1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:12,240 First Kings 10 verse 14. Father, with great gratitude in 2 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:16,680 our hearts, we are thankful that we can be reunited, reunited 3 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,040 around your word and we pray that at this time you would 4 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:23,640 assist us as you have been assisting us in song and 5 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:25,920 attentiveness. Lord, empower us now as we 6 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:27,560 engage with. The Word of God. 7 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,200 We pray that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation would be 8 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:33,520 our guide. We pray Lord, that our hearts 9 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:36,800 would thirst for the scriptures, that we would not find ourselves 10 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:40,440 indifferent or self-sufficient or self reliant. 11 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:44,040 Lord, we lean into you with expectation, believing that even 12 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:48,040 in this portrait of the Word of God we will have fresh eyes and 13 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:52,400 receive fresh insight for our hearts and for our worship's 14 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,800 sake. We look to you again, trusting 15 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:59,480 in your provision. For our manna in Jesus name we 16 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:00,760 pray. Amen. 17 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:05,519 It is no surprise to any serious student of the Word of God that 18 00:01:05,519 --> 00:01:09,240 the scriptures is a comprehensive and intricate 19 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:15,480 text, and by virtue of its depth, one of the features of 20 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:18,800 the detailed portions of the Word of God is that there is an 21 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:23,400 absolute record of numbers. Numbers. 22 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:27,680 I'm talking about actual numbers and when we read these numbers, 23 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:32,040 majority of them just deal with the numbering of people, tribes, 24 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:35,040 nations, maybe some items here and there. 25 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:40,360 And most of that testifies to the historicity of the 26 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:43,200 scriptures, their eyewitness accounts of these biblical 27 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:46,160 events. Apart from that, you might find 28 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:50,840 the value of numbers in predictive prophecy where God, 29 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:55,200 in desiring to showcases foreknowledge will tell of an 30 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:59,360 event that is yet to come to pass and we'll even at times 31 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:04,040 give the number of years or days that this thing will occur. 32 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:10,759 And in other cases, when we look at numbers in the Bible, the 33 00:02:10,759 --> 00:02:15,440 Holy Spirit in his perfect authorship grants us patterns 34 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:18,600 throughout the scriptures with certain numbers in order to 35 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:21,200 communicate certain spiritual truths. 36 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:25,040 And there are many examples of this that we've seen that we 37 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:27,680 might be familiar with. The number that comes to mind is 38 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:34,280 the number 40, a very prominent and obvious number from cover to 39 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,760 cover. We think about the 40 years that 40 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:38,720 the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. 41 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:42,120 We think in the New Testament, of the 40 days that Jesus spent 42 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:47,240 in his own wilderness. I think of Goliath, who spent 40 43 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:51,480 days taunting the nation of Israel, and the list goes on and 44 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:55,600 on and on of how there is this consistent association with the 45 00:02:55,600 --> 00:03:02,800 number 40 and the idea of testing or time of trial. 46 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:08,360 The Bible makes that clear. It's obvious to us because the 47 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,880 Bible makes it obvious to us. Now, unfortunately, there is 48 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,440 some who have taken the numbers in the Scriptures to another 49 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:20,280 extreme, where they feel as though every number has symbolic 50 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:22,640 value, every number has significance. 51 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:25,520 And so they spend their efforts and their energy trying to 52 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:30,480 decode some secret meaning by using some numerical value 53 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:34,680 system or these elaborate equations that really end up 54 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:36,880 leading us into strange conclusions. 55 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,520 That is a dangerous way of handling the word of God. 56 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,600 And the reason I'm saying all of this at the outset of our Bible 57 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:46,920 study tonight is because we're going to read a few verses, and 58 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:51,800 the first verse that we're going to encounter contains a number, 59 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:55,680 a number that we are familiar with that should stop us in our 60 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,880 tracks. And so let's read these verses. 61 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:00,800 We're not going to read the entirety of the rest of this 62 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:04,120 chapter, but just the first few. And then we will take our time 63 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:06,600 to dissect what the Holy Spirit has to say. 64 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:10,520 Verse 14. Now the weight of gold that came 65 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:16,120 to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, besides that 66 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:18,800 which came from the explorers, and from the business of the 67 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,839 merchants, and from all the kings of the West, and from the 68 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:25,160 governors of the land. King Solomon made 200 large 69 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:29,320 Shields of beaten gold. 600 shekels of gold went into each 70 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:34,080 shield, and he made 300 Shields of beaten gold. 3 Minas of gold 71 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:37,040 went into each shield, and the king put them in the House of 72 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:40,400 the force of Lebanon. The king also made a great ivory 73 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:42,920 throne and overlaid it with the finest gold. 74 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:46,680 The throne had six steps and the throne had a Round Top and on 75 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:50,000 each side of the seat where armrest and two lines standing 76 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:53,880 beside the armrest, while 12 lines stood there, one on each 77 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:58,240 end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was never made in 78 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:01,760 any Kingdom. All King Solomon's drinking 79 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:04,360 vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the 80 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,040 Force of Lebanon were of pure gold. 81 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:09,800 None were of silver. Silver was not considered as 82 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:15,280 anything in the days of Solomon and so again we read of these 83 00:05:15,280 --> 00:05:18,680 vast numbers and the one that should stand out to us is what 84 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:23,800 we find here. In verse 14 we read of his 85 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:29,560 yearly salary and the number is 666 talents of gold. 86 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:33,680 Some estimate the value of that to be in the hundreds of 87 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:39,200 millions of dollars. This man's wealth was 88 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:43,320 unprecedented. Israel's prosperity was unlike 89 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:47,440 at any time in its history. And as we look here, we might 90 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,200 think to ourselves, is this strange coincidence? 