1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:04,480 First Kings Chapter 2 and what we're going to be considering 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:09,200 together is the 1st 11 verses of this chapter. 3 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:11,840 As you can tell, this is a very lengthy chapter, like many 4 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,760 chapters and kings, but we are going to take our time to 5 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:19,200 dissect appropriate themes or the flow of thought that seems 6 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:22,000 appropriate to stop at. And so we're just going to, 7 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:25,240 before we pray, let's just read these verses together without 8 00:00:25,240 --> 00:00:29,130 interruption and just have a frame of what's about to take 9 00:00:29,130 --> 00:00:32,170 place and how we're going to receive from God's word. 10 00:00:32,810 --> 00:00:38,210 First Kings Chapter 2, beginning in verse one, when David's time 11 00:00:38,210 --> 00:00:43,090 to die drew near, He commanded Solomon, his son, saying, I am 12 00:00:43,090 --> 00:00:45,690 about to go the way of all the earth. 13 00:00:46,050 --> 00:00:51,130 Be strong and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the 14 00:00:51,130 --> 00:00:54,810 Lord your God walking in His ways, and keeping His statutes, 15 00:00:55,010 --> 00:00:59,640 His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies, as it is 16 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:03,960 written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper, and all 17 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:07,080 that you do. And wherever you turn that the 18 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:11,560 Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, 19 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:17,760 If your sons pay close attention to their way to walk before me 20 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:21,680 in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, 21 00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:25,280 you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel. 22 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:30,420 Moreover, you also know what Jawad the son of Zuraiya, did to 23 00:01:30,420 --> 00:01:33,660 me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of 24 00:01:33,660 --> 00:01:37,260 Israel, Abner, the son of Nur, and Amasa the son of Jether, 25 00:01:37,260 --> 00:01:41,460 whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been 26 00:01:41,460 --> 00:01:46,100 shed in a way, and putting the blood of war on the belt around 27 00:01:46,100 --> 00:01:48,980 his waist, and on the sandals on his feet. 28 00:01:49,460 --> 00:01:52,900 Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his Gray 29 00:01:52,900 --> 00:01:57,050 head go down to Shiole and peace, but deal loyally with the 30 00:01:57,050 --> 00:02:00,970 sons of Barzalai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who 31 00:02:00,970 --> 00:02:04,290 eat at your table. For with such loyalty they met 32 00:02:04,290 --> 00:02:06,730 me when I fled from Absalom, your brother. 33 00:02:07,250 --> 00:02:10,210 And there is also with you Shemay, the son of Gira, the 34 00:02:10,210 --> 00:02:13,970 Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse 35 00:02:13,970 --> 00:02:15,490 on the day when I went out to Mahanayam. 36 00:02:16,370 --> 00:02:19,410 But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by 37 00:02:19,410 --> 00:02:22,370 the Lord, saying, I will not put you to death with the sword. 38 00:02:22,930 --> 00:02:26,600 Now, therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise 39 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,440 man. You will know what you ought to 40 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:32,040 do to him, and you shall bring his Gray head down with blood to 41 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,160 shield. Then David slept with his 42 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:37,800 father's and was buried in the city of David. 43 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:41,440 And the time that David reigned over Israel was 40 years. 44 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:44,920 He reigned 7 years in Hebron and 33 years in Jerusalem. 45 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:50,120 So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his 46 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:55,220 Kingdom was firmly established. Lord, this is your word. 47 00:02:55,460 --> 00:03:02,660 We tremble at it now use this time to Pierce our hearts, to 48 00:03:02,660 --> 00:03:08,580 awaken our affections, to apply its instructions without 49 00:03:08,580 --> 00:03:13,220 hesitation. And Lord, help us seek Christ in 50 00:03:13,260 --> 00:03:14,940 Jesus name. Amen. 51 00:03:16,660 --> 00:03:20,580 The time for King David, that man that we have studied for 52 00:03:20,580 --> 00:03:26,480 years, week after week, Friday after Friday, session after 53 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:32,320 session, the time for this man to die, has now arrived. 54 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:39,400 And David here is going to take the opportunity to bring his 55 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:45,120 son, to look him in the eyes and to grant him final instructions. 56 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:48,520 As he is coming to the end of his life, he wants to give 57 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:54,260 direction for Solomon's life. And it's not difficult to see 58 00:03:54,260 --> 00:03:58,500 how this text exhibits timeless wisdom for you and I. 59 00:03:59,500 --> 00:04:02,220 But I believe the best way to benefit from this portion of 60 00:04:02,220 --> 00:04:05,140 Scripture is to not look at it from A1 dimensional point of 61 00:04:05,140 --> 00:04:06,460 view, because it's easy to do that. 62 00:04:06,940 --> 00:04:10,660 It's easy to limit what we're seeing here as a way of 63 00:04:10,740 --> 00:04:15,140 listening in on a monologue, a father speaking into the heart 64 00:04:15,140 --> 00:04:18,339 of his son. But David is not just speaking 65 00:04:18,380 --> 00:04:21,500 to Solomon. David is speaking about other 66 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:24,820 people. There are three specific 67 00:04:24,820 --> 00:04:29,180 individuals that David brings into this conversation, and by 68 00:04:29,260 --> 00:04:32,500 looking at them as well, not just looking at what is being 69 00:04:32,500 --> 00:04:36,900 set to soma, but looking at them and the complexities of how they 70 00:04:37,060 --> 00:04:41,940 relate to David and Solomon. We will leave this Bible study 71 00:04:42,220 --> 00:04:46,900 richer, greater revelation, greater things to apply to our 72 00:04:46,900 --> 00:04:51,020 lives, a more holistic view of what the Lord has in mind in 73 00:04:51,020 --> 00:04:54,190 this text. And by doing this, I want to 74 00:04:54,190 --> 00:04:57,630 encourage you to read your Bible in a certain way again. 75 00:04:57,630 --> 00:05:01,510 Not to just look at it from 1 limited dimension, but to 76 00:05:01,510 --> 00:05:04,990 consider the other characters, to consider other vantage 77 00:05:04,990 --> 00:05:08,630 points, to consider the multifaceted truths that are 78 00:05:08,630 --> 00:05:12,710 packed into one place. And so the way you and I will 79 00:05:12,710 --> 00:05:15,350 organize our thoughts is to first look at David's 80 00:05:15,350 --> 00:05:19,390 instructions to Solomon, but also to look at what he says 81 00:05:19,390 --> 00:05:24,910 concerning Joab, concerning Barza Lai, concerning Shemay. 82 00:05:26,310 --> 00:05:28,350 It's a very simple way of approaching this. 83 00:05:28,350 --> 00:05:31,310 All we're really going to do is collect some thoughts. 84 00:05:31,310 --> 00:05:34,390 There isn't one main theme here. If there is a theme that you 85 00:05:34,390 --> 00:05:39,950 would like, it's wisdom for life, what to do and what not to 86 00:05:39,950 --> 00:05:42,590 do. I love how the Bible takes 87 00:05:42,590 --> 00:05:46,770 certain people and allows us to see and hear their final words 88 00:05:46,770 --> 00:05:50,130 before they depart. Why is that? 89 00:05:50,130 --> 00:05:53,570 Why does the Bible care to give us the last words of certain 90 00:05:53,570 --> 00:05:57,050 individuals? Surely for us to know how to 91 00:05:57,050 --> 00:05:59,210 finish. Well, surely for us to know what 92 00:05:59,210 --> 00:06:03,210 again not to do, what to do, to understand how our decisions 93 00:06:03,210 --> 00:06:06,210 today will affect our tomorrow's, whether you realize 94 00:06:06,210 --> 00:06:09,810 it today or not. And so let's consider these 95 00:06:09,810 --> 00:06:12,250 words. First, his direct instructions 96 00:06:12,250 --> 00:06:16,100 to Solomon before he deals with these other individuals and what 97 00:06:16,100 --> 00:06:21,060 Solomon ought to do with them When David's time to die Junior, 98 00:06:21,060 --> 00:06:26,140 he commanded Solomon, his son, saying, I am about to go the way 99 00:06:26,140 --> 00:06:30,300 of all the earth. What a fascinating way for the 100 00:06:30,300 --> 00:06:37,180 Holy Spirit to label death. I am about to go the way of all 101 00:06:37,180 --> 00:06:40,260 the earth. Every single person here is 102 00:06:40,260 --> 00:06:42,700 unique. Every single person here might 103 00:06:42,700 --> 00:06:47,960 have a unique journey, but every single person in here, with the 104 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:51,600 billions of other people who are living today, have one thing in 105 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:53,480 common among other things, and that is this. 106 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:56,480 There will be a cessation of this earthly life. 107 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:05,000 The way of all the earth is death, and the way David speaks 108 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:08,600 about death is with an accepting tone. 109 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,080 I am about to go the way of all the earth. 