In that day you will say:
"I will praise you, O YHWH.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
YHWH, YHWH, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say:
"Give thanks to YHWH, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to YHWH, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."
Isaiah 12:1-6 NIV
[Yahweh, my thirst is ever quenched from the wells of salvation!]
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A Branch Will Bear Fruit
Woe to those who make unjust laws,
to those who issue oppressive decrees,
to deprive the poor of their rights
and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,
making widows their prey
and robbing the fatherless.
What will you do on the day of reckoning,
when disaster comes from afar?
To whom will you run for help?
Where will you leave your riches?
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of YHWH will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of YHWH -
and he will delight in the fear of YHWH.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of YHWH
as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 10:1-3, 11:1-9 NIV
[Yahweh, teach us to judge with righteousness and to give decisions with justice, fill our earth with knowledge of you.]
to those who issue oppressive decrees,
to deprive the poor of their rights
and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,
making widows their prey
and robbing the fatherless.
What will you do on the day of reckoning,
when disaster comes from afar?
To whom will you run for help?
Where will you leave your riches?
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of YHWH will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of YHWH -
and he will delight in the fear of YHWH.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of YHWH
as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 10:1-3, 11:1-9 NIV
[Yahweh, teach us to judge with righteousness and to give decisions with justice, fill our earth with knowledge of you.]
Monday, June 28, 2010
Virgin Birth
Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. YHWH will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria."
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of YHWH Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 7:13-17, 9:1,2,6,7 NIV
[Yahweh, thank you for the life-giving gift of Jesus, Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.]
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of YHWH Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 7:13-17, 9:1,2,6,7 NIV
[Yahweh, thank you for the life-giving gift of Jesus, Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.]
Sunday, June 27, 2010
What is good
Hear, O mountains, YHWH's accusation;
listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For YHWH has a case against his people;
he is lodging a charge against Israel.
"My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you? Answer me."
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does YHWH require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
But as for me, I watch in hope for YHWH,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.
Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
You will be true to Jacob,
and show mercy to Abraham,
as you pledged on oath to our fathers
in days long ago.
Micah 6:2,3,8, 7:7, 18-20 NIV
[Yahweh, as you delight to show mercy, so may we.]
listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For YHWH has a case against his people;
he is lodging a charge against Israel.
"My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you? Answer me."
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does YHWH require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
But as for me, I watch in hope for YHWH,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.
Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
You will be true to Jacob,
and show mercy to Abraham,
as you pledged on oath to our fathers
in days long ago.
Micah 6:2,3,8, 7:7, 18-20 NIV
[Yahweh, as you delight to show mercy, so may we.]
Saturday, June 26, 2010
We will Walk
In the last days
the mountain of YHWH's temple will be established
as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.
Many nations will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of YHWH,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of YHWH from Jerusalem.
He will judge between many peoples
and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Every man will sit under his own vine
and under his own fig tree,
and no one will make them afraid,
for YHWH Almighty has spoken.
All the nations may walk
in the name of their gods;
we will walk in the name of YHWH
our God for ever and ever.
Micah 4:1-5 NIV
[Yahweh, prayers for the day we will all walk in you name.]
the mountain of YHWH's temple will be established
as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.
Many nations will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of YHWH,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of YHWH from Jerusalem.
He will judge between many peoples
and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Every man will sit under his own vine
and under his own fig tree,
and no one will make them afraid,
for YHWH Almighty has spoken.
All the nations may walk
in the name of their gods;
we will walk in the name of YHWH
our God for ever and ever.
Micah 4:1-5 NIV
[Yahweh, prayers for the day we will all walk in you name.]
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
White as Snow
Take your evil deeds out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
"Come now, let us reason together," says YHWH.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land;"
Isaiah 1:16b-19 NIV
YHWH takes his place in court;
he rises to judge the people.
YHWH enters into judgment
against the elders and leaders of his people:
"It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
the plunder from the poor is in your houses.