91 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:53,280 Is there anything worth meditating on here? 92 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:58,200 Some would say let's just move on, this is simple coincidence, 93 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:02,360 let's not make too much of this. And others would say hold on, 94 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:07,080 maybe there is something deep here because this is such a rare 95 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:13,280 number in the Bible. So the number 666 is found how 96 00:06:13,280 --> 00:06:15,800 many times in the scriptures if you include this text? 97 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:21,840 Are you sure? Look at everybody. 98 00:06:21,840 --> 00:06:26,080 Attentive for Bible study. We are going to deal with those 99 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:27,800 two. And there is another one. 100 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,360 There is a total of three. Let me give you a couple seconds 101 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:31,840 to think where you might find it. 102 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:37,200 If you do know where it is, well in the Bible, study here and 103 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:40,600 just rejoice because it's a very obscure passage. 104 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:46,480 The only other place #666 is found is in the book of Ezra in 105 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,960 Ezra chapter 2 verse 13, where we read a list there of the 106 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:54,640 returning exiles, and this number makes up of the sons of 107 00:06:54,640 --> 00:07:01,080 Adunaikim 666. So we have 666 here with 108 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:05,320 Solomon, 666 in terms of the return, exile, and where's the 109 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:10,320 last number of 666 found in the Book of Revelation, chapter 13? 110 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,880 When the Holy Spirit deals with the beast or the Antichrist, 111 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:19,040 what do we make of this? What do we do with this? 112 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:23,560 Is John by the Spirit, referring to one of these two Old 113 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:27,440 Testament passages to provide greater insight into what may 114 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:31,760 seem like a cryptic message concerning the Antichrist? 115 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:34,520 Well, let's think about it for a moment here. 116 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:39,920 If we look at this number again, you mentioned earlier that there 117 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:44,400 was two times that it is referred and I think that number 118 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:48,520 two is important because Ezra doesn't have the same 119 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:52,960 overlapping themes as Solomon's context and revelations context. 120 00:07:53,520 --> 00:08:00,040 In other words, the number 666 is linked to two individuals in 121 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:03,480 all of the Bible and all of the scriptures and all the God 122 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,440 breathed records. This number is linked to only 123 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:12,120 two distinct people, and I think there's something there for us 124 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:17,400 to consider. If we think here about Solomon 125 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:23,680 and we link it with Revelation 13 again, there might be not 126 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:28,280 including Ezra's reference, some kind of connection, some kind of 127 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:30,440 parallel, and these are just suggestions. 128 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:33,600 These are not dogmatic, but something worth chewing on and 129 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:37,320 maybe exploring further concerning the artistry and the 130 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,600 mind of God. Look at Revelation 1318 with me 131 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:46,680 as we look at where this other reference of 666 is mentioned in 132 00:08:46,680 --> 00:08:51,800 Revelation 1318. The Holy Spirit says this calls 133 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,440 for wisdom. Let the one who has 134 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:57,880 understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is 135 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:02,960 the number of a man and his number is 666. 136 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,000 The first thing that I want to bring to your attention is that 137 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:12,040 both individuals and this number are tied to the theme of wisdom. 138 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:16,080 The theme of wisdom. In Solomon's case, we know that 139 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:19,840 he was a ruler who wielded supernatural wisdom. 140 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:23,920 In the case, in the context of the beast, we are called to 141 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:28,080 exercise wisdom and understanding his nature, his 142 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:32,000 character, his identity. There's a second thing. 143 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:34,760 There's a second, perhaps pattern that's worth 144 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:37,360 considering. Both individuals in the number 145 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:43,040 666 are contextually associated with the practice of business 146 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:49,960 and trade and commerce, and both exercising unusual economic 147 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:54,320 authority and power. So keep your finger there in 148 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:58,880 Revelation 13 and go to 1617 and notice what's mentioned with the 149 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:02,000 Beast. We're told here concerning the 150 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:07,120 Beast and his image. Also, it causes all, both small 151 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:12,160 and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be 152 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:17,400 marked on the right hand or the forehead so that no one can buy 153 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:22,400 or sell unless he has the mark that is the name of the beast or 154 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:26,280 the number of its name. So here we're told of this, 155 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:27,960 Mark. We're told of this beast. 156 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:32,600 And we're told that this beast, this political figure, will be 157 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:37,760 able to cause people to feel trapped, that they won't be able 158 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:41,720 to do simple transactions or simple business apart from 159 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:43,680 pledging their allegiance to him. 160 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:48,200 And again, that number is linked to that context and that 161 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:52,200 experience in that reality. And we come back to our text of 162 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:53,600 our study. And what do we read in First 163 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,400 Kings 10? Well, let's read again verse 14 164 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,000 to verse 16. Now the weight of the gold that 165 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:03,440 came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, besides 166 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:06,560 that which came from the explorers and from the business 167 00:11:06,560 --> 00:11:10,520 of the merchants and from all the kings of the West and from 168 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:14,280 the governors of the land. Again, just consider the themes 169 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:17,120 here. You have this number that's 170 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:23,360 linked to this economic realm, both here with Solomon and the 171 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:28,200 Beast, who share this number. There's a final thing, and I 172 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:29,720 think it is the most significant thing. 173 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:36,000 It is the placement of this number, 666, in Solomon's story 174 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:41,840 and what it is preparing us for. So we look at these verses and 175 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,320 we read a few of them, and we might get the impression that 176 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:47,920 this is some irrelevant, meaningless summary of Solomon's 177 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:49,400 wealth. And that would be wrong. 178 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:52,400 That would be wrong, because there is, of course, practical 179 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:54,440 insight. But this is setting the stage 180 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:58,720 for a very important chapter in Israel's history, and that's 181 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:02,520 First Kings 11, where Solomon will commit apostasy. 182 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,240 And so we read of the talents of gold here that he was able to 183 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:09,560 acquire. And more than that, we read of 184 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,960 his accumulation of more wealth, and what he does with it are 185 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:15,600 serious flags concerning his faith. 