420 --> 00:30:38,480
 and let's see

812
00:30:38,480 --> 00:30:40,359
 if he still praises and serves you

813
00:30:40,860 --> 00:30:43,380
 and so then the Lord allows Satan

814
00:30:43,380 --> 00:30:44,319
 to do that

815
00:30:45,080 --> 00:30:46,319
 and it's interesting

816
00:30:46,319 --> 00:30:47,339
 the Jewish people

817
00:30:48,799 --> 00:30:51,180
 their view of Satan

818
00:30:51,180 --> 00:30:53,380
 is a little bit different than ours

819
00:30:53,380 --> 00:30:55,819
 and Satan just means in Hebrew

820
00:30:55,819 --> 00:30:56,920
 it means the accuser

821
00:30:57,980 --> 00:30:59,700
 but he's generally known

822
00:30:59,700 --> 00:31:01,640
 as the chief demon

823
00:31:02,300 --> 00:31:03,440
 or the evil spirit

824
00:31:04,380 --> 00:31:07,400
 amongst the demons

825
00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:11,539
 and the Jewish people had this view

826
00:31:11,539 --> 00:31:13,359
 that the evil spirits

827
00:31:13,359 --> 00:31:15,279
 were sort of there to do

828
00:31:15,279 --> 00:31:17,680
 the bidding of the Lord

829
00:31:17,680 --> 00:31:20,059
 and sort of the dirty work of the Lord

830
00:31:20,059 --> 00:31:23,319
 and given a couple of these verses

831
00:31:23,319 --> 00:31:25,380
 and these are just the three

832
00:31:25,380 --> 00:31:27,380
 that I drew out

833
00:31:27,380 --> 00:31:29,720
 I think that sort of supports

834
00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:32,099
 a little bit of that picture

835
00:31:32,099 --> 00:31:34,779
 that the Lord is sovereign

836
00:31:34,779 --> 00:31:36,680
 over some of these

837
00:31:37,459 --> 00:31:38,900
 he's sovereign over everything

838
00:31:38,900 --> 00:31:41,240
 but he's sending an evil spirit

839
00:31:41,240 --> 00:31:42,880
 in 1 Kings 22

840
00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:45,180
 he's sending another evil spirit

841
00:31:45,279 --> 00:31:47,579
 in Judges 9

842
00:31:47,579 --> 00:31:49,720
 and then he's allowing Satan

843
00:31:49,720 --> 00:31:52,720
 to wreak havoc against Job

844
00:31:54,460 --> 00:31:56,940
 but I think there's also some

845
00:31:57,659 --> 00:31:59,900
 yeah and why do I bring this up

846
00:31:59,900 --> 00:32:01,900
 well I bring this up a little bit

847
00:32:01,900 --> 00:32:03,119
 to cause some tension

848
00:32:03,759 --> 00:32:07,019
 because if we have a traditional

849
00:32:07,019 --> 00:32:10,359
 view of Satan

850
00:32:11,659 --> 00:32:14,140
 it's basically that he roams the earth

851
00:32:14,140 --> 00:32:16,019
 and he kind of does it all on his own

852
00:32:16,019 --> 00:32:17,519
 because he's wicked

853
00:32:17,519 --> 00:32:18,240
 and he does

854
00:32:18,240 --> 00:32:19,799
 we know that the thief comes

855
00:32:19,799 --> 00:32:21,339
 to steal, kill, and destroy

856
00:32:21,339 --> 00:32:22,720
 that's John chapter 10

857
00:32:26,759 --> 00:32:28,660
 but like other evenings

858
00:32:28,660 --> 00:32:29,720
 I'm going to leave you

859
00:32:29,720 --> 00:32:30,960
 with more questions

860
00:32:30,960 --> 00:32:32,000
 than I think answers

861
00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:33,500
 because again

862
00:32:33,500 --> 00:32:34,680
 we have limited time

863
00:32:34,680 --> 00:32:36,880
 but I think that this is very

864
00:32:38,880 --> 00:32:40,519
 interesting instances here

865
00:32:40,519 --> 00:32:43,019
 where the Lord is allowing

866
00:32:44,140 --> 00:32:45,420
 these things to happen

867
00:32:45,420 --> 00:32:47,279
 he's permitting these things

868
00:32:47,900 --> 00:32:49,619
 and the Lord is obviously

869
00:32:49,619 --> 00:32:51,619
 sovereign over these events

870
00:32:51,619 --> 00:32:53,319
 he's allowing these events

871
00:32:53,980 --> 00:32:54,559
 to happen

872
00:32:55,180 --> 00:32:56,579
 and he's using them

873
00:32:56,579 --> 00:32:58,180
 for his sovereign purpose

874
00:32:58,180 --> 00:32:59,579
 he's using them to judge

875
00:32:59,579 --> 00:33:01,240
 and he's using them

876
00:33:01,240 --> 00:33:03,180
 in Job's case to test

877
00:33:04,379 --> 00:33:05,819
 and yeah

878
00:33:05,819 --> 00:33:08,980
 so I will say that

879
00:33:10,540 --> 00:33:11,440
 and that's probably

880
00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:13,799
 now I'm not really going to

