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2 Samuel 14 (Part 2) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh · Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

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Let's come to second Samuel. Chapter 14.
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And let's plant ourselves to start here in verse 21.
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Sometimes it is very difficult to do the right thing that is
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essentially the summary of our study from this chapter that
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began last week and that summary comes from the observation that
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the man after God's heart, David was internally torn.
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Because of a dilemma concerning his son Absalom and this was the
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Dilemma the law demanded. That Absalom be put to death
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because he had killed his half-brother.
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At the same time. David without the crown was a
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father. And as a father, he yearned for
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the well-being of his erring child, even though Justice was
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did of him. So what is even going to do?
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Well, joab was observant of the internal struggle, that his
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friend, and his boss was dealing with on a day-to-day basis.
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And so, he comes up with a plan and the plan that job comes up
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with is to bring an actress, a very crafty woman to present a
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certain case, that would persuade David to finally,
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settle to settle the struggle and to make a decision, instead
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of wavering between two opinions, unfortunately, The
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persuasion is going to lead David to neglect and ignore the
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law. And instead pursued,
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disobedience, in the Name of Love, in the name of mercy and
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the name of forgiveness, whatever you want to call it
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nonetheless, it was deviance. It was to stray away from the
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truth and this woman speech that you and I studied last week is
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sort of a example. Of how Temptation works.
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Temptation often suggests to us that if we subscribe to the
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authority of the scripture, then you might be suddenly for
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something that is unjust unloving unwise and maybe even
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unable to bring about satisfying results.
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In other words Temptation tries to tell you that going with what
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God Said as your best and only option may not be your best
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option. That there are alternatives.
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This woman reminds us. That human wisdom is right
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there. Ready to tempt us to believe
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something other than what God had declared about the matter
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every single time, be aware of that be prepared for that.
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And how she presented the clan that demanded Justice for that
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murder that she presented in her story points to that truth.
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Those people, that family that wanted Justice in her story
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seemed to be inconsiderate and cruel. but with David did here,
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unfortunately, he's going to learn the hard way that no
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matter how loving or no matter how compassionate and
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alternative may be drifting away from the word of God, will
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always come at a greater cost than obeying it and that is
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precisely what we are going to finish.
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Studying the remaining verses in this chapter are going to
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compact that truth. That when we are debating
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between compromise or consecration, we must always
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trust God's word, no matter how painful it may seem or no matter
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how pricey it may be always. So the point of this Bible study
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tonight is to strengthen your resolve and to equip you in such
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a way that when that time of testing does arrive to your
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front step, you would have the example of David seen here, come
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before your mind to Remind you of obedience is worth it.
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It may not even make sense at this point, but I can trust the
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word of God. And no matter how appealing or
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no matter how profitable any other option, especially the
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options that try to convince you, otherwise should be
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rejected as soon as possible I want you.
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And I, as we begin to read these verses, look at three things
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concerning compromise. And the first thing I want you
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to see is David's commitment to his compromised, the commitment
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to his compromise. So we read in verse 21.
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Then the king said to Joe, I behold.
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Now, I grant this go. Bring back the young man.
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Absalom and job fell on his face to the ground.
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At paying homage and bless the king and George said today, your
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servant knows that I found favor in your sight.
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My Lord the king and that the King has, granted the request of
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his servant. So, joab, arose, and went to go
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ashore and brought Absalom to Jerusalem and the King said, let
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him dwell apart in his own house.
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He is. Not to come into my presence.
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So Absalom lived apart in his own house, and did not come into
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the king's presence. David's commitment to his
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compromise is highlighted in verse 21 verse 21 after
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realizing and learning. That Joy was behind this whole
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scheme David gives him the green light to fetch for Absalom.
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Now, you would think that if you've learned that a man like
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Joe, I was behind this whole facade that it would discourage
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you from moving forward with the idea because job was not the
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most righteous roster of David's men.
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Why? I agree with somebody who does
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not agree with the totality of God's word, makes you scratch
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your head. But we see here, David obviously
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is persuaded. To pursue and one might object
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and say well David was under an oath.
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Remember the woman brought David to such a point where he calls
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upon the lord's name and invokes his name to essentially seal the
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deal concerning his judgment about this parabolic incident.
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And David in that actually sealed his own decision
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concerning Absalom, lest he become a hypocrite by Taking
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Back his word. And so one might say, well, we
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have to have sympathy for David here because he is bound by a
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promise, a promise that includes Heavens courts, so to speak.
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But here's my question to you because the Bible presents vows
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and Promises on a whole other level than we do in this day of
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age. We can say, I promise or I will
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and that really means nothing to us.
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But in this time when you made a vow, your life was on it, you
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would rather die than break a promise that was the culture.
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That's really what God's word wants to instill in his people
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that you and I be trustworthy with our word, but is it the
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case that David was in a Position.
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Where you could not Escape, what he had said.
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That's my actual question to you.
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Now, you know, what will really help this will this will help.
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The this will help those who are senior students in our Friday
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night. Bible study, think back to the
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Book of Judges. Think back to the Book of
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Judges, where we studied a tragedy about a man who made a
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vow concerning. What?
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His daughter. Well, he didn't know what time
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that it would be about his daughter.
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He thought it would just about, hopefully, an animal or beast
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that would come to his sight when he returned from war after.
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God, gave him Victory. But it, in fact was his
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daughter. And he kept that, and he
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actually killed his daughter in the name of a promise.
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So now if you were there, you know, the answer, you know, the
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answer to what about to say. Was David in a position where he
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could not escape from his word. Yes, or no?
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Who says, yes. One of those again who says know
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who says, I don't know. And I don't care who knows that,
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I don't know. Okay, that's okay, I appreciate
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honesty. I am under the persuasion
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according to the scripture that David had the ability to revoke
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his promise. You know how I believe that not
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because of my subjective reasoning, Leviticus chapter 5,
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would you turn to the exciting and riveting Book of Leviticus?
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I don't say that sarcastically I love The Book of Leviticus,
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Leviticus chapter 5. If you view the Book of
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Leviticus through the New Covenant, it's an exciting,
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citing read and Leviticus 54. We receive instructions about
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how one can know relief after making a Arash foul, Leviticus 5
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verse 4, or if anyone utters with his lips, a rash oath to do
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evil. Do you see that or to do good,
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any sort of rash oath that people swear?
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And it is hidden from him when he comes to know it and he
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realizes his guilt? Well, let's pause there for a
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moment, okay? So here's here's the basis of
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the instruction, when somebody makes a promise or a vow to do
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something or not to do, But then somewhere along that he realizes
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his guilt, he realizes that he should not move forward with.
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This is there is a way of escape and it is Cheer verse 5 when he
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realizes his guilt and any of these, and confesses the sin, he
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has committed. He shall bring to the Lord as
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his compensation for the sin that he has committed a female
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from the flock, a lamb, or a goat, or a sin offering, and the
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priest shall make a atonement for him for his sin.