186 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:19,680 This is not just a catalogue of what he owns. 187 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:27,800 This is indicators and reminders of the compromising flaws that 188 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:32,120 he tolerated, the issues concerning his character. 189 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,160 And so we look at this man and he might think, yes, it's 190 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:38,640 speaking highly of him, but it's really not. 191 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:43,680 This man is about to depart from his allegiance to the Lord and 192 00:12:43,680 --> 00:12:49,680 will worship false gods. And what about the beast? 193 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:55,120 What about Revelation 13? Again, what do we just cover? 194 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:59,600 Well, we glazed on the fact that there is this kind of connection 195 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:01,960 with the call to wisdom. Solomon had the wisdom. 196 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:06,160 We are called to have wisdom. We see this practice of the 197 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:11,720 business trade and commerce and merchants and selling and buying 198 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:14,560 both associated with this number in terms of its placement. 199 00:13:15,560 --> 00:13:19,520 And lastly, we see the theme of apostasy. 200 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:26,600 This is going to be a set up for us to see the decline of 201 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:28,480 Solomon. And what do we read of the 202 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:31,320 beast? We read of him calling for 203 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:34,600 people to make a complete departure from the true God and 204 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:38,400 his gospel. And not just that, but to 205 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,600 worship something. Else, and that's found in 206 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:47,480 Revelation 14, you know, you had people ask is the vaccine. 207 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:51,040 The mark of the beast, have you been asked that I got some 208 00:13:51,040 --> 00:13:55,680 emails is the COVID-19 maybe we have to take that thing out. 209 00:13:55,680 --> 00:13:58,400 So the mention of that just in case of censorship. 210 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:07,520 Is the thing, is it the mark? Because look, we can't go into 211 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:10,320 our favorite restaurants and we can't travel and we can't do 212 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:12,760 this. No, it's not the mark for one 213 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:17,200 main reason. The mark will be a pledge of 214 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:22,680 worship to a man, to a man. And here's what we're told in 215 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:27,680 Revelation 14 verse nine. And another Angel 1/3 followed 216 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:32,240 them, saying with a loud voice If anyone worships the beast and 217 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:36,360 its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 218 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:38,280 then he goes on to explain in verse 10. 219 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:40,760 That the wrath of God is reserved for such a person. 220 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:45,800 So again, both contexts containing the number 666 are 221 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:49,480 closely connected to idolatry. And if these points are 222 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:52,520 persuasive to you, let me warn you that in no way am I 223 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:56,120 suggesting that the Antichrist is going to be some kind of 224 00:14:56,120 --> 00:15:01,720 reincarnated Solomon. But perhaps the thematic 225 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:08,640 overlaps provide us this ominous understanding this layer to many 226 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:11,160 other layers, and understanding the beasts and revelation. 227 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:16,400 An insight that may suggest how, like Solomon, there is a future 228 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:20,440 leader who is to come, and initially he will present 229 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:30,320 himself as unbelievably wise, incredibly powerful one who will 230 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:34,560 shape culture and bring nations to their knees. 231 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:40,920 And yet, eventually. Will lead the masses into false 232 00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:45,640 worship. This is what we see here with 233 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:50,280 this number. And so this is verse 14. 234 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:54,920 But we read on and we read a verse 16. 235 00:15:55,440 --> 00:15:59,000 King Solomon made 200 large Shields of beaten gold. 600 236 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:02,720 shekels of gold went into each shield, and he made 300 Shields 237 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,880 of beaten gold. 3 Minas of gold went into each shield, and the 238 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:08,560 king put them in the House of the forest of Lebanon. 239 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:11,520 We've dealt with the House of the Force of Lebanon in a past 240 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,320 Bible study. We use this as a reference to 241 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:18,000 confirm that it was most likely utilized as an Armory for the 242 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:20,960 nation of Israel. But there is another meaning 243 00:16:20,960 --> 00:16:22,840 here. There's something else for us to 244 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:27,040 be able to apply to our lives because in just a few chapters 245 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:30,040 we're going to see reference to not just this place, but to 246 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:33,680 these Shields that were used in this Armory for a decorative 247 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:35,400 purpose. You're not going to use golden 248 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,160 Shields to go to war. But again, this man had such 249 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:42,640 overwhelming income of gold, it's as though they just wanted 250 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:45,480 to do so much with it and things that didn't even seem to make 251 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,600 sense, like golden cups as we read. 252 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,880 But there's a spiritual principle with this, and it's 253 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,920 only when you come to 1st Kings 14 where you read of Solomon's 254 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:59,240 son, Rehab Ohm, that you learn why this is an important thing 255 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:02,680 to grasp. Rehab Ohm will also fall into 256 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:06,400 idolatry. Worse, he will commit more 257 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:12,520 grievous rebellion against God than his Father's, And after a 258 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:16,440 few short years, the Lord's patience wears out and he 259 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:20,520 exercises divine chastisement toward Rehoboam. 260 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:24,480 And the way that he does it is that he allows the king of Egypt 261 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:28,119 to be unleashed and to ransack Jerusalem. 262 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,720 And here's what we read in verse 25 of First Kings 14. 263 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:36,960 In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak, King of Egypt 264 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:40,960 came up against Jerusalem. He took away the treasures of 265 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,600 the House of the Lord and the treasures of the King's house. 266 00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:49,120 He took away everything. He also took away all the 267 00:17:49,120 --> 00:17:51,720 Shields of gold that Solomon had made. 268 00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:56,680 And King Rehoboam made in their place Shields of bronze, and 269 00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:59,680 committed them to the hands of the officers of the guard who 270 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:03,200 kept the door of the King's house. 271 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:08,840 So Solomon during his reign was able to create these beautified 272 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:13,320 Shields to decorate this glorious house known as the 273 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:16,800 House of the Forests of Lebanon. And just in a matter of five 274 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:21,120 years, five years into the reign of his son, those Shields are 275 00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:25,280 removed and they are replaced with something inferior, these 276 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:29,200 Shields of brass. And again, you look at that and 277 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,560 you see that as an unfortunate transition, right? 278 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:33,480 No, there is a spiritual lesson there. 279 00:18:33,480 --> 00:18:38,040 Because again, the reason for these Shields being removed was 280 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:41,920 the consequence of sin. Here's the lesson. 