881
00:33:13,799 --> 00:33:15,160
 draw too many more conclusions

882
00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:15,579
 than that

883
00:33:15,579 --> 00:33:16,940
 I have a question about it

884
00:33:16,940 --> 00:33:17,799
 in the discussion

885
00:33:17,799 --> 00:33:20,000
 but those are just three instances

886
00:33:20,620 --> 00:33:22,119
 and let Scripture

887
00:33:22,119 --> 00:33:23,400
 just kind of shape

888
00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:24,579
 and challenge your view

889
00:33:24,579 --> 00:33:27,319
 of that within the Old Testament

890
00:33:27,319 --> 00:33:28,799
 and maybe you'll say

891
00:33:28,799 --> 00:33:29,839
 well that was Old Testament

892
00:33:30,840 --> 00:33:32,099
 God and his relationship

893
00:33:32,099 --> 00:33:32,720
 with the demons

894
00:33:32,720 --> 00:33:35,859
 and that might be a valid point

895
00:33:37,100 --> 00:33:39,660
 but just another point

896
00:33:39,660 --> 00:33:40,759
 alongside of that

897
00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:44,000
 we know that from Romans 13

898
00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:45,819
 and from the Old Testament

899
00:33:45,819 --> 00:33:47,480
 that the Lord is sovereign

900
00:33:47,480 --> 00:33:51,039
 over the nations

901
00:33:51,039 --> 00:33:54,220
 and he raises up nations

902
00:33:54,880 --> 00:33:56,720
 to judge other nations

903
00:33:56,720 --> 00:33:58,079
 he told the Israelites

904
00:33:58,079 --> 00:34:00,259
 hey you guys live by these ways

905
00:34:00,960 --> 00:34:02,480
 or else if you don't live

906
00:34:02,480 --> 00:34:03,359
 by these ways

907
00:34:03,359 --> 00:34:05,160
 I'm going to raise up a nation

908
00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:06,539
 to judge you

909
00:34:06,539 --> 00:34:07,880
 and he rose

910
00:34:07,880 --> 00:34:11,340
 and he raised up two nations

911
00:34:11,340 --> 00:34:13,079
 to judge Israel

912
00:34:13,079 --> 00:34:15,599
 in very dramatic fashions

913
00:34:15,599 --> 00:34:17,440
 and maybe you could say even three

914
00:34:17,440 --> 00:34:18,760
 although it's not confirmed

915
00:34:18,760 --> 00:34:19,360
 by the Scripture

916
00:34:20,039 --> 00:34:23,420
 but the Assyrians

917
00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:26,539
 took out the 10 northern tribes

918
00:34:26,539 --> 00:34:27,320
 of Israel

919
00:34:27,320 --> 00:34:30,199
 I think it was 721 BC

920
00:34:31,019 --> 00:34:32,639
 and the Babylonians

921
00:34:32,639 --> 00:34:35,079
 took out Judah and Benjamin

922
00:34:35,880 --> 00:34:38,480
 in 579 or 597

923
00:34:38,480 --> 00:34:39,659
 can't remember exactly

924
00:34:39,659 --> 00:34:40,619
 what the date was

925
00:34:40,619 --> 00:34:42,119
 but some there in the 500s

926
00:34:43,420 --> 00:34:44,900
 and we see that the Lord

927
00:34:44,900 --> 00:34:47,599
 raised these armies up

928
00:34:47,599 --> 00:34:48,519
 to judge them

929
00:34:48,519 --> 00:34:49,179
 because of their

930
00:34:49,799 --> 00:34:50,860
 because of their wickedness

931
00:34:50,860 --> 00:34:51,920
 and we see that the Lord

932
00:34:51,920 --> 00:34:53,460
 is doing the same thing here

933
00:34:54,500 --> 00:34:56,559
 he's in the first two instances

934
00:34:56,559 --> 00:34:57,579
 not in Job's instance

935
00:34:57,579 --> 00:34:59,099
 but in the first two instances

936
00:34:59,099 --> 00:35:04,159
 the Lord is judging Ahab

937
00:35:04,159 --> 00:35:05,480
 through a battle

938
00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:08,460
 and he's also judging Abimelech

939
00:35:08,460 --> 00:35:10,500
 and his followers

940
00:35:11,119 --> 00:35:12,079
 through a battle

941
00:35:12,079 --> 00:35:14,860
 and through stirring up

942
00:35:14,860 --> 00:35:15,679
 confusion

943
00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:20,559
 and discord within there

944
00:35:20,559 --> 00:35:21,780
 so yeah

945
00:35:21,780 --> 00:35:24,099
 and we know that Exodus 15

946
00:35:24,099 --> 00:35:25,619
 3 says that the Lord

947
00:35:25,619 --> 00:35:26,539
 is a man of war

948
00:35:27,359 --> 00:35:28,719
 and Revelation 19

949
00:35:29,359 --> 00:35:30,099
 says that

950
00:35:31,340 --> 00:35:33,039
 he judges in righteousness

951
00:35:33,039 --> 00:35:34,340
 and he makes war

952
00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:35,480
 in righteousness