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So yeah, breaking your vow is wrong, in the sight of God, but
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if you have to break it, If you realize you're wrong and making
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it or in pursuing and moving forward with it, then there is
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atonement, that is available to avoid it to avoid it.
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And that was true for the man that we studied in judges.
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And that is true for David right here in this case with David
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should have done. If he knew the law as well as he
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should have, is pause and apologized for his mistake.
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I may have made a vow, but my vow was wrong.
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Excuse me, now, I have to go make a sacrifice to God and said
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he doubles down instead. He says, you know what, let's do
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this, I grant this thing, let's move forward with it.
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Unfortunately, he failed to see the lesson that is for you.
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And I today, and here's the lesson based on this instruction
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and what we see in David's life, no matter how committed you
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maybe to a sin, no matter how deep you might think you are in,
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you're wrong, it is never too late to escape never.
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You know, you have some people that rationalize like that you
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have some people who get involved in a relationship and
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they go so far deep in physical intimacy and they Think to
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themselves. Well, we've gone so far.
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He Why? Stop Now people actually think
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like this. Or you have people who mess
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around and are dishonest with their finances.
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And and they think that, you know, if I leave now I'll make a
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greater mass or if I stop this and will create more problems
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and so let me just move forward with it.
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Anyway, I'm already this deep, if I get caught, I get caught.
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What can I do about it? And the whole idea here is no
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like First Corinthians 10 promises as there is always a
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way of escape and like what we see here in Leviticus we can be
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assured that we can change courses and the earlier we do
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it. The better had David at stopped
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here. Had David said, I appreciate
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your appeal to me and how you're trying to persuade me to make a
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decision. But this is wrong.
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I can't do this. Then chapter 15 in chapter 16
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and all the tragedies and the following verses and paragraphs
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would not have happened. Wouldn't have been a civil war.
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Very likely absum wouldn't have died in a tragic way.
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And many other lives wouldn't have been lost at the same time.
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And so we have to understand here that David commits to his
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compromise when he could have escaped from it.
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And you and I have to understand that the direction of Our Lives
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does not have to be sealed by our foolishness.
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We can actually change course by realizing that God has provided
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forgiveness at any point of our disobedience.
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His commitment to his compromise.
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But the next thing that we see is the compensation for his
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compromised. There's compensation for his
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compromise, right? Where do you see that?
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We see it in verse 22 and joab. Fell on his face to the ground
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and paid homage and bless the king.
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And job said today, your servant knows that I have found favor in
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your sight, my Lord the king and not the King has granted the
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request of his servant. So once he receives the
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permission to fetch for Absalom, he falls face and he Praises
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David. He gushes out without Elation
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and appreciation. Whenever you and I deviate from
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God's word in anything, there are always be somebody who will
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be happy about that. When we compromise, you'll have
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people who will be happy about your compromise, there's no
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doubt about it. And for some that perceived
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reward is enough to drift I'm not saying that David did this
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because he wanted to make job hobby, but I'm also saying that
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job treating dating. This way did not make it for
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David to reconsider his choice and what job is doing here is
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what the woman Toccoa did with David, as well.
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So scroll back here to chapter 14, we're still in that same
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chapter. But look at verse 17, this is
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when the woman spoke to David and she said in your Our servant
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thought the word of my Lord, the king will set me at rest for my
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Lord. The king is like the angel of
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God to discern, good and evil. The Lord your God be with you.
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So here's this woman flattering David and there's so much irony
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here because she is essentially telling David and crowning
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David. Because of his discernment
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apparently. When he'll acted obviously, And
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in more than that, she Comforts David by invoking God's blessing
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upon him for making this decision.
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And so here, what here's what you and I have to understand, we
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have to be very careful of those who try to soothe our
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conscience, through flattery or through Vain and empty promises.
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There are people who make compromise much easier for us,
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who was celebrate our compromise, who will encourage
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it, who will dismiss the consequences of it.
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Who will, Who will try to keep your eyes on the prize for the
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decision that you made? And that is a scary thought?
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There's erroneous pronouncement of God's favor upon foolishness.
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There's this idea of support and people are lured and secured
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into their Disobedience because of others who who think the same
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way as you do, or at least want you to think the same way, you
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know what David could have done. You know what David should have
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done. Well, you and I have to do at
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all points in life. This is a snare that is easily
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avoidable and this is how you avoid it.
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Know what got know what God's word is know what pleases God
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and stick with it. That's it.
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I know it's not deep. I know it's not a quotable
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thing, but it's something that we need to reinforce more and
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more. What pleases God?
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No, it pursue it and stick with it.
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No matter who you disappoint in the process.
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This verse came to mind, it's an easy reference.
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And it's a life verse among many life versus Isaiah 222.
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It's very simple. You don't have to turn there but
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Isaiah 222. Makes this simple charge to all
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of us. Stop regarding, man.
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That's that's nice to put on a coffee cup.
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I think. Stop regarding man.
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Why whose nostrils is breath? Why for of what account is he?
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What is he saying? He's not saying disrespect those
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who have been created in the image of God.
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No, he's saying stop regarding the threats, the persecutions,
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The Persuasions of those who can't survive.
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Apart from oxygen. Who can die if they are
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smothered for just a few seconds.
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Why would you put yourself in the position of being governed
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by something or someone like that?
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Instead, allow your life to be governed by the one who created
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breath? Who created oxygen, who is not
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dependent on anything and all of creation to survive and thrive
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who is not thwarted in any way, who is not diminished in any
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way, who is not pushed in any direction, fear Him.
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Live for him, subject yourself to his sovereignty and stop
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regarding man. Stop considering what man thinks
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concerning what God has made so clear.
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And you avoid the snare that David unfortunately is entrapped
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by here. The compensation can only go so
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far because what David is about to do.
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Next is quite interesting. We talked about what We talked
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about his commitment to compromise.
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We talked about his compensation for compromise, very
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short-lived. Look at the complications of
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compromise, the complications of compromise, where do you get see
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that? The complications are found here
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in verse 24, and the King said, let him dwell apart in his own
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house. He is not to come into my
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presence. So Absalom lived apart in his
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own house and did not come into the king's presence.
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What's David doing here? Does anybody have an idea?
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Listen job, brings him back from Kishore into his home City.
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And in David, make sure that Absalom would never have access
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to his presence again. Keep him in his own home.
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He's essentially ordaining and ordering house arrest.
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Why do you think David is doing this?
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Okay, so he's trying to maybe sound tough.
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Yes. And there's a reason for that.
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Yes. Okay, if you season maybe you'll
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feel guilty and change his mind. Why do you think David is doing
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this? So David knows he's still in
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compromise. He's fully aware of the middle
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ground that he is playing on. And so what, he's essentially
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trying to do by restricting Absalom by putting him in house
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arrest, so to speak is maintaining some kind of
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righteousness in the midst of his disobedience.