281 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,240 If you just look at these verses and you connect them, This is 282 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:47,040 why. Let me remind you, read your 283 00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:49,320 Bible a verse a day ain't going to cut it. 284 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:52,920 If you want Revelation, finish the book that you started. 285 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:58,920 So I read here in chapter 10 that there's this elaborate 286 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:01,400 Shields being placed into this house. 287 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:04,720 And then in few chapters I realize that a king removes them 288 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:07,440 from Egypt. He takes them and this is the 289 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:12,800 result of divine discipline. Sin will always impoverish you. 290 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:21,440 Sin will always lessen the quality of life that God has in 291 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:25,680 mind for us. Sin steals from you. 292 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:32,640 Sin will diminish and take from you not the physical but the 293 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:36,840 spiritual treasures that the Lord longs to adorn you with. 294 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:43,040 Sin robs sin takes saying brother. 295 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:45,400 Why is this important? For many reasons, Because often 296 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:47,680 times when we're tempted to sin, we think we're gaining 297 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:50,600 something. We think we're adding something. 298 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:53,040 We're adding a thrill. We're adding purpose. 299 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:56,880 We're adding safety. We're adding peace. 300 00:19:57,120 --> 00:19:59,640 We're adding happiness. No, no, no. 301 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:03,920 Be reminded, even in this illustration, sin will always 302 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:07,880 grab, and often times take more than you anticipated. 303 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:11,280 Because there are some smart sinners out there who know that 304 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:13,160 there is always a price to any decision. 305 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:15,920 But in their foolishness, they would think, well, no. 306 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,640 And sin, though I'm making some kind of an investment. 307 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:22,040 I'm getting more in return. No, you're always going to lose. 308 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:26,200 And here's poor rehoboam thinking to himself that 309 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:30,400 although the consequence of sin cost him something and made his 310 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:34,120 reality a little bit more empty than it was before, he thought 311 00:20:34,120 --> 00:20:38,000 that he can replace the blessing of God with cheap substitutes. 312 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:42,320 They took the gold, let me replace it with brass. 313 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:46,440 And what are sinners doing now? As they depart and turn their 314 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:50,320 back on the true and living God? They try to fill that empty void 315 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:54,640 with other things, the thing that only God can fill and 316 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:56,960 complete. They try to do themselves 317 00:20:57,160 --> 00:21:00,320 instead of seeing what sin is doing to their soul, eroding 318 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,080 their soul, decaying their hearts. 319 00:21:03,640 --> 00:21:08,040 Instead of repenting, they try to patch it up with their own 320 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:11,520 ideas and schemes and even some with more sin. 321 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:16,160 Here's what the prophet Jeremiah spoke to his generation 322 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:20,280 concerning sin. Jeremiah 525, if we can put it 323 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:23,440 up, this is one of my favorite verses And confronting sin, 324 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:27,120 confronting sin in my life, Confronting sin in the lives of 325 00:21:27,120 --> 00:21:30,280 those that I love. Jeremiah, the prophet told this 326 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:34,320 to his people of his time and it's insightful concerning what 327 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:39,520 we read with this idea in mind. Well, if it's not there, you can 328 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:42,720 turn there. And Jeremiah 525, we read. 329 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:45,280 Your iniquities have turned these away. 330 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:50,000 Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have 331 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:58,320 kept good from you. Highlight it, under score it, 332 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:01,920 and if you feel it necessary, put it somewhere above your door 333 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:07,880 before you leave your house. Your sins have kept good from 334 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:11,520 you. That's one of the tragedies of 335 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:14,240 sin, unrepented iniquity and transgression. 336 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:18,720 It takes, it keeps from you that which God longs to lavish you 337 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:21,560 with. And this is the case with 338 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:24,600 Solomon in his time. Yes, he's going to lose out in 339 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:27,280 his own day, but we see Rehoboam, who unfortunately 340 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:31,120 follows in his steps. And has robbed the blessing in 341 00:22:31,120 --> 00:22:34,320 his own day. That's what we learn about these 342 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:35,680 Shields. Isn't that amazing? 343 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:38,560 Who knew that golden Shields could teach us about sin? 344 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:42,360 Let's come back to our main text, shall we? 345 00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:46,160 Verse 18. The king also made a great ivory 346 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:49,120 throne and overlaid it with the finest gold. 347 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:52,760 The throne had six steps and the throne had a Round Top, and on 348 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:55,560 each side of the seat were armrest and two lines standing 349 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:57,600 beside the armrest. While the 12. 350 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:02,120 Line stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps, 351 00:23:02,120 --> 00:23:04,600 the like of which it was never made in any Kingdom. 352 00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:06,320 You're supposed to be amazed by this. 353 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:08,000 You're supposed to be in awe of this. 354 00:23:08,360 --> 00:23:10,200 You're supposed to visualize this. 355 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:14,640 Here's this glorious throne and these engraved decorative 356 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:18,840 emblems around this throne, and it speaks of the splendor of 357 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:22,560 this man, the majesty, the magnificence, the brilliance of 358 00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:25,160 his rule, of his reign, of his authority. 359 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:29,240 Clearly it was designed for those who at this time would 360 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:33,360 step into that scene to be overwhelmed with a sense of, 361 00:23:33,360 --> 00:23:35,640 again, the things that I mentioned, but including the 362 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:40,800 sense of justice. And yet, as we look at this, we 363 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:44,880 learned of it, of another Bible study that it would be temporal. 364 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:48,520 It's a temporal glory. It is glorious. 365 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:51,840 It is majestic, but the grandeur of it becomes nothing in a short 366 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:57,200 amount of time. And so it really is like a 367 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:01,760 firework. The peak of Solomon's success. 368 00:24:02,360 --> 00:24:07,080 And even the beauty demonstrated with examples like this is like 369 00:24:07,080 --> 00:24:10,280 a flash in the sky. It moves you for a moment, but 370 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:14,840 it ends up turning into smoke and ash and disappears in the 371 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:20,360 wind, never to be seen again. But look at this verse again. 372 00:24:20,360 --> 00:24:25,000 Look at this image with a wider scope of scripture in view. 373 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:27,720 The scripture speaks of many Thrones. 374 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:31,640 The scripture speaks of Thrones, that have been raised, Thrones 375 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:34,920 that have been brought low. But there is only one throne, as 376 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:39,200 you know, that will be eternal, and its glory will never fade. 377 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:42,000 It will never be challenged. It will never be overthrown. 