October 18, 2017

Encouragement by Gary Rose



Very nice poem; read it a couple of times- I did!!  The poem is entitled "Don't Quit", but frankly, I like "Encouragement" a bit better. Whatever you want to call it, we all need a kind word, a pat on the back, or something that builds our enthusiasm every so often.

Jesus said...

Revelation, Chapter 2 (World English Bible)
 8  “To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: 

“The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: 

  9  “I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.   10  Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Emphasis added vs. 10c)  11  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death. 


When you look at the "Big Picture" and see the end result of your efforts, any obstacles in your way seem a little less important. While you may not have the life or death problems that the assembly at Smyrna had, still your personal difficulties always seem bigger than they actually are.

Hang in there; the best may be yet to come!

Bible Reading October 18, 19 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading October 18, 19
(World English Bible)


Oct. 18
Proverbs 27-29

Pro 27:1 Don't boast about tomorrow; for you don't know what a day may bring forth.
Pro 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Pro 27:3 A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.
Pro 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
Pro 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Pro 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Pro 27:7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
Pro 27:8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.
Pro 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man's friend.
Pro 27:10 Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster: better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother.
Pro 27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
Pro 27:12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
Pro 27:13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
Pro 27:14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
Pro 27:15 A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
Pro 27:16 restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
Pro 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance.
Pro 27:18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
Pro 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.
Pro 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man's eyes are never satisfied.
Pro 27:21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
Pro 27:22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
Pro 27:23 Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds:
Pro 27:24 for riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to all generations.
Pro 27:25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
Pro 27:26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.
Pro 27:27 There will be plenty of goats' milk for your food, for your family's food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

Pro 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Pro 28:2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
Pro 28:3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
Pro 28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
Pro 28:5 Evil men don't understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
Pro 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
Pro 28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Pro 28:8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
Pro 28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Pro 28:10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
Pro 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
Pro 28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
Pro 28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Pro 28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Pro 28:15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
Pro 28:16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
Pro 28:17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.
Pro 28:18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
Pro 28:19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Pro 28:20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
Pro 28:21 To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
Pro 28:22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him.
Pro 28:23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
Pro 28:24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer.
Pro 28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
Pro 28:26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Pro 28:27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
Pro 28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.

Pro 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
Pro 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Pro 29:3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Pro 29:4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
Pro 29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
Pro 29:6 An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
Pro 29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren't concerned about knowledge.
Pro 29:8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
Pro 29:9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
Pro 29:10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
Pro 29:11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
Pro 29:12 If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
Pro 29:13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.
Pro 29:14 The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
Pro 29:15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
Pro 29:16 When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
Pro 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
Pro 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
Pro 29:19 A servant can't be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
Pro 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Pro 29:21 He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
Pro 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
Pro 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
Pro 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
Pro 29:25 The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
Pro 29:26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice comes from Yahweh.
Pro 29:27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.

Oct. 19
Proverbs 30-31

Pro 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle: the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
Pro 30:2 "Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don't have a man's understanding.
Pro 30:3 I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
Pro 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know?
Pro 30:5 "Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Pro 30:6 Don't you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
Pro 30:7 "Two things I have asked of you; don't deny me before I die:
Pro 30:8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me;
Pro 30:9 lest I be full, deny you, and say, 'Who is Yahweh?' or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Pro 30:10 "Don't slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
Pro 30:11 There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn't bless their mother.
Pro 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.
Pro 30:13 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.
Pro 30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men.
Pro 30:15 "The leach has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don't say, 'Enough:'
Pro 30:16 Sheol, the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.'
Pro 30:17 "The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother: the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it.
Pro 30:18 "There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don't understand:
Pro 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden.
Pro 30:20 "So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'
Pro 30:21 "For three things the earth tremble, and under four, it can't bear up:
Pro 30:22 For a servant when he is king; a fool when he is filled with food;
Pro 30:23 for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.
Pro 30:24 "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
Pro 30:25 the ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
Pro 30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.
Pro 30:27 The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.
Pro 30:28 You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.
Pro 30:29 "There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going:
Pro 30:30 The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn't turn away for any;
Pro 30:31 the greyhound, the male goat also; and the king against whom there is no rising up.
Pro 30:32 "If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.
Pro 30:33 For as the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife."

Pro 31:1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
Pro 31:2 "Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
Pro 31:3 Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Pro 31:4 It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?'
Pro 31:5 lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
Pro 31:6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:
Pro 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Pro 31:8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Pro 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy."
Pro 31:10 Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
Pro 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Pro 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
Pro 31:15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
Pro 31:16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
Pro 31:17 She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
Pro 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
Pro 31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Pro 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Pro 31:22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Pro 31:23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
Pro 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Pro 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
Pro 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
Pro 31:29 "Many women do noble things, but you excel them all."
Pro 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!


Oct. 18
Philippians 3

Php 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.
Php 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
Php 3:4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
Php 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
Php 3:7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
Php 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
Php 3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;
Php 3:11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Php 3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.
Php 3:17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
Php 3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,
Php 3:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
Php 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Php 3:21 who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.