What do you mean by crushing my people
and grinding the faces of the poor?"
declares the Lord, YHWH Almighty.
Isaiah 3:13-15 NIV
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight.
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine
and champions at mixing drinks,
who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
but deny justice to the innocent.
Isaiah 5: 20-23 NIV
[Yahweh, let us listen to you and act.]
Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
"Come now, let us reason together," says YHWH.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land;"
Isaiah 1:16b-19 NIV
YHWH takes his place in court;
he rises to judge the people.
YHWH enters into judgment
against the elders and leaders of his people:
"It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
the plunder from the poor is in your houses.
What do you mean by crushing my people
and grinding the faces of the poor?"
declares the Lord, YHWH Almighty.
Isaiah 3:13-15 NIV
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight.
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine
and champions at mixing drinks,
who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
but deny justice to the innocent.
Isaiah 5: 20-23 NIV
[Yahweh, let us listen to you and act.]
Monday, June 21, 2010
Let justice roll on
This is what YHWH says to the house of Israel:
"Seek me and live;
Seek YHWH and live...
You who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground
You hate the one who reproves in court and despise him who tells the truth.
You trample on the poor
and force him to give you grain.
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
you will not live in them;
though you have planted lush vineyards,
you will not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
You oppress the righteous and take bribes
and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times,
for the times are evil.
Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then YHWH God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps YHWH God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph.
I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
You put off the evil day
and bring near a reign of terror.
You lie on beds inlaid with ivory
and lounge on your couches.
You dine on choice lambs
and fattened calves.
You strum away on your harps like David
and improvise on musical instruments.
You drink wine by the bowlful
and use the finest lotions,
but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile;
your feasting and lounging will end."
Amos 5:4,6a,7,10-15, 21-24, 6:3-7 NIV
[Yahweh, may you be honoured - not sickened - by our justice and worship and praise.]
"Seek me and live;
Seek YHWH and live...
You who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground
You hate the one who reproves in court and despise him who tells the truth.
You trample on the poor
and force him to give you grain.
Therefore, though you have built stone mansions,
you will not live in them;
though you have planted lush vineyards,
you will not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
You oppress the righteous and take bribes
and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times,
for the times are evil.
Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then YHWH God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps YHWH God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph.
I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
You put off the evil day
and bring near a reign of terror.
You lie on beds inlaid with ivory
and lounge on your couches.
You dine on choice lambs
and fattened calves.
You strum away on your harps like David
and improvise on musical instruments.
You drink wine by the bowlful
and use the finest lotions,
but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile;
your feasting and lounging will end."
Amos 5:4,6a,7,10-15, 21-24, 6:3-7 NIV
[Yahweh, may you be honoured - not sickened - by our justice and worship and praise.]
Friday, June 18, 2010
Mercy and Acknowledgement
Hear the word of YHWH, you Israelites,
because YHWH has a charge to bring
against you who live in the land:
"There is no faithfulness, no love,
no acknowledgment of God in the land.
There is only cursing, lying and murder,
stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds,
and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God,
I also will ignore your children.
The more the priests increased,
the more they sinned against me;
they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful.
They feed on the sins of my people
and relish their wickedness.
And it will be: Like people, like priests.
I will punish both of them for their ways
and repay them for their deeds.
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
I long to redeem them
but they speak lies against me.
The days of punishment are coming,
the days of reckoning are at hand.
Let Israel know this.
Because your sins are so many
and your hostility so great,
the prophet is considered a fool,
the inspired man a maniac.
Hosea 4:1,2,6b-9, 5:4, 6:6, 7:13c, 9:7 NIV
[Yahweh, let us learn to humble ourselves and be grateful for the blessings you bestow and the gift of prophets and ministers.]
because YHWH has a charge to bring
against you who live in the land:
"There is no faithfulness, no love,
no acknowledgment of God in the land.
There is only cursing, lying and murder,
stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds,
and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God,
I also will ignore your children.
The more the priests increased,
the more they sinned against me;
they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful.
