1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,600
We've all been hurt. We all carry scars. We can all overcome these things and be

2
00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:11,440
healed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Let's build that relationship

3
00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:19,480
together right here. Welcome to Healing Scars with Pastor Burton. Hey everybody

4
00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,820
welcome back to the sanctuary. It's so good to have you with us and for those

5
00:00:23,820 --> 00:00:29,200
of you who are new, welcome! Now you know last week we were looking at Naum

6
00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:33,480
chapter 1 and we learned about the need to leave vengeance to God and how our

7
00:00:33,480 --> 00:00:39,280
own selfishness just it gets in the way. And this week we're going to continue to

8
00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:44,440
go through the book of Naum and we're going to see the judgment of Nineveh as

9
00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:52,040
God shows he's in charge and he's not going to tolerate being mocked nor will

10
00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:56,680
he tolerate the abuse of his people. Now there's quite a bit here we're going to

11
00:00:56,680 --> 00:00:59,800
go through part of this kind of quick but we're gonna get there and it's gonna

12
00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:05,480
get broken down trust me this is all leading up somewhere alright. Now as I

13
00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:10,640
start I want to point something out because depending on how you read your

14
00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:15,200
Bible you know when you're doing research when you're doing studies you'll

15
00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:19,400
find that the numbering can be varied right here depending on the

16
00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:23,240
translation that you have and the type of text in front of you. You see in in

17
00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:29,560
Hebrew text where we left off at the end of Naum 1 verse 15 well in the Hebrew

18
00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:35,880
text that's actually numbered as chapter 2 verse 1 and then continues through

19
00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:44,600
numbering chapter 2 verses 2 through 14 whereas other translations actually you

20
00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:51,320
know go from Naum 1 verse 15 into chapter 2 verses 1 through 13 so it's

21
00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:54,560
just something to make note of when you're out there if you see something

22
00:01:54,560 --> 00:02:00,960
that seems a little off on the numbering this is why okay. Now for those of you

23
00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,840
who are following your Bible and those of you who are taking notes we're going

24
00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:08,600
to continue from where we left off last time and we're actually gonna pick up in

25
00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:13,080
Naum chapter 2 and then of course after that we're gonna continue through

26
00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:17,240
through chapter 3 and what we're going to be learning in these these two

27
00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:22,600
chapters here is that they're predicting Nineveh's downfall which happened in 612

28
00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:30,760
BC and if you recall Nineveh was seen as just being absolutely impenetrable. It

29
00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:35,040
was strategically built up they had an incredible army you know they had they

30
00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:41,220
had their placement you know they're really the the the creme de la creme the

31
00:02:41,220 --> 00:02:46,880
creme de la creme the creme de la creme the crop that you know they were they were the epitome of what an army in a

32
00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:54,200
fortification needed to be at that time yet they they didn't stand a chance once

33
00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:59,280
the Medes the Babylonians joined forces because they just ran right through them

34
00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:03,440
they ran roughshod they owned them they dominated them they absolutely

35
00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:10,120
obliterated them you know because when God sends and he sends on a mission his

36
00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:15,440
will is going to be carried out the good the bad the ugly depending on how you're

37
00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:19,880
looking at it which in Iran if you're on God's side you're gonna be in the good

38
00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:29,840
now join me now Naum chapter 2 verses 1 through 4 the Bible says an attacker

39
00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:35,760
advances against you Nineveh guard the fortress watch the road brace

40
00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:44,520
yourselves marshal all your strength the Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob

41
00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:53,040
like the splendor of Israel though destroyers have laid them waste and have

42
00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:59,360
ruined their vines the shields of the soldiers are red the warriors are clad

43
00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:04,840
in scarlet the metal on the chariots flashes on the day they are made ready

44
00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:10,680
the spears of juniper are brandished the chariots storm through the streets

45
00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:17,320
rushing back and forth through the squares they look like flaming torches

46
00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:25,720
they dart about like lightning so pretty it's very poetic here it is very

47
00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,840
cinematic in the description that it's given and really that's what we're going

48
00:04:29,840 --> 00:04:33,920
to see as we continue going through these these chapters very cinematic very

49
00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:38,840
poetic very beautifully written but even with that I mean just thinking of this

50
00:04:38,840 --> 00:04:42,880
image is that that's a lot it'll either wow you or strike horror into you you

51
00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:47,280
know and if you were when we're looking at it here in verse 2 it's actually

52
00:04:47,280 --> 00:04:52,360
referring to the fact that Assyria had dominated like just absolutely