Oct. 19
Philippians 4

Php 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Php 4:2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.
Php 4:3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!
Php 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
Php 4:9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Php 4:10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
Php 4:12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Php 4:14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
Php 4:15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.
Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
Php 4:17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
Php 4:18 But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
Php 4:19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Php 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
Php 4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar's household.
Php 4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The dynamic faith of two Ethiopians by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/054-2Ethiopians.html

The dynamic faith of two Ethiopians

Scripture reading: 2 Kings 24:17 - 25:11

In the Scriptures we read about two Ethiopians who had great faith.
The English word ‘Ethiopian’ comes from an ancient Greek designation meaning ‘people with a dark complexion’. It referred to residents of the land of Cush. Cush was a son of Ham (Genesis 10:6-8). The country of Cush, or the Biblical Ethiopia, was south of Egypt in the area of modern Nubia, Sudan and the northern part of Ethiopia. Ethiopians were black (Jeremiah 13:23).
We notice no prejudice in the Bible on the basis of skin color. Moses had an Ethiopian wife (Numbers 12:1). The stunning Shulammite shepherdess whose beauty Solomon praises in the Song of Songs was dark: “I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon” (Song of Solomon 1:5).
The Hebrew word translated here as ‘dark’ means ‘black’. It is used to describe hair ‘black as a raven’ (Song of Solomon 5:11) and ‘black horses’ (Zechariah 6:2). The “tents of Kedar1” were made of black goat’s hair. 
The Bible mentions two Ethiopians who had a dynamic faith worthy of emulation.

A faithful servant of the King.
The name Ebed-Melech means ‘servant of the king’. Ebed- Melech was a servant of Zedekiah, king of Judah. But more important: Ebed-Melech was a servant of the King of heaven and earth.
Ebed-Melech saved the life of Jeremiah the prophet, when King Zedekiah would have allowed him to die.
In 587 BC, Jerusalem had been under siege by Nebuchadnezzar II for two years.
Although Zedekiah had sworn an oath of allegiance to the Babylonians when they appointed him as king, he had broken his vow and rebelled against them. “Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD. And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel. Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, accordingto all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them,because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there wasno remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:11-16). [Also see 2 Kings 24:17, 20.] God condemned Zedekiah for breaking his oath (Ezekiel 17:15, 16). The Babylonians returned to reconquer the city.
The people of Judah had “forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshiped other gods” (Jeremiah 22:9). During 40 years2 Jeremiah had warned them to repent but they did not listen (Jeremiah 1:1-3; 25:3). God’s patience was at an end. His message through Jeremiah was that Jerusalem would be destroyed but that the people could save their lives by surrendering to the Babylonians.
Because of this, Jeremiah was viewed as a traitor by some.
Four leading men in Jerusalem “heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken to all the people, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes over to the Chaldeans shall live; his life shall be as a prize to him, and he shall live.” Thus says the LORD: “This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which shall take it.”’
“Therefore the princes said to the king, ‘Please, let this man be put to death, for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm.’
“Then Zedekiah the king said, ‘Look, he is in your hand. For the king can do nothing against you.’ So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the king’s son, which was in the court of the prison, and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mire.
“Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon. When the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, Ebed-Melech went out of the king’s house and spoke to the king, saying: ‘My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon, and he is likely to die from hunger in the place where he is. For there is no more bread in the city.’
“Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Take from here thirty men with you, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he dies.’
“So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took from there old clothes and old rags, and let them down by ropes into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
“Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, ‘Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.’ And Jeremiah did so. So they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the dungeon” (Jeremiah 38:1-13).
“Now Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken. And he was there when Jerusalem was taken” (Jeremiah 38:28).
“Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, ‘Take him and look after him, and do him no harm; but do to him just as he says to you’” (Jeremiah 39:11, 12).
“Meanwhile the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, ‘Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you. But I will deliver you in that day,’ says the LORD, ‘and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you areafraid. For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 39:15-18).
What can we learn from the faith of Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian?
When he heard that Jeremiah was in the dungeon, he immediately attempted to help him. There was danger involved because he could be accused of helping a traitor. Yet he went to the king and told him that the men who had put Jeremiah in the dungeon had done something evil. Ebed-Melech recognized Jeremiah as a prophet and did not want him to die! The king granted his request.
Let us follow the example of Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian. Let us have the courage to do what is right even if others are doing what is wrong. From this we also learn that God rewards those who put their trust in Him.

