Josh Hodge - Class 2: 1Ti. 2&3 - The Pillar and Ground of the Truth

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   It is my pleasure to call upon our brother Josh Hodge of the Book Road Ecclesia to deliver the second class speaking to our theme this weekend, How Thou Oughtest to Behave Thyself in the House of God. And our second class is entitled The Pillar and Ground of the Truth. Brother Josh.

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   Well, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, it was the sons of Korah that said, My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of Yahweh. And this was a faithful family who desired more than anything else to be in those courts, to be part of the house of God.

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   So much so that Psalm 84 says they are envious over a small bird, over a sparrow that made its nest in the house of God. Now this longing wasn't merely for the building itself, but for the fellowship with the brethren. For the protection from the world. For the comforts of the truth. For the love of God.

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   And for the glorification of the deity. And really this is our theme together this weekend, isn't it? The theme of the house of God. And it's found in the chapters before us. If you look at 1 Timothy in chapter 3, reading from verse 14. There it says, These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly.

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   What things were these? These were the things he had previously written in chapter 1, 2, and 3. He says, But what is the house of God? We actually have a definition. Because it goes on to say, verse 15, which is the ecclesia. The called out ones. The assembly. The congregation. It's the people that God dwells in.

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   That forms the house of God. The ecclesia of the living God, it says. The pillar and ground of the truth. Now did you notice that it said living God? It didn't have to. But the point is, is that God dwells in living people. He's alive and he's active in our midst. And he's working with people that have taken on his spirit thinking.

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   And if that's the God that we worship, then we ought to take on that same spirit and be alive. Be vibrant in our ecclesias.

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   And the pillar and ground of the truth. This is where God's truth flourishes. In our midst. In the ecclesia. In the called out ones. Now as we consider the house of God. Throughout scripture. It occurs in a number of places. But perhaps none better than Ephesians chapter 2 and chapter 3. And there we learn that Jesus Christ.

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   Is the chief cornerstone upon which the house is built. We learn that the apostles and the prophets laid the foundation for us. Through the scriptures which we read. And Ephesians 2 and 3 talks about this building of people. And it talks about how it's alive. It talks about it being fitly framed. How it groweth.

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    That's a term which teaches us it's alive. It groweth unto a holy temple. It's builded together. Again in Ephesians 3. It's rooted and grounded. More language of a building that's alive. The breadth and the length. The depth and the height. Ephesians speaks of this same building. And you know in those two chapters it says.

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    That that building exists. For a habitation. Of God. It says in chapter 3. That Christ may dwell in our hearts. And that's a wonderful thing to think about. That God is here in our midst. We create that building for God based on his truth. And his ways. Because it's the pillar and ground of the truth.

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    For a house. For a house. For a house. For a house. For a house. For a house to function smoothly. For a house to be alive. And vibrant. And wholesome. And healthy. It has to be upon the sound principles. Of God. There's a lovely passage. In Proverbs 24. Verse 3. It says through wisdom.

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    Is in house builded. By understanding. It is established. And so we're going to talk about three principles this afternoon. Three principles and three aspects of God's wisdom. Of his understanding. And those are found in chapter 2 and 3. The first one. Is chapter 2. Verse 1 to 7. It's all about prayer. We have chapter 2.

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    In verse 8 to 15. It's about roles of men and women. Who work in the house of God. And finally we have chapter 3. In verse 1 to 14. Which is all about leadership. The bishops and the deacons. And those that serve within the ecclesia. And here's three aspects of God's wisdom. That are a part of ecclesial life.

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    God's direction for us. How we ought to behave ourselves. In the house of God. And it's the wisdom of Yahweh. And through wisdom. The house of God. Which is the ecclesia of the living God. The pillar and ground of the truth. Is built. And by understanding. That it is established. So let us begin then.

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    Chapter 2. Verse 1 to 7. It says there in verse 1. I exhort therefore. That first of all. Supplications. Prayers. Intercessions. And giving of thanks. Be made. For all men. Our communication with God. Our prayers to God. Is fundamental. Acts 2. In verse 42. Talking about the believers. Who had just been baptized.

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    In the Jerusalem ecclesia. They continued steadfastly. In the apostles doctrine. In fellowship. Breaking of bread. And prayers. It was an important part. Of the ecclesia.

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    Now it says. That prayers be made. For all men. It's the Greek word. Anthropos. It's referring to mankind. To humans. Both men and women. Are included in this term. But I suggest to you. That God isn't. Asking us. To arbitrarily. And universally. Pray for every person. That resides on earth. But to pray for those.

