A Selfish, Greedy, Righteous Man by T. Pierce Brown

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Brown/T/Pierce/1923/greedy.html

A Selfish, Greedy, Righteous Man

In Genesis 13 we find that the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot were quarreling about where their herds should graze, so Abraham, a man of peace and good will, gave Lot the choice of which way they should go. Then we read in Gen. 13:10, "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar." Most of us who have spoken of Lot in this connection have characterized him as a selfish, materialistic man who had little concern for others or his own spiritual welfare. There is little doubt that he wanted for himself the best he could get of material things. Do you? Who does not? Is there anything especially reprehensible about that? If someone offered you a choice of a hundred-dollar bill or a dollar bill and he would take the other, which would you choose? If you had been in Lot's shoes, what would you have done? It is easy for us to say, "He should have left the choice to Abraham," but Abraham already had the choice, and gave it to him.

It is generally assumed, and, in my judgment highly probable, that Lot knew of Sodom and its wickedness. It is easy for us to say, "He should have considered what disadvantage there would be in living so close to such wickedness." Of course he should, as each of us should always consider the consequences of any action we may take, especially one that leans toward or leads toward wickedness. A parent who sends his child to a secular, ungodly university instead of to a Christian college or university should consider the consequences. A parent who sends his child to a Christian college or university where many of the teachers promote the idea that the denominational world is about as well off as the Lord's church, and that doctrinal matters are unimportant and that the church of Christ is merely an outgrowth of the Restoration Movement should consider the consequences. A businessman who moves to Detroit, New York or San Francisco from middle Tennessee to get a better paying job should consider the consequences. A Christian who dates a person who is not a Christian or does not have high moral standards should consider the consequences.

However my point here is that the fact that Lot made the wrong choice did not indicate that he was an ungodly, selfish, unusually materialistic wretch. As we see in chapter 19, even after he lived in Sodom he still showed courtesy, hospitality, shame at ungodliness, loyalty, gratitude and other good attributes. He was basically a righteous man. The outstanding lesson is: Regardless of how good or righteous one may be, the wrong choice can reap unexpected horrible consequences. The fact that Lot may have reasoned, "I know the city is wicked, but I do not have to participate in its wickedness" did not change the consequences. The fact that a young girl goes with a boy who is not a Christian or who has questionable morals and thinks, "We love each other enough that I will change him when we get married" will not change the consequences of her actions. Nelson's Bible Dictionary says, "Lot's character is revealed by the major decisions which he made throughout his life. He chose to pitch his tent with the worldly sodomites, seeking riches and a life of ease rather than a path of obedience to God. He prospered for a while, but this decision eventually led to his humiliation and the tragic loss of his wife and other members of his family." That may be true, but it is merely an assumption that he "chose a life of ease rather than a path of obedience to God." There is nothing in the story that indicates that he did not think he could obey God and still pitch his tent toward Sodom. There is nothing in the story that shows that he was disobeying God by moving closer to Sodom. The tragedy is that millions of others have followed his example. They have not chosen a path of deliberate disobedience to God. They have merely chosen a path that indicates an improper attitude toward sin and its influence and consequence. In 2 Peter 2:7-9 Lot is called a righteous man. Matthew Henry says, "This he was as to the generally prevailing bent of his heart and through the main of his conversation. God does not account men just or unjust from one single act, but from their general course of life. And here is a just man in the midst of a most corrupt and profligate generation universally gone off from all good. He does not follow the multitude to do evil, but in a city of injustice he walks uprightly."

Barnes suggests, "Perhaps it was one purpose of his remaining to endeavor to do them good, as it is often the duty of good men now to reside among the wicked for the same purpose. Lot is supposed to have resided in Sodom -- then probably the most corrupt place on the earth -- for 16 years; and we have in that fact an instructive demonstration that a good man may maintain the life of religion in his soul when surrounded by the wicked, and an illustration of the effects which the conduct of the wicked will have on a man of true piety when he is compelled to witness it constantly. (1) He will not be CONTAMINATED with their wickedness, or will not conform to their evil customs. (2) He will not become INDIFFERENT to it, but his heart will be more and more affected by their depravity. (3) He will have not only constant, but growing solicitude in regard to it -- solicitude that will be felt every day: 'He vexed his soul from day to day.' It will not only be at intervals that his mind will be affected by their conduct, but it will be a habitual and constant thing. True piety is not fitful, periodical, and spasmodic; it is constant and steady. It is not a 'jet' that occasionally bursts out; it is a fountain always flowing. (4) He will seek to do them good. We may suppose that this was the case with Lot; we are certain that it is a characteristic of true religion to seek to do good to all, however wicked they may be. (5) He will secure their confidence. He will practice no improper arts to do this, but it will be one of the usual results of a life of integrity, that a good man will secure the confidence of even the wicked. It does not appear that Lot lost that confidence, and the whole narrative in Genesis leads us to suppose that even the inhabitants of Sodom regarded him as a good man. The wicked may hate a good man because he is good; but if a man lives as he should, they will regard him as upright, and they will give him the credit of it when he dies, if they should withhold it while he lives."

We think Barnes is mostly right, but to say that a good man will not be contaminated by the wickedness of those with whom he lives for sixteen years is to go too far. We cannot but wonder why he even moved into the city if it "vexed his righteous soul" as Peter said it did. The only reason that makes sense to us is that he must have assumed that he was so righteous that it would not be worth the effort to stay outside, for he would not be influenced or contaminated by their evil ways. It may be that his family had friends there whose company they enjoyed, or that his wife was so attracted to the sights and shops in the city that she nagged at him until he moved there. Whatever the reasons are, the lesson is the same: The wrong choices we make can have far- reaching and disastrous consequences, not only for ourselves, but also for our families and others.