An Ethiopian obeys the gospel.
Next we go to the first century AD. The church has been established. The gospel is being preached. Philip the evangelist is sent to a lonely road.
“Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: ‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation Hisjustice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.’ So the eunuch answered Philip and said, ‘I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:26-39).
We do not know the name of this Ethiopian. He was the treasurer of the queen of Ethiopia. More important however: he was a man of faith who put his faith into practice.
He was willing to expend great effort to worship God! By chariot he had travelled 1800 km to Jerusalem to worship! Along the way he would have encountered bad weather and hardships. He would have been in danger from thieves. The round trip was 3600 km!
How much effort are we willing to expend to worship God? God’s people no longer must go to Jerusalem, only to a local assembly on the Lord’s day.
Sunday is not our day on which we do what we want, it is the Lord’s day on which we come together to praise and thank God.
The Ethiopian was reading the Scriptures while joggling along in a chariot! There would have been a cushion on his seat, but chariots had no springs. He really wanted to know the word of God! What do we learn from this? We can find occasion to read the Scriptures if we love God and really want to learn His will.
When the Ethiopian heard the gospel, he obeyed immediately! When he saw water, he asked to be baptized! Some hesitate to become a Christian. Not this man. He was baptized and went on his way rejoicing.
From these two examples of dedication, we can learn much. Let us do what is right even if others are doing what is wrong. Let us exert the required effort to worship God and learn His will. Let us have a living faith like Ebed-Melech and the treasurer of Candace! Amen.
Roy Davison
The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.
Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)
Footnotes:


1 Of the Qedarites - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qedarite.

2 Jeremiah prophesied 18 years under Josiah, 11 years under Jehoiakim and 11 years under Zedekiah.

The Genealogies of Matthew and Luke by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/AllegedDiscrepancies.aspx?article=932&b=Matthew

The Genealogies of Matthew and Luke

by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

One of the charges of contradiction brought by skeptics against the Bible is the surface appearance of contradiction between Matthew’s genealogical list (1:1-17) and the one provided by Luke (3:23-38). As is always the case, the charge of contradiction is premature and reflects an immature appraisal of the extant evidence. In every case of alleged contradiction, further investigation has yielded additional evidence that exonerates the Bible and further verifies its inerrancy. The alleged discrepancies pertaining to Matthew and Luke’s genealogies were explained and answered long ago (e.g., Haley, 1977, pp. 325-326; McGarvey, 1910, pp. 344-346; McGarvey, 1974, pp. 51-55; cf. Lyons, 2003).
When one places the two genealogical lists side by side, several factors become immediately apparent that combine to dispel the appearance of conflict.
Genealogies Chart
Click for Larger Image (132 Kb)
First, Matthew reported the lineage of Christ only back to Abraham; Luke traced it all the way back to Adam. Second, Matthew used the expression “begat;” Luke used the expression “son of,” which results in his list being a complete reversal of Matthew’s. Third, the two genealogical lines parallel each other from Abraham to David. Fourth, beginning with David, Matthew traced the paternal line of descent through Solomon; Luke traced the maternal line through Solomon’s brother, Nathan.
A fifth factor that must be recognized is that the two lines (paternal and maternal) link together in the intermarriage of Shealtiel and Zerubbabel. But the linkage separates again in the two sons of Zerubbabel—Rhesa and Abiud. Sixth, the two lines come together once again for a final time in the marriage of Joseph and Mary. Joseph was the end of the paternal line, while Mary was the last of the maternalline as the daughter of Heli.
The reason Joseph is said to be the “son” of Heli (Mary’s father) brings forth a seventh consideration: the Jewish use of “son.” Hebrews used the word in at least five distinct senses: (1) in the sense used today of a one-generation offspring; (2) in the sense of a descendant, whether a grandson or a more remote descendant many generations previous, e.g., Matthew 1:1; 21:9; 22:42 (“begat” had this same flexibility in application); (3) as a son-in-law (the Jews had no word to express this concept and so just used “son”—e.g., 1 Samuel 24:16; 26:17); (4) in accordance with the Levirate marriage law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10; cf. Matthew 22:24-26), a deceased man would have a son through a surrogate father who legally married the deceased man’s widow (e.g., Ruth 2:20; 3:9,12; 4:3-5); and (5) in the sense of a step-son who took on the legal status of his step-father—the relationship sustained by Jesus to Joseph (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Luke 3:23; 4:22; John 6:42).
Notice carefully that Joseph was a direct-line, blood descendant of David and, therefore, of David’s throne. Here is the precise purpose of Matthew’s genealogy: it demonstrated Jesus’ legal right to inherit the throne of David—a necessary prerequisite to authenticating His Messianic claim. However, an equally critical credential was His blood/physical descent from David—a point that could not be established through Joseph since “after His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18, emp. added). This feature of Christ’s Messiahship was established through His mother Mary, who was also a blood descendant of David (Luke 1:30-32). Both the blood of David and the throne of David were necessary variables to qualify and authenticate Jesus as the Messiah.
Once again, the Bible’s intricate complexities shine forth to dispel the critic’s accusations, while simultaneously demonstrating its own infallible representations. The more one delves into its intricacies and plummets its intriguing depths, the more one is driven to the inescapable conclusion that the Bible is, indeed, the Book of books—the inspired Word of God.

REFERENCES

Haley, John W. (1977), Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).
Lyons, Eric (2003), The Anvil Rings (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).
McGarvey, J.W. (1910), Biblical Criticism (Cincinnati, OH: Standard).
McGarvey, J.W. (1974 reprint), Evidences of Christianity (Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate).