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This<00:00:00.260><c> is</c><00:00:00.500><c> Wat</c><00:00:00.720><c> Chan</c><00:00:00.980><c> Lake</c><00:00:01.240><c> Bible</c><00:00:01.639><c> School.</c>

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This<00:00:03.359><c> is</c><00:00:03.799><c> class</c><00:00:04.099><c> one</c><00:00:04.559><c> in</c><00:00:05.200><c> Brother</c><00:00:05.459><c> Nathan</c><00:00:05.700><c> Lewis's</c><00:00:06.240><c> series</c><00:00:06.639><c> on</c>

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Esther,<00:00:07.500><c> Queen</c><00:00:07.639><c> of</c><00:00:07.879><c> Destiny.</c>

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This<00:00:09.300><c> is</c><00:00:10.099><c> class</c><00:00:10.339><c> one</c><00:00:10.619><c> titled</c><00:00:11.000><c> The</c><00:00:11.500><c> Feast,</c><00:00:12.380><c> The</c><00:00:12.599><c> Fall</c><00:00:12.820><c> of</c><00:00:13.039><c> Vashti.</c>

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And<00:00:13.539><c> our</c><00:00:13.599><c> reading</c><00:00:13.800><c> was</c><00:00:14.060><c> Esther</c><00:00:14.480><c> one</c><00:00:15.439><c> versus</c><00:00:15.800><c> one</c><00:00:16.079><c> to</c><00:00:16.300><c> twenty</c><00:00:16.600><c> two.</c>

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Brother<00:00:17.920><c> Nathan,</c><00:00:18.379><c> please.</c>

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Morning,<00:00:23.620><c> brothers.</c>

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Bring<00:00:27.660><c> greetings</c><00:00:28.179><c> with</c><00:00:28.379><c> us</c><00:00:28.600><c> from</c><00:00:29.160><c> your</c><00:00:29.480><c> brothers</c><00:00:29.640><c> and</c><00:00:29.859><c> sisters</c><00:00:30.140><c> at</c><00:00:30.440><c> the</c>

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Christchurch<00:00:31.120><c> North</c><00:00:31.460><c> Ecclesia</c>

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all<00:00:32.740><c> the</c><00:00:32.820><c> way</c><00:00:32.899><c> over</c><00:00:33.060><c> in</c><00:00:33.179><c> New</c><00:00:33.320><c> Zealand,</c><00:00:33.979><c> and</c><00:00:34.100><c> especially</c><00:00:34.359><c> from</c>

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my<00:00:34.859><c> mother</c><00:00:35.000><c> and</c><00:00:35.280><c> father</c><00:00:35.539><c> who</c><00:00:35.719><c> wish</c><00:00:35.899><c> to</c><00:00:36.060><c> be</c><00:00:36.240><c> remembered</c>

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to<00:00:36.759><c> all.</c>

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Well,<00:00:39.060><c> I'm</c><00:00:39.240><c> really</c><00:00:39.500><c> excited,</c><00:00:39.939><c> as</c><00:00:40.100><c> we</c><00:00:40.259><c> said</c><00:00:40.380><c> last</c><00:00:40.719><c> night,</c><00:00:41.000><c> to</c>

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be<00:00:41.179><c> able</c><00:00:41.299><c> to</c><00:00:41.399><c> spend</c><00:00:41.579><c> the</c><00:00:41.719><c> week</c><00:00:41.859><c> looking</c>

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at<00:00:43.119><c> this</c><00:00:43.500><c> amazing</c><00:00:44.259><c> story,</c><00:00:44.700><c> the</c><00:00:44.979><c> story</c><00:00:45.280><c> of</c><00:00:45.799><c> Esther.</c>

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And<00:00:47.159><c> hopefully</c><00:00:47.359><c> I</c><00:00:47.479><c> can</c><00:00:48.079><c> share</c><00:00:48.340><c> that</c><00:00:48.640><c> excitement</c><00:00:49.079><c> with</c><00:00:49.439><c> you</c>

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this<00:00:50.000><c> week.</c>

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It's<00:00:51.119><c> pretty</c><00:00:51.320><c> easy</c><00:00:51.560><c> to</c><00:00:51.740><c> get</c><00:00:51.920><c> excited</c><00:00:52.320><c> about</c><00:00:52.600><c> this</c><00:00:53.140><c> amazing</c>

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story<00:00:54.340><c> and</c><00:00:54.759><c> these</c><00:00:55.280><c> larger</c><00:00:55.700><c> than</c><00:00:55.979><c> life</c><00:00:56.259><c> characters,</c>

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isn't<00:00:57.740><c> it?</c>

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It's<00:00:58.380><c> the</c><00:00:58.579><c> kind</c><00:00:58.740><c> of</c><00:00:58.979><c> story</c><00:00:59.100><c> that</c><00:00:59.280><c> you</c><00:00:59.399><c> just</c><00:00:59.579><c> don't</c><00:00:59.700><c> want</c><00:00:59.820><c> to</c><00:00:59.920><c> put</c><00:01:00.100><c> down</c><00:01:00.240><c> if</c>

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you're<00:01:00.520><c> like</c><00:01:00.679><c> me.</c>

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You<00:01:01.539><c> come</c><00:01:01.799><c> to</c><00:01:02.020><c> Esther</c><00:01:02.200><c> in</c><00:01:02.340><c> the</c><00:01:02.520><c> readings</c><00:01:02.719><c> and</c><00:01:03.000><c> you</c><00:01:03.179><c> just</c><00:01:03.420><c> kind</c>

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of<00:01:03.640><c> want</c><00:01:03.740><c> to</c><00:01:03.979><c> read</c><00:01:04.159><c> right</c><00:01:04.519><c> through</c><00:01:04.719><c> to</c>

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the<00:01:05.060><c> end.</c>

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There's<00:01:06.459><c> the</c><00:01:07.060><c> fabulously</c><00:01:07.819><c> wealthy</c><00:01:08.659><c> King</c><00:01:09.480><c> Ahasuerus</c><00:01:10.500><c> in</c><00:01:10.680><c> his</c>

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castle,<00:01:12.159><c> high</c><00:01:12.420><c> on</c><00:01:12.620><c> the</c><00:01:12.819><c> hill,</c><00:01:14.239><c> inscrutable</c>

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and<00:01:16.219><c> aloof.</c>

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As<00:01:18.180><c> we</c><00:01:18.379><c> read</c><00:01:18.540><c> in</c><00:01:18.659><c> chapter</c><00:01:18.939><c> one</c><00:01:19.140><c> and</c><00:01:19.319><c> verse</c><00:01:19.739><c> fourteen,</c><00:01:20.719><c> no</c><00:01:20.879><c> one</c>

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actually<00:01:21.459><c> knows</c><00:01:21.700><c> what</c><00:01:21.840><c> he</c><00:01:22.060><c> even</c><00:01:22.379><c> looks</c><00:01:22.719><c> like.</c>

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He<00:01:23.939><c> is</c><00:01:24.159><c> mysterious</c><00:01:25.180><c> and</c><00:01:25.980><c> all</c><00:01:26.340><c> powerful.</c>

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And<00:01:28.019><c> then</c><00:01:28.099><c> there</c><00:01:28.260><c> is</c><00:01:28.459><c> Esther,</c><00:01:29.640><c> the</c><00:01:30.040><c> extraordinarily</c><00:01:30.540><c> beautiful</c><00:01:31.140><c> captive</c>

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girl<00:01:31.980><c> plucked</c><00:01:32.560><c> from</c><00:01:32.760><c> obscurity</c>

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to<00:01:33.719><c> become</c><00:01:34.019><c> the</c><00:01:34.640><c> queen</c><00:01:34.939><c> of</c><00:01:35.299><c> all</c><00:01:35.560><c> the</c><00:01:35.819><c> world,</c><00:01:38.180><c> her</c><00:01:38.719><c> humble</c><00:01:39.120><c> cousin</c><00:01:39.519><c> Mordecai,</c><00:01:41.060><c> who</c>

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becomes<00:01:41.519><c> prime</c>

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minister<00:01:42.379><c> of</c><00:01:43.019><c> all</c><00:01:43.379><c> the</c><00:01:43.599><c> realm</c><00:01:44.280><c> and</c><00:01:45.540><c> lurking</c><00:01:45.900><c> in</c><00:01:46.099><c> the</c><00:01:46.299><c> shadows,</c>

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perhaps<00:01:47.939><c> the</c><00:01:48.579><c> darkest</c><00:01:49.060><c> villain</c><00:01:49.420><c> of</c>

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all<00:01:49.819><c> the</c><00:01:49.939><c> Old</c><00:01:50.180><c> Testament,</c><00:01:51.760><c> Haman</c><00:01:52.019><c> the</c><00:01:52.379><c> Agagite,</c><00:01:53.260><c> intent</c><00:01:53.459><c> on</c>

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deceit<00:01:55.400><c> and</c><00:01:55.879><c> treachery</c><00:01:57.180><c> and</c><00:01:57.819><c> murder.</c>

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Global<00:01:58.780><c> genocide.</c>

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As<00:02:00.439><c> if</c><00:02:00.680><c> an</c><00:02:00.939><c> omnipotent</c><00:02:01.480><c> king,</c><00:02:03.680><c> a</c><00:02:03.859><c> beautiful</c><00:02:04.280><c> slave</c><00:02:04.659><c> girl</c><00:02:04.840><c> becoming</c><00:02:05.180><c> queen</c><00:02:05.459><c> of</c>

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all<00:02:05.739><c> the</c><00:02:05.900><c> world,</c><00:02:06.200><c> who</c>

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turns<00:02:06.519><c> out</c><00:02:06.739><c> to</c><00:02:06.859><c> be</c><00:02:07.000><c> the</c><00:02:07.280><c> niece</c><00:02:07.700><c> of</c><00:02:08.199><c> the</c><00:02:08.360><c> prime</c><00:02:08.539><c> minister,</c>

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isn't<00:02:09.360><c> enough</c><00:02:09.840><c> theatre.</c>

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We<00:02:10.659><c> have</c><00:02:10.800><c> an</c><00:02:11.120><c> ancient</c><00:02:11.479><c> Hitler</c><00:02:12.000><c> in</c><00:02:12.500><c> the</c><00:02:12.680><c> mix,</c><00:02:13.379><c> a</c><00:02:13.419><c> megalomaniac</c>

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intent<00:02:14.699><c> on</c><00:02:15.360><c> exterminating</c><00:02:16.000><c> the</c><00:02:16.180><c> Jewish</c><00:02:16.419><c> race.</c>

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Does<00:02:17.180><c> it</c><00:02:17.439><c> get</c><00:02:17.620><c> any</c><00:02:17.919><c> better</c><00:02:18.099><c> than</c><00:02:18.300><c> this,</c><00:02:19.139><c> brothers</c><00:02:19.379><c> and</c><00:02:19.819><c> sisters</c><00:02:20.080><c> and</c>

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young<00:02:20.479><c> people?</c>

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Is<00:02:21.300><c> there</c><00:02:21.479><c> a</c><00:02:21.659><c> better</c><00:02:21.900><c> storyline?</c>

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Is<00:02:23.500><c> there</c><00:02:23.659><c> a</c><00:02:23.800><c> more</c><00:02:24.060><c> global</c><00:02:24.500><c> stage?</c>

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Is<00:02:25.500><c> there</c><00:02:25.659><c> a</c><00:02:25.780><c> more</c><00:02:26.000><c> epic</c><00:02:26.340><c> plot,</c><00:02:27.259><c> a</c><00:02:27.419><c> more</c><00:02:27.639><c> gripping</c><00:02:27.960><c> drama</c><00:02:28.319><c> than</c>

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this<00:02:29.219><c> ancient</c><00:02:29.819><c> tale</c><00:02:30.199><c> that</c><00:02:30.419><c> we</c><00:02:31.400><c> have</c>

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before<00:02:31.919><c> us</c><00:02:32.419><c> this</c><00:02:32.840><c> week</c><00:02:33.180><c> from</c><00:02:33.539><c> the</c><00:02:33.740><c> palace</c><00:02:34.080><c> in</c><00:02:34.419><c> Shushan?</c>

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In<00:02:34.800><c> every</c><00:02:35.139><c> chapter</c><00:02:35.479><c> we're</c><00:02:35.840><c> like</c><00:02:36.139><c> lurching,</c><00:02:36.599><c> aren't</c><00:02:36.759><c> we,</c><00:02:37.020><c> from</c>

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extravagant<00:02:39.199><c> banquets</c><00:02:40.379><c> to</c><00:02:40.819><c> sinister</c>

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plots,<00:02:42.879><c> from</c><00:02:43.259><c> beauty</c><00:02:43.680><c> pageants</c><00:02:44.199><c> to</c><00:02:44.539><c> assassination</c><00:02:45.199><c> attempts.</c>

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It's<00:02:46.259><c> the</c><00:02:46.419><c> kind</c><00:02:46.580><c> of</c><00:02:47.099><c> book</c><00:02:47.319><c> that,</c><00:02:47.860><c> as</c><00:02:48.240><c> we</c><00:02:48.500><c> said,</c><00:02:48.599><c> you</c><00:02:48.740><c> really</c><00:02:49.000><c> don't</c><00:02:49.180><c> want</c><00:02:49.300><c> to</c>

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put<00:02:49.620><c> down.</c>

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It<00:02:49.979><c> has</c><00:02:50.199><c> all</c><00:02:50.419><c> of</c><00:02:50.500><c> us</c><00:02:50.620><c> on</c><00:02:50.800><c> the</c><00:02:50.939><c> edge</c><00:02:51.099><c> of</c><00:02:51.240><c> our</c><00:02:51.500><c> seats.</c>

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And<00:02:53.439><c> hopefully,</c><00:02:53.879><c> brothers</c><00:02:53.960><c> and</c><00:02:54.159><c> sisters,</c><00:02:54.439><c> as</c><00:02:55.560><c> we</c><00:02:55.759><c> explore</c><00:02:56.259><c> the</c><00:02:56.539><c> story</c><00:02:56.699><c> of</c>

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Esther<00:02:57.020><c> together</c><00:02:57.439><c> this</c>

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we<00:02:58.120><c> can</c><00:02:58.319><c> be</c><00:02:58.560><c> absorbed</c><00:02:59.360><c> into</c><00:03:00.819><c> the</c><00:03:01.340><c> drama</c><00:03:01.680><c> of</c><00:03:02.360><c> this</c><00:03:03.099><c> particular</c>

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tale,<00:03:05.659><c> to</c><00:03:05.800><c> marvel</c><00:03:06.060><c> as</c><00:03:06.259><c> our</c><00:03:06.560><c> father</c><00:03:06.719><c> pulls</c>

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deliverance<00:03:08.159><c> and</c><00:03:08.699><c> life</c><00:03:09.300><c> from</c><00:03:09.879><c> the</c><00:03:10.000><c> very</c><00:03:10.379><c> jaws</c><00:03:10.819><c> of</c><00:03:11.860><c> defeat</c><00:03:12.379><c> and</c><00:03:12.800><c> death.</c>

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Oh,<00:03:13.659><c> there</c><00:03:13.800><c> are</c><00:03:14.120><c> characters</c><00:03:14.419><c> aplenty</c><00:03:14.900><c> in</c><00:03:15.219><c> this</c><00:03:16.199><c> internationally</c><00:03:16.860><c> flavoured</c><00:03:17.479><c> drama.</c>

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Persian<00:03:18.580><c> kings,</c><00:03:20.020><c> Jewish</c><00:03:20.520><c> queens,</c><00:03:22.379><c> Amalekite</c><00:03:23.060><c> vagabonds.</c>

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But<00:03:25.120><c> it's</c><00:03:26.280><c> my</c><00:03:26.439><c> hope</c><00:03:26.620><c> this</c><00:03:26.879><c> week,</c><00:03:27.340><c> brothers</c><00:03:27.400><c> and</c><00:03:27.699><c> sisters</c><00:03:27.939><c> and</c>

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young<00:03:28.360><c> people,</c><00:03:28.879><c> that</c><00:03:28.919><c> hopefully</c><00:03:29.300><c> you</c><00:03:29.500><c> will</c>

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see<00:03:30.120><c> emerge</c><00:03:30.960><c> from</c><00:03:31.819><c> the</c><00:03:32.159><c> story,</c><00:03:33.219><c> the</c><00:03:33.479><c> true</c><00:03:33.900><c> hero.</c>

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And<00:03:35.379><c> the</c><00:03:35.560><c> true</c><00:03:35.740><c> hero</c><00:03:36.020><c> is</c><00:03:36.280><c> not</c><00:03:36.580><c> Esther.</c>

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As<00:03:37.180><c> heroic</c><00:03:37.699><c> as</c><00:03:38.020><c> she</c><00:03:38.180><c> was,</c><00:03:39.280><c> the</c><00:03:39.419><c> true</c><00:03:39.740><c> hero</c><00:03:40.020><c> of</c><00:03:40.259><c> this</c><00:03:40.620><c> story</c><00:03:40.900><c> is</c>

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Mordecai,<00:03:42.759><c> the</c><00:03:43.000><c> humble</c><00:03:44.180><c> gatekeeper.</c>

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In<00:03:45.000><c> fact,</c><00:03:45.259><c> we</c><00:03:45.360><c> should</c><00:03:45.639><c> really</c><00:03:46.060><c> title</c><00:03:47.020><c> this</c><00:03:47.680><c> series</c><00:03:48.259><c> Mordecai,</c>

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Prince<00:03:50.659><c> of</c><00:03:51.319><c> Destiny.</c>

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And<00:03:52.280><c> it's</c><00:03:52.599><c> my</c><00:03:52.819><c> hope</c><00:03:53.039><c> that</c><00:03:53.280><c> we,</c><00:03:53.900><c> as</c><00:03:54.159><c> we</c><00:03:54.280><c> go</c><00:03:54.479><c> through</c><00:03:54.780><c> this</c><00:03:55.159><c> week,</c>

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we<00:03:55.539><c> come</c><00:03:55.759><c> to</c><00:03:56.099><c> appreciate</c><00:03:56.840><c> him</c><00:03:57.180><c> just</c>

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a<00:03:57.620><c> little</c><00:03:57.800><c> more.</c>

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To<00:03:59.719><c> know</c><00:04:00.020><c> him.</c>

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To<00:04:01.580><c> love</c><00:04:01.879><c> him.</c>

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Because<00:04:02.800><c> this</c><00:04:03.120><c> man,</c><00:04:03.560><c> brothers</c><00:04:03.620><c> and</c><00:04:03.840><c> sisters,</c><00:04:04.180><c> this</c><00:04:04.979><c> loyal,</c>

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dusty<00:04:07.120><c> gatekeeper,</c><00:04:07.840><c> he</c><00:04:08.060><c> is</c><00:04:08.360><c> our</c><00:04:08.680><c> life.</c>

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This<00:04:10.580><c> is</c><00:04:10.759><c> a</c><00:04:10.840><c> very</c><00:04:11.039><c> passionate</c><00:04:11.439><c> story</c><00:04:11.860><c> that</c><00:04:12.060><c> has</c><00:04:12.780><c> real</c><00:04:13.199><c> people</c>

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feeling<00:04:13.960><c> very</c><00:04:14.379><c> real</c><00:04:14.680><c> emotions.</c>

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And<00:04:15.780><c> we</c><00:04:15.919><c> want</c><00:04:16.079><c> to</c><00:04:16.319><c> fuel</c><00:04:16.600><c> and</c><00:04:17.720><c> come</c><00:04:18.860><c> to</c><00:04:19.180><c> grips</c><00:04:19.319><c> with</c><00:04:19.519><c> those</c><00:04:19.759><c> emotions</c><00:04:20.319><c> this</c>

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week<00:04:21.139><c> and</c><00:04:21.279><c> see</c><00:04:21.459><c> how</c><00:04:21.759><c> God</c><00:04:22.000><c> was</c>

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working<00:04:22.540><c> in</c><00:04:22.740><c> all</c><00:04:22.959><c> of</c><00:04:23.160><c> their</c><00:04:23.339><c> lives</c><00:04:23.899><c> to</c><00:04:24.399><c> bring</c><00:04:24.600><c> about</c><00:04:24.939><c> his</c><00:04:25.199><c> purpose</c><00:04:25.540><c> as</c>

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he<00:04:26.100><c> is</c><00:04:26.800><c> in</c><00:04:27.199><c> ours.</c>

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Because<00:04:28.180><c> really</c><00:04:28.439><c> this</c><00:04:28.720><c> story</c><00:04:28.980><c> is</c><00:04:29.279><c> really</c><00:04:29.740><c> a</c><00:04:30.019><c> story</c><00:04:30.319><c> of</c><00:04:30.939><c> providence.</c>

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That<00:04:33.100><c> whatever</c><00:04:33.319><c> comes,</c><00:04:33.939><c> God</c><00:04:34.300><c> cares</c><00:04:35.060><c> about</c><00:04:36.040><c> his</c><00:04:36.579><c> people.</c>

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All<00:04:37.439><c> things</c><00:04:38.120><c> work</c><00:04:38.600><c> together</c><00:04:39.100><c> for</c><00:04:39.459><c> good</c><00:04:39.800><c> to</c><00:04:40.379><c> them</c><00:04:40.620><c> that</c><00:04:40.920><c> love</c>

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God<00:04:41.819><c> and</c><00:04:42.300><c> are</c><00:04:42.399><c> the</c><00:04:42.740><c> called</c><00:04:43.040><c> according</c>

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to<00:04:43.899><c> his</c><00:04:44.019><c> purpose.</c>

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I<00:04:45.259><c> don't</c><00:04:45.439><c> know</c><00:04:45.540><c> about</c><00:04:45.740><c> you,</c><00:04:46.180><c> brothers</c><00:04:46.199><c> and</c><00:04:46.360><c> sisters,</c><00:04:46.579><c> but</c><00:04:46.779><c> it's</c><00:04:47.040><c> hard</c><00:04:47.339><c> to</c>

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believe<00:04:47.800><c> that</c><00:04:48.060><c> sometimes,</c>

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isn't<00:04:48.660><c> it?</c>

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All<00:04:50.819><c> things</c><00:04:51.579><c> work</c><00:04:52.279><c> together</c><00:04:52.740><c> for</c><00:04:53.019><c> good.</c>

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I<00:04:54.120><c> wonder</c><00:04:54.420><c> whether</c><00:04:54.660><c> Mordecai</c><00:04:55.300><c> and</c><00:04:55.560><c> Esther</c><00:04:55.860><c> wondered</c><00:04:56.639><c> whether</c>

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that<00:04:57.180><c> was</c><00:04:57.420><c> true</c><00:04:57.620><c> in</c><00:04:57.759><c> their</c><00:04:58.019><c> lives.</c>

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That<00:04:59.500><c> all</c><00:04:59.720><c> things</c><00:05:00.000><c> work</c><00:05:00.240><c> together</c><00:05:00.740><c> for</c><00:05:01.180><c> good.</c>

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They<00:05:02.500><c> could</c><00:05:02.860><c> scarcely</c><00:05:03.240><c> believe</c><00:05:03.579><c> this</c><00:05:03.939><c> story</c><00:05:04.480><c> themselves.</c>

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From<00:05:06.000><c> doomed</c><00:05:06.399><c> exiles,</c><00:05:08.139><c> destined</c><00:05:08.360><c> for</c><00:05:08.639><c> death,</c><00:05:09.459><c> to</c><00:05:09.759><c> co</c><00:05:10.279><c>-ruling</c>

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the<00:05:10.740><c> Persian</c><00:05:11.100><c> Empire?</c>

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Oh,<00:05:13.139><c> this</c><00:05:13.259><c> truly</c><00:05:13.660><c> is</c><00:05:13.959><c> a</c><00:05:14.180><c> story</c><00:05:14.379><c> of</c><00:05:14.699><c> providence.</c>

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And<00:05:16.540><c> yet,</c><00:05:16.680><c> as</c><00:05:16.879><c> we</c><00:05:17.040><c> said</c><00:05:17.160><c> last</c><00:05:17.540><c> night</c><00:05:17.800><c> in</c><00:05:18.079><c> a</c><00:05:18.800><c> story</c><00:05:18.959><c> that</c><00:05:19.279><c> simply</c>

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throbs<00:05:20.360><c> with</c><00:05:20.680><c> the</c><00:05:20.899><c> work</c><00:05:21.079><c> of</c><00:05:21.379><c> God,</c><00:05:22.560><c> as</c>

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we<00:05:23.000><c> said,</c><00:05:23.259><c> God</c><00:05:23.480><c> is</c><00:05:23.740><c> never</c><00:05:23.980><c> mentioned.</c>

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And<00:05:25.879><c> we</c><00:05:26.040><c> have</c><00:05:26.220><c> to</c><00:05:26.379><c> ask</c><00:05:26.660><c> ourselves,</c><00:05:27.060><c> don't</c><00:05:27.360><c> we,</c><00:05:28.079><c> why</c><00:05:28.379><c> is</c><00:05:28.699><c> this?</c>

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Why<00:05:30.300><c> is</c><00:05:30.540><c> God</c><00:05:30.839><c> so</c><00:05:31.339><c> apparently,</c><00:05:32.579><c> obviously,</c><00:05:34.279><c> missing</c><00:05:34.620><c> from</c><00:05:34.939><c> the</c><00:05:35.259><c> story?</c>

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Well,<00:05:36.439><c> it's</c><00:05:36.699><c> because</c><00:05:36.980><c> the</c><00:05:37.180><c> work</c><00:05:37.360><c> of</c><00:05:37.660><c> providence</c><00:05:38.160><c> is</c><00:05:39.000><c> really</c>

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the<00:05:39.519><c> work</c><00:05:39.699><c> of</c><00:05:39.920><c> an</c><00:05:40.240><c> unseen</c><00:05:40.980><c> but</c><00:05:41.980><c> mighty</c>

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hand.

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Look<00:05:43.399><c> at</c><00:05:43.540><c> this</c><00:05:43.720><c> from</c><00:05:43.920><c> Deuteronomy</c><00:05:44.339><c> chapter</c><00:05:44.759><c> 31.</c>

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And<00:05:45.680><c> Yahweh</c><00:05:46.000><c> said</c><00:05:46.180><c> unto</c><00:05:46.420><c> Moses,</c><00:05:47.100><c> Behold,</c><00:05:47.800><c> thou</c><00:05:47.959><c> shalt</c><00:05:48.220><c> sleep</c>

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with<00:05:48.839><c> thy</c><00:05:49.019><c> fathers,</c><00:05:49.959><c> and</c><00:05:50.160><c> I</c><00:05:50.519><c> will</c><00:05:51.040><c> hide</c><00:05:51.699><c> my</c>

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face<00:05:52.980><c> from</c><00:05:53.379><c> them,</c><00:05:54.639><c> so</c><00:05:54.800><c> that</c><00:05:54.899><c> they</c><00:05:55.040><c> will</c><00:05:55.279><c> say</c><00:05:55.500><c> in</c><00:05:55.639><c> that</c><00:05:55.860><c> day,</c>

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are<00:05:56.540><c> not</c><00:05:56.680><c> these</c><00:05:56.980><c> evils</c><00:05:57.220><c> come</c><00:05:57.459><c> upon</c><00:05:57.699><c> us,</c><00:05:58.019><c> because</c>

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our<00:05:59.100><c> God</c><00:05:59.319><c> is</c><00:05:59.639><c> not</c><00:06:00.019><c> among</c><00:06:00.279><c> us?</c>

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And<00:06:01.439><c> I</c><00:06:01.579><c> will</c><00:06:01.819><c> surely</c><00:06:02.160><c> hide</c><00:06:03.019><c> my</c><00:06:03.540><c> face</c><00:06:04.240><c> in</c><00:06:04.740><c> that</c><00:06:05.040><c> day,</c><00:06:05.639><c> for</c><00:06:05.839><c> all</c>

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the<00:06:06.620><c> evils</c><00:06:06.899><c> which</c><00:06:07.139><c> they</c><00:06:07.420><c> shall</c><00:06:07.560><c> have</c><00:06:07.879><c> wrought,</c>

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in<00:06:08.740><c> that</c><00:06:08.839><c> they</c><00:06:09.019><c> are</c><00:06:09.279><c> turned</c><00:06:09.699><c> unto</c><00:06:10.180><c> other</c><00:06:10.519><c> gods.</c>

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And<00:06:11.319><c> why</c><00:06:11.579><c> was</c><00:06:11.779><c> Israel</c><00:06:12.100><c> sent</c><00:06:12.439><c> into</c><00:06:12.699><c> captivity,</c><00:06:13.199><c> into</c><00:06:13.459><c> Babylon,</c>

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and<00:06:14.360><c> stayed</c><00:06:14.579><c> there,</c><00:06:15.120><c> into</c><00:06:15.379><c> the</c><00:06:15.860><c> time</c><00:06:16.040><c> of</c>

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the<00:06:16.379><c> Persian</c><00:06:16.740><c> kings?</c>

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Because<00:06:18.300><c> of</c><00:06:18.860><c> idolatry.</c>

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Because<00:06:21.120><c> they</c><00:06:21.339><c> are</c><00:06:21.620><c> turned</c><00:06:21.879><c> unto</c><00:06:22.240><c> other</c><00:06:22.519><c> gods.</c>

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And<00:06:23.339><c> God</c><00:06:23.600><c> said,</c><00:06:24.139><c> when</c><00:06:24.139><c> that</c><00:06:24.420><c> happens,</c><00:06:25.579><c> I</c><00:06:25.579><c> will</c><00:06:25.980><c> hide</c><00:06:26.560><c> myself</c>

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from<00:06:27.519><c> them.</c>

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This,<00:06:29.959><c> brothers</c><00:06:30.079><c> and</c><00:06:30.319><c> sisters,</c><00:06:30.720><c> is</c><00:06:31.240><c> the</c><00:06:31.500><c> story</c><00:06:31.720><c> of</c><00:06:31.879><c> an</c><00:06:32.240><c> unseen</c>

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yet<00:06:33.899><c> mighty</c><00:06:34.540><c> God.</c>

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Look<00:06:36.160><c> at</c><00:06:36.259><c> these</c><00:06:36.420><c> words</c><00:06:36.639><c> from</c><00:06:36.839><c> Isaiah</c><00:06:37.160><c> 45,</c><00:06:37.980><c> Verily</c><00:06:38.279><c> thou</c><00:06:38.540><c> art</c><00:06:38.639><c> a</c>

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God<00:06:38.939><c> that</c><00:06:39.480><c> hidest</c><00:06:40.199><c> thyself,</c><00:06:41.620><c> O</c><00:06:41.759><c> God</c>

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of<00:06:42.120><c> Israel,</c><00:06:42.680><c> the</c><00:06:42.920><c> Saviour.</c>

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They<00:06:43.740><c> shall</c><00:06:43.879><c> be</c><00:06:44.120><c> ashamed</c><00:06:44.399><c> and</c><00:06:44.620><c> also</c><00:06:45.040><c> confounded,</c><00:06:45.680><c> but</c><00:06:45.899><c> Israel</c>

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shall<00:06:47.000><c> be</c><00:06:47.319><c> saved.</c>

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And<00:06:47.879><c> if</c><00:06:48.000><c> we</c><00:06:48.160><c> were</c><00:06:48.339><c> to</c><00:06:48.420><c> ask</c><00:06:48.720><c> ourselves,</c><00:06:49.920><c> where</c><00:06:50.060><c> does</c><00:06:50.360><c> God</c><00:06:50.579><c> hide</c><00:06:50.920><c> himself?</c>

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The<00:06:52.000><c> answer</c><00:06:52.379><c> is</c><00:06:52.839><c> in</c><00:06:53.240><c> Israel.</c>

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He<00:06:54.860><c> is</c><00:06:55.420><c> the</c><00:06:55.839><c> Saviour</c><00:06:57.040><c> of</c><00:06:57.439><c> Israel.</c>

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Hidden<00:06:59.819><c> to</c><00:07:00.040><c> the</c><00:07:00.279><c> casual</c><00:07:00.560><c> observer,</c><00:07:01.920><c> but</c><00:07:02.139><c> jumping</c><00:07:02.420><c> off</c><00:07:02.660><c> the</c><00:07:02.899><c> page</c><00:07:03.139><c> to</c>

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all<00:07:03.540><c> of</c><00:07:03.639><c> us</c><00:07:03.839><c> who</c><00:07:04.000><c> are</c><00:07:04.199><c> not</c><00:07:04.360><c> in</c><00:07:04.660><c> darkness,</c>

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or<00:07:05.980><c> in</c><00:07:06.319><c> ignorance</c><00:07:06.620><c> of</c><00:07:06.839><c> his</c><00:07:07.779><c> mighty</c><00:07:08.199><c> hand.</c>

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Now,<00:07:10.420><c> interestingly,</c><00:07:11.100><c> as</c><00:07:11.199><c> some</c><00:07:11.399><c> of</c><00:07:11.540><c> you</c><00:07:11.620><c> will</c><00:07:11.860><c> probably</c><00:07:12.220><c> know,</c><00:07:13.779><c> we're</c><00:07:14.079><c> told</c>

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by<00:07:14.500><c> the</c><00:07:14.779><c> experts</c><00:07:15.259><c> that</c><00:07:15.920><c> actually</c>

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the<00:07:16.639><c> name</c><00:07:16.860><c> of</c><00:07:17.040><c> God</c><00:07:17.339><c> does</c><00:07:17.720><c> appear</c><00:07:18.540><c> in</c><00:07:19.240><c> the</c><00:07:19.420><c> book</c><00:07:19.639><c> of</c><00:07:19.879><c> Esther,</c>

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acrostically,<00:07:21.879><c> four</c><00:07:22.199><c> times,</c><00:07:23.740><c> twice</c><00:07:24.160><c> forwards,</c>

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and<00:07:25.680><c> twice</c><00:07:26.160><c> backwards.</c>

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And<00:07:26.860><c> if</c><00:07:26.959><c> you</c><00:07:27.100><c> have</c><00:07:27.279><c> a</c><00:07:27.439><c> colouring</c><00:07:27.660><c> in</c><00:07:27.819><c> pencil</c><00:07:28.060><c> and</c><00:07:28.199><c> you</c><00:07:28.420><c> don't</c>

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have<00:07:28.899><c> these</c><00:07:29.160><c> marked,</c><00:07:30.120><c> you</c><00:07:30.240><c> could</c><00:07:30.480><c> mark</c>

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these<00:07:31.379><c> just</c><00:07:31.899><c> with</c><00:07:32.100><c> a</c><00:07:32.360><c> splash</c><00:07:32.500><c> of</c><00:07:32.779><c> colour</c><00:07:32.980><c> against</c><00:07:33.360><c> the</c><00:07:33.699><c> words.</c>

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So<00:07:35.120><c> these</c><00:07:35.339><c> are</c><00:07:35.519><c> the</c><00:07:35.740><c> four</c><00:07:35.959><c> times</c><00:07:36.519><c> that</c><00:07:36.980><c> the</c><00:07:37.439><c> name</c><00:07:37.879><c> Yahweh</c><00:07:38.600><c> occurs</c><00:07:39.240><c> hidden</c><00:07:39.819><c> acrostically</c><00:07:40.779><c> in</c>

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the<00:07:42.259><c> story</c>

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of<00:07:42.920><c> Esther.</c>

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Chapter<00:07:44.120><c> one,</c><00:07:44.519><c> verse</c><00:07:44.699><c> 20,</c><00:07:45.259><c> it's</c><00:07:45.579><c> the</c><00:07:45.800><c> phrase,</c><00:07:47.019><c> all</c><00:07:47.180><c> the</c><00:07:47.600><c> wives</c>

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shall<00:07:48.759><c> give.</c>

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Chapter<00:07:51.079><c> five,</c><00:07:51.579><c> verse</c><00:07:51.699><c> four,</c><00:07:52.740><c> let</c><00:07:52.879><c> the</c><00:07:53.240><c> king</c><00:07:53.620><c> and</c><00:07:54.160><c> Haman</c><00:07:54.540><c> come.</c>

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Chapter<00:07:56.459><c> five,</c><00:07:57.000><c> verse</c><00:07:57.120><c> 13,</c><00:07:58.639><c> yet</c><00:07:58.860><c> all</c><00:07:59.480><c> this</c><00:08:00.160><c> availeth</c><00:08:00.819><c> me</c><00:08:01.100><c> nothing.</c>

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Chapter<00:08:03.160><c> seven,</c><00:08:03.519><c> verse</c><00:08:03.639><c> seven,</c><00:08:04.240><c> Haman</c><00:08:04.480><c> saw</c><00:08:04.879><c> that</c><00:08:05.319><c> there</c><00:08:05.480><c> was</c>

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evil<00:08:06.220><c> determined</c><00:08:06.860><c> against</c><00:08:07.480><c> him</c><00:08:07.660><c> by</c><00:08:07.899><c> the</c>

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king.