We cannot argue with the statement that he was a righteous man, at least compared to those about him, for the Bible says so. But we can recognize that even a righteous man can have improper motives and certainly unwise choices and take care that we do not follow in his steps. This is true with every choice we make, whether it is in the political realm, the business arena, scholastic choices, marriage or even where we will spend our vacation. Choose to live in such a way that all you do in word or deed will be to the glory of God.

T. Pierce Brown

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

"THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS: WHAT DO THEY TELL US?" by David Vaughn Elliott

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-dead-sea-scrolls-do-they-tell-us-by.html

"THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS:
 WHAT DO THEY TELL US?" 
by David Vaughn Elliott 

A young Bedouin shepherd scrambled up the cliffs above the Dead Sea searching for a lost goat. When he spotted a cave and tossed in a rock, he heard earthenware shatter. Inside the cave he found jars containing ancient scrolls. It was 1947. By 1956, eleven caves had yielded thousands of parchments from small fragments to entire scrolls. Scholars dated them from about 250 B.C. to A.D. 70. 

Why Was This Significant? 

Included among some 800 Hebrew manuscripts are portions of every Old Testament book except Esther. Before that, the oldest Hebrew OT manuscripts known to scholars were copied about A.D. 900. With the Dead Sea Scroll discoveries, scholars had before their eyes copies of OT books that were copied before the birth of Jesus. Naturally, everyone was interested to learn how much difference there was between the Dead Sea Scrolls and our current Bibles. 

The accusation is often made that we cannot trust the Bible because we do not possess the original manuscripts. It is pointed out correctly that men made copies of copies of copies. How do we know they didn't make mistakes or even make changes on purpose? A fair question. Before the invention of the printing press, everything had to be laboriously copied by hand. That was wide open for mistakes and even for making changes. 

Thanks to the Hebrew scrolls found by the Dead Sea, scholars had the opportunity to compare the oldest copies they already had with these copies that were made one thousand years earlier – made before Jesus came to earth. Were differences found? How many changes took place in one thousand years of copying? Let's start with one example. Arguably, the most amazing find was a virtually complete copy of the book of Isaiah dated about 125 B.C. At the time the scroll was made available, scholars were working on the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. As a result of the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah, translators made only thirteen changes in the entire sixty-six chapters of Isaiah – all tiny, technical changes that most of us would not even notice. 

Some critics claim that early Christians altered the Old Testament in order to fit their ideas of Jesus. What does the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah tell us? Keep in mind that Isaiah offers so many predictions of Jesus that he is often called the Messianic prophet. Now we have proof that the book of Isaiah in our Bibles is substantially the same as the book of Isaiah copied a century before Jesus. The early Christians did not alter Isaiah to fit the facts of Jesus' life. Rather, the Old Testament was written by men who had supernatural foreknowledge. 

Scholars Speak
James C. VanderKam, professor emeritus of Hebrew Scripture of the University of Notre Dame, was a member of an editorial committee that prepared Dead Sea Scrolls for publication. In his prize-winning book, Professor VanderKam wrote: "Once scholars had had opportunity to study the great Isaiah scroll from Cave 1 (1QIsaa, copied in approximately 100 B.C.) and to compare it with the Masoretic [Hebrew] Text, they were impressed with the results. Despite the fact that the Isaiah scroll was about a thousand years older than the earliest surviving copy of the Masoretic version of Isaiah, the two were usually in very close agreement except for small details that rarely affect the meaning of the text... Many of the new scrolls do belong to the same textual tradition as the Masoretic Text. They are, however, centuries older and thus demonstrate in a forceful way how carefully the Jewish scribes transmitted that text across the years" (The Dead Sea Scrolls Today, Second Edition, James C. VanderKam, 2010, page 162).

Note: "Masoretic Text" is the term scholars use for the traditional Hebrew OT. The term comes from a group of Jewish scholars known as the Masoretes, who were the ones who produced the oldest Hebrew manuscripts of the OT available to us before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.  

Theodor H. Gaster, a Hebrew scholar, was a professor and lecturer in various colleges and universities. Gaster published the first English translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls in which he omitted the Bible scrolls. In his Preface he explained why: "The purpose of this book is to provide a complete and reliable translation of the celebrated Dead Sea Scrolls, insofar as the original Hebrew texts have yet been published... no translation is provided of the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah or of the other more fragmentarily preserved Biblical manuscripts. The contents of the Bible are readily available in English, and the special contribution of the Dead Sea Scrolls in this field is of interest only to scholars" (The Dead Sea Scriptures, Theodor H. Gaster, 1956-76; Preface, page xi).

Amazing! "Of interest only to scholars." What does that mean? It means that during one thousand years of copying, there were no great differences between the manuscripts before and after the thousand years. Can't trust copies of copies of copies? The hard facts prove that idea to be fiction. Some differences? Of course. But nothing to change the basic truths of our Bibles. 

The Septuagint
The Dead Sea Scrolls are also important for what they tell us about the Septuagint, the translation of the Hebrew OT into Greek, which was made in the third and second centuries before Christ. Scholars and some of us Bible students have long been aware that there are some differences between the Hebrew OT and the Greek Septuagint. This explains why some NT quotations of the OT don't quite match up with our OT, which is basically a translation from the Masoretic Hebrew. The NT quotations are most often in agreement with the Septuagint text. If you have a Bible with extensive footnotes, you will sometimes notice a variant reading found in the "LXX." That's the Roman numeral for "seventy." It's the common abbreviated way to identify the Septuagint. 

One very significant discovery is that, although the Dead Sea Scrolls are usually in harmony with the Masoretic Hebrew OT, sometimes the Dead Sea Scrolls are more in agreement with the Septuagint. Before the discovery and translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, scholars often looked at the Septuagint as an inferior translation, which sometimes paraphrased and sometimes was just plain wrong. However, inasmuch as some of the Dead Sea Scrolls agree with the Septuagint in places where it differs from the Masoretic text, scholars have had to realign their assessment of the Septuagint. Rather than it being a loose translation, as was thought, the evidence now is that the Septuagint was a careful translation based on a Hebrew text slightly different from the Masoretic.