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    In our scope of reference. Without partiality. Remembering that he is God. And he has no pleasure. In the death of the wicked. Whether it's a Jew. Or Gentile. Whether it's a bond. Or free. A male or female. Or in this context. A king or subject. You see. Sometimes. We can prejudice. Certain people.

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    In our own minds. And here. In first. Timothy two. What might that have been. But the kings. Because it says. In verse two. Pray for all men. And it specifically. Points out. For kings. And all that are in. Authority.

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    God is asking us. To consider. Those who we know. And we might cast down. In our minds. Thinking they're not worthy. To be prayed for. But God says. Pray for them too. For kings.

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    Kings are people. We would know pretty well. People in authority. Timothy would have. We know the leaders. Of our country. They are in the news. And they make decisions. That affect our lives. And God says. Pray for them. Do you know who. The emperor was. At the time. That this was written. Whether the early date.

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    Or the latter date. As brother Daryl. Has suggested. It was Nero. Not an easy person. To pray for. And if you take. The latter date. When this book. Was written.

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    Two thirds of Rome. Had just been burnt. To the ground. And there were rumors. That. Were going around. And saying that it was Nero. Who started the fire. And so Nero. Wanted to divert. The attention to others. And so who did he. Divert it to. But this new group. Called. The Christians.

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    And the Christians. Were gathered. And they were slaughtered. The Christians. Were the people. That were torn apart. By dogs. The Christians. Were burnt alive. As human torches. And Paul says. To Timothy. Pray for him.

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    Peter says. Honor all men. Honor the king. Paul says. Pray for all men. Pray for kings. Certain things. In the truth. Are difficult. They go against. What we might naturally. Want to do. You know. We live in an age. Where God is. Blasphemed. In the universities. God is. Eliminated. From the schools. God is challenged.

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    In the very structure. Of society. He's mocked. In the workplace. And in many cases. It's the rulers. Of the land. That guide. And make these decisions. That influence. All of this. To happen. And the last thing. We want to do. Is pray for them.

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    But even Christ. Says. Pray for them. Which despitefully. Use you. And persecute you. Now we do this. For two reasons. You see. In verse. Two. It says. That we may lead. A quiet. And peaceable life. Now the word. Quiet. Is talking about. An inward. An outward peace. It is a contrast. To outward.

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    Tumult. Whereas the word. Peaceable. You can think of it. As the opposite. Of inward strife. And we ask for this quiet. And peaceable life. Not just that we. Avoid hindrance. But that we might. Live it in godliness. And honesty. The word godliness. Is Eusebia. It's most often. Used. In this epistle. Eusebia. Godliness.

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    God likeness. Reverence. To our god. And honesty. Living a life. Of integrity. Of purity. In our manner of life. Recognizing. Our position. Before god. This is the type of life. We. Desire to live.

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    So let us join together. This. This weekend. And beyond. To pray for our leaders. That we might. Continue. To worship. In the manner. That we do so now. Verse three says. This is good. And acceptable. In the sight of God. Our savior. And really. This is the transition verse. To the second reason.

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    Why we pray. Because did you notice. What it said about God. It's God. Our. Savior. We normally think. Of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't we. As. Our savior. But ultimately. It's God. God. God is our savior. And when we think about it. God has chosen us. We are his elect. And we're thankful for that.

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    And he's. Doesn't show partiality. When he has chosen us. And so we ought not. To show partiality. Whom. We pray for. Those that might enter our life. That need our prayers. God wants. All men. It says. Verse four. And that word. All men. Is the same word. All men. Of verse one. Those that are to be prayed for.

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    So God wants all men. To be saved. And to come unto the knowledge. Of the truth. And. Kings and leaders too. Wasn't it Paul. That almost converted Agrippa.

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    You see. Because mankind. Is separated from God. Without truth. They're alienated. From the promises. They need to come to the truth. They need repentance. And this idea of. The truth. Is so important. To our community. Isn't it? To God's house. Paul uses it there. In verse four. But it's also found. Verse seven.

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    Paul preaches. And he says. I speak the truth. In Christ. And lie not. And he's a teacher. Of the Gentiles. In faith. And. Truth. Which is the word. Verity.

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    And isn't it. The house of God. The ecclesia. Of the living God. The pillar. And ground. Of the truth. Is where the truth. Resides. Where it's elevated. And promoted.

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    And. There's no greater witness. No greater evidence. That God wants all men. To be saved. Than what it says. In verse six. Who. Christ. Who gave himself. A ransom. For all.

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    Because it was the Lord Jesus Christ. That would bring man. To God. We skip verse five. Because notice. What it says there. There is one God. And one mediator. Between God and man. The man. Christ Jesus.