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So David here is actually trying to appease two types of people,
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two groups concerning this ordeal, those who believe that
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Absalom should be free and to move about and go on would
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realize that he was brought back to Jerusalem.
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So that's pretty good. And job was a part of that camp
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while those who believe that Absalom should have punched and
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should have received capital punishment.
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Would see that's to some degree. There is some kind of discipline
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taking place as David restricts his movements.
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This is complicated. Because compromises, a very
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complex things for those who know the truth and for those who
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know, the truth and try to arrange their lives, the way
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David does here they can expect that by trying to calm their
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conscience. They will do something somewhat
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right while at the same time, fully entertaining, what they
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know to be wrong. That's an exhausting way of
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living. It's a very frustrating way of
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living for those who know the truth.
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And David is trying to do just that.
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And there are people, hopefully not here tonight who try to doll
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up their Disobedience by perfuming it with some kind of
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form of righteousness. and some of us use, Use that kind of
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tactic with so many Avenues in life.
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So, you do business in a shady way, but you give to a Ministry.
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Let me use the example, again of relationships, where you tell
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you, and your other lovely partner.
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We're not going to go past this and you, you just calm your
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conscience because you never cross that line, but you already
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crossed several lines before you got to that one.
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You have Ministries that want to maintain some kind of growth,
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some kind of life in their Ministry.
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So they feed sheep and they also feed the goats.
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And they try to do all that they can by avoiding that, which
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would offend one or the other, and here's the lesson for you.
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And I it's a very important lesson based on David's
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foolishness here that policy never works It never works. what
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I mean by that is when you try to play on both teams, it will
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backfire on you. And it usually backfires from
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both sides, by the way. And when David here is trying to
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do that, he doesn't realize that he's actually setting himself up
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for for great pain and disappointment and whenever you
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try to tolerate a sin that symbolize in Absalom that sin
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will not sit still for too long. Eventually it will demand more
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from you. And so by trying to keep Absalom
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quiet and by trying to silence others, who know of the whole
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situation, you are setting yourself up for great failure
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because the only solution to these issues is found in
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Revelation. Depart from Revelation and you
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will inherit much chaos and that is precisely what your rights
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are prepared to see through absalom's life.
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He will not stay in his position for too long eventually.
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He is going to do something more which is the nature of our sin
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does not stay in one place. When we tolerate it, what is
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about to happen. You ready for this?
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Look at verse 25. Now, in all Israel, there is no
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one so much to be raised for his handsome appearance as Absalom
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from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
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There was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his
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head, for at the end of every year, he used to cut it when it
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was heavy on him. He cut it.
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He weighed the hair of his head 200 shekels by the Kings, wait.
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Can I become the honest, what does that have to do with
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anything? So, we have this scene, right?
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And it's suspenseful job brings back.
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Absalom, Absalom, David wants nothing to do with him and a.
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Now we transition into a vignette of who Absalom is.
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And we are told about his Beauty and we're told about his hair
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and we're told about the weight of his hair.
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We're told about how he the barber once a year.
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And it's like, how does this reconcile with the narrative?
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Well, this is not accidental, nor is it, sloppy authorship.
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This is intentional and it's preparing us for what is about
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to take place. For whatever reason we are being
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told. Of the popularity of Absalom.
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And the popularity is tied into what his appearance and that
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from head to toe. There is not one defect in the
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man. He was gorgeous.
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Apparently just the sight of him, sweat people off their
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feet. His Beauty was the Talk of the
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Nation, right? He was on the cover of the
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magazine of that time. Every year supposedly.
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Is this information useful? And why is it important to
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understanding the whole text? Well, here's how you.
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Well, you know, I before I get there, why do you think it's
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important? Yeah, we're very drawn to
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charismatic. Beautiful talented people on a
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superficial level as well. Sure.
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Okay, so there's something about Absalom.
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Identifying, something about himself that it's vain.
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I think there's something there, too.
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Yes. Okay.
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Okay. I know what you're saying, and I
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think you're right, but not in ties with David and ties with
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somebody else. I'll explain in a moment.
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I'll take one more answer and we're going to move on.
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Did you have your hand up pika? Yeah, why are you cutting your
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hair? Making a public thing about it?
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Ah, his approach to people how he presents himself to people.
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So, the idea of how he cuts his hair says something about his
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character, you're right. the fact that we are being informed
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about absalom's beauty, Should cause us to reflect not too far
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back of the last time someone's Beauty was mentioned.
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When was the last time somebody's Beauty was brought
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forth to us. Not Bathsheba.
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KT all. Tom odd.
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Remember, go to 13:1 and you'll see it.
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So it's there. We're told about David's
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daughter who was beautiful. Her name was to mod and isn't it
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interesting that the same Hebrew word for handsome appearance
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concerning Absalom is used for Tamar concerning her beauty.
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And so, with that connection, with the the closest possible
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context. In mind.
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When we were told about Tom ours, Beauty, What followed was
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it good or bad? Trouble lies ahead and in the
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same way we are being prepared. As we were being told about
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absalom's, handsome appearance that there is danger.
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Before us, something is going to happen based on the fact that
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Absalom was a good-looking guy. Did Israel have a reputation of
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electing leaders based on outward appearance.
28:43
Yeah. And somebody mentioned the name
28:46
of the one King Saul. Who was taller than everybody
28:50
else and he was handsome and and that was attractive to the
28:54
people. And so they dismissed any other
28:56
deficiency and they upheld him and regarded him as their leader
29:01
though he was unqualified in many ways.
29:04
And so with with the distant context and the close contacts
29:08
of mine, what the holy spirit is trying to tell us with all of
29:11
this is hey watch out, something's about to happen.
29:15
This is not a good thing, you know what would make an
29:17
interesting Bible study. Maybe we'll do it.
29:19
And a, I don't know when we're going to do it, but I would love
29:21
to do it. To go through the entire
29:24
scripture from Genesis to Revelation and study.
29:27
Every person who we are informed about concerning their beauty,
29:33
when he good Bible study, maybe you disagree. and I thought
29:38
about it and I thought, okay well we're not going to do a
29:41
whole bible study on that tonight but when you think about
29:44
those who are referred to for their good, looks a majority, if
29:48
not all are exclusively found in the Old Testament, it's not a
29:51
new testament emphasis, it's not important in the New Covenant,
29:57
or the New Testament, rather Except for reference to Moses,
30:01
concerning his appearance as a baby.
30:04
So, it's found in the Old Testament.
30:06
And what's interesting is in most cases about those who are
30:10
beautiful both man or woman, There was trouble connected.
30:18
There was trouble one, they were either exploited for their
30:21
beauty or two. They either took advantage of
30:25
their appearance for selfish gain.
30:30
So a major percentage of those who were beautiful physically
30:35
speaking were actually in trouble and connection to their
30:41
beauty. Think of Sarah, even in her old
30:43
age, what happened to her because of her husband Think
30:47
about Esther, even right? She was brought into the courts.