Bear in mind that, for the most part, we are talking about differences that the majority of us would never even notice. We are talking mainly of details, just like the details you may have noticed between, for example, the New King James Version and the New American Standard Version or the New International Version. Even though the Septuagint is a translation (just as our various English versions are), the Dead Sea Scrolls have proven that the Septuagint is a better translation than was previously thought. And since NT quotes of the OT are usually from the Septuagint, this is an additional reason to deeply appreciate the discovery and study of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Evidence Is In
For some people all this evidence makes little difference. Mark Twain once said: "It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." Often people doubt the Bible, not because there is a lack of evidence for its trustworthiness and divine inspiration, but rather because it judges the way we behave.

If we go by the available facts, there is no evidence the Bible was substantially altered when it was copied through the ages. All the evidence points in the opposite direction. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in modern times is one of the most, if not the most, dramatic proof ever. The evidence tells us that the Bible has been faithfully copied through the years so that we can trust it. 

The Anvil of God's Word
attributed to John Clifford (1836 - 1923) 

Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith’s door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime; 
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had?" said I,
"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"
"Just one,” said he, and then with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The Anvil is unharmed – the hammers gone! 
_________________________________________
For a former Insight on the Dead Sea Isaiah Scroll:
http://insight2bp.homestead.com/186.html

Coming Soon! “GOSNELL” The Movie by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

https://thepreachersword.com/2014/05/14/coming-soon-gosnell-the-movie/#more-5622

Coming Soon! “GOSNELL” The Movie

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the first degree murder conviction in the trial of Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortion doctor.

He was found guilty of murdering three babies born alive in his abortion clinic by severing their spines with scissors following delivery.   And convicted on two counts of gross negligence of two mothers.  In addition Gosnell was convicted for killing 21 babies in utero, which is not murder in these cases, but a violation of Pennsylvania’s legal-abortion limit.

Now, “FrackNation” producer Phelim McAleer wants to make a movie about the Gosnell story.  However, Hollywood, the industry not shy about filming grotesques flicks featuring blood, guts, and gore  is not interested in making the movie!

Lila Rose writes, in the Washington Times, “It’s strange to see Hollywood refuse to touch the story of the worst serial killer in America’s history — and to see even an independent film maker rebuffed in his efforts to pick up the slack.”

“Why does a story like this — an “if it bleeds, it leads” tale, if ever there was one — cause such unique aversion, to the point where mainstream media ignore it and private companies twist themselves in rhetorical knots to keep it under wraps? Why does even the average American who enjoys “Law and Order” look away?”

First, she says, “there is the extreme horror of Gosnell’s acts. It is one thing when victims can run or scream for help, as in the Ariel Castro story. Gosnell’s victims, though, had absolutely no chance; they were barely developed enough to scream. These infants were completely at the mercy of their killer, with no escape from the surgical scissors on their necks.”

Secondly, Rose writes,“There are also the implications for the ‘pro-choice” movement.’  Planned Parenthood, NARAL and the rest try to distance themselves from Gosnell. Yet Planned Parenthood is far more sympathetic to “after-birth” abortion than its press releases would have us believe. Those 21 babies killed — and denied justice through Gosnell’s conviction”

As a result Mr. McAleer has turned to “crowdfunding” to finance the filming of the Gosnell movie through individual donations.  After the web site Kickstarter refused the project unless he agreed to censor the horrible description of Gosnell’s crimes, the rival site IndieGoGo agreed. As of this date, they have reached the  remarkable goal of $2.1 million in donations.

The liberal intelligentsia of America does not want the truth told about Abortion.  Of the millions of women who suffered as a result.  Of the 55 million children who’ve been slaughtered  on Satan’s altar of selfishness, convenience, and promiscuity. Of fathers denied the right to fight for their child’s life.  Of the terms “abortionist” and “serial killer” becoming synonymous. Of the nagging guilt of this nation before the Throne of Almighty God.

ThePreachersWord is not interested in this issue from a political perspective.

The Bible uses the expression “with child” 26 times to refer to pregnant women. The term fetus is never used. Luke, the physician, records that Elisabeth, the mother of John the Immerser, conceived a son (1:35). In verse 41 the doctor wrote “the baby leaped in her womb.” The baby! Not the fetus! It is the same Greek word that Luke uses to describe Jesus after he was born (2:12, 16). God views the unborn baby and the newborn baby in the same way. Both are living human beings.

In the midst of his suffering Job cries out, “Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, Like infants who never saw light?” (3:16). The unborn child is called an infant! 

It was 41 years ago that the Supreme Court decision, Roe v Wade, legalized abortion.  Ironically, as I write these words today is the 41^th birthday of our son, Kenny.   In looking back, never once did we think of Norma Jean’s pregnancy as carrying a fetus.  Or a clump of issue.  We said, “We’re going to have a baby!  Baby Kenny!”

Now, we’re soon to be grandparents.  Our daughter, Rachél, is expecting a baby boy in October!  She, and her husband, Jared, have already chosen a name for the baby!

Ms Rose concludes her article by asking and observing, “Can Kermit Gosnell be the catalyst by which Americans realize that we cannot build our nation on the broken bodies of our littlest children? Maybe. One thing is sure: We have to learn about America’s biggest serial killer before we can learn from him.”

She says, “The Gosnell story must be told.”

What do you think?