110 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:15,400 He embraces that. And unfortunately there are many 111 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:19,320 people when it comes to death, live as though it is optional. 112 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,840 Live as though it can be suspended by their will. 113 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,280 It can be delayed at their command. 114 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,040 And that is not true. Though there are practical 115 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:32,200 things that you and I can do, and God calls us to do to 116 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:36,160 prolong life, ultimately it is determined by His sovereignty. 117 00:07:37,630 --> 00:07:40,070 But what's interesting here is by David speaking in this way, 118 00:07:40,070 --> 00:07:42,750 he proves that he is accepting this reality. 119 00:07:43,070 --> 00:07:45,910 And some people can't accept that reality and I'll prove it 120 00:07:45,910 --> 00:07:47,950 to you. They don't ever ruminate over 121 00:07:47,950 --> 00:07:50,710 it. Let me ask you a question. 122 00:07:50,710 --> 00:07:55,110 When is the last time that you gave more than 10 seconds 123 00:07:55,430 --> 00:08:00,270 meditating on your mortality? Sounds morbid. 124 00:08:00,270 --> 00:08:02,630 It sounds scary. It sounds strange to do so. 125 00:08:02,750 --> 00:08:04,430 And yet the Bible says it's wisdom. 126 00:08:05,430 --> 00:08:09,720 Teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom. 127 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:14,360 And so there are those who refuse to accept it, who who 128 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,800 shoo the thought away the the moment it visits them. 129 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:19,760 And there are others who are willing to accept it. 130 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:22,000 It's part of their theological framework. 131 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,000 And even if you're not a believer, you understand that 132 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:28,400 this is just a component of life that is inescapable. 133 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,960 We're all going to die. And though they might accept it, 134 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:38,480 they don't prepare for it. Dave here not only accepts it, 135 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:43,080 David is preparing for it. And we need to do both. 136 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:46,920 So it's one thing to say I acknowledge that this is true. 137 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:49,680 It's another thing to say now if this is true, what am I going to 138 00:08:49,680 --> 00:08:52,320 do concerning it? And it's absolutely vital for 139 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:55,360 you to accept and prepare for it because we need to invest in a 140 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:58,640 life that's going to be eternal. And based on how we even live 141 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:00,880 with that perspective, it will determine the quality of life 142 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,770 that we know today. You know there's an interesting 143 00:09:04,770 --> 00:09:10,250 verse found in the book of Amos, Chapter 4, verse 12. 144 00:09:10,770 --> 00:09:14,450 If you're 1 to highlight in your Bible, there's a phrase in that 145 00:09:14,450 --> 00:09:18,770 verse that is worth underscoring, and it's in light 146 00:09:18,770 --> 00:09:22,250 of Amos warning the people of God to be confronted with the 147 00:09:22,250 --> 00:09:24,890 judgment of God in their lifetime. 148 00:09:25,090 --> 00:09:29,770 But it's something that we can apply to, something that you and 149 00:09:29,770 --> 00:09:32,530 I will all experience. Amos 412. 150 00:09:32,530 --> 00:09:36,850 If you've never seen this verse, you'll enjoy it. 151 00:09:38,410 --> 00:09:40,370 What does the Prophet say, Therefore? 152 00:09:40,610 --> 00:09:44,330 Thus I will do to you, oh, Israel, because I will do this 153 00:09:44,330 --> 00:09:48,570 to you. Prepare to meet your God. 154 00:09:48,690 --> 00:09:54,050 Oh, Israel, Prepare to meet your God. 155 00:09:56,690 --> 00:10:01,870 How much preparation are people doing with that divine 156 00:10:01,870 --> 00:10:04,710 appointment to meet with their God? 157 00:10:06,550 --> 00:10:09,510 Even you and I as believers have to prepare to meet with our God. 158 00:10:09,510 --> 00:10:12,070 Yes, we will not stand at the Great White Throne, but we will 159 00:10:12,070 --> 00:10:13,790 stand at the judgment seat of Christ. 160 00:10:14,310 --> 00:10:18,230 And I wonder how many believers today have thought about that 161 00:10:18,230 --> 00:10:25,030 conversation with Jesus. What will my conversation with 162 00:10:25,030 --> 00:10:29,700 Christ be like? Am I ready to meet him? 163 00:10:29,780 --> 00:10:33,340 Well, I'd be ashamed if he calls me and summons me before him. 164 00:10:34,580 --> 00:10:37,460 This is important. Prepared to meet your God? 165 00:10:37,980 --> 00:10:39,540 How much preparation are we doing? 166 00:10:41,020 --> 00:10:43,700 We should be doing it day by day, for tomorrow is not 167 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:47,140 promised. Now David, in knowing that he's 168 00:10:47,140 --> 00:10:50,980 about to go the way of all the earth, gives 3 exhortations to 169 00:10:50,980 --> 00:10:52,340 Solomon. They're there. 170 00:10:52,340 --> 00:10:54,820 And verse two I'm about to go the way to all the earth. 171 00:10:55,140 --> 00:11:01,580 Be strong #1, be strong, Solomon #2 and show yourself a man and 172 00:11:02,300 --> 00:11:06,380 #3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God. 173 00:11:06,740 --> 00:11:11,220 Be strong, show yourself a man and keep the charge of the Lord. 174 00:11:11,740 --> 00:11:13,740 What do you think he means when he says be strong? 175 00:11:13,860 --> 00:11:19,140 Lift some weights. What kind of strength is Solomon 176 00:11:19,140 --> 00:11:20,900 speaking about here? Or David rather? 177 00:11:21,940 --> 00:11:27,940 Any idea? This is what we would all 178 00:11:27,940 --> 00:11:30,020 automatically go through Spiritual strength, right? 179 00:11:30,260 --> 00:11:32,580 Be strong in your soul, be strong in your spirit. 180 00:11:32,780 --> 00:11:34,460 And it's that's obviously included. 181 00:11:34,740 --> 00:11:37,700 But I am under the impression, based on the context, that he's 182 00:11:37,700 --> 00:11:40,060 also speaking about a different kind of strength and an 183 00:11:40,060 --> 00:11:44,260 emotional strength. Why do you think he would, say, 184 00:11:44,260 --> 00:11:48,700 be strong to Solomon? He's on the verge of dying. 185 00:11:49,340 --> 00:11:53,740 Naturally, if your father is going to die and you're aware of 186 00:11:53,740 --> 00:11:56,820 it, that will be especially painful to you as a son. 187 00:11:58,390 --> 00:12:00,350 There's a second reason. Why else would he need to be 188 00:12:00,350 --> 00:12:02,550 told? Be strong, Salman, be strong. 189 00:12:05,630 --> 00:12:08,550 He has to lead the whole nation. And who's not there with him to 190 00:12:08,550 --> 00:12:11,830 give him wisdom and guidance and consolation, The one who's been 191 00:12:11,830 --> 00:12:18,430 doing it for four decades. So David is not going to walk 192 00:12:18,430 --> 00:12:19,910 into this new journey with Salman. 193 00:12:19,910 --> 00:12:23,150 Salman, in essence, humanly speaking, is walking into this 194 00:12:23,150 --> 00:12:26,960 all by himself. David knows this. 195 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,880 David's aware of this. David's about to go the way all 196 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:32,120 the earth. So he says, Solomon, my son, I 197 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:37,840 need you to be strong. What do we take from this? 198 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,680 Here's what we take from this. There are certain individuals in 199 00:12:41,680 --> 00:12:44,360 our life who might be particularly inspirational and 200 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:48,160 influential, who provide almost a supernatural kind of 201 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:51,360 encouragement and counsel and comfort. 202 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:56,570 But those people, no matter what they mean to you, are not your 203 00:12:56,570 --> 00:12:58,890 ultimate source. God is. 204 00:12:59,730 --> 00:13:04,210 God is. And David is speaking to his Son 205 00:13:04,210 --> 00:13:08,210 in this manner. He wants him to understand that 206 00:13:08,330 --> 00:13:11,850 despite the fact that I will be absent, there was somebody who 207 00:13:11,850 --> 00:13:14,930 will be with you. Listen, people will come and go 208 00:13:14,930 --> 00:13:17,930 in your life, people who mean the world to you. 209 00:13:17,970 --> 00:13:26,260 Even in those moments, if you truly walk with the Lord, there 210 00:13:26,260 --> 00:13:29,580 should be no reason to completely and permanently 211 00:13:29,580 --> 00:13:33,860 collapse. You have to understand that our 212 00:13:33,860 --> 00:13:38,260 God is a personal God, and that our God is prepared to meet our 213 00:13:38,260 --> 00:13:42,780 needs and to help us flourish every step of the way, every 214 00:13:42,780 --> 00:13:46,900 second of every step of the way. And he can do that directly. 215 00:13:47,300 --> 00:13:50,660 He can do that by raising up new people in your life. 216 00:13:51,340 --> 00:13:54,920 But one thing is for certain that you can count on his 217 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:59,160 friendship. You can count on him being there 218 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:02,600 for you as an individual, as a person in your particular life, 219 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:04,600 with all the circumstances and all the context. 