They feed on the sins of my people
and relish their wickedness.
And it will be: Like people, like priests.
I will punish both of them for their ways
and repay them for their deeds.
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
I long to redeem them
but they speak lies against me.
The days of punishment are coming,
the days of reckoning are at hand.
Let Israel know this.
Because your sins are so many
and your hostility so great,
the prophet is considered a fool,
the inspired man a maniac.
Hosea 4:1,2,6b-9, 5:4, 6:6, 7:13c, 9:7 NIV
[Yahweh, let us learn to humble ourselves and be grateful for the blessings you bestow and the gift of prophets and ministers.]
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Come trembling
Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.' The people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited, and they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.
I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.
I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge YHWH.
"In that day I will respond,"
declares YHWH—
"I will respond to the skies,
and they will respond to the earth;
and the earth will respond to the grain,
the new wine and oil,
and they will respond to Jezreel.
I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.'
I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people';
and they will say, 'You are my God.' "
Afterward the Israelites will return and seek YHWH their God and David their king. They will come trembling to YHWH and to his blessings in the last days.
Hosea 1:10,11 2:19-23 3:5 NIV
[Yahweh, great will be the day when all people seek you. May it come sooner than in the last days.]
I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.
I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge YHWH.
"In that day I will respond,"
declares YHWH—
"I will respond to the skies,
and they will respond to the earth;
and the earth will respond to the grain,
the new wine and oil,
and they will respond to Jezreel.
I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.'
I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people';
and they will say, 'You are my God.' "
Afterward the Israelites will return and seek YHWH their God and David their king. They will come trembling to YHWH and to his blessings in the last days.
Hosea 1:10,11 2:19-23 3:5 NIV
[Yahweh, great will be the day when all people seek you. May it come sooner than in the last days.]
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
My Nineveh
The word of YHWH came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
But Jonah ran away from YHWH and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from YHWH.
But YHWH provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
And YHWH commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Then the word of YHWH came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."
Jonah obeyed the word of YHWH and went to Nineveh... He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to YHWH, "O YHWH, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O YHWH, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."
But YHWH replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"
...YHWH said, "...Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"
Jonah 1:1-3, 17, 2:10, 3:1-3a,4b,5, 10, 4:1-4, 10a,11 NIV
[YHWH, I praise you today for your love for the people in my "Nineveh"]
But Jonah ran away from YHWH and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from YHWH.
But YHWH provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
And YHWH commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Then the word of YHWH came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."
Jonah obeyed the word of YHWH and went to Nineveh... He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to YHWH, "O YHWH, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O YHWH, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."
But YHWH replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"
...YHWH said, "...Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"
Jonah 1:1-3, 17, 2:10, 3:1-3a,4b,5, 10, 4:1-4, 10a,11 NIV
[YHWH, I praise you today for your love for the people in my "Nineveh"]
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Why be struck down?
[In Judah]
[Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of YHWH, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
2 Kings 14:3,4 NIV
When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. The anger of YHWH burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, "Why do you consult this people's gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?"
While he was still speaking, the king said to him, "Have we appointed you an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?"
So the prophet stopped but said, "I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel."
From the time that Amaziah turned away from following YHWH, they conspired against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
2 Chronicles 25: 14-16, 27 NIV
[YHWH, give me the courage to listen to your prophets, ministers, and priests and be drawn closer to you rather than harden my heart.]
[Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of YHWH, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
2 Kings 14:3,4 NIV
When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. The anger of YHWH burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, "Why do you consult this people's gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?"
While he was still speaking, the king said to him, "Have we appointed you an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?"
So the prophet stopped but said, "I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel."
From the time that Amaziah turned away from following YHWH, they conspired against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
2 Chronicles 25: 14-16, 27 NIV
[YHWH, give me the courage to listen to your prophets, ministers, and priests and be drawn closer to you rather than harden my heart.]