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" Two Great Commandments (12:28-34) by Mark Copeland

 

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

Two Great Commandments (12:28-34) 

 INTRODUCTION

1. Having silenced the Pharisees,  Herodians, and Sadducees, Jesus was approached by a scribe...
   a. Who asked which is the first (foremost) commandment of the law - Mk 12:28
   b. Jesus replied by offering two great commandments - Mk 12:29-31
   c. With which the scribe agreed with grace and wisdom - Mk 12:32-33
   d. Prompting Jesus’ comment:  "You are not far from the kingdom of God" - Mk 12:34

2. Though part of the Law, these "Two Great Commandments" are very important to Christians...
   a. For they have their counterpart in the New Covenant
   b. And keeping the commandments of God is just as important now - cf. 1Co 7:19; 1Jn 5:3

[Therefore it is proper to ask, do we love God and our neighbor?  Do we
understand what is involved?  By reflecting upon these "Two Great
Commandments" we can find the answer to such questions...]

I. THE COMMAND TO LOVE GOD

   A. UNDER THE OLD COVENANT...
      1. The Israelites were expected to love God (Deu 6:5)...
         a. "with all your heart"
         b. "with all your soul"
         c. "with all your strength"
         d. "with all your mind"
         e. Emotionally, physically, intellectually, they were to love God
      2. Thus they were to love God with their whole being, not like some who...
         a. Serve God emotionally, while committing intellectual suicide
         b. Serve God intellectually, but with no emotion
         c. Serve God emotionally and intellectually, but with no actual
            obedience requiring the exercise of strength (i.e., action)

   B. HOW WE ARE TO LOVE GOD TODAY...
      1. Does God expect any less of us?  Of course not!  We are to love God:
         a. With all our heart - cf. 1Co 16:22 (note the use the word "phileo")
         b. With all our soul (body and mind) - cf. Ro 12:1-2
         c. With all our strength - cf. He 10:36
         d. With all our mind - cf. Col 3:1; Php 4:8
      2. We demonstrate our love for God through keeping His commandments
         a. This is the love of God - 1Jn 5:3
         b. This is evidence that we love Jesus - Jn 14:15

   C. HOW TO GROW IN OUR LOVE FOR GOD...
      1. By letting God’s love for us to move us - cf. 1Jn 4:9-10; Ro 5:8
      2. By asking God to help us grow in love - cf. 2Th 3:5
      3. By praying, and growing in love when He answers - cf. Ps 116:1-2
      4. By keeping the word of God - cf. 1Jn 2:5

[Do we love God any less than what was expected of the Israelites?  We
certainly have compelling reasons to love Him even more (e.g., the gift
of His Son)!  Now let’s consider...]

II. THE COMMAND TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR

   A. ENJOINED UPON CHRISTIANS...
      1. We owe it to love our neighbor - Ro 13:8
      2. When fully applied, it fulfills what the Law required - Ro 13:8-10
      3. Five of the Ten Commandments spoke to working no ill toward our fellow man
      4. If one truly loves his neighbor, he will not kill, commit adultery, lie, steal, etc.

   B. ENHANCED BY A NEW COMMAND...
      1. Jesus taught us to love one another - Jn 13:34-35
      2. This new command takes our love to a higher level
      3. No longer do we just love one another as we love ourselves
      4. We must love one another as Christ loved us! - cf. Jn 15:13; 2Co 8:9

   C. EXPERIENCED WHEN WE KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS...
      1. We demonstrate true love of one another by keeping the commandments of God - 2Jn 1:5-6
      2. This is how we know that we really love one another - 1Jn 5:2
      3. Not by just claiming to love one another
      4. But by setting the proper example, and encouraging each other by the example we set!

   D. EDUCATED BY THE EXAMPLE OF GOD...
      1. We develop love for one another by being taught of God - cf. 1Th 4:9-10
      2. The Thessalonians had been taught of God to love their brethren
      3. They did so remarkably, though there was always room for improvement
      4. Jesus by His own example demonstrates what true love is - 1Jn 3:16-18
      5. If we wish to learn how to love one another properly, look to God and Jesus!

CONCLUSION

1. How great were these two commandments...to love God, and to love your neighbor?
   a. "There is no greater commandment than these." - Mk 12:31
   b. "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." - Mk 22:40
   c. "Love is the fulfilling of the Law." - Ro 13:9

2. When one truly loves God, and loves his neighbor as himself...
   a. They are on the path that leads to the kingdom of God! - cf. Mk 12:34
   b. They are on the road that leads to eternal life! - cf. Lk 10:28

If you wish to receive eternal life, and become a citizen of the
kingdom, then demonstrate your love for God by obeying His commands (cf.
Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:16), and live a life of faith in Jesus that is focused on loving God and others...! 

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

Recent Turing Award Implies Creation by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3739

 Recent Turing Award Implies Creation

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

The A.M. Turing Award is one of, if not the, highest awards that can be given to those in the computing field. It was named after British mathematician Alan M. Turing, and awarded to those who are believed to have made breakthrough advancements in computing technology (Robertson, 2011). The most recent recipient of the Turing award was Harvard University professor Leslie Valiant. He received the award based on his contributions to the field of “computer learning.” Jordan Robertson, AP Technology Writer, noted that Valiant’s efforts “paved the way for computers that more closely mimic how humans think” (2011). Robertson quoted ACM President Alain Chesnais as saying that Valiant’s work, “has produced modeling that offers computationally inspired answers on fundamental questions like how the brain ‘computes’” (2011).

Valiant’s work is truly amazing. He has spent 30 years of his life trying to help synthetic machinery “compute” more like the human brain. In many ways, however, the computers are still vastly inferior to the human brain. Reasoning through this situation leads to a very important conclusion. If Valiant is a brilliant computational scientist, and he has spent three decades trying to mimic the computational abilities of the brain, what does that imply about the brain? It means it was designed by an Intelligent Designer even more brilliant than Valiant. That is the only conclusion that adequately evaluates the evidence. Yet sadly, many in the scientific community will pat Valiant on the back for the efforts he has made to understand the brain’s computational abilities, while they will completely ignore the implication of design that is inherent in his work. In reality, God’s design of the human brain has paved the way for scientists like Valiant to mimic His work and build better computers.

REFERENCE

Robertson, Jordan (2011), "Turing Award Goes to ‘Machine Learning’ Expert", http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110309/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_technology_prize/print.

Right, Wrong, and God's Existence by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=878

Right, Wrong, and God's Existence

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Everyone in the world believes that some things are right and other things are wrong. At times, people do not agree on the exact way to decide whether something is right or wrong. But it is undeniable that the concepts of right and wrong, good and evil, do exist.

The person who does not believe that God exists has only one choice when it comes to explaining morality—man must have thought it up by himself. However, since man is seen as little more than the last animal to be produced by evolution, this becomes problematic. A lion does not feel guilty after killing a gazelle for its lunch. A dog does not feel remorse after stealing a bone from another dog. And a female pig feels no guilt after eating her newborn piglets. Yet man, who is supposed to have evolved, feels both guilt and remorse when he commits certain acts that violate his “moral code.” The simple fact that we are discussing morals establishes that morality—which is found only in humans—had to have a cause other than evolution. After all, one ape never sat around and said to another, “Today, I think we should talk about right and wrong.” Even the famous atheist George Gaylord Simpson of Harvard admitted that “morals arise only in man.” What, or should we say, Who, instilled a conscience in humans? The apostle Peter provided the only legitimate answer. In 1 Peter 1:16, he wrote that we should be holy because God is holy. The only possible source of knowledge regarding right and wrong is the almighty God who embodies all that is good. In Ecclesiastes 7:29, wise King Solomon wrote: “Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”

To suggest that the morality inherent in all mankind evolved from a warm pool of inorganic slime in the great long ago is an inadequate explanation. Morals could only have been placed in mankind by a Being who understood, even to a greater degree than men, the difference between right and wrong. This knowledge should lead us to follow the directive Jesus gave in Matthew 5:48: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

RoboLobster’s Inspiration by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1911

RoboLobster’s Inspiration

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Although not all scientists approve of the terms biomimicry and biomimetics (since some allege that scientists only “learn” from life, rather than “mimic” it), one thing is certain: increasingly, more scientists are looking to the biological world for inspiration for their inventions (see Benyus, 2002). In a recent Business Week article titled, “Mother Nature’s Design Workshop,” Carlos Bergfeld reported that scientists are finding “the inspiration for the latest in surveillance and defense technologies...by looking long and hard at insects and other small creatures” (2006). Bergfeld listed several recent inventions inspired by “nature’s design,” including tiny reconnaissance drones, inspired by the “micro-sized, flappable, flexible wings of bees,” and RoboLampreys, which imitate the lamprey’s ability to “stealthily probe upper-level waters, searching for underwater hazards.” One other defense mechanism listed is known as RoboLobster (“cousin” of RoboLamprey).

At Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center in Nahant, Massachusetts, Joseph Ayers built RoboLobster in hopes of saving lives. The 7-pound, 24-inch lobster-inspired robot can search for deadly mines and carry out other tasks by “mimicking how an actual lobster combs the ocean floor for food” (Bergfeld, 2006). Of all the amazing creatures to imitate, one might wonder why scientists chose lobsters to study. Apparently, it’s all in the way they move.

Lobsters can stealthily navigate turbulent water and land, and can even automatically adjust their posture and position in order to stay still in choppy waters. Lobsters walk the ocean floor preying on clams, starfish, sea urchins, and other forms of sea life. So the theory is that an artificial lobster would be adept at prowling for mines in harbors and coastlines. According to the Office of Naval Research, shallow waters are particularly difficult areas for mine hunting because of the surge of waves and the lack of visibility (“Robotic...,” 2003).

Though not yet implemented by the Navy, RoboLobster’s minesweeping techniques show great potential. The lobster-like robot has been so impressive that Time Magazine named it one of the “Coolest Inventions of 2003” (see “Coolest...”). Normally lauded for their exquisite taste, lobsters are now recognized for their amazing design and ability to “automatically adjust their posture and position” in turbulent waters (“Robotic...,” emp. added).

Imagine seeing RoboLobster crawling in the shallow waters off of a beach. Its eight industrial-strength plastic legs work just right to move it in any direction. Its antennas sense obstacles to avoid or destroy. Its claws and tail stabilize it in rough waters. This engineering feat would not go unnoticed. You would conclude (like any rational person) that this gadget is the product of intelligent design. One or more individuals must have spent countless hours researching, designing, and assembling this lobster-like robot.

Now imagine seeing a real lobster scurrying along the same ocean floor. You recognize that its body is designed perfectly for the actions it performs. You observe its claws, legs, eyes, antennas, and tail. You watch how effortlessly it maneuvers, “automatically” adjusting its posture and position in turbulent waters. Every organ in its body functions perfectly.

To what do we owe the real, living lobster—mindless time and chance, or an Intelligent Designer? Carlos Bergfeld alleged that the “tried-and-true designs” (emp. added) of many creatures (e.g., lobsters) are the “product of millions of years of evolution” (2006). Supposedly, “Mother Nature’s 4 billion years of research” (Bergfeld, 2006) inspires these scientists in their life-like inventions. The Bible says otherwise (Genesis 1; Exodus 20:11). Common sense also tells us that design demands a designer. Poems demand poets. Paintings demand painters. Songs demand songwriters. And, just as bio-inspired robots demand an inventor, the living organisms that are increasingly imitated in science laboratories all over the world demand an Intelligent Designer.

For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4).

The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all its fullness, You have founded them. The north and the south, You have created them (Psalm 89:11-12).

REFERENCES

Benyus, Janine (2002), Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature (Canada: HarperCollins Publishers).

Bergfeld, Carlos (2006), “Mother Nature’s Design Workshop,” Business Week Online, June 27, [On-line], URL: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2006/ tc20060627_504809.htm?campaign_id=bier_tcj.