30:50
I mean, that's not a safe environment to be in.
30:54
We think about Tom odd, right? We think about now even Absalom.
30:59
And so as we look at this, we have to understand that
31:03
absalom's beauty here is a problem and it is because it
31:07
will be used to win the allegiance of the nation.
31:10
It will persuade the masses to fall into his trap.
31:15
And the only difference between Absalom is and Tom odd, is that
31:18
Tom odd was undeserving Lee the object of harm because of her
31:23
beauty and absalom's case he will utilize his Beauty as a
31:27
weapon to Prey Upon weak-minded. People who can't think Beyond
31:32
skin and physical features. So absolom, here, concerning the
31:40
description of his looks his ready?
31:44
To show the trouble that will come with it and Beauty can
31:51
blind us and it will blind this nation because they will not
31:55
care about the fact that he killed his half-brother, they
31:58
want an idol. And in this case, the idol was a
32:02
prince, who was so Charming. And almost hypnotic with.
32:09
His physical appearance. And the main feature about
32:12
absalom's Beauty has to do with his hair and he cut the hair of
32:16
his head once a year at the end of the year, he would cut it
32:19
because it would get so heavy. We're talking about a few pounds
32:24
here. That's how dense and thick this
32:27
man's hair was. and for whatever reason, he would cut his hair
32:34
and report on it and he would like write down what it weighed
32:39
that year. And so he made a spectacle of
32:42
it, he made an announcement of it.
32:46
Why are you weighing your hair? It's very clear in our sister
32:52
already. Brought it up its to Signal the
32:55
source of his pride. This man was proud of his looks
33:00
he was not only praised for his looks he was very aware of it,
33:03
he would use it but he also praised himself for it and
33:08
encouraged others to praise him for.
33:10
Wow. Your hair weighed this much this
33:11
year. That's incredible.
33:13
And he was the Envy of both men and women.
33:17
And if you doubt that Absalom was doing this because of self
33:22
worship. Then look at this one verse and
33:25
just a few chapters will discover, look at this verse
33:27
that, that shows us and confirms us, what kind of app man.
33:31
Absalom was look at chapter 18 of second, Samuel Verse 18.
33:42
This is after Absalom was killed in war.
33:45
We're told now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up
33:49
for himself. The pillar that is in the Kings
33:52
Valley. For he said, I have no son to
33:55
keep my name in remembrance, he called the pillar after his own
33:59
name and it is called absalom's Monument to this day, who sets
34:05
up a pillar for himself while they're alive.
34:08
Who, who does that? Hua wrecks a memorial while
34:13
you're living, it's weird. And it's only indicative of one
34:19
thing that you are a self-exalting South worshipping
34:23
man. And so there is no doubt that
34:25
the fact that he cut his hair and presented it.
34:28
I don't know what else he did with it.
34:31
I cut my hair and I'm relieved and I don't think about it for
34:34
one second. This man made a shrine out of
34:36
his hair and not just out of his hair.
34:38
He made a shrine for himself, he wanted to be remembered even
34:43
after his death. So here's what's happening with
34:46
verse 25. And verse 26.
34:48
The Holy Spirit brings us to our attention from striking looks
34:52
and his Luscious Hair as a preface of an upcoming
34:57
Rebellion. And ultimately his downfall.
35:02
We are being prepared for Absalom.
35:05
Usurping, the authority of his father by seducing, the nation,
35:12
and his ultimate downfall because you can't have pride in
35:14
survive. In God's economy.
35:17
And in God's Universe, there is a law and it is as strong and as
35:21
the law of gravity, if you're proud, God will be against you.
35:26
And at one point, he will find a way to bring you down.
35:31
And this man. Is headed in that direction
35:34
because we are not going to see any sign of repentance anytime
35:37
soon. Or later.
35:39
Look what happens in verse 28. Let's read verse 27.
35:44
There were born to Absalom three sons and one daughter whose name
35:47
was Thomas. She was a beautiful woman.
35:50
That's just another sad thing to see because we read in 2nd
35:53
Samuel 18, verse 18. One that he apparently had no
35:57
son to keep his name in remembrance, but we're told
35:59
early on that. He had three, they must have
36:01
died in infancy. They must have died at a very
36:04
young age. Hema more oil memorialized.
36:09
His sister to mod by naming one of his daughters by her.
36:11
And it's I think the holy spirit's wave kind of giving us
36:14
some closure concerning her. Right.
36:19
That her brother showed some kind of respect her.
36:22
Do her other brother violated her And then verse 28, we read
36:28
so Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem without coming into
36:33
the king's presence. Two full years.
36:38
His patience word out, right? He's not doing this anymore.
36:41
So in verse 29, that Absalom sent for joab to send him to the
36:45
king. But job would not come to him,
36:47
and he sent a second time, but job would not come.
36:53
So, after two full years Absalom said enough is enough, I'm not
36:56
living this way. I'm going to make a move to try
37:01
to get before my father. Now, that seems like a noble
37:06
desire, but it's questionable because we know this man's
37:09
character If you feel like this is a small move on a chessboard
37:15
of a grander scheme, you're right.
37:18
This is not about Absalom wanting to restore his
37:21
relationship with his dad. This is Absalom wanting to
37:25
recover his Public Image. And what he's going to need for
37:30
the public image for his persuasion plan, is the approval
37:36
of his father, and he's not getting it.
37:37
His father made no moves in two years.
37:39
We learned already. That Absalom was a very patient,
37:42
man. He was willing to wait two years
37:43
to kill. His brother is willing to wait,
37:45
two years to see something happen with his father.
37:48
No sign of Hope. And so he's going to initiate
37:50
something and so he picks up the phone.
37:53
He calls joab voice picks up. The phone again calls, joab
38:00
voicemail again after 22 times sending the servants.
38:04
He realized this man is deliberately ignoring me.
38:08
He wants nothing to do with me. I read that today and I thought
38:12
to myself, I joab. Why after going to Such Great
38:16
Lengths, to convince the king, to bring your son back to
38:20
Jerusalem, would you not continue the process and bring
38:25
David and Absalom back together without tension without
38:29
separation? Why do you think job is not
38:34
answering the phone? Yeah, this is a very tricky
38:47
situation. It's clear that David doesn't
38:50
want to even entertain the thought of apps on becoming the
38:53
heir to the throne. I just, I did, what?
38:56
I could up to this point. I don't want to get involved
38:58
with it. That could be true.
38:59
Yes. Yeah, maybe this was enough to
39:25
satisfy David struggle. He's in close proximity.
39:29
That's enough. I've done my job.
39:30
There's no need to to try to advance or make this more
39:35
heartfelt than it needs to be. Perhaps we're not told why job
39:39
is not answering the phone, but one thing I do know about his
39:42
neglect is that he was not really concerned about true
39:45
reconciliation, between David and his son.