Monday, June 14, 2010
Joash's Character: With & Without a Priest
Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yawheh all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
2 Kings 12:2,3 NIV
Some time later Joash decided to restore the temple of Yahweh. He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, "Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now." But the Levites did not act at once.
Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, "Why haven't you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of Yahweh and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?"
At the king's command, a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the temple of Yahweh. A proclamation was then issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they should bring to Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God had required of Israel in the desert. All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly, dropping them into the chest until it was full.
The king and Jehoiada gave it to the men who carried out the work required for the temple of Yahweh. They hired masons and carpenters to restore Yahweh's temple, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the temple.
The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them. They rebuilt the temple of God according to its original design and reinforced it. When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made articles for Yahweh's temple: articles for the service and for the burnt offerings, and also dishes and other objects of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of Yahweh.
Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty. He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple.
After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God's anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although Yahweh sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey Yahweh's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has forsaken you.' "
But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of Yahweh's temple. King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah's father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, "May Yahweh see this and call you to account."
At the turn of the year, the army of Aram marched against Joash; it invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus. Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, Yahweh delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash. When the Arameans withdrew, they left Joash severely wounded. His officials conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
2 Chronicles 24:4-6,8-10, 12-25 NIV
[Yahweh, it appears Joash did not truly know you. May my work and decisions reflect you in all I do.]
2 Kings 12:2,3 NIV
Some time later Joash decided to restore the temple of Yahweh. He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, "Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now." But the Levites did not act at once.
Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, "Why haven't you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of Yahweh and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?"
At the king's command, a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the temple of Yahweh. A proclamation was then issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they should bring to Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God had required of Israel in the desert. All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly, dropping them into the chest until it was full.
The king and Jehoiada gave it to the men who carried out the work required for the temple of Yahweh. They hired masons and carpenters to restore Yahweh's temple, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the temple.
The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them. They rebuilt the temple of God according to its original design and reinforced it. When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made articles for Yahweh's temple: articles for the service and for the burnt offerings, and also dishes and other objects of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of Yahweh.
Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty. He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple.
After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God's anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although Yahweh sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey Yahweh's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has forsaken you.' "
But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of Yahweh's temple. King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah's father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, "May Yahweh see this and call you to account."
At the turn of the year, the army of Aram marched against Joash; it invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus. Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, Yahweh delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash. When the Arameans withdrew, they left Joash severely wounded. His officials conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
2 Chronicles 24:4-6,8-10, 12-25 NIV
[Yahweh, it appears Joash did not truly know you. May my work and decisions reflect you in all I do.]
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Everyone who calls
The word of Yahweh that came to Joel son of Pethuel.
Hear this, you elders;
listen, all who live in the land.
Has anything like this ever happened in your days
or in the days of your forefathers?
Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation.
What the locust swarm has left
the great locusts have eaten;
what the great locusts have left
the young locusts have eaten;
what the young locusts have left
other locusts have eaten.
Declare a holy fast;
call a sacred assembly.
Summon the elders
and all who live in the land
to the house of Yahweh your God,
and cry out to Yahweh.
Alas for that day!
For the day of Yahweh is near;
it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
Has not the food been cut off
before our very eyes—
joy and gladness
from the house of our God?
"Even now," declares Yahweh,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to Yahweh your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and have pity
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for Yahweh your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion,
declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.
Yahweh will reply to them:
"I am sending you grain, new wine and oil,
enough to satisfy you fully;
never again will I make you
an object of scorn to the nations.
"And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
And everyone who calls
on the name of Yahweh will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as Yahweh has said,
among the survivors
whom Yahweh calls.
Multitudes, multitudes
in the valley of decision!
For the day of Yahweh is near
in the valley of decision.
Judah will be inhabited forever
and Jerusalem through all generations.
Joel 1:1-4, 14-16; 2:12-15, 19, 28, 29; 3:14, 20
[Yahweh, I am blessed to rend my heart and call on your name and be saved.]
Hear this, you elders;
listen, all who live in the land.