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Now,<00:08:08.620><c> I</c><00:08:08.699><c> don't</c><00:08:08.879><c> know</c><00:08:09.040><c> about</c><00:08:09.240><c> you,</c><00:08:09.759><c> but</c><00:08:09.920><c> I</c><00:08:10.079><c> think</c><00:08:10.259><c> those</c><00:08:10.879><c> little</c>

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phrases<00:08:11.879><c> are</c><00:08:12.360><c> a</c><00:08:12.740><c> marvellous</c><00:08:13.600><c> summary</c><00:08:14.019><c> of</c>

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the<00:08:14.560><c> whole</c><00:08:14.740><c> book.</c>

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It's<00:08:16.420><c> about</c><00:08:16.839><c> wives</c><00:08:17.500><c> giving</c><00:08:18.060><c> their</c><00:08:18.339><c> husbands</c><00:08:18.779><c> honour.</c>

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It's<00:08:20.860><c> about</c><00:08:21.300><c> the</c><00:08:21.779><c> king</c><00:08:22.500><c> and</c><00:08:23.959><c> Haman</c><00:08:24.379><c> coming</c><00:08:24.899><c> face</c><00:08:25.319><c> to</c><00:08:25.519><c> face.</c>

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It's<00:08:28.060><c> about</c><00:08:29.040><c> Haman</c><00:08:29.740><c> realising</c><00:08:30.899><c> that</c><00:08:31.959><c> all</c><00:08:32.480><c> his</c><00:08:32.779><c> efforts</c><00:08:33.039><c> are</c>

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futile<00:08:34.659><c> in</c><00:08:35.159><c> the</c><00:08:35.360><c> face</c><00:08:35.539><c> of</c><00:08:35.799><c> this</c><00:08:36.080><c> omnipotent</c>

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king.

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And<00:08:38.580><c> finally,</c><00:08:38.899><c> he</c><00:08:39.100><c> realises</c><00:08:39.899><c> there</c><00:08:40.360><c> was</c><00:08:40.960><c> evil</c><00:08:41.759><c> determined</c>

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against<00:08:43.379><c> him.</c>

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The<00:08:44.740><c> companion</c><00:08:45.100><c> Bible</c><00:08:45.539><c> comments</c><00:08:46.059><c> on</c><00:08:46.279><c> this</c><00:08:46.659><c> in</c><00:08:46.980><c> appendix</c><00:08:47.700><c> 60</c>

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and<00:08:48.759><c> says,</c><00:08:49.480><c> God</c><00:08:49.480><c> is</c><00:08:49.879><c> known</c><00:08:50.080><c> more</c><00:08:50.379><c> by</c><00:08:50.620><c> his</c><00:08:51.019><c> virtues</c>

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than<00:08:52.620><c> by</c><00:08:53.179><c> open</c><00:08:54.080><c> manifestation</c><00:08:55.000><c> in</c><00:08:56.059><c> this</c><00:08:56.399><c> book,</c><00:08:56.779><c> hidden.</c>

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He's<00:08:57.899><c> hidden</c><00:08:58.179><c> in</c><00:08:58.879><c> this</c><00:08:59.179><c> book.</c>

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We<00:08:59.480><c> have</c><00:08:59.639><c> to</c><00:08:59.860><c> search</c><00:09:00.080><c> him</c><00:09:00.299><c> out.</c>

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The<00:09:01.480><c> work</c><00:09:01.620><c> of</c><00:09:01.799><c> an</c><00:09:02.200><c> unseen</c><00:09:02.940><c> hand,</c><00:09:03.919><c> marvellous,</c><00:09:04.460><c> isn't</c><00:09:04.580><c> it,</c><00:09:04.919><c> brothers</c><00:09:05.039><c> and</c>

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sisters<00:09:05.500><c> and</c><00:09:05.679><c> young</c><00:09:05.840><c> people?</c>

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Now,<00:09:07.700><c> just</c><00:09:07.899><c> a</c><00:09:08.100><c> few</c><00:09:08.220><c> words</c><00:09:08.480><c> about</c><00:09:08.779><c> our</c><00:09:09.179><c> approach</c><00:09:09.500><c> to</c><00:09:09.740><c> these</c>

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studies<00:09:10.580><c> this</c><00:09:10.940><c> week.</c>

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Most<00:09:12.840><c> of</c><00:09:13.000><c> us,</c><00:09:13.600><c> brothers</c><00:09:13.740><c> and</c><00:09:13.940><c> sisters,</c><00:09:14.399><c> know</c><00:09:14.539><c> the</c><00:09:14.759><c> simple</c><00:09:15.240><c> storyline</c><00:09:15.700><c> of</c>

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this<00:09:17.000><c> book.</c>

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Most<00:09:17.480><c> of</c><00:09:17.639><c> us</c><00:09:18.059><c> know</c><00:09:18.299><c> the</c><00:09:18.620><c> ebb</c><00:09:18.820><c> and</c><00:09:19.039><c> flow</c><00:09:19.139><c> of</c><00:09:19.320><c> the</c><00:09:19.539><c> narrative.</c>

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We<00:09:20.039><c> know</c><00:09:20.259><c> that</c><00:09:20.779><c> Haman</c><00:09:21.080><c> ends</c><00:09:21.399><c> up</c><00:09:21.700><c> dead</c><00:09:22.100><c> and</c><00:09:22.539><c> Mordecai</c><00:09:23.080><c> triumphs</c>

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and<00:09:23.980><c> Israel</c><00:09:24.419><c> is</c><00:09:24.740><c> saved.</c>

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We<00:09:25.179><c> all</c><00:09:25.360><c> kind</c><00:09:25.480><c> of</c><00:09:25.659><c> know</c><00:09:25.759><c> what's</c><00:09:26.120><c> happening</c><00:09:26.399><c> next</c><00:09:27.019><c> in</c><00:09:27.320><c> the</c><00:09:27.500><c> story.</c>

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So<00:09:27.879><c> this</c><00:09:28.139><c> week,</c><00:09:28.879><c> yes,</c><00:09:29.200><c> we</c><00:09:29.539><c> want</c><00:09:29.700><c> to</c><00:09:29.799><c> look</c><00:09:29.899><c> at</c><00:09:30.039><c> the</c><00:09:30.259><c> drama.</c>

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We<00:09:31.919><c> want</c><00:09:32.139><c> to</c><00:09:32.299><c> feel</c><00:09:32.419><c> the</c><00:09:32.740><c> passion</c><00:09:33.120><c> and</c><00:09:33.600><c> the</c><00:09:34.000><c> excitement</c><00:09:34.539><c> and</c><00:09:34.879><c> the</c><00:09:35.120><c> relief,</c><00:09:35.820><c> finally,</c><00:09:36.820><c> of</c>

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Mordecai<00:09:37.480><c> and</c><00:09:37.899><c> Esther.</c>

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We<00:09:38.379><c> want</c><00:09:38.600><c> to</c><00:09:39.059><c> draw</c><00:09:39.179><c> out</c><00:09:39.419><c> some</c><00:09:39.700><c> lessons</c><00:09:39.980><c> for</c><00:09:40.240><c> ourselves</c><00:09:40.679><c> along</c>

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the<00:09:41.159><c> way,</c><00:09:41.559><c> moral</c><00:09:41.820><c> lessons</c><00:09:42.179><c> for</c><00:09:42.460><c> our</c><00:09:42.779><c> own</c><00:09:43.100><c> discipleship.</c>

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But<00:09:44.419><c> this</c><00:09:44.700><c> week,</c><00:09:44.899><c> I</c><00:09:44.960><c> want</c><00:09:45.139><c> to</c><00:09:45.340><c> try</c><00:09:45.480><c> and</c><00:09:45.679><c> draw</c><00:09:45.820><c> out</c><00:09:46.080><c> for</c><00:09:46.320><c> you</c><00:09:46.799><c> more</c><00:09:47.059><c> than</c><00:09:47.340><c> anything</c><00:09:47.620><c> else,</c><00:09:48.600><c> what</c><00:09:48.679><c> I</c><00:09:49.059><c> believe</c>

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to<00:09:49.480><c> be</c><00:09:49.639><c> the</c><00:09:50.179><c> extraordinary</c><00:09:50.899><c> type</c><00:09:51.460><c> in</c><00:09:52.259><c> the</c><00:09:52.399><c> book</c><00:09:52.559><c> of</c><00:09:52.840><c> Esther.</c>

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As<00:09:54.659><c> we</c><00:09:54.879><c> said</c><00:09:55.000><c> last</c><00:09:55.419><c> night,</c><00:09:56.000><c> God</c><00:09:56.279><c> frames</c><00:09:56.799><c> the</c><00:09:57.200><c> ages</c><00:09:57.720><c> by</c><00:09:58.299><c> his</c><00:09:58.759><c> son.</c>

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Everything<00:09:59.620><c> revolves</c><00:10:00.279><c> around</c><00:10:00.759><c> Jesus</c><00:10:01.200><c> Christ.</c>

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And<00:10:02.340><c> we</c><00:10:02.440><c> are</c><00:10:02.500><c> not</c><00:10:02.679><c> going</c><00:10:02.799><c> to</c><00:10:02.899><c> be</c><00:10:03.080><c> surprised</c><00:10:03.879><c> this</c><00:10:04.639><c> week</c><00:10:04.840><c> to</c><00:10:05.080><c> find</c><00:10:05.259><c> that</c><00:10:05.600><c> Esther</c><00:10:05.720><c> is</c>

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no<00:10:06.259><c> exception</c><00:10:06.899><c> to</c><00:10:07.440><c> that</c><00:10:07.679><c> rule.</c>

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Do<00:10:08.600><c> you</c><00:10:08.600><c> know,</c><00:10:08.720><c> I've</c><00:10:08.980><c> heard</c><00:10:09.440><c> some</c><00:10:09.960><c> people</c><00:10:10.399><c> even</c><00:10:10.940><c> doubt</c><00:10:11.340><c> that</c><00:10:11.840><c> there</c><00:10:12.139><c> is</c><00:10:12.559><c> a</c>

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type<00:10:13.000><c> in</c><00:10:13.259><c> the</c><00:10:13.379><c> book</c><00:10:13.519><c> of</c><00:10:13.779><c> Esther.</c>

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And<00:10:15.659><c> that</c><00:10:15.759><c> if</c><00:10:15.879><c> there</c><00:10:16.080><c> is</c><00:10:16.279><c> one,</c><00:10:17.220><c> that</c><00:10:17.419><c> we</c><00:10:17.639><c> really</c><00:10:17.899><c> need</c><00:10:18.120><c> to</c><00:10:18.279><c> take</c>

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it<00:10:18.580><c> with</c><00:10:18.840><c> a</c><00:10:19.000><c> pinch</c><00:10:19.159><c> of</c><00:10:19.500><c> salt.</c>

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I<00:10:20.159><c> mean,</c><00:10:20.419><c> the</c><00:10:20.600><c> shadow</c><00:10:20.899><c> doesn't</c><00:10:21.340><c> prove</c><00:10:21.620><c> the</c><00:10:21.899><c> substance.</c>

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A<00:10:23.480><c> type</c><00:10:23.600><c> doesn't</c><00:10:23.919><c> prove</c><00:10:24.179><c> itself.</c>

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I<00:10:26.000><c> mean,</c><00:10:26.259><c> it's</c><00:10:26.679><c> clearly</c><00:10:26.940><c> absurd,</c><00:10:27.620><c> some</c><00:10:27.799><c> will</c><00:10:28.039><c> say.</c>

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How<00:10:28.519><c> can</c><00:10:28.940><c> a</c><00:10:29.340><c> drunken,</c><00:10:30.360><c> debaucherous,</c><00:10:31.539><c> immoral</c><00:10:31.980><c> Ahasuerus</c><00:10:32.759><c> be</c>

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a<00:10:33.139><c> type</c><00:10:33.299><c> of</c><00:10:33.539><c> God?</c>

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And<00:10:35.720><c> maybe</c><00:10:36.179><c> with</c><00:10:37.399><c> this</c><00:10:37.720><c> kind</c><00:10:37.960><c> of</c><00:10:38.279><c> bold,</c><00:10:39.940><c> cursory</c><00:10:40.379><c> statement,</c>

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we<00:10:43.139><c> breezily</c><00:10:43.799><c> or</c><00:10:44.299><c> dismissively</c><00:10:45.139><c> relegate</c>

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the<00:10:45.960><c> book</c><00:10:46.100><c> of</c><00:10:46.279><c> Esther</c><00:10:46.539><c> to</c><00:10:47.299><c> just</c><00:10:47.779><c> a</c><00:10:48.139><c> nice</c><00:10:48.440><c> story</c><00:10:48.840><c> with</c><00:10:49.100><c> some</c><00:10:49.360><c> moral</c><00:10:49.639><c> lessons,</c><00:10:50.240><c> which</c><00:10:50.539><c> by</c>

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the<00:10:50.919><c> way,</c><00:10:51.539><c> it</c><00:10:51.860><c> is.</c>

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But<00:10:54.799><c> brothers</c><00:10:55.059><c> and</c><00:10:55.299><c> sisters,</c><00:10:55.740><c> I</c><00:10:55.759><c> think</c><00:10:55.980><c> you</c><00:10:56.139><c> are</c><00:10:56.240><c> going</c><00:10:56.320><c> to</c><00:10:56.440><c> be</c>

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astounded<00:10:57.059><c> by</c><00:10:57.399><c> the</c><00:10:57.500><c> end</c><00:10:57.639><c> of</c><00:10:57.779><c> this</c><00:10:58.019><c> week.</c>

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How<00:10:58.779><c> much</c><00:10:59.200><c> more</c><00:10:59.860><c> is</c><00:11:00.700><c> in</c><00:11:01.039><c> this</c><00:11:01.360><c> book</c><00:11:01.700><c> than</c><00:11:02.039><c> just</c><00:11:02.340><c> a</c><00:11:02.539><c> simple</c><00:11:02.779><c> story?</c>

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This<00:11:03.860><c> is</c><00:11:04.120><c> quite</c><00:11:04.399><c> possibly</c><00:11:04.799><c> the</c><00:11:05.000><c> most</c><00:11:05.460><c> marvellous</c><00:11:06.120><c> prefigurement</c><00:11:06.820><c> of</c><00:11:07.059><c> all</c><00:11:07.440><c> that</c><00:11:07.639><c> God</c>

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would<00:11:08.100><c> do</c><00:11:08.240><c> with</c>

00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:12.220
the<00:11:08.559><c> nation</c><00:11:08.779><c> of</c><00:11:09.000><c> Israel</c><00:11:09.340><c> in</c><00:11:10.059><c> all</c><00:11:10.559><c> of</c><00:11:10.820><c> the</c><00:11:10.980><c> Old</c><00:11:11.259><c> Testament.</c>

00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:16.120
We're<00:11:12.539><c> going</c><00:11:12.620><c> to</c><00:11:12.759><c> see</c><00:11:12.899><c> in</c><00:11:13.039><c> dramatic</c><00:11:13.500><c> detail,</c><00:11:14.620><c> Israel</c><00:11:15.039><c> brought</c>

00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:19.059
into<00:11:16.659><c> the</c><00:11:16.980><c> wilderness</c><00:11:17.539><c> and</c><00:11:18.500><c> constituted</c>

00:11:19.059 --> 00:11:20.279
a<00:11:19.299><c> nation</c><00:11:19.639><c> in</c><00:11:20.039><c> Sinai.</c>

00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.580
We're<00:11:20.440><c> going</c><00:11:20.519><c> to</c><00:11:20.559><c> look</c><00:11:20.700><c> at</c><00:11:20.779><c> that</c><00:11:20.980><c> this</c><00:11:21.220><c> morning.</c>

00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:23.980
And<00:11:21.860><c> his</c><00:11:22.039><c> work</c><00:11:22.240><c> with</c><00:11:22.440><c> the</c><00:11:22.600><c> Gentiles</c><00:11:23.100><c> through</c><00:11:23.299><c> the</c><00:11:23.519><c> power</c><00:11:23.679><c> of</c>

00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:26.919
grace,<00:11:24.759><c> the</c><00:11:25.000><c> sacrifice</c><00:11:25.539><c> of</c><00:11:25.799><c> Christ</c><00:11:26.419><c> that</c>

00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:29.899
would<00:11:27.120><c> bring</c><00:11:27.279><c> deliverance</c><00:11:27.940><c> and</c><00:11:28.220><c> joy,</c><00:11:29.220><c> ultimately,</c><00:11:29.379><c> not</c><00:11:29.659><c> just</c>

00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:31.820
to<00:11:30.120><c> the</c><00:11:30.320><c> Jewish</c><00:11:30.500><c> people,</c><00:11:31.179><c> but</c><00:11:31.340><c> to</c><00:11:31.600><c> all</c>

00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.600
the<00:11:32.080><c> world.</c>

00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:35.100
We're<00:11:33.259><c> going</c><00:11:33.259><c> to</c><00:11:33.419><c> see</c><00:11:33.539><c> the</c><00:11:33.779><c> subduing</c><00:11:34.200><c> of</c><00:11:34.379><c> the</c><00:11:34.519><c> nations</c><00:11:34.820><c> in</c><00:11:34.980><c> the</c>

00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:37.000
Battle<00:11:35.259><c> of</c><00:11:35.440><c> Armageddon,</c><00:11:36.399><c> the</c><00:11:36.659><c> conquering</c>

00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:41.919
of<00:11:37.220><c> Catholic</c><00:11:37.580><c> Europe,</c><00:11:38.279><c> the</c><00:11:38.500><c> second</c><00:11:38.700><c> exodus</c><00:11:39.039><c> of</c><00:11:39.220><c> the</c><00:11:39.440><c> Jews,</c><00:11:39.980><c> and</c><00:11:40.139><c> the</c><00:11:40.419><c> final</c><00:11:40.779><c> elevation</c><00:11:41.340><c> of</c>

00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:42.600
Christ<00:11:42.340><c> in</c>

00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:43.740
the<00:11:42.840><c> bride.</c>

00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:48.899
This<00:11:44.720><c> is</c><00:11:44.940><c> an</c><00:11:45.159><c> incredible</c><00:11:45.580><c> story,</c><00:11:47.039><c> a</c><00:11:47.399><c> stunning</c><00:11:47.840><c> type</c><00:11:48.259><c> inside</c>

00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:49.460
the<00:11:49.220><c> story.</c>

00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.899
And<00:11:49.899><c> do</c><00:11:50.000><c> you</c><00:11:50.039><c> know</c><00:11:50.139><c> what,</c><00:11:50.539><c> brothers</c><00:11:50.539><c> and</c><00:11:50.720><c> sisters?</c>

00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:58.000
I<00:11:51.179><c> think</c><00:11:51.460><c> this</c><00:11:52.059><c> can</c><00:11:52.720><c> give</c><00:11:52.980><c> us</c><00:11:53.460><c> all</c><00:11:54.379><c> immense</c><00:11:55.519><c> comfort,</c><00:11:57.879><c> because</c>

00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:01.120
this<00:11:58.220><c> is</c><00:11:58.500><c> telling</c><00:11:58.700><c> us</c><00:11:59.460><c> that</c><00:11:59.840><c> our</c><00:12:00.179><c> God</c><00:12:00.500><c> knows</c>

00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:03.539
the<00:12:01.500><c> end</c><00:12:01.919><c> from</c><00:12:02.259><c> the</c><00:12:02.440><c> beginning.</c>

00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:10.360
And<00:12:05.500><c> while</c><00:12:05.720><c> we,</c><00:12:06.580><c> in</c><00:12:06.580><c> our</c><00:12:06.860><c> own</c><00:12:07.139><c> lives,</c><00:12:07.960><c> like</c><00:12:08.220><c> Esther</c><00:12:08.580><c> and</c><00:12:08.820><c> Mordecai,</c><00:12:09.559><c> we</c><00:12:09.740><c> might</c><00:12:09.919><c> be</c>

00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:12.360
scared,<00:12:12.080><c> we</c><00:12:12.159><c> might</c>

00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:18.399
be<00:12:12.700><c> shocked,</c><00:12:13.820><c> bewildered</c><00:12:14.279><c> at</c><00:12:14.559><c> times,</c><00:12:15.259><c> confused,</c><00:12:16.659><c> in</c><00:12:16.799><c> the</c><00:12:17.039><c> dark,</c><00:12:18.200><c> he</c>

00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.740
knows,<00:12:18.840><c> brothers</c><00:12:19.059><c> and</c><00:12:19.279><c> sisters,</c>

00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:22.840
he<00:12:20.340><c> knows</c><00:12:20.679><c> from</c><00:12:20.919><c> the</c><00:12:21.200><c> beginning</c><00:12:21.580><c> what</c><00:12:21.960><c> will</c><00:12:22.179><c> happen</c><00:12:22.360><c> in</c><00:12:22.580><c> our</c>

00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:24.639
lives<00:12:23.220><c> as</c><00:12:23.700><c> he</c><00:12:23.940><c> knew</c><00:12:24.039><c> what</c><00:12:24.220><c> would</c><00:12:24.440><c> happen</c>

00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:27.000
in<00:12:24.799><c> the</c><00:12:24.960><c> lives</c><00:12:25.240><c> of</c><00:12:25.480><c> Esther</c><00:12:26.000><c> and</c><00:12:26.519><c> Mordecai.</c>

00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:29.980
He<00:12:27.299><c> has</c><00:12:27.720><c> always</c><00:12:28.779><c> known.</c>

00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:37.399
We<00:12:31.080><c> just</c><00:12:31.360><c> need</c><00:12:31.500><c> to</c><00:12:31.820><c> trust</c><00:12:32.419><c> in</c><00:12:32.919><c> his</c><00:12:33.759><c> unseen</c><00:12:34.600><c> yet</c><00:12:35.600><c> mighty</c><00:12:36.299><c> hand.</c>

00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:41.399
Now,<00:12:38.480><c> before</c><00:12:38.679><c> we</c><00:12:38.820><c> come</c><00:12:38.960><c> to</c><00:12:39.100><c> the</c><00:12:39.340><c> story,</c><00:12:40.460><c> a</c><00:12:40.700><c> quick</c><00:12:40.879><c> word</c><00:12:41.120><c> about</c>

00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:43.580
the<00:12:42.000><c> historical</c><00:12:42.480><c> background.</c>

00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:46.960
As<00:12:43.879><c> any</c><00:12:44.000><c> of</c><00:12:44.100><c> you</c><00:12:44.200><c> will</c><00:12:44.399><c> know,</c><00:12:44.919><c> who</c><00:12:45.120><c> have</c><00:12:45.340><c> tried</c><00:12:45.539><c> to</c><00:12:45.799><c> piece</c><00:12:45.980><c> together</c><00:12:46.559><c> the</c>

00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.679
jigsaw<00:12:47.559><c> of</c><00:12:48.000><c> the</c><00:12:48.279><c> times</c><00:12:48.500><c> that</c>

00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:53.039
the<00:12:48.899><c> Persian</c><00:12:49.320><c> kings,</c><00:12:50.659><c> and</c><00:12:50.740><c> chronologically</c><00:12:51.399><c> synchronize</c><00:12:52.379><c> the</c><00:12:52.539><c> records</c><00:12:52.840><c> of</c>

00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.700
Ezra<00:12:53.600><c> and</c><00:12:53.899><c> Zechariah</c>

00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:59.240
and<00:12:55.039><c> Haggai</c><00:12:55.700><c> and</c><00:12:56.080><c> Malachi</c><00:12:56.720><c> and</c><00:12:57.080><c> Nehemiah</c><00:12:57.659><c> and</c><00:12:57.860><c> Esther,</c><00:12:58.679><c> it</c><00:12:58.879><c> is</c>

00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:01.299
notoriously<00:13:00.120><c> difficult.</c>

00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:03.059
Very<00:13:02.440><c> complicated.</c>

00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:06.399
It's<00:13:03.480><c> enough</c><00:13:03.679><c> to</c><00:13:04.000><c> make</c><00:13:04.000><c> you</c><00:13:04.759><c> tear</c><00:13:05.039><c> your</c><00:13:05.299><c> hair</c><00:13:05.440><c> out,</c><00:13:05.720><c> as</c><00:13:05.879><c> I</c><00:13:06.019><c> can</c>

00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.840
personally<00:13:06.799><c> testify.</c>

00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:12.100
I<00:13:09.240><c> would</c><00:13:09.440><c> love</c><00:13:09.600><c> to</c><00:13:09.799><c> tell</c><00:13:09.940><c> you</c><00:13:10.500><c> that</c><00:13:10.759><c> this</c><00:13:10.980><c> is</c><00:13:11.179><c> the</c><00:13:11.240><c> result</c><00:13:11.559><c> of</c>

00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:14.379
many<00:13:12.320><c> years</c><00:13:12.559><c> of</c><00:13:12.840><c> just</c><00:13:13.080><c> intense</c><00:13:13.539><c> Bible</c><00:13:13.919><c> study,</c>

00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:16.820
but<00:13:15.240><c> most</c><00:13:15.500><c> of</c><00:13:15.620><c> it</c><00:13:15.700><c> is</c><00:13:15.879><c> genetic.</c>

00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:22.799
But<00:13:18.580><c> we</c><00:13:19.259><c> ask</c><00:13:19.580><c> ourselves,</c><00:13:20.539><c> who</c><00:13:20.559><c> is</c><00:13:21.039><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:13:21.940><c> in</c><00:13:22.240><c> this</c><00:13:22.539><c> story?</c>

00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:24.919
Is<00:13:23.039><c> Darius</c><00:13:23.519><c> the</c><00:13:23.820><c> same</c><00:13:24.000><c> as</c><00:13:24.179><c> Artaxerxes?</c>

00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:27.100
How<00:13:25.539><c> old</c><00:13:25.820><c> was</c><00:13:26.039><c> Mordecai?</c>

00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:29.960
Who's<00:13:28.139><c> the</c><00:13:28.340><c> queen</c><00:13:28.600><c> in</c><00:13:28.879><c> Nehemiah</c><00:13:29.320><c> chapter</c><00:13:29.659><c> 2?</c>

00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.679
Is<00:13:30.179><c> it</c><00:13:30.399><c> Esther?</c>

00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:34.860
We<00:13:31.379><c> have</c><00:13:31.580><c> all</c><00:13:31.820><c> of</c><00:13:32.000><c> these</c><00:13:32.600><c> stories</c><00:13:33.019><c> that</c><00:13:33.379><c> puzzle</c><00:13:33.620><c> us</c><00:13:34.159><c> in</c><00:13:34.500><c> this</c>

00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:36.720
difficult<00:13:35.440><c> chronological</c><00:13:36.179><c> period.</c>

00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:42.940
And<00:13:37.379><c> who</c><00:13:37.580><c> is</c><00:13:37.820><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:13:38.799><c> is</c><00:13:39.460><c> one</c><00:13:39.840><c> of</c><00:13:40.360><c> those</c><00:13:41.100><c> puzzling</c><00:13:41.759><c> questions.</c>

00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:46.919
Now<00:13:44.039><c> clearly,</c><00:13:44.919><c> when</c><00:13:44.980><c> we</c><00:13:45.120><c> come</c><00:13:45.320><c> to</c><00:13:45.419><c> chapter</c><00:13:45.679><c> 3</c><00:13:45.980><c> and</c><00:13:46.139><c> verse</c><00:13:46.360><c> 7,</c>

00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:50.820
we<00:13:47.220><c> find</c><00:13:47.480><c> that</c><00:13:47.700><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:13:48.440><c> reigns</c><00:13:49.159><c> for</c><00:13:49.399><c> at</c><00:13:49.659><c> least</c><00:13:49.980><c> 12</c><00:13:50.340><c> years.</c>

00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:54.200
So<00:13:51.320><c> immediately,</c><00:13:52.000><c> that</c><00:13:52.139><c> eliminates</c><00:13:52.639><c> some</c><00:13:53.159><c> of</c><00:13:53.399><c> the</c><00:13:53.580><c> contenders.</c>

00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:58.879
So<00:13:54.659><c> is</c><00:13:54.960><c> it</c><00:13:55.100><c> Darius</c><00:13:55.559><c> high</c><00:13:55.879><c> Staspis,</c><00:13:57.059><c> Xerxes</c><00:13:57.360><c> the</c><00:13:57.679><c> first,</c><00:13:58.519><c> or</c>

00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:01.059
Artaxerxes<00:13:59.940><c> the</c><00:14:00.659><c> first?</c>

00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:04.059
And<00:14:01.539><c> this</c><00:14:01.700><c> morning,</c><00:14:01.899><c> I'm</c><00:14:02.179><c> going</c><00:14:02.320><c> to</c><00:14:02.480><c> have</c><00:14:02.679><c> mercy</c><00:14:03.139><c> upon</c><00:14:03.500><c> you.</c>

00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:06.600
Because<00:14:04.500><c> we're</c><00:14:04.659><c> not</c><00:14:04.779><c> going</c><00:14:04.899><c> to</c><00:14:05.039><c> spend</c><00:14:05.259><c> any</c><00:14:05.620><c> time</c><00:14:06.120><c> looking</c><00:14:06.399><c> at</c>

00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:09.940
this,<00:14:07.220><c> because</c><00:14:07.580><c> chronology's</c><00:14:08.419><c> interest</c><00:14:08.620><c> very</c><00:14:09.159><c> few</c><00:14:09.320><c> of</c><00:14:09.519><c> us.</c>

00:14:09.940 --> 00:14:13.340
We're<00:14:10.659><c> going</c><00:14:10.940><c> to</c><00:14:11.519><c> just</c><00:14:11.879><c> skip</c><00:14:12.179><c> over</c><00:14:12.659><c> all</c><00:14:12.879><c> of</c><00:14:13.019><c> that.</c>

00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:16.200
But<00:14:13.580><c> just</c><00:14:13.759><c> so</c><00:14:13.879><c> you</c><00:14:13.980><c> know</c><00:14:14.139><c> that</c><00:14:14.259><c> I'm</c><00:14:14.379><c> not</c><00:14:14.679><c> avoiding</c><00:14:14.980><c> the</c><00:14:15.220><c> problem,</c>

00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:19.799
I<00:14:17.179><c> do</c><00:14:17.399><c> have</c><00:14:17.600><c> here</c><00:14:17.840><c> a</c><00:14:18.039><c> six</c><00:14:18.240><c>-page</c><00:14:18.500><c> document</c><00:14:18.899><c> which</c><00:14:19.220><c> outlines,</c><00:14:19.600><c> I</c>

00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:21.500
think,<00:14:20.240><c> some</c><00:14:20.299><c> good</c><00:14:20.519><c> reasons</c><00:14:20.940><c> why</c>

00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:26.299
I<00:14:21.879><c> think</c><00:14:22.379><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:14:23.299><c> is</c><00:14:23.620><c> none</c><00:14:23.860><c> other</c><00:14:24.539><c> than</c><00:14:25.179><c> the</c><00:14:25.659><c> great</c><00:14:25.960><c> and</c>

00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:28.919
mighty<00:14:26.899><c> Xerxes</c><00:14:27.820><c> the</c><00:14:28.399><c> first.</c>

00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:32.039
So<00:14:29.519><c> if</c><00:14:29.620><c> you've</c><00:14:29.840><c> got</c><00:14:30.000><c> thoughts</c><00:14:30.200><c> about</c><00:14:30.440><c> that,</c><00:14:31.100><c> please</c><00:14:31.399><c> come</c><00:14:31.759><c> and</c>

00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:32.759
share<00:14:32.159><c> them</c><00:14:32.320><c> with</c><00:14:32.500><c> me.</c>

00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:36.600
I'd<00:14:33.000><c> be</c><00:14:33.259><c> very</c><00:14:33.679><c> happy</c><00:14:33.940><c> to</c><00:14:34.500><c> discuss</c><00:14:35.000><c> them</c><00:14:35.340><c> with</c><00:14:35.639><c> you.</c>

00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:40.500
But<00:14:37.340><c> and</c><00:14:38.000><c> I</c><00:14:38.100><c> think</c><00:14:38.240><c> we've</c><00:14:38.460><c> got</c><00:14:38.559><c> about</c><00:14:39.039><c> 40</c><00:14:39.379><c> copies</c><00:14:39.740><c> up</c><00:14:40.039><c> here.</c>

00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:43.860
So<00:14:41.200><c> for</c><00:14:42.100><c> both</c><00:14:42.360><c> of</c><00:14:42.500><c> you</c><00:14:42.620><c> who</c><00:14:42.759><c> are</c><00:14:42.960><c> interested,</c><00:14:43.279><c> that's</c><00:14:43.559><c> about</c>

00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.519
20<00:14:44.159><c> copies</c><00:14:44.500><c> each.</c>

00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:51.320
So<00:14:48.220><c> if</c><00:14:48.679><c> that's</c><00:14:49.039><c> true,</c><00:14:49.639><c> that</c><00:14:49.799><c> would</c><00:14:49.960><c> put</c><00:14:50.100><c> the</c><00:14:50.460><c> time</c><00:14:50.679><c> frame</c><00:14:50.840><c> of</c><00:14:51.080><c> Esther</c>

00:14:51.320 --> 00:15:03.940
between<00:14:52.279><c> 483</c><00:14:55.500><c> and</c><00:14:56.519><c> 474</c><00:14:58.980><c> BC,</c><00:14:59.919><c> between</c><00:15:00.320><c> the</c><00:15:00.720><c> third</c><00:15:01.139><c> and</c><00:15:01.720><c> the</c><00:15:02.059><c> 12th</c><00:15:02.519><c> years</c><00:15:02.980><c> of</c>

00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:06.159
Xerxes<00:15:04.500><c> the</c><00:15:05.039><c> first.</c>

00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:08.940
Well,<00:15:07.120><c> let's</c><00:15:07.480><c> come</c><00:15:07.700><c> now</c><00:15:07.899><c> to</c><00:15:08.039><c> chapter</c><00:15:08.320><c> one.</c>

00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:13.080
And<00:15:09.360><c> at</c><00:15:09.659><c> the</c><00:15:09.919><c> start</c><00:15:10.039><c> of</c><00:15:10.220><c> the</c><00:15:10.340><c> book,</c><00:15:10.559><c> whether</c><00:15:10.759><c> it</c><00:15:10.879><c> is</c><00:15:11.399><c> Xerxes</c><00:15:11.840><c> the</c><00:15:12.120><c> first</c><00:15:12.480><c> or</c><00:15:12.740><c> not,</c>

00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:18.980
we're<00:15:13.779><c> confronted</c><00:15:14.200><c> with</c><00:15:14.480><c> the</c><00:15:14.700><c> picture</c><00:15:14.980><c> of</c><00:15:15.419><c> a</c><00:15:15.840><c> magnificent</c><00:15:17.019><c> king,</c><00:15:18.240><c> almost</c><00:15:18.500><c> like</c><00:15:18.720><c> a</c>

00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:20.519
fairy<00:15:19.279><c> tale</c><00:15:19.539><c> king.</c>

00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:22.639
Look<00:15:20.980><c> what</c><00:15:21.059><c> we</c><00:15:21.279><c> read</c><00:15:21.399><c> in</c><00:15:21.600><c> verses</c><00:15:21.860><c> one</c><00:15:22.120><c> and</c><00:15:22.340><c> two.</c>

00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:26.080
Now<00:15:23.059><c> it</c><00:15:23.200><c> came</c><00:15:23.399><c> to</c><00:15:23.639><c> pass</c><00:15:24.019><c> in</c><00:15:24.480><c> the</c><00:15:24.679><c> days</c><00:15:24.840><c> of</c><00:15:25.039><c> Ahazuerus,</c>

00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:30.799
this<00:15:26.600><c> is</c><00:15:27.000><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:15:27.720><c> which</c><00:15:27.980><c> reigned</c><00:15:28.340><c> even</c><00:15:28.600><c> from</c><00:15:28.860><c> India</c><00:15:29.340><c> unto</c><00:15:29.639><c> Ethiopia,</c>

00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:33.120
over<00:15:31.080><c> in</c><00:15:31.279><c> hundred</c><00:15:31.600><c> and</c><00:15:31.879><c> seven</c><00:15:32.059><c> and</c><00:15:32.279><c> twenty</c><00:15:32.580><c> provinces,</c>

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:36.860
that<00:15:33.600><c> in</c><00:15:33.820><c> those</c><00:15:34.159><c> days</c><00:15:34.600><c> when</c><00:15:34.919><c> the</c><00:15:35.100><c> king</c><00:15:35.299><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:15:35.899><c> sat</c><00:15:36.279><c> on</c><00:15:36.559><c> the</c>

00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.799
throne<00:15:37.080><c> in</c><00:15:37.299><c> his</c><00:15:37.500><c> kingdom,</c>

00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:41.600
which<00:15:38.039><c> was</c><00:15:38.419><c> in</c><00:15:39.120><c> Shushan</c><00:15:39.919><c> the</c><00:15:40.299><c> palace.</c>

00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:48.379
Now<00:15:42.320><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:15:43.019><c> is</c><00:15:43.240><c> a</c><00:15:43.519><c> title,</c><00:15:44.820><c> it</c><00:15:45.100><c> is</c><00:15:45.320><c> not</c><00:15:45.500><c> a</c><00:15:45.740><c> name,</c><00:15:46.039><c> it's</c><00:15:46.259><c> a</c><00:15:46.340><c> bit</c><00:15:46.440><c> like</c><00:15:46.899><c> pharaoh</c><00:15:47.379><c> or</c><00:15:48.000><c> za,</c>

00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:51.740
and<00:15:48.820><c> it</c><00:15:49.039><c> means</c><00:15:49.620><c> venerable</c><00:15:50.620><c> king.</c>

00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:55.899
Justinius<00:15:52.539><c> says</c><00:15:53.080><c> that</c><00:15:53.480><c> it</c><00:15:53.700><c> means</c><00:15:54.159><c> lion</c><00:15:54.820><c> king.</c>

00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:57.820
So<00:15:56.080><c> it's</c><00:15:56.320><c> a</c><00:15:56.500><c> title</c><00:15:56.740><c> only.</c>

00:15:58.100 --> 00:16:00.779
And<00:15:58.320><c> so</c><00:15:58.500><c> the</c><00:15:58.720><c> writer</c><00:15:59.000><c> of</c><00:15:59.200><c> Esther</c><00:15:59.399><c> is</c><00:15:59.700><c> attempting</c><00:16:00.059><c> to</c><00:16:00.440><c> define</c>

00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:01.440
for<00:16:01.059><c> us</c>

00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:04.340
which<00:16:02.019><c> venerable</c><00:16:02.779><c> king</c><00:16:03.080><c> it</c><00:16:03.419><c> was.</c>

00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:09.379
And<00:16:04.740><c> there</c><00:16:04.820><c> were</c><00:16:05.179><c> certain</c><00:16:06.759><c> defining</c><00:16:07.820><c> characteristics.</c>

00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:16.039
He<00:16:09.919><c> reigned</c><00:16:10.299><c> from</c><00:16:10.720><c> India,</c><00:16:12.379><c> which</c><00:16:12.679><c> was</c><00:16:13.320><c> only</c><00:16:13.720><c> actually</c><00:16:14.259><c> conquered</c><00:16:14.659><c> by</c><00:16:15.419><c> the</c><00:16:15.600><c> Persians,</c>

00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:22.340
by<00:16:16.440><c> Cambyses</c><00:16:18.500><c> in</c><00:16:20.399><c> 525</c><00:16:21.639><c> BC.</c>

00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:26.960
So<00:16:22.980><c> clearly</c><00:16:23.519><c> whoever</c><00:16:24.159><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:16:25.100><c> is,</c><00:16:25.299><c> it's</c><00:16:25.639><c> after</c><00:16:26.059><c> Cambyses.</c>

00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:29.139
And<00:16:27.320><c> he</c><00:16:27.480><c> reigned</c><00:16:27.580><c> from</c><00:16:27.840><c> India</c><00:16:28.220><c> to</c><00:16:28.519><c> Ethiopia,</c>

00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:35.340
which<00:16:29.399><c> was</c><00:16:29.639><c> taken</c><00:16:29.919><c> by</c><00:16:30.240><c> Cambyses</c><00:16:31.000><c> two</c><00:16:31.480><c> years</c><00:16:31.779><c> later</c><00:16:32.379><c> in</c><00:16:32.940><c> 523</c><00:16:34.279><c> BC.</c>

00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:41.759
By<00:16:35.860><c> the</c><00:16:36.019><c> way,</c><00:16:37.120><c> as</c><00:16:37.379><c> a</c><00:16:37.620><c> fulfilment</c><00:16:38.279><c> of</c><00:16:39.019><c> Isaiah</c><00:16:39.559><c> 45</c><00:16:40.299><c> in</c><00:16:40.500><c> verse</c><00:16:40.940><c> 14,</c>

00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:46.320
when<00:16:42.360><c> God</c><00:16:42.600><c> had</c><00:16:42.940><c> promised</c><00:16:43.240><c> to</c><00:16:43.399><c> give</c><00:16:43.720><c> Ethiopia</c><00:16:44.440><c> to</c><00:16:45.419><c> Cyrus</c><00:16:46.080><c> the</c>

00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.240
Persian<00:16:46.759><c> king,</c>

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:51.700
when<00:16:47.600><c> he</c><00:16:47.759><c> said</c><00:16:47.940><c> the</c><00:16:48.179><c> merchandise</c><00:16:48.799><c> of</c><00:16:49.120><c> Ethiopia</c><00:16:49.700><c> and</c><00:16:50.059><c> the</c><00:16:50.259><c> Sabeans</c><00:16:50.779><c> shall</c><00:16:51.019><c> be</c><00:16:51.279><c> thine.</c>

00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:56.820
So<00:16:52.080><c> God</c><00:16:52.259><c> had</c><00:16:52.519><c> promised</c><00:16:52.740><c> to</c><00:16:52.960><c> give</c><00:16:53.879><c> Ethiopia</c><00:16:54.659><c> to</c><00:16:55.200><c> the</c><00:16:55.460><c> Persians.</c>

00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:59.240
127<00:16:58.639><c> provinces.</c>

00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:03.559
This<00:16:59.919><c> appears</c><00:17:00.360><c> to</c><00:17:00.639><c> be</c><00:17:00.860><c> an</c><00:17:01.039><c> amalgamation</c><00:17:01.559><c> of</c><00:17:01.740><c> the</c><00:17:01.960><c> 120</c><00:17:02.519><c> provinces</c><00:17:03.019><c> of</c><00:17:03.279><c> Babylon</c>

00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:06.440
mentioned<00:17:03.960><c> in</c><00:17:04.200><c> Daniel</c><00:17:04.460><c> chapter</c><00:17:04.779><c> 6</c><00:17:05.099><c> in</c><00:17:05.279><c> verse</c><00:17:05.480><c> 1,</c>

00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:10.559
and<00:17:06.779><c> the</c><00:17:07.039><c> seven</c><00:17:07.359><c> princes</c><00:17:07.759><c> of</c><00:17:08.039><c> Persia</c><00:17:08.380><c> that</c><00:17:08.539><c> we</c><00:17:08.740><c> read</c><00:17:08.900><c> of</c><00:17:09.059><c> in</c><00:17:09.720><c> Esther</c><00:17:09.980><c> chapter</c><00:17:10.299><c> 1</c>

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:12.680
in<00:17:10.740><c> verse</c><00:17:11.420><c> 14.</c>

00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:18.420
And<00:17:13.720><c> we</c><00:17:13.920><c> find</c><00:17:14.140><c> that</c><00:17:14.299><c> he's</c><00:17:14.579><c> reigning</c><00:17:14.940><c> from</c><00:17:15.460><c> Shushan,</c><00:17:16.779><c> or</c><00:17:17.079><c> ancient</c><00:17:17.599><c> Susa,</c>

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:22.279
the<00:17:18.920><c> city</c><00:17:19.140><c> of</c><00:17:19.339><c> the</c><00:17:19.559><c> white</c><00:17:19.839><c> lilies,</c><00:17:20.599><c> which</c><00:17:20.960><c> interestingly</c>

00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:28.200
was<00:17:23.140><c> only</c><00:17:23.740><c> the</c><00:17:23.980><c> capital</c><00:17:24.220><c> of</c><00:17:24.440><c> Persia</c><00:17:25.539><c> after</c><00:17:26.819><c> the</c><00:17:27.579><c> reign</c><00:17:27.859><c> of</c>

00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:30.039
Darius<00:17:28.819><c> High</c><00:17:29.279><c> Staspis,</c>

00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:33.059
according<00:17:30.420><c> to</c><00:17:30.660><c> Professor</c><00:17:31.059><c> Richard</c><00:17:31.500><c> Fry</c><00:17:31.740><c> in</c><00:17:31.920><c> his</c><00:17:32.140><c> book</c><00:17:32.339><c> History</c><00:17:32.779><c> of</c><00:17:32.900><c> the</c>

00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:35.940
Persian<00:17:33.299><c> Empire,</c><00:17:34.160><c> page</c><00:17:34.420><c> 107.</c>

00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:38.900
If<00:17:36.200><c> it</c><00:17:36.440><c> really</c><00:17:36.700><c> matters</c><00:17:37.180><c> who</c><00:17:37.559><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:17:38.220><c> is</c><00:17:38.359><c> in</c><00:17:38.500><c> this</c><00:17:38.720><c> story,</c>

00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:41.220
which<00:17:39.119><c> we've</c><00:17:39.460><c> established</c><00:17:39.779><c> it</c><00:17:40.019><c> probably</c><00:17:40.400><c> doesn't.</c>

00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:46.319
So<00:17:43.000><c> we</c><00:17:43.140><c> have</c><00:17:43.319><c> a</c><00:17:43.480><c> very</c><00:17:43.819><c> clear</c><00:17:44.400><c> picture</c><00:17:44.759><c> of</c><00:17:45.140><c> this</c><00:17:45.460><c> man,</c>

00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:50.339
the<00:17:46.980><c> undisputed</c><00:17:47.700><c> ruler</c><00:17:48.019><c> of</c><00:17:48.339><c> every</c><00:17:48.900><c> province</c><00:17:49.380><c> from</c><00:17:49.640><c> one</c><00:17:49.960><c> coast</c>

00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:51.259
to<00:17:50.579><c> the</c><00:17:50.799><c> other.</c>

00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:58.839
Absolute<00:17:52.400><c> power,</c><00:17:54.140><c> awe</c><00:17:54.259><c>-inspiring</c><00:17:55.019><c> majesty,</c><00:17:56.980><c> immeasurable</c><00:17:57.579><c> riches.</c>

00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:04.359
Separate<00:18:00.819><c> from</c><00:18:01.039><c> the</c><00:18:01.319><c> common</c><00:18:01.579><c> people,</c><00:18:02.960><c> as</c><00:18:03.079><c> we</c><00:18:03.279><c> said</c><00:18:03.420><c> from</c><00:18:03.640><c> chapter</c><00:18:03.940><c> 1</c><00:18:04.160><c> in</c>

00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.480
verse<00:18:04.799><c> 14,</c>

00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:09.180
almost<00:18:06.259><c> no</c><00:18:06.779><c> one</c><00:18:07.359><c> saw</c><00:18:07.740><c> the</c><00:18:07.980><c> king's</c><00:18:08.339><c> face.</c>

00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.700
Unapproachable.

00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:16.259
We<00:18:13.579><c> know</c><00:18:13.759><c> from</c><00:18:13.940><c> chapter</c><00:18:14.240><c> 4</c><00:18:14.559><c> verse</c><00:18:14.799><c> 11</c><00:18:15.180><c> that</c><00:18:15.519><c> if</c><00:18:15.680><c> you</c><00:18:15.960><c> walked</c>

00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:18.339
into<00:18:16.559><c> this</c><00:18:16.819><c> man's</c><00:18:17.279><c> presence</c><00:18:17.579><c> uninvited,</c>

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:20.740
you<00:18:18.660><c> were</c><00:18:18.960><c> asking</c><00:18:19.380><c> to</c><00:18:19.619><c> be</c><00:18:19.859><c> killed.</c>

00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:24.839
And<00:18:21.079><c> he</c><00:18:21.319><c> exercises</c><00:18:22.099><c> complete</c><00:18:23.000><c> dominion</c><00:18:23.839><c> over</c><00:18:24.119><c> all</c><00:18:24.480><c> the</c><00:18:24.619><c> then</c>

00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:26.180
known<00:18:25.019><c> world.</c>

00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:30.599
So<00:18:27.059><c> in</c><00:18:27.200><c> this</c><00:18:27.539><c> story,</c><00:18:28.460><c> while</c><00:18:28.720><c> we</c><00:18:28.900><c> might</c><00:18:29.119><c> be</c><00:18:29.440><c> reticent</c><00:18:29.859><c> to</c><00:18:30.200><c> say</c>

00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:33.000
that<00:18:31.200><c> he</c><00:18:31.460><c> types</c><00:18:31.960><c> God</c><00:18:32.339><c> himself,</c>

00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:38.119
because<00:18:33.299><c> there</c><00:18:33.500><c> is</c><00:18:33.720><c> no</c><00:18:33.920><c> such</c><00:18:34.180><c> being,</c><00:18:35.619><c> there</c><00:18:35.859><c> is</c><00:18:36.160><c> no</c><00:18:36.480><c> doubt</c><00:18:36.980><c> that</c><00:18:37.779><c> the</c>

00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:39.660
power<00:18:38.460><c> he</c><00:18:38.819><c> wields</c>

00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:45.500
and<00:18:40.500><c> the</c><00:18:40.700><c> position</c><00:18:41.240><c> that</c><00:18:41.599><c> he</c><00:18:41.859><c> holds</c><00:18:42.339><c> is</c><00:18:43.259><c> absolutely</c><00:18:44.099><c> representative</c><00:18:44.880><c> of</c><00:18:45.259><c> our</c>

00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.299
heavenly<00:18:45.779><c> father,</c>

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:50.559
the<00:18:46.599><c> mighty</c><00:18:46.980><c> king</c><00:18:47.680><c> enthroned</c><00:18:48.720><c> as</c><00:18:49.059><c> the</c><00:18:49.400><c> undisputed</c><00:18:50.259><c> monarch</c>

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:52.190
of<00:18:50.819><c> all</c><00:18:51.099><c> the</c><00:18:51.299><c> earth.</c>

00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:58.579
Unapproachable<00:18:53.220><c> by</c><00:18:53.599><c> mortal</c><00:18:54.000><c> men,</c><00:18:55.279><c> holding</c><00:18:55.720><c> in</c><00:18:56.079><c> his</c><00:18:56.400><c> power</c><00:18:57.059><c> the</c><00:18:57.940><c> control</c><00:18:58.339><c> of</c>

00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:01.500
life<00:18:59.140><c> and</c><00:18:59.839><c> death</c><00:19:00.180><c> itself.</c>

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:04.259
Now<00:19:02.480><c> I</c><00:19:02.519><c> think</c><00:19:02.720><c> just</c><00:19:02.980><c> in</c><00:19:03.240><c> passing</c><00:19:03.500><c> there's</c><00:19:03.700><c> an</c><00:19:04.000><c> important</c>

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.609
principle<00:19:04.720><c> here.</c>

00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:10.640
Ahazuerus<00:19:06.839><c> doesn't</c><00:19:07.200><c> represent</c><00:19:07.799><c> God</c><00:19:08.339><c> in</c><00:19:09.000><c> this</c><00:19:09.460><c> story</c><00:19:10.019><c> because</c>

00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:12.900
he<00:19:10.819><c> has</c><00:19:11.059><c> a</c><00:19:11.339><c> blameless</c><00:19:11.720><c> character.</c>

00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:16.640
Just<00:19:13.940><c> like</c><00:19:14.240><c> Alexander</c><00:19:14.759><c> the</c><00:19:15.059><c> Great</c><00:19:15.240><c> wasn't</c><00:19:15.640><c> compared</c><00:19:16.039><c> to</c><00:19:16.440><c> our</c>

00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:18.779
Lord<00:19:16.799><c> Jesus</c><00:19:17.180><c> Christ</c><00:19:17.500><c> in</c><00:19:17.740><c> Zechariah</c><00:19:18.279><c> 9</c>

00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:22.400
because<00:19:19.240><c> Alexander</c><00:19:19.740><c> was</c><00:19:20.039><c> sinless,</c><00:19:21.299><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:19:21.880><c> represents</c>

00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.559
God<00:19:22.680><c> in</c><00:19:22.920><c> our</c><00:19:23.180><c> story,</c>

00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:26.980
not<00:19:23.980><c> because</c><00:19:24.299><c> of</c><00:19:24.380><c> his</c><00:19:24.640><c> moral</c><00:19:25.019><c> virtues,</c><00:19:26.079><c> but</c><00:19:26.180><c> because</c><00:19:26.619><c> of</c><00:19:26.859><c> the</c>

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:29.900
position<00:19:27.799><c> that</c><00:19:28.500><c> he</c><00:19:28.680><c> holds.</c>

00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:36.720
Now<00:19:31.180><c> having</c><00:19:31.420><c> said</c><00:19:31.640><c> that,</c><00:19:33.460><c> in</c><00:19:33.559><c> this</c><00:19:33.940><c> story,</c><00:19:35.359><c> as</c><00:19:35.640><c> it</c><00:19:35.960><c> unfolds</c>

00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.299
this<00:19:36.980><c> morning,</c>

00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:40.759
I<00:19:37.579><c> think</c><00:19:37.819><c> you</c><00:19:38.000><c> will</c><00:19:38.259><c> find,</c><00:19:39.059><c> even</c><00:19:39.420><c> during</c><00:19:39.720><c> the</c><00:19:39.940><c> week,</c><00:19:40.599><c> that</c>

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:43.160
this<00:19:41.059><c> king</c><00:19:41.319><c> seems</c><00:19:41.779><c> quite</c><00:19:42.180><c> benevolent,</c>

00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:52.400
very<00:19:44.599><c> generous,</c><00:19:46.299><c> very</c><00:19:46.660><c> measured,</c><00:19:48.380><c> completely</c><00:19:48.819><c> fair,</c><00:19:50.519><c> respectful</c><00:19:51.000><c> of</c><00:19:51.220><c> the</c><00:19:51.400><c> laws,</c>

00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:56.059
eager<00:19:52.920><c> to</c><00:19:53.259><c> repay</c><00:19:53.720><c> Mordecai,</c><00:19:54.839><c> and</c><00:19:54.980><c> he</c><00:19:55.160><c> does</c><00:19:55.279><c> what</c><00:19:55.420><c> is</c><00:19:55.660><c> best</c><00:19:55.920><c> for</c>

00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:59.480
the<00:19:56.420><c> empire,</c><00:19:57.319><c> not</c><00:19:57.579><c> what</c><00:19:57.720><c> is</c><00:19:57.880><c> best</c><00:19:58.119><c> for</c><00:19:58.299><c> himself.</c>

00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:02.599
I<00:20:00.519><c> think</c><00:20:00.660><c> you'll</c><00:20:00.940><c> find</c><00:20:01.140><c> actually</c><00:20:01.539><c> the</c><00:20:01.660><c> picture</c><00:20:01.900><c> of</c><00:20:02.099><c> this</c><00:20:02.359><c> king</c>

00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:05.160
is<00:20:02.960><c> of</c><00:20:03.119><c> a</c><00:20:03.319><c> far</c><00:20:03.519><c> more</c><00:20:03.799><c> honourable</c><00:20:04.220><c> king</c><00:20:04.440><c> than</c><00:20:04.559><c> we</c><00:20:04.819><c> ever</c>

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:08.799
imagined,<00:20:05.920><c> but</c><00:20:06.119><c> having</c><00:20:06.440><c> said</c><00:20:06.680><c> that,</c><00:20:06.980><c> it's</c><00:20:07.119><c> important</c><00:20:07.539><c> to</c><00:20:07.779><c> remember</c><00:20:08.220><c> he</c>

00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:10.359
represents<00:20:09.359><c> God</c><00:20:09.700><c> in</c><00:20:09.859><c> our</c><00:20:10.140><c> story,</c>

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:14.220
not<00:20:10.559><c> because</c><00:20:11.079><c> of</c><00:20:11.400><c> his</c><00:20:11.720><c> moral</c><00:20:12.099><c> virtues,</c><00:20:13.000><c> but</c><00:20:13.160><c> because</c><00:20:13.680><c> of</c><00:20:14.019><c> the</c>

00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:16.180
position<00:20:14.640><c> he</c><00:20:14.920><c> holds.</c>

00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:21.799
And<00:20:17.579><c> in</c><00:20:17.759><c> the</c><00:20:17.980><c> third</c><00:20:18.220><c> year</c><00:20:18.460><c> of</c><00:20:18.619><c> his</c><00:20:18.819><c> kingdom,</c><00:20:19.680><c> we</c><00:20:19.859><c> find</c><00:20:20.119><c> that</c><00:20:20.380><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:20:21.039><c> decided</c><00:20:21.519><c> to</c>

00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:23.900
hold<00:20:22.039><c> a</c><00:20:22.559><c> grand</c><00:20:23.420><c> feast,</c>

00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:27.839
verse<00:20:24.359><c> 3.</c><00:20:25.380><c> In</c><00:20:25.480><c> the</c><00:20:25.759><c> third</c><00:20:26.059><c> year</c><00:20:26.279><c> of</c><00:20:26.480><c> his</c><00:20:26.720><c> reign,</c><00:20:27.220><c> he</c><00:20:27.359><c> made</c><00:20:27.539><c> a</c>

00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:31.259
feast<00:20:28.099><c> unto</c><00:20:28.440><c> all</c><00:20:28.920><c> his</c><00:20:29.240><c> princes</c><00:20:29.680><c> and</c><00:20:30.019><c> his</c><00:20:30.279><c> servants.</c>

00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:35.079
The<00:20:31.599><c> power</c><00:20:32.119><c> of</c><00:20:32.619><c> Persia</c><00:20:33.019><c> and</c><00:20:33.299><c> Media,</c><00:20:34.099><c> the</c><00:20:34.200><c> nobles</c><00:20:34.579><c> and</c><00:20:34.819><c> princes</c>

00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:36.779
of<00:20:35.279><c> the</c><00:20:35.440><c> provinces</c><00:20:35.740><c> being</c><00:20:36.039><c> before</c><00:20:36.440><c> him,</c>

00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:40.359
and<00:20:37.160><c> he</c><00:20:37.359><c> showed</c><00:20:37.480><c> the</c><00:20:37.759><c> riches</c><00:20:38.099><c> of</c><00:20:38.420><c> his</c><00:20:38.640><c> glorious</c><00:20:39.180><c> kingdom,</c><00:20:40.220><c> and</c>

00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:42.140
the<00:20:40.700><c> honour</c><00:20:41.119><c> of</c><00:20:41.420><c> his</c><00:20:41.640><c> excellent</c>

00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:48.940
majesty<00:20:42.720><c> many</c><00:20:43.119><c> days,</c><00:20:43.619><c> even</c><00:20:44.220><c> in</c><00:20:44.599><c> hundred</c><00:20:45.119><c> and</c><00:20:45.920><c> four</c><00:20:46.299><c> score</c><00:20:46.599><c> days.</c><00:20:48.579><c> And</c>

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:51.700
when<00:20:49.160><c> those</c><00:20:49.539><c> days</c><00:20:50.059><c> were</c><00:20:50.519><c> expired,</c>

00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:55.599
the<00:20:51.980><c> king</c><00:20:52.140><c> made</c><00:20:52.380><c> a</c><00:20:52.599><c> feast</c><00:20:52.799><c> unto</c><00:20:53.140><c> all</c><00:20:53.619><c> the</c><00:20:53.859><c> people</c><00:20:54.579><c> that</c><00:20:55.039><c> were</c>

00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:58.359
present<00:20:55.940><c> in</c><00:20:56.240><c> Shushanda</c><00:20:56.660><c> Palace,</c><00:20:57.359><c> both</c><00:20:57.619><c> unto</c><00:20:57.960><c> great</c>

00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:02.839
and<00:20:58.619><c> small,</c><00:20:59.460><c> seven</c><00:20:59.920><c> days,</c><00:21:01.299><c> in</c><00:21:01.500><c> the</c><00:21:01.819><c> court</c><00:21:01.960><c> of</c><00:21:02.200><c> the</c><00:21:02.380><c> garden</c><00:21:02.640><c> of</c>

00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:04.559
the<00:21:03.039><c> king's</c><00:21:03.440><c> palace.</c>

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:09.119
Now,<00:21:07.039><c> I</c><00:21:07.220><c> don't</c><00:21:07.339><c> know</c><00:21:07.460><c> about</c><00:21:07.680><c> you</c><00:21:07.920><c> brothers</c><00:21:08.099><c> and</c><00:21:08.339><c> sisters,</c><00:21:08.599><c> but</c>

00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:12.759
in<00:21:09.799><c> all</c><00:21:10.099><c> of</c><00:21:10.259><c> the</c><00:21:10.500><c> talks</c><00:21:10.720><c> I</c><00:21:10.940><c> had</c><00:21:11.079><c> ever</c><00:21:11.359><c> heard</c><00:21:11.519><c> on</c><00:21:11.859><c> Esther,</c>

00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:18.019
and<00:21:13.640><c> in</c><00:21:13.799><c> all</c><00:21:13.960><c> of</c><00:21:14.099><c> the</c><00:21:14.279><c> notes</c><00:21:14.559><c> that</c><00:21:14.839><c> I</c><00:21:15.019><c> had</c><00:21:15.319><c> ever</c><00:21:15.720><c> read</c><00:21:16.019><c> on</c><00:21:16.380><c> Esther,</c><00:21:17.619><c> this</c>

00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:20.019
feast<00:21:18.400><c> here</c><00:21:18.799><c> in</c><00:21:18.980><c> chapter</c><00:21:19.279><c> 1</c><00:21:19.460><c> is</c><00:21:19.700><c> put</c>

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:27.180
a<00:21:20.539><c> picture</c><00:21:20.980><c> of</c><00:21:21.299><c> the</c><00:21:21.579><c> kingdom</c><00:21:22.019><c> itself,</c><00:21:23.819><c> with</c><00:21:23.940><c> the</c><00:21:24.180><c> king</c><00:21:24.640><c> enthroned</c><00:21:25.559><c> in</c><00:21:26.079><c> glory</c><00:21:26.640><c> and</c>

00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:28.579
in<00:21:27.460><c> majesty,</c>

00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:32.400
surrounded<00:21:29.160><c> on</c><00:21:29.400><c> every</c><00:21:29.700><c> hand</c><00:21:29.880><c> by</c><00:21:30.140><c> the</c><00:21:30.380><c> glories</c><00:21:30.640><c> of</c><00:21:30.859><c> the</c><00:21:31.019><c> kingdom</c><00:21:31.299><c> age.</c>

00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:39.240
And<00:21:34.160><c> I</c><00:21:35.099><c> just</c><00:21:35.619><c> personally</c><00:21:36.180><c> had</c><00:21:36.720><c> always</c><00:21:37.240><c> struggled</c><00:21:37.680><c> with</c><00:21:38.039><c> how</c>

00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:44.259
Vashti,<00:21:41.740><c> the</c><00:21:42.039><c> disobedient</c><00:21:43.079><c> wife,</c>

00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:49.680
fitted<00:21:45.359><c> into</c><00:21:45.880><c> this</c><00:21:46.559><c> kingdom</c><00:21:47.339><c> scene.</c><00:21:48.519><c> In</c><00:21:48.660><c> fact,</c><00:21:48.779><c> what</c><00:21:48.920><c> you</c><00:21:49.160><c> find</c><00:21:49.319><c> when</c><00:21:49.460><c> you</c>

00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:51.420
read<00:21:50.099><c> the</c><00:21:50.500><c> notes</c><00:21:50.819><c> and</c><00:21:51.059><c> listen,</c>

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:54.640
is<00:21:51.680><c> that</c><00:21:52.339><c> the</c><00:21:52.700><c> type</c><00:21:52.839><c> is</c><00:21:53.000><c> only</c><00:21:53.200><c> really</c><00:21:53.779><c> brought</c><00:21:54.019><c> out</c><00:21:54.279><c> for</c><00:21:54.460><c> the</c>

00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:56.299
first<00:21:54.839><c> few</c><00:21:55.019><c> verses,</c><00:21:55.359><c> and</c><00:21:55.480><c> when</c><00:21:55.559><c> we</c><00:21:55.640><c> get</c><00:21:55.819><c> to</c><00:21:56.039><c> Vashti,</c>

00:21:56.339 --> 00:22:01.779
it's<00:21:56.619><c> kind</c><00:21:56.740><c> of</c><00:21:56.980><c> ignored.</c><00:21:58.039><c> How</c><00:21:58.240><c> does</c><00:21:58.500><c> Vashti,</c><00:21:59.359><c> this</c><00:21:59.660><c> disobedient</c><00:22:00.500><c> wife,</c><00:22:01.519><c> fit</c>

00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:03.680
into<00:22:02.059><c> this</c><00:22:02.539><c> glorious</c><00:22:03.319><c> picture</c>

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:07.759
of<00:22:03.940><c> the</c><00:22:04.240><c> future</c><00:22:04.640><c> of</c><00:22:05.180><c> the</c><00:22:05.440><c> kingdom?</c><00:22:06.220><c> How</c><00:22:06.519><c> in</c><00:22:06.720><c> the</c><00:22:06.900><c> kingdom</c><00:22:07.140><c> is</c><00:22:07.380><c> there</c><00:22:07.539><c> a</c>

00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:10.920
wife<00:22:08.180><c> expelled</c><00:22:09.039><c> for</c><00:22:09.460><c> defiant</c><00:22:10.240><c> rebellion?</c>