378 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:46,840 It will remain stable, and we will forever marvel at it. 379 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:49,720 Not because of what that throne will be made of, but the one who 380 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:54,720 occupies the throne, the wisdom of that king, the love of that 381 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:59,400 king, the power of that king. We will never lose our sense of 382 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:01,520 Oz. We look upon him who sits on 383 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:06,400 that throne and will sit on it forever and ever, and the Bible 384 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:09,240 gives us glimpses. I was I stepped back this 385 00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:12,000 afternoon, and I thought to myself about the throne of Jesus 386 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:16,600 Christ and the variety of its characteristics that should 387 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:20,560 cause my heart to worship. What are we to anticipate when 388 00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:23,560 we see him receiving his rightful due? 389 00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:28,040 And this is one verse that came to mind among many verses, 390 00:25:28,040 --> 00:25:30,960 right? The verse of him who yes, will 391 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:33,040 be a king and a priest on the throne. 392 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:36,240 The extent of the authority of that throne, those who will 393 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:39,840 bring their gifts and submit to the lordship of that Yes, all of 394 00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:42,200 that is wonderful. But may I present to you an 395 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:46,560 aspect of the throne of Jesus Christ that should cause your 396 00:25:46,560 --> 00:25:48,840 knees to be weak and to bow before it. 397 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:52,080 Now. Revelation 321. 398 00:25:53,680 --> 00:26:00,800 Here is the Lord Jesus himself speaking to one of the most 399 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:03,720 spiritually deprived churches out of the seven in the Book of 400 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:08,400 Revelation. This is this is in reference to 401 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:10,640 this is in the context of the lukewarm church. 402 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:15,640 Some interpret the seven churches as a prophetic 403 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:20,000 timetable of the condition of the church until the return of 404 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:21,880 Christ. I don't necessarily see it that 405 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:24,000 way. But this is speaking about the 406 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:27,800 lukewarm church, the church that felt as though they were 407 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:30,200 self-sufficient. This the church that felt as 408 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:34,160 though they had need of nothing, This church that prospered in 409 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:37,120 every way you can imagine except for their Spirit. 410 00:26:38,360 --> 00:26:41,840 The Lord has a word for them, a word of rebuke scathing, word 411 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:47,480 blistering. And he gives this church a 412 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:50,480 church that he says if you don't repent, I'm going to vomit you 413 00:26:50,480 --> 00:26:52,800 out of my mouth. I mean, this is the Lord Jesus 414 00:26:52,800 --> 00:27:00,520 Christ speaking here that seems so hopeless, that seem to be so 415 00:27:00,520 --> 00:27:04,760 despised. And yet is promise one of the 416 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:07,560 greatest rewards, an unthinkable, inconceivable 417 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:11,040 reward for those who seem to be so far from the standard of 418 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:13,480 holiness that Christ longs from those that he has purchased. 419 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:17,880 Here's his word to them in verse 21, the one who conquers. 420 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:24,520 I will grant him to sit with me on my throne as I also conquered 421 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:26,560 and sat down with my Father on his throne. 422 00:27:28,120 --> 00:27:31,880 You see that? He's telling a bunch of lukewarm 423 00:27:31,880 --> 00:27:34,000 Christians if you conquer. Conquer what? 424 00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:38,120 Conquer lukewarmness. Conquer indifference. 425 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:44,760 Conquer self-reliance. If you're able to live in 426 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:47,720 victory over that, do you think many people suffer with 427 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:50,040 lukewarmness? Yes. 428 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:52,200 And here's the promise to the Lord. 429 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:55,400 If you are able to walk in victory over that, If you are 430 00:27:55,400 --> 00:27:57,720 willing to remain in fellowship with me. 431 00:27:59,000 --> 00:27:59,840 If you. Are willing to. 432 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:04,800 Consistently allow your heart to place me as your supreme desire 433 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:08,040 and your supreme source of all that you need. 434 00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:11,240 I will give you this reward. I will allow you to sit. 435 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:15,040 With me on my throne. Now think about that. 436 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:19,840 That moves me. And I move you into confusion, 437 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:24,400 because you just heard me say that this eternal throne, this 438 00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:28,440 throne that will never lose its glistening glory, the thing that 439 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:30,400 makes it so glorious, is the one who sits upon. 440 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:32,440 And now you're telling me that we're going to sit on it with 441 00:28:32,440 --> 00:28:35,560 him? It's less glorious now. 442 00:28:37,120 --> 00:28:42,560 No, it's more glorious because you and I sitting on his throne 443 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:48,240 is not so much US sharing in his identity or sharing in his 444 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:53,840 exaltation as him being virtue, God, and King. 445 00:28:55,080 --> 00:28:58,680 We sitting on His throne, more than anything else, are 446 00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:02,400 demonstrations and displays of His glory and grace. 447 00:29:03,120 --> 00:29:05,760 We are trophies of His mercy. This is what the Lord is 448 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:08,720 communicating. We are trophies of His 449 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:12,720 compassion. And so again when we think about 450 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:14,720 the throne of Christ in this light. 451 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:18,720 The glory of it exceeds Solomon's for many reasons, and 452 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:21,520 and here's one of the reasons when we'll see it, we will see 453 00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:23,960 grace. We're not just going to see 454 00:29:23,960 --> 00:29:25,200 justice. We're not just going to see 455 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,560 power and authority. We're going to see grace. 456 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:32,840 Because look at those whom he is willing to sit with him, those 457 00:29:32,840 --> 00:29:37,560 who were once lukewarm, those who once found satisfaction and 458 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:40,280 other things content and worldliness, but repented. 459 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:43,640 Those whom he has purchased by faith and was able to empower 460 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:47,400 unto holiness. This is the grace of this king, 461 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:50,800 and that will move us to worship as we stand before it. 462 00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:56,360 And so whatever you see with Solomon's throne, it pales in 463 00:29:56,360 --> 00:30:01,000 comparison. It is eclipsed by the absolute 464 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:03,640 depth of the majesty and the magnificence of the one who 465 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:07,080 occupies this throne, the Son of David, who will rule forever and 466 00:30:07,080 --> 00:30:12,680 ever. And we read on verse 21, all 467 00:30:12,680 --> 00:30:16,080 King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the 468 00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:19,080 vessels of the House of the Force of Lebanon were of pure 469 00:30:19,080 --> 00:30:21,400 gold. None were of silver. 470 00:30:21,400 --> 00:30:25,240 Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon. 471 00:30:25,240 --> 00:30:28,920 Can you imagine that? Let's add this verse connected 472 00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:32,040 to this. Look at verse 27 and verse 27. 473 00:30:32,040 --> 00:30:36,920 We read and the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, 474 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:43,200 and he made cedar as plentiful as the Sycamore of Shephilah. 475 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:46,600 Think about this. You have silver now that has 476 00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:49,480 been reduced to the value of rocks. 