953
00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:36,860
 and so the Lord

954
00:35:36,860 --> 00:35:39,699
 the Lord is a man of war

955
00:35:40,480 --> 00:35:41,739
 and I think a lot of those things

956
00:35:41,739 --> 00:35:42,239
 are sometimes

957
00:35:43,480 --> 00:35:46,480
 it's difficult to wrap our minds around

958
00:35:47,820 --> 00:35:48,900
 but yeah

959
00:35:49,619 --> 00:35:50,760
 I would encourage us

960
00:35:50,760 --> 00:35:51,840
 to just you know

961
00:35:51,840 --> 00:35:52,699
 do your own study

962
00:35:52,699 --> 00:35:53,800
 go through the verses

963
00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:54,980
 don't don't believe

964
00:35:54,980 --> 00:35:56,219
 everything you hear

965
00:35:56,960 --> 00:35:57,599
 from up here

966
00:35:57,599 --> 00:35:59,400
 and go read through those verses

967
00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:00,940
 look at other cross texts

968
00:36:01,659 --> 00:36:03,099
 and see you know

969
00:36:03,659 --> 00:36:05,139
 if you can do your own study

970
00:36:05,139 --> 00:36:06,739
 and draw some of your own conclusions

971
00:36:06,739 --> 00:36:07,260
 as well

972
00:36:08,659 --> 00:36:11,500
 so we're gonna just keep moving

973
00:36:11,500 --> 00:36:12,139
 with the story

974
00:36:12,139 --> 00:36:14,159
 we have a lot to cover here

975
00:36:15,579 --> 00:36:17,239
 but basically what happens

976
00:36:18,880 --> 00:36:19,440
 is

977
00:36:21,019 --> 00:36:23,139
 Gaul says who is Abimelech

978
00:36:23,139 --> 00:36:24,420
 we are of Shechem

979
00:36:24,420 --> 00:36:25,599
 why should we serve him

980
00:36:26,320 --> 00:36:27,699
 and what we should serve

981
00:36:27,699 --> 00:36:29,340
 the people who are actually

982
00:36:29,340 --> 00:36:30,079
 from Shechem

983
00:36:30,799 --> 00:36:32,039
 which is Hamor

984
00:36:32,639 --> 00:36:33,559
 the father of Shechem

985
00:36:33,559 --> 00:36:34,380
 which if you remember

986
00:36:34,380 --> 00:36:35,400
 in Exodus 34

987
00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:36,480
 Hamor was the

988
00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:38,960
 was the father of the guy

989
00:36:38,960 --> 00:36:41,880
 who violated

990
00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:43,840
 Dinah

991
00:36:44,780 --> 00:36:46,019
 Levi and Simeon

992
00:36:46,019 --> 00:36:47,199
 and Jacob's daughter

993
00:36:47,199 --> 00:36:50,159
 and then Jacob's sons

994
00:36:50,159 --> 00:36:50,900
 went in

995
00:36:50,900 --> 00:36:52,739
 circuit they said hey let's

996
00:36:52,739 --> 00:36:53,820
 it's probably too much for this

997
00:36:53,820 --> 00:36:55,460
 but they said hey let's

998
00:36:55,460 --> 00:36:56,880
 let's get all these Shechem guys

999
00:36:56,880 --> 00:36:57,460
 circumcised

1000
00:36:57,460 --> 00:36:58,599
 and then on the third day

1001
00:36:58,599 --> 00:36:59,440
 after they were circumcised

1002
00:36:59,440 --> 00:37:00,280
 they went and they

1003
00:37:00,280 --> 00:37:01,400
 killed a lot of them

1004
00:37:01,400 --> 00:37:03,079
 so that was Hamor

1005
00:37:03,079 --> 00:37:04,360
 you can go and read about that story

1006
00:37:04,360 --> 00:37:05,880
 in Genesis 34

1007
00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:07,619
 but anyway

1008
00:37:08,699 --> 00:37:10,039
 so there's a battle

1009
00:37:12,559 --> 00:37:13,519
 between Gaul

1010
00:37:13,519 --> 00:37:15,360
 and Abimelech

1011
00:37:16,420 --> 00:37:17,159
 and so

1012
00:37:17,159 --> 00:37:18,260
 anyway we're gonna jump down

1013
00:37:18,260 --> 00:37:19,239
 to verse 44

1014
00:37:20,519 --> 00:37:21,480
 but Abimelech

1015
00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:22,099
 and the company

1016
00:37:22,099 --> 00:37:22,940
 that was with him

1017
00:37:22,940 --> 00:37:23,599
 rushed forward

1018
00:37:23,599 --> 00:37:24,920
 and stood at the entrance

1019
00:37:24,920 --> 00:37:26,139
 of the gate of the city

1020
00:37:26,139 --> 00:37:27,619
 while the two companies

1021
00:37:27,619 --> 00:37:28,320
 rushed upon

1022
00:37:28,320 --> 00:37:29,679
 all who were in the field

1023
00:37:29,679 --> 00:37:30,639
 and killed them

1024
00:37:30,639 --> 00:37:31,579
 and Abimelech

1025
00:37:32,160 --> 00:37:33,280
 fought against the city

1026
00:37:33,280 --> 00:37:34,179
 all that day

1027
00:37:34,179 --> 00:37:35,340
 he captured the city

1028
00:37:35,340 --> 00:37:36,239
 and killed the people

1029
00:37:36,239 --> 00:37:36,920
 who were in it

1030
00:37:36,920 --> 00:37:38,280
 and he raised the city

1031
00:37:38,280 --> 00:37:39,800
 and sowed it with salt

1032
00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:41,280
 when all the leaders

1033
00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:42,420
 of the tower of Shechem

1034
00:37:42,420 --> 00:37:43,099
 heard of it

1035
00:37:43,099 --> 00:37:44,320
 they entered the stronghold

1036
00:37:44,320 --> 00:37:46,599
 of the house of El Barit

1037
00:37:47,300 --> 00:37:48,300
 Abimelech was told

1038
00:37:48,300 --> 00:37:49,280
 that all the leaders

1039
00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:50,340
 of the tower of Shechem

1040
00:37:50,340 --> 00:37:51,239
 were gathered together

1041
00:37:52,159 --> 00:37:53,159
 and Abimelech

1042
00:37:53,159 --> 00:37:55,039
 went up to Mount Zalman

1043
00:37:55,039 --> 00:37:56,179
 he and all the people

1044
00:37:56,179 --> 00:37:56,860
 who were with him

1045
00:37:56,860 --> 00:37:57,539
 and Abimelech

1046
00:37:57,539 --> 00:37:58,800
 took an axe in his hand

1047
00:37:58,800 --> 00:38:01,539
 and cut down a bundle of brushwood

1048
00:38:01,539 --> 00:38:02,559
 and took it up

1049
00:38:02,559 --> 00:38:03,820
 and laid it on his shoulder

1050
00:38:03,820 --> 00:38:05,300
 and he said to the men

1051
00:38:05,300 --> 00:38:06,099
 who were with him

1052
00:38:06,099 --> 00:38:07,659
 what you have seen me do

1053
00:38:07,659 --> 00:38:09,119
 hurry and do as I have done

1054
00:38:09,119 --> 00:38:10,760
 so every one of the people

1055
00:38:10,760 --> 00:38:11,800
 cut down his bundle

1056
00:38:11,800 --> 00:38:13,280
 and following Abimelech

1057
00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:14,739
 put it against the stronghold

1058
00:38:14,739 --> 00:38:16,199
 and they set the stronghold

1059
00:38:16,199 --> 00:38:17,340
 on fire over them

1060
00:38:17,340 --> 00:38:18,280
 so that all the people

1061
00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:19,159
 of the tower of Shechem

1062
00:38:19,159 --> 00:38:19,900
 also died

1063
00:38:19,900 --> 00:38:21,820
 about 1,000 men and women

1064
00:38:22,779 --> 00:38:23,659
 then Abimelech

1065
00:38:23,659 --> 00:38:24,400
 went to Thebes

1066
00:38:24,400 --> 00:38:26,099
 and encamped against Thebes

1067
00:38:26,099 --> 00:38:27,099
 and captured it

1068
00:38:27,099 --> 00:38:28,559
 but there was a strong tower

1069
00:38:28,559 --> 00:38:29,300
 within the city

1070
00:38:29,300 --> 00:38:30,440
 and all the men and women

1071
00:38:30,440 --> 00:38:32,099
 and all the leaders of the city

1072
00:38:32,099 --> 00:38:32,699
 fled to it

1073
00:38:32,699 --> 00:38:33,800
 and shut themselves in

1074
00:38:34,299 --> 00:38:35,179
 and they went up

1075
00:38:35,179 --> 00:38:36,260
 to the roof of the tower

1076
00:38:36,260 --> 00:38:37,199
 and Abimelech

1077
00:38:37,199 --> 00:38:37,980
 came to the tower

1078
00:38:37,980 --> 00:38:39,059
 and fought against it

1079
00:38:39,059 --> 00:38:40,139
 and drew near to the door

1080
00:38:40,139 --> 00:38:40,639
 of the tower

1081
00:38:40,639 --> 00:38:41,820
 to burn it with fire

1082
00:38:41,820 --> 00:38:42,980
 and a certain woman

1083
00:38:42,980 --> 00:38:45,139
 threw an upper millstone

1084
00:38:45,139 --> 00:38:46,639
 on Abimelech's head

1085
00:38:46,639 --> 00:38:48,079
 and crushed his skull

1086
00:38:48,519 --> 00:38:50,219
 then he quickly called

1087
00:38:50,719 --> 00:38:51,800
 to the young man

1088
00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:52,599
 his armor bearer

1089
00:38:52,599 --> 00:38:53,579
 and said to him

1090
00:38:53,579 --> 00:38:54,400
 draw your sword

1091
00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:55,119
 and kill me

1092
00:38:55,119 --> 00:38:56,199
 lest they say of me

1093
00:38:56,199 --> 00:38:57,440
 a woman killed him

1094
00:38:57,440 --> 00:38:58,659
 and his young man

1095
00:38:58,659 --> 00:38:59,480
 thrust him through

1096
00:38:59,480 --> 00:39:00,000
 and he died

1097
00:39:00,000 --> 00:39:01,440
 and when the men of Israel

1098
00:39:01,440 --> 00:39:02,980
 saw that Abimelech was dead

1099
00:39:02,980 --> 00:39:04,920
 everyone departed to his home

1100
00:39:04,920 --> 00:39:06,239
 thus God returned

1101
00:39:06,239 --> 00:39:07,480
 the evil of Abimelech

1102
00:39:07,480 --> 00:39:08,099
 which he committed

1103
00:39:08,099 --> 00:39:08,980
 against his father

1104
00:39:08,980 --> 00:39:10,340
 and killing his 70 brothers

1105
00:39:10,340 --> 00:39:11,920
 and God also made

1106
00:39:11,920 --> 00:39:13,260
 all the evil of the men

1107
00:39:13,260 --> 00:39:13,719
 of Shechem

1108
00:39:13,719 --> 00:39:14,679
 return on their heads

1109
00:39:14,679 --> 00:39:15,420
 and upon them

1110
00:39:15,420 --> 00:39:16,000
 came the curse

1111
00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:18,179
 of Yotam son of Jerubal

1112
00:39:19,220 --> 00:39:22,219
 so we have a gruesome ending

1113
00:39:22,219 --> 00:39:24,900
 there with Abimelech

1114
00:39:24,900 --> 00:39:26,679
 burning the tower

1115
00:39:26,679 --> 00:39:29,159
 he's raising the cities

1116
00:39:29,159 --> 00:39:31,579
 he's literally burning people

1117
00:39:32,559 --> 00:39:33,400
 alive

1118
00:39:33,400 --> 00:39:35,239
 and so it's very gory

1119
00:39:35,239 --> 00:39:36,059
 the Bible is not

1120
00:39:36,059 --> 00:39:38,099
 mincing words here

1121
00:39:39,220 --> 00:39:40,500
 but what we have in the end

1122
00:39:40,500 --> 00:39:43,400
 is Abimelech being judged

1123
00:39:44,019 --> 00:39:46,559
 and I just want to end with this

1124
00:39:46,559 --> 00:39:48,400
 we'll end basically

1125
00:39:49,619 --> 00:39:53,079
 the Lord judges all sin

1126
00:39:53,079 --> 00:39:55,079
 and he's judging Abimelech

1127
00:39:55,079 --> 00:39:57,340
 and the men of Shechem

1128
00:39:57,340 --> 00:40:01,420
 who came against them

1129
00:40:01,420 --> 00:40:03,039
 and came against the brothers

1130
00:40:03,039 --> 00:40:04,480
 and against the people of Shechem

1131
00:40:04,480 --> 00:40:06,300
 and the Lord judges all sin

1132
00:40:06,300 --> 00:40:07,579
 every wrong thing

1133
00:40:07,579 --> 00:40:09,179
 small and big

1134
00:40:09,179 --> 00:40:10,860
 every evil thought

1135
00:40:10,860 --> 00:40:12,000
 every wicked thought

1136
00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:13,460
 every little thing that we do

1137
00:40:13,460 --> 00:40:14,500
 he judges

1138
00:40:14,500 --> 00:40:17,019
 and he judges all of our sin

1139
00:40:17,019 --> 00:40:18,139
 all we should

1140
00:40:18,139 --> 00:40:19,159
 we should

1141
00:40:19,159 --> 00:40:20,300
 without Christ

1142
00:40:20,300 --> 00:40:21,920
 we should walk in fear

1143
00:40:21,920 --> 00:40:24,199
 that the Lord is going to judge us

1144
00:40:24,199 --> 00:40:26,579
 but we can say praise be to God

1145
00:40:26,579 --> 00:40:29,059
 that Christ has taken this judgment

1146
00:40:29,059 --> 00:40:31,340
 from those who decide to follow him

1147
00:40:31,340 --> 00:40:35,739
 and to give themselves to the Lord

1148
00:40:35,739 --> 00:40:38,800
 and to actually be his disciples

1149
00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:42,219
 and all sin will be judged