39:48
He was he was not about actually there being some kind of
39:53
restorative work, he could care less and it could be that what
39:57
he really had in mind. I mean we can speculate right?
40:00
But it could be that what job was doing was a military
40:03
strategy more than anything else that he was concerned of
40:06
absalom's distance and not being aware of his movements and so he
40:12
fulfills that ancient adage right.
40:15
Keep your friends close but who closer Your enemies closer.
40:21
Let's just bring them close enough so that we can supervise
40:25
him, but we don't need to make this whole thing about
40:29
reconciliation and having each other over again, just, let's
40:33
just have him near so that we can watch him and make sure they
40:36
didn't cause any trouble that could be very true as well.
40:39
But you know what? I find kind of funny that job
40:42
after trying to convince David to bring Absalom back.
40:50
Ends up being annoyed. But it is very same person that
40:54
he attempted to Bring back. And it goes to show that
40:59
man-made philosophy in human wisdom and cleverness, never
41:03
brings about true. Resolution it only agitates
41:07
things and only frustrates things and only brings more pain
41:12
than anything else and Bob's going to learn that lesson in
41:15
the more Grievous way in a second here.
41:18
So this was all jobs idea. Now, joab is paying the price
41:22
for his idea because he's being harassed by Absalom.
41:27
And so we already seeing early signs that this was not a good
41:30
idea. If you had just stuck with God's
41:32
word, you would have nipped this thing, but now it's taking on
41:35
its own life. Now it's germinating and it's
41:38
spreading and it's about to get out of control.
41:43
And look what happens. Next, this is what happens when
41:45
you don't answer your phone. And absalom's, life and Absalom
41:49
is worldview and verse 30. Then he said to his servants,
41:53
ejobs feel this next to mine, and he has barley there, go and
41:58
set it on fire. What how can we make that
42:04
equivalent and relevant today? Okay, you didn't answer my
42:06
phone. Pastor, Daniel, it's been it's
42:08
been two days. I'm gonna have somebody break
42:11
into your car. That will get your attention and
42:13
leave a note. Answer my phone calls.
42:16
That's essentially what's happening.
42:18
He sets the Mansfield on fire. And that gets his attention job
42:26
all for something appears, right?
42:29
All of a sudden he's there. He makes his way to absalom's
42:32
home and he asked the question. Then job arose and went to
42:37
Absalom at his house and set them.
42:38
Why have your servants set? My field on fire.
42:43
It goes to show what kind of man?
42:45
Absalom was it just gives us another hint of how he deals
42:49
with issues and how he gets what he wants.
42:52
He's spoiled He's not patient, he's Easily Aggravated and when
42:59
he doesn't get his way, he will do whatever he needs to do to
43:02
get his way. And it worked at least in a
43:06
carnal way job comes and he asked what he wants and as
43:12
Despicable as these actions are they do testify something about
43:16
human nature, does it? Not and I'm not talking about
43:19
how like Absalom people become insensitive when there's
43:24
Squeezed. And when they don't have what
43:26
they really, really want not talking about that.
43:28
I'm actually talking about joab. Saying, what do you mean?
43:34
It was Spurgeon, of course. Who made the masterful
43:39
observation concerning joab. That when God tries to get our
43:47
attention and we don't answer him, he often sends fires to get
43:51
our attention. And so he takes this example and
43:58
he applies it to our relationship with God.
44:03
And one might say well how can you apply this to God?
44:05
What Absalom did was wrong, it was evil.
44:10
It's arson. Well the only reason why what
44:13
Absalom did was wrong was because he burned someone else's
44:16
property. The differences with God, he
44:19
owns everything. Everything you have.
44:24
Belongs to God, whether you admit it or not, it's his, he
44:29
gives and he takes away. And with that truth, we say
44:33
blessed be the name of the Lord. And so when God does send things
44:37
that make us uncomfortable or that seems unfair that seems
44:43
Counterintuitive to our desires. Who's Lord here.
44:50
He's Lord. And I thought it was a brilliant
44:55
observation to say, yes, it is true that you and I are capable
45:00
of deviating from God. Walking away from God, ignoring
45:03
God. And when he makes appeals to us
45:06
over and over again through his grace, through his Messengers
45:10
through nudges, and we still keep our back toward him, he
45:15
will send some trials, he will afflict us.
45:20
He will allow the alarms to go off in life so that you can come
45:24
where you are supposed to remain in that is before him.
45:30
And job, exemplifies that. You know, the scripture warns us
45:34
just in case you think that this is reading too much into this
45:38
story. The scripture warns us in many
45:39
ways of how when you and I choose to be headstrong, God has
45:46
in his arsenal of wisdom. Very interesting means to make
45:53
us seek him again. Joab stubbornness here, though.
45:59
We can justify it is not justified in our walk with the
46:03
Lord. When we neglect his presence,
46:06
when we neglect his duty, if you really belong to him, he will
46:11
discipline you for the sole purpose of bringing, you back to
46:15
him and then you again, walking in his plan and purpose as a
46:19
priority. If you are a sinner who is not a
46:22
child of God, do you know what one of the evidences is that you
46:26
do not belong. NG to him, you will continue to
46:28
sin and God will leave you alone.
46:31
You'll continue to ignore him and go weeks and months without
46:35
spending time with him without being in the house of God.
46:38
And one of the signs that you are an illegitimate child.
46:41
Is that you will prosper. And that you will go on without
46:47
any divine intervention for the sole purpose of bringing back to
46:51
his Chambers. And if you want proof of that,
46:57
here's one of the strongest examples.
46:59
In Psalm 32 The verse 9. Here's the instruction from
47:06
David funny enough in the context of confessing his sin.
47:12
And people believe, Psalm 32 is the psalm that David wrote,
47:16
before, he confessed his sin after Nathan confronted him.
47:20
Psalm 51 is attributed to David's confession, people
47:24
believe. Psalm 32 is attributed to that
47:26
period where he was concealing, his sin and refused to come
47:30
before God. And look what we read here, in
47:32
verse 9, be not like a horse or a mule without understanding,
47:37
which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay
47:42
near you. He alludes to to Stubborn
47:48
animals horses or mules that tend to go off in their own way.
47:55
That tend to not stay in place but become independent very
48:00
easily and wander off. And he's saying, please don't be
48:05
like that. Don't be stubborn like that
48:08
because those kind of animals require instruments to Anchor
48:14
them and to keep them and to bring them where the owner would
48:17
want them to be. Or else they won't stay near
48:23
you. And unfortunately this this
48:26
verse describes a category of the children of God not all
48:30
children of God but he category of the children of God.
48:34
We're the only way they can actually stay near God is when
48:38
they are enduring a tragedy. The only way their prayer life
48:43
survives is if there are problems.
48:47
The only way they become serious about serving the lord is when
48:50
they come into contact with the fickleness of life and the
48:53
brevity of their existence. And they come, they come into
48:56
contact with something that shakes them and terrifies them
48:59
and hurts them. Even that is the only time where
49:02
they're serious about their spirituality.