477 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:54,840 The thing that was prominent, the things that was so 478 00:30:54,840 --> 00:30:58,720 available, was gold, and there was so much of it that silver 479 00:30:58,720 --> 00:31:02,600 was an afterthought. That's not the case today and 480 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:04,640 there are very few. I can't think of any time in 481 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:09,320 history where this is the case. Silver was as though it was like 482 00:31:09,320 --> 00:31:11,440 stone, and there's a lot of stone in Israel. 483 00:31:13,600 --> 00:31:16,200 And again, we look at this and we get a snapshot of the glory 484 00:31:16,200 --> 00:31:20,520 of this man's reign, surely. But again, there is a timeless 485 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:22,680 principle that's not difficult to perceive. 486 00:31:22,760 --> 00:31:26,840 The this characteristic of Solomon's reign reminds us that 487 00:31:26,840 --> 00:31:29,480 the value of materialism is not permanent. 488 00:31:30,640 --> 00:31:34,960 It's not permanent. It's vacillating potential is 489 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:38,240 true of this life, and the change of its worth is certain 490 00:31:38,240 --> 00:31:42,760 in the life to come. That's an important word for 491 00:31:42,760 --> 00:31:46,360 many of us. Many of us who chase after these 492 00:31:46,360 --> 00:31:50,920 things I like to jokingly refer to the streets of gold in 493 00:31:50,920 --> 00:31:52,880 Jerusalem. The thing that people die, 494 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:56,000 cheat, lie and betray over will become pavement in heaven. 495 00:31:57,520 --> 00:32:01,760 Here we see silver becomes as nothing, as nothing in the days 496 00:32:02,840 --> 00:32:06,920 of Solomon and it's so sad to see the investments that Solomon 497 00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:10,840 makes here. You you might be impressed. 498 00:32:10,840 --> 00:32:13,120 I might be impressed. But it's actually a sad sign. 499 00:32:13,120 --> 00:32:17,600 The reason why it is a sad sight is because Solomon was to be 500 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:20,360 preoccupied with something else. And there seems to be no 501 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:23,720 indication that he was preoccupied by what I'm about to 502 00:32:23,720 --> 00:32:27,000 show you. Because in this catalog, you see 503 00:32:27,000 --> 00:32:29,480 one achievement after the next. You see the wealth coming in, 504 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:32,680 and you see how he applies the wealth, extravagance, luxury, 505 00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:34,960 things that we would never do with what he had. 506 00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:38,960 I never thought to myself, you know, I think one day I want my. 507 00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:40,760 Cupboards to be filled with cups of gold. 508 00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:44,520 Where have you gone in your success for you to think this 509 00:32:44,520 --> 00:32:47,280 way? And again, this takes time, 510 00:32:47,280 --> 00:32:52,920 effort, thought, strategy. And as I peeled back from these 511 00:32:53,360 --> 00:32:56,920 verses, I thought, but wasn't he supposed to be busy with 512 00:32:56,920 --> 00:33:00,120 something else? Yes, we see here the 513 00:33:00,120 --> 00:33:02,520 faithfulness of God to an extent, where he promised 514 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:05,280 Solomon, you asked for wisdom, and I'm going to honor you. 515 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:07,640 Not just with wisdom. I'm going to give you riches and 516 00:33:07,640 --> 00:33:09,720 honor. We see a fulfillment of God's 517 00:33:09,720 --> 00:33:12,000 faithfulness here. But there was something even 518 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:15,800 further back that was supposed to be characterizing every king, 519 00:33:15,800 --> 00:33:18,640 not just this king. If we don't. 520 00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:21,080 Get the impression with all the things that we read here that 521 00:33:21,080 --> 00:33:26,280 Solomon was at that place. Here is the law of God 522 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:30,400 concerning the future kings of Israel, and before we even turn 523 00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:33,400 there, maybe as returning there in Deuteronomy 17 verse 18. 524 00:33:33,400 --> 00:33:37,680 Do you remember what the king was to do after not doing 525 00:33:37,680 --> 00:33:39,960 certain things? He was not to acquire many 526 00:33:40,320 --> 00:33:42,440 wives, he was not to acquire many horses. 527 00:33:42,440 --> 00:33:45,840 He was not to acquire too much wealth, right? 528 00:33:46,560 --> 00:33:48,240 But there was something he was to do. 529 00:33:48,240 --> 00:33:51,320 There was something he must do. Do you remember what it was? 530 00:33:53,840 --> 00:33:58,560 He was to take a copy of the law and write a personal copy for 531 00:33:58,560 --> 00:34:05,000 himself. You want a exciting assignment 532 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:06,840 in your life. If you have the time, I 533 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:10,360 challenge you to do that. Take the book of Deuteronomy and 534 00:34:10,360 --> 00:34:11,920 write it word for word in a journal. 535 00:34:15,480 --> 00:34:16,920 That's what every king had to do. 536 00:34:18,199 --> 00:34:21,639 A king, yes, but a scribe in some sense as well. 537 00:34:22,120 --> 00:34:24,080 It was to be approved by the Levites. 538 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:28,960 But every king, for many reasons, was to have a personal 539 00:34:29,080 --> 00:34:31,880 copy of the law in their hands, and not just to write at once, 540 00:34:32,159 --> 00:34:34,120 though that would cause them to be very familiar with the 541 00:34:34,120 --> 00:34:37,280 passages and the context. It was also to be something that 542 00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:39,560 they were to make personal. It was a way of saying, make 543 00:34:39,560 --> 00:34:42,760 this personal in your life, and absorb it, and read it and 544 00:34:42,760 --> 00:34:47,280 digest it every single day. So let me read these verses to 545 00:34:47,280 --> 00:34:50,120 you. We read in Deuteronomy 1718. 546 00:34:50,120 --> 00:34:53,719 And when he sits on the throne of his Kingdom, he shall write 547 00:34:53,719 --> 00:34:59,120 for himself in a book a copy of this law approved by the 548 00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:03,920 Levitical priest, and it shall be with him, and he shall read 549 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:08,360 it all the days of his life. Then he may learn to fear the 550 00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:11,800 Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these 551 00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:14,760 statutes, and doing them. Why don't we complete in verse 552 00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:16,320 20? What do we read there? 553 00:35:16,440 --> 00:35:20,000 That his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that 554 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:23,160 he may not turn aside from the commandment either to the right 555 00:35:23,160 --> 00:35:27,880 hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his 556 00:35:27,880 --> 00:35:30,880 Kingdom, he and his children and Israel. 557 00:35:30,880 --> 00:35:35,360 I love how there is a promise concerning relating to the word 558 00:35:35,360 --> 00:35:41,160 of God and humility. You read this word every day 559 00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:47,240 with humility, with hunger, with transparency and eagerness. 560 00:35:47,240 --> 00:35:50,520 One of the rewards of that is that it will humble you and it 561 00:35:50,520 --> 00:35:54,560 will keep you humble. You're not reading the Bible, 562 00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:56,680 right, if you're proud by reading it. 563 00:35:57,640 --> 00:35:58,960 You're not reading the Bible, right? 564 00:35:58,960 --> 00:36:03,440 If you're puffed up after you've studied it, it's supposed to 565 00:36:03,440 --> 00:36:06,560 humble you. Which tells me that in great 566 00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:09,440 part, when I read the Bible, I'm supposed to see God. 567 00:36:10,280 --> 00:36:15,160 I'm supposed to see the Lord and how transcendent he is and how 568 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:18,880 real he is and how he is able to intervene both for. 569 00:36:18,880 --> 00:36:23,840 Good and injustice. And it's supposed to cause me to 570 00:36:23,840 --> 00:36:27,520 feel small and to keep me dependent. 571 00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:31,280 And the power of this word is not just to do that for those 572 00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:34,640 who feel small and other aspects of life, but even for kings, 573 00:36:35,280 --> 00:36:38,040 even for rulers, even for leaders of nations. 574 00:36:39,480 --> 00:36:42,720 And so his heart would not be lifted up. 575 00:36:43,400 --> 00:36:46,840 And not only that, there is a connection between knowing 576 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:48,360 people. People ask, should I read my 577 00:36:48,360 --> 00:36:51,520 Bible every day? Here's a wonderful proof text. 578 00:36:52,840 --> 00:36:55,440 Here's a wonderful proof text. Let me ask you this question. 579 00:36:55,440 --> 00:36:58,000 Do you want longevity in your faith, in your character? 580 00:36:58,520 --> 00:37:01,360 Because that's what's promised to the kings that he may 581 00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:05,200 continue long in his Kingdom. I can tell you the reason, one 582 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:08,360 of the reasons why people don't go long in their faith, in their 583 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:11,520 consistency and consecration. At some point they abandoned the 584 00:37:11,520 --> 00:37:15,160 word of God. At some point they abandoned 585 00:37:15,160 --> 00:37:15,920 everything. Well, no. 586 00:37:15,920 --> 00:37:17,640 I know preachers who did this or do that. 587 00:37:17,640 --> 00:37:20,800 Yeah, but did they read it? And did it cause them to be 588 00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:22,720 humble? Or were they just looking for 589 00:37:22,720 --> 00:37:24,560 another sermon because they wanted a paycheck? 