1. 1 Nature has been described as God’s “other book.” Even here is evidence of the Supreme Being. All the rivers run into the sea, All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again. (Eccles. 1:7) There they return again. (Eccles. 1:7)

2. 2 Many things in the physical realm have been used by inspired men to teach of things in the spiritual realm: “But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.” (Malachi 4:2)

3. 3 Many things in the physical realm have been used by inspired men to teach of things in the spiritual realm: “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Rev. 22:16)

4. 4 Many things in the physical realm have been used by inspired men to teach of things in the spiritual realm: In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:2)

5. 5 Many things in the physical realm have been used by inspired men to teach of things in the spiritual realm: ….because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away. But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24-25)

6. 6 The River Jordan is a strange stream which flows down from the perpetual snow-capped heights of Mount Hermon to the depths of the Dead Sea. It twists and curves in a 160-mile long bed, while the distance it covers is only 65 miles in a straight line. This feature of the Jordan River raises an intriguing question. Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

7. 7 Why Are Rivers Crooked? MEN WHO WERE LIKE RIVERS Cain Lot Aaron Felix Demas It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

8. 8 Genesis 4:1-3 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD." Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD.

9. 9 Genesis 4:4-8 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

10. 10 MEN WHO WERE LIKE RIVERS Cain Lot Aaron Felix Demas Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

11. 11 Genesis 13:8-10 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.

12. 12 Genesis 13:11-13 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

13. 13 MEN WHO WERE LIKE RIVERS Cain Lot Aaron Felix Demas Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

14. 14 Exodus 32:19-21 So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses’ anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it. And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?”

15. 15 Exodus 32:22-24 So Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.”

16. 16 MEN WHO WERE LIKE RIVERS Cain Lot Aaron Felix Demas Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

17. 17 Acts 24:24-25 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” (Acts 24:24-25)

18. 18 MEN WHO WERE LIKE RIVERS Cain Lot Aaron Felix Demas Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

19. 19 2 Timothy 4:9-10 Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

20. 20 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

21. 21 WE NEED MEN & WOMEN WHO ARE LIKE TREES Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

22. 22 WE NEED MEN & WOMEN WHO ARE LIKE TREES But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

23. 23 WE NEED MEN & WOMEN WHO ARE LIKE TREES That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

24. 24 WE NEED MEN & WOMEN WHO ARE LIKE TREES The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

25. 25 WE NEED MEN & WOMEN WHO ARE LIKE TREES Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psalm 1:1-6) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

26. 26 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. (Heb. 11:4) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

27. 27 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Heb. 11:5) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

28. 28 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Heb. 11:7) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

29. 29 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

30. 30 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb. 11:8-10) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

31. 31 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

32. 32 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. (Heb. 11:11-12) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

33. 33 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

34. 34 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (Heb. 11:17-20) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

35. 35 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. (Heb. 11:21) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

36. 36 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. (Heb. 11:22) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

37. 37 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. (Heb. 11:23) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

38. 38 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

39. 39 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

40. 40 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (Heb. 11:24-28) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

41. 41 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. (Heb. 11:31) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

42. 42 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

43. 43 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

44. 44 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

45. 45 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

46. 46 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-- Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

47. 47 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

48. 48 MEN & WOMEN WHO WERE LIKE TREES God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. (Heb. 11:32- 40) Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.

49. 49 AREYOUARIVERORATREE? Why Are Rivers Crooked? It is because they follow the course of least resistance.