WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:03.680 You're listening to The Bible Guys, a podcast where a 2 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:06.440 couple of friends talk about the Bible in fun, in 3 00:00:06.559 --> 00:00:07.480 practical ways. 4 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:13.800 Hey, everybody, good morning. We are the Bible Guys. 5 00:00:14.439 --> 00:00:14.960 Good morning. 6 00:00:15.199 --> 00:00:17.239 Yes. And if you're wondering. 7 00:00:16.920 --> 00:00:21.839 Why Jeff looks different he's better looking and younger and smaller, it's. 8 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:27.440 Because this is this is my friend Jeff, this is yeah, 9 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:30.280 that's right, that's right. Well, you know that's the nature 10 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:31.679 of mine and Jeff's relationship. 11 00:00:31.839 --> 00:00:32.359 I love that for you. 12 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:32.600 Yeah. 13 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:33.039 Yeah. 14 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:36.200 So this is Kyle doab Meyer and Jeff is out 15 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:40.600 of the country with his lovely life wife Bonnie, serving 16 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:44.600 the TTI organization, the Timothy Initiative, which is awesome, and 17 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:49.159 so Kyle's filling in. So we're just thrilled on both fronts. So, hey, 18 00:00:49.799 --> 00:00:54.200 we have an incredible chapter. We're in the story of Nehemiah, 19 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:58.240 who is a Jewish person who is requested from King 20 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:01.359 art of Xerxes, as he was a prominent cup bearer 21 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:03.960 to leave his job, which was a cushy job, and 22 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:07.439 to go back and to organize the rebuilding of the 23 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:10.799 wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem. And so we're in 24 00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:12.920 the middle of that story. But Before we get to that, 25 00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:16.040 we're gonna do a very strange segment. 26 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:17.560 To me, I've never seen this segment. 27 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:20.439 Yeah, last week Wesley and Jeff apparently or last week 28 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:22.439 they did do this and so okay, and then the 29 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:23.239 viewers liked it a lot. 30 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:26.280 So this is called guest versus AI. We played this 31 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:28.280 game with Wesley, Desiree. 32 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:30.400 Writes, and it was a hit. So let's see how 33 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:31.319 things go with Kyle. 34 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:34.959 Chris will ask Kyle the question, let Kyle answer, and 35 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:40.239 then ask Chet Gpt the same question. Compare answers and 36 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:45.040 vote on who wins, Kyle or Ai. Okay, dude, how 37 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:47.359 the world can you ever compete with Ai? Now, I'm 38 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:50.040 gonna lose, so, but you're but you're. 39 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:50.840 Gonna You're gonna do well. 40 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:51.840 We'll see, yeah, we'll see. 41 00:01:51.959 --> 00:01:55.640 So. And by the way, I've decided to, uh, you 42 00:01:55.680 --> 00:01:57.120 gotta climb up hill for this one, buddy. 43 00:01:57.120 --> 00:01:57.760 Okay, are you ready? 44 00:01:58.000 --> 00:01:58.200 Sure? 45 00:01:58.200 --> 00:01:58.400 We go? 46 00:01:58.480 --> 00:01:59.840 Yeah? I'm nervous about what's in your brain? 47 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:00.959 Now, Kyle? 48 00:02:01.799 --> 00:02:04.719 What is it? 49 00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:07.680 Kyle? It's not a big deal. Just it is not 50 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:09.000 a deal, very simple question. 51 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.120 But it's just me versa that's the problem. 52 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:15.759 Okay, Ready, what is the meaning of life? 53 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:24.159 Oh my gosh, nothing yet, nothing hard at all. 54 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:25.879 It's probably one of the hardest questions. 55 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:28.400 What is the meaning of life? Okay? 56 00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:31.400 If you go biblical you can no, no, no, no no, 57 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:32.319 But I'm gonna try to do it. 58 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:35.120 Okay, I'm gonna I'm gonna say one sentence. Okay, So 59 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:37.560 we asked you have on your phone? Yes, okay, you 60 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:39.560 got to ask for one sentence. Okay, that way I 61 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:40.919 asked it, what is the meaning of life? 62 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:42.639 Shoot? How long is this? Is it like a paragraph? 63 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:44.639 Though? It gave me four points? 64 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:45.319 Okay? Points? 65 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:45.599 All right? 66 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:51.000 I would say the meaning of life is to live 67 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:56.759 for a purpose that is greater than yourself period. 68 00:02:57.520 --> 00:02:59.800 Okay, So no four points? 69 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:02.199 What God, I'm not yea. If I get one of 70 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:03.199 the four, I'll be happy. 71 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:04.520 Okay. Well, hey, listen. 72 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:07.800 It could be that these four answers are sort of 73 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:10.960 summarized by your one statement. So here's what it says 74 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:14.400 from a Christian Biblical perspective. The meaning of life is 75 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:20.240 to know, love, and glorify God and enjoy a relationship. 