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:15.380
And<00:22:11.599><c> how</c><00:22:11.920><c> in</c><00:22:12.059><c> the</c><00:22:12.259><c> type</c><00:22:12.380><c> of</c><00:22:12.619><c> Esther</c><00:22:12.819><c> do</c><00:22:13.940><c> we</c><00:22:14.319><c> start</c><00:22:14.539><c> with</c><00:22:14.759><c> the</c><00:22:14.960><c> end</c><00:22:15.180><c> of</c>

00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:17.720
the<00:22:15.619><c> story,</c><00:22:16.559><c> with</c><00:22:16.740><c> the</c><00:22:16.940><c> kingdom</c><00:22:17.140><c> and</c><00:22:17.359><c> somehow</c>

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:21.240
kind<00:22:17.940><c> of</c><00:22:18.319><c> jump</c><00:22:18.640><c> backwards</c><00:22:19.180><c> in</c><00:22:19.700><c> time</c><00:22:19.920><c> for</c><00:22:20.099><c> the</c><00:22:20.200><c> rest</c><00:22:20.339><c> of</c><00:22:20.500><c> the</c><00:22:20.619><c> book?</c><00:22:20.960><c> It</c>

00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.980
seemed<00:22:21.400><c> a</c><00:22:21.599><c> little</c><00:22:21.759><c> confusing,</c><00:22:22.539><c> at</c><00:22:22.660><c> least</c>

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:25.799
to<00:22:23.539><c> me,</c><00:22:23.980><c> and</c><00:22:24.220><c> I'm</c><00:22:24.440><c> going</c><00:22:24.519><c> to</c><00:22:24.680><c> suggest</c><00:22:25.000><c> to</c><00:22:25.140><c> you</c><00:22:25.240><c> this</c><00:22:25.480><c> morning</c>

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:29.220
that<00:22:26.200><c> actually</c><00:22:26.619><c> it</c><00:22:26.819><c> is</c><00:22:27.279><c> exquisitely</c><00:22:27.839><c> simple,</c>

00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:32.759
because<00:22:30.119><c> I'm</c><00:22:30.460><c> convinced</c><00:22:30.839><c> that</c><00:22:31.180><c> verses</c><00:22:31.500><c> three</c><00:22:31.920><c> to</c><00:22:32.119><c> eight</c><00:22:32.380><c> is</c>

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:37.140
not<00:22:33.299><c> the</c><00:22:33.700><c> future,</c><00:22:35.220><c> but</c><00:22:35.519><c> the</c><00:22:35.940><c> past.</c>

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:42.720
It<00:22:37.599><c> is</c><00:22:37.859><c> not</c><00:22:38.079><c> so</c><00:22:38.339><c> much</c><00:22:38.559><c> about</c><00:22:38.859><c> the</c><00:22:39.339><c> future</c><00:22:40.059><c> glory</c><00:22:40.579><c> of</c><00:22:40.880><c> the</c><00:22:41.059><c> kingdom,</c><00:22:41.539><c> but</c>

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:47.480
what<00:22:43.059><c> God</c><00:22:43.380><c> has</c><00:22:43.960><c> already</c><00:22:45.299><c> done</c><00:22:46.079><c> with</c><00:22:46.859><c> Israel</c>

00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:52.640
in<00:22:48.140><c> setting</c><00:22:48.359><c> them</c><00:22:48.619><c> up</c><00:22:48.960><c> as</c><00:22:49.200><c> a</c><00:22:49.539><c> kingdom</c><00:22:49.920><c> of</c><00:22:50.960><c> kings</c><00:22:51.259><c> and</c><00:22:51.619><c> priests.</c>

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:54.380
And<00:22:52.960><c> so</c><00:22:53.059><c> the</c><00:22:53.200><c> book</c><00:22:53.339><c> of</c><00:22:53.519><c> Esther</c><00:22:53.700><c> is</c><00:22:53.980><c> actually</c>

00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:59.640
an<00:22:54.880><c> unbroken,</c><00:22:55.980><c> chronological</c><00:22:57.259><c> unfolding</c><00:22:58.099><c> of</c><00:22:58.579><c> God's</c><00:22:59.180><c> purpose</c>

00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:03.140
with<00:23:00.140><c> Israel</c><00:23:00.720><c> from</c><00:23:01.180><c> the</c><00:23:01.339><c> very</c><00:23:01.619><c> start</c><00:23:02.380><c> of</c><00:23:02.880><c> their</c>

00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:09.299
constitution<00:23:03.779><c> as</c><00:23:04.839><c> a</c><00:23:05.359><c> kingdom</c><00:23:05.720><c> at</c><00:23:06.099><c> Mount</c><00:23:06.559><c> Sinai.</c><00:23:08.599><c> And</c><00:23:08.839><c> I</c><00:23:09.079><c> think</c>

00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:16.220
that<00:23:09.559><c> the</c><00:23:09.940><c> clue</c><00:23:10.380><c> is</c><00:23:12.619><c> 187</c><00:23:15.000><c> days.</c>

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:20.819
So<00:23:17.200><c> I</c><00:23:17.440><c> invite</c><00:23:17.640><c> you</c><00:23:17.819><c> to</c><00:23:18.079><c> search</c><00:23:18.380><c> and</c><00:23:18.619><c> to</c><00:23:18.900><c> see</c><00:23:19.819><c> whether</c><00:23:20.359><c> or</c><00:23:20.619><c> not</c>

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:26.220
you<00:23:21.079><c> can</c><00:23:21.440><c> find</c><00:23:22.140><c> 187</c><00:23:24.119><c> days</c><00:23:24.720><c> divided</c><00:23:25.500><c> into</c><00:23:25.839><c> one</c>

00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:32.099
feast<00:23:26.400><c> of</c><00:23:26.559><c> 180</c><00:23:27.240><c> days</c><00:23:27.900><c> and</c><00:23:28.619><c> one</c><00:23:28.960><c> feast</c><00:23:29.240><c> of</c><00:23:29.720><c> seven</c><00:23:30.039><c> days</c><00:23:30.640><c> anywhere</c><00:23:31.299><c> else</c><00:23:31.880><c> in</c>

00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:33.440
the<00:23:32.299><c> scriptures,</c><00:23:32.680><c> because</c><00:23:32.980><c> I</c><00:23:33.279><c> think</c>

00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:39.700
there's<00:23:33.740><c> only</c><00:23:34.200><c> one</c><00:23:34.839><c> other</c><00:23:35.200><c> place.</c><00:23:36.880><c> I</c><00:23:37.059><c> want</c><00:23:37.160><c> to</c><00:23:37.180><c> go</c><00:23:37.339><c> through</c><00:23:37.500><c> the</c><00:23:37.759><c> details</c><00:23:38.099><c> with</c><00:23:38.480><c> this</c><00:23:39.160><c> on</c>

00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.039
the<00:23:40.039><c> screen</c><00:23:40.299><c> for</c><00:23:40.660><c> you,</c>

00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:44.859
just<00:23:41.259><c> to</c><00:23:41.539><c> show</c><00:23:41.720><c> you</c><00:23:41.980><c> how</c><00:23:42.380><c> perfectly</c><00:23:43.000><c> these</c><00:23:43.759><c> first</c><00:23:44.140><c> few</c><00:23:44.359><c> verses</c>

00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:49.000
match<00:23:45.640><c> what</c><00:23:46.160><c> God</c><00:23:46.500><c> has</c><00:23:46.900><c> already</c><00:23:47.259><c> done</c><00:23:47.720><c> with</c><00:23:48.380><c> Israel.</c>

00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:51.920
Now<00:23:49.579><c> I</c><00:23:49.599><c> have</c><00:23:49.799><c> all</c><00:23:50.000><c> of</c><00:23:50.140><c> this</c><00:23:50.460><c> information</c><00:23:50.960><c> on</c><00:23:51.180><c> a</c><00:23:51.339><c> Bible</c><00:23:51.579><c> marking</c>

00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.359
sheet,<00:23:52.220><c> so</c><00:23:52.400><c> you</c><00:23:52.480><c> don't</c><00:23:52.660><c> need</c><00:23:52.779><c> to</c><00:23:52.960><c> try</c><00:23:53.079><c> and</c><00:23:53.220><c> take</c>

00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:57.720
down.<00:23:54.460><c> You</c><00:23:54.700><c> can</c><00:23:54.880><c> get</c><00:23:55.019><c> it</c><00:23:55.319><c> afterwards.</c><00:23:56.400><c> You</c><00:23:56.519><c> can</c><00:23:56.740><c> just</c><00:23:56.940><c> sit</c><00:23:57.140><c> back</c><00:23:57.480><c> and</c>

00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:00.839
act<00:23:57.980><c> like</c><00:23:58.359><c> blotting</c><00:23:58.740><c> paper</c><00:23:59.059><c> and</c><00:23:59.279><c> just</c><00:23:59.660><c> absorb.</c>

00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:04.960
I'd<00:24:01.980><c> like</c><00:24:02.079><c> you</c><00:24:02.220><c> to</c><00:24:02.359><c> have</c><00:24:02.779><c> one</c><00:24:03.079><c> hand</c><00:24:03.259><c> in</c><00:24:03.440><c> Esther</c><00:24:03.779><c> and</c><00:24:04.259><c> come</c><00:24:04.579><c> to</c>

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:07.839
Exodus<00:24:05.519><c> and</c><00:24:06.220><c> chapter</c><00:24:06.539><c> 24.</c>

00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:16.220
Just<00:24:10.559><c> let</c><00:24:10.740><c> this</c><00:24:11.180><c> idea</c><00:24:12.039><c> wash</c><00:24:12.900><c> over</c><00:24:13.339><c> you</c><00:24:13.500><c> and</c><00:24:13.660><c> see</c><00:24:13.900><c> if</c><00:24:14.039><c> you</c><00:24:15.200><c> aren't</c><00:24:15.400><c> as</c><00:24:15.640><c> convinced</c><00:24:15.980><c> as</c>

00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:17.440
I<00:24:16.420><c> am</c>

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:24.579
in<00:24:17.839><c> a</c><00:24:17.960><c> few</c><00:24:18.200><c> minutes</c><00:24:18.579><c> that</c><00:24:18.799><c> this</c><00:24:19.779><c> fits</c><00:24:20.200><c> a</c><00:24:20.400><c> little</c><00:24:20.599><c> better</c><00:24:21.220><c> in</c><00:24:22.519><c> explaining</c><00:24:23.059><c> the</c><00:24:23.400><c> type</c><00:24:23.579><c> of</c><00:24:23.819><c> Esther</c>

00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:27.819
chapter<00:24:25.440><c> one</c><00:24:25.680><c> and</c><00:24:25.799><c> the</c><00:24:26.079><c> grand</c><00:24:26.539><c> feast.</c>

00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:36.700
In<00:24:30.980><c> Esther</c><00:24:31.279><c> chapter</c><00:24:31.619><c> one,</c><00:24:33.880><c> Ahasuerus</c><00:24:34.519><c> holds</c><00:24:34.940><c> a</c><00:24:35.400><c> banquet</c><00:24:35.819><c> to</c>

00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:39.319
celebrate<00:24:37.240><c> the</c><00:24:37.640><c> newness</c><00:24:38.000><c> of</c><00:24:38.220><c> his</c><00:24:38.440><c> kingdom</c><00:24:38.740><c> in</c><00:24:38.940><c> verse</c>

00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:46.220
three.<00:24:41.440><c> Actually,</c><00:24:41.960><c> historically</c><00:24:42.660><c> we</c><00:24:43.640><c> find</c><00:24:44.380><c> that</c><00:24:45.299><c> Xerxes</c><00:24:45.819><c> had</c>

00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.839
just<00:24:47.059><c> crushed</c>

00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:52.759
revolts<00:24:49.059><c> in</c><00:24:49.839><c> Egypt</c><00:24:50.400><c> and</c><00:24:50.920><c> Babylon</c><00:24:51.359><c> in</c><00:24:51.579><c> his</c><00:24:51.839><c> first</c><00:24:52.119><c> two</c><00:24:52.400><c> years</c>

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.720
and<00:24:53.200><c> established</c><00:24:53.700><c> the</c><00:24:54.079><c> throne.</c><00:24:54.400><c> Isn't</c><00:24:54.519><c> that</c>

00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:59.920
interesting?<00:24:55.519><c> Xerxes</c><00:24:56.259><c> has</c><00:24:57.420><c> just</c><00:24:57.779><c> come</c><00:24:58.240><c> back</c><00:24:58.819><c> to</c><00:24:59.059><c> Persia</c><00:24:59.619><c> out</c>

00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:05.440
of<00:25:00.240><c> Egypt.</c><00:25:02.079><c> And</c><00:25:02.500><c> why?</c><00:25:03.119><c> In</c><00:25:03.480><c> Exodus</c><00:25:03.759><c> 19,</c><00:25:04.680><c> God</c><00:25:04.859><c> has</c><00:25:05.119><c> just</c>

00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:10.599
brought<00:25:05.720><c> Israel</c><00:25:06.380><c> out</c><00:25:06.720><c> of</c><00:25:06.839><c> Egypt</c><00:25:07.180><c> and</c><00:25:07.700><c> constituted</c><00:25:08.339><c> them</c><00:25:08.660><c> a</c><00:25:08.980><c> kingdom.</c><00:25:09.619><c> You</c><00:25:09.859><c> will</c><00:25:10.099><c> be</c>

00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:12.440
a<00:25:10.920><c> kingdom</c><00:25:11.160><c> of</c><00:25:11.500><c> priests</c><00:25:11.920><c> and</c>

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:16.299
an<00:25:12.660><c> holy</c><00:25:12.900><c> nation.</c><00:25:14.579><c> So</c><00:25:14.759><c> the</c><00:25:15.000><c> first</c><00:25:15.299><c> banquet</c><00:25:15.619><c> that</c><00:25:15.839><c> we</c><00:25:16.000><c> read</c><00:25:16.140><c> of</c>

00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:19.400
in<00:25:16.480><c> verse</c><00:25:16.700><c> three</c><00:25:17.200><c> was</c><00:25:17.519><c> for</c><00:25:17.799><c> all</c><00:25:18.000><c> the</c><00:25:18.240><c> nobility</c>

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:23.819
and<00:25:19.779><c> the</c><00:25:20.180><c> aristocracy,</c><00:25:21.119><c> the</c><00:25:21.319><c> nobles</c><00:25:21.660><c> and</c><00:25:21.980><c> princes</c><00:25:22.299><c> in</c><00:25:22.720><c> Shushan.</c><00:25:23.440><c> And</c><00:25:23.660><c> if</c>

00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:25.220
you're<00:25:23.980><c> in</c><00:25:24.140><c> Exodus</c><00:25:24.420><c> chapter</c><00:25:24.740><c> 24,</c>

00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:30.039
look<00:25:25.539><c> what</c><00:25:25.720><c> God</c><00:25:25.960><c> does.</c><00:25:26.880><c> In</c><00:25:27.000><c> verse</c><00:25:27.240><c> one,</c><00:25:27.839><c> he</c><00:25:27.940><c> calls</c><00:25:28.319><c> for</c><00:25:28.640><c> a</c><00:25:28.859><c> banquet</c><00:25:29.279><c> and</c>

00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:32.599
he<00:25:30.400><c> invites</c><00:25:30.900><c> why</c><00:25:31.380><c> all</c><00:25:31.740><c> the</c><00:25:32.019><c> nobility</c>

00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:40.440
of<00:25:32.960><c> the</c><00:25:33.200><c> nation</c><00:25:34.000><c> come</c><00:25:34.779><c> up</c><00:25:35.039><c> unto</c><00:25:35.339><c> Yahweh,</c><00:25:36.500><c> thou,</c><00:25:37.279><c> Aaron,</c><00:25:38.859><c> Nadab,</c><00:25:40.000><c> Abihu</c>

00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:43.519
and<00:25:41.059><c> the</c><00:25:41.420><c> seventy</c><00:25:41.900><c> elders</c><00:25:42.539><c> of</c><00:25:42.839><c> Israel</c>

00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:47.980
and<00:25:44.259><c> worship</c><00:25:44.740><c> ye</c><00:25:45.460><c> afar</c><00:25:45.960><c> off.</c><00:25:46.539><c> God</c><00:25:46.839><c> held</c><00:25:47.079><c> a</c><00:25:47.299><c> banquet</c><00:25:47.619><c> that</c><00:25:47.819><c> was</c>

00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:51.319
for<00:25:48.220><c> the</c><00:25:48.799><c> aristocracy,</c><00:25:50.059><c> the</c><00:25:50.259><c> elders</c><00:25:50.579><c> of</c><00:25:50.819><c> Israel</c>

00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:56.460
in<00:25:51.900><c> Sinai,</c><00:25:52.660><c> God's</c><00:25:53.059><c> palace.</c><00:25:54.799><c> And</c><00:25:55.079><c> it</c><00:25:55.299><c> says</c><00:25:55.500><c> in</c><00:25:55.839><c> Esther</c><00:25:56.059><c> chapter</c>

00:25:56.460 --> 00:26:00.440
one<00:25:57.180><c> that</c><00:25:57.500><c> they</c><00:25:57.839><c> were</c><00:25:58.099><c> before</c><00:25:58.759><c> him.</c><00:25:59.940><c> Literally,</c>

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:04.740
it<00:26:00.720><c> means</c><00:26:01.200><c> they</c><00:26:01.720><c> saw</c><00:26:02.099><c> his</c><00:26:02.500><c> face.</c><00:26:03.140><c> And</c><00:26:03.299><c> as</c><00:26:03.440><c> we</c><00:26:03.579><c> said</c><00:26:03.700><c> before,</c><00:26:04.400><c> this</c><00:26:04.500><c> was</c><00:26:04.700><c> a</c>

00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:07.700
very<00:26:05.079><c> private</c><00:26:05.480><c> king.</c><00:26:06.460><c> Nobody</c><00:26:06.660><c> saw</c><00:26:07.000><c> his</c><00:26:07.279><c> face.</c>

00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:12.400
But<00:26:08.119><c> here</c><00:26:08.519><c> at</c><00:26:08.740><c> this</c><00:26:08.859><c> particular</c><00:26:09.359><c> feast,</c><00:26:10.039><c> they</c><00:26:10.279><c> saw</c><00:26:10.619><c> the</c><00:26:10.839><c> king's</c><00:26:11.240><c> face.</c>

00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:15.779
A<00:26:13.440><c> very</c><00:26:13.779><c> rare</c><00:26:14.079><c> event.</c><00:26:15.240><c> And</c><00:26:15.339><c> look</c><00:26:15.440><c> what</c><00:26:15.539><c> it</c>

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:21.240
says<00:26:16.019><c> in</c><00:26:16.339><c> verse</c><00:26:16.660><c> 10</c><00:26:17.200><c> of</c><00:26:17.519><c> Exodus</c><00:26:17.880><c> 24.</c><00:26:18.960><c> And</c><00:26:19.019><c> they</c><00:26:19.420><c> saw</c><00:26:20.019><c> the</c><00:26:20.700><c> God</c>

00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:26.740
of<00:26:21.500><c> Israel.</c><00:26:23.200><c> Verse</c><00:26:23.480><c> 11,</c><00:26:24.160><c> also</c><00:26:24.440><c> they</c><00:26:24.799><c> saw</c><00:26:25.279><c> God</c><00:26:25.839><c> and</c><00:26:26.480><c> did</c>

00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:30.539
eat<00:26:27.140><c> and</c><00:26:27.740><c> drink.</c><00:26:28.380><c> There</c><00:26:28.380><c> was</c><00:26:28.640><c> a</c><00:26:28.819><c> banquet</c><00:26:29.259><c> for</c><00:26:29.799><c> the</c><00:26:29.980><c> nobility</c>

00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:33.779
of<00:26:30.700><c> Israel</c><00:26:31.240><c> laid</c><00:26:31.980><c> on</c><00:26:32.319><c> by</c><00:26:32.559><c> the</c><00:26:32.779><c> king.</c>

00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:39.259
And<00:26:34.759><c> the</c><00:26:34.960><c> first</c><00:26:35.200><c> banquet</c><00:26:35.519><c> lasted</c><00:26:36.039><c> for</c><00:26:36.819><c> 180</c><00:26:38.079><c> days.</c><00:26:38.839><c> We</c><00:26:38.839><c> read</c><00:26:39.059><c> in</c>

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:41.059
Esther<00:26:39.380><c> chapter</c><00:26:39.740><c> one</c><00:26:39.960><c> in</c><00:26:40.119><c> verse</c><00:26:40.380><c> four,</c>

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:45.019
probably<00:26:41.819><c> to</c><00:26:42.460><c> rotate</c><00:26:42.859><c> the</c><00:26:43.259><c> army</c><00:26:43.559><c> chiefs</c><00:26:44.220><c> in</c><00:26:44.359><c> and</c><00:26:44.539><c> out</c><00:26:44.680><c> of</c><00:26:44.839><c> the</c>

00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:47.559
banquet<00:26:45.319><c> to</c><00:26:45.720><c> keep</c><00:26:45.960><c> the</c><00:26:46.279><c> perimeter</c><00:26:46.539><c> of</c><00:26:46.920><c> the</c><00:26:47.140><c> empire</c>

00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:56.660
secure.<00:26:48.839><c> But</c><00:26:49.519><c> I</c><00:26:49.759><c> think</c><00:26:49.900><c> you'll</c><00:26:50.319><c> find</c><00:26:50.660><c> when</c><00:26:51.200><c> you</c><00:26:51.480><c> compare</c><00:26:51.940><c> these</c><00:26:52.500><c> references</c><00:26:53.019><c> in</c><00:26:53.579><c> Exodus</c><00:26:54.119><c> that</c><00:26:55.680><c> there</c><00:26:55.980><c> is</c><00:26:56.380><c> a</c>

00:26:56.660 --> 00:27:04.500
period<00:26:57.019><c> of</c><00:26:58.119><c> why</c><00:26:58.759><c> 180</c><00:27:00.299><c> days</c><00:27:01.400><c> allotted</c><00:27:02.000><c> for</c><00:27:02.920><c> the</c><00:27:03.579><c> construction</c>

00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.599
of<00:27:05.200><c> the</c><00:27:05.539><c> tabernacle.</c>

00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:11.240
They<00:27:07.299><c> came</c><00:27:07.539><c> out</c><00:27:07.940><c> in</c><00:27:08.160><c> the</c><00:27:08.279><c> first</c><00:27:08.500><c> month.</c><00:27:09.559><c> They</c><00:27:09.799><c> arrived</c><00:27:10.140><c> at</c><00:27:10.339><c> Mount</c><00:27:10.579><c> Sinai</c><00:27:10.960><c> in</c>

00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.740
the<00:27:11.480><c> third</c><00:27:11.680><c> month.</c>

00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:18.900
There<00:27:12.900><c> was</c><00:27:13.180><c> 40</c><00:27:13.500><c> days,</c><00:27:14.619><c> 40</c><00:27:14.920><c> days.</c><00:27:16.259><c> And</c><00:27:16.359><c> by</c><00:27:16.539><c> the</c><00:27:16.779><c> time</c><00:27:17.440><c> the</c><00:27:18.240><c> tabernacle</c><00:27:18.599><c> was</c>

00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:20.599
started<00:27:19.140><c> to</c><00:27:19.339><c> be</c><00:27:19.539><c> constructed,</c>

00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:24.619
there's<00:27:20.920><c> six</c><00:27:21.240><c> months</c><00:27:21.579><c> of</c><00:27:21.859><c> building</c><00:27:22.180><c> and</c><00:27:22.559><c> it</c><00:27:22.839><c> opens</c><00:27:23.059><c> on</c><00:27:23.259><c> the</c><00:27:23.559><c> first</c><00:27:23.880><c> day</c><00:27:24.299><c> of</c>

00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:26.579
the<00:27:24.880><c> first</c><00:27:25.160><c> month</c><00:27:25.519><c> of</c><00:27:25.759><c> the</c><00:27:25.900><c> next</c><00:27:26.240><c> year.</c>

00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:34.819
A<00:27:27.079><c> feast</c><00:27:27.819><c> of</c><00:27:28.619><c> 180</c><00:27:29.980><c> days.</c><00:27:31.880><c> And</c><00:27:31.980><c> during</c><00:27:32.180><c> that</c><00:27:32.440><c> time,</c><00:27:33.599><c> God</c><00:27:33.900><c> was</c><00:27:34.240><c> able</c><00:27:34.500><c> to</c>

00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:39.279
show<00:27:34.980><c> them</c><00:27:35.660><c> why,</c><00:27:37.119><c> just</c><00:27:37.519><c> like</c><00:27:37.859><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:27:38.880><c> showed</c>

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:43.079
his<00:27:40.019><c> nobility,</c><00:27:41.220><c> the</c><00:27:41.420><c> riches</c><00:27:41.660><c> of</c><00:27:41.859><c> his</c><00:27:42.079><c> glorious</c><00:27:42.519><c> kingdom</c><00:27:42.900><c> and</c>

00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:45.319
the<00:27:43.319><c> honour</c><00:27:43.480><c> of</c><00:27:43.660><c> his</c><00:27:43.940><c> excellent</c><00:27:44.339><c> majesty.</c><00:27:44.920><c> What</c><00:27:45.079><c> was</c>

00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:48.700
the<00:27:45.519><c> tabernacle</c><00:27:45.880><c> about?</c><00:27:46.779><c> Well,</c><00:27:46.920><c> Psalm</c><00:27:47.099><c> 96</c><00:27:47.660><c> says</c><00:27:48.099><c> that</c><00:27:48.480><c> it</c><00:27:48.539><c> was</c>

00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:51.299
all<00:27:48.960><c> about</c><00:27:49.140><c> the</c><00:27:49.559><c> honour</c><00:27:49.759><c> and</c><00:27:50.079><c> the</c><00:27:50.380><c> majesty</c><00:27:50.799><c> that</c><00:27:51.019><c> was</c>

00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:56.079
in<00:27:51.539><c> his</c><00:27:52.319><c> sanctuary.</c><00:27:53.960><c> The</c><00:27:54.119><c> tabernacle</c><00:27:54.519><c> was</c><00:27:54.819><c> to</c><00:27:55.359><c> demonstrate</c>

00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:59.460
God's<00:27:57.039><c> majesty</c><00:27:57.700><c> and</c><00:27:58.420><c> honour.</c>

00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:07.720
180<00:28:01.339><c> days.</c><00:28:03.200><c> And</c><00:28:03.359><c> after</c><00:28:04.559><c> that</c><00:28:05.220><c> first</c><00:28:05.900><c> feast,</c><00:28:06.859><c> why</c><00:28:07.079><c> there</c><00:28:07.160><c> was</c><00:28:07.400><c> a</c>

00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:10.640
second<00:28:08.059><c> banquet</c><00:28:08.559><c> that</c><00:28:09.460><c> was</c><00:28:09.660><c> for</c><00:28:09.839><c> all</c><00:28:10.059><c> the</c><00:28:10.400><c> common</c>

00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:14.079
people<00:28:11.380><c> and</c><00:28:11.819><c> it</c><00:28:12.079><c> lasted</c><00:28:12.380><c> for</c><00:28:12.700><c> seven</c><00:28:12.940><c> days.</c><00:28:13.480><c> We</c><00:28:13.519><c> read</c><00:28:13.720><c> in</c><00:28:13.880><c> verse</c>

00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:16.680
five<00:28:14.420><c> of</c><00:28:14.619><c> Esther</c><00:28:14.859><c> chapter</c><00:28:15.180><c> one.</c><00:28:15.859><c> And</c><00:28:16.180><c> when</c><00:28:16.380><c> we</c><00:28:16.500><c> go</c>

00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:20.259
back,<00:28:16.940><c> we</c><00:28:17.980><c> won't</c><00:28:18.279><c> go</c><00:28:18.579><c> there</c><00:28:18.779><c> to</c><00:28:18.920><c> Leviticus</c><00:28:19.380><c> chapter</c><00:28:19.720><c> eight.</c>

00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:23.480
At<00:28:20.839><c> the</c><00:28:21.259><c> end</c><00:28:21.859><c> of</c><00:28:22.339><c> the</c><00:28:22.500><c> construction</c><00:28:23.079><c> of</c><00:28:23.279><c> the</c>

00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:27.160
tabernacle,<00:28:24.140><c> why</c><00:28:24.380><c> there</c><00:28:24.559><c> was</c><00:28:24.779><c> a</c><00:28:25.240><c> second</c><00:28:25.900><c> banquet</c><00:28:26.460><c> for</c><00:28:26.880><c> all</c>

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:31.240
the<00:28:27.440><c> congregation.</c><00:28:29.220><c> The</c><00:28:29.559><c> seven</c><00:28:29.859><c>-day</c><00:28:30.200><c> consecration</c>

00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:38.920
of<00:28:31.880><c> the</c><00:28:32.220><c> sons</c><00:28:32.799><c> of</c><00:28:33.559><c> Aaron.</c><00:28:35.480><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:28:36.160><c> held</c><00:28:36.460><c> his</c><00:28:36.819><c> seven</c><00:28:37.039><c>-day</c><00:28:37.279><c> feast</c><00:28:37.759><c> outdoors</c><00:28:38.599><c> in</c>

00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.519
a<00:28:39.079><c> tent.</c><00:28:39.920><c> Literally,</c>

00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:46.519
the<00:28:41.119><c> word</c><00:28:41.380><c> means</c><00:28:41.920><c> awnings</c><00:28:42.599><c> or</c><00:28:43.140><c> hangings</c><00:28:44.299><c> and</c><00:28:44.980><c> exactly</c><00:28:45.660><c> the</c><00:28:45.940><c> same</c><00:28:46.240><c> as</c>

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:48.579
the<00:28:46.799><c> tabernacle.</c><00:28:47.359><c> It</c><00:28:47.500><c> was</c><00:28:47.819><c> a</c><00:28:48.059><c> tent.</c><00:28:48.319><c> In</c><00:28:48.400><c> fact,</c>

00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:54.059
it's<00:28:49.119><c> described</c><00:28:49.559><c> as</c><00:28:49.819><c> such</c><00:28:50.019><c> in</c><00:28:50.539><c> Exodus</c><00:28:50.839><c> 35</c><00:28:51.440><c> and</c><00:28:51.619><c> verse</c><00:28:51.839><c> 11.</c><00:28:53.940><c> The</c>

00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:58.779
colours<00:28:54.680><c> that</c><00:28:55.259><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:28:55.900><c> had</c><00:28:56.279><c> were</c><00:28:56.700><c> blue,</c><00:28:57.740><c> purple</c>

00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:03.000
and<00:28:59.299><c> white</c><00:28:59.839><c> fine</c><00:29:00.440><c> linen.</c><00:29:01.099><c> And</c><00:29:01.299><c> the</c><00:29:01.680><c> only</c><00:29:02.019><c> other</c><00:29:02.339><c> place</c><00:29:02.599><c> in</c><00:29:02.799><c> all</c>

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:08.579
of<00:29:03.160><c> the</c><00:29:03.400><c> Bible</c><00:29:03.980><c> where</c><00:29:04.920><c> those</c><00:29:05.380><c> three</c><00:29:07.339><c> colours</c><00:29:08.019><c> occur</c>

00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:14.400
together<00:29:09.380><c> is</c><00:29:10.119><c> over</c><00:29:10.799><c> and</c><00:29:11.299><c> over</c><00:29:11.960><c> and</c><00:29:12.279><c> over</c><00:29:12.960><c> in</c><00:29:13.660><c> the</c><00:29:13.900><c> tabernacle.</c>

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:18.500
Look<00:29:14.700><c> at</c><00:29:14.859><c> chapter</c><00:29:15.119><c> 25</c><00:29:16.000><c> in</c><00:29:16.559><c> verse</c><00:29:17.180><c> four,</c>

00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:25.299
blue,<00:29:20.039><c> purple,</c><00:29:21.400><c> scarlet,</c><00:29:22.619><c> fine</c><00:29:22.839><c> linen.</c><00:29:23.539><c> These</c><00:29:23.960><c> are</c><00:29:24.380><c> the</c><00:29:24.619><c> colours</c><00:29:24.880><c> and</c>

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:27.559
materials<00:29:25.720><c> of</c><00:29:26.079><c> the</c><00:29:26.420><c> tabernacle.</c>

00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:31.740
In<00:29:29.079><c> Esther</c><00:29:29.380><c> chapter</c><00:29:29.720><c> one,</c><00:29:30.539><c> there</c><00:29:30.539><c> was</c><00:29:30.779><c> a</c><00:29:30.779><c> paint,</c><00:29:31.240><c> there</c><00:29:31.339><c> was</c>

00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:33.640
a,<00:29:32.180><c> well,</c><00:29:32.339><c> here</c><00:29:32.440><c> we</c><00:29:32.539><c> go.</c><00:29:32.759><c> The</c><00:29:33.039><c> hangings</c><00:29:33.319><c> were</c><00:29:33.500><c> held</c>

00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:37.920
up<00:29:33.759><c> by</c><00:29:34.079><c> pillars</c><00:29:34.599><c> and</c><00:29:35.240><c> cords</c><00:29:35.740><c> and</c><00:29:36.420><c> silver</c><00:29:36.920><c> rings,</c><00:29:37.579><c> we're</c><00:29:37.720><c> told</c>

00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:40.579
in<00:29:38.099><c> Esther</c><00:29:38.380><c> chapter</c><00:29:38.799><c> one.</c><00:29:39.559><c> And</c><00:29:39.640><c> in</c><00:29:39.819><c> the</c><00:29:40.059><c> tabernacle,</c>

00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:47.180
we<00:29:40.960><c> have</c><00:29:41.359><c> why</c><00:29:41.900><c> pillars,</c><00:29:43.480><c> cords</c><00:29:43.880><c> and</c><00:29:44.680><c> silver</c><00:29:45.119><c> rings.</c><00:29:46.980><c> There's</c>

00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:49.319
a<00:29:47.400><c> pavement</c><00:29:47.740><c> we</c><00:29:48.019><c> read</c><00:29:48.200><c> in</c><00:29:48.359><c> Esther</c><00:29:48.559><c> chapter</c><00:29:48.920><c> one</c><00:29:49.119><c> of</c>