220 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,200 He is right there as though you're the only person on earth. 221 00:14:09,560 --> 00:14:12,720 And here's how and why I believe that This is why David is saying 222 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:17,320 be strong, because David's instructions here are expanded 223 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,520 in First Chronicles 28. And notice what he says in First 224 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:25,040 Chronicles 28 to prove that when he's saying be strong, he wants 225 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:27,280 him to know that the Lord is with him, though he will not be 226 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:30,120 with him any longer. Look at First Chronicles 28 and 227 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:35,160 Scroll down here in verse 20. Then David said to Solomon, his 228 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:38,200 son, be strong and courageous and do it. 229 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:42,400 Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed for the Lord God. 230 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:44,600 Even my God is with you. Do you see it? 231 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:49,470 He's with you. He will not leave you or forsake 232 00:14:49,470 --> 00:14:53,150 you until all the work of the service of the House of the Lord 233 00:14:53,150 --> 00:14:57,630 is finished. I love how he says, even my God, 234 00:14:58,030 --> 00:14:59,710 the same God who is with me from the beginning. 235 00:14:59,710 --> 00:15:02,470 Psalm, the same God who took me through every single episode, 236 00:15:03,470 --> 00:15:07,750 every trial, every tribulation, every chapter, the same God that 237 00:15:07,750 --> 00:15:11,190 you witnessed even in your young life, who delivered me over and 238 00:15:11,190 --> 00:15:13,430 over. That same God will be with you 239 00:15:13,470 --> 00:15:15,070 also. And let me say this to you. 240 00:15:15,230 --> 00:15:18,990 The same God who led David, the same God who led Solomon, is the 241 00:15:18,990 --> 00:15:21,670 same God who's for you and he's for me. 242 00:15:21,670 --> 00:15:23,910 The same one. The same one. 243 00:15:24,430 --> 00:15:26,790 It bothers me when people approach the Old Testament and 244 00:15:26,790 --> 00:15:30,230 scorn others by drawing practical inspiration from How 245 00:15:30,230 --> 00:15:33,510 dare you? I have every right to come to 246 00:15:33,510 --> 00:15:35,990 the Old Testament and look at Joseph and look at David and 247 00:15:35,990 --> 00:15:39,150 look at Daniel and say the same God who was there for them is 248 00:15:39,150 --> 00:15:43,390 with me. He's with me, and he's telling 249 00:15:43,390 --> 00:15:46,730 that to his son. Be strong and I'm gone. 250 00:15:46,730 --> 00:15:50,810 I'm going, but God's with you. Show yourself a man. 251 00:15:52,090 --> 00:15:54,210 Show yourself a man. That's the second exhortation. 252 00:15:54,410 --> 00:15:58,890 Show yourself a man. This is a a charge for Solomon 253 00:15:59,610 --> 00:16:04,130 to forsake childish ways and to pursue maturity. 254 00:16:06,530 --> 00:16:09,370 Why is this important, as our brother just alluded to, because 255 00:16:09,370 --> 00:16:13,570 Solomon now is entering and embracing a massive leadership 256 00:16:13,570 --> 00:16:16,550 role. And before he can even consider 257 00:16:16,550 --> 00:16:20,190 transitioning into that, he must first be convinced that I need 258 00:16:20,190 --> 00:16:26,030 to develop a set of convictions, a level of courage and A-frame 259 00:16:26,030 --> 00:16:31,110 of mind in order for me to know true enjoyment and effectiveness 260 00:16:31,350 --> 00:16:33,510 for the things that God has called me to. 261 00:16:34,830 --> 00:16:38,630 And this is a very crucial thing, understanding, especially 262 00:16:38,630 --> 00:16:43,190 for men, that if you are entertaining the idea of 263 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:48,200 committing yourself or enjoying certain privileges in life, that 264 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:54,360 you must first be willing to forsake childish ways and 265 00:16:54,360 --> 00:17:00,120 childish things. Show yourself to be a man. 266 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:05,280 Show yourself to be a man. You will not know God's 267 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:10,079 blessings, though. It's very possible to accept 268 00:17:10,079 --> 00:17:16,300 manly things while still holding and maintaining childish ways. 269 00:17:18,660 --> 00:17:22,740 And so there is a time in life where you have to cut that off 270 00:17:23,660 --> 00:17:27,380 and say I I have to think differently about the way I see 271 00:17:27,380 --> 00:17:29,660 the value of time. I have to think differently 272 00:17:29,660 --> 00:17:31,700 about the way I handle my resources. 273 00:17:32,220 --> 00:17:36,300 I have to think differently about the way I know and embrace 274 00:17:36,700 --> 00:17:38,620 relationships. I have to think differently 275 00:17:38,620 --> 00:17:42,500 about how my decisions are not just individualistic, but they 276 00:17:42,500 --> 00:17:45,100 affect others. I have to think differently. 277 00:17:47,460 --> 00:17:50,860 Solomon could not even begin to become the leader he was called 278 00:17:50,860 --> 00:17:53,140 to be without first becoming a man. 279 00:17:53,140 --> 00:17:57,500 And what's so fascinating here is that that word man, when he 280 00:17:57,500 --> 00:18:02,660 says show yourself a man, is a very gender specific word. 281 00:18:03,780 --> 00:18:07,100 So it's not just a call to be mature, it's a call to be 282 00:18:07,100 --> 00:18:10,940 masculine. That word in certain places in 283 00:18:10,940 --> 00:18:13,580 the Hebrew scriptures, even use for husbands. 284 00:18:15,020 --> 00:18:17,100 Show yourself to be a man. Man. 285 00:18:17,540 --> 00:18:20,620 Not just mankind. Humanity. 286 00:18:20,620 --> 00:18:21,980 Mature. Develop. 287 00:18:22,100 --> 00:18:26,380 No be a man. Now if this goes into the 288 00:18:26,580 --> 00:18:29,140 Internet sphere and reaches the right person or reaches 289 00:18:29,140 --> 00:18:36,180 something in terms of secular podcasts or whatever platform, I 290 00:18:36,180 --> 00:18:37,860 just broke a million hearts right there. 291 00:18:39,500 --> 00:18:42,920 Yeah, be a man. Our society is demonizing men, 292 00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:50,520 demonizing masculinity. And so we see here that the 293 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:54,560 Bible has a different tone, that there are specific 294 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:59,080 responsibilities and mindsets that belong to men, and in the 295 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:03,360 same respect for women. And so Solomon needed to be a 296 00:19:03,360 --> 00:19:05,640 man. And we can take the rest of this 297 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:07,800 Bible study to understand what biblical masculinity looks like, 298 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:08,640 but we don't have the time to do. 299 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,150 And that's the frustrating thing about Bible study, that you find 300 00:19:11,150 --> 00:19:14,470 these awesome verses that you can just expand and they can 301 00:19:14,470 --> 00:19:17,030 explode into different places in the Bible. 302 00:19:17,030 --> 00:19:19,070 But then you have all these other verses to deal with, so we 303 00:19:19,070 --> 00:19:22,030 can't do it. So be reminded that Bible study 304 00:19:23,030 --> 00:19:25,150 a lot of the times, our observations, more they than 305 00:19:25,150 --> 00:19:28,830 they are in depth doctrinal dissections of things. 306 00:19:29,990 --> 00:19:31,830 Be a man. Show yourself to be a man. 307 00:19:31,830 --> 00:19:32,830 You know what this verse tells me? 308 00:19:32,830 --> 00:19:35,070 You can be biologically male and not be a man. 309 00:19:37,990 --> 00:19:42,170 Yes, you can be a boy and be 40 years old. 310 00:19:42,450 --> 00:19:44,050 You can be a boy and 60 years old. 311 00:19:45,010 --> 00:19:49,890 Show yourself to be a man. Well, I am a No, no, no. 312 00:19:50,330 --> 00:19:54,170 There are characteristics that define manhood and it's beyond 313 00:19:54,170 --> 00:19:58,650 your biology. What does manhood look like? 314 00:19:58,650 --> 00:20:01,170 If I can push you, it can nudge you in a direction. 315 00:20:01,170 --> 00:20:04,730 I don't want to sound cliche, but just for you to even begin 316 00:20:04,730 --> 00:20:07,970 to understand it, look no further than the Godman, Christ 317 00:20:07,970 --> 00:20:11,170 Jesus. I know that sounds cliche, but 318 00:20:11,170 --> 00:20:13,450 it's not. It's the go to prescription 319 00:20:13,450 --> 00:20:15,690 throughout the New Testament. Let me give you an example. 320 00:20:15,810 --> 00:20:19,330 When Paul charges husbands and points them to an example 321 00:20:19,330 --> 00:20:25,050 concerning how to harbor and how to nurture harmonious and Holy 322 00:20:25,050 --> 00:20:26,730 Family life, who does he point to? 323 00:20:27,250 --> 00:20:30,010 The Lord Jesus Christ. You want to love your wife? 324 00:20:30,010 --> 00:20:35,010 You want to love your children? Look to Christ, look to Jesus. 325 00:20:36,850 --> 00:20:40,470 And then from there, we don't just stay there. 326 00:20:40,990 --> 00:20:43,510 We also look at the whole council of God and see all these 327 00:20:43,510 --> 00:20:46,110 different examples and instructions so that we can 328 00:20:46,110 --> 00:20:49,750 furnish ourselves to be men, to be woman the way God designed us 329 00:20:49,750 --> 00:20:51,110 to. Which brings us to our Third 330 00:20:51,110 --> 00:20:52,390 Point. I wish I can stay there. 