76 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:24.319 With Him forever. Okay. Number which, by the way, what's 77 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:26.319 purpose greater than yourself? Number one? 78 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:28.919 We were created for God's glory and then it gives 79 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:31.759 me Isaiah forty three. Our existence is not random. We 80 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:34.240 were made to reflect God's glory and character. Number two, 81 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:39.360 Life's purpose is found there's purpose. Life's purpose is found 82 00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:44.400 in knowing God. John seventeen three. Now this is eternal life. 83 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:46.719 That they know you and the only true God, Jesus Christ, 84 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:48.960 from you've sent true life. Eternal life is not just 85 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:52.400 about existence, but about a relationship with God. Point number three. 86 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:55.879 We are called to love God and others Matthew twenty 87 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:58.280 two thirty seven. The greatest commandment love God and others. 88 00:03:58.520 --> 00:04:01.360 Jesus something of the purpose of life in terms of love, 89 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:02.719 love for God, love for people. 90 00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:06.039 And then finally, the fourth one is our lives are 91 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:08.800 meant to bear fruit that lasts. 92 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:12.919 God desires that our lives have eternal impact through love, service, 93 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:13.479 and obedience. 94 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:15.520 Okay, let me defend myself against AI for a moment. 95 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:17.040 He no, no, no, no, no no no. 96 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:17.519 I listen. 97 00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:19.560 When I was seeking, When I was seeking this question, 98 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:22.240 I was thinking like if if anybody in the world 99 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:24.879 Christian non Christian, would ask, what is the meaning of life? 100 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:27.480 I thought to myself to live for a purpose that 101 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:29.560 he was greater than myself as a Christian? What is 102 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:32.560 that purpose, right Jesus Christ right here? That that purpose 103 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:34.399 right there is to do everything you can to glorify 104 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:38.000 God and live for Jesus. But that was like that 105 00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:40.319 obviously is such a better that what they just. 106 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:41.360 Described, way better, dude. 107 00:04:41.399 --> 00:04:42.600 I am completely with you. 108 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:45.120 I have the same mindset as you almost always in 109 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:48.519 terms of like like like. For instance, my mind always 110 00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:50.040 goes for the person who doesn't know God. 111 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:50.519 Right. 112 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:54.120 Your statement is a statement that would bring somebody who 113 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:56.560 is clueless about the meaning of life, yes, and you'd 114 00:04:56.560 --> 00:04:59.240 say no, No, it's to live something greater than yourself. 115 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:02.399 That is a transition statement that brings that person into 116 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:05.920 a Biblical perspective. And then for the Christian who already 117 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:09.759 has the Biblical perspective, your statement then completely points that 118 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:11.319 Christian to God. 119 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:13.120 Yes, because he has a Biblical perspective exactly. 120 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:15.279 So basically what I just heard is the Bible guy 121 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:17.439 said that I beat Ai. 122 00:05:17.959 --> 00:05:22.800 I like your answers better because it includes all of humanity. 123 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:28.519 Whereas whereas AI immediately went for the Biblical perspective. 124 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:30.319 And by the way, yeah, I do think it's a 125 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:33.000 purpose of a Christian don't you think digging deeper? The 126 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:35.839 purpose of a Christian is to glorify God, yes, and 127 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:38.839 to lead others to christ serve Him. 128 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:40.480 Right, there's all those things. Those are the purpose of 129 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:43.279 a Christian. But just the meaning of life's that's what I. 130 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:45.439 Was going for. Yeah, well here, let me just be clear. 131 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:48.639 Let me be clear. AI got it right? A, I 132 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:49.199 got it right? 133 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:54.560 Okay? His or her answer there? Their answer they them 134 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:56.079 just kidding? That was terrible their answer. 135 00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:59.959 Yes, their answer is definitely the right answer. 136 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:03.720 Right. But what I'm saying is I personally vote for 137 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:08.120 your answer because your answer meets people right where they're at. 138 00:06:08.279 --> 00:06:11.279 Whereas the person who's let's just say, like an atheist 139 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:15.079 who's sitting, you know, in disbelief and angry at God. 140 00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:20.839 This answer is so on point speaking Christianese, that person 141 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:24.399 is going to shut this answer out. Your answer will 142 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:26.879 intrigue people enough to consider. 