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    And we ask the question. Why does it say one God. One mediator. Have you thought about that. Before. One God. And one mediator. It's important. Isn't it. It's part of the first commandment. Hear. O Israel. The Lord our God is. One. Lord. Lord. And it's because. Man. Is separated. From God. But God.

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    Is a unity. In his thinking. In his. Character. In his spirit. I want you to turn with me. To Galatians. Galatians chapter three. Because this concept. Of the mediator. And this concept. Of one God. Occurs again. And it helps explain. What this means.

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    Now the context. Of Galatians three. We already looked at. In class. One. The law. Highlighted. Man's sin. It highlighted. That man. Was separate. From God. Because of his sins. And also talks about. How the law. Would be done away with. When Christ. The promised seed. Came. These are two covenants. The new covenant.

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    And the old covenant. But the new covenant. Was the covenant. That removed sins. That the old covenant. Highlighted. But they are both brought. About by a mediator.

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    And see what it says. In verse 20. Now a mediator. Is. Not. A mediator. Of one. But God. Is one. What does that mean? Mediator. Is not a mediator. Of one. But God. Is one. And you don't have. A mediator. You don't have. Someone. Who brings. A covenant. If there's no need. For it.

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    But there was a need. Because there were two. There was man. And there was God. God. Is one. He is a unity. And he wants man. To be brought. To him. To be united. In character. And purpose. And understanding. And that's why. The Lord Jesus Christ. Came. To remove sin. Through the faith.

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    Of individuals. And through taking on. His name. And that is why. We have. Verse. Twenty. Eight. Have a look. At verse. Twenty. Eight. Because when we take on. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the waters of baptism. It says. There's neither Jew nor Greek. Bond or free. Male or female. Ye are all.

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    One. In Christ Jesus. And what a wonderful thing. That is. And so. We ought to pray. That. All men. Are saved. And come to a knowledge. Of the truth. That they might be one. With God. For he is one.

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    And so. A main point. From this section. On prayer. It's fundamental. To communicate. With our father. In heaven. Without distinction. Without partiality. In the house of God. God's house. Should be a house. Of prayer.

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    And a key lesson. That comes from this. We must pray. For the leaders. Of our land. That we can live. A quiet. And peaceable life. In all godliness. And honesty. We must recognize. That we are afforded. Harmony. With our God. Through Christ. And this same harmony. We should desire. That others have as well.

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    God. This is the wisdom. Of Yahweh. And it's through wisdom. That the house of God. The ecclesia. Of the living God. The pillar. And the ground. Of the truth. Is built. And by understanding. That it. Is established. We will now move on. To the next section. The next aspect. Of God's wisdom. How we are to conduct.

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    Ourselves. In the house of God. And it starts. In verse 8. It speaks of roles. So. We've looked at prayer. But who is to pray?

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    Verse 8 says. I will therefore. That men. Pray everywhere. And it's important. To mention. Brothers and sisters. That word men. Is different. Than the word men. Of verse 1. And verse 4.

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    It's a word. Which means. Man. As distinct. From woman. Males. And where are they. To pray? It says. I will therefore. That men. Pray everywhere. And the context. Is the house of God. It's talking about. The public prayer. Where believers. Are gathered together. Much like we are now. To form. The ecclesia. Of living God.

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    It's not referring. To the private. Prayer. Now. Men are to pray. Everywhere. And there's two aspects. To how they are to pray. It says. As lifting up. Holy hands. Without wrath. And doubting.

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    And prayers. Were to be genuine. But notice. Notice that it was put. In the negative. Almost as if it. May have been happening. At that time. And surely it would have. It would have been difficult. To pray for Nero. Without wrath. To pray for the leaders. That were persecuting. Your brethren. That were killing them.

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    And without doubting. Our prayers have to be given. Knowing that. God will answer them. According to. How he knows his best. According to his. Divine will.

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    But. That was without wrath. And doubting. That's talking about. The inner man. Brother Alfred Nichols. Says. An attitude of body. Implies an attitude of mind. And so we'll notice that. They were to do so. Lifting up. Holy hands. It seems to be an allusion. Back to the Old Testament. Where they lifted up their hands.

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    A sign. Of spiritual thinking. And there's many prayer positions. In scripture. Hands uplifted. Standing in respect. Sitting meditatively. Kneeling in humility. Looking up. And one we're probably most familiar with. Is bowing our heads.

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    But. It was this outward man. That was a reflection. Of the inward man. And our prayers have to be without wrath. And. In faith. And so as we pray for. A dispute to be solved. As we pray for the leaders of our country. Who would mock our God. God. As we pray for.