53
00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:57,880
dominated the northern kingdom of Israel not only that but after doing so it

54
00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:03,080
actually deported the people who lived there and we can learn more about that

55
00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:08,820
in second Kings chapter 17 and 18 we'll save that for another time of course you

56
00:05:08,820 --> 00:05:13,320
could always reference that you know in your own studies and what happened is

57
00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:18,680
after that Assyria they doubled down and since they already take north now they

58
00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:22,680
turn they turn their sights and they took over the southern kingdom of Judah

59
00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:30,560
and Judah was also called Jacob the people of Judah however they were they

60
00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,760
found themselves in a much different situation and they were forced to to pay

61
00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:40,160
tribute you know and tributes tributes were a way of publicly praising someone

62
00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:45,440
or something and showing loyalty you know even if that loyalty was forced on

63
00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:49,720
people it didn't matter as long as you paid your tribute you know and you know

64
00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,800
they they were taxed you know they're there for and they're forced into

65
00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:57,600
servitude and for the history buffs it's worth recognizing there weren't always

66
00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:01,160
two kingdoms in this region matter of fact when you're reading the Bible if

67
00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:05,360
you're like wait when did this happen see this all happened after the reign of

68
00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:11,480
Solomon and it was actually a result of the dispute basically there was a

69
00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:18,400
dispute with Solomon's son and because of it ten of the twelve tribes they broke

70
00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,720
off and they formed the northern kingdom they went to the north they formed their

71
00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:27,680
own kingdom the remaining two tribes which were Judah and Benjamin they stayed

72
00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:32,640
loyal to the lineage of David you know that whole line that came from David and

73
00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:41,440
they formed the southern kingdom you know and so that's where those two those

74
00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:47,040
two kingdoms came from it was basically one that divided in verse 3 if you look

75
00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:53,440
to Ezekiel chapter 23 verses 14 and 15 you'll see that this was the same

76
00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:59,240
description given to the Babylonians there as well the Bible says this she

77
00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:06,800
saw men portrayed on a wall figures of Chaldeans portrayed in red with belts

78
00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:13,600
around their waist and flowing turbines on their heads all of them looked like

79
00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:22,640
Babylonian chariot officers natives of Chaldea now Chaldea that's another

80
00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:28,520
name for Babylonia so we're already actually seeing one of the armies that

81
00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:37,400
the Lord is sending in all right picking back up here in chapter 2 name chapter

82
00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:42,160
2 we're gonna go through verses 5 through 10 the Bible says this Nineveh

83
00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:47,320
summons her picked troops yet they stumble on their way they dash to the

84
00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:53,360
city wall the protective shield is put in place the river gates are thrown

85
00:07:53,360 --> 00:08:00,200
open and the palace collapses it is decreed that Nineveh be exiled and

86
00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:08,280
carried away her female slaves moan like doves and be on their breast Nineveh is

87
00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:18,320
like a pool whose water is draining away stop stop they cry but no one turns back

88
00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:26,080
plunder the silver plunder the gold the supply is endless the wealth from all its

89
00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:36,000
treasures she is pillaged plundered stripped hearts melt knees give way

90
00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:45,840
bodies tremble every face grows pale Wow so we're starting out here just in verse

91
00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:52,640
5 it's a very clear picture isn't it and it's just the place is going to be

92
00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:57,120
leveled and everybody there is just they're gonna be in shock you know

93
00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:01,560
they're gonna be scared like oh no what's going on what's what do we do and

94
00:09:01,560 --> 00:09:06,600
it's not gonna matter because there's nothing they can do you know the Bible

95
00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:12,960
says here yet they stumble and if you go back to Jeremiah chapter 46 verse 12 the

96
00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:19,440
Bible says the nations will hear of your shame your cries will fill the earth one

97
00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:26,000
warrior will stumble over another both will fall down together this is another

98
00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:31,000
reference to what the Babylonian army you know was named for or was not was

99
00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:34,160
known for I'm sorry not named for but known for you know they were some

100
00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:39,240
there's some bad dudes I'm absolutely just tough ombres their reputation

101
00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:44,160
preceded them you know so I mean people knew that they were some tough dudes so

102
00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:48,920
just just hearing that they were coming let alone seeing that they were there

103
00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:55,240
and that that was enough to inspire you know just put some terror into you and

104
00:09:55,240 --> 00:10:00,240
so it was already turning into a matter of who was bigger and who was badder

105
00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:04,520
and I'll remind you it doesn't matter how good you think you are it doesn't