1150
00:40:42,219 --> 00:40:43,800
 and Abimelech is judged here

1151
00:40:43,800 --> 00:40:45,519
 the men of Shechem are judged here

1152
00:40:46,760 --> 00:40:48,420
 and let's just say this

1153
00:40:48,420 --> 00:40:53,500
 if there's any conflicts

1154
00:40:53,500 --> 00:40:54,900
 or anything in the world

1155
00:40:54,900 --> 00:40:57,360
 that you feel is unjust

1156
00:40:58,039 --> 00:40:59,940
 you can open up the news

1157
00:40:59,940 --> 00:41:00,519
 and every day

1158
00:41:01,139 --> 00:41:02,820
 your heart can just be ripped

1159
00:41:02,820 --> 00:41:04,199
 out of your chest

1160
00:41:04,199 --> 00:41:05,340
 so to speak

1161
00:41:05,340 --> 00:41:07,039
 when you see what's going on

1162
00:41:07,039 --> 00:41:08,320
 in certain countries

1163
00:41:08,320 --> 00:41:10,239
 or just certain atrocities

1164
00:41:10,900 --> 00:41:12,420
 there's different injustices

1165
00:41:12,420 --> 00:41:13,880
 that happen all the time

1166
00:41:13,880 --> 00:41:15,880
 and what we can be sure of

1167
00:41:15,880 --> 00:41:16,980
 is that the Lord

1168
00:41:16,980 --> 00:41:20,800
 is going to judge every injustice

1169
00:41:20,800 --> 00:41:23,360
 and he's going to balance the scales

1170
00:41:23,360 --> 00:41:25,659
 and either the person

1171
00:41:25,659 --> 00:41:27,460
 who does the injustice

1172
00:41:27,460 --> 00:41:28,780
 or does the sin

1173
00:41:28,780 --> 00:41:30,699
 is going to pay for it

1174
00:41:31,619 --> 00:41:34,119
 at the day of judgment

1175
00:41:34,119 --> 00:41:37,139
 or Christ is going to pay for it

1176
00:41:37,139 --> 00:41:40,380
 and the gospel is the only worldview

1177
00:41:40,380 --> 00:41:42,219
 it's the only belief system

1178
00:41:42,219 --> 00:41:44,639
 that is both completely loving

1179
00:41:44,639 --> 00:41:46,179
 and completely just

1180
00:41:47,039 --> 00:41:48,579
 and everything else

1181
00:41:48,579 --> 00:41:50,739
 there's accounts that don't balance

1182
00:41:51,460 --> 00:41:53,280
 like you just can't

1183
00:41:53,280 --> 00:41:54,900
 just like in Islam

1184
00:41:54,900 --> 00:41:56,360
 they just forgive away the sin

1185
00:41:56,360 --> 00:41:58,199
 it's just it's just written off

1186
00:41:58,199 --> 00:41:59,539
 but there's still a debt there

1187
00:41:59,539 --> 00:42:01,059
 there's still a debt to be paid

1188
00:42:01,059 --> 00:42:03,519
 like if you go to somebody's house

1189
00:42:03,519 --> 00:42:04,860
 and break a lamp

1190
00:42:04,860 --> 00:42:05,860
 they can say to you

1191
00:42:05,860 --> 00:42:06,539
 hey that's okay

1192
00:42:06,539 --> 00:42:07,679
 no worries

1193
00:42:09,000 --> 00:42:10,280
 I'll pay for it

1194
00:42:11,059 --> 00:42:14,199
 but they're still having to pay for the lamp

1195
00:42:14,199 --> 00:42:15,420
 if the lamp was 100 bucks

1196
00:42:15,420 --> 00:42:16,760
 they're out 100 bucks

1197
00:42:16,760 --> 00:42:17,739
 they have to go to the store

1198
00:42:17,739 --> 00:42:18,559
 and buy another lamp

1199
00:42:18,559 --> 00:42:19,960
 if they want to replace it

1200
00:42:19,960 --> 00:42:22,280
 but in Christianity

1201
00:42:24,100 --> 00:42:26,320
 judgment and love go together

1202
00:42:26,320 --> 00:42:27,340
 and they're like this

1203
00:42:27,340 --> 00:42:29,099
 and they meet on the cross

1204
00:42:29,720 --> 00:42:32,760
 and that's the power of the gospel

1205
00:42:33,320 --> 00:42:36,420
 and in unfortunately for Abimelech

1206
00:42:36,420 --> 00:42:38,260
 and for the men of Shechem

1207
00:42:38,260 --> 00:42:40,400
 they didn't experience that power

1208
00:42:40,400 --> 00:42:43,400
 they didn't experience the covenantal justice