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:52.500
different<00:29:49.579><c> coloured</c><00:29:49.920><c> stone.</c><00:29:50.700><c> And</c><00:29:50.779><c> look</c><00:29:50.900><c> what</c><00:29:51.039><c> we</c><00:29:51.220><c> read</c><00:29:51.319><c> in</c><00:29:51.640><c> Exodus</c><00:29:51.940><c> 24</c>

00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:56.140
and<00:29:52.740><c> verse</c><00:29:52.960><c> 10.</c><00:29:54.119><c> Under</c><00:29:54.380><c> his</c><00:29:54.759><c> feet,</c><00:29:55.019><c> it</c><00:29:55.700><c> was</c>

00:29:56.140 --> 00:30:01.960
like<00:29:56.519><c> a</c><00:29:56.940><c> paved</c><00:29:57.359><c> work</c><00:29:57.920><c> of</c><00:29:58.299><c> a</c><00:29:58.460><c> sapphire</c><00:29:59.039><c> stone.</c><00:30:00.960><c> There</c><00:30:00.960><c> were</c><00:30:01.119><c> many</c><00:30:01.420><c> vessels</c><00:30:01.720><c> of</c>

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:04.059
gold<00:30:02.420><c> in</c><00:30:02.759><c> Ahazuerus's</c><00:30:03.680><c> feast,</c>

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:07.720
all<00:30:04.779><c> diverse</c><00:30:05.339><c> from</c><00:30:05.559><c> one</c><00:30:05.740><c> another.</c><00:30:06.400><c> And</c><00:30:06.579><c> in</c><00:30:06.740><c> the</c><00:30:06.819><c> new</c><00:30:07.059><c> kingdom</c>

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:10.279
at<00:30:08.259><c> Sinai,</c><00:30:08.960><c> there</c><00:30:09.000><c> were</c><00:30:09.160><c> many</c><00:30:09.440><c> diverse</c><00:30:09.900><c> people,</c>

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:14.859
but<00:30:10.559><c> all</c><00:30:10.900><c> of</c><00:30:11.019><c> them</c><00:30:11.140><c> were</c><00:30:11.440><c> gold</c><00:30:12.000><c> brought</c><00:30:12.599><c> through</c><00:30:12.839><c> the</c><00:30:13.000><c> Red</c><00:30:13.299><c> Sea,</c><00:30:13.839><c> tried</c><00:30:14.180><c> by</c>

00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:17.920
faith.<00:30:16.039><c> And</c><00:30:16.279><c> drinking</c><00:30:16.680><c> in</c><00:30:17.039><c> Ahazuerus's</c>

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:22.700
feast<00:30:18.319><c> was</c><00:30:19.099><c> according</c><00:30:19.619><c> to</c><00:30:19.839><c> the</c><00:30:20.079><c> law,</c><00:30:20.839><c> but</c><00:30:21.220><c> none</c><00:30:21.539><c> did</c><00:30:21.859><c> compel.</c>

00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:25.859
There<00:30:23.019><c> was</c><00:30:23.220><c> a</c><00:30:23.460><c> paradox</c><00:30:23.880><c> there</c><00:30:24.180><c> in</c><00:30:24.819><c> verse</c><00:30:25.160><c> eight</c><00:30:25.559><c> of</c>

00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:33.759
chapter<00:30:26.380><c> one.</c><00:30:27.240><c> It</c><00:30:28.119><c> wasn't</c><00:30:28.599><c> compulsory.</c><00:30:31.599><c> It</c><00:30:31.660><c> was</c><00:30:32.319><c> voluntary.</c>

00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:36.299
And<00:30:34.279><c> at</c><00:30:34.599><c> Mount</c><00:30:34.920><c> Sinai,</c><00:30:35.740><c> the</c><00:30:35.859><c> people</c>

00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:42.119
volunteered<00:30:37.420><c> their</c><00:30:38.099><c> obedience.</c><00:30:39.680><c> All</c><00:30:39.720><c> that</c><00:30:40.180><c> Yahweh</c><00:30:40.519><c> has</c><00:30:40.700><c> said,</c><00:30:41.940><c> will</c>

00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:47.160
we<00:30:42.420><c> do</c><00:30:42.859><c> and</c><00:30:43.579><c> be</c><00:30:44.019><c> obedient,</c><00:30:45.519><c> verse</c><00:30:46.220><c> seven.</c>

00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:50.819
This<00:30:47.720><c> feast</c><00:30:47.980><c> of</c><00:30:48.140><c> Esther</c><00:30:48.319><c> chapter</c><00:30:48.660><c> one</c><00:30:48.880><c> was</c><00:30:49.180><c> God</c><00:30:49.920><c> constituting</c>

00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:53.279
the<00:30:51.000><c> nation</c><00:30:51.240><c> of</c><00:30:51.480><c> Israel</c><00:30:51.880><c> into</c><00:30:52.420><c> a</c><00:30:52.799><c> kingdom</c>

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:57.819
at<00:30:54.039><c> Sinai,</c><00:30:54.980><c> sharing</c><00:30:55.259><c> first</c><00:30:55.940><c> with</c><00:30:56.200><c> the</c><00:30:56.420><c> aristocracy</c><00:30:57.119><c> and</c><00:30:57.660><c> then</c>

00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:59.640
with<00:30:58.099><c> all</c><00:30:58.319><c> the</c><00:30:58.519><c> people,</c><00:30:58.920><c> the</c><00:30:59.099><c> glories</c><00:30:59.440><c> of</c>

00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:04.380
the<00:30:59.859><c> tabernacle</c><00:31:00.240><c> and</c><00:31:00.400><c> the</c><00:31:00.619><c> majesty</c><00:31:01.000><c> of</c><00:31:01.240><c> this</c><00:31:01.759><c> newly</c><00:31:02.119><c> established</c><00:31:03.180><c> kingdom.</c>

00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:06.900
This<00:31:05.180><c> is</c><00:31:05.380><c> our</c><00:31:05.519><c> heavenly</c><00:31:05.819><c> father's</c>

00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:11.119
select<00:31:07.299><c> banquet</c><00:31:07.980><c> in</c><00:31:08.259><c> the</c><00:31:08.599><c> privacy</c><00:31:08.960><c> of</c><00:31:09.160><c> the</c><00:31:09.319><c> wilderness,</c><00:31:10.400><c> parading</c><00:31:10.779><c> his</c>

00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:15.099
riches,<00:31:12.299><c> his</c><00:31:12.559><c> jewels,</c><00:31:13.779><c> his</c><00:31:14.119><c> gold,</c>

00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:19.519
his<00:31:15.920><c> peculiar</c><00:31:16.500><c> treasure,</c><00:31:17.579><c> as</c><00:31:17.819><c> he</c><00:31:18.059><c> calls</c><00:31:18.279><c> his</c><00:31:18.579><c> people</c><00:31:18.859><c> in</c><00:31:19.140><c> his</c>

00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:22.559
desert<00:31:19.839><c> palace</c><00:31:20.420><c> in</c><00:31:21.059><c> Sinai.</c><00:31:21.500><c> It's</c><00:31:21.759><c> an</c><00:31:21.980><c> astonishing</c>

00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:27.400
parallel.<00:31:23.519><c> The</c><00:31:23.740><c> 187</c><00:31:24.480><c> days</c><00:31:24.700><c> are</c><00:31:24.900><c> the</c><00:31:25.099><c> same.</c><00:31:26.440><c> The</c><00:31:26.660><c> tent,</c><00:31:27.200><c> the</c>

00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:30.119
pillars,<00:31:27.920><c> the</c><00:31:28.160><c> cords,</c><00:31:28.799><c> the</c><00:31:29.059><c> silver</c><00:31:29.380><c> sockets</c><00:31:29.720><c> are</c><00:31:29.900><c> the</c>

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:33.019
same.<00:31:30.539><c> The</c><00:31:30.799><c> colours</c><00:31:31.059><c> and</c><00:31:31.400><c> fine</c><00:31:31.579><c> linen</c><00:31:31.819><c> are</c><00:31:32.019><c> the</c><00:31:32.240><c> same.</c><00:31:32.700><c> The</c>

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:35.759
stone<00:31:33.319><c> pavements</c><00:31:33.779><c> are</c><00:31:33.960><c> the</c><00:31:34.160><c> same.</c><00:31:34.680><c> The</c><00:31:34.920><c> vessels</c><00:31:35.200><c> were</c><00:31:35.519><c> all</c>

00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:40.420
unique,<00:31:36.720><c> but</c><00:31:36.980><c> formed</c><00:31:37.339><c> by</c><00:31:37.599><c> the</c><00:31:37.819><c> gold</c><00:31:38.000><c> of</c><00:31:38.339><c> tried</c><00:31:38.519><c> faith.</c><00:31:40.119><c> And</c>

00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:43.940
the<00:31:40.579><c> nation</c><00:31:40.920><c> said,</c><00:31:41.599><c> all</c><00:31:41.920><c> that</c><00:31:42.279><c> Yahweh</c><00:31:43.039><c> hath</c><00:31:43.380><c> said,</c>

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:47.220
will<00:31:44.380><c> we</c><00:31:44.700><c> do</c><00:31:45.079><c> and</c><00:31:45.500><c> be</c><00:31:45.980><c> obedient.</c>

00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:51.880
It's<00:31:49.859><c> what</c><00:31:50.019><c> God</c><00:31:50.220><c> has</c><00:31:50.460><c> already</c><00:31:50.740><c> done.</c>

00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:59.839
And<00:31:54.299><c> so</c><00:31:54.420><c> in</c><00:31:54.619><c> verse</c><00:31:55.160><c> nine,</c><00:31:56.920><c> we</c><00:31:57.359><c> are</c><00:31:57.779><c> introduced</c><00:31:58.359><c> to</c><00:31:58.640><c> the</c><00:31:58.920><c> queen,</c>

00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:07.539
who<00:32:02.420><c> clearly,</c><00:32:03.740><c> as</c><00:32:04.039><c> we</c><00:32:04.220><c> will</c><00:32:04.460><c> see</c><00:32:04.839><c> in</c><00:32:05.420><c> a</c><00:32:05.660><c> moment,</c><00:32:06.059><c> will</c><00:32:06.220><c> represent</c><00:32:06.640><c> for</c><00:32:06.900><c> us</c>

00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:10.039
the<00:32:07.960><c> natural</c><00:32:08.599><c> nation</c><00:32:09.079><c> of</c><00:32:09.420><c> Israel.</c>

00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:16.000
Would<00:32:10.599><c> they</c><00:32:10.839><c> be</c><00:32:11.119><c> obedient</c><00:32:11.720><c> or</c><00:32:13.460><c> not?</c><00:32:14.559><c> The</c><00:32:14.720><c> very</c><00:32:14.880><c> nation</c><00:32:15.259><c> that</c>

00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:19.400
had<00:32:16.400><c> claimed,</c><00:32:16.920><c> promised</c><00:32:17.700><c> their</c><00:32:18.079><c> absolute</c><00:32:18.660><c> obedience</c>

00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:23.140
to<00:32:19.619><c> their</c><00:32:19.920><c> king,</c><00:32:20.319><c> to</c><00:32:20.440><c> God</c><00:32:20.640><c> himself.</c><00:32:21.599><c> What</c><00:32:21.900><c> would</c><00:32:22.299><c> be</c><00:32:22.900><c> their</c>

00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:25.819
response?<00:32:24.559><c> Well,</c><00:32:24.680><c> what</c><00:32:24.839><c> was</c><00:32:25.160><c> Vashti</c><00:32:25.420><c> like?</c>

00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:30.259
You<00:32:26.400><c> know,</c><00:32:26.460><c> we're</c><00:32:26.619><c> not</c><00:32:26.779><c> told</c><00:32:27.019><c> much</c><00:32:27.380><c> about</c><00:32:27.980><c> her,</c><00:32:28.500><c> but</c><00:32:28.819><c> we</c><00:32:29.099><c> are</c><00:32:29.339><c> given</c><00:32:29.700><c> a</c>

00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:34.559
clue<00:32:30.660><c> as</c><00:32:31.400><c> to</c><00:32:31.539><c> her</c><00:32:31.839><c> spirit</c><00:32:32.319><c> in</c><00:32:32.619><c> verse</c><00:32:33.180><c> nine.</c>

00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:40.460
And<00:32:35.240><c> we</c><00:32:35.460><c> read</c><00:32:35.759><c> there,</c><00:32:37.019><c> also,</c><00:32:37.839><c> Vashti</c><00:32:38.220><c> the</c><00:32:38.480><c> queen</c><00:32:38.819><c> made</c><00:32:39.079><c> a</c><00:32:39.400><c> feast</c><00:32:39.859><c> for</c>

00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:41.180
the<00:32:40.720><c> women</c>

00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:47.859
in<00:32:41.799><c> the</c><00:32:42.119><c> royal</c><00:32:42.440><c> house,</c><00:32:43.079><c> which</c><00:32:43.079><c> belonged</c><00:32:43.839><c> to</c><00:32:44.640><c> King</c><00:32:45.240><c> Ahasuerus.</c>

00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:51.799
Vashti<00:32:48.680><c> means</c><00:32:49.099><c> beautiful</c><00:32:50.619><c> woman,</c>

00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:59.079
according<00:32:52.220><c> to</c><00:32:52.619><c> Jesenius.</c><00:32:53.859><c> Some</c><00:32:54.119><c> say</c><00:32:54.619><c> that</c><00:32:54.859><c> she</c><00:32:55.019><c> was</c><00:32:55.539><c> the</c><00:32:55.980><c> fabulously</c><00:32:56.579><c> wealthy</c><00:32:57.240><c> daughter</c><00:32:57.900><c> of</c><00:32:58.259><c> Kinesis,</c>

00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:02.839
King<00:32:59.599><c> of</c><00:32:59.940><c> Sardis,</c><00:33:00.700><c> which</c><00:33:00.920><c> is</c><00:33:01.740><c> interesting</c><00:33:02.200><c> in</c><00:33:02.380><c> the</c><00:33:02.539><c> light</c><00:33:02.660><c> of</c>

00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:04.680
the<00:33:02.960><c> letter</c><00:33:03.140><c> to</c><00:33:03.400><c> Sardis</c><00:33:03.740><c> in</c><00:33:03.920><c> Revelation</c><00:33:04.319><c> 3,</c>

00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:09.599
which<00:33:04.859><c> is</c><00:33:05.119><c> another</c><00:33:05.339><c> story.</c><00:33:06.799><c> Others</c><00:33:06.940><c> say</c><00:33:07.259><c> that</c><00:33:07.420><c> she</c><00:33:07.539><c> was</c><00:33:07.799><c> Belshazzar's</c><00:33:08.599><c> descendant,</c><00:33:09.119><c> and</c><00:33:09.279><c> therefore,</c>

00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:13.960
a<00:33:09.880><c> political</c><00:33:10.319><c> wife.</c><00:33:11.359><c> Certainly,</c><00:33:12.160><c> she</c><00:33:12.359><c> appears</c><00:33:12.740><c> to</c><00:33:13.000><c> have</c><00:33:13.160><c> a</c><00:33:13.339><c> mind</c><00:33:13.640><c> of</c>

00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:18.420
her<00:33:14.359><c> own,</c><00:33:15.299><c> a</c><00:33:15.720><c> spoiled</c><00:33:16.019><c> princess,</c><00:33:16.720><c> if</c><00:33:17.220><c> you</c><00:33:17.460><c> will.</c>

00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:23.799
Because<00:33:18.980><c> in</c><00:33:19.240><c> verse</c><00:33:19.460><c> nine,</c><00:33:20.980><c> the</c><00:33:21.200><c> definite</c><00:33:21.500><c> article</c><00:33:22.039><c> is</c><00:33:22.579><c> not</c><00:33:23.019><c> there.</c><00:33:23.500><c> It</c>

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:27.119
should<00:33:24.000><c> be</c><00:33:24.980><c> that</c><00:33:25.319><c> she</c><00:33:25.619><c> made</c><00:33:25.859><c> a</c><00:33:26.140><c> feast</c>

00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:35.619
for<00:33:29.180><c> women.</c><00:33:30.559><c> This</c><00:33:31.019><c> was</c><00:33:31.200><c> not</c><00:33:31.440><c> just</c><00:33:32.400><c> a</c><00:33:33.079><c> feast</c><00:33:33.319><c> for</c><00:33:34.700><c> the</c><00:33:35.079><c> women</c><00:33:35.299><c> as</c>

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:37.319
opposed<00:33:35.940><c> to</c><00:33:36.099><c> the</c><00:33:36.339><c> men,</c>

00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:46.839
but<00:33:38.920><c> for</c><00:33:39.519><c> women,</c><00:33:41.660><c> i</c><00:33:41.940><c>.e.</c><00:33:42.519><c> in</c><00:33:43.119><c> support</c><00:33:43.619><c> of</c><00:33:43.900><c> their</c><00:33:44.119><c> rights.</c><00:33:46.640><c> Now,</c>

00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:48.960
this<00:33:47.019><c> could</c><00:33:47.200><c> be</c><00:33:47.460><c> reading</c><00:33:47.700><c> things</c><00:33:48.000><c> into</c><00:33:48.259><c> verse</c><00:33:48.579><c> nine,</c>

00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:52.299
and<00:33:49.099><c> this</c><00:33:49.359><c> could</c><00:33:49.519><c> have</c><00:33:49.700><c> been</c><00:33:49.839><c> a</c><00:33:50.319><c> completely</c><00:33:50.559><c> legitimate</c><00:33:51.160><c> feast,</c><00:33:51.920><c> but</c>

00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:54.240
the<00:33:52.599><c> spirit</c><00:33:52.779><c> of</c><00:33:52.980><c> this</c><00:33:53.220><c> chapter</c><00:33:53.519><c> seems</c><00:33:53.839><c> to</c>

00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:58.940
that<00:33:54.720><c> there</c><00:33:55.039><c> was</c><00:33:55.480><c> a</c><00:33:55.640><c> problem</c><00:33:55.960><c> here</c><00:33:56.460><c> in</c><00:33:56.880><c> verse</c><00:33:57.319><c> nine,</c><00:33:58.259><c> that</c><00:33:58.359><c> this</c><00:33:58.680><c> was</c>

00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:01.880
an<00:33:59.660><c> alternative</c><00:34:00.619><c> banquet,</c>

00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:07.619
a<00:34:03.259><c> rival</c><00:34:03.640><c> banquet,</c><00:34:05.440><c> a</c><00:34:05.660><c> feast</c><00:34:05.819><c> centred</c><00:34:06.240><c> on</c><00:34:06.440><c> herself.</c><00:34:07.220><c> Look</c><00:34:07.480><c> at</c>

00:34:07.619 --> 00:34:10.320
the<00:34:07.759><c> language</c><00:34:08.039><c> at</c><00:34:08.260><c> the</c><00:34:08.420><c> end</c><00:34:08.619><c> of</c><00:34:08.820><c> verse</c><00:34:09.059><c> nine.</c>

00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:18.139
She<00:34:11.699><c> held</c><00:34:12.320><c> this</c><00:34:12.840><c> feast</c><00:34:13.239><c> in</c><00:34:14.019><c> the</c><00:34:14.420><c> royal</c><00:34:14.840><c> house,</c><00:34:15.679><c> which</c><00:34:15.840><c> belonged</c><00:34:16.719><c> to</c><00:34:17.199><c> King</c>

00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:20.860
Ahasuerus.<00:34:19.639><c> This</c><00:34:20.019><c> is</c><00:34:20.300><c> a</c><00:34:20.519><c> deliberate</c>

00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:24.420
attempt<00:34:21.219><c> to</c><00:34:21.460><c> usurp</c><00:34:22.260><c> the</c><00:34:22.619><c> authority</c><00:34:23.019><c> of</c><00:34:23.239><c> the</c><00:34:23.400><c> king,</c><00:34:23.960><c> a</c><00:34:24.059><c> rival</c>

00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:27.920
feast<00:34:25.119><c> staged</c><00:34:25.860><c> in</c><00:34:26.219><c> the</c><00:34:26.500><c> king's</c><00:34:27.320><c> royal</c><00:34:27.519><c> house.</c>

00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:34.199
It<00:34:28.320><c> belonged</c><00:34:28.659><c> to</c><00:34:28.820><c> him,</c><00:34:30.139><c> but</c><00:34:30.340><c> she</c><00:34:30.619><c> has</c><00:34:30.800><c> now</c><00:34:31.079><c> taken</c><00:34:31.579><c> control.</c><00:34:33.800><c> It's</c><00:34:34.099><c> a</c>

00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:36.599
bit<00:34:34.340><c> like</c><00:34:34.579><c> John</c><00:34:34.900><c> chapter</c><00:34:35.159><c> seven</c><00:34:35.480><c> in</c><00:34:35.739><c> verse</c><00:34:36.000><c> two,</c>

00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:41.300
where<00:34:36.900><c> by</c><00:34:37.079><c> the</c><00:34:37.260><c> time</c><00:34:37.380><c> of</c><00:34:37.599><c> Christ,</c><00:34:38.059><c> it</c><00:34:38.300><c> says,</c><00:34:39.400><c> the</c><00:34:39.440><c> Jews'</c><00:34:40.719><c> feast</c>

00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:46.019
of<00:34:42.019><c> tabernacles</c><00:34:42.900><c> drew</c><00:34:43.639><c> nigh.</c><00:34:44.940><c> It</c><00:34:45.159><c> was</c><00:34:45.360><c> now</c><00:34:45.639><c> their</c>

00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:52.579
feast,<00:34:47.440><c> albeit</c><00:34:48.039><c> in</c><00:34:48.400><c> God's</c><00:34:48.940><c> house.</c><00:34:50.599><c> And</c><00:34:50.739><c> verse</c><00:34:51.000><c> 22</c><00:34:51.699><c> is</c><00:34:52.360><c> going</c>

00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:56.340
to<00:34:52.880><c> show</c><00:34:53.320><c> that</c><00:34:54.079><c> Ahasuerus</c><00:34:55.039><c> was</c><00:34:55.380><c> no</c><00:34:55.820><c> longer</c>

00:34:56.340 --> 00:35:00.260
enthroned<00:34:57.159><c> in</c><00:34:57.320><c> the</c><00:34:57.519><c> heart</c><00:34:57.699><c> of</c><00:34:57.920><c> his</c><00:34:58.119><c> wife.</c><00:34:58.780><c> He</c><00:34:58.900><c> no</c><00:34:59.139><c> longer</c><00:34:59.480><c> ruled</c><00:34:59.960><c> his</c>

00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:02.639
own<00:35:00.500><c> house.</c><00:35:01.239><c> Here</c><00:35:01.440><c> was</c><00:35:01.699><c> the</c><00:35:01.960><c> spirit</c><00:35:02.139><c> of</c><00:35:02.360><c> a</c>

00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:07.980
spoiled<00:35:03.260><c> princess.</c><00:35:04.699><c> We'll</c><00:35:04.940><c> have</c><00:35:05.079><c> our</c><00:35:05.559><c> own</c><00:35:06.019><c> party.</c><00:35:07.400><c> Thank</c><00:35:07.780><c> you</c>

00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:11.539
very<00:35:08.219><c> much.</c><00:35:09.940><c> It</c><00:35:10.179><c> seems</c><00:35:10.360><c> like</c><00:35:10.599><c> a</c><00:35:10.880><c> deliberate</c><00:35:11.139><c> attempt</c>

00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:16.559
to<00:35:11.860><c> publicly</c><00:35:12.579><c> humiliate</c><00:35:13.659><c> him.</c><00:35:14.440><c> Certainly,</c><00:35:15.659><c> there</c><00:35:15.820><c> is</c><00:35:16.079><c> a</c><00:35:16.320><c> huge</c>

00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:19.860
problem<00:35:17.099><c> in</c><00:35:17.360><c> the</c><00:35:17.719><c> spirit</c><00:35:18.159><c> and</c><00:35:18.880><c> demeanor</c><00:35:19.260><c> of</c><00:35:19.519><c> this</c>

00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:24.659
queen<00:35:20.239><c> as</c><00:35:21.320><c> the</c><00:35:21.599><c> chapter</c><00:35:21.900><c> unfolds.</c><00:35:22.679><c> She</c><00:35:22.860><c> doesn't</c><00:35:23.139><c> seem</c><00:35:23.420><c> to</c><00:35:23.719><c> appreciate</c><00:35:24.099><c> that</c><00:35:24.380><c> in</c>

00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:26.079
this<00:35:25.019><c> kingdom,</c>

00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:31.940
the<00:35:27.219><c> king</c><00:35:27.679><c> is</c><00:35:28.360><c> everything.</c><00:35:30.179><c> She</c><00:35:30.820><c> doesn't</c><00:35:31.119><c> appreciate</c><00:35:31.579><c> whose</c>

00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:34.179
house<00:35:32.219><c> she</c><00:35:32.440><c> was</c><00:35:32.639><c> in.</c><00:35:33.199><c> And</c><00:35:33.420><c> as</c><00:35:33.679><c> we'll</c><00:35:33.920><c> see</c><00:35:34.019><c> when</c>

00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:40.219
we<00:35:34.280><c> get</c><00:35:34.500><c> to</c><00:35:34.699><c> it</c><00:35:34.860><c> in</c><00:35:35.119><c> Esther</c><00:35:35.340><c> chapter</c><00:35:35.760><c> five,</c><00:35:36.659><c> Esther</c><00:35:37.039><c> is</c><00:35:37.360><c> the</c><00:35:37.639><c> exact</c><00:35:38.320><c> antithesis</c><00:35:39.800><c> to</c>

00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:42.400
this<00:35:41.239><c> spirit.</c>

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:49.500
So<00:35:43.119><c> let's</c><00:35:43.320><c> see</c><00:35:43.440><c> what</c><00:35:43.619><c> happens.</c><00:35:44.920><c> Verse</c><00:35:45.300><c> 10.</c><00:35:48.300><c> And</c><00:35:48.340><c> on</c><00:35:48.480><c> the</c><00:35:48.699><c> seventh</c><00:35:48.940><c> day,</c>

00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:51.360
when<00:35:49.960><c> the</c><00:35:50.159><c> heart</c><00:35:50.280><c> of</c><00:35:50.460><c> the</c><00:35:50.599><c> king</c><00:35:50.780><c> was</c><00:35:51.079><c> merry</c>

00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:58.300
with<00:35:51.659><c> wine,</c><00:35:52.480><c> he</c><00:35:52.679><c> commanded</c><00:35:53.340><c> Mehumen,</c><00:35:54.619><c> Biztha,</c><00:35:55.420><c> Habona,</c><00:35:56.059><c> Bigtha,</c><00:35:56.940><c> Abagtha,</c><00:35:57.780><c> Zetha,</c><00:35:58.099><c> and</c>

00:35:58.300 --> 00:35:59.079
Carchus,<00:35:58.659><c> the</c><00:35:58.800><c> seven</c>

00:35:59.079 --> 00:36:02.280
chamberlains<00:35:59.539><c> that</c><00:35:59.940><c> served</c><00:36:00.340><c> in</c><00:36:00.820><c> the</c><00:36:01.079><c> presence</c><00:36:01.380><c> of</c><00:36:01.599><c> Ahasuerus</c>

00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:05.059
the<00:36:02.420><c> king,</c><00:36:03.260><c> to</c><00:36:03.360><c> bring</c><00:36:03.980><c> Vashtai</c><00:36:04.599><c> the</c><00:36:04.840><c> queen</c>

00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:10.820
before<00:36:05.719><c> the</c><00:36:06.079><c> king</c><00:36:06.480><c> with</c><00:36:07.440><c> the</c><00:36:07.760><c> crown</c><00:36:08.099><c> royal</c><00:36:08.659><c> to</c><00:36:09.739><c> show</c><00:36:10.000><c> the</c><00:36:10.199><c> people</c><00:36:10.519><c> and</c>

00:36:10.820 --> 00:36:13.239
the<00:36:11.039><c> princes</c><00:36:11.480><c> her</c><00:36:11.960><c> beauty,</c><00:36:12.340><c> for</c><00:36:12.460><c> she</c><00:36:12.739><c> was</c>

00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:20.559
fear<00:36:13.920><c> to</c><00:36:14.500><c> look</c><00:36:14.880><c> on.</c><00:36:16.179><c> On</c><00:36:16.460><c> the</c><00:36:16.679><c> seventh</c><00:36:16.940><c> day,</c><00:36:18.900><c> i</c><00:36:19.099><c>.e.</c><00:36:19.519><c> at</c><00:36:19.860><c> the</c><00:36:20.199><c> end</c>

00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:23.500
of<00:36:20.820><c> the</c><00:36:21.039><c> 187</c><00:36:22.079><c> days</c><00:36:22.380><c> of</c><00:36:22.659><c> feasting,</c>

00:36:23.960 --> 00:36:28.460
the<00:36:24.519><c> king</c><00:36:24.920><c> desired</c><00:36:25.519><c> to</c><00:36:25.739><c> bring</c><00:36:26.019><c> Vashtai</c><00:36:26.880><c> before</c><00:36:27.460><c> them.</c><00:36:27.719><c> Clearly,</c><00:36:28.159><c> he</c><00:36:28.239><c> was</c>

00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:30.880
in<00:36:28.539><c> a</c><00:36:28.760><c> happy</c><00:36:29.039><c> mood.</c><00:36:30.199><c> The</c><00:36:30.380><c> phrase</c>

00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:35.239
merry<00:36:31.440><c> with</c><00:36:31.800><c> wine</c><00:36:32.219><c> might</c><00:36:32.860><c> mean</c><00:36:33.159><c> that</c><00:36:33.360><c> he</c><00:36:33.519><c> was</c><00:36:33.800><c> drunk</c><00:36:34.119><c> and</c><00:36:34.960><c> it</c>

00:36:35.239 --> 00:36:38.619
might<00:36:35.440><c> not.</c><00:36:36.139><c> It's</c><00:36:36.559><c> clearly</c><00:36:36.940><c> used</c><00:36:37.460><c> both</c><00:36:37.780><c> ways</c><00:36:38.219><c> in</c><00:36:38.400><c> the</c>

00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:40.619
scripture<00:36:38.860><c> and</c><00:36:39.019><c> you</c><00:36:39.159><c> can</c><00:36:39.320><c> look</c><00:36:39.440><c> them</c><00:36:39.559><c> up</c><00:36:39.760><c> in</c><00:36:39.960><c> your</c><00:36:40.139><c> own</c><00:36:40.420><c> time.</c>

00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:52.980
As<00:36:40.780><c> I</c><00:36:40.960><c> remember,</c><00:36:41.480><c> it's</c><00:36:41.739><c> about</c><00:36:42.480><c> half</c><00:36:43.179><c> of</c><00:36:43.860><c> each.</c><00:36:52.420><c> It</c><00:36:52.980><c> can</c>

00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:58.300
in<00:36:53.920><c> verse</c><00:36:54.360><c> seven.</c><00:36:55.059><c> So</c><00:36:55.280><c> what</c><00:36:55.460><c> would</c><00:36:55.659><c> we</c><00:36:55.920><c> do</c><00:36:56.460><c> as</c><00:36:57.239><c> Bible</c><00:36:57.639><c> students</c>

00:36:58.300 --> 00:37:01.519
if<00:36:58.960><c> the</c><00:36:59.179><c> word</c><00:36:59.380><c> could</c><00:36:59.659><c> mean</c><00:37:00.280><c> just</c><00:37:01.079><c> simply</c>

00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:07.539
cheerful,<00:37:02.500><c> happy,</c><00:37:03.880><c> celebratory,</c><00:37:05.219><c> or</c><00:37:05.840><c> drunken?</c><00:37:07.139><c> What</c><00:37:07.340><c> would</c>

00:37:07.539 --> 00:37:10.960
we<00:37:07.800><c> do</c><00:37:08.260><c> if</c><00:37:09.039><c> a</c><00:37:09.280><c> word</c><00:37:09.400><c> is</c><00:37:09.659><c> capable</c><00:37:10.019><c> of</c><00:37:10.260><c> two</c><00:37:10.579><c> different</c>

00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:15.860
meanings?<00:37:12.039><c> Well,</c><00:37:12.179><c> we</c><00:37:12.320><c> would</c><00:37:12.480><c> try</c><00:37:12.639><c> to</c><00:37:12.980><c> determine</c><00:37:13.239><c> from</c><00:37:13.420><c> the</c><00:37:13.659><c> context,</c><00:37:14.099><c> wouldn't</c><00:37:14.239><c> we,</c><00:37:15.079><c> and</c><00:37:15.219><c> the</c><00:37:15.500><c> tone</c><00:37:15.679><c> of</c>

00:37:15.860 --> 00:37:16.539
the<00:37:16.059><c> passage,</c>

00:37:16.539 --> 00:37:19.820
which<00:37:17.119><c> is</c><00:37:17.340><c> the</c><00:37:17.480><c> more</c><00:37:17.860><c> fitting</c><00:37:18.440><c> way</c><00:37:18.900><c> in</c><00:37:19.039><c> which</c><00:37:19.260><c> this</c><00:37:19.539><c> word</c><00:37:19.659><c> is</c>

00:37:19.820 --> 00:37:21.460
being<00:37:20.099><c> used.</c>

00:37:22.780 --> 00:37:26.320
Now,<00:37:23.239><c> oriental</c><00:37:23.539><c> kings</c><00:37:23.920><c> were</c><00:37:24.199><c> pretty</c><00:37:24.500><c> aware</c><00:37:25.099><c> in</c><00:37:25.500><c> these</c><00:37:25.820><c> times</c>

00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:29.300
that<00:37:27.219><c> uncontrollable</c><00:37:28.340><c> drunkenness</c>

00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:35.539
was<00:37:29.940><c> to</c><00:37:30.239><c> invite</c><00:37:30.639><c> one</c><00:37:31.019><c> thing,</c><00:37:32.679><c> assassination.</c><00:37:34.340><c> And</c><00:37:34.519><c> it's</c><00:37:34.860><c> unlikely</c><00:37:35.300><c> that</c>

00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:37.539
the<00:37:35.719><c> king</c><00:37:35.900><c> is</c><00:37:36.300><c> uproariously</c><00:37:37.099><c> drunk</c>