49:08
And here's what we can this that's this is an inside but
49:10
there's also an application because she's saying don't be
49:12
like that, you know what? That tells me that every single
49:15
one of us here have the ability to reduce certain trials.
49:21
And sufferings, By doing one simple thing.
49:25
You ready for this staying near God when all is well.
49:32
What? This verse tells me is that
49:33
there are prescribed problems ordained and signed off in
49:39
heaven. That I can avoid if I spleen
49:43
know how to walk with Jesus when all is well.
49:48
Not only when all is hell. but when all is well, and if you are
49:56
a person that only knows how to hit their knees, Because you
50:02
know that something is happening or something is about to happen
50:05
and it's not in your favor. Then expect a lifetime of
50:09
bridles and bits being placed upon you by loving God.
50:14
In order to keep you near him. I don't want that, I don't
50:22
object to God's Sovereign ways in my life.
50:24
But if there is a way in which I can avoid unnecessary discipline
50:29
than Lord, teach me to love you and to serve you and to know you
50:33
and to pursue you even when nothing is going wrong.
50:37
See what God wants from us is more than just an emergency kind
50:41
of relationship. He wants more than that.
50:45
Now, many people have reduced their walk with the Lord to that
50:48
that that's not going to fly with God if you really belong to
50:52
him. If you're truly a child of God,
50:54
he will know how to implement the exact thing you need to make
50:59
you crawl back to him if need be And so enjoyed.
51:05
In an indirect way is an example of job.
51:10
I need you job. You haven't spent time with me
51:14
job. It's been a while since you've
51:15
come to the house of God job, you haven't served me with your
51:19
gifts yet. You want to make more money than
51:21
you want to make more disciples as all right.
51:25
Here's a fire. Oh God, I'm here.
51:28
Now, I'm a I worship you. Almighty God, there is none like
51:32
you can you extinguish this for me and he graciously does then a
51:36
few months go by and there you are again.
51:39
Alright, let's set another field on fire.
51:43
Oh Lord, I'm here again. Brothers, sisters, can you fast
51:46
and pray for me? Okay, let's do this.
51:49
What a, what a way to walk with Jesus.
51:54
That's not what God wants us. Not God's plan for you.
51:56
That doesn't mean we can't call upon him when times are tough.
52:00
But the call upon them only when times are tough.
52:04
Is not why the Holy Spirit lives in you.
52:10
And so joab. Here's amount of verse 31.
52:13
Then job arose and went to Absalom at his house and set
52:15
them. Why have you have your servants
52:17
set? My field on fire, Absalom,
52:18
answer, job behold. I send word to you.
52:21
Come here that I may send you to the king to ask.
52:24
Why have I come from Kishore? It would be better for me to be
52:29
there still. Now therefore, let me go into
52:31
the presence of the king and if there is guilt in me, let him
52:35
put me to death. Finally, drop comes into the
52:41
presence of Absalom. Here's the request plain and
52:44
simple. I want the presence of the king.
52:46
And again, this comes off as a noble desire, but we have every
52:49
right to question his motive and what's more disturbing?
52:53
Than his desire to be in the king's presence is absalom's
52:57
personal and self-assessment of his status before the king
53:04
before the law before. God, did you catch it?
53:07
Look at the wording. What does he say?
53:11
At the last part of verse 32 and if there is guilt in me, If
53:17
there is guilt. Hey, Absalom news, flash, there
53:20
is guilt in you. There's no ifs here.
53:24
There's no debate. Your murder cold-blooded.
53:29
How do you have the gall to even make that a matter of debate?
53:33
If there is any guilt in me you're guilty and everyone knows
53:38
it. And what this shows is that
53:41
Absalom really believe that he was justified in murdering his
53:44
half-brother like he actually was comforted by fulfilling his
53:51
murderous and vicious desires. And that kind of self-deception
53:59
and self-righteousness might work with a man, like King
54:03
David, but it will not work with the King of Kings.
54:08
It won't. Unlike absolem in order for us
54:12
to be recovered. Into the presence of God and to
54:16
no reconciliation with God. We must be honest.
54:22
About what it is. That separates us from God?
54:26
God requires honesty. And people, usually quote verses
54:32
but they chop up those versus not realizing the full
54:35
implication of what those verses, especially promises
54:39
entail. So here's one, he is faithful
54:43
and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all
54:45
unrighteousness, right? Hey man, we love that.
54:47
I love that. That should make us sing but you
54:50
forgot the first part. What was the first part?
54:53
If we confess, if we confess our sins, he is faithful.
54:57
And just to forgive us, our sins and to cleanse us from all
54:59
unrighteousness. There's a there's a contingency
55:01
here. God's faithfulness to forgive us
55:06
and to cleanse us depends upon our willingness to confess our
55:10
sins. No confession.
55:13
No forgiveness. No confession, no
55:15
reconciliation. He waits Upon Our confession and
55:19
confession requires honesty. Honesty.
55:27
God, this is what I am. This is what I've done.
55:34
Will you forgive me? See when we blame others.
55:38
For our own sins. We nullify the potential grace
55:42
of God being poured out on us. Why?
55:45
Because God wants to forgive you.
55:50
And if you don't confess what you have done, but projected on
55:53
others, God is willing to forgive them if they confess,
55:55
but he won't forgive you. So, you must be honest before
56:00
God. And this is what Absalom lacked,
56:03
obviously. And he wasn't just dishonest
56:06
about his sin. He was dishonest about his honor
56:09
to the king. Look, what happens verse 33,
56:11
then job went to the king and told him and he summoned
56:14
Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed
56:17
himself on his face to the ground before the king and the
56:20
King kissed Absalom. What a showman, he bowed himself
56:25
to the king and he shows honor to the king.
56:27
You know, what's happening in his heart, bitterness against
56:29
the very same men that he's bowing before.
56:32
In the very last chapter, he's going to conspire against his
56:34
father and attempt to kill him and all his other potential
56:39
threats. Bitterness in his heart
56:44
justification for his sin and he has the audacity to come and
56:48
bring homage to him. And David couldn't see past.
56:52
It David fell for it. But again, God sees what man
56:57
cannot see and before the Lord looks at our hands.
57:00
Our lips, our movements, our tears.
57:02
He looks at our hearts and he evaluates everything based on
57:05
the hidden most parts of Who We Are.
57:08
Case though, it worked for King David, it would not work with
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King Jesus and it's not difficult to contrast this
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example before us. Of a son seeking restoration
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with his father, seeking restoration with his status with
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a new testament. Favorite of many, The Prodigal
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Son. The Prodigal Son.
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Different in its own way. But similar, one of the
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similarities is in this real story and in that people you
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have a kiss from a father for his son.
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David kisses Absalom in the parable of the prodigal son.
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You have the father who leaps on the neck of his son and kisses
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him. Here's the difference.