331 00:20:52,390 --> 00:20:56,630 I wish I can stay there. But he says keep charge of the 332 00:20:56,630 --> 00:20:58,670 Lord your God. That's the third exhortation. 333 00:20:58,670 --> 00:20:59,990 Keep charge of the Lord your God. 334 00:21:00,230 --> 00:21:02,590 This is what how we connect all these things together. 335 00:21:03,270 --> 00:21:06,870 You can't really be strong spiritually, mentally, even 336 00:21:06,870 --> 00:21:10,410 physically. You can't really be strong. 337 00:21:11,570 --> 00:21:15,490 Nor can you really be who God designed you to be as a man or 338 00:21:15,490 --> 00:21:17,970 as a woman, without the word of God. 339 00:21:18,610 --> 00:21:24,290 Keep the charge of the Lord your God, Because look, our culture, 340 00:21:25,090 --> 00:21:28,010 as crazy as it's getting, there are people who are aware that 341 00:21:28,010 --> 00:21:31,050 there is an attack on manhood. There's an attack on womanhood. 342 00:21:31,610 --> 00:21:34,610 But the issue also is not just in that attack, but the 343 00:21:34,610 --> 00:21:37,250 solutions that the world is proposing. 344 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:42,600 So you have a lot of guys now that are becoming famous because 345 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,800 they're giving a bunch of fatherless and directionless 346 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:52,440 young men solutions to what it means to be manhood, to be man, 347 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:54,040 a man. And it's leading him in the 348 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:55,520 whole different direction of destruction. 349 00:21:57,080 --> 00:21:59,600 You can't do it without keeping charge of the Lord. 350 00:21:59,920 --> 00:22:02,560 You can't do it without walking in his ways. 351 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:06,240 He will show you, He will define it for you, and he will empower 352 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:08,050 you. He will guide you. 353 00:22:09,610 --> 00:22:12,050 And this is what's so fascinating, because Solomon is 354 00:22:12,050 --> 00:22:15,370 about to enter into this new journey, this new path of life, 355 00:22:16,370 --> 00:22:19,810 and David feels it absolutely necessary for him to establish a 356 00:22:19,850 --> 00:22:23,890 fresh conviction concerning the supreme authority of the word of 357 00:22:23,890 --> 00:22:28,450 God in his life. Notice the repetition here. 358 00:22:28,450 --> 00:22:31,810 He says verse 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God. 359 00:22:32,410 --> 00:22:35,660 And then he says, walking in his ways and keeping his statues. 360 00:22:35,660 --> 00:22:39,300 Keep it, keep it, keep it. What does he mean by keep it, 361 00:22:39,500 --> 00:22:46,820 guard it, observe it, protect it, cherish it, keep it. 362 00:22:49,980 --> 00:22:56,180 And the way that you will draw from it is when he says later on 363 00:22:56,180 --> 00:22:58,500 to walk before me in faithfulness, with all their 364 00:22:58,500 --> 00:23:03,010 heart and with all their soul, with not just your mental 365 00:23:03,010 --> 00:23:08,130 faculties but with your affection, your devotion. 366 00:23:09,970 --> 00:23:12,170 Don't just have a surface level relationship with the word of 367 00:23:12,170 --> 00:23:15,610 God, hold on to it with your dear life. 368 00:23:16,810 --> 00:23:19,130 Only then will you really benefit from the word of God. 369 00:23:21,010 --> 00:23:23,290 Keep the charge of the Lord your God. 370 00:23:25,210 --> 00:23:28,450 There are many people here, and as I said earlier, who have 371 00:23:28,450 --> 00:23:33,530 unique lives, unique journeys, and what's beautiful about the a 372 00:23:33,530 --> 00:23:36,050 setting like this, a ministry like this, is that there are 373 00:23:36,050 --> 00:23:38,490 different people here who are entering different stages in 374 00:23:38,490 --> 00:23:40,530 life. Some of you are entering school, 375 00:23:40,530 --> 00:23:41,650 some of you are finishing school. 376 00:23:41,650 --> 00:23:44,170 Some of you are experiencing A blossoming of a very special 377 00:23:44,170 --> 00:23:46,570 relationship. Some of you are ready to start a 378 00:23:46,570 --> 00:23:48,850 family. Some of you are venturing into 379 00:23:49,010 --> 00:23:51,850 the business world and have great dreams and hopes of being 380 00:23:51,850 --> 00:23:53,330 successful in one way or another. 381 00:23:54,010 --> 00:23:56,010 Some of you maybe are just settling in life. 382 00:23:56,010 --> 00:23:59,490 Humanly speaking, you're at that point where people tend to 383 00:23:59,490 --> 00:24:03,250 retire no matter what stage in life you're at. 384 00:24:03,250 --> 00:24:07,610 We have to understand the wisdom here is that what new thing we 385 00:24:07,610 --> 00:24:13,210 are walking into cannot cause us to forfeit this principle about 386 00:24:13,210 --> 00:24:15,410 the Word of God. Keep it. 387 00:24:16,490 --> 00:24:19,850 No matter where you go, no matter what comes your way, no 388 00:24:20,250 --> 00:24:23,010 matter what you're exploring, no matter what you're entertaining, 389 00:24:23,650 --> 00:24:27,530 one thing must remain the same. Your love for the Word of God. 390 00:24:29,010 --> 00:24:31,170 It will always be your steering wheel. 391 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:37,440 You will always seek it. Dig it, mine it, and draw God's 392 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:41,440 blessings from it. Don't hesitate for those whom 393 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:44,080 you love. Don't hesitate to pour into them 394 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:46,720 with that same instruction. Parents with your children as 395 00:24:46,720 --> 00:24:49,080 they're ready to leave the house, as they're ready to 396 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:53,760 entertain a possible mate, as they're ready to move here or 397 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:55,160 there. Do this or do that. 398 00:24:55,440 --> 00:25:00,080 Son, daughter, brother, sister, whatever you do, don't lose 399 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:03,390 sight of God's word less. Other influences captivate you 400 00:25:04,390 --> 00:25:10,510 and draw you away from him. So this is what he was supposed 401 00:25:10,510 --> 00:25:13,830 to do. Be strong, show yourself a man. 402 00:25:14,270 --> 00:25:16,710 And the last thing to embrace the word of God with the fresh 403 00:25:16,710 --> 00:25:18,510 sense of devotion and conviction. 404 00:25:18,750 --> 00:25:21,670 But now he goes off. He says moreover and and verse 405 00:25:22,190 --> 00:25:28,390 5. Moreover, the rewards of keeping 406 00:25:28,390 --> 00:25:31,920 the word of God is that he would prosper in his own way and that 407 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:34,680 there would be generational blessing specific to Solomon 408 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:37,160 because there was a Davidic covenant. 409 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:39,720 But that principle still apply to you and I. 410 00:25:39,720 --> 00:25:42,360 There is generational blessing for the person who choose to cut 411 00:25:42,360 --> 00:25:45,600 the cycle of disobedience and rebellion against God. 412 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:48,440 To say I'm going to serve the Lord, my house is going to serve 413 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:52,640 the Lord, and those who come from you will hopefully be 414 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:57,090 blessed by that verse. 5 Moreover, you also know what Job 415 00:25:57,090 --> 00:25:59,450 the son of Zuraiya did to me, how he dealt with the two 416 00:25:59,450 --> 00:26:02,170 commanders of the armies of Israel, and he mentions them. 417 00:26:02,170 --> 00:26:06,050 We know them Abner and Amasa. And what's the conclusion that 418 00:26:06,050 --> 00:26:10,050 he makes? Kill him. 419 00:26:15,270 --> 00:26:25,070 Solomon, you're wise and do what you think you need to do, but 420 00:26:25,390 --> 00:26:28,510 whatever you think you need to do, make sure one thing happens 421 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:31,880 that he doesn't go down to the grave in peace. 422 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:38,040 Then he talks about Barzalai, then he talks about Shemay or 423 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:43,560 Shemi. Many people accuse David here on 424 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:50,600 his deathbed, being riddled with bitterness, that he is being 425 00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:56,160 vindictive here and that he is not ending so well. 426 00:26:59,530 --> 00:27:01,410 Is David wrong? Let let's deal with each of 427 00:27:01,410 --> 00:27:04,410 these people separately. Is David entirely wrong in 428 00:27:04,410 --> 00:27:08,130 asking for the execution of Joe AB? 429 00:27:11,130 --> 00:27:13,210 Who would say yes, He's being vindictive here? 430 00:27:16,450 --> 00:27:18,290 Who would say no? This is his right. 431 00:27:20,490 --> 00:27:26,820 Who doesn't know? Well, let's break this down. 432 00:27:26,820 --> 00:27:30,180 Was Job guilty of murder? Yes. 433 00:27:31,260 --> 00:27:34,100 According to the law, that Job deserve to die because of his 434 00:27:34,220 --> 00:27:36,100 sin? Yes. 435 00:27:36,980 --> 00:27:41,700 See, it's that easy. He does deserve to die. 436 00:27:42,660 --> 00:27:46,620 So I'm not among those who who judge David for being 437 00:27:46,940 --> 00:27:50,660 unforgiving here. But I would say that if there's 438 00:27:50,660 --> 00:27:56,850 any wrong in David and what we see before us is that he delayed 439 00:27:59,170 --> 00:28:04,690 in acting upon the judgment that job deserve and leaving that 440 00:28:04,690 --> 00:28:11,210 mess for Solomon to clean up, it's delayed obedience and now 441 00:28:11,210 --> 00:28:14,850 somebody has to carry the burden for that delayed obedience. 