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    Maybe. The young people that are struggling. As we pray for the brotherhood. To remain pure. In doctrine and practice. As we pray for. The unity of the brotherhood. As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let us do so. With that genuine spirit. And with the eye of faith.

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    And it tells us. Brothers. Of the massive responsibility. We have to set our lives straight. To focus our minds above. To voice in our prayers. That which is edifying for all. To direct our words to God. In reverence. To express our faithful thoughts. Appropriately. And according to the specific occasion. At hand. And as best as possible.

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    To not wander into the lethargic cliches. And generalizations. That are unfit. For the prayer at hand. Because as we pray. Know this. The word holy. There in verse 8. Occurs seven other times. One of them is very similar to this context. But three of them describe. Our God. And three of them describe.

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    The Lord Jesus Christ. And so as we pray. We are to be as God. And as the Lord Jesus Christ. What a huge responsibility that is. Now verse 10. Verse 9 says. In like manner also. The following verses are direct comparisons. A flow of thought. Necessary to be read together. Complementary principles. And we would suggest to you.

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    That the phrase. An attitude of body. Implies an attitude of mind. Is applicable here as well. There is the outward man. Which is to be a reflection of the inward man. Or the inward woman. As we will find. You see verse 9 says. In like manner also. That women adorn themselves. And it's going to give a list.

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    Of how they are to adorn themselves. But verse 10 says. But which becometh women professing godliness. That is the inward man right there. What they profess. Professing is a strong word. It means to promise. Most of the time. It's used of God's promise to us.

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    And the woman was to promise godliness. She was to have this conviction. Godliness is the word theosibia. It's very similar to the word godliness. In verse 2. Of a life that we all try to live. With reverence and respect. And so what the woman was to wear. Was only a reflection. Of the inward man.

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    So what was the woman. Supposed to wear. What is she supposed to adorn herself with. Specifically. Meeting. With others. Coming. To the house of god. Well it says. With modest apparel. The word modest apparel. Means well arranged. Seemly. Modest. This is all about the standard of god.

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    Conforming to his. Standard. And so. Propriety. Before god. Is to be adopted. In what is worn. And then it says. With shamefacedness. Now this is a unique word. It just occurs one other time. And if you look it up. It means a sense of shame. Or honor. Modesty. Bashfulness. Reverence. Hebrews 12. 28.

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    Is the only other occurrence. And it means to serve god. Acceptably. With reverence. And godly fear. And it's the word reverence. Is the same Greek word. And when you take that into consideration. It seems to be all about. The position. The recognition of god. And our position before him. It's an attitude. Of knowing where god is.

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    And where we stand. And so there is to be a position. Before god. That is to be adopted. One of humility. And then there's sobriety. The soundness of mind. It means. Self-control. The related word. Is an adjective. And it. It means. To be sane. In one's senses. Curbing one's desires. And impulses. This is about being wise.

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    In how we adorn ourselves. Not going with our natural desires. And our tendencies. And so prudence. Before god. Is to be adopted. In how we adorn ourselves. And finally. It says. Not with broided hair. Or gold. Or pearls. Or costly array. That's all about the riches. And the opulence. Of the world. And the rich are the trendsetters.

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    Aren't they? The force behind the movements. That are empty. Self-absorbed fashions. Consumed by. One's own image. Rather than the image. Of the Elohim. It's all about the progression. Of the world. How they like to progress. And display themselves. And Paul says to Timothy. That is to be avoided.

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    The progression of the world. Is to be avoided. Godliness. But it's not enough. To profess godliness. By our intentions. Nor is it enough. To dress in godliness. By his standards. But we must also. Express godliness. By our works. All are required. According to the scriptures. Because have a look. At verse 10. The women were to adorn themselves.

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    Based on. That inner conviction. Of verse 10. But it ends with. With good. Works. All are required. In the eyes of god. And then we move on. To verse 11. It says. Let the. The woman learn in silence. With all subjection. But I suffer not a woman. To teach. Nor to usurp authority.

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    Over the man. But to be in silence. The word silence. Is found in Acts 22. In verse 2. Referring to a quiet. And attentive audience. Listening to a presenter. And contrary. To some beliefs today. Men and women. Are different. They are different physically. They are different emotionally. And they are given different roles.

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    I'm reading a book right now. By a brother. Islip Collier. He wrote a biography. On Robert Roberts. And he tells a story. Robert Roberts. Had traveled over to America. 1888. Specifically Buffalo. Actually. And he wanted to make contact. With a man he had. Made contact with. A few years ago. It doesn't say.