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One is legitimate. The other is illegitimate.
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One is true restoration. The other is empty.
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And instead of ending this Bible study, looking at how we can
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fail to receive Restoration in our relationship with God.
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Let's look at how we can. So, let's end this Bible study
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in, Luke chapter 15. And I want you to see something
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that I hope will bless you, will bless the believer bless the
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non-believer. In Luke chapter 15.
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Let's go to verse 17. I wish we can read the whole
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thing but we won't be able to Luke 15 verse 17, the sun
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already asked for his inheritance.
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He went to spoil all that he had received from his father.
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A drought comes, he loses everything and he's now at the
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level of pigs. and something happens to this young man in
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verse 17, but when he came to himself, when he came to
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himself, he said, how many of my father's hired servants have
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more than enough bread but I perish here with my Hunger.
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You won't even begin to realize your need for God Until you
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realize how destitute you are right now.
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And that is why when we present the truth, We don't just tell
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people about a loving God, right?
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Because how they interpret that is, well, that's great.
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I think I have room for this loving God.
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No, you have to remind them of their filth.
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And that they are not children of God that needs to make more
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time for Daddy. They are Rebels.
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They're under the wrath of God. They will be judged for
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eternity, and there is only one savior who can rescue them from
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such a place and such a future in such a faith.
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This man realize his destitute condition but look what he says.
1:00:00
In verse 18, I will arise and go to my father and I will say to
1:00:04
him. Father, I have sinned against
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heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your
1:00:10
son treat me as one of your hired servants.
1:00:13
What is beautiful about that confession?
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Humility is displayed in. What ways, humility displayed in
1:00:22
this confession. Yeah, don't treat me the way.
1:00:28
Don't treat me as a son. I'm not even with abuse and
1:00:30
that's one. But the point that I'm trying to
1:00:32
make is the omission of something in this confession,
1:00:36
what is omitted in his confession?
1:00:41
Yeah, heaven. And you that's great.
1:00:42
Yeah. But what is missing in this that
1:00:44
is usually present in our confessions Excuses excuses.
1:00:52
The Bots and the IFS. Laura, father, I have sinned
1:00:57
against you, but look, I mean, young, man, my hormones, get out
1:01:00
of control. Sometimes, I just didn't see how
1:01:02
this would all, and I didn't realize it disrespect.
1:01:05
I was showing you, you know, just boys will be boys, right?
1:01:08
Father, you get it is right. You were a boy wants, none of
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that stuff. None of that stuff.
1:01:15
It was partially his fault. She has a part of the planet.
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Nothing. I have sinned.
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Plain and simple. I'm wrong.
1:01:23
I'm guilty. That is what moves the heart of
1:01:27
God, that kind of humility, that kind of honesty and that is
1:01:32
required. Just like in absalom's case,
1:01:34
right? He was missing that honesty.
1:01:37
And what what is needed to even know.
1:01:39
The first steps of reconciliation with God is just
1:01:43
that that transparency, that humility that has not tried to
1:01:47
even justify one part of Who You Are.
1:01:51
But just comes as you are but look at the second thing where
1:01:54
did the sun say he would go when he realized where he was when he
1:01:58
was awakened to the disaster of a life that he was in?
1:02:03
I will go where I will arise Verse 18 and go where to my
1:02:08
room, to my warm bed to my job. To my links, to my friends.
1:02:16
I will go where To my father. True Confession.
1:02:26
True. Repentance prioritises, the
1:02:30
relationship that you want with God.
1:02:34
That's true repentance. When people repent and say you
1:02:38
know I want to come back to my family.
1:02:41
That's a fringe thing. I want to come back to my
1:02:43
Christian Community, that's a French thing.
1:02:44
I want to come back to church, that's a French thing.
1:02:47
The first thing that you should be concerned about in your sin
1:02:50
and when you want to turn from your sin is I won't God.
1:02:53
I want him again. I want to walk with him again.
1:02:55
I want to know him again. I want his favor to shine upon
1:02:58
me again. I want to know that I'm pleasing
1:03:00
him again. That is very much Miss and
1:03:03
people's confession and repentance.
1:03:06
I've seen it, I've heard it with my own eyes, my own ears
1:03:09
throughout the years. You see people remorseful when
1:03:12
they are in the wrong and what do they tend to emphasize?
1:03:15
I hurt my wife, I hurt my kids. I lost my job.
1:03:19
I hurt my pastor. I hurt my fellowship.
1:03:22
That's fine. But you know, who's missing it?
1:03:24
All of that God, and it tends to always be the case.
1:03:28
I very little hurt. When people come with
1:03:31
confession, I've broken God's heart in this.
1:03:35
And that is the complete opposite of what David shows in
1:03:37
Psalm 51 against you. And you only have, I sinned So
1:03:43
there's a worldly sorrow, right? There's a worldly sorrow that
1:03:46
looks at the Earthly and horizontal consequences of are
1:03:49
wrong and there's a Godly sorrow.
1:03:51
And one of the signs of Godly sorrow is that, you know, you've
1:03:53
offended God and you want to be restored to God. and here we see
1:03:59
the product listing, I will go to my father I will go to my
1:04:03
father. and lastly, we see something that is important that
1:04:09
it's maybe overlooked the sun actually got up and went look at
1:04:15
verse 20, and he arose and came to his father, he rose and came
1:04:18
to his father. Some people up at honesty?
1:04:25
And self-awareness. Many people who are backslidden
1:04:29
and many people who are sinners. They know they're in sin, they
1:04:33
know that they're in the wrong, they know that they're not in
1:04:36
the will of God, they know it. They tell themselves that they
1:04:40
come to a meeting like this. And after the service you talk
1:04:42
to him and say, are you doing, I'm not doing the best.
1:04:45
I've not in the will of God, and they know that and they'll
1:04:47
confess that But God doesn't want you to stop there and
1:04:52
that's not what get it. That's not what's going to bring
1:04:54
reconciliation to you. You have to actually make the
1:04:58
move and say, okay. Now I'm going to actually turn
1:05:01
from this thing that I'm wallowing in and make my way
1:05:04
before the presence of God. Right?
1:05:09
And so you can think about how you're wrong, you can rehearse
1:05:12
how you're in Disobedience, you can stay up all night, all you
1:05:15
want. But the thing that will change
1:05:17
is when you say okay enough is enough.
1:05:18
Now I got to actually come to him.
1:05:23
And speak to him and open my heart before him and spill
1:05:28
everything out and trust that he will accept me and he will
1:05:31
accept you. It's not enough to know that you
1:05:35
are in the wrong, it's time to repent.
1:05:37
And the way we know that he repents has as our brother said,
1:05:40
he he tells himself when I come to him I'm going to say I'm
1:05:42
worthy to be called your son treat me as one of your
1:05:46
servants. You know how I translate that?
1:05:50
As I come to you do with me as you please.
1:05:55
Whatever you see fit for me. I will accept.