106
00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:11,960
matter how big and bad you are there's always going to be someone bigger and

107
00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,400
badder there's always going to see what there's always going to be someone who

108
00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:22,600
who can better you Proverbs chapter 16 verse 18 I'll just summarize pride goes

109
00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:28,280
before the fall you know think about it this way the Assyrians were bullies

110
00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:33,480
they were bullies they just went around doing what what they pleased you know

111
00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:38,000
that they were that jerk that just shoved someone and says what what you

112
00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:44,520
know like they're you know daring the victim to do something only at this

113
00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:50,400
point the narratives changed and they just don't realize it yet you know Jonah

114
00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:55,400
had already gone through and warned them and you know the Assyrians they cooled

115
00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:59,920
their heels for a bit they chilled they relaxed like okay hold on they turned to

116
00:10:59,920 --> 00:11:08,160
God's sorry sorry they repented but now Jonah's gone and they forgotten so

117
00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:12,800
they're puffing up their chest after being told hey don't do it you don't do

118
00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:16,520
it you better don't you're not gonna like what happens you better simmer down

119
00:11:16,520 --> 00:11:23,640
there and basically what they're saying is oh yeah what are you gonna do you

120
00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:30,480
want what army huh punk you know we're seeing parts of that army stand up

121
00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:38,680
they're just blind to it now the River Gates could be one of two things you

122
00:11:38,680 --> 00:11:43,400
know first it could be a reference to the actual invasion of Nineveh the

123
00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:48,960
second thing it could be is an actual flood see when archaeologists they were

124
00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:56,320
doing their excavations they found dam gates up a river and of course you know

125
00:11:56,320 --> 00:12:00,120
damn gates there they were kept closed until water was built up at which time

126
00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:04,600
they'd control it but you know as they'd open those gates up to let water flow

127
00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:08,840
out but it was very controlled that's how dams work so the thought is is that

128
00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:14,760
a large amount of water was built up and then with the invading forces and all

129
00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:18,880
they came across and they just opened the gates completely which incurred

130
00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:25,280
caused Nineveh to flood which is really a rather interesting and effective

131
00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:32,200
tactic all right so let's keep on going here let's look at the rest of chapter

132
00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:37,960
two before we go into chapter three here so naum chapter 2 verses 11 through 13

133
00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:45,240
the Bible says where now is the lion's den the place where they fed their young

134
00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:52,640
where the lion and lioness went and the cubs with nothing to fear the lion killed

135
00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:59,440
enough for his cubs and strangled the prey for his mate filling his lairs with

136
00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:06,720
the kill and his dens with the prey I am against you declares the Lord Almighty I

137
00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:14,000
will burn up your chariots and smoke and the sword will devour your young lions I

138
00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:23,920
will leave you no prey on earth the voices of your messengers will no longer

139
00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:32,680
be heard Wow doesn't that doesn't the end of chapter 2 read like a mob boss

140
00:13:32,680 --> 00:13:37,360
putting out a head order I want the king dead I want his wife dead I want the

141
00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:42,240
whole family dead I want the family dog dead for good measure I want the whole

142
00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:48,840
city dead it's like they never existed you know God wasn't just angry he was

143
00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:55,760
raging you know beast mode no no no no no beast mode is nothing God mode has

144
00:13:55,760 --> 00:14:04,320
been fully activated and oh boy are they in trouble you know they say right here

145
00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:09,440
they're not even have anyone to turn to no one to turn to even there they're

146
00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:14,320
gonna be on their own done isolated they're on an island you see the Assyrians

147
00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:19,400
they made their fortune from going through and ransacking other nations and

148
00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:23,480
and taking tribute from them you know remember what I said earlier about

149
00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:31,600
forced loyalty it was basically you know that that forced you know protection out

150
00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:34,560
there it's that you're gonna pay up and we're gonna take care of you you know or

151
00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:41,680
else you know so basically people you know they paid up or else and they were

152
00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:47,640
very lavish you know the Assyrian standard of living was nothing less than

153
00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:53,520
luxurious even if they meant that meant you know that they were directly

154
00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:59,520
responsible for innocent people that they ruled over starving to death you

155
00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:03,360
know not only that but they'd actually go it wasn't even just a matter of

156
00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:06,960
taking you know their treasures their their food and all that but you know

157
00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:10,880
they they were a plague they're like locusts they would actually exploit all

158
00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:16,680
the natural resources of the lands that they had conquered to build up more

159
00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:22,440
wealth which meant not only did people starve but they had no way to fulfill

