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1 Enoch 2–4 and 5 1–3 — Creation Keeps Its Appointed Order · A Tithe of Time Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to a tithe of time.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: Today we continue our study of the Book of Enoch with chapters 2 through 4 and chapter 5, verses 1 through 3.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: Creation keeps its appointed order.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_00: Reading from the R.H.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: Charles Translation.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: Observe ye everything that takes place in the heaven, how they do not change their orbits, and the luminaries which are in the heaven, how they all rise and set in order each in its season, and transgress not against their appointed order.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: Behold ye the earth, and give heed to the things which take place upon it from first to last, how steadfast they are, how none of the things upon earth change, but all the works of God appear to you.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_00: Behold the summer and the winter, how the whole earth is filled with water, and clouds and dew and rain lie upon it.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Observe and see how in the winter all the trees seem as though they had withered and shed all their leaves, except fourteen trees, which do not lose their foliage, but retain the old foliage from two to three years till the new comes.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: And again, observe ye the days of summer, how the sun is above the earth over against it, and you seek shade and shelter by reason of the heat of the sun, and the earth also burns with glowing heat, and so you cannot tread on the earth, or on a rock by reason of its heat.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: Observe ye how the trees cover themselves with green leaves and bear fruit.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: Wherefore give ye heed, and know with regard to all his works, and recognize how he that liveth forever hath made them so.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: And all his works go on thus from year to year forever, and all the tasks which they accomplish for him, and their tasks change not, but according as God hath ordained, so is it done.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: And behold how the sea and the rivers in like manner accomplish and change not their tasks from his commandments.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: Now let's look closer.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: The repeated invitation is simple.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: Observe, look at the sky, look at the earth, notice the seasons, the trees, and the waters.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: The passage asks its listeners to pay attention to things they can encounter in ordinary life, but its point is more specific than appreciating a beautiful landscape.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: The heavenly lights transgress not against their appointed order.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: Creation is described in the language of obedience.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: Its movements and seasons carry out an order established by God.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Notice too what steadfastness looks like here.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: The passage says God's works do not change, yet it describes leaves falling, new growth appearing, and summer following winter.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: Within this description, faithfulness does not mean everything stays in the same condition.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: It means these changes follow their appointed pattern.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: Chapter 3 singles out 14 trees that retain their foliage.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: It gives a number but does not name the trees.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: We should leave their identity open rather than supply a list the passage does not provide.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: The summer scene brings the listener directly into the picture.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: You seek shade and shelter.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: This is heat felt underfoot, on the earth, and on a rock.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: The account uses familiar experience to make its appeal.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: You already know these patterns because you live among them.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: Then chapter 5 connects those observations to their maker.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: The trees bear leaves and fruit because he that liveth forever hath made them so.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: Their recurring work is described as something they accomplish for him.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: The sea and rivers join that same picture.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: These observations prepare the comparison in the next passage.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: After describing creation's steadfastness, the address turns toward people with the words, But ye, ye have not been steadfast.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: That coming contrast explains why this section spends so much time asking us to look.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: This concludes creation keeps its appointed order.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: Next, we'll continue with 1 Enoch chapter 5, verses 4 through 9.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: But you have not been steadfast.
• 4:03
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, tithe your time.