Has anything like this ever happened in your days
or in the days of your forefathers?
Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation.
What the locust swarm has left
the great locusts have eaten;
what the great locusts have left
the young locusts have eaten;
what the young locusts have left
other locusts have eaten.
Declare a holy fast;
call a sacred assembly.
Summon the elders
and all who live in the land
to the house of Yahweh your God,
and cry out to Yahweh.
Alas for that day!
For the day of Yahweh is near;
it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
Has not the food been cut off
before our very eyes—
joy and gladness
from the house of our God?
"Even now," declares Yahweh,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to Yahweh your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and have pity
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for Yahweh your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion,
declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.
Yahweh will reply to them:
"I am sending you grain, new wine and oil,
enough to satisfy you fully;
never again will I make you
an object of scorn to the nations.
"And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
And everyone who calls
on the name of Yahweh will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as Yahweh has said,
among the survivors
whom Yahweh calls.
Multitudes, multitudes
in the valley of decision!
For the day of Yahweh is near
in the valley of decision.
Judah will be inhabited forever
and Jerusalem through all generations.
Joel 1:1-4, 14-16; 2:12-15, 19, 28, 29; 3:14, 20
[Yahweh, I am blessed to rend my heart and call on your name and be saved.]
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Renewing Kings
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed.He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of Yahweh for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.
2 Kings 11:1-3 NIV
Yahweh said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit.
2 Kings 10:30,31 NIV
Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
2 Kings 12:2,3 NIV
[Yahweh, help me remove the "high places" in my heart so that I might be fully devoted to you.]
2 Kings 11:1-3 NIV
Yahweh said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit.
2 Kings 10:30,31 NIV
Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
2 Kings 12:2,3 NIV
[Yahweh, help me remove the "high places" in my heart so that I might be fully devoted to you.]
Friday, June 11, 2010
Killing Kings
[In Judah]
... Yahweh afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels. In the course of time, at the end of the second year, his bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great pain. His people made no fire in his honor, as they had for his fathers. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
2 Chronicles 21:18-20 NIV
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year... He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. He did evil in the eyes of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father's death they became his advisers, to his undoing.
2 Chronicles 22:2-4 NIV
[In Israel]
... Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot. Jehu said ... "pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of Yahweh."
2 Kings 9:24,25a,26b NIV
When Jehu came to Samaria, he killed all who were left there of Ahab's family; he destroyed them, according to the word of Yahweh spoken to Elijah.
2 Kings 10:17 NIV
[Yahweh, grant us peace that we may we never live through such horrid times nor with horrid leadership.]
... Yahweh afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels. In the course of time, at the end of the second year, his bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great pain. His people made no fire in his honor, as they had for his fathers. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
2 Chronicles 21:18-20 NIV
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year... He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. He did evil in the eyes of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father's death they became his advisers, to his undoing.
2 Chronicles 22:2-4 NIV
[In Israel]
... Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot. Jehu said ... "pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of Yahweh."
2 Kings 9:24,25a,26b NIV
When Jehu came to Samaria, he killed all who were left there of Ahab's family; he destroyed them, according to the word of Yahweh spoken to Elijah.
2 Kings 10:17 NIV
[Yahweh, grant us peace that we may we never live through such horrid times nor with horrid leadership.]
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Chariots of Fire
"Go, find out where [Elisha] is," the king [of Aram] ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." ... Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
And Elisha prayed, "O Yahweh, open his eyes so he may see." Then Yahweh opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:13-17 NIV
[Yahweh, let us get but a glimpse of the angels that surround and protect us.]
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
And Elisha prayed, "O Yahweh, open his eyes so he may see." Then Yahweh opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:13-17 NIV
[Yahweh, let us get but a glimpse of the angels that surround and protect us.]
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Obadiah
The vision of Obadiah.