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    If it was a brother or not. But regardless. He decides to travel. To what he thought. Was this. This man's house. And it was pouring with rain. That day. And he knocked. No answer. So he knocked more vigorously. And still no answer. And happy to wait it out. Because it was pouring. With rain outside.

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    He sat under the veranda. Until. Well he thought. He heard some chopping. Of wood. And some. Some footsteps. In the house. So he got. Got up. And knocked. With such force. That brother Islip says. Even a partially deaf man. Could hear this knock. Walk. And apparently. This man was partially deaf. But still no answer.

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    So what did Roberts do? He decides to go around. The back of the house. Climbs under some barricade. And as brother Islip says. A horse eyed him suspiciously. Now he found a door. That was unlatched. And he enters. Through the door. And I quote. Going forward. He found himself. In a narrow room.

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    With garments. And domestic utensils. And what he described. As orderly disorder. Now most men. Will understand. This apparently. Contradictory phrase. Nothing is stored away. In such a manner. To satisfy. A woman's sense of order. But everything is ready. At hand. Much more ready. Than if it would be. If a woman were to tidy up.

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    Says brother Islip. And what is brother Islip's. Point at this time. Well except to say. That men. Are different than women. In this regards. Although it's. It's a fairly. Simplistic story. And. Perhaps not entirely true. In the day and age. With which we live. I know many brethren. Who are quite tidy. But nevertheless.

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    Brother Islip's point. Was men and women. Are different. And just to finish. The story. Brother Robert. Still hadn't found the man yet. So he. He searched room by room. Until he came across. To this very dimly lit room. And he couldn't really see. But it seemed to be the kitchen. And there was a sofa.

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    Against the wall. And so groping around. He seems. To think that there is a man. On the sofa. And so he feels around. Until he finally found. What was a man's nose. And this man suddenly. Startled. Wakes up. And the story ends. That this man. Profusely apologized. For not being ready. For this surprise visit.

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    Of brother Roberts. And I suppose today. That would be quite a bit different. If we had to think. That brother Roberts. Would have to apologize. Well there we go. A story by. On brother Roberts. One of our pioneer brethren. But when we come together. In the ecclesia of God. The principles behind roles.

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    Are important. The world might mock us for them. But they're divine. They deal with that. Which is spiritual. Heavenly. And holy. And Paul gives. Two very important reasons. And the first reason. Happened. Before sin. You see what it says. Verse. 13. For Adam was first formed. Then Eve. And it's remarkable. Isn't it?

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    The reason given. Was before sin. Even entered the world. And so. The principle is timeless. It's indisputable. It's not about culture. It was Adam. Who received. And was made responsible. For the obedience. Of God's commands. At the first. And no doubt. Would have to pass them on. So the first reason. Was before sin.

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    And the second reason. Was for sin. Have a look at. Verse 14. And Adam. Was not deceived. He knew very much. What he was doing. When he partook. Partook of the fruit. But the woman. Being deceived. Was in. Transgression.

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    Brother Alfred Nichols. Says. The emotional balance. Of her nature. Which enabled her. To exercise. That sweet. And beneficent. Influence. Also allowed her. To be beguiled.

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    And when we consider. The principles here. We recognize. That. Man. Is to uphold. What he failed to do. To lead. To teach. And to direct. And the woman. Is to uphold. What she failed to do. To act in subjection. To the man. And. If man and woman. Can uphold. These commands of God.

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    It will create. A beautiful. And harmonious. Relationship. Within the ecclesia. And within. Marital life. Life. And while these two principles. Have very practical. Implications. For how our ecclesias. Are operated. And our lives run. It's all a reflection. Of something. Greater. Isn't it? Which is another reason. Why we should maintain. These divine. Principles.

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    And values. You see. It says. In 2nd Corinthians 11. Verse 2. Paul says. I am jealous over you. With a godly jealousy. I have espoused you. To one husband. That I may present you. A chaste virgin. To Christ. He says. To the ecclesia. The group of believers. You are. A chaste virgin. To your husband.

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    Christ. But it's all drawing. On the same. Story. In Genesis. Because it says. But I fear. Lest by any means. As the serpent. Beguiled. Eve. Through his subtlety. So your mind. Should be corrupted. From the simplicity. That is in Christ. And he was warning them. Of another gospel. That could be preached. Another Christ.

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    It says. Another spirit. And it's the ecclesia. That is to submit. To the Lord Jesus Christ. Isn't it? Now we move on. In verse 15. Because it says. Notwithstanding. She. Shall be saved. In childbearing. If they continue. In faith. And love. And holiness. With sobriety.

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    Have you thought about. That verse before. What it means. To be saved. In childbearing. Now there are several. Interpretations. Of this particular. Verse. And that particular. Phrase. And the first one. Is she. Will be saved. By having. Children. But this would imply. That having children. Itself. Is a meritorious. Act. There's merit. In act.