442 00:28:17,050 --> 00:28:22,210 And so Solomon here is experiencing these loose ends 443 00:28:22,210 --> 00:28:25,710 and he has to tie him up. And this is unfair, that really 444 00:28:25,710 --> 00:28:29,390 this is unwise for David to do for whatever reason why he 445 00:28:29,390 --> 00:28:34,870 delayed, there is no excuse. It didn't justify this prolonged 446 00:28:34,910 --> 00:28:36,910 and this judgment that is overdue. 447 00:28:38,950 --> 00:28:42,190 So here's yet another lesson of what delayed obedience does. 448 00:28:43,030 --> 00:28:46,750 It causes hurt and strain and problems for other people 449 00:28:46,750 --> 00:28:49,940 eventually, and we delay obedience for many reasons. 450 00:28:49,940 --> 00:28:51,980 One of the reasons why we delayed is because we think that 451 00:28:51,980 --> 00:28:54,740 we are preserving ourselves and others from pain and hurt, 452 00:28:54,940 --> 00:28:58,660 embarrassment, awkwardness. But when you leave it without 453 00:28:58,660 --> 00:29:01,820 dealing with it, it's going to resurface in one day or another, 454 00:29:02,420 --> 00:29:05,740 and it's going to bring even more pain than you would 455 00:29:05,860 --> 00:29:10,340 anticipated originally. So Solomon now has to deal with 456 00:29:10,340 --> 00:29:12,260 this. This is how he has to start his 457 00:29:12,260 --> 00:29:16,100 Kingdom, by killing a man. This is something David should 458 00:29:16,100 --> 00:29:20,540 have done a long time ago, but let's look at it from jobs 459 00:29:20,540 --> 00:29:21,780 perspective. Remember, we're trying to 460 00:29:21,780 --> 00:29:23,620 consider the complexities of this text. 461 00:29:24,140 --> 00:29:29,300 Look at Joe AB right Job here was a man who who was willing to 462 00:29:29,300 --> 00:29:33,220 put on the blood of war on the belt and around his waist and on 463 00:29:33,220 --> 00:29:35,860 the sandals of of his feet. He was willing to comfortably 464 00:29:36,140 --> 00:29:38,860 carry the stains of innocent blood. 465 00:29:39,540 --> 00:29:42,700 He felt secure all his life. He was bold about it. 466 00:29:43,300 --> 00:29:46,180 He had no sense of fear of God. He had no sense of fear of the 467 00:29:46,180 --> 00:29:49,620 sword of the government. He just did his thing, even 468 00:29:49,620 --> 00:29:52,300 though he he slew and destroyed the lives of two men more 469 00:29:52,300 --> 00:29:57,180 righteous than himself. But what's happening here? 470 00:29:59,540 --> 00:30:03,180 Retribution has finally arrived. It's finally come. 471 00:30:03,180 --> 00:30:06,060 He could not ultimately escape it. 472 00:30:08,860 --> 00:30:12,580 And Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. 473 00:30:12,890 --> 00:30:14,810 I wonder this is an explicit state. 474 00:30:14,810 --> 00:30:19,610 It just came to mind. I wonder if Joe AB was included 475 00:30:19,610 --> 00:30:22,410 in his thoughts when he penned these two verses. 476 00:30:23,050 --> 00:30:27,050 It's an Ecclesiastes 811 to 12. This is one of the most 477 00:30:27,050 --> 00:30:31,890 brilliant insights concerning human behavior, namely among 478 00:30:31,890 --> 00:30:37,570 those who are not in Christ. Solomon makes this observation. 479 00:30:37,570 --> 00:30:41,640 He pens it, but I wonder if Joe, among others, was someone that 480 00:30:41,640 --> 00:30:44,160 came to his mind when he did write it under the inspiration 481 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:46,360 of the Holy Spirit. What does he say here in 482 00:30:46,360 --> 00:30:51,560 Ecclesiastes 8? It says here because the 483 00:30:51,560 --> 00:30:55,600 sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily. 484 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:01,640 The heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil, though 485 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:05,040 a Sinner does evil 100 times and prolongs his life. 486 00:31:05,460 --> 00:31:09,100 Yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God because 487 00:31:09,100 --> 00:31:15,340 they fear before him. Why do sinners continue to sin? 488 00:31:15,380 --> 00:31:21,820 Because there is no immediate or speedy divine judgment and they 489 00:31:21,820 --> 00:31:30,020 interpret that delay as approval and they continue headlong into 490 00:31:30,020 --> 00:31:34,040 the rebellion. And Solomon says This is why so 491 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:37,080 many people don't repent because of God's grace. 492 00:31:37,080 --> 00:31:41,320 Believe it or not, God's grace that that window of time where 493 00:31:41,320 --> 00:31:45,560 there isn't any interruption, there isn't any affliction, is 494 00:31:45,560 --> 00:31:49,120 meant to actually cause you to realize how is it that this holy 495 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:53,800 God has not yet destroyed me? I fall on my face to say I want 496 00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:57,120 to be yours and what do they do instead? 497 00:31:57,120 --> 00:32:05,330 They use it as fuel to continue to harden their hearts and be 498 00:32:05,330 --> 00:32:07,170 brazen faced towards the heavens. 499 00:32:10,530 --> 00:32:13,650 And so it's not a matter of when they'll if, they'll be judged, 500 00:32:13,650 --> 00:32:16,450 but when they'll be judged. There's no question about the 501 00:32:16,490 --> 00:32:19,850 if. It's always about the when and 502 00:32:19,850 --> 00:32:21,690 job. Here is a lesson about how your 503 00:32:21,690 --> 00:32:25,770 sin will find you out. You can think that you tricked 504 00:32:25,770 --> 00:32:31,150 everyone, including God himself, But if you have not repented, it 505 00:32:31,150 --> 00:32:32,430 will find you one way or another. 506 00:32:33,190 --> 00:32:35,070 It will find you. So what's the solution? 507 00:32:35,070 --> 00:32:37,750 Flee to the City of Refuge as quickly as possible. 508 00:32:38,390 --> 00:32:40,990 Come to the foot of the Cross, ask him to wash you fresh in the 509 00:32:40,990 --> 00:32:43,110 blood. And here's the guarantee that he 510 00:32:43,110 --> 00:32:44,670 will always forgive you and restore you. 511 00:32:45,910 --> 00:32:48,230 Job, unfortunately, was too late. 512 00:32:50,470 --> 00:32:53,990 So Job here teaches us about how sin will not be overlooked. 513 00:32:54,900 --> 00:32:56,940 But look now here at this other person in verse 7. 514 00:32:56,940 --> 00:33:00,060 But deal loyally with the sons of Berzalai the Gileadite, and 515 00:33:00,060 --> 00:33:02,100 let them be among those who eat at your table. 516 00:33:02,620 --> 00:33:06,260 Who remembers Berzalai? He was one among a few others 517 00:33:06,260 --> 00:33:08,980 who came to the aid of David while he was pushed out as a 518 00:33:08,980 --> 00:33:11,820 fugitive when Absalom revolted against his father. 519 00:33:12,020 --> 00:33:15,020 And he brought bedding and he brought fruits and he brought 520 00:33:15,020 --> 00:33:17,460 food. And he wanted to make this exile 521 00:33:17,460 --> 00:33:20,620 as comfortable as possible for the true king of Israel. 522 00:33:20,860 --> 00:33:26,280 David. And Berzalai was sought after to 523 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:29,240 be rewarded immediately. But he says, look, David, I'm 524 00:33:29,280 --> 00:33:32,800 old. I I, I can't even taste the 525 00:33:32,800 --> 00:33:36,560 difference between food. Can I really bear the singing of 526 00:33:36,560 --> 00:33:38,360 people? I'm just going to be a burden to 527 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:39,720 you if I come with you to Jerusalem. 528 00:33:39,720 --> 00:33:44,920 So here's my servant. Deal with him, and let me just 529 00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:47,400 live and die here in my hometown. 530 00:33:50,340 --> 00:33:53,700 And David wants to reward him, which teaches us that not only 531 00:33:53,700 --> 00:33:57,380 is the sin and rebellion of the wickedness of man overlooked, 532 00:33:59,020 --> 00:34:03,700 not overlooked, neither will be the justice, the loyalty, the 533 00:34:03,700 --> 00:34:07,940 faithfulness of men concerning the cause of Christ that will 534 00:34:07,940 --> 00:34:11,860 not be overlooked either, and that should encourage our 535 00:34:11,860 --> 00:34:14,340 hearts. You know, in Hebrew 610 there's 536 00:34:14,340 --> 00:34:17,980 an interesting verse that again reveals a wonderful diagnosis 537 00:34:17,980 --> 00:34:20,620 not just of human behavior, but of Christian behavior. 538 00:34:20,900 --> 00:34:22,900 You know what you and I are tempted to do as we serve the 539 00:34:22,900 --> 00:34:25,300 Lord. Hebrew 610 reveals what many 540 00:34:25,300 --> 00:34:29,580 servants of God are tempted to believe, especially as time goes 541 00:34:29,580 --> 00:34:33,380 on, especially as you serve God with the people of God. 542 00:34:34,500 --> 00:34:37,460 What did you say in Hebrew 610? This is a beautiful and 543 00:34:37,460 --> 00:34:42,260 encouraging scripture. For God is not so unjust as to 544 00:34:42,260 --> 00:34:46,310 overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake and 545 00:34:46,310 --> 00:34:48,550 serving the Saints as you still do. 546 00:34:49,230 --> 00:34:52,750 Why would he write that? Why would the Holy Spirit write 547 00:34:52,750 --> 00:34:57,190 these things to Christians? I believe because Christians are 548 00:34:57,190 --> 00:34:58,870 tempted to feel overlooked by God. 549 00:35:00,670 --> 00:35:04,550 Is that not the case? And one of the ways in which 550 00:35:04,550 --> 00:35:09,230 many Christians feel overlooked by God is that they interpret 551 00:35:09,750 --> 00:35:12,750 God through people who bear his name. 552 00:35:13,220 --> 00:35:14,980 So you're not appreciated by other Christians. 553 00:35:14,980 --> 00:35:16,820 You're not being acknowledged by other Christians. 554 00:35:17,260 --> 00:35:19,460 You're not being praised and commended by other Christians. 555 00:35:19,460 --> 00:35:21,260 And what do you do? Well, surely then God doesn't 556 00:35:21,260 --> 00:35:25,700 see me how silly what he's saying is. 557 00:35:25,860 --> 00:35:29,860 Men might even the best of men, even the Saints of God, they 558 00:35:29,860 --> 00:35:33,940 might overlook, they might not consider the weightiness and 559 00:35:33,940 --> 00:35:36,420 what your participation does for the advancement of the Kingdom. 