This is what Adonai Yahweh says about Edom—
We have heard a message from Yahweh:
An envoy was sent to the nations to say,
"Rise, and let us go against her for battle"-
"You should not look down on your brother
in the day of his misfortune,
nor rejoice over the people of Judah
in the day of their destruction,
nor boast so much
in the day of their trouble."
"The day of Yahweh is near
for all nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you;
your deeds will return upon your own head."
Obadiah 1:1,12,15 NIV
[Yahweh, as we ought to respect our family members; so let our nations respect you.]
This is what Adonai Yahweh says about Edom—
We have heard a message from Yahweh:
An envoy was sent to the nations to say,
"Rise, and let us go against her for battle"-
"You should not look down on your brother
in the day of his misfortune,
nor rejoice over the people of Judah
in the day of their destruction,
nor boast so much
in the day of their trouble."
"The day of Yahweh is near
for all nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you;
your deeds will return upon your own head."
Obadiah 1:1,12,15 NIV
[Yahweh, as we ought to respect our family members; so let our nations respect you.]
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I would not even notice you
When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father's kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the princes of Israel. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 21:4-6 NIV
...the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to [Elisha].
Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What do we have to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother."
"No," the king of Israel answered, "because it was Yahweh who called us three kings together to hand us over to Moab."
Elisha said, "As surely as Yahweh Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you."
2 Kings 3:12b-14 NIV
[Yahweh, may our pastors and priests have courage to speak the truth to the leaders of the nations.]
2 Chronicles 21:4-6 NIV
...the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to [Elisha].
Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What do we have to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother."
"No," the king of Israel answered, "because it was Yahweh who called us three kings together to hand us over to Moab."
Elisha said, "As surely as Yahweh Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you."
2 Kings 3:12b-14 NIV
[Yahweh, may our pastors and priests have courage to speak the truth to the leaders of the nations.]
Monday, June 7, 2010
Double Portion
...Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
"You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
2 Kings 2:9b-16a NIV
[Yahweh, may all your people likewise seek a "double portion" of your Spirit.]
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
"You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.
2 Kings 2:9b-16a NIV
[Yahweh, may all your people likewise seek a "double portion" of your Spirit.]
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Act with Courage
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. He told them, "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for Yahweh, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of Yahweh be upon you. Judge carefully, for with Yahweh our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery."
In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of Yahweh and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. He gave them these orders: "You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of Yahweh. In every case that comes before you from your fellow countrymen who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or ordinances—you are to warn them not to sin against Yahweh; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not sin.
"Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning Yahweh, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may Yahweh be with those who do well."
2 Chronicles 19:4-11 NIV
[Yahweh, bless us with Godly leaders who will administer justly and fairly in our land and fear you.]
In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of Yahweh and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. He gave them these orders: "You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of Yahweh. In every case that comes before you from your fellow countrymen who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or ordinances—you are to warn them not to sin against Yahweh; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not sin.
"Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning Yahweh, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may Yahweh be with those who do well."
2 Chronicles 19:4-11 NIV
[Yahweh, bless us with Godly leaders who will administer justly and fairly in our land and fear you.]
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Always Bad
For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. But in the third year Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to see the king of Israel. The king of Israel had said to his officials, "Don't you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?"
So he asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?"
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of Yahweh."
So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?"
"Go," they answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand."
But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of Yahweh here whom we can inquire of?"
The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of Yahweh, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah."
"The king should not say that," Jehoshaphat replied.
1 Kings 22:1-8 NIV
[Yahweh, help me trust you always ... may I not cover my ears.]
So he asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?"
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of Yahweh."
So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?"
"Go," they answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand."
But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of Yahweh here whom we can inquire of?"
The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of Yahweh, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah."
"The king should not say that," Jehoshaphat replied.
1 Kings 22:1-8 NIV
[Yahweh, help me trust you always ... may I not cover my ears.]
Friday, June 4, 2010
Gentle Whisper
There [Elijah] went into a cave and spent the night.
And the word of Yahweh came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
He replied, "I have been very zealous for Yahweh God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
Yahweh said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of Yahweh, for Yahweh is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before Yahweh, but Yahweh was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Yahweh God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
Yahweh said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."