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    Itself. But it also. Puts a condition. On some. Like the unmarried. Or the childless. Wife. And puts them. At a disadvantage. And more importantly. It goes against. Other scriptural. Teachings. Like first. First Corinthians. Seven. Where Paul actually. Discourages marriage. To some degree. In that context.

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    The other. Theory. Is she will be saved. By means of. The childbirth. That is to say. The birth of Christ. Who is described. In Genesis 3. 15. As the seed. Of the woman. But notice. Verse 15. It says. She shall. Be saved. It's the future tense. And Eve was around. In Genesis 3.

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    And Christ had come. Died. Resurrected. And ascended. To his father. Long. Before this was written. And contextually. It would be odd. To single out a woman. As a beneficiary. Of Christ. Any more than a man. Man. And a woman. Are both equal. Beneficiaries. Of the salvation. From Christ. And it doesn't make. Paul's point.

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    Any stronger. Because it doesn't have. Any implications. For the woman. In contrast to men. With perhaps. The exception of Mary. And certainly. That isn't the point. Well. There's a third reason. She will come safely. Through childbirth. We'd suggest. That's not a good understanding. Either. Because the word safely. In the context here. Is talking about salvation.

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    Verse 4. Has it. Who will have all men. To be saved. It's the same word. But there. It's talking about salvation. Besides. Besides the fact. That there are women. Who do not meet the criteria. Of verse 15. Faith and love. And holiness. And sobriety. Who do come through. Childbearing. Safely. And. There are some women.

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     Who no doubt. Adhere these principles. And don't come safely through. So. The last option. Which will suggest. To you brothers and sisters. Is that. She will be saved. By the way. Of her childbearing. That is. Not by the way. Of public ecclesial work. Or usurping a man's place. But by dedicating her life.

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     To the nurture of the young. Now while childbearing. Is in reference. To giving birth itself. To give birth to a child. Really means to become a mother. As well. And to inherit. All those responsibilities. Associated with that.

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     And having a child. Allows her. To uphold. That faith and love. And holiness. And sobriety. And it fits the previous context. With Eve. Because Eve. Or the woman. Was deceived. And usurped the leadership position. Which led to the sin. And thus death. But when given a child. Or the responsibility. Of helping to raise young.

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     She's given a responsibility. A commitment. A connection with a child. That is so powerful. And full of energy. It puts the woman. In a position. To adhere those principles. And there's no more important work. Than raising a godly seed. Is there? Because what can happen. Is 1st Timothy 5. Paul actually encourages. The younger widows.

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     To get married. And to bear children. Lest they become. It says idle. Tattlers in busybodies. Speaking things. Which they ought not. And children. Would help. Mitigate that problem.

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     I suppose. Some would say. That sister. Han and I. Haven't hearkened. To Genesis 1. Be fruitful. And multiply. Yet. But I do happen. To work at a place. With lots of children. CHC. A Christadelphian school. And. Many a time. I count them. As my own. But. What you see there. As well. Is.

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     Sisters. And mothers. Who dedicate. Their lives. And live out. This verse. In verse 15. And it's. Inspiring thing. But it also. Fits. Genesis 3. Which is. The context. As well. Because if we refer. To Genesis 3. Brothers and sisters. It says. In verse 16. Unto the woman. I will greatly. Multiply thy sorrow.

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     And thy conception. In sorrow. Thou shalt bring. Forth. Children. And thy desire. Shall be to thy husband. And he shall rule. Over thee. And there. We have all the responsibilities. Of the woman. And the roles. In the ecclesia.

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     There. We see that. If the man. Is to rule. Over her. Then he is to be. The leader. And the teacher. And she is to submit. To that. But she also. Is a responsibility. Of bringing forth. The children. But more than that. We notice. In the next verse. To Adam. It was said.

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     Cursed is the ground. For thy sake. In sorrow. Shalt thou eat of it. In all the days. Of thy life. Why would God. Put those two things. Like that. Unless there was. A responsibility. For the man. To provide. For the family. And a responsibility. For the woman. To raise the family. You see.

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     Because those two words. Sorrow. Are the same word. One relates. To the woman. Bringing forth children. And raising children. And one refers to the man. Providing for the family. The point isn't just that. They raise children though. Is it? Because it's supposed to be. In faith. And love. And holiness. With sobriety. And you know what's special.

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     That phrase. Faith and love. We find it. In the previous chapter. Verse 14. The Lord Jesus Christ. Had faith. And love. And why did he have faith. And love. Verse 14. The faith and love. Which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying. And worthy of all acceptation. That Christ Jesus. Chapter 1.