“Coolest Inventions 2003” (2003), Time, [On-line], URL: http://www.time.com/time/ 2003/inventions/invlobster.html.

“Robotic Crustacean Crawls to Victory” (2003), News from Northeastern, [On-line], URL: http://www.nupr.neu.edu/11-03/time-robolob.html.

The light by Gary Rose

A simple picture of the sun in the sky; something we all take for granted. The sun provides heat and light; two things we really need. Without heat, you die. No light, you have no idea where you are going. Survival is basic to us all and being able to see where you are going improves survival ability. Today, I am thinking of more than just sight; rather, insight as to how we are to live our lives.

Consider the following verses from the old testament:

Jeremiah 10 ( World English Bible )

²³ Yahweh, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

And

Psalm 119 ( WEB )

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

So, the Bible teaches us that we need “your word” to guide us in our lives. Turning to the New Testament, we see that “The Word” came to us in human form; The Apostle John says…

John 1 ( WEB )

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

² The same was in the beginning with God.

³ All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.

⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.

⁶ There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.

⁷ The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.

⁸ He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.

⁹ The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him.

¹¹ He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him.

¹² But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:

¹³ who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”

¹⁶ From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.

¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

AND

John 8 ( WEB )

¹² Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Over the centuries, God has given us HIS will in the form of written Scriptures and in the person of Jesus Christ; who, explained not only the meaning of many passages in the Old Testament, but provided the perfect example to learn by his earthly actions. Its up to us to follow his “light”- right up to heaven and live forever. See what I am saying?

Bible Reading for April 9 - 11 by Gary Rose

 

Bible Reading for April 9 - 11

World  English  Bible

 

 

 

Apr. 9

Numbers 9, 10

Num 9:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

Num 9:2 "Moreover let the children of Israel keep the Passover in its appointed season.

Num 9:3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you shall keep it in its appointed season--according to all its statutes, and according to all its ordinances, you shall keep it."

Num 9:4 Moses spoke to the children of Israel, that they should keep the Passover.

Num 9:5 They kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did.

Num 9:6 There were certain men, who were unclean because of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day.

Num 9:7 Those men said to him, "We are unclean because of the dead body of a man. Why are we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of Yahweh in its appointed season among the children of Israel?"

Num 9:8 Moses answered them, "Wait, that I may hear what Yahweh will command concerning you."

Num 9:9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 9:10 "Say to the children of Israel, 'If any man of you or of your generations is unclean by reason of a dead body, or is on a journey far away, he shall still keep the Passover to Yahweh.

Num 9:11 In the second month, on the fourteenth day at evening they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Num 9:12 They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it. According to all the statute of the Passover they shall keep it.

Num 9:13 But the man who is clean, and is not on a journey, and fails to keep the Passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people. Because he didn't offer the offering of Yahweh in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

Num 9:14 If a foreigner lives among you, and desires to keep the Passover to Yahweh; according to the statute of the Passover, and according to its ordinance, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the foreigner, and for him who is born in the land.' "

Num 9:15 On the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the Tent of the Testimony: and at evening it was over the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until morning.

Num 9:16 So it was continually. The cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night.

Num 9:17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel traveled; and in the place where the cloud remained, there the children of Israel encamped.

Num 9:18 At the commandment of Yahweh, the children of Israel traveled, and at the commandment of Yahweh they encamped. As long as the cloud remained on the tabernacle they remained encamped.

Num 9:19 When the cloud stayed on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept Yahweh's command, and didn't travel.

Num 9:20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of Yahweh they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of Yahweh they traveled.

Num 9:21 Sometimes the cloud was from evening until morning; and when the cloud was taken up in the morning, they traveled: or by day and by night, when the cloud was taken up, they traveled.

Num 9:22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the tabernacle, remaining on it, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn't travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled.

Num 9:23 At the commandment of Yahweh they encamped, and at the commandment of Yahweh they traveled. They kept Yahweh's command, at the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

Num 10:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 10:2 "Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps.

Num 10:3 When they blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

Num 10:4 If they blow just one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you.

Num 10:5 When you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side shall go forward.

Num 10:6 When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall go forward. They shall blow an alarm for their journeys.

Num 10:7 But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.

Num 10:8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. This shall be to you for a statute forever throughout your generations.

Num 10:9 When you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets. Then you will be remembered before Yahweh your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.

Num 10:10 "Also in the day of your gladness, and in your set feasts, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be to you for a memorial before your God. I am Yahweh your God."

Num 10:11 It happened in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, that the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the testimony.

Num 10:12 The children of Israel went forward according to their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud abode in the wilderness of Paran.

Num 10:13 They first went forward according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

Num 10:14 First, the standard of the camp of the children of Judah went forward according to their armies. Nahshon the son of Amminadab was over his army.

Num 10:15 Nethanel the son of Zuar was over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar.

Num 10:16 Eliab the son of Helon was over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun.

Num 10:17 The tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who bore the tabernacle, went forward.

Num 10:18 The standard of the camp of Reuben went forward according to their armies. Elizur the son of Shedeur was over his army.

Num 10:19 Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai was over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon.

Num 10:20 Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad.

Num 10:21 The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.

Num 10:22 The standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies. Elishama the son of Ammihud was over his army.

Num 10:23 Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur was over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh.

Num 10:24 Abidan the son of Gideoni was over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin.

Num 10:25 The standard of the camp of the children of Dan, which was the rearward of all the camps, set forward according to their armies. Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai was over his army.

Num 10:26 Pagiel the son of Ochran was over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher.

Num 10:27 Ahira the son of Enan was over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali.

Num 10:28 Thus were the travels of the children of Israel according to their armies; and they went forward.

Num 10:29 Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are journeying to the place of which Yahweh said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well; for Yahweh has spoken good concerning Israel."