143 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:28.040 What's next or what's next? 144 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:32.079 And what do you what do you mean bigger than myself? Right? Which, 145 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:33.800 again I think your answer summarizes all. 146 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:36.839 Well, especially because the meaning of life oftentimes aren't most 147 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:40.360 people searching for the meaning of life within themselves. Most 148 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:43.120 people are thinking, if only I was happier. If that's 149 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:44.079 this is the meaning of life? 150 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:46.519 Is a family? Those are all great components of life, 151 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:47.720 but they aren't the meaning of life. 152 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:50.800 So and by the way, just like Ai, you know, 153 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:53.360 chet GPT is a good friend of mine. Yeah, and 154 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:59.399 this is what they say. It says the meaning of life. 155 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:02.560 I'm sorry. In summary, it says, in short, at the end, 156 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:05.519 the meaning of life, according to the Bible is to 157 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:08.959 be in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, to 158 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:11.040 live for his glory, and to love others as a 159 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:13.839 reflection of His love for us. And doing so we 160 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:17.680 find not only purpose, but deep joy and fulfillment. And 161 00:07:17.720 --> 00:07:20.079 then it says, if you're asking this for a sermon 162 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:22.480 or for a teaching, I can help you build it 163 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:24.920 out with points, stories and scriptures. 164 00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:28.639 Are you kidding me? Yes? Please do that? 165 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:35.199 Send message notes to Kdobbenmeier at Heritage Church dot com. 166 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:39.000 Yeah, no, kidding. What is the meaning of life from 167 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:39.519 a Christian? 168 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:39.720 Oh? 169 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:42.240 My goodness, are you kidding me? Right now? Look what 170 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:43.959 it says. I didn't even ask you to do this. 171 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:45.959 Look at look what it says't I won't read you 172 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:48.360 the sermon, but look at it says here's a sermon 173 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:50.160 outline on the topic, what is the meaning of life 174 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:54.519 from a Christian perspective? Styled similarly to Chris Zarba relatable 175 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:57.319 and engaging scriptures, centered and practical. 176 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.720 Does it tell a story about your brother? 177 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:00.240 Says? 178 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:03.800 Look, it says introduction hook start with humor. There are 179 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:05.399 two great questions, people asking life. 180 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.519 What's for dinner? And why am I here? Oh? My, 181 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:10.319 oh my, it does know me. 182 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:16.839 Illustration a smartphone doesn't find asad This is hilarious, given. 183 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:19.959 Dude, it really does know me. It knows me. 184 00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:21.399 It's funny. 185 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:24.680 It's goodness, gracious, I'm going to become obsolete. 186 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:25.480 What are we doing? 187 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:26.759 I write sermons? 188 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:27.519 What are we doing here? 189 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:30.879 I write sermons and I'm becoming obsolete? Oh my gosh, 190 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:32.519 it's our time. 191 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:33.720 That's our time. 192 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:36.399 No, it's our time for saying hey. 193 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:39.720 By the way, I've realized that I the first three 194 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:43.559 podcasts of this week I forgot to do a horrible transition. 195 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:47.440 So so I'm gonna I'm just gonna say, uh, speaking 196 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:52.960 of sermons, Uh, Nehemiah is living. He's a living sermon, Kyle. 197 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.039 Isn't that a terrible transition? 198 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.679 That's all right? 