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     Verse 15. Came into the world. To save. Sinners. Isn't that amazing? Christ adopted faith and love. And he saved sinners. And the woman is being asked. To adopt faith and love. And save her children. Save the young. And the ecclesia. But what it really is. Is a reflection of her groom. Of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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     Of the man. Of her husband. And thus in raising children. And saving them. She is the opportunity. To mirror the Lord Jesus Christ. And so a key. Main point. In this section. Regarding brothers roles. Specifically. We have another slide. About sisters roles. It says it is. The brothers responsibility. To pray publicly. And to teach.

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     In the house of God. And a key lesson. Specifically for brothers. Brothers. They must take on. This responsibility. Enthusiastically. And unconditionally. Adopt into their lives. Whether in the ecclesia. Or in the homes. And for sisters. Regarding brothers roles. Sisters are to submit. And learn in silence. Adopting humility. In spirit. In dress. And in works.

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     They are to empower. Within the hearts. Of other sisters. This submissive spirit. And garner. In the hearts of men. The will to lead. As members. In the house of God. And a main point. Regarding sisters roles. It is the primary. Responsibility. Of sisters. To raise children. In the Lord. As a member. In the house of God.

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     And this responsibility. Must be embraced. Wholeheartedly. In the raising. Of one's own children. Or by influencing. And educating. The young. Who reside. In the house of God. The power of example. Should never be dismissed. As one of the greatest. Teaching tools.

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     And a lesson for brothers. About sisters roles. Brothers must champion. And be a guardian. For wives. And mothers. To dedicate their lives. To child rearing. A work unparalleled. In the house of God.

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     In this last chapter. Brothers and sisters. We're going. To just touch on. A few brief points. But it's regarding. Leadership. The last aspect. Of God's wisdom.

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     For this is the wisdom. Of Yahweh. And it's through wisdom. That the house of God. The ecclesia. Of living God. The pillar. And ground. Of the truth. Is built. And by understanding. That it. Is established. So notice verse one. It talks about the bishops. If a man desire. The office of a bishop.

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     He desireth a good work. And in verse eight. Likewise must. The deacons be grave. So we have. Bishops and deacons. Discussed here. And I'd suggest to you. There are two. Distinct. Identifiable groups. Within the ecclesia. In fact. Paul says. In verse one. Of Philippians one. He introduces. Himself. And then says. To those at Philippi.

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     With the bishops. And deacons. Two distinct groups there. And if we consider. The word bishop. From verse two. A bishop then. Must be blameless. And we look at. How it's used. In the New Testament. And we look at. What a bishop does. In other words. The verb. We can learn a lot. Because God.

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     Is actually. Described. As a bishop. Or doing the work. Of a bishop. For he hath visited. It says. And redeemed his people. And the word. Visit there. Is the verb form. Of bishop. And we learn. That bishops. Are to be redeemers. Of their brethren. From death. Moses. Did the work. Of a bishop.

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     And we learn. That bishops. Are to be. Deliverers. Of their brethren. From sin. The Ephesian elders. Were bishops. And we learn. That bishops. Are to nourish. Their brethren. By the word. To be defenders. Of the doctrine.

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     Disciples. Generically. We learn. That they are. To be visitors. Of their brethren. Who are sick. And finally. Christ. We learn. That. Bishops. Are to be guardians. Of their brethren's lives. What a wonderful. Responsibility. That bishops. Have. Now. When you. Look at deacons. Deacons. Deacons. Is a very. Generic word. But it does seem.

125. 49:09

     To be used here. As a specific. Group. A deacon. If you were to look it up. It means servant. One who executes. The commands. Of another.

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     And so. Bishops. Or deacons. Were probably. The bishop's assistants. And while bishops. Are servants. And bishops. Could be deacons. As well. Deacons. Aren't necessarily. Bishops.

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     So. I'll give you. An example. Of how this word. Is used. John 12. 26. If any man. Serve me. Let him. Follow me. And where I am. There shall. Also. My. Servant. Be. My. Deacon. Be. Is used. Of every. Follower. Of Christ. In that. Manner. So we must be talking about something different here in first Timothy.

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     Three. And we have a similar list for deacons. We're not going to go through it. Other than. Highlight the key words. Deacons. Are to be preachers. To strengthen and comfort the brethren. To distribute. The funds. To care for the widows. To minister the word. And to give life.

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     But it's important to note that. As overseers. Which is what a bishop is. Overseer. A presider over the ecclesia. And a deacon. There were qualifications. That had to be met. And that's what the whole chapter. Is about. The qualifications. For a bishop and a deacon. Some. Are put in the positive. Look at verse two.