560 00:35:36,420 --> 00:35:39,580 But God sees it, and he's not unjust. 561 00:35:39,580 --> 00:35:42,640 He will not forget. He will not fail to consider and 562 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:47,080 ultimately reward you for that. So keep your eyes on the Lord, 563 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:50,080 on the Lord, on the Lord. You know why so many people burn 564 00:35:50,080 --> 00:35:57,440 out because of because of this? Is this really worth it? 565 00:35:57,440 --> 00:35:59,320 Is is this really going to count? 566 00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:00,760 Is there really a difference being made? 567 00:36:00,760 --> 00:36:04,960 Is this really being considered? Well, if you keep your eyes on 568 00:36:04,960 --> 00:36:07,320 people, I can see why you would think that way and you would 569 00:36:07,320 --> 00:36:10,570 want to give up. But if you really believe that 570 00:36:10,570 --> 00:36:16,530 there is a God whose character is on the line and would not 571 00:36:16,530 --> 00:36:20,410 dare to overlook your faithfulness, then all of that 572 00:36:20,410 --> 00:36:24,650 will give you the strength to continue on, especially as you 573 00:36:24,650 --> 00:36:31,130 do what in serving the Saints. It's not easy. 574 00:36:31,890 --> 00:36:35,930 Saints Positionally Saints Not always practically Saints 575 00:36:36,610 --> 00:36:40,350 Positionally Saints. Not always practically Saints. 576 00:36:40,350 --> 00:36:43,510 There's another thing. While we're in this verse I 577 00:36:43,510 --> 00:36:46,590 think is worth mentioning. Notice this and the love that 578 00:36:46,590 --> 00:36:51,630 you showed for His sake of the transition would say His name. 579 00:36:52,950 --> 00:36:58,350 The love that you showed for His sake in serving the Saints. 580 00:37:01,150 --> 00:37:03,390 If you love him, you will serve His people. 581 00:37:04,950 --> 00:37:08,270 If you want to glorify him, you will love His people. 582 00:37:11,430 --> 00:37:15,670 If you are not serving God's people with intentionality and 583 00:37:15,670 --> 00:37:20,870 desire and consistency and commitment, perhaps that's an 584 00:37:20,870 --> 00:37:24,270 indication that your love for His name is cold. 585 00:37:27,270 --> 00:37:32,230 Because what will propel you, what will keep you, is a burning 586 00:37:32,230 --> 00:37:38,890 love for God. The secret is not necessarily to 587 00:37:38,890 --> 00:37:40,450 love people though we are called to love. 588 00:37:40,450 --> 00:37:43,850 Don't hear me wrong here. Don't cut that out and make 589 00:37:43,850 --> 00:37:45,410 something of it that you're not supposed to. 590 00:37:46,210 --> 00:37:48,970 But more than that is to love God, and through your love for 591 00:37:48,970 --> 00:37:51,930 God and through his name and for his name and for His sake, you 592 00:37:51,930 --> 00:37:56,050 love others. So when people give you very 593 00:37:56,050 --> 00:37:59,610 little reason and motivation to love them, it's your love of God 594 00:37:59,610 --> 00:38:04,610 that will consume you and convince you to love regardless 595 00:38:07,700 --> 00:38:10,940 that you showed for His sake. In serving the Saints. 596 00:38:12,780 --> 00:38:15,700 I get very nervous with people who have low views of Christians 597 00:38:15,700 --> 00:38:18,940 and low views of the Church. It says something about their 598 00:38:18,940 --> 00:38:23,140 love for his sake. So bears the line here reminds 599 00:38:23,140 --> 00:38:28,860 us that there's a point coming when the Lord the King of Kings. 600 00:38:28,860 --> 00:38:31,380 Not an imperfect king like David, but the king of kings 601 00:38:31,940 --> 00:38:35,380 will reward us and he will remember the little things that 602 00:38:35,380 --> 00:38:37,060 we've done. Who remembers how old Berzelai 603 00:38:37,060 --> 00:38:43,180 was cuz his age is given to us? Anybody remember who said it? 604 00:38:43,580 --> 00:38:50,220 80 years old, 8080 year old man, look at this now. 605 00:38:50,300 --> 00:38:53,700 And he's not like the early genesis 80 year olds that are 606 00:38:53,700 --> 00:38:55,420 like the modern day 20 year olds. 607 00:38:55,820 --> 00:38:59,040 He's not that kind of 80 because he tells us that he can't even 608 00:38:59,040 --> 00:39:02,080 taste the difference between food and he can't bear too much 609 00:39:02,200 --> 00:39:05,040 things going around and is like, he's like a real 80 year old, 610 00:39:06,200 --> 00:39:10,760 OK, 80 years old. And here's a man who perceives 611 00:39:10,760 --> 00:39:14,720 this opportunity at that point in life to serve the cause of 612 00:39:14,720 --> 00:39:22,160 God 80 and it wasn't some small thing for him to step out and to 613 00:39:22,160 --> 00:39:24,800 help David was to put his life on the line. 614 00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:27,080 Why? Because there was a crazy man 615 00:39:27,080 --> 00:39:29,920 who occupied the throne of the time named Absalom, who is 616 00:39:29,920 --> 00:39:32,880 willing to destroy anyone who showed a hint of allegiance to 617 00:39:32,880 --> 00:39:36,680 his father and Bezola. This 80 year old man says, get 618 00:39:36,680 --> 00:39:38,800 the fruit, get the beds. We gotta help the king. 619 00:39:40,480 --> 00:39:44,920 I love 80 year olds like that. That inspires me. 620 00:39:45,640 --> 00:39:49,360 That motivates me. That tells me that at 80, if God 621 00:39:49,360 --> 00:39:53,340 gives you and I-80, there will still be divine providential 622 00:39:53,340 --> 00:39:56,460 leadings and opportunities to serve the cause of the Kingdom. 623 00:39:59,620 --> 00:40:02,980 And God will reward that kind of service just as he does any 624 00:40:02,980 --> 00:40:05,020 other kind of service. Because we look at that and we 625 00:40:05,020 --> 00:40:07,580 go bedding food, What's the big deal? 626 00:40:08,140 --> 00:40:10,140 We're drawn to other kind of 80 year olds like Moses. 627 00:40:10,140 --> 00:40:11,620 Remember Moses at 80? What did he do? 628 00:40:11,620 --> 00:40:16,260 He let a nation out of slavery. Oh, that's something, whether 629 00:40:16,260 --> 00:40:20,660 you lead a nation out of slavery or you provide bed and food for. 630 00:40:21,320 --> 00:40:25,640 Somebody who is being mistreated, God will reward 631 00:40:25,640 --> 00:40:29,280 both. And if you're 80 and you feel 632 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:32,120 like all your ministry is is providing bed and food, don't 633 00:40:32,120 --> 00:40:34,480 compare yourself to the guy who's leading millions out of 634 00:40:34,520 --> 00:40:35,880 Egypt. Don't do that. 635 00:40:39,240 --> 00:40:40,280 This is what God's called me to do. 636 00:40:40,280 --> 00:40:46,480 I'll do it and I'll believe that God will not overlook but will 637 00:40:46,480 --> 00:40:49,960 reward even this. What an amazing God we serve. 638 00:40:51,240 --> 00:40:56,240 So we see Berzalai. Now we sandwich between Shimai 639 00:40:56,240 --> 00:40:59,280 and Johab is Berzalai. But we unfortunately come to 640 00:41:01,000 --> 00:41:04,040 another dark scene set of instructions in verse 8. 641 00:41:04,920 --> 00:41:07,560 And there is also with you Shimai, the son of Gira, the 642 00:41:07,560 --> 00:41:11,960 Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse 643 00:41:11,960 --> 00:41:13,880 on the day when I went to Mahanaim. 644 00:41:14,970 --> 00:41:17,370 And when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by 645 00:41:17,370 --> 00:41:20,090 the Lord, saying, I will not put you to death with the sword. 646 00:41:22,450 --> 00:41:28,130 Okay should have ended there. It doesn't now, Therefore, do 647 00:41:28,130 --> 00:41:30,650 not hold them guiltless, for you are a wise man. 648 00:41:31,090 --> 00:41:33,610 You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring 649 00:41:33,610 --> 00:41:35,330 his great head down with blood to she all. 650 00:41:38,010 --> 00:41:41,690 Is this this is this the same thing going on here as what we 651 00:41:41,690 --> 00:41:44,250 saw with Joe App. It's not. 652 00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:46,480 Well, convince me. Why? 653 00:41:47,280 --> 00:41:49,840 Because shemaid did something very treacherous. 654 00:41:49,840 --> 00:41:52,880 He actually committed treason. He curses the king. 655 00:41:52,880 --> 00:41:56,240 Exodus says do not curse the ruler of God's people. 656 00:41:57,320 --> 00:42:02,560 He flings stones and dust. He falsely accuses the king and 657 00:42:02,560 --> 00:42:04,120 he pretty much wants the king out of there. 658 00:42:05,640 --> 00:42:10,320 That's not a good thing to do. So he's not innocent. 659 00:42:12,000 --> 00:42:16,960 So then again, is David demanding something here that is 660 00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:21,360 righteous and true? And if not, why not? 661 00:42:30,520 --> 00:42:33,120 So Job, he he just ignores it for whatever reason. 662 00:42:33,120 --> 00:42:36,240 Maybe he's afraid that he's going to expose him or fight 663 00:42:36,240 --> 00:42:37,480 against him. He doesn't want to deal with 664 00:42:37,480 --> 00:42:39,480 Job, he says. I'll just wait until my dying 665 00:42:39,480 --> 00:42:42,120 day and give it over to Solomon. What's the difference here? 666 00:42:45,270 --> 00:42:51,430 OK, the difference between Joab and this fellow is what both are 667 00:42:51,430 --> 00:42:54,150 guilty in their own way. But David does something for 668 00:42:54,150 --> 00:42:55,270 Shamai that he doesn't do for Job. 669 00:42:55,270 --> 00:42:58,950 What does he do? He pardons him. 670 00:42:59,790 --> 00:43:03,910 Not only does he part of them, he makes a promise to him and 671 00:43:03,910 --> 00:43:06,590 David even confesses it here. He says it here to Solomon. 672 00:43:07,110 --> 00:43:10,190 I swore to him by the Lord saying I will not put you to 673 00:43:10,190 --> 00:43:16,300 death with the sword. So how is this happening? 674 00:43:19,500 --> 00:43:21,220 Well, let's think back. OK, actually, let's do this. 675 00:43:21,260 --> 00:43:23,380 Let's go back to when he makes that oath and maybe we'll get 676 00:43:23,380 --> 00:43:25,420 come closer to whether or not this is right or wrong. 