Num 10:30 He said to him, "I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives."

Num 10:31 He said, "Don't leave us, please; because you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.

Num 10:32 It shall be, if you go with us, yes, it shall be, that whatever good Yahweh does to us, we will do the same to you."

Num 10:33 They set forward from the Mount of Yahweh three days' journey. The ark of the covenant of Yahweh went before them three days' journey, to seek out a resting place for them.

Num 10:34 The cloud of Yahweh was over them by day, when they set forward from the camp.

Num 10:35 It happened, when the ark went forward, that Moses said, "Rise up, Yahweh, and let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!"

Num 10:36 When it rested, he said, "Return, Yahweh, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel." 

 

Apr. 10

Numbers 11, 12

Num 11:1 The people were complaining in the ears of Yahweh. When Yahweh heard it, his anger was kindled; and Yahweh's fire burnt among them, and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.

Num 11:2 The people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire abated.

Num 11:3 The name of that place was called Taberah, because Yahweh's fire burnt among them.

Num 11:4 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, "Who will give us flesh to eat?

Num 11:5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;

Num 11:6 but now we have lost our appetite. There is nothing at all except this manna to look at."

Num 11:7 The manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like the appearance of bdellium.

Num 11:8 The people went around, gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots, and made cakes of it. Its taste was like the taste of fresh oil.

Num 11:9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.

Num 11:10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent; and the anger of Yahweh was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased.

Num 11:11 Moses said to Yahweh, "Why have you treated with your servant so badly? Why haven't I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?

Num 11:12 Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them forth, that you should tell me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which you swore to their fathers?'

Num 11:13 Where could I get meat to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.'

Num 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

Num 11:15 If you treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in your sight; and don't let me see my wretchedness."

Num 11:16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you.

Num 11:17 I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone.

Num 11:18 Say to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you will eat flesh; for you have wept in the ears of Yahweh, saying, "Who will give us flesh to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt." Therefore Yahweh will give you flesh, and you will eat.

Num 11:19 You will not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days,

Num 11:20 but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because that you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?" ' "

Num 11:21 Moses said, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, 'I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.'

Num 11:22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?"

Num 11:23 Yahweh said to Moses, "Has Yahweh's hand grown short? Now you will see whether my word will happen to you or not."

Num 11:24 Moses went out, and told the people the words of Yahweh; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them around the Tent.

Num 11:25 Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.

Num 11:26 But two men remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.

Num 11:27 A young man ran, and told Moses, and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!"

Num 11:28 Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, "My lord Moses, forbid them!"

Num 11:29 Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh's people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!"

Num 11:30 Moses went into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

Num 11:31 A wind from Yahweh went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth.

Num 11:32 The people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails. He who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them all abroad for themselves around the camp.

Num 11:33 While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Yahweh was kindled against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague.

Num 11:34 The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.

Num 11:35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth; and they stayed at Hazeroth.

Num 12:1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.

Num 12:2 They said, "Has Yahweh indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn't he spoken also with us?" And Yahweh heard it.

Num 12:3 Now the man Moses was very humble, above all the men who were on the surface of the earth.

Num 12:4 Yahweh spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, "You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!" The three of them came out.

Num 12:5 Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward.

Num 12:6 He said, "Hear now my words. If there is a prophet among you, I Yahweh will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream.

Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house.

Num 12:8 With him I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Yahweh's form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?"

Num 12:9 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against them; and he departed.

Num 12:10 The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.

Num 12:11 Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, please don't count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.

Num 12:12 Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb."

Num 12:13 Moses cried to Yahweh, saying, "Heal her, God, I beg you!"

Num 12:14 Yahweh said to Moses, "If her father had but spit in her face, shouldn't she be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut up outside of the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again."

Num 12:15 Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn't travel until Miriam was brought in again.

Num 12:16 Afterward the people traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in the wilderness of Paran. 

 

Apr. 11

Numbers 13, 14

Num 13:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 13:2 "Send men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel. Of every tribe of their fathers, you shall send a man, every one a prince among them."

Num 13:3 Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of Yahweh: all of them men who were heads of the children of Israel.

Num 13:4 These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

Num 13:5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

Num 13:6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

Num 13:7 Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.

Num 13:8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

Num 13:9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

Num 13:10 Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

Num 13:11 Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.

Num 13:12 Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.

Num 13:13 Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.

Num 13:14 Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.

Num 13:15 Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

Num 13:16 These are the names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

Num 13:17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country:

Num 13:18 and see the land, what it is; and the people who dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many;

Num 13:19 and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds;

Num 13:20 and what the land is, whether it is fat or lean, whether there is wood therein, or not. Be of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.

Num 13:21 So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath.

Num 13:22 They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Num 13:23 They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two; they brought also of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

Num 13:24 That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from there.

Num 13:25 They returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days.

Num 13:26 They went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word to them, and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.

Num 13:27 They told him, and said, We came to the land where you sent us; and surely it flows with milk and honey; and this is its fruit.

Num 13:28 However the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

Num 13:29 Amalek dwells in the land of the South: and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea, and along by the side of the Jordan.

Num 13:30 Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

Num 13:31 But the men who went up with him said, We aren't able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

Num 13:32 They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people who we saw in it are men of great stature.

Num 13:33 There we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Num 14:1 All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.

Num 14:2 All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said to them, Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would that we had died in this wilderness!

Num 14:3 Why does Yahweh bring us to this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be a prey: wouldn't it be better for us to return into Egypt?

Num 14:4 They said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

Num 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

Num 14:6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes:

Num 14:7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceeding good land.

Num 14:8 If Yahweh delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us; a land which flows with milk and honey.

Num 14:9 Only don't rebel against Yahweh, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is removed from over them, and Yahweh is with us: don't fear them.

Num 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. The glory of Yahweh appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel.