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     They must be blameless. The husband of one wife. Vigilant. Sober. Those are the things they are to do. Some are put in the negative. Verse three. Not given to wine. No striker. Not greedy. Some are individual responsibilities. Verse three. Patient. Brawler. Not covetous. Specific to the individual. But then some. Have a family responsibility.

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     You see verse four. One that ruleth well. His own house. Having his children in subjection. With all gravity. Or verse eleven. For the deacons. Even so must their wives. Be grave.

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     But what does that word. Rule. Mean verse four. Because verse five. Says for. If a man know not. How to rule. His own house. How shall he take care. Of the ecclesia of God. God. It's associated with the elders. In chapter five. That rule well. In labor. In labor. In word. And doctrine.

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     But it's also. This word up here. On the screen. First Thessalonians five. In verse twelve. See it says. And we beseech you brethren. Know them which labor. That's a word which means. To be tired. And exhausted. With wearisome effort. Among you. And are over. You. That's our word rule. In the Lord. And admonish you.

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     And there is a response. Which is to be had. By the membership. They are to esteem them. Very highly in love. For their work sake. And be at peace. Among yourselves. There is a responsibility. To know. To care. And to listen. To the bishops. To the elders. To the overseers. In the ecclesia.

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     Do you know what else. It's associated with. Look at verse five again. For if a man know not. How to rule. His own house. How shall he take. Care. Of the ecclesia of God. See that transition. The word take care. Is only used. In one other context. It's. Luke. 10. Verse 34. And 35.

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     The good Samaritan. Who had compassion. And took care. Of the certain man. Who needed his help. And that's really the point. Of being a bishop. And an overseer. Isn't it? To look for the needs. And welfare of the ecclesia. And so a main point.

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     In this section. Of leadership. The responsibility. To both do. And not to do. What God has outlined. Must first be promoted. And exemplified. In our personal lives. In our familial lives. Before taking on leadership. And service roles. In the house of God. It is a good work. To be a bishop. And deacon.

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     And with it comes. A great responsibility. To admonish. To guard. To care for. To love. And to bring life. To both those. In the house of God. And the principles. Which constitute. The house of God.

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     And the membership. Must recognize. The eldership. Esteeming them. Very highly. With love. Submitting to those. Who tirelessly work. Amongst us all. And this is the wisdom. Of Yahweh. And it's through wisdom. That the house of God. Which is the ecclesia. Of living God. The pillar and ground. Of the truth. Is built. And by understanding.

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     It is established. And Paul ends. This section. In verse 16. With a crescendo. Of thought. Which answers. Why there is a house. What the house of God is. And what is its basis. Because it says. Verse 16. Without controversy. Without a doubt. Great is the mystery. Of godliness.

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     Of godlikeness. Of reverence. And respect. Paul says. Do you want to know. Why we live our lives. In godliness. In the house of God. That mystery. Has been revealed. Old. And it's the mystery. There in verse 16. God. Was manifest. In the flesh. The lord Jesus Christ. Came. As a man.

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     But he didn't just come. As a man. Because he was justified. In the spirit. He adopted. The thinking of God. And then it says. He was seen. Of angels. Because the grave. Could not hold. A righteous man. And so he was resurrected. There. Were witnessed. By the angels. And the angelic beings. To come in the future.

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     And upon the basis. Of the power. Of the resurrection. He was preached. Unto the Gentiles. Believed. On. In the world. And received. Up. Into glory. And one day. If we can be like Christ.

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     Manifest. The spirit. Of Christ. Be resurrected. As a new man. And in godliness. With our thinking. And behavior. In the house of God. Then. We will appear. With him. In glory. As the multitudinous Christ.

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     So as brothers. As sisters. As Christadelphians. Brethren. In Christ. Who make up. That body. Of believers. Which form. The house. Of God. God. Let us take heed. To the wisdom. Of God. The wisdom. Of prayer. The wisdom. Of roles. The wisdom. Of what it means. To be leaders. And followers. For God. Because he has outlined.

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     Precisely. How we ought to behave. Ourselves. In his house. And how we might be. Like him. For this is the mystery. Of godliness. Is. And this conduct. Is based on the wisdom. Of Yahweh. And it's through wisdom. That the house of God. Which is the ecclesia. Of the living God. The pillar. And ground.

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     Of the truth. Is built. And by understanding. That it. Is established. And may the house of God. Be a place. Where we desire. Fervently. To be. So that we can say. As the sons. Of Korah. My soul. Longeth. Yea. Even fainteth. For the courts. Of Yahweh.