677 00:43:25,780 --> 00:43:37,540 Go to Second Samuel 19 and look here in verse 23 and you'll see 678 00:43:37,540 --> 00:43:39,340 where he originally made this promise. 679 00:43:40,600 --> 00:43:44,160 Well, you'll notice something he says before this verse that 680 00:43:44,160 --> 00:43:45,920 shows how clever David really was. 681 00:43:45,920 --> 00:43:48,600 And making this oath Second Samuel 1923. 682 00:43:48,600 --> 00:43:51,440 And the king said to Shamai, you shall not die. 683 00:43:51,440 --> 00:43:57,600 And the king gave him his oath. Is he breaking his promise? 684 00:44:00,680 --> 00:44:02,840 No. Yes, maybe. 685 00:44:04,880 --> 00:44:08,780 Look back at what he says in verse 22 because one of his men 686 00:44:08,780 --> 00:44:10,260 was wanting to kill him right on the spot. 687 00:44:10,260 --> 00:44:13,900 But David said, what have I to do with you, you sons of Zuriya, 688 00:44:14,180 --> 00:44:16,860 that you should this day be as an adversary to me? 689 00:44:17,100 --> 00:44:19,500 Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? 690 00:44:19,500 --> 00:44:22,820 For I do not know that I am for do I not know that I am this day 691 00:44:22,820 --> 00:44:26,380 king over Israel? Is there a certain phrase that 692 00:44:26,380 --> 00:44:33,140 is repeated here this day? 3 * 3 times? 693 00:44:33,140 --> 00:44:35,260 He said he's being very strategic with his words. 694 00:44:35,740 --> 00:44:37,940 Very strategic with his words. No. 695 00:44:37,940 --> 00:44:41,500 He says here, you son of Zaraya, should I this day be an 696 00:44:41,500 --> 00:44:44,740 adversary to me? Should you be an adversary to 697 00:44:44,740 --> 00:44:45,700 me? Shall anyone in the death of 698 00:44:45,700 --> 00:44:47,540 Israel be on this day? For I didn't. 699 00:44:47,700 --> 00:44:50,740 For do I not know that this day I'm king over this day, this 700 00:44:50,740 --> 00:44:51,740 day. What is he saying? 701 00:44:52,100 --> 00:44:58,500 Nobody's dying today. Not today. 702 00:44:59,140 --> 00:45:02,580 Why not today? What's the context of him saying 703 00:45:02,580 --> 00:45:05,340 this? Absalom was killed. 704 00:45:05,340 --> 00:45:08,850 He's returning to Jerusalem, and the last thing he wants to do is 705 00:45:08,850 --> 00:45:12,810 give more people, more reasons to not put their trust in him, 706 00:45:13,890 --> 00:45:18,810 to not give him a warm welcome, to not rebuild his government. 707 00:45:19,930 --> 00:45:21,290 And so he's playing politics here. 708 00:45:22,610 --> 00:45:24,210 He's playing politics. Nobody's going to. 709 00:45:24,210 --> 00:45:27,210 This is a day of celebration. This is a day of restoration. 710 00:45:27,530 --> 00:45:29,610 We're not going to, we're not going to shed any blood here 711 00:45:30,530 --> 00:45:34,330 yet. And he adds to that. 712 00:45:35,490 --> 00:45:39,590 I'm not going to kill him. She might. 713 00:45:39,590 --> 00:45:41,110 I'm not going to put you to death. 714 00:45:42,430 --> 00:45:46,150 And he has his fingers crossed behind his back, in a sense, 715 00:45:47,990 --> 00:45:52,710 duplicity. Some would say that this is the 716 00:45:52,710 --> 00:45:54,430 same kind of scenario as with Joe AB. 717 00:45:54,430 --> 00:46:00,350 I don't believe so. If you want to accuse David of 718 00:46:00,350 --> 00:46:02,190 really having bitterness, it's not with Joe AB. 719 00:46:02,190 --> 00:46:03,550 It's more here than with Joe. AB. 720 00:46:06,730 --> 00:46:12,250 Here is a man who made a promise and he's going to break the 721 00:46:12,250 --> 00:46:17,250 spirit of that promise. How do you understand you will 722 00:46:17,250 --> 00:46:23,090 not be put to death? I'm not going to expect at any 723 00:46:23,090 --> 00:46:25,250 time that I'm going to be put to death for this offense. 724 00:46:29,090 --> 00:46:35,670 David didn't mean that. When the right time came, I made 725 00:46:35,670 --> 00:46:37,590 an oath to shemaid that I would not kill him. 726 00:46:37,750 --> 00:46:39,350 That doesn't mean Solomon. You can't. 727 00:46:39,350 --> 00:46:45,510 So Solomon, this man cursed me. He embarrassed me. 728 00:46:46,510 --> 00:46:48,910 He shamed me. He betrayed me. 729 00:46:50,670 --> 00:46:55,270 Deal with him accordingly. Now, if you're hesitant to 730 00:46:55,270 --> 00:46:59,150 believe that about David, I know we want to hold on to our heroes 731 00:46:59,230 --> 00:47:03,630 in the Bible. I know we want the Sunday School 732 00:47:03,630 --> 00:47:06,510 version of our characters in the Bible. 733 00:47:09,350 --> 00:47:11,790 Even when you look at what Solomon does in response to this 734 00:47:11,790 --> 00:47:14,990 command, is that, I believe an indication that he himself 735 00:47:14,990 --> 00:47:18,230 realizes that there's a confliction with this final 736 00:47:18,230 --> 00:47:24,590 instruction from his father? The Solomon killed Joe AB, does 737 00:47:24,590 --> 00:47:28,870 he? Yeah, yeah. 738 00:47:28,870 --> 00:47:30,750 But the Solomon, a call for his death. 739 00:47:31,630 --> 00:47:34,200 Yes. He calls for his death, and it 740 00:47:34,200 --> 00:47:35,400 was immediate. It was swift. 741 00:47:35,400 --> 00:47:37,240 There was there was no reconsideration. 742 00:47:37,640 --> 00:47:39,400 He kills them at a very tragic place. 743 00:47:39,400 --> 00:47:42,280 We're going to discover. What about Shemay? 744 00:47:43,400 --> 00:47:45,280 Did Solomon kill him in the same way he kills Joe AB? 745 00:47:47,200 --> 00:47:50,600 What does he do with him? He makes a deal with him. 746 00:47:51,320 --> 00:47:54,440 He puts him on house arrest. He extends mercy. 747 00:47:56,240 --> 00:47:59,440 What did David say, though? Make sure you bring his Gray 748 00:47:59,440 --> 00:48:04,360 head down with blood to Sheol. It's almost as though there's 749 00:48:04,360 --> 00:48:08,840 hesitation in Solomon. It's almost as though in not 750 00:48:08,840 --> 00:48:12,080 wanting there to be any accusation against his father. 751 00:48:12,840 --> 00:48:16,520 He gives to my another chance a test, so to speak, to see if his 752 00:48:16,520 --> 00:48:20,800 integrity is true, if he was really a repented man. 753 00:48:21,520 --> 00:48:25,240 So he gives him another test and he fails that, unfortunately. 754 00:48:25,880 --> 00:48:29,440 But I think that says something that he doesn't act upon the 755 00:48:29,440 --> 00:48:33,750 command of his father to immediately kill him because he 756 00:48:33,750 --> 00:48:37,750 understood that even in that oath, it's there's kind of, 757 00:48:37,750 --> 00:48:39,670 there's binding. It's binding. 758 00:48:41,870 --> 00:48:43,030 You know what this is a picture of? 759 00:48:45,710 --> 00:48:47,510 Here's what people tend to do with the relationship between 760 00:48:47,510 --> 00:48:49,790 David and Shamai. They tend to go to that example 761 00:48:50,150 --> 00:48:52,230 to receive instruction on how to forgive. 762 00:48:52,430 --> 00:48:55,070 And you would be right in doing so if there wasn't a First Kings 763 00:48:55,070 --> 00:48:59,630 Chapter 2. If it ended with David looking 764 00:48:59,630 --> 00:49:04,760 at Shamai saying you will not be put to death, have a series on 765 00:49:04,760 --> 00:49:09,640 how to forgive and use that as an awesome example, I argue the 766 00:49:09,640 --> 00:49:12,920 opposite. David in this case is an example 767 00:49:12,920 --> 00:49:15,760 of how not to forgive, not how to forgive. 768 00:49:18,160 --> 00:49:21,000 Is it possible to look at somebody who's offended us and 769 00:49:21,000 --> 00:49:24,520 say I forgive you? Is it possible to be in a 770 00:49:26,840 --> 00:49:30,080 complicated issue among different parties in the church 771 00:49:30,080 --> 00:49:32,710 and you sit before the elders, you sit before other mature 772 00:49:32,710 --> 00:49:37,590 believers and say I forgave that person, while at the same time 773 00:49:37,590 --> 00:49:45,710 in your heart you want to kill them, you want to hurt them, you 774 00:49:45,710 --> 00:49:50,550 wish harm upon them, you delight in the thought of them receiving 775 00:49:51,270 --> 00:49:57,110 pain instead of pardon. David is an example of anything 776 00:49:57,110 --> 00:50:02,870 is it's what empty forgiveness looks like, what a deceptive 777 00:50:02,870 --> 00:50:06,510 forgiveness looks like. I'm saying this one thing to you 778 00:50:06,630 --> 00:50:07,750 again. The problem is not whether 779 00:50:07,750 --> 00:50:09,790 Shamay was wrong or not. He was wrong. 780 00:50:09,990 --> 00:50:15,470 The issue here is that David made an oath and he didn't 781 00:50:15,470 --> 00:50:20,310 really keep it and he played around with the wording of it. 782 00:50:21,190 --> 00:50:23,110 I won't do it, but my son Solomon would do it. 783 00:50:26,910 --> 00:50:28,430 How do I know if I've forgiven somebody? 784 00:50:30,450 --> 00:50:33,450 Is it me being able to say it to that person, As difficult as 785 00:50:33,450 --> 00:50:37,370 that might be? No, that's not how you know 786 00:50:37,370 --> 00:50:40,130 you've forgiven somebody. You know you've forgiven 787 00:50:40,130 --> 00:50:42,330 somebody. If you've surrendered whatever 788 00:50:42,330 --> 00:50:46,250 right you feel, you've have to give retribution to them. 789 00:50:47,810 --> 00:50:50,970 That's how you know when that is released. 790 00:50:53,970 --> 00:50:59,890 I will not when and if the opportunity arises, consider 791 00:51:02,090 --> 00:51:08,090 vengeance, retribution, payback, forgiveness says. 792 00:51:08,090 --> 00:51:11,330 I released that concept. I refuse to entertain it. 793 00:51:11,450 --> 00:51:14,170 I refuse to act upon it. And guess what? 794 00:51:14,650 --> 00:51:17,410 That does not mean that with that release comes the release 795 00:51:17,410 --> 00:51:19,610 of the pain or the wrong that you experience. 796 00:51:23,490 --> 00:51:25,730 Somebody gave a very simple illustrations that if you were 797 00:51:25,730 --> 00:51:30,180 to forgive somebody to who who hit you or who crashed into your 798 00:51:30,180 --> 00:51:33,020 car intentionally or whatever the case may be, and you still 799 00:51:33,020 --> 00:51:38,140 have physical pain, that presence of physical pain 800 00:51:38,140 --> 00:51:39,980 doesn't negate the fact that you've truly forgotten that 801 00:51:39,980 --> 00:51:41,540 person. That's true with emotional pain. 802 00:51:42,980 --> 00:51:46,420 So don't interpret your the presence of emotional pain to be 803 00:51:46,420 --> 00:51:48,420 an indication that you have not forgiven somebody. 804 00:51:51,380 --> 00:51:53,900 And so David here unfortunately, has not surrendered. 805 00:51:55,380 --> 00:51:58,050 He's not surrendered what he felt like. 806 00:51:58,050 --> 00:52:01,130 It was his right to pay back somebody who's done him wrong 807 00:52:01,130 --> 00:52:02,970 when he said that. I will not hurt you back. 808 00:52:03,810 --> 00:52:07,490 I will not come after you. This is unfortunate. 809 00:52:08,530 --> 00:52:11,650 It's unfortunate to know that after all those years, David had 810 00:52:12,210 --> 00:52:17,530 something in his heart against this man and it revealed itself 811 00:52:17,530 --> 00:52:25,590 on his deathbed. This is the last thing we see of 812 00:52:25,590 --> 00:52:31,790 David before he dies. And then we are told we get an 813 00:52:31,790 --> 00:52:35,230 obituary in verse 10. Then David slept with his 814 00:52:35,230 --> 00:52:38,310 father's and was buried in the city of David. 815 00:52:38,310 --> 00:52:43,710 And then we're told how long he reigned, and we're told that 816 00:52:43,710 --> 00:52:45,750 Solomon sat on the throne of David, his father, and his 817 00:52:45,750 --> 00:52:48,150 Kingdom was firmly established again. 818 00:52:48,150 --> 00:52:50,870 I told you how in First Chronicles 28 you get an 819 00:52:50,870 --> 00:52:56,110 expanded version of what we see here, David's last moments in 820 00:52:56,110 --> 00:52:59,670 life. In First Chronicles 29, you get 821 00:53:00,030 --> 00:53:03,190 added details about the description of David's summary 822 00:53:03,190 --> 00:53:04,790 of life. I want, I want you to see there, 823 00:53:04,790 --> 00:53:13,630 First Chronicles 29, as we close in verse 28 and First Chronicles 824 00:53:13,630 --> 00:53:18,430 29, verse 28, we read then he died at a good age. 825 00:53:18,430 --> 00:53:23,710 He died at a good age, full of days, riches and honor. 826 00:53:24,190 --> 00:53:26,590 And Solomon, his son, reigned in his place. 827 00:53:27,010 --> 00:53:31,290 Good age, full of days, riches and honor. 828 00:53:33,730 --> 00:53:37,650 If you disassociate God's faithfulness in those things. 829 00:53:38,970 --> 00:53:40,690 Even the heathen want to die this way. 830 00:53:42,530 --> 00:53:44,410 Who doesn't want to end their lives in this way? 831 00:53:45,930 --> 00:53:52,050 A good age full of days, riches and honor on top of it? 832 00:53:52,130 --> 00:53:53,450 Yeah, that's the way I want to go. 833 00:53:54,130 --> 00:53:58,190 Again, if you don't, if you don't filter that verse in light 834 00:53:58,190 --> 00:54:03,070 of God's covenant to him and his faithfulness to him, who doesn't 835 00:54:03,070 --> 00:54:09,310 want that? Don't strive for that. 836 00:54:11,710 --> 00:54:14,190 If those things are tied to God's dealing with you and your 837 00:54:14,190 --> 00:54:16,510 life, to glorify himself and so be it. 838 00:54:16,710 --> 00:54:19,750 But to look at those things on a superficial surface level way, 839 00:54:20,310 --> 00:54:21,790 this is what most people want to do. 840 00:54:21,870 --> 00:54:25,140 They want to live like that. They want to live and end in 841 00:54:25,140 --> 00:54:29,060 this way. But there's another commentary 842 00:54:29,060 --> 00:54:33,820 on how David ended his life. And that's what you and I should 843 00:54:33,820 --> 00:54:36,100 strive for. Whether these things are present 844 00:54:36,100 --> 00:54:38,420 or not, whether these things grow or not, Whether these 845 00:54:38,420 --> 00:54:42,820 things come with us to the end or they vanish as we go. 846 00:54:43,740 --> 00:54:47,460 The way of all the earth. Can I show you where that is? 847 00:54:47,660 --> 00:54:48,900 Does anybody know where I'm going? 848 00:54:51,180 --> 00:54:54,520 Acts 13. Good guests though, Acts 13, 849 00:54:54,520 --> 00:54:57,760 verse 36. Look what the Holy Spirit says 850 00:54:57,760 --> 00:55:00,320 about David here. And this is what you and I 851 00:55:00,320 --> 00:55:03,760 should say. Oh God, let this be said of me. 852 00:55:05,040 --> 00:55:17,670 Acts 1336. For David, after he had served 853 00:55:17,670 --> 00:55:24,630 the purpose of God in his own generation, after he had served 854 00:55:24,630 --> 00:55:27,230 the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was 855 00:55:27,230 --> 00:55:32,270 laid with his fathers, and saw corruption serve the purpose of 856 00:55:32,270 --> 00:55:39,270 God in his own generation. And understanding that we are 857 00:55:39,270 --> 00:55:44,590 all headed the same place, that same entryway into eternity. 858 00:55:46,150 --> 00:55:51,230 Is that your desire, Lord, please. 859 00:55:51,910 --> 00:55:54,110 With riches, Without riches, With honor. 860 00:55:54,110 --> 00:55:56,630 Without honor, Full of days or short life. 861 00:55:56,630 --> 00:56:00,080 Humanly speaking, whatever it takes for me to serve your 862 00:56:00,080 --> 00:56:04,320 purpose for my life in this generation, so be it. 863 00:56:06,040 --> 00:56:08,840 Please let it happen. Please don't let me miss the 864 00:56:08,840 --> 00:56:12,360 purpose that you have for me. And again, that might look like 865 00:56:12,360 --> 00:56:16,920 a bezel eye where you serve God. That might not seem impressive 866 00:56:16,920 --> 00:56:21,960 to the human eye, or it might be something spectacular like what 867 00:56:21,960 --> 00:56:24,120 Moses did. That doesn't matter as long as I 868 00:56:24,120 --> 00:56:26,000 know that I fulfilled his purpose. 869 00:56:27,550 --> 00:56:30,630 You know how people have like, life versus life versus what's 870 00:56:30,630 --> 00:56:33,270 your life versus what's my life versus like? 871 00:56:33,270 --> 00:56:34,950 How can I pick? There's a whole library here. 872 00:56:35,750 --> 00:56:39,550 But if there was, at least at this point in my life, a life 873 00:56:39,550 --> 00:56:41,670 verse? Nobody asked but I just thought 874 00:56:41,670 --> 00:56:49,550 I would share with anyway. Not Acts 1336, Acts 2024, Acts 875 00:56:49,550 --> 00:56:53,190 2024. I love this verse. 876 00:56:54,390 --> 00:56:56,590 It's what Paul says to the elders and emphasis. 877 00:56:58,560 --> 00:56:59,760 And maybe it's your life for us too. 878 00:56:59,760 --> 00:57:03,720 But I do not account my life of any value, nor is precious to 879 00:57:03,720 --> 00:57:06,680 myself. If only I may finish my course 880 00:57:06,680 --> 00:57:09,520 in the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify 881 00:57:09,520 --> 00:57:11,080 to the gospel of the grace of God. 882 00:57:12,920 --> 00:57:18,520 There is 0 value to my life apart from me fulfilling the 883 00:57:18,520 --> 00:57:23,600 ministry that I received from God no other purpose. 884 00:57:24,240 --> 00:57:29,810 My life is not precious apart from me knowing and obeying the 885 00:57:29,810 --> 00:57:36,530 purpose of God for my life. Radical Christianity No 886 00:57:37,130 --> 00:57:40,410 Christianity 101 This isn't radical. 887 00:57:41,490 --> 00:57:46,290 It should be all of our life verses and God will help us and 888 00:57:46,290 --> 00:57:49,650 he will energize us and he has given us studies like this and 889 00:57:49,650 --> 00:57:53,460 time in the word on your own to see what not to do and what to 890 00:57:53,460 --> 00:57:56,340 do and how it's possible to live with bitterness in my heart to 891 00:57:56,340 --> 00:57:59,900 the last breath that I have. Lord, please no rescue me from 892 00:57:59,900 --> 00:58:01,860 it. It's possible to live in sin and 893 00:58:01,860 --> 00:58:05,140 thinking that I can prolong my life without any intervention 894 00:58:05,140 --> 00:58:08,660 from God and be surprised, if not in this life, in the life to 895 00:58:08,660 --> 00:58:11,060 come. Oh, it's possible to feel 896 00:58:11,060 --> 00:58:14,650 overlooked and to feel as though that I don't have anything of 897 00:58:14,650 --> 00:58:17,090 value to offer. And we'll be shocked at the end 898 00:58:17,090 --> 00:58:19,290 of it all to realize that God will reward us for even giving a 899 00:58:19,290 --> 00:58:23,970 glass of water. Oh, it's possible to start well, 900 00:58:23,970 --> 00:58:28,010 as Solomon did, and not end very well. 901 00:58:31,170 --> 00:58:33,170 And what we want to do Say, Lord, through all of these 902 00:58:33,170 --> 00:58:35,530 things that I've learned, help me do one thing, fulfill my 903 00:58:35,530 --> 00:58:38,890 purpose, and to consider that the most precious thing about my 904 00:58:38,890 --> 00:58:41,980 brief existence on the earth. And He will help us. 905 00:58:42,580 --> 00:58:44,420 He will help us. Let's pray. 906 00:58:47,620 --> 00:58:49,500 Thank you, Father, for this time. 907 00:58:52,780 --> 00:58:58,100 As rewarding as it is, though, we also feel that there's so 908 00:58:58,100 --> 00:59:00,300 much more that could be said. So we pray that these 909 00:59:00,300 --> 00:59:03,020 observations that were made together would encourage us to 910 00:59:03,020 --> 00:59:10,200 think deeper, to meditate longer, to explore further how 911 00:59:10,200 --> 00:59:14,920 these things relate to us, how they reveal you, your wisdom, 912 00:59:15,160 --> 00:59:21,120 your love, Your Holiness. Father, as we as we pause now to 913 00:59:21,120 --> 00:59:24,600 meditate and to ultimately give you the sacrifice of praise and 914 00:59:24,600 --> 00:59:26,840 response. Be glorified. 915 00:59:27,360 --> 00:59:30,040 Be glorified, Lord, Be glorified. 916 00:59:30,320 --> 00:59:32,680 Not just in our discovery of these things, but in the 917 00:59:32,680 --> 00:59:34,760 application of them. Help us. 918 00:59:36,960 --> 00:59:43,250 We want to live for you, Lord. And so we say again, thank you 919 00:59:43,250 --> 00:59:47,530 for your word. Thank you for your mind being 920 00:59:47,530 --> 00:59:52,210 revealed to us. Maybe Now reflect it in every 921 00:59:52,210 --> 00:59:54,650 way possible in Christ and we pray. 922 00:59:55,010 --> 00:59:56,090 Amen. Amen. 923 00:59:56,090 --> 00:59:57,490 Let's stand and worship the Lord together.