199 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:03.360 I like it this sermon he's living. We're going to 200 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:05.879 talk about Neamiah chapter six. 201 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:08.080 We've got some verses to get through here today, so 202 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:09.279 I'll get right into it. 203 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:10.159 Chapter six. 204 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:13.799 Sambalot, Tobaya, Gesham, the Arab and the rest of our 205 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:16.159 enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall 206 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:19.559 and that no gaps remained, so we had not yet 207 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:22.000 set up the doors and the gates. So sam Blot 208 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:25.120 and Gasham sent a message asking me to meet them 209 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:27.080 at one of the villages in the plan and the 210 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:29.679 plane of O No. But I realized they were plotting 211 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:32.200 to harm me, so I replied by sending this message 212 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.720 of them, I am engaged in a great work, so 213 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:37.000 I can't come. Why should I stop working to come 214 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:39.879 and meet with you? Four times they sent the same message, 215 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:42.720 and each time I gave the same reply. The fifth time, 216 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:46.399 Sambalot's servant came with an open letter, a letter in 217 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:49.759 his hand, and this is what it said. There's a 218 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:52.440 rumor among the surrounding nations. And Gashem tells me it's 219 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.759 true that you and the Jews are planning to rebel, 220 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:57.279 and that is and that is why you are building 221 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:59.840 the wall. According to his reports you planned to be their. 222 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:02.759 He also reports that you have a point of prophets 223 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:05.559 in Jerusalem to proclaim about you. Look, there's a king 224 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:08.840 in Judah. You can be very sure that this report 225 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:10.639 will get back to the king. So I suggest that 226 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:13.679 you come and talk it over with me. Neemia says 227 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:15.960 I replied, there is no truth in any part of 228 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:18.840 your story. You are making up the whole thing. They 229 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:21.480 were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could 230 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:24.080 discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the 231 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:28.120 work with even greater determination. Later I went to visit Shemaiah, 232 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:31.320 son of the Leah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was 233 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:34.240 confined to his home. He said, let us meet together 234 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:36.440 inside the Temple of God and bolt the door shut. 235 00:10:36.679 --> 00:10:39.919 Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight. But I replied, 236 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:43.320 should someone in my position run from danger, should someone 237 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:45.559 in my position enter the temple to save his life? 238 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:46.919 No, I won't do it. 239 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:49.159 I realized that God has not spoken to him, but 240 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:52.000 that he had uttered hit this prophecy against me because 241 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:54.960 Tobiah and san Balot had hired him. They were hoping 242 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.480 to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would 243 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:00.879 be able to accuse and discredit me. Remember, oh, my God, 244 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:03.879 all the evil things that Tobia and Sambalott have done. 245 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:06.720 And remember Noah Daiah the prophet and all the prophets 246 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:10.080 like her who have tried to intimidate me. Going into 247 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:12.759 the next section is called the builders complete the Wall. 248 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:16.600 So in October second the wall was finished, just fifty 249 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:20.080 two days after we'd begun. When our enemies and the 250 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:23.159 surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. 251 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:26.000 They realized this work had been done with the help 252 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:29.639 of our God. During those fifty two days, many letters 253 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:32.480 went back and forth between Tobia and the nobles of 254 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:35.480 Judah for many and Judah had sworn allegiance to him 255 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:38.519 because of his father in law with Sheknaiah, son of Era, 256 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:42.639 and his son Jehannin was married to the daughter of Meshalem, 257 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:46.279 son of Brekia. They kept telling me about Tobia's good deeds, 258 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:49.919 and then they told him everything I said, and Tobia 259 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:51.200 kept sending threading. 260 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:53.240 Letters to intimidate me. That's funny. 261 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:55.639 After the wall was finished and I had set up 262 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:58.240 the doors and the gates, the gay cap keeper, singers 263 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:01.759 and Levites were appointed. I gave the responsibility of governing 264 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:05.039 Jerusalem to my brother Hen and I along with Hen 265 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:07.120 and Ayah the commander of the fortress, for he was 266 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:09.200 a faithful man who feared God. 267 00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:12.519 The most last verse here. 268 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:14.559 Says I said to them, do not leave the gates 269 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:16.840 open during the hottest part of the day, and even 270 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:19.559 while the gatekeepers are on duty, have them shut and 271 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:22.759 bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act 272 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:26.600 as guards. Everyone is on a regular watch. Some will 273 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:29.000 serve at sentry posts and some in front of their 274 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.799 own homes. 