160
00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:28,240
their basic needs you know so when it came to these Syrians if it didn't make

161
00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:33,240
them rich if it didn't build their army you know and provide for their standard

162
00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:41,380
living then anything or anyone else meant nothing to them nothing and as we

163
00:15:41,380 --> 00:15:48,080
learned in the book of Obadiah God will protect his people the oppressing of the

164
00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:53,320
innocent to live in sinful luxury you know that's just it's stupid it's a

165
00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:59,000
guaranteed way to upset the Lord and you know that's exactly what happened you

166
00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:03,080
know God had already warned them that they needed to change their ways that

167
00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:07,480
they needed to repent and change their ways when he sent no when he sent Jonah

168
00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:12,840
you know there's there's a point of no return there's a line drawn in the sand

169
00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:19,760
and Nineveh had crossed it see and that's why it's so important that not

170
00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:25,600
only we repent as Christians but that we warn others as well you know part of our

171
00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:32,640
battle against evil one of our biggest campaigns is to reach the hearts and the

172
00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:39,800
minds of others so that they can repent and turn to Jesus before it's too late

173
00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:48,080
one lost soul is one too many and if we do nothing to point them to Jesus then

174
00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:55,360
that blood is on our hands our inaction can leave people to an eternity in hell

175
00:16:55,360 --> 00:17:01,320
do you really want to risk that or would you rather be able to say I did what I

176
00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:06,960
could they made their choice but I did what I

177
00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:18,280
could all right continuing on here let's let's go now into naum chapter 3 okay so

178
00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:25,480
naum chapter 3 verses 1 through 4 the Bible says woe to the city of blood

179
00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:33,880
full of lies full of plunder never without victims the crack of whips the

180
00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:40,880
clatter of wheels galloping horses and jolting chariots charging cavalry

181
00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:48,960
flashing swords and glittering spears many casualties piles of dead bodies

182
00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:56,120
without number people stumbling over the corpses all because of the wanton lust

183
00:17:56,120 --> 00:18:04,680
of a prostitute alluring the mistress of sorceries who enslaved nations by her

184
00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:11,880
prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft sounds an awful lot like

185
00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:17,200
cities today doesn't it you know suddenly some actually take pride in

186
00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:22,120
being called sin city you know or you know the party towns even universities

187
00:18:22,120 --> 00:18:25,200
you know there's there is actually a list out there at the top party schools

188
00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:29,480
you know the places where people are supposed to be bettering themselves and

189
00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:34,120
preparing you know for their future and you know no it's you know they're all

190
00:18:34,120 --> 00:18:41,200
about the party you know sin sin is a fire and you know fire spreads really

191
00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:48,440
easily it only takes a small spark and that's all that's needed to start a

192
00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:55,840
forest fire a small lie a white lie a little fib that's all that's needed to

193
00:18:55,840 --> 00:19:03,040
get you caught up in sin every drunk started with just one drink every addict

194
00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:07,640
started with just one high every cheater started with just one hookup every

195
00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:14,840
gambler started with just one bet and so on and so forth because it starts as one

196
00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:20,720
and then there's another and then there's another and it builds until your

197
00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:28,080
entire life it's consumed by sin see Nineveh had built up its power and it

198
00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:34,600
was all about that luxury that luxurious lifestyle they had they had an image

199
00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:40,120
they were the thing to look up to that you know they were that you know to say

200
00:19:40,120 --> 00:19:44,760
that they were prestigious is putting up mildly you know they were infamous you

201
00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:49,080
know they were that that crown jewel that everyone looked up to you know that

202
00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:53,480
that hot girl you know it's like it's hot and she knows it and like a

203
00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:58,680
prostitute they lured in other nations with their beauty and their charm you

204
00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:02,960
know they they just absolutely wowed them and the you know the Assyrians

205
00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:08,680
what they do is they get these others to come in get them all warm and cuddly get

206
00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:14,080
that nice fuzzy feeling you know they made them feel important they made them

207
00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:22,320
feel important and as soon as they let their guard down boom their worlds were

208
00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:28,920
turned upside down they were beaten and robbed before they even had a chance to

209
00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:37,440
defend themselves well Nineveh was a beauty to behold on the outside it was

210
00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:46,680
utterly rotten and ugly on the inside see here's the thing it wasn't just the

211
00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:53,560
leadership it was the people the nation as a whole if we go back to Micah chapter

212
00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:59,800
3 verses 9 through 12 the Bible says this hear this you leaders of Jacob you