590 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:31,040 Big difference that he may continue long in his Kingdom. 591 00:37:31,040 --> 00:37:33,720 I want to know success for the long run. 592 00:37:35,720 --> 00:37:39,200 Well then you're going to have to know the word of God and 593 00:37:39,240 --> 00:37:42,160 listen. Having a Bible on your night 594 00:37:42,160 --> 00:37:45,080 stand is not enough. Visiting it from time to time is 595 00:37:45,080 --> 00:37:47,160 not enough. Remember again the great 596 00:37:47,160 --> 00:37:49,320 investment that a king was to make with the word of God. 597 00:37:49,640 --> 00:37:52,960 Write it. Write a copy of it. 598 00:37:53,080 --> 00:37:56,160 What does that entail? That entails dedication. 599 00:37:57,360 --> 00:38:01,760 That entails discipline. That entails commitment. 600 00:38:03,040 --> 00:38:05,400 Get to the word of God. Get familiar with the word of 601 00:38:05,400 --> 00:38:08,200 God. Every time I read of Apollo's, I 602 00:38:08,200 --> 00:38:10,680 like to go into the King James Version, just for that part, 603 00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:13,960 because I like how the King James words his commitment and 604 00:38:13,960 --> 00:38:15,280 his relationship with the word of God. 605 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:18,720 We're told there that he was mighty in the. 606 00:38:18,720 --> 00:38:20,880 Scriptures. I like that. 607 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:23,720 I want to be mighty in the scriptures. 608 00:38:24,800 --> 00:38:29,360 I'm not too concerned being mighty on the bench press or 609 00:38:29,360 --> 00:38:31,720 mighty on social media. If I want to be mighty in 610 00:38:31,720 --> 00:38:34,760 anything, it's in the Bible, it's in the Word. 611 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:40,520 Of God mighty in the scriptures. OK, I'm getting. 612 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:42,440 I'm losing track here. We have to go back to original 613 00:38:42,440 --> 00:38:43,440 thought. Look at verse 18. 614 00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:47,840 One more time, we're told again. When he sits on the throne of 615 00:38:47,840 --> 00:38:50,960 his Kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this 616 00:38:50,960 --> 00:38:54,040 law approved by the Levitical priest. 617 00:38:55,320 --> 00:39:00,960 So again we here see that the King of Israel was to labor. 618 00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:03,560 He was to labor over the word of God. 619 00:39:04,080 --> 00:39:06,320 That includes making a personal copy of it, and that includes 620 00:39:06,320 --> 00:39:13,320 him reading it and instead. We read of these other 621 00:39:13,320 --> 00:39:16,160 achievements that that are nice. They're not necessarily evil in 622 00:39:16,160 --> 00:39:18,720 itself, though there are concerning achievements at the 623 00:39:18,720 --> 00:39:26,000 end of this chapter, and Solomon reaches a height in his success 624 00:39:26,000 --> 00:39:30,000 where he makes. Silver to be as valuable as 625 00:39:30,040 --> 00:39:35,240 stone, and all the while his heart is becoming stone. 626 00:39:38,520 --> 00:39:43,120 So he is moving this people. To know great success in their 627 00:39:43,120 --> 00:39:46,720 own right. And yet at the same time, 628 00:39:46,720 --> 00:39:49,280 there's something shriveling in his own heart. 629 00:39:51,840 --> 00:39:56,000 Who cares what you achieve if you forfeit your walk with God? 630 00:39:57,760 --> 00:40:01,960 And that's what we see here. Evidently, as we're about to 631 00:40:01,960 --> 00:40:06,800 find out in the next chapter, Solomon would not know true 632 00:40:06,800 --> 00:40:10,360 longevity. Successful longevity. 633 00:40:10,360 --> 00:40:14,440 Finishing well. And could it be because he did 634 00:40:14,440 --> 00:40:18,520 not honor the prescription that would promise such an end? 635 00:40:20,080 --> 00:40:27,360 And instead we see a very busy man, a very ambitious man, 636 00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:32,360 making silver be a stone while his heart was becoming stone. 637 00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:41,400 It's a sad sight indeed. And this is where we see the 638 00:40:41,400 --> 00:40:44,960 biggest cracks in the foundation of his faith. 639 00:40:45,280 --> 00:40:49,800 Let's read verse 26 to verse 29. And Solomon gathered together 640 00:40:49,800 --> 00:40:54,360 Chariots and horsemen. He had 1400 Chariots and 12,000 641 00:40:54,360 --> 00:40:57,640 horsemen whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the 642 00:40:57,640 --> 00:41:00,440 king in Jerusalem. And the king made silver as 643 00:41:00,440 --> 00:41:04,600 common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful 644 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:07,480 as a Sycamore. Of the Shifala. 645 00:41:08,240 --> 00:41:12,120 And Solomon's import of horses was from Egypt, And Q and the 646 00:41:12,120 --> 00:41:14,680 King's traitors received from Q at a price. 647 00:41:15,040 --> 00:41:18,800 A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver, 648 00:41:19,000 --> 00:41:21,960 and a horse for 150. And so, through the King's 649 00:41:21,960 --> 00:41:25,840 traitors, they were exported to all the kings of the Hittites 650 00:41:26,160 --> 00:41:29,520 and the kings of Syria. OK, we've visited this verse 651 00:41:29,520 --> 00:41:33,640 before in anticipation of Solomon's fall, but it's even 652 00:41:33,640 --> 00:41:36,000 deeper than what we might be might be familiar with. 653 00:41:36,160 --> 00:41:38,200 Did you notice something in the last part there? 654 00:41:39,320 --> 00:41:42,240 So he is receiving horses, and he's exporting horses. 655 00:41:42,240 --> 00:41:44,320 And who is he exporting some of these horses to? 656 00:41:46,400 --> 00:41:49,560 The Hittites? Good guys or bad guys? 657 00:41:50,880 --> 00:41:53,440 Are they even supposed to be in the land of Canaan? 658 00:41:53,840 --> 00:41:58,160 No. So here's a people that are to 659 00:41:58,160 --> 00:42:01,440 be removed from the land, and instead Solomon's doing business 660 00:42:01,440 --> 00:42:07,000 with them. And remember, there's no chapter 661 00:42:07,000 --> 00:42:10,800 break. Going to Chapter 11, we read of 662 00:42:10,800 --> 00:42:14,000 this man multiplying his wealth. We read of this man multiplying 663 00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:16,600 what Horses. And we're about to find out that 664 00:42:16,600 --> 00:42:18,320 he's going to multiply his wives. 665 00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:25,040 But here's how I want us to end this, because we will visit this 666 00:42:25,040 --> 00:42:28,000 in the next chapter. Go back with me again to verse 667 00:42:28,000 --> 00:42:37,440 23 and 24. Thus King Solomon excelled all 668 00:42:37,440 --> 00:42:41,640 the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom, and the whole 669 00:42:41,640 --> 00:42:45,600 earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom which 670 00:42:45,600 --> 00:42:52,440 God had put into his mind. I find it scary how this is one 671 00:42:52,440 --> 00:42:58,080 of many examples again how 1 can be used by God and still not be 672 00:42:58,080 --> 00:43:04,040 right with God. One can exercise a gift from God 673 00:43:04,560 --> 00:43:11,000 and not be walking in righteousness, and many people 674 00:43:11,000 --> 00:43:17,320 are content with that. Many people are content to be in 675 00:43:17,320 --> 00:43:23,920 the realm of spiritual service and not be connected to the 676 00:43:23,920 --> 00:43:29,480 Savior intimately privately. But that's not. 677 00:43:29,480 --> 00:43:32,360 The main point, the point that I want to drive into our hearts, 678 00:43:32,440 --> 00:43:38,040 is how Jesus refers to Solomon's glamour and splendor and 679 00:43:38,040 --> 00:43:43,840 provides A practical truth for his children, for those who 680 00:43:43,840 --> 00:43:47,920 would follow him, for those who would face the reality of 681 00:43:47,960 --> 00:43:53,640 anxiety and fear for tomorrow. Out of all the studies of 682 00:43:53,640 --> 00:43:55,640 Solomon, we have yet to touch on this reference. 683 00:43:55,640 --> 00:43:59,600 So I was excited to finally pull out Matthew Chapter 6, verse 28 684 00:43:59,600 --> 00:44:03,840 to 31 that has brought comfort to millions over the ages. 685 00:44:06,480 --> 00:44:08,760 And here's where we end our Bible study tonight. 686 00:44:16,920 --> 00:44:24,320 When we read this, read it for yourself and when. 687 00:44:26,480 --> 00:44:28,200 Why are you anxious about clothing? 688 00:44:28,200 --> 00:44:31,520 Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. 689 00:44:31,560 --> 00:44:36,880 They neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in 690 00:44:37,320 --> 00:44:40,960 all his glory, was not arrayed. Like one of these? 691 00:44:43,160 --> 00:44:47,800 That's incredible. Just look at a bed of lilies, 692 00:44:48,120 --> 00:44:52,200 look at a field of flowers, and I want you to understand that 693 00:44:52,200 --> 00:44:59,280 the complexity and the natural decor of those plants outshine 694 00:44:59,280 --> 00:45:05,640 the splendor of even Solomon. Put one of those things under a 695 00:45:05,640 --> 00:45:08,200 microscope and you'll know exactly what Jesus means here. 696 00:45:10,720 --> 00:45:15,400 That which grows by God's Providence and his authorship, 697 00:45:15,760 --> 00:45:19,760 That which needs no assistance from man, is far greater than 698 00:45:19,760 --> 00:45:21,880 the fabrics that are created by man. 699 00:45:23,120 --> 00:45:24,960 Look at these lilies. Look at these flowers. 700 00:45:24,960 --> 00:45:26,920 Look at the colors. Look at the hues. 701 00:45:26,920 --> 00:45:30,920 Look at, look at it. I had a chance to look at it, 702 00:45:31,560 --> 00:45:33,400 maybe not with plants, but on birds. 703 00:45:33,400 --> 00:45:38,640 And I just was an amazement. I was like the Lord painted 704 00:45:38,640 --> 00:45:43,760 these feathers. But I am to look at these things 705 00:45:43,760 --> 00:45:46,800 and consider something, not just how nature exceeds the 706 00:45:46,800 --> 00:45:50,320 authorship of God, exceeds whatever Solomon was able to 707 00:45:50,480 --> 00:45:51,760 generate. No, no, no. 708 00:45:52,480 --> 00:45:55,480 Here's the point. If the Lord himself is willing 709 00:45:55,480 --> 00:45:59,800 to give such attention and investment to something as short 710 00:45:59,800 --> 00:46:03,960 lived, to something as perishable, as a flower, how 711 00:46:03,960 --> 00:46:06,120 much more attention and investment is he willing to give 712 00:46:06,120 --> 00:46:08,320 to those that he has created in his image? 