1209
00:42:43,400 --> 00:42:45,280
 and love that comes with

1210
00:42:45,280 --> 00:42:47,179
 being a part of the covenant of Israel

1211
00:42:47,179 --> 00:42:48,400
 because we see in chapter 8

1212
00:42:48,400 --> 00:42:51,119
 they already turned away from the Lord

1213
00:42:51,119 --> 00:42:52,639
 and they forsook his covenant

1214
00:42:52,639 --> 00:42:56,139
 and the message for us I believe

1215
00:42:57,440 --> 00:42:58,579
 at the end of this

1216
00:42:58,579 --> 00:43:00,840
 is that we as Christians

1217
00:43:00,840 --> 00:43:03,340
 if you are a follower of Christ

1218
00:43:03,340 --> 00:43:04,380
 you can know that

1219
00:43:04,380 --> 00:43:05,739
 you can rest assured

1220
00:43:05,739 --> 00:43:06,960
 like in John 4

1221
00:43:06,960 --> 00:43:08,460
 1st John 4 talks about

1222
00:43:08,460 --> 00:43:12,480
 we have no more anxiousness

1223
00:43:12,480 --> 00:43:14,559
 we have no more fearful expectation

1224
00:43:14,559 --> 00:43:15,679
 of the judgment

1225
00:43:15,679 --> 00:43:16,619
 because we know

1226
00:43:16,619 --> 00:43:18,800
 that Christ has paid for it

1227
00:43:18,800 --> 00:43:20,480
 and everybody else

1228
00:43:20,480 --> 00:43:23,099
 whether or not they admit it or not

1229
00:43:23,099 --> 00:43:25,019
 they have a fearful expectation

1230
00:43:25,019 --> 00:43:26,739
 they have a

1231
00:43:28,420 --> 00:43:30,340
 they at least have a vague

1232
00:43:30,340 --> 00:43:31,519
 impending sense

1233
00:43:31,519 --> 00:43:34,920
 of their own judgment

1234
00:43:35,440 --> 00:43:37,000
 that is resting on them

1235
00:43:37,000 --> 00:43:37,699
 even atheists

1236
00:43:37,699 --> 00:43:39,019
 people write about it

1237
00:43:39,019 --> 00:43:42,219
 that they can't get the guilt

1238
00:43:42,219 --> 00:43:44,099
 or the sin or the shame

1239
00:43:44,099 --> 00:43:44,980
 off of them

1240
00:43:44,980 --> 00:43:46,219
 even if they don't even believe

1241
00:43:46,219 --> 00:43:48,340
 that guilt and shame and sin

1242
00:43:48,340 --> 00:43:49,639
 are actually real things

1243
00:43:49,639 --> 00:43:51,340
 they're just social constructs

1244
00:43:51,340 --> 00:43:53,099
 but the message of the gospel

1245
00:43:53,099 --> 00:43:55,119
 is what frees us

1246
00:43:55,119 --> 00:43:56,139
 from these things

1247
00:43:56,139 --> 00:43:56,980
 because we know

1248
00:43:56,980 --> 00:43:58,219
 that they are real

1249
00:43:58,219 --> 00:44:00,079
 we experience them

1250
00:44:00,079 --> 00:44:01,039
 we experience

1251
00:44:01,659 --> 00:44:03,159
 we make mistakes

1252
00:44:03,159 --> 00:44:03,880
 we sin

1253
00:44:04,420 --> 00:44:05,800
 we experience the guilt

1254
00:44:05,800 --> 00:44:06,340
 and the shame

1255
00:44:06,340 --> 00:44:07,820
 and the fear that comes from this

1256
00:44:07,820 --> 00:44:09,820
 but as we lean into Christ

1257
00:44:09,820 --> 00:44:11,320
 and as we rest on him

1258
00:44:11,960 --> 00:44:13,199
 and as we believe

1259
00:44:13,199 --> 00:44:14,840
 in the message of the gospel

1260
00:44:14,840 --> 00:44:16,000
 just the simple gospel

1261
00:44:16,000 --> 00:44:16,980
 that he has wiped

1262
00:44:16,980 --> 00:44:18,099
 all the slates clean

1263
00:44:18,099 --> 00:44:20,019
 that he has paid the debt

1264
00:44:20,019 --> 00:44:21,739
 that he has redeemed us

1265
00:44:21,739 --> 00:44:22,800
 from darkness

1266
00:44:22,800 --> 00:44:25,739
 we can walk in the light

1267
00:44:25,739 --> 00:44:27,880
 and we can actually be joyful

1268
00:44:27,880 --> 00:44:28,960
 and loving

1269
00:44:28,960 --> 00:44:30,800
 and spread his light

1270
00:44:30,800 --> 00:44:31,460
 and his love

1271
00:44:31,460 --> 00:44:32,280
 to other people

1272
00:44:32,280 --> 00:44:35,019
 and that's what we see here

1273
00:44:35,019 --> 00:44:36,679
 and so don't be discouraged

1274
00:44:36,679 --> 00:44:37,679
 if you see that

1275
00:44:38,480 --> 00:44:39,800
 oh there's so much injustice

1276
00:44:39,800 --> 00:44:43,360
 the Lord is going to reconcile it

1277