213
00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:06,840
rulers of Israel who despise justice and distort all that is right who build

214
00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:15,520
Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with wickedness her leaders judge for a bribe

215
00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:23,600
her priests teach for a price and her prophets tell fortunes from money yet

216
00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:30,520
they look for the Lord support and say is not the Lord among us no disaster

217
00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:38,440
will come upon us therefore because of you Zion will be plowed like a field

218
00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:45,800
Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble the Temple Hill a mound overgrown with

219
00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:51,560
thickets now even in our country we've come to the point where we look at our

220
00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:56,600
nation's leadership for everything we expect them to do everything for us it's

221
00:21:56,600 --> 00:22:01,160
not just us we see this around the world you know but here's the problem we don't

222
00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:06,120
even bother recognize the fact that they are a reflection of our country as a

223
00:22:06,120 --> 00:22:13,240
whole yet we keep we electing the same fools we allow for ungodly laws and

224
00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:20,320
cheer them on as a nation Zion another name for Jerusalem was going to be

225
00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:23,920
destroyed by by the Babylonians which could be seen in second Kings chapter

226
00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:30,440
25 and when it happens the fingers were pointed at the leaders as if it was

227
00:22:30,440 --> 00:22:38,240
entirely 100% their fault the fact is it was just as much if not more of the

228
00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:43,440
people's fault because they allowed for the corruption to continue from the

229
00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:47,720
tippy top of leadership all the way down to the common man on the street without

230
00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:54,760
repentance without turning to God and without demanding justice and obviously

231
00:22:54,760 --> 00:23:02,600
we haven't learned anything from history because we still see it today we see it

232
00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:10,640
right here at home we see it around the world around the world and that's why we

233
00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:15,520
all need to be on guard you know especially as Christians there's a lot

234
00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:21,480
of things a lot of businesses a lot of people that look good we're talking

235
00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:29,560
smoking hot but they're looking to use you and me all of us to their own

236
00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:36,440
benefit to their own gain and make a buck to build their portfolios and then

237
00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:43,560
leave us all high and dry here we what we need to remember is we all have worth

238
00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:54,440
we all have worth you have worth Jesus saw that it's why he died for us and

239
00:23:54,440 --> 00:24:00,320
because that we should never let anyone put us in a position that questions that

240
00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:05,440
we should never lower our standards we should never let our morals be

241
00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:11,040
compromised to meet anyone else in their middle ground Jesus has placed us where

242
00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:18,400
we are to be the high bar for what the world should look to not to lower

243
00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:26,120
ourselves to the world remember in Matthew chapter 5 verse 14 Jesus said

244
00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:34,520
you are the light of the world a town built on a hill cannot be hidden don't

245
00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:40,160
let his light be stolen from you don't let others dim the light that is in you

246
00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:48,400
let's continue now name chapter 3 verses 5 through 7 the Bible says I am against

247
00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:54,680
you declares the Lord Almighty I will lift your skirts over your face I will

248
00:24:54,680 --> 00:24:59,840
show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame I will pelt you with

249
00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:08,120
filth I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle all who see you

250
00:25:08,120 --> 00:25:16,400
will flee from you and say Nineveh is ruins who will mourn for her where can I

251
00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:23,200
find anyone to comfort you Wow so they're gonna be embarrassed they're

252
00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:26,480
gonna be embarrassed and anyone who's left isn't gonna be left for long and

253
00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:33,680
and they're going to be just utterly humiliated they're gonna be taking out

254
00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:37,480
that high horse see God here he's saying that the real Nineveh is going to be

255
00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:42,760
shown to the world they're gonna be seen for what and who they really are that

256
00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:48,120
everything that the Assyrians had been doing to others was about to be returned

257
00:25:48,120 --> 00:25:53,000
you know in pro wrestling and yes I know it's scripted however in pro wrestling

258
00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:57,840
there's a term called a receipt and basically when someone isn't pulling a

259
00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:03,320
punch properly and lands a full force hit or continually botches moves which

260
00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:08,400
could lead to an injury or is leading to injury with the person that they're in

261
00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:11,200
the ring with basically that that that person that's been on the receiving end

262
00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:17,680
they hit them back full force to let them know hey wake up you need to check

263
00:26:17,680 --> 00:26:22,600
yourself you know it's basically a way of letting them know hey you're messing

264
00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:26,600
up without having to say anything and it's kind of like that parent it kind of

265
00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:29,720
gives you that look like ah you know they don't have to say anything you just

266
00:26:29,720 --> 00:26:33,120
know from that look you know we're not talking about a squat here either we're