275 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:31.360 Wow. 276 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:37.519 Yeah, So first of all, fifty two days. Can we 277 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:41.720 just revel in the fact that, you know, they said 278 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:45.639 that the reason why their enemies and the surrounding areas 279 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:48.080 knew that this was a work of God is because 280 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:51.960 it is incredible that such a feat should be accomplished 281 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:53.039 in less than two months. 282 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:57.159 Less than two months, right, that is incredible. 283 00:12:57.600 --> 00:13:00.879 And so obviously if it ended on October second, right, 284 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:04.399 that would have been what August, September October, right, so 285 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:09.519 it had been August tenth ish something like that, you know, 286 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:13.440 first week of August. So think about it. They're they're 287 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:15.320 starting in the heat of the day, I don't know 288 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:18.720 about you, but I went to Israel, and I went 289 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:25.120 in the summer of nine and we actually were in 290 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:28.799 there doing a great work with well a lot of things. 291 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:31.080 Actually we were meeting with Bethley and Baba College. We 292 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:36.159 were trying to understand the whole reconciliation ministry between Palestinians 293 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.279 and Israelites. There was a there was a there was 294 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:40.559 a ministry that we were part of that tried to 295 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:43.080 bridge the gap. And then also we were actually going 296 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:45.759 to do a vacation Bittle School with Bethley and Baba 297 00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:49.039 College in the center of Palestine. 298 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:50.519 Now, for those of you who. 299 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:56.159 Don't know, Palestine is recognized as their own region in 300 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:57.080 the middle of Israel. 301 00:13:57.320 --> 00:13:59.120 So Israel is both called a state. 302 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:03.799 And a and so Israel is obviously filled with Jewish 303 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:07.639 people and Palestines Palestinians. 304 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:09.679 Are in the middle. And there is this great. 305 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:11.879 Wall and I'm talking like the wall is so high 306 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:16.519 that it blocks out the sun. It has to be 307 00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:19.480 I don't even know, but I want to say at 308 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:21.799 least twenty to thirty feet. 309 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:24.559 High, and it is thick, and it is huge. 310 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:28.639 And this wall goes all around almost the center a 311 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:32.440 region of Palestine, and there's a lot of talk about it, 312 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:36.120 but anyway, it's an occupied territory. Palestinians live in occupied territory. 313 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:41.679 So you know, the Jewish War in the forties, the 314 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:42.879 Israelites were able to take. 315 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.639 Control back over. 316 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:50.080 So consequently there's actually Israelite guards at every city gate. 317 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:55.559 So whenever you enter in through the Palestinian borders, you 318 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:59.480 have to go through the gates with these people who 319 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:02.120 are literally boarding your bus. So we had like this 320 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:06.120 bus of seventeen people and this girl walks on and 321 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:09.080 she's a the Israelite army and she's got this you know, 322 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:12.000 AK forty seven rifle and she's walking. 323 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.360 Up and down. 324 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:16.279 I mean, it's just it's incredibly intimidating, right, And most 325 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:19.440 people when they enter in through this, they only do 326 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:22.480 so for one reason, and that is they go in 327 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:25.639 to see Bethlehem. Okay, So if you think about it, 328 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:31.120 the way that the Palestinian walls are the only tourist 329 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:36.799 site for Christians is Bethlehem, and it's literally right inside 330 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.320 the city wall. 331 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.480 I'm talking like, you go. 332 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:40.919 Through the gate and it's right there because it's so 333 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:43.559 close to Jerusalem, and so that's what people do they 334 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:45.679 go to Jerusalem, then they enter in through this gate, 335 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:48.000 they go to Bethlehem and they come back out, and 336 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:51.919 that's it. People do not go up and travel into, 337 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:56.639 for the most part, the city of Palestine. So we 338 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:59.799 decided to go to the very center of Palestine. Hours 339 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:03.559 of driving right and we went up into right near 340 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:06.000 the big city of Jeanine, and we went to zabab De. 341 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:10.200 And zabab De had the most Christians of any city 342 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:13.360 in Palestine. And guess what, the percentage of Christians was 343 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:16.759 one percent and that was the most. 344 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:22.200 So we held a vacation. Yeah that's right, yeah, Muslim. 