1:06:00
And you fashion me and you ordained for me, whatever you
1:06:04
desire, because I tried doing it my way, I tried orchestrating my
1:06:07
life according to my wisdom and my pleasures, and I failed, I
1:06:12
come to you now. And the other translations, this
1:06:15
transition, the ESV says, treat me.
1:06:18
Other translations say, make me Make me make me.
1:06:22
Make me following humble honest. Confession is genuine sincere
1:06:31
repentance. And what repentance looks like
1:06:33
is It's your way. Not mine.
1:06:35
You tell me what to do. You tell me where to go?
1:06:39
I'm no longer walking the way I want to walk.
1:06:42
You are now The Sovereign Lord Of My Life.
1:06:46
Grace, you Empower me to live and love you.
1:06:52
That's True, Confession. And what do you have?
1:06:56
You have a father who showed his love?
1:07:01
Embrace him didn't even let me finish his old presentation
1:07:04
because the father knew his actions, the actions spoke
1:07:08
louder than the words. He was not waiting for this
1:07:10
elaborate speech. The fact that he came dragging
1:07:12
his feet Was enough for the other to see past everything
1:07:16
that he could have said he say you want to come back, don't
1:07:19
you? And here's where we can end
1:07:24
tonight that if there's anybody in this place, who desires, true
1:07:27
reconciliation with the anointed one.
1:07:30
The one that David points to the son of David, the Messiah, the
1:07:34
resurrected King who Reigns on high tonight.
1:07:38
Here's what I call you to do. Be honest about your sin, in
1:07:42
your condition, don't try to decorate.
1:07:45
It don't try to lighten. The severity of it.
1:07:47
Just come honest before, God, and as you come on us before
1:07:51
God, Also come. To God is the object of your
1:07:58
desire. And from there be willing and
1:08:04
confess your willingness for God to faction you and make you and
1:08:08
do with you as he pleases. And you will know a legitimate
1:08:14
comforting reassuring Embrace from God.
1:08:19
That was Secure you and overwhelm you with his Mercy, in
1:08:23
a way that will motivate you to live holy unlike anything else.
1:08:28
David gives This Kiss of approval to Absalom.
1:08:33
And it will really be the kiss of death.
1:08:37
Because that's all Absalom needed.
1:08:41
To continue with his agenda, to persuade, a nation to come
1:08:45
against his father. Aren't you glad?
1:08:53
That is great of a man. David was our God is greater
1:08:58
People wonder what is the point of 1st, Samuel, second, Samuel
1:09:01
Kings Kings, awesome story practice, but every time you and
1:09:07
I face a king, no matter how great or treacherous they were,
1:09:11
it's to remind us. Every King will fail.
1:09:14
You, every leader will let you down.
1:09:17
No matter how powerful, no matter how impressive, no matter
1:09:20
how beautiful, no matter how wise, no matter how strategic,
1:09:24
no matter how prosperous, no matter how administrative they
1:09:27
are, they will fall. A short and it's supposed to
1:09:30
cause in you and ache to say, is there not a perfect King?
1:09:34
Is there not a true king? That will be lasting in his
1:09:38
righteousness consistent with his character, promising with
1:09:41
his provision and example that I can follow someone that I can
1:09:45
worship. I remember being on a flight in
1:09:47
my early years of walking with the Lord and had a friend beside
1:09:50
me. We were coming from a
1:09:51
conference, all those were the days, man.
1:09:57
If you're a young in here, can I just give you some advice if
1:10:01
you're young in here and you have not yet entered into the
1:10:04
chapter of life where you have more responsibilities than as a
1:10:06
single person does? Or student does not.
1:10:11
Like, I'm not negating. The fact you have
1:10:12
responsibilities. Can I tell you something?
1:10:14
Take advantage of that season of life.
1:10:18
Grab a handful of brothers or sisters.
1:10:20
Just go hard after God. Like, just go to go to those
1:10:25
conferences, get in the car and drive to another state for the
1:10:28
sole purpose of worshipping, God, and being with God's
1:10:30
people, serve with everything within you, just go for it.
1:10:35
I praise God for those times. Anyways, menacing We're flying
1:10:40
back from a conference on good old Spirit Airlines.
1:10:47
And as we're flying back into Canada, I looked over to my
1:10:51
friend and he had tears in his eyes and he had his Bible open
1:10:53
before him with whatever tray was there.
1:10:58
So what's wrong? Because I'm reading first and
1:11:00
second Kings said, okay because just failure after failure.
1:11:08
Disappointment after disappointment. one botched
1:11:13
leader, following the next We look at each other we said,
1:11:18
well, isn't that the point? We serve one who will never fail
1:11:22
us. Whose constant who is the same?
1:11:26
Who will rule and reign in righteousness?
1:11:30
Who will order his steps and determine his Direction in such
1:11:34
a manner? That no one can point and find
1:11:35
fault in him. That is the king that we serve.
1:11:38
And as you hear this Bible study, as we prepare to even go
1:11:41
into First Kings and second Kings in a few weeks and months,
1:11:44
let that be the banner of that Bible study.
1:11:48
There is one true king who is alive and well and will return
1:11:51
very soon. And when he comes he will say,
1:11:53
ah, here he is the one that we've been waiting for.
1:11:56
Well, we do love you and we thank you.
1:11:58
We worship you tonight with so much that has been said, We do
1:12:02
not pray now. With absent-mindedness, we are
1:12:07
fully aware of every word that was uttered.
1:12:10
Every Insight that was shared. Lord.
1:12:15
We look at you as the true and living King and we are happy
1:12:20
blessed to know. That you are, unlike any other
1:12:27
Lord. If there's anyone here who has
1:12:29
made a commitment to compromise. If there's anyone here who is
1:12:32
entertaining that commitment due to small and meaningless
1:12:38
compensation. But if there's anyone who is
1:12:40
now, experiencing the complications of compromise,
1:12:43
may, they know. Now, may they know at this very
1:12:45
instant that they can change, the course can be altered.
1:12:51
And look, there's anyone here who knows that they are in the
1:12:54
wrong but they don't know how to make the way back to you.
1:12:59
O, Lord, May The Prodigal Son. Be our model it made me realize
1:13:04
that all you require is honesty. And all you ask is for us to
1:13:08
make you the object of our desire.
1:13:09
And all you look for is for us to say, make me as you would
1:13:12
make me, treat me as you would treat me.
1:13:17
And Lord made that same person be comforted to realize that the
1:13:21
experience of that prodigal son, is our inheritance as well in
1:13:24
the gospel that you will Embrace us.
1:13:27
You will clothe us and you will see Celebrate our repentance.
1:13:34
Well, we do worship you tonight. We thank you for what you have
1:13:36
said to us. Now we say back to you how much
1:13:38
we love you and song. More importantly in The Way We
1:13:40
Live Help Us by your grace in Jesus name.
1:13:44
Amen. Let's stand together and
1:13:45
closing.