267
00:26:33,120 --> 00:26:37,880
talking about a good stiff hard hit to get that other person's attention like

268
00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:44,800
hey wake up and this was Nineveh's receipt with a full refund on the way

269
00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:51,440
in Naum chapter 3 verses 8 through 11 the Bible says are you better than

270
00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:58,960
Thebes situated on the Nile with water around her the water was her defense the

271
00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:07,280
waters her wall Kush and Egypt were her boundless strength put in Libya were

272
00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:14,840
among her allies yet she was taken captive and went into exile her infants

273
00:27:14,840 --> 00:27:22,120
were dashed to pieces at every street corner lots were cast for her nobles and

274
00:27:22,120 --> 00:27:30,720
all her great men were put in chains you too will become drunk you will go into

275
00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:39,320
hiding and seek refuge from the enemy all right now so Kush is that's what the

276
00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:45,800
the upper region of the Nile used to be called and Thebes Thebes is important to

277
00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:52,760
see here you see Thebes they were a huge world power approximately 51 years

278
00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:58,200
before this prophecy was given and they stood up against Assyria when the

279
00:27:58,200 --> 00:28:04,480
Assyrians were moving into the south and starting to take over and you know they

280
00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:08,360
stood up and the Assyrians beat them they'd beaten them so to the people of

281
00:28:08,360 --> 00:28:14,520
Judah the situation was very grim it felt hopeless because they were totally

282
00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:20,440
surrounded there was literally no direction that they could go in without

283
00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:24,840
walking right into the Syphirians I'm sorry yeah without walking into the

284
00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:30,720
Syphirians suffice to say you know they were they were in the eye of a hurricane

285
00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:36,920
obviously they weren't Marines when surrounded by enemy troops Chesty Pullers

286
00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:43,840
are shooting to say great yeah we could shoot them from every direction you know

287
00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:48,040
it's real obvious here his outlook was different why was it different well I'll

288
00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:55,160
tell you he was not only confident in his own ability but the ability of the

289
00:28:55,160 --> 00:29:02,120
Marines around him and and this is the most important part that God was with

290
00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:08,520
him see that that's the thing that changes mindsets this is what Judah had

291
00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:15,520
forgotten what we all need to remember is that there is nothing absolutely

292
00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:23,480
nothing on this earth that can hide us from God or his judgment there is

293
00:29:23,480 --> 00:29:27,000
nothing and no one that can stand in his place

294
00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:32,820
Thebes and Assyria both mistrusted or I'm sorry misplaced their trust when they

295
00:29:32,820 --> 00:29:40,360
put it into alliances when they put it into their military they they learned

296
00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:46,800
the hard way that God doesn't take a back seat he doesn't like to be mocked

297
00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:54,800
and he absolutely will not tolerate anyone harming his children see God

298
00:29:54,800 --> 00:29:57,480
needs to be at the forefront of everything in our lives

299
00:29:57,480 --> 00:30:02,760
Psalm 118 verse 8 the Bible puts it this way it's better to trust in the Lord

300
00:30:02,760 --> 00:30:09,000
than to put confidence in man see it's not anyone's intention to fail nobody

301
00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:16,320
wants to fail it's just a cold hard fact in that mankind will do it you know we

302
00:30:16,320 --> 00:30:21,480
all fail we follow we fail ourselves we follow each other you know at some at

303
00:30:21,480 --> 00:30:28,800
some point but Jesus never will never will let's get back to our reading here

304
00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:34,160
we'll pick back up your name chapter 3 verses 12 through 13 the Bible says all

305
00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:40,880
your fortresses are like a are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit when

306
00:30:40,880 --> 00:30:45,720
they are shaken the figs fall into the mouth of the ear look at your troops

307
00:30:45,720 --> 00:30:52,720
they are all weaklings the gates of your land are wide open to your enemies the

308
00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:59,680
fire has consumed the bars of your gates they're right for the picking everyone's

309
00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:04,000
become complacent and overconfident in their abilities and their

310
00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:08,600
fortifications you know we've all heard that phrase complacency kills and it

311
00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:13,800
absolutely does see people they get disengaged from things that they

312
00:31:13,800 --> 00:31:18,240
shouldn't be they stop paying attention to things that they should be they take

313
00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:22,680
things for granted they slack in their training mistakes are overlooked and

314
00:31:22,680 --> 00:31:29,880
short comes I'm sorry shortcuts become the norms you know there people just

315
00:31:29,880 --> 00:31:34,360
assume that everything's great in the world at this point but it's you know we