345 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:24.879 And so we held a vacation Bible school and we 346 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:28.919 had one hundred and twenty kids and they were most. 347 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:30.519 Of them, almost all of them were Muslim. 348 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:33.159 And we told them we were preaching about Jesus and 349 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:36.080 they said okay, and they left their kids. Well, they 350 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:38.799 put me in charge of outdoor games. And so I'm 351 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:42.639 outside in the summer. I was like July and it 352 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:47.200 was one hundred and twenty degrees one and twenty degrees. 353 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:52.039 I couldn't breathe. I could not breathe. It was unbelievable. 354 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:55.320 The difference between shade and sun was life and death. 355 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:58.159 And I originally I had planned like soccer and things 356 00:16:58.159 --> 00:17:01.120 with kids, and I realized I'm just to get water 357 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:03.600 and just squirt everybody because that's all they wanted. 358 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.640 Yeah, water games, water games. 359 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:08.079 It was all water games, right, all that to say this, 360 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:12.559 that was a long way to say that it was grueling. 361 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:12.799 Though. 362 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:17.519 They built the wall in the summer, right, we're talking 363 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:21.440 over a hundred degrees heat, and he mobilized all. 364 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.960 The city villagers. So imagine this. 365 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:28.319 Imagine he's saying, hey, don't let don't let your guard down, 366 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:32.160 even on the hottest days, right, and he's telling them 367 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:38.599 to basically work through exhausting conditions. Right, Sometimes that's what 368 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.480 God calls us to do. 369 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:41.519 I know, it is pretty wild because you think about this, like, 370 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:43.519 you know, it's easy for us to read this twenty 371 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:46.640 five hundred years later and completely almost because here we 372 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:48.599 are an air conditioned you know, a place where we're 373 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.440 reading this from and. 374 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:51.480 Actually forgetting you you you brought. 375 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:53.359 Me to one hundred and twenty degrees for that moment there, 376 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:55.839 but we're not working, you know, to work sun up 377 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:58.839 to sundown and to do that for fifty. 378 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:01.000 Fifty well a minute ago you said the studio was hot. 379 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:04.039 It's hot, yeah, probably what is it like cool? Seventy 380 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:07.440 degrees and a year the lights? Yeah, I was complaining 381 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:10.160 about the heat in this room. And it's crazy because 382 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:12.519 they work from some up to sundown fifty two days 383 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:15.039 straight and then they're on guard the entire time. And 384 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:17.279 then not to mention that, then Neamiah's got to deal 385 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:19.519 with all this opposition along the way. And then and 386 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:22.759 then you know these rumors. The sam Blott servant comes 387 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:25.880 with an open letder, creating a rumor essentially, you know, 388 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:28.160 even that is pretty crazy that he essentially starting this 389 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:31.599 rumor that hey, supposedly you want to become king. 390 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.440 And I'm gonna let the king know. 391 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:34.200 And now all of a sudden, you got to imagine 392 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:40.079 Neamayah is probably got all kinds of challenges internally mentally 393 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:42.640 that he's battling now thinking, oh, man, like, is this 394 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:44.240 going to get to the king? Am I gonna let 395 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:45.839 is it gonna he's Is he gonna think I'm letting 396 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:46.240 him down? 397 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.079 Is he gonna think? 398 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.240 Like? 399 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:49.599 You just imagine that that guy not only you know, 400 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:52.240 had a rough go as far as physically the obstacles 401 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:54.000