00:44:43,360 --> 00:44:44,679
 whether he reconciles it

1278
00:44:44,679 --> 00:44:45,659
 through Christ

1279
00:44:45,659 --> 00:44:48,639
 or whether he reconciles it

1280
00:44:48,639 --> 00:44:49,739
 through the punishment

1281
00:44:49,739 --> 00:44:51,280
 of the individual

1282
00:44:51,280 --> 00:44:55,679
 and everybody is invited

1283
00:44:55,679 --> 00:44:56,719
 to come and participate

1284
00:44:56,719 --> 00:44:57,920
 in this love

1285
00:44:57,920 --> 00:44:58,980
 and in this forgiveness

1286
00:44:58,980 --> 00:45:00,820
 so let's pray

1287
00:45:00,820 --> 00:45:02,679
 there's some questions we have

1288
00:45:02,679 --> 00:45:04,440
 we can break up into groups

1289
00:45:04,440 --> 00:45:05,920
 I actually have to head out

1290
00:45:05,920 --> 00:45:06,219
 in a minute

1291
00:45:06,219 --> 00:45:07,940
 because our little kids

1292
00:45:07,940 --> 00:45:09,599
 are in family night

1293
00:45:09,599 --> 00:45:11,159
 we got to get them to bed

1294
00:45:11,159 --> 00:45:12,480
 but I do have some questions

1295
00:45:14,219 --> 00:45:15,760
 and yeah let's pray

1296
00:45:16,380 --> 00:45:18,059
 so Lord thank you for

1297
00:45:18,820 --> 00:45:20,019
 this this message

1298
00:45:20,639 --> 00:45:21,539
 Lord thank you that

1299
00:45:23,059 --> 00:45:24,099
 you love us

1300
00:45:24,099 --> 00:45:24,940
 thank you that

1301
00:45:24,940 --> 00:45:26,059
 you have given

1302
00:45:26,059 --> 00:45:27,360
 your son for us

1303
00:45:27,360 --> 00:45:28,159
 on the cross

1304
00:45:28,159 --> 00:45:29,940
 and we are so thankful

1305
00:45:29,940 --> 00:45:30,880
 for that

1306
00:45:30,880 --> 00:45:32,500
 Lord teach us how to lead

1307
00:45:32,500 --> 00:45:33,380
 teach us how to lead

1308
00:45:33,380 --> 00:45:34,199
 in our families

1309
00:45:34,719 --> 00:45:35,780
 teach us how to

1310
00:45:36,679 --> 00:45:37,679
 walk in

1311
00:45:38,360 --> 00:45:39,360
 your forgiveness

1312
00:45:39,599 --> 00:45:40,639
 Lord that we would not

1313
00:45:40,639 --> 00:45:42,199
 be fearful of judgment

1314
00:45:42,199 --> 00:45:44,119
 Lord teach us how to sew

1315
00:45:44,119 --> 00:45:44,980
 and to reap

1316
00:45:45,679 --> 00:45:46,679
 spiritual things

1317
00:45:46,679 --> 00:45:49,000
 Lord as well as good things

1318
00:45:49,000 --> 00:45:49,960
 in this earth

1319
00:45:49,960 --> 00:45:50,980
 that you have provided

1320
00:45:50,980 --> 00:45:52,079
 and Lord we thank you that

1321
00:45:52,079 --> 00:45:53,260
 you are sovereign

1322
00:45:53,260 --> 00:45:56,099
 and you are sovereign

1323
00:45:56,099 --> 00:45:57,639
 over events

1324
00:45:57,639 --> 00:45:58,440
 that happen

1325
00:45:58,440 --> 00:45:59,179
 that are confusing

1326
00:45:59,179 --> 00:45:59,960
 and worse

1327
00:45:59,960 --> 00:46:01,079
 Lord and we pray

1328
00:46:01,079 --> 00:46:01,679
 that you would

1329
00:46:01,679 --> 00:46:02,480
 just help us

1330
00:46:02,480 --> 00:46:03,699
 to understand these things

1331
00:46:03,699 --> 00:46:04,519
 give us a spirit

1332
00:46:04,519 --> 00:46:05,019
 of wisdom

1333
00:46:05,019 --> 00:46:05,760
 and revelation

1334
00:46:05,760 --> 00:46:06,719
 that you would

1335
00:46:06,719 --> 00:46:07,940
 give us a fuller

1336
00:46:07,940 --> 00:46:09,699
 and more right

1337
00:46:09,699 --> 00:46:10,239
 understanding

1338
00:46:10,239 --> 00:46:11,960
 of who you are

1339
00:46:11,960 --> 00:46:13,219
 in Jesus' name amen

1340
00:46:17,059 --> 00:46:18,639
 Thanks for joining us

1341
00:46:18,639 --> 00:46:19,980
 at Lansdale Life Church

1342
00:46:19,980 --> 00:46:21,159
 as we praise God

1343
00:46:21,159 --> 00:46:22,539
 and discuss His word

1344
00:46:23,059 --> 00:46:24,460
 Don't forget to join us

1345
00:46:24,460 --> 00:46:25,420
 for Worship Live

1346
00:46:25,420 --> 00:46:26,260
 Sunday mornings

1347
00:46:26,260 --> 00:46:27,800
 at 10 a.m. Eastern

1348
00:46:27,800 --> 00:46:28,719
 on YouTube

1349
00:46:29,460 --> 00:46:30,159
 Be blessed

1350
00:46:30,159 --> 00:46:31,780
 and have a great day!