316
00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:39,320
are we all know differently it's not it's not you know they're asleep at their

317
00:31:39,320 --> 00:31:46,200
post they're dead and they don't even know it you know they're they've gotten

318
00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:53,560
lazy they're fat and lazy continuing on verses 14 317 the Bible says draw water

319
00:31:53,560 --> 00:32:00,640
for the siege strengthen your defenses work the clay tread the mortar repair

320
00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:07,600
their brickwork there the fire will consume you the sword will cut you down

321
00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:14,000
they will devour you like a swarm of locust multiply like grasshoppers

322
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:20,400
multiply like locust they have increased the number of your merchants so they are

323
00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:27,120
more numerous than the stars in the sky but like locust they will strip the land

324
00:32:27,120 --> 00:32:37,560
and then fly away your guards are like locust your officials like swarms of

325
00:32:37,560 --> 00:32:45,160
locust that settle in the walls on a cold day but when the Sun appears they

326
00:32:45,160 --> 00:32:52,400
fly away and no one knows where the Syrians were essentially a plague on

327
00:32:52,400 --> 00:33:01,520
the land you know however they you know they become complacent for so long their

328
00:33:01,520 --> 00:33:08,320
ego was left unchecked for so long that things were already falling apart around

329
00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:11,200
them you know as we're seeing here it's even talking about the fortifications

330
00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:17,520
falling apart just in dire need of repair they just they didn't notice see

331
00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:23,400
they were the thing is they were blinded by the world they had bought into Satan's

332
00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:29,640
temptation and isn't that the same as what we see today you know everyone

333
00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:34,920
needs to have the latest and greatest the biggest and baddest to be glamorous

334
00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:41,400
and popular even politics even politics have become trendy you know it's about

335
00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:46,280
numbers now even on social media every everyone's about numbers now we've all

336
00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:50,400
bought into that you know who has the most quote-unquote friends who has the

337
00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:55,320
most likes who has the most shares etc etc you know oh I need to get this much

338
00:33:55,320 --> 00:34:00,920
so that I can monetize my account you know I know a few people who are no

339
00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:06,180
longer on social media and they're much happier for it there's a very good

340
00:34:06,180 --> 00:34:11,560
reason for that let it sink in and just kind of think on that all right let's

341
00:34:11,560 --> 00:34:18,280
finish our reading here Naum chapter 3 verses 18 and 19 the Bible says King of

342
00:34:18,280 --> 00:34:25,280
Assyria your shepherds meaning rulers so King of Assyria your shepherds slumber

343
00:34:25,280 --> 00:34:32,880
your nobles lie down to rest your people are scattered on the mountains

344
00:34:32,880 --> 00:34:43,640
with no one to gather them nothing can heal you your wound is fatal all who

345
00:34:43,640 --> 00:34:52,520
hear the news about you clap their hands at your fall for who has not felt your

346
00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:59,200
endless cruelty when someone finally stands up to a bully and knocks them on

347
00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:05,720
their rear end everyone cheers it's not just in the movies it's an everyday life

348
00:35:05,720 --> 00:35:14,320
fact is it just doesn't happen as often as we'd like why is that well let's look

349
00:35:14,320 --> 00:35:19,720
at it with the example that's set here you know everyone hated being ruled over

350
00:35:19,720 --> 00:35:22,920
by the Assyrians they hated these Syrians being in control and being in

351
00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:28,960
power however at the same time they wanted to be just like them powerful

352
00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:36,640
wealthy famous so they sat back down and hoped that they'd all get a piece of it

353
00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:43,440
just by association we aren't that different today actors athletes

354
00:35:43,440 --> 00:35:49,760
politicians celebrities of all kinds they're the ones that are allowed to set

355
00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:55,000
the pace for us you know you think about we don't nobody likes the fact that you

356
00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:59,480
know we're marginalized we look down on we put we're pushed away you know we

357
00:35:59,480 --> 00:36:05,360
don't like that certain laws are made bent or flat-out ignored you know by by

358
00:36:05,360 --> 00:36:10,600
these people of wealth and power without any kind of real enforcement or any real

359
00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:17,360
punishment but partially forced upon us the common man you know with punishments

360
00:36:17,360 --> 00:36:21,880
of fines or jail times you know other punishments that far outweigh you know

361
00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:28,000
the crime not always but you know for the most part you know we've all heard

362
00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:31,760
the ditty you know the boss makes a dollar while I make a dime you know we

363
00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:36,920
don't like that we're so underpaid while others are so grossly overpaid