1 Kings 19:9-18 NIV
[Yahweh, let me hear your gentle whisper]
And the word of Yahweh came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
He replied, "I have been very zealous for Yahweh God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
Yahweh said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of Yahweh, for Yahweh is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before Yahweh, but Yahweh was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Yahweh God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
Yahweh said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."
1 Kings 19:9-18 NIV
[Yahweh, let me hear your gentle whisper]
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Lessons from Asa
Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of Yahweh his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands. He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for Yahweh gave him rest.
2 Chronicles 14:2-5 NIV
Asa did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as his father David had done. He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made. He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley. Although he did not remove the high places, Asa's heart was fully committed to Yahweh all his life. He brought into the temple of Yahweh the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated.
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns. Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.
Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of Yahweh's temple and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. "Let there be a treaty between me and you," he said, "as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me."
1 Kings 15:11-19 NIV
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on Yahweh your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on Yahweh, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of Yahweh range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."
Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.
The events of Asa's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from Yahweh, but only from the physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers.
2 Chronicles 16:7-13 NIV
[God, give us wisdom in our decisions...may I always trust & rely in you. What will they write about me?]
2 Chronicles 14:2-5 NIV
Asa did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as his father David had done. He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made. He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley. Although he did not remove the high places, Asa's heart was fully committed to Yahweh all his life. He brought into the temple of Yahweh the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated.
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns. Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.
Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of Yahweh's temple and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. "Let there be a treaty between me and you," he said, "as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me."
1 Kings 15:11-19 NIV
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on Yahweh your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on Yahweh, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of Yahweh range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."
Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.
The events of Asa's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from Yahweh, but only from the physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers.
2 Chronicles 16:7-13 NIV
[God, give us wisdom in our decisions...may I always trust & rely in you. What will they write about me?]
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
evil ways
...Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places. This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth.
1 Kings 13:33,34 NIV
After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 12:1 NIV
Judah did evil in the eyes of Yahweh. By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than their fathers had done. They also set up for themselves high places, sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land; the people engaged in all the detestable practices of the nations Yahweh had driven out before the Israelites.
1 Kings 14:22-24 NIV
[In a single generation, the leaders and people of both Israel and Judah turned from you... please help me teach my children your path and your ways, God.]
1 Kings 13:33,34 NIV
After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 12:1 NIV
Judah did evil in the eyes of Yahweh. By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than their fathers had done. They also set up for themselves high places, sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land; the people engaged in all the detestable practices of the nations Yahweh had driven out before the Israelites.
1 Kings 14:22-24 NIV
[In a single generation, the leaders and people of both Israel and Judah turned from you... please help me teach my children your path and your ways, God.]
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Rejecting advice
...the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you."
Rehoboam answered, "Go away for three days and then come back to me." So the people went away.
Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked.
They replied, "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants."
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?"
The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell these people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'-tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.' "
Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, "Come back to me in three days." The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions." So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from Yahweh, to fulfill the word Yahweh had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.
When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king:
"What share do we have in David,
what part in Jesse's son?
To your tents, O Israel!
Look after your own house, O David!"
So the Israelites went home. But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them.
King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. King Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David.
1 Kings 12:3b-20 NIV
[God, give us honorable leaders who consult wisely. Give our world leaders a heart for you.]
Rehoboam answered, "Go away for three days and then come back to me." So the people went away.
Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked.
They replied, "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants."
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?"
The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell these people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'-tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.' "
Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, "Come back to me in three days." The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions." So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from Yahweh, to fulfill the word Yahweh had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.
When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king:
"What share do we have in David,
what part in Jesse's son?
To your tents, O Israel!
Look after your own house, O David!"
So the Israelites went home. But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them.
King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. King Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David.
1 Kings 12:3b-20 NIV
[God, give us honorable leaders who consult wisely. Give our world leaders a heart for you.]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