Num 14:11 Yahweh said to Moses, How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them?

Num 14:12 I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.

Num 14:13 Moses said to Yahweh, Then the Egyptians will hear it; for you brought up this people in your might from among them;

Num 14:14 and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you Yahweh are in the midst of this people; for you Yahweh are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them, and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night.

Num 14:15 Now if you shall kill this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of you will speak, saying,

Num 14:16 Because Yahweh was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.

Num 14:17 Now please let the power of the Lord be great, according as you have spoken, saying,

Num 14:18 Yahweh is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.

Num 14:19 Pardon, Please, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and according as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

Num 14:20 Yahweh said, I have pardoned according to your word:

Num 14:21 but in very deed, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of Yahweh;

Num 14:22 because all those men who have seen my glory, and my signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice;

Num 14:23 surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it:

Num 14:24 but my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him will I bring into the land into which he went; and his seed shall possess it.

Num 14:25 Now the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the valley: tomorrow turn, and go into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.

Num 14:26 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Num 14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

Num 14:28 Tell them, As I live, says Yahweh, surely as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you:

Num 14:29 your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all who were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have murmured against me,

Num 14:30 surely you shall not come into the land, concerning which I swore that I would make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Num 14:31 But your little ones, that you said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which you have rejected.

Num 14:32 But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.

Num 14:33 Your children shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your prostitution, until your dead bodies be consumed in the wilderness.

Num 14:34 After the number of the days in which you spied out the land, even forty days, for every day a year, you will bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you will know my alienation.

Num 14:35 I, Yahweh, have spoken, surely this will I do to all this evil congregation, who are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.

Num 14:36 The men, whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up an evil report against the land,

Num 14:37 even those men who did bring up an evil report of the land, died by the plague before Yahweh.

Num 14:38 But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land.

Num 14:39 Moses told these words to all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly.

Num 14:40 They rose up early in the morning, and got them up to the top of the mountain, saying, Behold, we are here, and will go up to the place which Yahweh has promised: for we have sinned.

Num 14:41 Moses said, Why now do you disobey the commandment of Yahweh, seeing it shall not prosper?

Num 14:42 Don't go up, for Yahweh isn't among you; that you not be struck down before your enemies.

Num 14:43 For there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you, and you shall fall by the sword: because you are turned back from following Yahweh, therefore Yahweh will not be with you.

Num 14:44 But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and Moses, didn't depart out of the camp.

Num 14:45 Then the Amalekite came down, and the Canaanite who lived in that mountain, and struck them and beat them down, even to Hormah. 

 

Apr.  9

Luke 6

Luk 6:1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first, that he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.

Luk 6:2 But some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?"

Luk 6:3 Jesus, answering them, said, "Haven't you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;

Luk 6:4 how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?"

Luk 6:5 He said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."

Luk 6:6 It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered.

Luk 6:7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.

Luk 6:8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise up, and stand in the middle." He arose and stood.

Luk 6:9 Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?"

Luk 6:10 He looked around at them all, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other.

Luk 6:11 But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.

Luk 6:12 It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.

Luk 6:13 When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:

Luk 6:14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;

Luk 6:15 Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot;

Luk 6:16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.

Luk 6:17 He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;

Luk 6:18 as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed.

Luk 6:19 All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

Luk 6:20 He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.

Luk 6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Luk 6:22 Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.

Luk 6:23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.

Luk 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.

Luk 6:25 Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Luk 6:26 Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.

Luk 6:27 "But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luk 6:28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

Luk 6:29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don't withhold your coat also.

Luk 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don't ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.

Luk 6:31 "As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.

Luk 6:32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Luk 6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Luk 6:34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.

Luk 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

Luk 6:36 Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.

Luk 6:37 Don't judge, and you won't be judged. Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.

Luk 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."

Luk 6:39 He spoke a parable to them. "Can the blind guide the blind? Won't they both fall into a pit?

Luk 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Luk 6:41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye?

Luk 6:42 Or how can you tell your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,' when you yourself don't see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye.

Luk 6:43 For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit.

Luk 6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

Luk 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

Luk 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things which I say?

Luk 6:47 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like.

Luk 6:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.

Luk 6:49 But he who hears, and doesn't do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." 

 

Apr. 10, 11

Luke 7

Luk 7:1 After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

Luk 7:2 A certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.

Luk 7:3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.

Luk 7:4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to do this for him,

Luk 7:5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us."

Luk 7:6 Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.

Luk 7:7 Therefore I didn't even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.

Luk 7:8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

Luk 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel."

Luk 7:10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.

Luk 7:11 It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.

Luk 7:12 Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.

Luk 7:13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, "Don't cry."

Luk 7:14 He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"

Luk 7:15 He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

Luk 7:16 Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited his people!"

Luk 7:17 This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.

Luk 7:18 The disciples of John told him about all these things.

Luk 7:19 John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?"

Luk 7:20 When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?' "

Luk 7:21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.

Luk 7:22 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

Luk 7:23 Blessed is he who is not offended by me."

Luk 7:24 When John's messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Luk 7:25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

Luk 7:26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

Luk 7:27 This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'

Luk 7:28 "For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."

Luk 7:29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John's baptism.

Luk 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.

Luk 7:31 "To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?

Luk 7:32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We piped to you, and you didn't dance. We mourned, and you didn't weep.'

Luk 7:33 For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'

Luk 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'

Luk 7:35 Wisdom is justified by all her children."

Luk 7:36 One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat at the table.

Luk 7:37 Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment.

Luk 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Luk 7:39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner."

Luk 7:40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on."

Luk 7:41 "A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

Luk 7:42 When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"

Luk 7:43 Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly."

Luk 7:44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.

Luk 7:45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.

Luk 7:46 You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

Luk 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

Luk 7:48 He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Luk 7:49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Luk 7:50 He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."