00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:41.440
and<00:37:38.059><c> out</c><00:37:38.260><c> of</c><00:37:38.460><c> control</c><00:37:38.880><c> here</c><00:37:39.280><c> in</c><00:37:39.619><c> verse</c><00:37:40.039><c> 10.</c><00:37:40.380><c> It</c><00:37:40.519><c> was</c><00:37:40.840><c> extremely</c>

00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:43.219
dangerous<00:37:41.900><c> to</c><00:37:42.119><c> do</c><00:37:42.219><c> that</c><00:37:42.500><c> in</c><00:37:42.719><c> public.</c>

00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:46.400
And<00:37:43.960><c> as</c><00:37:44.139><c> we've</c><00:37:44.360><c> already</c><00:37:44.619><c> been</c><00:37:44.900><c> told,</c><00:37:45.519><c> there's</c><00:37:45.760><c> a</c><00:37:45.980><c> spirit</c><00:37:46.139><c> of</c>

00:37:46.400 --> 00:37:50.119
moderation<00:37:47.039><c> in</c><00:37:47.679><c> verse</c><00:37:48.019><c> eight.</c><00:37:49.380><c> Certainly</c><00:37:49.739><c> in</c><00:37:49.900><c> this</c>

00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:55.340
chapter,<00:37:50.659><c> he</c><00:37:50.820><c> acts</c><00:37:51.099><c> in</c><00:37:51.300><c> a</c><00:37:51.400><c> very</c><00:37:51.760><c> measured</c><00:37:52.239><c> and</c><00:37:53.579><c> controlled</c><00:37:54.219><c> way</c><00:37:54.760><c> in</c>

00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:59.329
the<00:37:55.579><c> rest</c><00:37:55.900><c> of</c><00:37:56.159><c> the</c><00:37:56.360><c> chapter.</c><00:37:57.820><c> And</c><00:37:58.079><c> most</c><00:37:58.460><c> tellingly,</c>

00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:07.840
the<00:38:00.400><c> wise</c><00:38:00.840><c> men</c><00:38:01.940><c> seem</c><00:38:02.619><c> to</c><00:38:03.059><c> treat</c><00:38:03.239><c> him</c><00:38:04.019><c> certainly</c><00:38:04.639><c> as</c><00:38:05.599><c> sober</c><00:38:05.980><c> minded</c><00:38:06.420><c> enough</c><00:38:07.139><c> to</c>

00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:10.079
not<00:38:08.000><c> only</c><00:38:08.320><c> receive</c><00:38:08.840><c> advice</c>

00:38:10.300 --> 00:38:19.460
and<00:38:10.639><c> listen</c><00:38:10.960><c> to</c><00:38:11.260><c> counsel,</c><00:38:12.900><c> but</c><00:38:13.039><c> to</c><00:38:13.539><c> sign</c><00:38:14.000><c> an</c><00:38:15.280><c> unchangeable</c><00:38:17.039><c> Persian</c><00:38:17.760><c> decree.</c><00:38:19.300><c> I</c>

00:38:19.460 --> 00:38:21.039
don't<00:38:19.739><c> sense</c><00:38:20.000><c> the</c><00:38:20.320><c> wise</c><00:38:20.579><c> men</c>

00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:28.199
trying<00:38:21.380><c> to</c><00:38:21.719><c> deal</c><00:38:22.059><c> with</c><00:38:22.400><c> an</c><00:38:22.739><c> unreasonable,</c><00:38:24.219><c> inebriated,</c><00:38:25.539><c> debaucherous</c><00:38:26.179><c> king.</c><00:38:27.519><c> It</c>

00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:29.079
would<00:38:28.360><c> be</c><00:38:28.500><c> very</c><00:38:28.719><c> dangerous,</c>

00:38:29.179 --> 00:38:33.840
wouldn't<00:38:29.300><c> it,</c><00:38:29.860><c> to</c><00:38:30.260><c> do</c><00:38:30.539><c> that</c><00:38:31.280><c> to</c><00:38:31.820><c> a</c><00:38:32.059><c> drunken</c><00:38:32.460><c> king</c><00:38:32.940><c> and</c><00:38:33.420><c> him</c><00:38:33.619><c> to</c>

00:38:33.840 --> 00:38:35.800
wake<00:38:34.000><c> up</c><00:38:34.159><c> the</c><00:38:34.280><c> next</c><00:38:34.519><c> morning</c><00:38:34.760><c> to</c><00:38:34.940><c> find</c><00:38:35.119><c> that</c><00:38:35.340><c> he,</c>

00:38:35.800 --> 00:38:39.739
in<00:38:36.039><c> a</c><00:38:36.280><c> drunken</c><00:38:36.599><c> state,</c><00:38:37.340><c> has</c><00:38:37.460><c> signed</c><00:38:37.719><c> an</c><00:38:38.019><c> unchangeable</c><00:38:38.679><c> decree.</c><00:38:39.460><c> Would</c>

00:38:39.739 --> 00:38:41.400
you<00:38:39.940><c> risk</c><00:38:40.179><c> doing</c><00:38:40.440><c> that?</c>

00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:46.340
I<00:38:43.380><c> think</c><00:38:43.760><c> it</c><00:38:44.139><c> seems</c><00:38:44.480><c> to</c><00:38:44.539><c> me</c><00:38:44.719><c> from</c><00:38:44.860><c> this</c><00:38:45.099><c> chapter</c><00:38:45.519><c> that</c><00:38:46.019><c> while</c>

00:38:46.340 --> 00:38:48.380
he<00:38:46.500><c> may</c><00:38:46.739><c> not</c><00:38:46.900><c> have</c><00:38:47.019><c> been</c><00:38:47.199><c> in</c><00:38:47.400><c> control</c><00:38:47.679><c> of</c><00:38:47.800><c> his</c><00:38:48.039><c> wife,</c>

00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:52.260
he<00:38:48.900><c> was</c><00:38:49.139><c> very</c><00:38:49.480><c> much</c><00:38:49.780><c> in</c><00:38:50.119><c> control</c><00:38:50.440><c> of</c><00:38:50.639><c> his</c><00:38:50.840><c> senses.</c><00:38:51.619><c> And</c><00:38:51.780><c> whatever</c><00:38:51.980><c> the</c>

00:38:52.260 --> 00:38:53.519
phrase<00:38:52.440><c> means,</c><00:38:52.800><c> and</c><00:38:53.000><c> maybe</c><00:38:53.179><c> you</c><00:38:53.340><c> can</c>

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:56.219
best<00:38:53.820><c> interpret</c><00:38:54.239><c> it</c><00:38:54.380><c> for</c><00:38:54.579><c> yourself</c><00:38:55.079><c> by</c><00:38:55.599><c> the</c><00:38:55.780><c> time</c><00:38:55.900><c> you</c><00:38:56.039><c> come</c>

00:38:56.219 --> 00:38:59.199
to<00:38:56.400><c> the</c><00:38:56.659><c> end</c><00:38:56.960><c> of</c><00:38:57.579><c> this</c><00:38:57.940><c> week</c><00:38:58.179><c> and</c><00:38:58.360><c> the</c><00:38:58.519><c> end</c><00:38:58.659><c> of</c><00:38:58.800><c> the</c><00:38:58.960><c> book,</c>

00:38:59.199 --> 00:39:02.940
clearly<00:38:59.900><c> verse</c><00:39:00.260><c> 10</c><00:39:00.519><c> is</c><00:39:00.780><c> saying</c><00:39:01.119><c> that</c><00:39:01.599><c> it</c><00:39:01.780><c> was</c><00:39:02.099><c> at</c><00:39:02.320><c> the</c><00:39:02.579><c> height</c>

00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:04.619
of<00:39:03.239><c> the</c><00:39:03.460><c> celebrations.</c>

00:39:05.639 --> 00:39:09.119
And<00:39:05.679><c> he</c><00:39:05.920><c> calls</c><00:39:06.440><c> for</c><00:39:06.940><c> the</c><00:39:07.260><c> seven</c><00:39:07.619><c> chamberlains,</c><00:39:08.539><c> or</c><00:39:08.659><c> eunuchs</c>

00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:12.059
as<00:39:09.420><c> the</c><00:39:09.659><c> word</c><00:39:09.800><c> really</c><00:39:10.059><c> means,</c><00:39:11.099><c> to</c><00:39:11.239><c> summons</c>

00:39:12.559 --> 00:39:16.019
Vashtai.<00:39:13.500><c> Clearly</c><00:39:13.840><c> the</c><00:39:14.059><c> king</c><00:39:14.260><c> desired</c><00:39:14.639><c> to</c><00:39:14.940><c> show</c><00:39:15.119><c> off</c><00:39:15.380><c> to</c><00:39:15.780><c> all</c>

00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:19.300
his<00:39:16.280><c> princes</c><00:39:16.699><c> and</c><00:39:17.139><c> officers</c><00:39:17.539><c> the</c><00:39:18.219><c> crowning</c><00:39:18.920><c> jewel</c>

00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:25.860
of<00:39:19.920><c> his</c><00:39:20.320><c> kingdom.</c><00:39:22.420><c> A</c><00:39:22.420><c> virtuous</c><00:39:23.019><c> woman</c><00:39:23.840><c> is</c><00:39:24.139><c> like</c><00:39:24.400><c> a</c><00:39:24.760><c> crown</c><00:39:25.059><c> to</c>

00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:29.780
her<00:39:26.219><c> husband,</c><00:39:27.320><c> we're</c><00:39:27.599><c> told</c><00:39:27.980><c> in</c><00:39:28.539><c> Proverbs</c><00:39:28.900><c> 12</c><00:39:29.480><c> in</c>

00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:35.380
verse<00:39:30.099><c> 4.</c><00:39:30.539><c> Not</c><00:39:30.780><c> to</c><00:39:31.039><c> herself,</c><00:39:32.460><c> to</c><00:39:32.739><c> him.</c><00:39:33.559><c> It's</c><00:39:33.840><c> his</c><00:39:34.139><c> crown.</c><00:39:35.099><c> He</c>

00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:38.760
clearly<00:39:35.679><c> thought</c><00:39:35.980><c> that</c><00:39:36.619><c> all</c><00:39:37.059><c> the</c><00:39:37.539><c> inanimate</c><00:39:38.119><c> objects</c>

00:39:38.760 --> 00:39:42.539
of<00:39:39.099><c> wealth</c><00:39:39.360><c> and</c><00:39:39.840><c> splendour,</c><00:39:40.239><c> such</c><00:39:40.440><c> as</c><00:39:40.820><c> the</c><00:39:41.099><c> gorgeous</c><00:39:41.599><c> drinking</c><00:39:42.139><c> vessels</c>

00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:44.340
of<00:39:42.880><c> gold,</c><00:39:43.199><c> the</c><00:39:43.460><c> ornate</c><00:39:43.880><c> marble</c>

00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:47.239
pavements,<00:39:45.420><c> the</c><00:39:45.519><c> beautiful</c><00:39:46.000><c> hangings</c><00:39:46.360><c> in</c><00:39:46.480><c> his</c><00:39:46.679><c> own</c><00:39:46.900><c> palace,</c>

00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:50.179
all<00:39:48.159><c> his</c><00:39:48.460><c> riches</c><00:39:48.699><c> and</c><00:39:49.039><c> treasures,</c>

00:39:50.719 --> 00:39:58.699
would<00:39:51.059><c> pale</c><00:39:51.699><c> into</c><00:39:52.920><c> insignificance</c><00:39:54.420><c> with</c><00:39:55.539><c> a</c><00:39:56.099><c> living</c><00:39:57.199><c> reflection</c><00:39:58.059><c> of</c><00:39:58.440><c> his</c>

00:39:58.699 --> 00:40:00.440
glory.<00:39:59.500><c> There</c><00:39:59.699><c> seems</c><00:39:59.920><c> to</c><00:40:00.079><c> be</c><00:40:00.199><c> no</c>

00:40:00.440 --> 00:40:03.139
reason<00:40:00.639><c> in</c><00:40:00.840><c> the</c><00:40:00.980><c> text</c><00:40:01.199><c> that</c><00:40:01.380><c> I</c><00:40:01.599><c> can</c><00:40:01.840><c> find</c><00:40:02.039><c> to</c><00:40:02.340><c> assume</c><00:40:02.639><c> anything</c>

00:40:03.139 --> 00:40:06.599
other<00:40:03.800><c> than</c><00:40:04.280><c> a</c><00:40:04.519><c> very</c><00:40:05.000><c> honourable</c><00:40:05.699><c> summons.</c>

00:40:07.780 --> 00:40:11.639
The<00:40:08.460><c> Septuagint</c><00:40:09.139><c> puts</c><00:40:09.440><c> it</c><00:40:09.579><c> this</c><00:40:09.860><c> way,</c><00:40:10.579><c> to</c><00:40:10.579><c> bring</c><00:40:10.980><c> the</c><00:40:11.280><c> queen</c>

00:40:11.639 --> 00:40:17.400
to<00:40:11.960><c> him,</c><00:40:13.199><c> to</c><00:40:13.460><c> enthrone</c><00:40:14.440><c> her,</c><00:40:15.840><c> to</c><00:40:16.139><c> crown</c><00:40:16.500><c> her</c><00:40:16.840><c> with</c><00:40:17.119><c> the</c>

00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:22.199
diadem.<00:40:19.760><c> All</c><00:40:20.019><c> we're</c><00:40:20.280><c> told</c><00:40:20.559><c> as</c><00:40:20.780><c> to</c><00:40:20.900><c> why</c><00:40:21.079><c> the</c><00:40:21.300><c> king</c><00:40:21.500><c> decided</c><00:40:21.980><c> to</c>

00:40:22.199 --> 00:40:27.119
do<00:40:22.340><c> this</c><00:40:22.860><c> was</c><00:40:23.440><c> because</c><00:40:23.980><c> of</c><00:40:24.400><c> his</c><00:40:24.739><c> wife's</c><00:40:26.019><c> beauty.</c>

00:40:27.639 --> 00:40:30.619
Psalm<00:40:28.280><c> 45</c><00:40:28.920><c> in</c><00:40:29.119><c> verse</c><00:40:29.340><c> 11</c><00:40:29.659><c> says,</c>

00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:43.619
The<00:40:40.000><c> king</c><00:40:40.639><c> wanted</c><00:40:41.099><c> to</c><00:40:41.679><c> display</c><00:40:42.099><c> the</c><00:40:42.460><c> greatest</c><00:40:42.840><c> living</c><00:40:43.219><c> proof</c>

00:40:43.619 --> 00:40:45.139
of<00:40:43.920><c> the</c><00:40:44.199><c> glory</c><00:40:44.420><c> of</c><00:40:44.579><c> his</c><00:40:44.820><c> kingdom,</c>

00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:50.260
his<00:40:45.559><c> beautiful</c><00:40:46.059><c> wife</c><00:40:46.719><c> that</c><00:40:47.820><c> perfectly</c><00:40:48.699><c> reflected</c><00:40:49.280><c> him,</c><00:40:50.019><c> the</c>

00:40:50.260 --> 00:40:52.960
crowning<00:40:50.840><c> jewel</c><00:40:51.119><c> of</c><00:40:51.480><c> his</c><00:40:51.739><c> kingdom.</c><00:40:52.280><c> Would</c><00:40:52.420><c> she</c><00:40:52.699><c> honour</c>

00:40:52.960 --> 00:41:00.039
him<00:40:53.420><c> as</c><00:40:54.920><c> her</c><00:40:55.940><c> lord</c><00:40:56.360><c> in</c><00:40:57.219><c> her</c><00:40:57.539><c> heart?</c><00:40:59.139><c> We</c><00:40:59.260><c> were</c><00:40:59.400><c> told</c><00:40:59.619><c> in</c><00:40:59.800><c> verse</c>

00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:05.800
12,<00:41:00.760><c> but</c><00:41:00.800><c> the</c><00:41:01.079><c> queen</c><00:41:01.320><c> Vashti</c><00:41:02.460><c> refused</c><00:41:03.980><c> to</c><00:41:04.920><c> come</c>

00:41:06.170 --> 00:41:10.780
at<00:41:06.559><c> the</c><00:41:06.820><c> king's</c><00:41:07.219><c> commandment</c><00:41:07.599><c> by</c><00:41:07.840><c> his</c><00:41:08.139><c> chamberlains.</c><00:41:10.139><c> Therefore</c><00:41:10.460><c> was</c>

00:41:10.780 --> 00:41:16.420
the<00:41:11.079><c> king</c><00:41:11.760><c> very</c><00:41:13.039><c> wrath,</c><00:41:14.960><c> and</c><00:41:15.159><c> his</c><00:41:15.480><c> anger</c>

00:41:17.039 --> 00:41:23.940
burned<00:41:17.960><c> in</c><00:41:18.739><c> him.</c><00:41:20.539><c> Do</c><00:41:20.739><c> you</c><00:41:20.760><c> know,</c><00:41:20.840><c> we're</c><00:41:21.000><c> not</c><00:41:21.199><c> told</c><00:41:21.940><c> why</c><00:41:23.179><c> Vashti</c>

00:41:23.940 --> 00:41:25.679
refused<00:41:24.380><c> to</c><00:41:24.639><c> come.</c>

00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:31.500
And<00:41:26.920><c> in</c><00:41:27.139><c> fact,</c><00:41:27.320><c> it</c><00:41:27.460><c> doesn't</c><00:41:27.800><c> matter</c><00:41:28.400><c> why</c><00:41:29.179><c> she</c><00:41:29.639><c> refused</c><00:41:30.000><c> to</c><00:41:30.260><c> come.</c><00:41:31.300><c> The</c>

00:41:31.500 --> 00:41:33.860
motive<00:41:31.780><c> is</c><00:41:32.159><c> unmentioned</c><00:41:32.760><c> and</c><00:41:33.260><c> unimportant.</c>

00:41:34.219 --> 00:41:39.780
It<00:41:34.500><c> simply</c><00:41:35.019><c> mattered</c><00:41:35.519><c> what</c><00:41:35.940><c> she</c><00:41:36.400><c> did.</c><00:41:37.960><c> Did</c><00:41:38.139><c> you</c><00:41:38.300><c> notice</c><00:41:38.519><c> that?</c>

00:41:39.940 --> 00:41:41.960
Verse<00:41:40.400><c> 17,</c>

00:41:42.179 --> 00:41:55.059
the<00:41:43.099><c> deed</c><00:41:43.840><c> of</c><00:41:45.039><c> the</c><00:41:45.300><c> queen.</c><00:41:47.440><c> Verse</c><00:41:47.579><c> 18,</c><00:41:50.099><c> the</c><00:41:50.260><c> deed</c><00:41:50.980><c> of</c><00:41:52.059><c> the</c><00:41:52.320><c> queen.</c><00:41:54.500><c> Chapter</c><00:41:54.699><c> two,</c>

00:41:55.219 --> 00:41:57.179
verse<00:41:55.340><c> one,</c>

00:41:57.619 --> 00:42:03.920
Vashti<00:41:58.239><c> and</c><00:41:58.619><c> what</c><00:41:59.000><c> she</c><00:41:59.400><c> has</c><00:42:00.159><c> done.</c><00:42:02.340><c> We</c><00:42:02.500><c> are</c><00:42:02.719><c> judged</c><00:42:03.280><c> according</c>

00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:07.679
to<00:42:04.099><c> what</c><00:42:04.340><c> we</c><00:42:04.599><c> have</c><00:42:04.940><c> done,</c><00:42:06.079><c> be</c><00:42:06.280><c> it</c><00:42:06.699><c> good</c><00:42:07.019><c> or</c><00:42:07.400><c> bad.</c>

00:42:07.679 --> 00:42:11.820
Second<00:42:08.000><c> Corinthians</c><00:42:08.619><c> five</c><00:42:09.420><c> and</c><00:42:09.639><c> verse</c><00:42:09.940><c> 10,</c><00:42:10.360><c> by</c><00:42:10.500><c> what</c><00:42:10.760><c> we</c><00:42:11.099><c> do.</c>

00:42:12.219 --> 00:42:15.679
And<00:42:12.219><c> while</c><00:42:12.380><c> we're</c><00:42:12.639><c> not</c><00:42:12.920><c> told</c><00:42:13.340><c> why</c><00:42:14.019><c> she</c><00:42:14.239><c> did</c><00:42:14.440><c> not</c><00:42:14.679><c> come,</c>

00:42:16.260 --> 00:42:22.800
it<00:42:16.280><c> was</c><00:42:16.599><c> abundantly</c><00:42:17.260><c> clear</c><00:42:17.860><c> that</c><00:42:19.800><c> the</c><00:42:20.099><c> king</c><00:42:20.679><c> and</c><00:42:21.519><c> all</c><00:42:21.739><c> the</c><00:42:21.980><c> wise</c><00:42:22.219><c> men</c>

00:42:22.800 --> 00:42:26.300
and<00:42:23.659><c> all</c><00:42:23.920><c> the</c><00:42:24.159><c> chamberlains</c><00:42:24.880><c> all</c><00:42:25.760><c> saw</c>

00:42:26.300 --> 00:42:32.880
it<00:42:26.699><c> as</c><00:42:27.000><c> an</c><00:42:27.179><c> act</c><00:42:27.420><c> of</c><00:42:27.820><c> disobedience</c><00:42:28.599><c> to</c><00:42:28.880><c> her</c><00:42:29.159><c> lord.</c><00:42:30.619><c> In</c><00:42:30.900><c> verse</c><00:42:31.179><c> 15,</c><00:42:32.619><c> it</c>

00:42:32.880 --> 00:42:35.719
was<00:42:33.099><c> a</c><00:42:33.400><c> blatant</c><00:42:33.900><c> act</c><00:42:34.219><c> of</c><00:42:34.559><c> rebellion.</c>

00:42:36.239 --> 00:42:41.360
In<00:42:36.940><c> verse</c><00:42:37.320><c> 17,</c><00:42:38.760><c> it</c><00:42:38.760><c> was</c><00:42:39.019><c> an</c><00:42:39.119><c> act</c><00:42:39.420><c> that</c><00:42:39.719><c> despised</c><00:42:40.619><c> or</c><00:42:40.980><c> trampled</c>

00:42:41.360 --> 00:42:43.900
underfoot<00:42:41.980><c> the</c><00:42:42.320><c> bond</c><00:42:42.559><c> of</c><00:42:42.800><c> marriage.</c>

00:42:44.559 --> 00:42:48.980
In<00:42:44.559><c> verse</c><00:42:44.800><c> 18,</c><00:42:45.599><c> it</c><00:42:45.659><c> was</c><00:42:45.900><c> a</c><00:42:46.139><c> deliberate</c><00:42:46.420><c> act</c><00:42:46.699><c> of</c><00:42:47.019><c> contempt.</c><00:42:48.820><c> In</c>

00:42:48.980 --> 00:42:53.539
verse<00:42:49.219><c> 20,</c><00:42:49.860><c> it</c><00:42:49.980><c> was</c><00:42:50.199><c> a</c><00:42:50.460><c> calculated</c><00:42:51.039><c> act</c><00:42:51.579><c> of</c><00:42:52.159><c> dishonour.</c>

00:42:54.219 --> 00:42:58.159
In<00:42:54.420><c> verse</c><00:42:54.639><c> 22,</c><00:42:55.500><c> it</c><00:42:55.599><c> was</c><00:42:55.980><c> an</c><00:42:56.159><c> act</c><00:42:56.360><c> of</c><00:42:56.719><c> flagrant</c><00:42:57.199><c> disregard</c><00:42:57.940><c> for</c>

00:42:58.159 --> 00:42:59.880
the<00:42:58.360><c> king's</c><00:42:58.820><c> authority.</c>

00:43:00.280 --> 00:43:04.219
And<00:43:00.579><c> in</c><00:43:00.800><c> chapter</c><00:43:01.119><c> two,</c><00:43:01.440><c> in</c><00:43:01.619><c> verse</c><00:43:01.880><c> four,</c><00:43:02.739><c> it</c><00:43:02.820><c> was</c><00:43:03.039><c> an</c><00:43:03.280><c> act</c><00:43:03.719><c> that</c>

00:43:04.219 --> 00:43:07.539
pleased<00:43:04.920><c> not</c><00:43:05.760><c> the</c><00:43:06.119><c> king.</c><00:43:06.619><c> Here</c><00:43:06.840><c> is</c><00:43:07.079><c> Vashti,</c>

00:43:07.639 --> 00:43:12.179
the<00:43:07.860><c> type</c><00:43:08.139><c> of</c><00:43:08.599><c> the</c><00:43:08.780><c> nation</c><00:43:09.039><c> of</c><00:43:09.300><c> Israel,</c><00:43:09.860><c> Israel</c><00:43:10.199><c> after</c><00:43:10.460><c> the</c><00:43:10.760><c> flesh,</c><00:43:11.500><c> Israel</c><00:43:11.880><c> as</c>

00:43:12.179 --> 00:43:15.480
a<00:43:12.420><c> nation</c><00:43:12.639><c> that</c><00:43:13.099><c> blatantly</c><00:43:13.900><c> rebelled,</c>

00:43:15.659 --> 00:43:22.179
that<00:43:15.800><c> was</c><00:43:16.079><c> deliberately</c><00:43:16.679><c> contemptuous</c><00:43:17.440><c> of</c><00:43:17.639><c> God's</c><00:43:18.239><c> requirements</c><00:43:18.840><c> and</c><00:43:19.780><c> flagrantly</c><00:43:20.599><c> disregarded</c><00:43:21.380><c> his</c>

00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:26.420
Look<00:43:22.820><c> how</c><00:43:23.139><c> clear</c><00:43:23.360><c> this</c><00:43:23.659><c> is.</c><00:43:24.260><c> Come</c><00:43:24.519><c> very</c><00:43:24.840><c> quickly</c><00:43:25.139><c> to</c><00:43:25.519><c> Ezekiel</c>

00:43:26.420 --> 00:43:30.179
in<00:43:26.840><c> chapter</c><00:43:27.159><c> 16.</c><00:43:28.719><c> This</c><00:43:29.019><c> is</c><00:43:29.300><c> Vashti.</c>

00:43:34.639 --> 00:43:40.719
Ezekiel<00:43:35.019><c> chapter</c><00:43:35.300><c> 16.</c><00:43:38.059><c> In</c><00:43:38.119><c> verse</c><00:43:38.460><c> eight,</c><00:43:39.960><c> now</c><00:43:39.980><c> when</c><00:43:40.159><c> I</c><00:43:40.320><c> passed</c>

00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:43.619
by<00:43:41.079><c> thee</c><00:43:41.340><c> and</c><00:43:41.900><c> looked</c><00:43:42.099><c> upon</c><00:43:42.400><c> thee,</c><00:43:42.639><c> behold,</c>

00:43:43.639 --> 00:43:46.280
thy<00:43:43.840><c> time</c><00:43:44.139><c> was</c><00:43:44.360><c> the</c><00:43:44.559><c> time</c><00:43:44.679><c> of</c><00:43:44.960><c> love</c><00:43:45.119><c> and</c><00:43:45.239><c> I</c><00:43:45.579><c> spread</c><00:43:45.719><c> my</c><00:43:46.059><c> skirt</c>

00:43:46.280 --> 00:43:48.500
over<00:43:46.579><c> thee</c><00:43:46.980><c> and</c><00:43:47.380><c> covered</c><00:43:47.539><c> thy</c><00:43:47.820><c> nakedness.</c>

00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:52.199
This<00:43:49.139><c> is</c><00:43:49.400><c> God</c><00:43:49.900><c> speaking</c><00:43:50.539><c> about</c><00:43:50.820><c> the</c><00:43:51.000><c> nation</c><00:43:51.320><c> of</c><00:43:51.559><c> Israel.</c>

00:43:52.420 --> 00:43:54.639
Yea,<00:43:52.699><c> I</c><00:43:52.780><c> swear</c><00:43:53.199><c> unto</c><00:43:53.460><c> thee</c><00:43:53.619><c> and</c><00:43:53.780><c> entered</c><00:43:53.980><c> into</c><00:43:54.199><c> a</c><00:43:54.440><c> covenant</c>

00:43:54.639 --> 00:43:57.300
with<00:43:54.980><c> thee,</c><00:43:55.579><c> said</c><00:43:56.059><c> the</c><00:43:56.659><c> Lord</c><00:43:56.960><c> God,</c>

00:43:57.559 --> 00:44:02.519
and<00:43:57.679><c> thou</c><00:43:58.019><c> becameest</c><00:43:58.880><c> mine.</c><00:43:59.599><c> This</c><00:43:59.920><c> is</c><00:44:00.219><c> the</c><00:44:00.340><c> language</c><00:44:00.820><c> of</c><00:44:01.380><c> marriage.</c>

00:44:02.940 --> 00:44:05.599
Then<00:44:03.239><c> washed</c><00:44:03.579><c> I</c><00:44:03.820><c> thee</c><00:44:03.940><c> with</c><00:44:04.179><c> water.</c><00:44:04.860><c> Yea,</c><00:44:05.119><c> I</c><00:44:05.280><c> thoroughly</c>

00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:06.219
washed<00:44:05.940><c> thee.</c>

00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:10.980
I<00:44:06.820><c> anointed</c><00:44:07.079><c> thee</c><00:44:07.280><c> with</c><00:44:07.500><c> oil.</c><00:44:08.320><c> I</c><00:44:08.719><c> clothed</c><00:44:08.940><c> thee</c><00:44:09.159><c> with</c><00:44:09.539><c> broided</c><00:44:09.880><c> work.</c>

00:44:11.480 --> 00:44:15.340
Shod<00:44:11.619><c> thee</c><00:44:11.820><c> with</c><00:44:12.139><c> badges</c><00:44:12.480><c> skins.</c><00:44:14.260><c> I</c><00:44:14.460><c> girded</c><00:44:14.659><c> thee</c><00:44:14.820><c> about</c><00:44:15.000><c> with</c>

00:44:15.340 --> 00:44:16.619
fine<00:44:15.619><c> linen.</c>

00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:19.699
Covered<00:44:17.400><c> thee</c><00:44:17.480><c> with</c><00:44:17.699><c> silk,</c><00:44:18.800><c> decked</c><00:44:18.920><c> thee</c><00:44:19.059><c> with</c><00:44:19.219><c> ornaments,</c>

00:44:20.039 --> 00:44:21.119
bracelets<00:44:20.320><c> on</c><00:44:20.559><c> thy</c><00:44:20.739><c> hands,</c>

00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:25.480
chains<00:44:21.619><c> on</c><00:44:21.780><c> thy</c><00:44:21.940><c> neck,</c><00:44:22.380><c> jewels</c><00:44:22.619><c> on</c><00:44:22.780><c> thy</c><00:44:23.039><c> forehead,</c><00:44:25.159><c> earrings</c>

00:44:25.480 --> 00:44:26.260
in<00:44:25.719><c> thine</c><00:44:25.860><c> ears,</c>

00:44:26.639 --> 00:44:30.699
a<00:44:26.780><c> beautiful</c><00:44:27.340><c> crown</c><00:44:28.019><c> upon</c><00:44:28.719><c> thy</c><00:44:28.940><c> head.</c><00:44:29.420><c> This</c><00:44:29.619><c> is</c><00:44:29.760><c> what</c><00:44:29.980><c> God</c><00:44:30.260><c> did</c>

00:44:30.699 --> 00:44:32.780
for<00:44:31.059><c> the</c><00:44:31.219><c> nation</c><00:44:31.460><c> of</c><00:44:31.659><c> Israel.</c>

00:44:33.539 --> 00:44:36.719
And<00:44:33.679><c> thou</c><00:44:33.800><c> didst</c><00:44:34.300><c> prosper</c><00:44:34.840><c> into</c><00:44:35.360><c> a</c><00:44:35.659><c> kingdom</c><00:44:36.000><c> at</c><00:44:36.199><c> the</c><00:44:36.340><c> end</c><00:44:36.559><c> of</c>

00:44:36.719 --> 00:44:37.619
verse<00:44:36.960><c> 13,</c>

00:44:37.619 --> 00:44:43.179
and<00:44:37.619><c> thy</c><00:44:38.920><c> renown</c><00:44:40.079><c> went</c><00:44:40.460><c> forth</c><00:44:40.960><c> among</c><00:44:41.380><c> the</c><00:44:41.760><c> heathen</c><00:44:42.519><c> for</c><00:44:42.860><c> thy</c>

00:44:43.179 --> 00:44:46.039
beauty,<00:44:44.960><c> for</c><00:44:45.039><c> it</c><00:44:45.179><c> was</c><00:44:45.440><c> perfect</c>

00:44:46.039 --> 00:44:51.280
through<00:44:46.559><c> my</c><00:44:46.920><c> comeliness,</c><00:44:47.760><c> which</c><00:44:47.960><c> I</c><00:44:48.519><c> had</c><00:44:48.760><c> put</c><00:44:49.059><c> upon</c><00:44:49.440><c> thee,</c><00:44:50.599><c> said</c><00:44:51.039><c> the</c>

00:44:51.280 --> 00:44:52.380
Lord<00:44:51.500><c> God.</c>

00:44:53.199 --> 00:45:00.960
Vashti<00:44:53.780><c> is</c><00:44:54.059><c> the</c><00:44:54.300><c> perfect</c><00:44:55.119><c> type</c><00:44:55.800><c> of</c><00:44:56.380><c> disobedient</c><00:44:57.340><c> Israel.</c><00:44:58.159><c> Beautiful,</c><00:44:59.840><c> given</c><00:45:00.119><c> the</c><00:45:00.460><c> kingdom,</c>

00:45:01.460 --> 00:45:04.380
and<00:45:01.599><c> yet</c><00:45:01.719><c> look</c><00:45:01.900><c> what</c><00:45:02.019><c> it</c><00:45:02.239><c> says</c><00:45:02.400><c> in</c><00:45:02.579><c> verse</c><00:45:02.820><c> 15,</c><00:45:03.519><c> but</c><00:45:03.739><c> thou</c><00:45:03.980><c> didst</c>

00:45:04.380 --> 00:45:06.980
trust<00:45:04.880><c> in</c><00:45:05.179><c> thine</c><00:45:05.400><c> own</c><00:45:05.739><c> beauty</c><00:45:06.320><c> and</c>

00:45:06.980 --> 00:45:11.000
hast<00:45:07.199><c> the</c><00:45:07.579><c> harlot</c><00:45:07.880><c> because</c><00:45:08.159><c> of</c><00:45:08.320><c> thy</c><00:45:08.440><c> renown.</c><00:45:09.320><c> They</c><00:45:09.519><c> were</c><00:45:09.900><c> disobedient.</c>

00:45:11.099 --> 00:45:13.420
And<00:45:11.239><c> by</c><00:45:11.420><c> the</c><00:45:11.559><c> time</c><00:45:11.679><c> we</c><00:45:11.880><c> turn</c><00:45:12.019><c> over</c><00:45:12.239><c> a</c><00:45:12.420><c> few</c><00:45:12.559><c> pages</c><00:45:12.920><c> to</c><00:45:13.139><c> chapter</c>

00:45:13.420 --> 00:45:14.880
21,<00:45:14.280><c> we're</c><00:45:14.639><c> told,</c>

00:45:15.000 --> 00:45:18.940
remove<00:45:15.420><c> the</c><00:45:15.699><c> crown.</c><00:45:16.800><c> Take</c><00:45:17.019><c> off</c><00:45:17.280><c> the</c><00:45:17.579><c> diadem.</c><00:45:18.239><c> It</c><00:45:18.420><c> will</c><00:45:18.619><c> not</c><00:45:18.780><c> be</c>

00:45:18.940 --> 00:45:21.119
the<00:45:19.179><c> same.</c><00:45:19.400><c> Get</c><00:45:19.559><c> rid</c><00:45:19.739><c> of</c><00:45:19.840><c> it</c><00:45:20.119><c> all.</c>

00:45:22.000 --> 00:45:28.039
Vashti<00:45:22.519><c> is</c><00:45:23.039><c> a</c><00:45:23.300><c> type</c><00:45:23.519><c> of</c><00:45:24.000><c> disobedient</c><00:45:25.039><c> Israel.</c><00:45:26.519><c> Look</c><00:45:26.920><c> at</c><00:45:27.099><c> this.</c>

00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:30.300
She<00:45:28.300><c> was</c><00:45:28.500><c> the</c><00:45:28.800><c> king's</c><00:45:29.539><c> first</c>

00:45:30.360 --> 00:45:36.920
wife,<00:45:31.539><c> and</c><00:45:31.659><c> Israel</c><00:45:32.219><c> was</c><00:45:32.760><c> clearly</c><00:45:33.599><c> God's</c><00:45:34.659><c> first</c><00:45:35.099><c> wife.</c><00:45:36.820><c> They</c>

00:45:36.920 --> 00:45:40.139
make<00:45:37.300><c> it</c><00:45:37.420><c> as</c><00:45:37.599><c> thine</c><00:45:37.800><c> husband,</c><00:45:38.579><c> says</c><00:45:38.699><c> Isaiah</c><00:45:39.119><c> 54.</c>

00:45:40.559 --> 00:45:45.619
Jeremiah<00:45:40.780><c> 31</c><00:45:41.400><c> says,</c><00:45:42.119><c> I</c><00:45:42.119><c> was</c><00:45:42.360><c> an</c><00:45:42.599><c> husband</c><00:45:43.119><c> unto</c><00:45:43.539><c> them.</c><00:45:45.400><c> Vashti</c>

00:45:45.619 --> 00:45:48.139
is<00:45:45.840><c> known</c><00:45:46.119><c> for</c><00:45:46.360><c> her</c><00:45:46.639><c> beauty,</c><00:45:47.239><c> and</c><00:45:47.400><c> we</c><00:45:47.539><c> just</c><00:45:47.800><c> read</c>

00:45:48.139 --> 00:45:54.679
that<00:45:48.599><c> the</c><00:45:48.960><c> heathen</c><00:45:49.860><c> were</c><00:45:50.280><c> to</c><00:45:50.559><c> admire</c><00:45:51.219><c> the</c><00:45:51.679><c> beauty</c><00:45:52.079><c> of</c><00:45:52.420><c> the</c><00:45:52.619><c> nation</c><00:45:53.059><c> of</c><00:45:53.440><c> Israel.</c>

00:45:55.019 --> 00:45:58.500
Vashti<00:45:55.579><c> was</c><00:45:55.760><c> supposed</c><00:45:56.139><c> to</c><00:45:56.280><c> be</c><00:45:56.380><c> the</c><00:45:56.599><c> perfect</c><00:45:57.039><c> reflection</c><00:45:57.760><c> of</c>

00:45:58.500 --> 00:46:00.679
her<00:45:58.719><c> lord,</c><00:45:59.079><c> the</c><00:45:59.320><c> king,</c><00:45:59.579><c> to</c><00:45:59.699><c> all</c><00:45:59.900><c> the</c><00:46:00.099><c> nobles</c><00:46:00.400><c> and</c>

00:46:00.679 --> 00:46:05.699
princes,<00:46:01.179><c> and</c><00:46:01.719><c> God</c><00:46:02.119><c> likewise</c><00:46:02.739><c> expected</c><00:46:03.280><c> Israel</c><00:46:03.820><c> to</c><00:46:04.539><c> be</c><00:46:04.760><c> a</c><00:46:05.000><c> reflection</c><00:46:05.420><c> of</c>

00:46:05.699 --> 00:46:07.199
him<00:46:05.840><c> to</c><00:46:06.019><c> the</c><00:46:06.219><c> nations.</c><00:46:07.059><c> In</c><00:46:07.079><c> fact,</c>

00:46:07.239 --> 00:46:12.400
Isaiah<00:46:07.719><c> 43</c><00:46:08.199><c> says,</c><00:46:08.940><c> I</c><00:46:08.960><c> have</c><00:46:09.280><c> created</c><00:46:09.639><c> him</c><00:46:10.280><c> for</c><00:46:10.880><c> my</c><00:46:11.239><c> glory.</c><00:46:11.900><c> Everyone</c><00:46:12.159><c> was</c>

00:46:12.400 --> 00:46:13.639
supposed<00:46:12.739><c> to</c><00:46:12.860><c> look</c><00:46:12.980><c> at</c><00:46:13.099><c> the</c><00:46:13.239><c> nation</c><00:46:13.400><c> of</c>

00:46:13.639 --> 00:46:18.139
Israel<00:46:13.840><c> and</c><00:46:14.599><c> see</c><00:46:15.300><c> the</c><00:46:15.559><c> reflected</c><00:46:16.199><c> glory</c><00:46:16.699><c> of</c><00:46:16.860><c> God</c><00:46:17.159><c> himself.</c>

00:46:20.800 --> 00:46:29.420
Ahazuerus<00:46:21.679><c> sent</c><00:46:22.360><c> to</c><00:46:22.719><c> fetch</c><00:46:23.019><c> Vashti</c><00:46:23.900><c> after</c><00:46:25.340><c> a</c><00:46:25.760><c> feast</c><00:46:26.079><c> of</c><00:46:27.300><c> 187</c>

00:46:29.420 --> 00:46:33.139
days<00:46:30.280><c> to</c><00:46:31.360><c> show</c><00:46:31.619><c> off</c><00:46:31.880><c> her</c><00:46:32.119><c> reflected</c><00:46:32.559><c> glory,</c>

00:46:33.420 --> 00:46:40.139
and<00:46:33.679><c> after</c><00:46:34.079><c> 187</c><00:46:35.199><c> days,</c><00:46:36.340><c> brothers</c><00:46:36.440><c> and</c><00:46:36.659><c> sisters,</c><00:46:38.920><c> the</c><00:46:39.239><c> priesthood</c><00:46:39.699><c> was</c><00:46:39.940><c> to</c>

00:46:40.139 --> 00:46:41.119
be<00:46:40.360><c> consecrated</c>

00:46:41.119 --> 00:46:46.860
as<00:46:41.559><c> the</c><00:46:41.920><c> crowning</c><00:46:42.599><c> glory</c><00:46:43.079><c> of</c><00:46:43.420><c> God's</c><00:46:43.980><c> kingdom,</c><00:46:44.920><c> and</c><00:46:45.360><c> in</c><00:46:45.500><c> Leviticus</c><00:46:45.940><c> chapter</c><00:46:46.300><c> 9</c><00:46:46.659><c> it</c>

00:46:46.860 --> 00:46:49.820
says,<00:46:47.780><c> the</c><00:46:47.780><c> glory</c><00:46:48.500><c> of</c><00:46:49.099><c> Yahweh</c>

00:46:49.820 --> 00:46:52.840
shall<00:46:50.280><c> appear</c><00:46:50.800><c> unto</c><00:46:51.199><c> you.</c><00:46:51.579><c> The</c><00:46:51.880><c> priests</c><00:46:52.159><c> were</c><00:46:52.380><c> supposed</c><00:46:52.579><c> to</c>

00:46:52.840 --> 00:46:55.119
come<00:46:53.079><c> out</c><00:46:53.400><c> of</c><00:46:53.559><c> the</c><00:46:53.739><c> tabernacle</c>

00:46:55.360 --> 00:47:01.320
and<00:46:55.760><c> display</c><00:46:56.599><c> the</c><00:46:57.699><c> greatest</c><00:46:58.519><c> reflection</c><00:46:59.360><c> of</c><00:46:59.739><c> God's</c><00:47:00.320><c> glory,</c>

00:47:02.380 --> 00:47:05.800
but<00:47:02.559><c> Vashti</c><00:47:03.760><c> refused</c><00:47:04.719><c> to</c><00:47:05.079><c> come.</c><00:47:05.280><c> What</c><00:47:05.539><c> could</c>

00:47:05.800 --> 00:47:12.239
this<00:47:06.079><c> be</c><00:47:06.440><c> a</c><00:47:06.639><c> type</c><00:47:06.840><c> of?</c><00:47:08.519><c> The</c><00:47:09.000><c> sons</c><00:47:09.199><c> of</c><00:47:09.599><c> Aaron,</c><00:47:10.480><c> Nadab</c><00:47:10.860><c> and</c><00:47:11.059><c> Abihu,</c><00:47:11.679><c> as</c><00:47:11.820><c> types</c><00:47:12.039><c> of</c>

00:47:12.239 --> 00:47:13.699
the<00:47:12.400><c> nation</c><00:47:12.679><c> down</c><00:47:12.960><c> through</c><00:47:13.260><c> time,</c>

00:47:14.159 --> 00:47:19.019
clearly<00:47:14.500><c> rebelled</c><00:47:15.099><c> against</c><00:47:15.559><c> God.</c><00:47:16.739><c> They</c><00:47:17.019><c> would</c><00:47:17.380><c> not</c><00:47:17.679><c> come.</c><00:47:17.980><c> They</c><00:47:18.159><c> would</c><00:47:18.480><c> not</c><00:47:18.719><c> be</c>

00:47:19.019 --> 00:47:21.780
obedient.<00:47:20.480><c> Just</c><00:47:20.840><c> like</c><00:47:21.059><c> the</c><00:47:21.320><c> nation</c>

00:47:21.780 --> 00:47:26.699
down<00:47:22.320><c> through</c><00:47:22.760><c> time,</c><00:47:23.219><c> Jeremiah</c><00:47:23.559><c> 13</c><00:47:24.159><c> says,</c><00:47:24.940><c> I</c><00:47:25.099><c> cause</c><00:47:25.440><c> to</c><00:47:25.840><c> cleave</c><00:47:26.280><c> unto</c>

00:47:26.699 --> 00:47:28.719
me,<00:47:27.460><c> that's</c><00:47:27.900><c> marriage</c><00:47:28.219><c> language,</c>

00:47:28.940 --> 00:47:32.599
the<00:47:29.139><c> whole</c><00:47:29.400><c> house</c><00:47:29.579><c> of</c><00:47:29.880><c> Israel,</c><00:47:30.480><c> that</c><00:47:30.559><c> they</c><00:47:30.719><c> might</c><00:47:30.960><c> be</c><00:47:31.179><c> for</c><00:47:31.400><c> a</c><00:47:31.619><c> name,</c><00:47:32.320><c> a</c>

00:47:32.599 --> 00:47:34.800
praise,<00:47:32.980><c> a</c><00:47:33.219><c> glory,</c><00:47:33.559><c> but</c><00:47:34.079><c> they</c><00:47:34.420><c> would</c>

00:47:34.800 --> 00:47:43.280
not<00:47:35.440><c> hear.</c><00:47:38.420><c> And</c><00:47:38.679><c> Ahazuerus</c><00:47:39.820><c> was</c><00:47:40.260><c> very</c><00:47:40.679><c> wroth,</c><00:47:41.920><c> and</c><00:47:42.119><c> his</c><00:47:42.480><c> anger</c>

00:47:43.280 --> 00:47:46.900
burned<00:47:44.559><c> in</c><00:47:45.079><c> him.</c><00:47:45.579><c> Have</c><00:47:45.800><c> you</c><00:47:45.940><c> ever</c><00:47:46.199><c> wondered</c><00:47:46.579><c> why</c>

00:47:46.900 --> 00:47:51.119
it<00:47:47.139><c> describes</c><00:47:47.800><c> Ahazuerus's</c><00:47:48.699><c> wrath</c><00:47:48.880><c> like</c><00:47:49.280><c> that?</c><00:47:50.119><c> Like</c><00:47:50.539><c> fire</c>

00:47:51.119 --> 00:47:54.840
burning<00:47:51.780><c> within</c><00:47:52.139><c> him?</c><00:47:53.239><c> Leviticus</c><00:47:53.699><c> chapter</c><00:47:54.139><c> 10</c><00:47:54.619><c> and</c>

00:47:54.840 --> 00:48:00.420
verses<00:47:55.179><c> 2</c><00:47:55.559><c> to</c><00:47:55.699><c> 6,</c><00:47:56.760><c> Nadab</c><00:47:57.000><c> and</c><00:47:57.219><c> Abihu</c><00:47:57.760><c> were</c><00:47:58.480><c> consumed</c><00:47:59.280><c> by</c><00:47:59.780><c> fire</c>

00:48:00.420 --> 00:48:02.940
in<00:48:00.760><c> God's</c><00:48:01.199><c> wrath</c><00:48:01.460><c> as</c><00:48:01.820><c> they</c><00:48:02.079><c> came</c><00:48:02.380><c> out</c><00:48:02.619><c> of</c><00:48:02.739><c> the</c>

00:48:02.940 --> 00:48:07.639
tabernacle,<00:48:04.000><c> consumed</c><00:48:04.900><c> for</c><00:48:05.559><c> disobedience.</c><00:48:06.579><c> And</c><00:48:06.679><c> down</c><00:48:06.880><c> through</c><00:48:07.179><c> time,</c>

00:48:07.920 --> 00:48:10.539
Israel<00:48:08.539><c> would</c><00:48:08.980><c> be</c><00:48:09.199><c> punished</c><00:48:09.559><c> over</c><00:48:10.179><c> and</c>

00:48:10.539 --> 00:48:16.559
over<00:48:11.019><c> and</c><00:48:11.239><c> over</c><00:48:11.719><c> again,</c><00:48:13.000><c> because</c><00:48:13.500><c> they</c><00:48:14.440><c> despised</c><00:48:15.059><c> his</c><00:48:15.300><c> words,</c>

00:48:16.940 --> 00:48:20.340
misused<00:48:17.420><c> his</c><00:48:17.800><c> prophets,</c><00:48:19.059><c> until</c><00:48:19.380><c> the</c><00:48:19.659><c> wrath</c><00:48:19.980><c> of</c>

00:48:20.340 --> 00:48:25.559
God<00:48:21.239><c> arose</c><00:48:21.880><c> against</c><00:48:22.340><c> his</c><00:48:22.659><c> people,</c><00:48:23.760><c> and</c><00:48:24.199><c> there</c><00:48:24.360><c> was</c><00:48:24.579><c> no</c><00:48:24.880><c> remedy.</c><00:48:25.400><c> Isn't</c>

00:48:25.559 --> 00:48:28.280
that<00:48:25.760><c> amazing?</c><00:48:27.159><c> So</c><00:48:27.380><c> Vashti</c><00:48:27.840><c> clearly</c>

00:48:28.280 --> 00:48:33.179
types<00:48:28.619><c> the</c><00:48:28.880><c> nation</c><00:48:29.179><c> that</c><00:48:29.380><c> had</c><00:48:30.000><c> sworn</c><00:48:30.300><c> their</c><00:48:30.639><c> allegiance,</c><00:48:32.099><c> their</c><00:48:32.280><c> obedience</c><00:48:32.940><c> at</c>

00:48:33.179 --> 00:48:34.400
the<00:48:33.320><c> foot</c><00:48:33.400><c> of</c><00:48:33.639><c> Mount</c><00:48:33.840><c> Sinai,</c>

00:48:34.599 --> 00:48:39.119
and<00:48:34.780><c> yet</c><00:48:34.960><c> after</c><00:48:35.380><c> exactly</c><00:48:36.239><c> 187</c><00:48:37.260><c> days</c><00:48:37.719><c> at</c><00:48:38.079><c> the</c><00:48:38.260><c> end</c><00:48:38.420><c> of</c><00:48:38.539><c> the</c><00:48:38.699><c> seven</c><00:48:38.880><c> days</c>

00:48:39.119 --> 00:48:40.659
of<00:48:39.420><c> priestly</c><00:48:39.760><c> consecration,</c>

00:48:41.059 --> 00:48:48.480
they<00:48:41.420><c> revealed</c><00:48:41.900><c> themselves</c><00:48:42.719><c> for</c><00:48:44.219><c> the</c><00:48:44.559><c> disobedient</c><00:48:45.340><c> wife</c><00:48:46.119><c> that</c><00:48:47.099><c> brought</c><00:48:47.440><c> shame</c><00:48:48.119><c> and</c>

00:48:48.480 --> 00:48:50.400
dishonor<00:48:49.179><c> and</c><00:48:49.679><c> contempt</c><00:48:50.139><c> upon</c>

00:48:50.400 --> 00:48:54.599
their<00:48:50.639><c> husband</c><00:48:50.980><c> on</c><00:48:51.260><c> God</c><00:48:51.480><c> himself.</c><00:48:52.920><c> And</c><00:48:53.420><c> if</c><00:48:53.559><c> you</c><00:48:53.760><c> didn't</c><00:48:54.099><c> think</c>

00:48:54.599 --> 00:48:57.199
that<00:48:55.099><c> disobedience</c><00:48:56.019><c> was</c><00:48:56.380><c> the</c><00:48:56.659><c> problem</c><00:48:56.920><c> with</c>

00:48:57.199 --> 00:49:02.920
Israel,<00:48:58.239><c> look</c><00:48:58.679><c> at</c><00:48:58.880><c> this.</c><00:49:00.840><c> After</c><00:49:00.940><c> saying,</c><00:49:02.340><c> all</c><00:49:02.340><c> that</c><00:49:02.659><c> Yahweh</c>

00:49:02.920 --> 00:49:07.099
has<00:49:03.239><c> said,</c><00:49:03.860><c> will</c><00:49:04.000><c> we</c><00:49:04.260><c> do</c><00:49:04.539><c> and</c><00:49:04.920><c> be</c><00:49:05.619><c> obedient?</c>

00:49:09.219 --> 00:49:13.179
Joshua<00:49:09.579><c> chapter</c><00:49:09.980><c> 5</c><00:49:10.500><c> and</c><00:49:10.800><c> verse</c><00:49:11.099><c> 7,</c><00:49:12.300><c> the</c><00:49:12.380><c> children</c><00:49:12.719><c> of</c><00:49:12.820><c> Israel</c>

00:49:13.179 --> 00:49:15.340
walked<00:49:13.500><c> 40</c><00:49:14.079><c> years</c><00:49:14.460><c> in</c><00:49:14.619><c> the</c><00:49:14.780><c> wilderness</c><00:49:15.039><c> till</c>

00:49:15.340 --> 00:49:19.860
all<00:49:15.820><c> were</c><00:49:16.059><c> consumed</c><00:49:16.639><c> because</c><00:49:17.099><c> they</c><00:49:17.579><c> obeyed</c><00:49:18.559><c> not,</c><00:49:19.320><c> the</c><00:49:19.659><c> voice</c>

00:49:19.860 --> 00:49:22.860
of<00:49:20.159><c> Yahweh.</c><00:49:21.380><c> 1</c><00:49:21.539><c> Samuel</c><00:49:21.900><c> 8,</c><00:49:22.539><c> nevertheless,</c>

00:49:22.860 --> 00:49:28.820
the<00:49:23.039><c> people</c><00:49:23.320><c> refused</c><00:49:24.239><c> to</c><00:49:24.639><c> obey.</c><00:49:25.639><c> Isaiah</c><00:49:25.880><c> 42,</c><00:49:27.820><c> they</c><00:49:28.019><c> were</c><00:49:28.519><c> not</c>

00:49:28.820 --> 00:49:33.400
obedient<00:49:29.599><c> unto</c><00:49:30.300><c> his</c><00:49:30.619><c> law.</c><00:49:31.739><c> Jeremiah</c><00:49:32.059><c> 22,</c>

00:49:33.440 --> 00:49:37.179
but<00:49:33.500><c> thou</c><00:49:33.739><c> saidest,</c><00:49:34.380><c> I</c><00:49:34.539><c> will</c><00:49:34.840><c> not</c><00:49:35.099><c> hear,</c><00:49:36.139><c> this</c><00:49:36.340><c> hath</c><00:49:36.599><c> been</c><00:49:36.920><c> thy</c>

00:49:37.179 --> 00:49:40.579
manner<00:49:37.519><c> from</c><00:49:37.800><c> thy</c><00:49:38.079><c> youth,</c><00:49:39.019><c> that</c><00:49:39.179><c> thou</c><00:49:39.519><c> obeyest</c>

00:49:40.579 --> 00:49:45.079
not<00:49:41.179><c> my</c><00:49:41.739><c> voice.</c><00:49:42.699><c> Disobedience</c><00:49:43.420><c> became</c><00:49:43.800><c> the</c><00:49:44.159><c> major</c><00:49:44.559><c> problem</c>

00:49:45.079 --> 00:49:48.639
of<00:49:45.400><c> the</c><00:49:45.599><c> nation</c><00:49:46.039><c> from</c><00:49:46.699><c> the</c><00:49:47.059><c> very</c><00:49:47.420><c> start</c><00:49:47.920><c> of</c>

00:49:48.760 --> 00:49:55.059
existence,<00:49:50.940><c> the</c><00:49:51.179><c> disobedient</c><00:49:51.960><c> wife</c><00:49:52.539><c> of</c><00:49:53.219><c> our</c><00:49:53.420><c> heavenly</c><00:49:53.760><c> father.</c>

00:49:56.199 --> 00:49:58.559
And<00:49:56.400><c> so</c><00:49:56.460><c> we'll</c><00:49:56.679><c> come</c><00:49:56.840><c> very</c><00:49:57.159><c> briefly</c><00:49:57.460><c> in</c><00:49:57.860><c> conclusion</c><00:49:58.139><c> to</c><00:49:58.360><c> the</c>

00:49:58.559 --> 00:50:02.099
King's<00:49:59.019><c> solution</c><00:49:59.639><c> to</c><00:50:00.340><c> Vashti's</c><00:50:01.320><c> disobedience.</c><00:50:01.940><c> She</c>

00:50:02.099 --> 00:50:05.780
had<00:50:02.320><c> shown</c><00:50:02.500><c> herself</c><00:50:02.920><c> unworthy</c><00:50:03.579><c> of</c><00:50:03.739><c> the</c><00:50:03.960><c> high</c><00:50:04.159><c> honour</c><00:50:04.380><c> of</c><00:50:04.619><c> being</c><00:50:04.780><c> God's</c><00:50:05.179><c> wife.</c><00:50:05.639><c> What</c>

00:50:05.780 --> 00:50:07.380
would<00:50:05.980><c> God</c><00:50:06.199><c> do?</c><00:50:07.239><c> Well,</c>

00:50:07.380 --> 00:50:10.500
we<00:50:07.539><c> find</c><00:50:07.739><c> back</c><00:50:07.980><c> in</c><00:50:08.219><c> Esther</c><00:50:08.360><c> chapter</c><00:50:08.679><c> 1</c><00:50:09.079><c> that</c><00:50:09.360><c> he</c><00:50:09.599><c> consults</c><00:50:10.340><c> the</c>

00:50:10.500 --> 00:50:15.139
wise<00:50:10.820><c> men.</c><00:50:12.280><c> Verse</c><00:50:12.559><c> 13,</c><00:50:13.920><c> he</c><00:50:14.099><c> said</c><00:50:14.320><c> unto</c><00:50:14.519><c> the</c><00:50:14.760><c> wise</c><00:50:14.960><c> men,</c>

00:50:15.139 --> 00:50:17.880
which<00:50:15.340><c> knew</c><00:50:15.699><c> the</c><00:50:16.039><c> times,</c><00:50:16.579><c> for</c><00:50:16.699><c> so</c><00:50:16.960><c> was</c><00:50:17.159><c> the</c><00:50:17.360><c> King's</c><00:50:17.699><c> manner</c>

00:50:17.880 --> 00:50:21.059
towards<00:50:18.300><c> all</c><00:50:18.880><c> that</c><00:50:19.179><c> knew</c><00:50:19.440><c> law</c><00:50:19.760><c> and</c><00:50:20.199><c> judgment.</c>

00:50:22.440 --> 00:50:26.440
What<00:50:22.800><c> shall</c><00:50:22.980><c> we</c><00:50:23.139><c> do?</c><00:50:23.340><c> Verse</c><00:50:23.599><c> 15,</c><00:50:24.300><c> unto</c><00:50:24.480><c> the</c><00:50:24.760><c> Queen</c><00:50:25.000><c> Vashti</c><00:50:25.579><c> according</c><00:50:26.059><c> to</c>

00:50:26.440 --> 00:50:27.940
law,<00:50:27.199><c> because</c><00:50:27.300><c> she</c><00:50:27.539><c> has</c><00:50:27.719><c> not</c>

00:50:27.940 --> 00:50:33.019
performed<00:50:28.400><c> the</c><00:50:28.659><c> commandment</c><00:50:29.139><c> of</c><00:50:29.300><c> the</c><00:50:29.480><c> King</c><00:50:29.739><c> Ahasuerus</c><00:50:30.820><c> by</c><00:50:31.219><c> the</c><00:50:31.500><c> Chamberlains.</c><00:50:32.719><c> He</c>

00:50:33.019 --> 00:50:35.099
calls<00:50:33.320><c> for</c><00:50:33.860><c> his</c><00:50:34.420><c> wise</c><00:50:34.780><c> men.</c>

00:50:35.179 --> 00:50:39.579
Who<00:50:35.380><c> are</c><00:50:35.599><c> these</c><00:50:35.820><c> seven</c><00:50:36.139><c> wise</c><00:50:36.500><c> men?</c><00:50:37.400><c> These</c><00:50:37.880><c> wise</c><00:50:38.219><c> men</c><00:50:38.440><c> that</c><00:50:38.880><c> knew</c><00:50:39.159><c> the</c>

00:50:39.579 --> 00:50:42.719
times,<00:50:41.139><c> that</c><00:50:41.519><c> saw</c><00:50:41.860><c> the</c><00:50:42.079><c> King's</c><00:50:42.500><c> face,</c>

00:50:42.719 --> 00:50:47.880
they<00:50:43.039><c> can</c><00:50:43.260><c> only</c><00:50:43.599><c> represent</c><00:50:44.199><c> the</c><00:50:44.519><c> angels.</c><00:50:46.079><c> We</c><00:50:46.219><c> know,</c><00:50:46.500><c> don't</c><00:50:46.679><c> we,</c><00:50:47.079><c> from</c><00:50:47.659><c> 2</c>

00:50:47.880 --> 00:50:49.920
Kings<00:50:48.219><c> 22,</c><00:50:48.760><c> that</c><00:50:48.900><c> God</c><00:50:49.179><c> frequently</c>

00:50:49.920 --> 00:50:53.860
confers<00:50:50.440><c> with</c><00:50:50.719><c> the</c><00:50:50.960><c> angels.</c><00:50:52.039><c> And</c><00:50:52.179><c> there's</c><00:50:52.400><c> a</c><00:50:52.699><c> Jewish</c><00:50:52.920><c> tradition</c><00:50:53.480><c> that</c>

00:50:53.860 --> 00:50:55.440
there<00:50:54.059><c> are</c><00:50:54.300><c> seven</c><00:50:54.719><c> archangels.</c>

00:50:55.719 --> 00:50:58.760
These<00:50:55.940><c> are</c><00:50:56.139><c> the</c><00:50:56.300><c> ministers</c><00:50:56.679><c> that,</c><00:50:57.579><c> like</c><00:50:57.880><c> it</c><00:50:58.079><c> says</c><00:50:58.260><c> in</c><00:50:58.400><c> Matthew</c>

00:50:58.760 --> 00:51:01.079
chapter<00:50:59.059><c> 18</c><00:50:59.440><c> and</c><00:50:59.619><c> verse</c><00:50:59.860><c> 10,</c><00:51:00.380><c> constantly</c>

00:51:01.079 --> 00:51:04.679
behold<00:51:01.639><c> the</c><00:51:01.900><c> face</c><00:51:02.320><c> of</c><00:51:02.900><c> the</c><00:51:03.139><c> Father</c><00:51:03.500><c> in</c><00:51:03.760><c> heaven.</c><00:51:04.039><c> And</c><00:51:04.139><c> so</c><00:51:04.280><c> now</c>

00:51:04.679 --> 00:51:06.920
God<00:51:05.059><c> confers</c><00:51:05.599><c> with</c><00:51:05.840><c> the</c><00:51:06.079><c> angels</c><00:51:06.280><c> as</c><00:51:06.480><c> to</c><00:51:06.599><c> what</c><00:51:06.780><c> should</c>

00:51:06.920 --> 00:51:11.539
be<00:51:07.119><c> done</c><00:51:07.300><c> with</c><00:51:07.820><c> the</c><00:51:08.039><c> nation</c><00:51:08.440><c> of</c><00:51:08.739><c> Israel.</c><00:51:10.739><c> That</c><00:51:11.039><c> time</c><00:51:11.179><c> after</c>

00:51:11.539 --> 00:51:16.980
time<00:51:11.800><c> has</c><00:51:12.179><c> proved</c><00:51:12.739><c> themselves</c><00:51:14.179><c> deliberately</c><00:51:15.099><c> disobedient.</c>

00:51:19.179 --> 00:51:21.639
And<00:51:19.260><c> so</c><00:51:19.360><c> in</c><00:51:19.539><c> verse</c><00:51:19.679><c> 16,</c><00:51:20.199><c> on</c><00:51:20.260><c> behalf</c><00:51:20.659><c> of</c><00:51:20.780><c> the</c><00:51:20.900><c> rest</c><00:51:21.059><c> of</c><00:51:21.219><c> the</c><00:51:21.420><c> wise</c>

00:51:21.639 --> 00:51:25.559
men,<00:51:22.139><c> Mamoukhan</c><00:51:22.900><c> lays</c><00:51:23.539><c> out</c><00:51:23.880><c> his</c><00:51:24.239><c> thoughts</c><00:51:24.699><c> to</c><00:51:25.340><c> the</c>

00:51:25.559 --> 00:51:30.699
King.<00:51:27.440><c> Vashti's</c><00:51:28.039><c> overstepped</c><00:51:28.480><c> the</c><00:51:28.699><c> line.</c><00:51:29.659><c> And</c><00:51:30.260><c> because</c><00:51:30.480><c> she</c>

00:51:30.699 --> 00:51:34.039
has<00:51:30.900><c> been</c><00:51:31.119><c> given</c><00:51:31.380><c> everything,</c><00:51:33.079><c> on</c><00:51:33.280><c> the</c><00:51:33.460><c> basis</c><00:51:33.739><c> of</c>

00:51:34.039 --> 00:51:38.360
greater<00:51:34.480><c> privileges</c><00:51:35.079><c> bring</c><00:51:35.440><c> greater</c><00:51:35.800><c> responsibilities,</c><00:51:37.659><c> she</c><00:51:37.900><c> needs</c><00:51:38.199><c> to</c>

00:51:38.360 --> 00:51:40.599
be<00:51:38.480><c> made</c><00:51:38.679><c> an</c><00:51:39.019><c> example</c><00:51:39.480><c> of.</c>

00:51:41.179 --> 00:51:44.179
The<00:51:41.400><c> implications</c><00:51:41.920><c> were</c><00:51:42.179><c> far</c><00:51:42.460><c>-reaching.</c><00:51:43.679><c> It's</c><00:51:43.760><c> not</c><00:51:43.920><c> just</c><00:51:44.139><c> a</c>

00:51:44.179 --> 00:51:45.980
matter<00:51:44.380><c> of</c><00:51:44.699><c> soothing</c><00:51:45.000><c> the</c><00:51:45.300><c> King's</c><00:51:45.679><c> ego,</c>

00:51:46.300 --> 00:51:49.760
this<00:51:46.480><c> was</c><00:51:46.739><c> potentially</c><00:51:47.340><c> a</c><00:51:47.559><c> matter</c><00:51:47.780><c> of</c><00:51:48.059><c> domestic</c><00:51:48.519><c> security.</c>

00:51:49.820 --> 00:51:51.679
Vashti's<00:51:50.260><c> actions</c><00:51:50.619><c> would</c><00:51:50.920><c> cause</c><00:51:51.239><c> other</c>

00:51:51.679 --> 00:51:54.480
women<00:51:51.900><c> to</c><00:51:52.280><c> despise</c><00:51:52.940><c> their</c><00:51:53.239><c> husbands,</c><00:51:53.719><c> and</c><00:51:53.820><c> the</c><00:51:53.820><c> very</c><00:51:54.219><c> fabric</c>

00:51:54.480 --> 00:51:56.940
of<00:51:55.420><c> marriage</c><00:51:55.739><c> would</c><00:51:55.920><c> be</c><00:51:56.139><c> called</c><00:51:56.239><c> into</c><00:51:56.539><c> question</c>

00:51:56.940 --> 00:51:59.820
throughout<00:51:57.260><c> the</c><00:51:57.539><c> realm.</c><00:51:58.260><c> I</c><00:51:58.320><c> mean,</c><00:51:58.480><c> if</c><00:51:58.719><c> Vashti</c><00:51:59.119><c> is</c><00:51:59.320><c> allowed</c><00:51:59.519><c> to</c>

00:51:59.820 --> 00:52:02.300
publicly<00:52:00.099><c> humiliate</c><00:52:00.699><c> the</c><00:52:00.880><c> King,</c><00:52:01.139><c> who</c><00:52:01.340><c> can't</c><00:52:01.679><c> do</c><00:52:01.820><c> it?</c>

00:52:02.300 --> 00:52:06.000
If<00:52:02.960><c> the</c><00:52:03.199><c> Queen</c><00:52:03.360><c> can</c><00:52:03.559><c> do</c><00:52:03.719><c> this</c><00:52:03.920><c> to</c><00:52:04.099><c> her</c><00:52:04.340><c> husband,</c><00:52:04.760><c> the</c><00:52:04.980><c> King,</c>

00:52:06.199 --> 00:52:08.880
and<00:52:06.320><c> get</c><00:52:06.500><c> away</c><00:52:06.679><c> with</c><00:52:06.880><c> it,</c><00:52:07.360><c> then</c><00:52:07.619><c> who</c><00:52:07.960><c> can?</c>

00:52:09.280 --> 00:52:13.920
And<00:52:09.500><c> so</c><00:52:09.599><c> he</c><00:52:09.739><c> suggests</c><00:52:10.139><c> in</c><00:52:10.360><c> verse</c><00:52:10.599><c> 19,</c><00:52:11.139><c> if</c><00:52:11.199><c> it</c><00:52:11.480><c> pleased</c><00:52:11.880><c> the</c><00:52:12.199><c> King,</c><00:52:13.780><c> let</c>

00:52:13.920 --> 00:52:16.699
there<00:52:14.219><c> go</c><00:52:14.480><c> a</c><00:52:14.920><c> royal</c><00:52:15.280><c> commandment</c><00:52:16.000><c> from</c><00:52:16.280><c> him,</c>

00:52:17.059 --> 00:52:20.360
and<00:52:17.300><c> let</c><00:52:17.460><c> it</c><00:52:17.659><c> be</c><00:52:17.880><c> written</c><00:52:18.059><c> among</c><00:52:18.360><c> the</c><00:52:18.679><c> laws</c><00:52:19.079><c> of</c><00:52:19.400><c> the</c><00:52:19.679><c> Persians</c>

00:52:20.360 --> 00:52:23.360
and<00:52:20.900><c> the</c><00:52:21.280><c> Medes,</c><00:52:22.380><c> that</c><00:52:22.460><c> it</c><00:52:22.639><c> be</c><00:52:22.780><c> not</c><00:52:23.059><c> altered,</c>

00:52:23.360 --> 00:52:28.800
that<00:52:23.719><c> Vashti</c><00:52:24.699><c> come</c><00:52:25.239><c> no</c><00:52:25.719><c> more</c><00:52:26.000><c> before</c><00:52:26.500><c> King</c><00:52:26.940><c> Ahasuerus,</c><00:52:28.760><c> and</c>

00:52:28.800 --> 00:52:33.039
let<00:52:29.079><c> the</c><00:52:29.380><c> King</c><00:52:29.920><c> give</c><00:52:30.460><c> her</c><00:52:30.940><c> royal</c><00:52:31.400><c> estate</c><00:52:32.059><c> unto</c>

00:52:33.039 --> 00:52:39.219
another<00:52:33.920><c> that</c><00:52:34.880><c> is</c><00:52:35.380><c> better</c><00:52:35.980><c> than</c><00:52:37.099><c> she.</c><00:52:38.039><c> Now</c><00:52:38.260><c> you</c><00:52:38.460><c> can't</c><00:52:38.860><c> help</c>

00:52:39.219 --> 00:52:43.139
read<00:52:39.679><c> verse</c><00:52:40.039><c> 19</c><00:52:40.860><c> without</c><00:52:41.440><c> being</c><00:52:41.940><c> struck</c><00:52:42.280><c> by</c><00:52:42.619><c> an</c>

00:52:43.139 --> 00:52:49.000
echo<00:52:43.400><c> to</c><00:52:43.739><c> two</c><00:52:44.019><c> places.</c><00:52:46.460><c> Another</c><00:52:46.780><c> that</c><00:52:47.019><c> is</c><00:52:47.340><c> better</c><00:52:47.860><c> than</c><00:52:48.420><c> she.</c>

00:52:49.199 --> 00:52:51.940
Clearly<00:52:49.699><c> these</c><00:52:50.019><c> words</c><00:52:50.380><c> are</c><00:52:50.659><c> an</c><00:52:50.860><c> allusion</c><00:52:51.280><c> to</c>

00:52:51.940 --> 00:52:57.079
1<00:52:52.219><c> Samuel</c><00:52:52.800><c> 15,</c><00:52:53.860><c> and</c><00:52:54.159><c> Samuel</c><00:52:54.440><c> said</c><00:52:54.639><c> unto</c><00:52:54.860><c> him,</c><00:52:55.820><c> Yahweh</c><00:52:56.000><c> hath</c><00:52:56.239><c> rent</c><00:52:56.480><c> the</c><00:52:56.679><c> kingdom</c><00:52:56.940><c> of</c>

00:52:57.079 --> 00:52:58.539
Israel<00:52:57.400><c> from</c><00:52:57.659><c> thee</c><00:52:57.900><c> this</c><00:52:58.179><c> day,</c>

00:52:58.820 --> 00:53:06.760
and<00:52:58.900><c> hath</c><00:52:59.039><c> given</c><00:52:59.239><c> it</c><00:52:59.519><c> to</c><00:52:59.760><c> a</c><00:53:00.059><c> neighbour</c><00:53:00.500><c> of</c><00:53:00.940><c> thine</c><00:53:01.659><c> that</c><00:53:02.199><c> is</c><00:53:02.639><c> better</c><00:53:03.340><c> than</c><00:53:04.320><c> thou.</c><00:53:06.119><c> But</c>

00:53:06.760 --> 00:53:08.559
the<00:53:07.019><c> words</c><00:53:07.400><c> here</c><00:53:07.920><c> in</c><00:53:08.260><c> Esther</c>

00:53:08.559 --> 00:53:17.559
also<00:53:09.300><c> have</c><00:53:09.980><c> a</c><00:53:10.639><c> very</c><00:53:11.019><c> strange</c><00:53:11.820><c> similarity</c><00:53:12.699><c> to</c><00:53:13.539><c> the</c><00:53:13.780><c> words</c><00:53:14.139><c> of</c><00:53:14.579><c> our</c><00:53:14.940><c> Lord,</c><00:53:16.099><c> who</c><00:53:16.380><c> picks</c><00:53:16.739><c> up,</c><00:53:17.159><c> I</c>

00:53:17.559 --> 00:53:20.300
believe,<00:53:18.619><c> both</c><00:53:18.900><c> on</c><00:53:19.440><c> 1</c><00:53:19.760><c> Samuel</c>

00:53:20.300 --> 00:53:26.139
15,<00:53:21.559><c> and</c><00:53:22.000><c> on</c><00:53:23.039><c> Esther</c><00:53:23.400><c> chapter</c><00:53:23.860><c> 1,</c><00:53:24.420><c> when</c><00:53:24.440><c> he</c><00:53:24.739><c> says</c><00:53:25.239><c> in</c><00:53:25.719><c> Matthew</c>

00:53:26.139 --> 00:53:29.960
21<00:53:26.679><c> in</c><00:53:26.880><c> verse</c><00:53:27.139><c> 43,</c><00:53:28.219><c> Therefore</c><00:53:28.599><c> I</c><00:53:29.000><c> say</c><00:53:29.260><c> unto</c><00:53:29.539><c> you,</c>

00:53:30.340 --> 00:53:33.820
the<00:53:30.480><c> kingdom</c><00:53:30.920><c> of</c><00:53:31.119><c> God</c><00:53:31.440><c> shall</c><00:53:31.599><c> be</c><00:53:31.880><c> taken</c><00:53:32.139><c> from</c><00:53:32.480><c> you,</c><00:53:33.320><c> and</c><00:53:33.480><c> given</c>

00:53:33.820 --> 00:53:37.199
to<00:53:34.179><c> a</c><00:53:34.400><c> nation</c><00:53:34.960><c> bringing</c><00:53:35.599><c> forth</c><00:53:36.260><c> the</c><00:53:36.880><c> fruits</c>

00:53:37.199 --> 00:53:42.000
thereof.<00:53:38.679><c> Let</c><00:53:39.039><c> her</c><00:53:39.480><c> royal</c><00:53:39.880><c> estate</c><00:53:40.340><c> be</c><00:53:40.659><c> given</c><00:53:40.900><c> unto</c><00:53:41.360><c> another</c>

00:53:42.000 --> 00:53:46.440
that<00:53:42.880><c> is</c><00:53:43.380><c> better</c><00:53:43.860><c> than</c><00:53:44.440><c> she.</c><00:53:45.380><c> And</c><00:53:45.559><c> our</c><00:53:45.800><c> Lord</c><00:53:46.000><c> Jesus</c>

00:53:46.440 --> 00:53:55.940
Christ<00:53:46.920><c> sees</c><00:53:47.519><c> the</c><00:53:47.800><c> type</c><00:53:48.300><c> of</c><00:53:48.820><c> Saul</c><00:53:49.340><c> the</c><00:53:49.699><c> disobedient</c><00:53:50.300><c> king,</c><00:53:51.880><c> Vashti</c><00:53:52.599><c> the</c><00:53:52.920><c> disobedient</c><00:53:53.659><c> nation,</c><00:53:54.719><c> and</c><00:53:54.920><c> he's</c><00:53:55.179><c> going</c><00:53:55.539><c> to</c>

00:53:56.400 --> 00:54:01.480
go<00:53:56.880><c> on</c><00:53:57.539><c> in</c><00:53:58.559><c> Matthew</c><00:53:58.980><c> chapter</c><00:53:59.360><c> 22</c><00:53:59.780><c> to</c><00:53:59.980><c> give</c><00:54:00.219><c> Wye</c><00:54:00.480><c> a</c><00:54:00.780><c> parable</c><00:54:01.099><c> where</c><00:54:01.300><c> he</c>

00:54:01.480 --> 00:54:04.380
paints<00:54:02.019><c> God</c><00:54:02.800><c> as</c><00:54:03.099><c> a</c><00:54:03.400><c> king,</c>

00:54:04.619 --> 00:54:08.980
and<00:54:04.840><c> invites</c><00:54:05.460><c> by</c><00:54:05.780><c> way</c><00:54:06.059><c> of</c><00:54:06.360><c> messengers</c><00:54:06.940><c> many</c><00:54:07.519><c> people</c><00:54:07.940><c> to</c><00:54:08.139><c> a</c><00:54:08.480><c> feast,</c><00:54:08.760><c> to</c>

00:54:08.980 --> 00:54:11.980
a<00:54:09.219><c> marriage</c><00:54:09.699><c> feast,</c><00:54:10.340><c> and</c><00:54:10.820><c> they</c><00:54:11.139><c> would</c><00:54:11.539><c> not</c>

00:54:11.980 --> 00:54:16.719
come.<00:54:13.400><c> Where</c><00:54:13.699><c> do</c><00:54:13.860><c> you</c><00:54:13.860><c> think</c><00:54:14.079><c> our</c><00:54:14.320><c> Lord's</c><00:54:14.860><c> mind</c><00:54:15.320><c> is</c><00:54:15.820><c> at</c><00:54:16.219><c> the</c><00:54:16.380><c> end</c><00:54:16.599><c> of</c>

00:54:16.719 --> 00:54:19.340
Matthew<00:54:17.079><c> chapter</c><00:54:17.440><c> 21</c><00:54:18.159><c> going</c><00:54:18.659><c> into</c><00:54:19.000><c> Matthew</c>

00:54:19.340 --> 00:54:24.059
chapter<00:54:19.699><c> 22?</c><00:54:20.199><c> I</c><00:54:20.480><c> believe</c><00:54:20.800><c> it</c><00:54:21.239><c> clearly</c><00:54:21.559><c> is</c><00:54:21.980><c> in</c><00:54:23.019><c> Esther</c><00:54:23.420><c> as</c><00:54:23.780><c> well</c>

00:54:24.059 --> 00:54:30.619
as<00:54:24.260><c> 1</c><00:54:24.519><c> Samuel</c><00:54:25.019><c> 15,</c><00:54:27.079><c> and</c><00:54:27.579><c> clearly</c><00:54:28.099><c> he</c><00:54:28.699><c> grasped</c><00:54:29.260><c> the</c><00:54:29.599><c> type.</c>

00:54:30.940 --> 00:54:33.360
Esther<00:54:31.139><c> in</c><00:54:31.400><c> chapter</c><00:54:31.639><c> 2</c><00:54:31.880><c> is</c><00:54:32.079><c> going</c><00:54:32.159><c> to</c><00:54:32.280><c> be</c><00:54:32.420><c> put</c><00:54:32.599><c> forward</c><00:54:32.920><c> as</c><00:54:33.119><c> the</c>

00:54:33.360 --> 00:54:37.219
new<00:54:33.619><c> bride,</c><00:54:34.599><c> the</c><00:54:34.800><c> Gentile</c><00:54:35.400><c> bride</c><00:54:35.719><c> by</c><00:54:36.079><c> grace,</c>

00:54:37.219 --> 00:54:44.320
and<00:54:37.539><c> not</c><00:54:37.960><c> by</c><00:54:38.739><c> law.</c><00:54:40.559><c> And</c><00:54:40.900><c> so</c><00:54:40.940><c> in</c><00:54:41.099><c> our</c><00:54:41.239><c> next</c><00:54:41.500><c> session</c><00:54:42.000><c> we're</c><00:54:42.780><c> going</c><00:54:42.860><c> to</c><00:54:42.920><c> look</c><00:54:43.079><c> at</c><00:54:43.199><c> the</c><00:54:43.460><c> search</c><00:54:43.760><c> for</c><00:54:44.039><c> a</c>

00:54:44.320 --> 00:54:45.099
new<00:54:44.559><c> bride</c>

00:54:45.099 --> 00:54:53.380
as<00:54:45.920><c> posts</c><00:54:46.320><c> went</c><00:54:46.639><c> out</c><00:54:47.380><c> in</c><00:54:47.739><c> verse</c><00:54:48.000><c> 22</c><00:54:48.500><c> together</c><00:54:49.199><c> from</c><00:54:49.880><c> the</c><00:54:50.159><c> obscure</c><00:54:50.739><c> corners</c><00:54:51.199><c> of</c><00:54:51.420><c> the</c><00:54:51.579><c> empire,</c><00:54:52.519><c> those</c><00:54:52.719><c> who</c><00:54:52.920><c> might</c><00:54:53.139><c> be</c>

00:54:53.380 --> 00:55:00.000
able<00:54:53.539><c> to</c><00:54:53.980><c> please</c><00:54:54.579><c> the</c><00:54:55.260><c> king</c><00:54:55.659><c> by</c><00:54:56.480><c> their</c><00:54:56.780><c> obedience</c><00:54:57.679><c> and</c><00:54:58.900><c> submission.</c><00:54:59.639><c> That's</c>

00:55:00.000 --> 00:55:00.980
us<00:55:00.179><c> isn't</c><00:55:00.380><c> it</c><00:55:00.519><c> brothers</c><00:55:00.719><c> and</c>

00:55:00.980 --> 00:55:05.400
sisters?<00:55:01.860><c> We</c><00:55:02.099><c> all</c><00:55:02.460><c> want</c><00:55:02.639><c> to</c><00:55:02.760><c> be</c><00:55:02.940><c> part</c><00:55:03.320><c> of</c><00:55:03.519><c> the</c><00:55:03.760><c> Lamb's</c><00:55:04.380><c> wife,</c>

00:55:05.539 --> 00:55:08.760
the<00:55:05.780><c> collective</c><00:55:06.260><c> bride</c><00:55:06.599><c> of</c><00:55:06.800><c> Christ</c><00:55:07.460><c> who</c><00:55:08.440><c> have</c>

00:55:08.760 --> 00:55:16.579
made<00:55:09.079><c> themselves</c><00:55:10.139><c> ready.</c><00:55:12.760><c> I</c><00:55:12.880><c> just</c><00:55:13.059><c> want</c><00:55:13.159><c> to</c><00:55:13.239><c> finish</c><00:55:13.460><c> this</c><00:55:13.719><c> morning</c><00:55:13.980><c> with</c><00:55:14.699><c> a</c><00:55:15.019><c> few</c><00:55:15.219><c> words</c><00:55:15.519><c> about</c><00:55:16.039><c> a</c>

00:55:16.579 --> 00:55:17.460
simple<00:55:16.860><c> lesson</c>

00:55:17.460 --> 00:55:22.320
for<00:55:18.079><c> today,</c><00:55:19.739><c> because</c><00:55:20.239><c> if</c><00:55:20.400><c> we</c><00:55:20.539><c> want</c><00:55:20.599><c> to</c><00:55:20.699><c> be</c><00:55:20.860><c> part</c><00:55:21.280><c> of</c><00:55:21.539><c> this</c><00:55:21.860><c> wife</c>

00:55:22.320 --> 00:55:24.780
who<00:55:22.900><c> is</c><00:55:23.300><c> going</c><00:55:23.539><c> to</c><00:55:23.820><c> be,</c>

00:55:24.900 --> 00:55:30.920
who<00:55:25.280><c> has</c><00:55:25.699><c> made</c><00:55:26.019><c> herself</c><00:55:26.659><c> ready,</c><00:55:27.480><c> then</c><00:55:27.599><c> we</c><00:55:27.780><c> need</c><00:55:28.039><c> to</c><00:55:28.340><c> learn</c><00:55:28.780><c> what</c><00:55:29.320><c> Vashti</c><00:55:30.500><c> and</c>

00:55:30.920 --> 00:55:32.739
the<00:55:31.099><c> natural</c><00:55:31.500><c> nation</c><00:55:31.820><c> of</c><00:55:31.960><c> Israel</c><00:55:32.380><c> did</c>

00:55:32.739 --> 00:55:41.139
not<00:55:33.159><c> understand,</c><00:55:34.099><c> and</c><00:55:34.420><c> that</c><00:55:34.559><c> is</c><00:55:35.340><c> the</c><00:55:35.860><c> importance</c><00:55:36.500><c> of</c><00:55:37.139><c> obedience.</c><00:55:39.800><c> Revelation</c><00:55:40.260><c> 19</c><00:55:40.920><c> and</c>

00:55:41.139 --> 00:55:41.960
verse<00:55:41.420><c> 7,</c>

00:55:42.420 --> 00:55:49.800
let<00:55:42.460><c> us</c><00:55:42.699><c> be</c><00:55:43.000><c> glad</c><00:55:43.579><c> and</c><00:55:44.380><c> rejoice</c><00:55:45.199><c> and</c><00:55:46.380><c> give</c><00:55:46.699><c> honour</c><00:55:47.099><c> to</c><00:55:47.460><c> him,</c><00:55:49.039><c> for</c><00:55:49.119><c> the</c><00:55:49.400><c> marriage</c><00:55:49.619><c> of</c>

00:55:49.800 --> 00:55:50.679
the<00:55:49.980><c> lamb</c><00:55:50.099><c> has</c><00:55:50.400><c> come,</c>

00:55:50.679 --> 00:55:53.460
and<00:55:50.900><c> his</c><00:55:51.179><c> wife</c><00:55:51.539><c> hath</c><00:55:51.800><c> made</c><00:55:52.059><c> herself</c><00:55:52.480><c> ready.</c><00:55:52.920><c> If</c><00:55:53.099><c> we</c><00:55:53.280><c> want</c><00:55:53.380><c> to</c>

00:55:53.460 --> 00:55:54.480
be<00:55:53.599><c> the</c><00:55:53.780><c> Lamb's</c><00:55:54.119><c> wife,</c>

00:55:54.800 --> 00:55:58.980
we've<00:55:55.000><c> got</c><00:55:55.139><c> to</c><00:55:55.300><c> learn</c><00:55:55.599><c> to</c><00:55:55.840><c> give</c><00:55:56.260><c> honour</c><00:55:56.820><c> to</c><00:55:57.659><c> him.</c><00:55:58.619><c> Revelation</c>

00:55:58.980 --> 00:56:01.639
21,<00:55:59.920><c> and</c><00:56:00.039><c> I</c><00:56:00.239><c> John</c><00:56:00.480><c> saw</c><00:56:00.739><c> the</c><00:56:01.159><c> holy</c><00:56:01.360><c> city</c>

00:56:01.639 --> 00:56:05.159
New<00:56:01.880><c> Jerusalem</c><00:56:02.280><c> coming</c><00:56:02.599><c> down</c><00:56:02.840><c> from</c><00:56:03.039><c> God</c><00:56:03.360><c> out</c><00:56:03.579><c> of</c><00:56:03.739><c> heaven,</c><00:56:04.500><c> prepared</c><00:56:04.780><c> as</c>

00:56:05.159 --> 00:56:09.400
a<00:56:05.400><c> bride</c><00:56:05.619><c> adorned</c><00:56:06.539><c> for</c><00:56:07.360><c> her</c><00:56:08.099><c> husband.</c>

00:56:10.139 --> 00:56:14.119
Unless<00:56:10.480><c> we</c><00:56:10.760><c> are</c><00:56:10.980><c> prepared</c><00:56:11.340><c> to</c><00:56:11.679><c> obey,</c><00:56:12.639><c> to</c><00:56:12.780><c> honour</c><00:56:12.960><c> him,</c><00:56:13.679><c> to</c><00:56:13.880><c> do</c>

00:56:14.119 --> 00:56:16.980
things<00:56:14.360><c> for</c><00:56:14.579><c> him,</c><00:56:15.059><c> because</c><00:56:15.320><c> he's</c><00:56:15.699><c> the</c><00:56:15.900><c> most</c><00:56:16.239><c> important</c>

00:56:16.980 --> 00:56:21.199
person<00:56:17.800><c> in</c><00:56:18.059><c> this</c><00:56:18.320><c> kingdom,</c><00:56:18.739><c> we</c><00:56:19.300><c> will</c><00:56:19.599><c> be</c><00:56:19.920><c> replaced</c><00:56:20.500><c> in</c><00:56:20.800><c> God's</c>

00:56:21.199 --> 00:56:22.800
purpose.<00:56:21.800><c> He</c><00:56:21.900><c> doesn't</c><00:56:22.159><c> have</c><00:56:22.360><c> any</c><00:56:22.659><c> time</c>

00:56:22.800 --> 00:56:26.559
for<00:56:23.059><c> disobedience,</c><00:56:24.420><c> he</c><00:56:24.519><c> didn't</c><00:56:24.719><c> in</c><00:56:24.840><c> the</c><00:56:25.079><c> time</c><00:56:25.239><c> of</c><00:56:25.519><c> Saul,</c><00:56:26.440><c> he</c>

00:56:26.559 --> 00:56:28.300
didn't<00:56:26.760><c> in</c><00:56:26.980><c> the</c><00:56:27.199><c> time</c><00:56:27.559><c> of</c>

00:56:28.579 --> 00:56:31.360
Vashti,<00:56:29.460><c> he</c><00:56:29.639><c> didn't</c><00:56:29.860><c> in</c><00:56:30.039><c> the</c><00:56:30.239><c> time</c><00:56:30.400><c> of</c><00:56:30.559><c> the</c><00:56:30.760><c> Pharisees,</c><00:56:31.260><c> and</c>

00:56:31.360 --> 00:56:32.900
he<00:56:31.460><c> doesn't</c><00:56:31.820><c> today.</c>

00:56:34.519 --> 00:56:37.179
The<00:56:34.719><c> problem</c><00:56:34.880><c> is,</c><00:56:35.239><c> brothers</c><00:56:35.380><c> and</c><00:56:35.539><c> sisters,</c><00:56:35.739><c> we</c><00:56:35.960><c> live</c><00:56:36.239><c> in</c><00:56:36.420><c> a</c><00:56:36.639><c> time</c><00:56:36.820><c> of</c>

00:56:37.179 --> 00:56:41.039
tolerance,<00:56:39.360><c> in</c><00:56:39.519><c> an</c><00:56:39.699><c> age</c><00:56:39.980><c> where</c>

00:56:41.699 --> 00:56:48.500
it<00:56:42.380><c> doesn't</c><00:56:42.840><c> really</c><00:56:43.199><c> matter,</c><00:56:45.360><c> a</c><00:56:45.619><c> time</c><00:56:45.800><c> of</c><00:56:46.139><c> broad</c><00:56:46.480><c> mindedness,</c>

00:56:48.800 --> 00:56:51.760
of<00:56:49.159><c> acceptance,</c><00:56:50.699><c> of</c><00:56:51.019><c> progressive</c>

00:56:51.760 --> 00:56:57.139
Christianity,<00:56:52.880><c> where</c><00:56:53.119><c> everyone</c><00:56:53.559><c> blurs</c><00:56:54.179><c> the</c><00:56:54.480><c> edges,</c><00:56:55.400><c> where</c><00:56:55.960><c> surely</c><00:56:56.400><c> we</c><00:56:56.539><c> can</c><00:56:56.679><c> have</c><00:56:56.840><c> a</c>

00:56:57.139 --> 00:56:58.400
party<00:56:57.539><c> here</c><00:56:58.079><c> in</c><00:56:58.219><c> the</c>

00:56:58.400 --> 00:57:02.460
King's<00:56:58.760><c> house,</c><00:56:59.639><c> we</c><00:56:59.900><c> can</c><00:57:00.139><c> change</c><00:57:00.340><c> the</c><00:57:00.639><c> truth</c><00:57:00.940><c> so</c><00:57:01.260><c> that</c><00:57:01.380><c> it</c><00:57:01.619><c> suits</c><00:57:01.800><c> us</c>

00:57:02.460 --> 00:57:06.159
better,<00:57:03.280><c> do</c><00:57:03.460><c> it</c><00:57:03.599><c> our</c><00:57:03.860><c> way,</c><00:57:04.519><c> and</c><00:57:04.840><c> the</c><00:57:05.139><c> lesson</c><00:57:05.420><c> of</c>

00:57:06.159 --> 00:57:10.480
our<00:57:06.239><c> class</c><00:57:06.739><c> this</c><00:57:07.099><c> morning</c><00:57:07.559><c> is</c><00:57:08.480><c> that</c><00:57:08.639><c> God</c><00:57:08.860><c> has</c><00:57:09.139><c> not</c><00:57:09.340><c> changed.</c>

00:57:10.500 --> 00:57:14.480
He<00:57:10.739><c> asks</c><00:57:11.280><c> of</c><00:57:11.619><c> us</c><00:57:12.219><c> complete</c><00:57:13.039><c> obedience.</c>

00:57:14.760 --> 00:57:19.280
It's<00:57:15.039><c> not</c><00:57:15.139><c> an</c><00:57:15.360><c> easy</c><00:57:15.599><c> lesson</c><00:57:15.940><c> for</c><00:57:16.239><c> any</c><00:57:16.559><c> of</c><00:57:16.760><c> us</c><00:57:17.500><c> to</c><00:57:17.780><c> learn,</c><00:57:18.039><c> we</c><00:57:18.340><c> all</c><00:57:18.960><c> want</c><00:57:19.139><c> to</c>

00:57:19.280 --> 00:57:21.699
do<00:57:19.340><c> it</c><00:57:19.559><c> our</c><00:57:19.820><c> way,</c><00:57:20.980><c> but</c><00:57:21.179><c> we've</c><00:57:21.420><c> got</c><00:57:21.500><c> to</c>

00:57:21.699 --> 00:57:25.900
learn<00:57:21.860><c> if</c><00:57:22.019><c> we</c><00:57:22.159><c> want</c><00:57:22.199><c> to</c><00:57:22.300><c> be</c><00:57:22.420><c> part</c><00:57:22.679><c> of</c><00:57:22.840><c> the</c><00:57:23.059><c> Lamb's</c><00:57:23.440><c> wife,</c><00:57:23.699><c> to</c><00:57:23.980><c> humble</c><00:57:24.239><c> ourselves</c><00:57:24.920><c> and</c><00:57:25.659><c> to</c>

00:57:25.900 --> 00:57:26.719
learn<00:57:26.059><c> this</c><00:57:26.360><c> lesson,</c>

00:57:26.900 --> 00:57:30.860
because<00:57:27.159><c> the</c><00:57:27.440><c> first</c><00:57:27.719><c> step</c><00:57:28.360><c> of</c><00:57:29.099><c> being</c><00:57:29.460><c> part</c><00:57:29.880><c> of</c><00:57:30.019><c> the</c><00:57:30.199><c> Lamb's</c><00:57:30.539><c> wife</c><00:57:30.659><c> is</c>

00:57:30.860 --> 00:57:34.139
to<00:57:31.119><c> be</c><00:57:31.260><c> like</c><00:57:31.519><c> him.</c><00:57:32.659><c> If</c><00:57:32.960><c> he</c><00:57:33.300><c> learned</c><00:57:33.440><c> obedience</c>

00:57:34.139 --> 00:57:37.000
by<00:57:34.340><c> the</c><00:57:34.519><c> things</c><00:57:34.739><c> which</c><00:57:34.960><c> he</c><00:57:35.179><c> suffered,</c><00:57:36.000><c> then</c><00:57:36.199><c> what</c><00:57:36.460><c> about</c><00:57:36.679><c> his</c>

00:57:37.000 --> 00:57:39.840
bride?<00:57:38.239><c> Being</c><00:57:38.260><c> made</c><00:57:38.619><c> perfect,</c><00:57:39.039><c> he</c><00:57:39.179><c> became</c><00:57:39.519><c> the</c>

00:57:39.840 --> 00:57:44.780
author<00:57:40.139><c> of</c><00:57:40.440><c> eternal</c><00:57:40.840><c> salvation</c><00:57:41.539><c> unto</c><00:57:42.300><c> all</c><00:57:43.019><c> them</c><00:57:43.320><c> that</c><00:57:43.860><c> obey</c>

00:57:44.780 --> 00:57:48.539
him.<00:57:47.019><c> If</c><00:57:47.219><c> we</c><00:57:47.380><c> want</c><00:57:47.460><c> to</c><00:57:47.559><c> be</c><00:57:47.659><c> part</c><00:57:47.860><c> of</c><00:57:48.000><c> the</c><00:57:48.179><c> bride,</c>

00:57:48.900 --> 00:57:53.460
the<00:57:49.079><c> Lamb's</c><00:57:49.440><c> wife,</c><00:57:50.659><c> all</c><00:57:50.920><c> the</c><00:57:51.119><c> things</c><00:57:51.260><c> that</c><00:57:51.480><c> he</c><00:57:51.639><c> has</c><00:57:51.900><c> said,</c><00:57:53.280><c> we</c>

00:57:53.460 --> 00:57:57.719
must<00:57:54.079><c> do</c><00:57:55.179><c> and</c><00:57:55.579><c> be</c><00:57:55.880><c> obedient.</c><00:57:56.960><c> Oh,</c><00:57:57.320><c> brothers</c><00:57:57.420><c> and</c>

00:57:57.719 --> 00:58:01.900
sisters,<00:57:58.300><c> he</c><00:57:58.500><c> will</c><00:57:58.840><c> give</c><00:57:59.019><c> us</c><00:57:59.340><c> the</c><00:57:59.519><c> kingdom.</c><00:58:00.699><c> He</c><00:58:01.059><c> has</c><00:58:01.340><c> prepared</c>

00:58:01.900 --> 00:58:04.920
the<00:58:02.239><c> feast.</c><00:58:03.300><c> He</c><00:58:03.519><c> wants</c><00:58:03.840><c> to</c><00:58:04.179><c> share</c><00:58:04.320><c> it</c><00:58:04.480><c> with</c><00:58:04.679><c> all</c>

00:58:04.920 --> 00:58:09.280
of<00:58:05.019><c> us,</c><00:58:05.739><c> the</c><00:58:05.940><c> joy</c><00:58:06.139><c> of</c><00:58:06.360><c> being</c><00:58:06.559><c> his</c><00:58:07.199><c> honoured</c><00:58:07.800><c> queen.</c><00:58:08.760><c> All</c><00:58:09.059><c> that</c>

00:58:09.280 --> 00:58:13.360
he<00:58:09.480><c> asks</c><00:58:10.179><c> is</c><00:58:11.440><c> that</c><00:58:11.619><c> we</c><00:58:11.800><c> trust</c><00:58:12.099><c> him</c><00:58:12.340><c> enough</c>

00:58:14.800 --> 00:58:20.340
to<00:58:15.360><c> simply</c><00:58:15.739><c> do</c><00:58:15.960><c> what</c><00:58:16.159><c> he</c><00:58:16.440><c> asks,</c><00:58:18.880><c> because</c><00:58:19.039><c> when</c><00:58:19.239><c> our</c><00:58:19.500><c> Lord,</c><00:58:20.059><c> our</c>

00:58:20.340 --> 00:58:23.659
King,<00:58:21.679><c> comes</c><00:58:21.920><c> again,</c><00:58:22.500><c> the</c><00:58:22.639><c> kingdom</c><00:58:22.880><c> is</c><00:58:23.159><c> here,</c>

00:58:23.659 --> 00:58:28.059
and<00:58:24.159><c> he</c><00:58:24.300><c> asks</c><00:58:24.539><c> for</c><00:58:24.719><c> his</c><00:58:24.980><c> bride</c><00:58:25.460><c> to</c><00:58:25.840><c> step</c><00:58:26.119><c> forward,</c><00:58:27.219><c> to</c><00:58:27.360><c> present</c>

00:58:28.059 --> 00:58:30.599
her<00:58:28.679><c> to</c><00:58:29.239><c> the</c><00:58:29.579><c> world</c>

00:58:31.079 --> 00:58:36.019
as<00:58:31.420><c> the</c><00:58:31.739><c> crowning</c><00:58:32.280><c> jewel</c><00:58:32.539><c> of</c><00:58:32.860><c> his</c><00:58:33.119><c> kingdom.</c><00:58:34.539><c> Brothers</c><00:58:34.639><c> and</c><00:58:34.880><c> sisters,</c><00:58:35.719><c> all</c><00:58:35.840><c> of</c>

00:58:36.019 --> 00:58:40.519
us<00:58:37.219><c> desperately</c><00:58:38.179><c> want</c><00:58:39.320><c> to</c><00:58:39.519><c> be</c><00:58:39.699><c> there.</c>