364
00:36:36,920 --> 00:36:40,560
remember what I said earlier though people are always looking to make a buck to

365
00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:45,880
look and you know take advantage see when we look inward we would all like to

366
00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:51,080
have that prestige for ourselves wouldn't we we all like the idea of being kings

367
00:36:51,080 --> 00:37:00,960
and Queens however that power it's an idol see it for what it is it is an idol

368
00:37:00,960 --> 00:37:09,680
and it's a flame that quickly and easily consumes us so we're better off not

369
00:37:09,680 --> 00:37:14,760
trying to grab a hold of it you know those who do grab for it they're going

370
00:37:14,760 --> 00:37:21,000
to be consumed soon enough and much like the Assyrians they're gonna be gone for

371
00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:28,480
good what we need to do as Christians is we need to relearn how to be happy with

372
00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:35,480
what we have to be content with what the Lord has provided us so that we don't

373
00:37:35,480 --> 00:37:39,800
get caught up like the Assyrians so that we don't get caught up in this you know

374
00:37:39,800 --> 00:37:46,640
the same flame of idolatry and Philippians chapter 4 verses 11 through

375
00:37:46,640 --> 00:37:54,000
13 Paul wrote I'm not saying this because I am in need for I have learned

376
00:37:54,000 --> 00:38:03,120
to be content whatever the circumstances I know what it is to be in need and I

377
00:38:03,120 --> 00:38:08,960
know what it is to have plenty I have learned the secret of being content in

378
00:38:08,960 --> 00:38:17,920
any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in

379
00:38:17,920 --> 00:38:25,600
what I can do all this through him who gives me strength contentment or

380
00:38:25,600 --> 00:38:33,240
happiness in life it doesn't come from having a lot of stuff it doesn't come

381
00:38:33,240 --> 00:38:39,200
from having a luxurious lifestyle or image it doesn't come from having an

382
00:38:39,200 --> 00:38:46,080
easy life you know rather it comes from the trials that we have and the hope

383
00:38:46,080 --> 00:38:52,640
that comes with them that hope of knowing that God is working in our lives

384
00:38:52,640 --> 00:38:58,760
to better us the hope of knowing Jesus is within us helping us to endure

385
00:38:58,760 --> 00:39:05,280
whatever comes our way the hope of knowing that whatever calamity surrounds

386
00:39:05,280 --> 00:39:12,600
us much like Judah will not be able to consume us we are protected we are loved

387
00:39:12,600 --> 00:39:18,040
yes the world is a whirlwind around us however Jesus is standing before each

388
00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:25,280
and every one of us you and me with his hand reached out his hand is right there

389
00:39:25,280 --> 00:39:29,920
waiting for us to take it we need to keep our eyes on him you know a final

390
00:39:29,920 --> 00:39:35,120
word here as we as we wrap up during the Battle of the Chosen Reservoir Chesty

391
00:39:35,120 --> 00:39:41,760
Puller and his Marines were surrounded and he was quoted as saying this we've

392
00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:48,600
been looking for the enemy for some time now we finally found him we're surrounded

393
00:39:48,600 --> 00:40:00,480
that simplifies things the enemy can't escape Romans 8 verses 31 through 33 the

394
00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:08,200
Bible says this what then shall we say in response to these things if God is

395
00:40:08,200 --> 00:40:14,760
for us who can be against us he who did not spare his own son but gave him up

396
00:40:14,760 --> 00:40:22,440
for us all how will he all not also along with him graciously give all things

397
00:40:22,440 --> 00:40:27,880
who will bring up who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen

398
00:40:27,880 --> 00:40:36,360
it is God who justifies see you can withstand the storm you just need to

399
00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:44,840
keep your eyes on Jesus if we keep our eyes on Jesus we can stand our ground

400
00:40:44,840 --> 00:40:54,400
against the darkness because of Jesus you can take the light into the world it

401
00:40:54,400 --> 00:41:03,440
is because of Jesus and you and me and all of us you are the light of the world

402
00:41:03,440 --> 00:41:11,000
God will take care of us he will take care of his children we just need to be

403
00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:19,400
vigilant God bless y'all I want to thank you for joining us today if you have any

404
00:41:19,400 --> 00:41:25,360
questions prayer requests or would like to know more about our ministry you can

405
00:41:25,360 --> 00:41:32,000
find us on our website at be the light sanctuary org or on Facebook at be the

406
00:41:32,000 --> 00:41:37,480
light sanctuary we'll catch you next time God bless