713 00:46:09,520 --> 00:46:13,240 How much more is he willing to invest to those who belong to 714 00:46:13,240 --> 00:46:18,480 him? So you want to know how you can 715 00:46:18,480 --> 00:46:21,680 marry the old and the new? I read this and I and I see how 716 00:46:21,680 --> 00:46:25,400 King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth. 717 00:46:27,680 --> 00:46:33,680 And Jesus says that glory. Yeah, I beautify these flowers. 718 00:46:33,680 --> 00:46:37,200 More than that. Well, Lord, you're powerful. 719 00:46:37,200 --> 00:46:38,720 You're amazing. Your mind is unlike any other. 720 00:46:38,720 --> 00:46:39,920 No, no, no. You don't understand. 721 00:46:39,920 --> 00:46:41,800 I'm not trying to just make a point that I'm better. 722 00:46:43,120 --> 00:46:46,600 I'm trying to make the point that if I'm willing to beautify 723 00:46:46,600 --> 00:46:50,160 these lilies and they perish like that, how much more am I 724 00:46:50,160 --> 00:46:52,000 willing to take care of you from head to toe? 725 00:46:55,120 --> 00:47:00,480 Don't worry. And again, you heard me say this 726 00:47:00,480 --> 00:47:04,000 earlier. As much as this is an indication 727 00:47:04,040 --> 00:47:09,200 of the dive Into Darkness that Solomon is about to make, at the 728 00:47:09,200 --> 00:47:12,040 same time it is still a declaration of the faithfulness 729 00:47:12,040 --> 00:47:14,640 of God. Remember, God told Solomon you 730 00:47:14,640 --> 00:47:16,400 asked for the right thing, and I'm going to give you more than 731 00:47:16,400 --> 00:47:18,080 what you asked. Here's riches. 732 00:47:18,080 --> 00:47:20,000 Here's honor. Is he not enjoying what God said 733 00:47:20,000 --> 00:47:24,080 he would have? Is God not faithful to his word? 734 00:47:24,520 --> 00:47:28,440 Absolutely. And if God was faithful to 735 00:47:28,440 --> 00:47:32,400 Solomon with these subjective and personalized promises, 736 00:47:32,520 --> 00:47:34,120 here's Matthew telling us God is. 737 00:47:34,120 --> 00:47:36,400 Faithful He will be faithful to you. 738 00:47:37,520 --> 00:47:40,040 He will take care of you what he has said. 739 00:47:40,480 --> 00:47:43,120 He will honor. He will guide you. 740 00:47:43,120 --> 00:47:45,720 He will lead you. He will clothe you. 741 00:47:45,720 --> 00:47:47,800 He will feed you. He will. 742 00:47:49,880 --> 00:47:53,200 He will. He takes care of the flowers. 743 00:47:53,960 --> 00:47:57,240 They're there one day, and the next day they're losing life and 744 00:47:57,560 --> 00:47:59,440 they're ready to be plucked out of the ground. 745 00:47:59,840 --> 00:48:05,680 And here you are worrying if tomorrow we'll be able to 746 00:48:05,680 --> 00:48:09,320 provide. I love how the how the Lord even 747 00:48:09,320 --> 00:48:14,840 mentions about our clothing saying how relevant is that. 748 00:48:14,840 --> 00:48:17,600 I'll tell you how relevant it is what happens to you when a 749 00:48:17,600 --> 00:48:25,000 wedding comes up ladies fill in the blank. 750 00:48:26,520 --> 00:48:29,440 Practical real life concerns and whereas the little things. 751 00:48:29,440 --> 00:48:31,320 Here's the Lord saying the little things. 752 00:48:32,280 --> 00:48:34,920 I'm willing to manage your life in more ways than you can 753 00:48:34,920 --> 00:48:36,880 imagine. Here's the requirement from you, 754 00:48:36,880 --> 00:48:40,040 though. Seek my Kingdom first, you seek 755 00:48:40,040 --> 00:48:44,080 my Kingdom first. So the way to deal with anxiety 756 00:48:44,080 --> 00:48:46,920 is more than just rehearsing the promises of God. 757 00:48:46,920 --> 00:48:50,360 Those promises are conditional, first established within your 758 00:48:50,360 --> 00:48:52,480 heart. Is my heart convinced that I 759 00:48:52,480 --> 00:48:56,960 will seek His Kingdom first, no matter what His purpose, His 760 00:48:56,960 --> 00:49:01,080 message, his mission is? My mandate is the banner of my 761 00:49:01,080 --> 00:49:03,000 life. If you can say that, then you 762 00:49:03,000 --> 00:49:08,920 and I should never feel a drop of anxiety because, he promises, 763 00:49:08,920 --> 00:49:12,520 if that is your course of life, then watch me take care of you 764 00:49:12,520 --> 00:49:18,080 every step along the way. Along the way, I can testify 765 00:49:18,080 --> 00:49:23,000 that he does. He does, and I have so many 766 00:49:23,000 --> 00:49:26,440 testimonies which I will not keep you with, about how he can 767 00:49:26,440 --> 00:49:30,560 take care of everything from a house a roof over your head to 768 00:49:30,560 --> 00:49:35,160 the shoes on your feet when they are ready to be replaced, he 769 00:49:35,160 --> 00:49:36,840 knows how to take care of his own. 770 00:49:37,920 --> 00:49:40,840 Well, that's a hopeful thought to end on in a very dark 771 00:49:40,840 --> 00:49:44,240 chapter, and one that's allowing us to enter into a very dark 772 00:49:44,240 --> 00:49:47,000 tunnel for the rest of our study in First King. 773 00:49:47,000 --> 00:49:49,480 So let's just meditate on those truths that we might have been 774 00:49:49,480 --> 00:49:52,760 very familiar with. But sometimes we need to be 775 00:49:52,760 --> 00:49:56,480 reminded with shall we posture our hearts and adoration toward 776 00:49:56,480 --> 00:50:17,480 this king? It is with great delight to be 777 00:50:17,480 --> 00:50:27,480 in your presence, O Lord, our hearts are enlarged in love for 778 00:50:27,480 --> 00:50:31,880 you. Thank you for the mastery of the 779 00:50:31,880 --> 00:50:35,120 Bible. Thank you. 780 00:50:35,120 --> 00:50:39,520 That week after week, and for many of us, day by day, you 781 00:50:39,520 --> 00:50:43,560 remind us that this book you show us, you prove that this 782 00:50:43,560 --> 00:50:50,680 book is authored by you. We are amazed by you, Thank you 783 00:50:50,680 --> 00:50:57,680 that even in a text of a list of numbers and historical details, 784 00:50:58,440 --> 00:51:04,400 we see your character. We see your face, we see your 785 00:51:04,400 --> 00:51:08,280 love. We see the foreshadowings of a 786 00:51:08,280 --> 00:51:12,680 greater king. We see principles and truths 787 00:51:14,160 --> 00:51:17,960 that are tucked behind symbols and tucked behind. 788 00:51:19,800 --> 00:51:23,600 Examples, good examples, terrible examples. 789 00:51:27,560 --> 00:51:31,800 Oh Lord, thank you that you are ruling and reigning now. 790 00:51:33,640 --> 00:51:38,320 And thank you that though you have given us salvation, and 791 00:51:38,320 --> 00:51:44,200 that is enough, you go above and beyond and want to reward us for 792 00:51:44,200 --> 00:51:46,600 faithfulness that you empower us to achieve. 793 00:51:48,160 --> 00:51:52,840 And so, Lord, for us tonight, who might feel lukewarm and more 794 00:51:52,840 --> 00:51:55,560 than just being aware of it, our content in it. 795 00:51:56,800 --> 00:52:00,360 Oh Lord, may the words to the Laodicean Church be for us 796 00:52:00,360 --> 00:52:05,320 tonight that you invite us to sit with you on your throne if 797 00:52:05,320 --> 00:52:10,000 we conquer. If we conquer this, we finish. 798 00:52:10,000 --> 00:52:15,720 Well, we finish with our eyes on you and our hearts soft and our 799 00:52:15,720 --> 00:52:21,000 hands empty, not clinging to anything else except the plow 800 00:52:21,000 --> 00:52:22,800 that you called us to push forward. 801 00:52:24,520 --> 00:52:28,440 Lord, you are worthy. What an amazing God you are. 802 00:52:29,480 --> 00:52:33,160 What a throne you sit on. A throne that you are willing to 803 00:52:33,160 --> 00:52:34,800 have. Sinners who have been forgiven 804 00:52:34,800 --> 00:52:39,080 to sit. What A throne that is greater 805 00:52:39,080 --> 00:52:41,480 than that of ivory, covered with gold. 806 00:52:42,200 --> 00:52:46,240 Greater than that who occupies it with a mine unlike any other 807 00:52:46,960 --> 00:52:48,320 Lord. Your mind exceeds that of 808 00:52:48,320 --> 00:52:50,360 Solomon's, and your heart does as well. 809 00:52:51,000 --> 00:52:54,080 We bless your name. Oh, we're moved by your 810 00:52:54,080 --> 00:52:57,360 greatness. Lord Jesus, help us see. 811 00:52:57,840 --> 00:53:03,040 See you who for who you are. And, Lord, help us finish. 812 00:53:03,040 --> 00:53:06,280 Well. You've brought us into 2024. 813 00:53:07,080 --> 00:53:09,480 Thank you for the souls who are here week after week. 814 00:53:10,200 --> 00:53:12,600 Thank you for the people that watch week after week. 815 00:53:13,320 --> 00:53:16,120 Or we pray that you would bring us through another year filled 816 00:53:16,120 --> 00:53:19,040 with testimonies and greater treasures that we will discover 817 00:53:19,040 --> 00:53:22,160 in this book. Blessed be the name of the Lord. 818 00:53:22,600 --> 00:53:25,200 In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 819 00:53:25,840 --> 00:53:28,920 Amen. Yes, praise team. 820 00:53:28,920 --> 00:53:34,320 You can come. Had a chance on the Sunday 821 00:53:34,320 --> 00:53:38,400 morning, the last Sunday morning of our trip, to meet somebody 822 00:53:38,400 --> 00:53:42,800 who watches us every single week from Australia. 823 00:53:43,320 --> 00:53:47,320 She drove 2 hours to come to the meeting if she waited in line to 824 00:53:47,520 --> 00:53:52,200 meet us and I was just overcome. It's like there are people who 825 00:53:52,200 --> 00:53:56,120 are connected to the embassy family who are 9000 plus miles 826 00:53:56,120 --> 00:53:59,560 away. And so it's so encouraging to 827 00:53:59,560 --> 00:54:02,280 see you here primarily, but to know that what's happening here 828 00:54:02,280 --> 00:54:04,720 is going across the world. Glory be to God. 829 00:54:05,560 --> 00:54:07,920 And so we want to rejoice in the Lord that what we are 830 00:54:07,920 --> 00:54:12,840 experiencing here every Friday, your eagerness making this Bible 831 00:54:12,840 --> 00:54:14,880 study possible. Because I love Bible study, but 832 00:54:14,880 --> 00:54:16,960 if nobody else is interested, I'm having Bible study by 833 00:54:16,960 --> 00:54:19,680 myself. And I'm not one to record myself 834 00:54:19,680 --> 00:54:23,160 having Bible study. But because you're here, this is 835 00:54:23,160 --> 00:54:28,840 able to happen and it's able to go into the Internet streams and 836 00:54:28,840 --> 00:54:31,040 platforms and people are being blessed. 837 00:54:31,240 --> 00:54:35,120 We serve a mighty king, so let's stand and worship him as we 838 00:54:35,120 --> 00:54:36,200 conclude this meeting.