Bee Flight Physics by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=813

Bee Flight Physics

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

In 1934, using mathematical calculations, French entomologist August Magnan concluded that bee flight was aerodynamically impossible. The haphazard flapping of their wings simply should not enable bees to fly. The mystery that has perplexed scientists ever since (due to inadequate understanding of aerodynamic theory) is now believed to have been clarified. Using high-speed digital cameras and a giant robotic model of a bee wing, bioengineers at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas have been studying honeybee flight in an effort to determine how bees fly (Alt­shuler, et al., 2005). They discovered that bees operate with the same basic aerodynamic principles that facilitate flight capability in other flying creatures, including velocity, wing stroke amplitude, stroke reversals, wingbeat frequency, and wing length. They simply utilize these principles in different proportions and combinations.

Why? Why would bees operate on altered aerodynamic principles? The scientists do not know. They speculate that since bees consume floral nectar, they possess “excess power available for ecologically useful but aerodynamically expensive behaviors” (102[50]:18218). Observe that “ecologically useful” implies that bee flight is specifically suited to bee activity—which is another way to say that a bee is strategically and deliberately designed to fulfill its function efficiently. The scientists compare honeybees to hummingbirds “that are able to forage for high-energy nectar rewards by using more energetically demanding flight” (102[50]:18218, emp. added). In other words, the use of adjusted aerodynamic principles is not due to alleged inherited evolutionary inefficiency; rather, it is the result of deliberate design calculated to achieve different objectives and accommodate different purposes. Hummingbirds do not fly like sparrows—because they are not sparrows! And bees do not fly like mosquitoes—because they are not mosquitoes! Each flying creature’s flight capabilities are specifically suited to accommodate its created purpose and function.

Do bees have any specific needs in order to accomplish their peculiar functions? Yes, and the scientists, themselves, offer the following: “Honeybees and other hymenopterans [the order of insects that includes bees, wasps, and ants—DM] need to carry much heavier loads that may actually exceed body mass in numerous contexts, including undertaking, prey transport, and foraging for nectar or pollen” (102[50]:18218). Again, in other words, bee flight is specifically designed to accommodate the tasks that bees perform. But design demands a designer! Design requires an intelligence that exceeds the blind, mechanistic forces of nature.

Here is the conclusion set forth by the researchers:

In conclusion, our analysis of honeybee aerodynamics reveals how the rapid low-amplitude wing motion of bees is sufficient to maintain the weight of the animal. [We knew that—DM.] Furthermore, honeybees exhibit considerable ability to generate excess aerodynamic power, which they accomplish by raising stroke amplitude while maintaining constant frequency. This ability may be related to requirements of social insects to carry loads related to foraging, undertaking, and brood transport (102[50]:18218, emp. added).

Notice: the bee deliberately generates extra aerodynamic power. Why? The scientists speculate that it is due to the bee’s need to carry out its social duties—the requirements it possesses due to its place in the insect social order. My friend, such a circumstance has intelligent design written all over it. Such complexity, such design, such planning, and such purpose could not have happened without a Mind. That Mind is none other than the God of the Bible:

Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power.... For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 40:26; 45:18).

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4:11).

REFERENCE

Altshuler, Douglas L., William B. Dickson, Jason T. Vance, Stephen P. Roberts, and Michael H. Dickinson (2005), “Short-Amplitude High-Frequency Wing Strokes Determine the Aerodynamics of Honeybee Flight,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 102[50]:18213-18218, December 13.

Did Moses Make a Scientific Mistake? by Wayne Jackson, M.A.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=1133

Did Moses Make a Scientific Mistake?

by	Wayne Jackson, M.A.

Q.

The Bible speaks of two animals, the coney and the hare, as “chewing the cud.” Isn't the Bible mistaken on this point? These animals do not actually chew the cud, do they?

A.

An infidel once wrote: “Something that has long perplexed me is the way that inerrancy proponents can so easily find ‘scientific foreknowledge’ in obscurely worded Bible passages but seem completely unable to see scientific error in statements that were rather plainly written.” This skeptic then cited Leviticus 11:5-6, where the coney and the hare are said to chew the cud, and boasted that since these animals do not have compartmentalized stomachs like those in ruminants (e.g., the cow), Moses clearly made a mistake. What shall we say to this charge?

First, no scientific mistake can be attributed to the Bible unless all of the facts are fully known. In such an alleged case, the biblical assertion must be unambiguous. The scientific information must be factual. And an indisputable conflict must prevent any harmonization of the two. Do these criteria obtain in this matter? They do not.

Second, we must note that the words “coney” (Hebrew shaphan) and “hare” (arnebeth) are rare and difficult words in the Old Testament. The former is found but four times, and the latter only twice. The etymology of the terms is obscure. In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament), shaphan is rendered by dasupoda, meaning “rough foot,” and arnebeth becomeschoirogrullion, literally, “swine-pig.” Hence, identification becomes a factor. It is commonly believed, however, that the arnebeth is some species of hare, and that shaphan denotes the Syrian hyrax.

But, so it is claimed, neither of these chews the cud. A number of scholars have noted that both of these animals, even when at rest, masticate, much like the cow or sheep, and that Moses thus employed phenomenal language (i.e., describing something as it appears), for the purpose of ready identification, inasmuch as these creatures were ceremonially unclean and thus prohibited for use as food (Archer, 1982, p. 126).

That is not an impossible solution. Bats, for example, are listed along with birds in Leviticus 11, not because both are mammals, but simply because both fly. The Scriptures do not necessarily follow the arbitrary classification systems of man. When Christ said that the mustard seed is “less than all seeds,” (Matthew 13:33), He was speaking from the vantage point of the Palestinian citizen—not that of a modern botanist. We today employ phenomenal jargon when we speak of the Sun “rising and setting.” Technically, it is not correct to refer to a woman’s amniotic fluid as “water,” and yet doctors employ this language frequently. Why do we not allow the biblical writers as much literary license as we ourselves employ? The bias of agnosticism is utterly incredible.

There is, however, another factor that must be taken into consideration. Rumination does not necessarily involve a compartmentalized stomach system. One definition of “ruminate” is simply “to chew again that which has been swallowed” (Webster’s Dictionary). And oddly enough, that is precisely what the hare does. Though the hare does not have a multi-chambered stomach—which is characteristic of most ruminants—it does chew its food a second time. It has been learned rather recently that hares pass two types of fecal material.

In addition to normal waste, they pass a second type of pellet known as a caecotroph. The very instant the caecotroph is passed, it is grabbed and chewed again.... As soon as the caecotroph is chewed thoroughly and swallowed, it aggregates in the cardiac region of the stomach where it undergoes a second digestion (Morton, 1978, pp. 179-181).

This complicated process provides the rabbit with 100% more riboflavin, 80% more niacin, 160% more pantothenic acid, and a little in excess of 40% more vitamin B₁₂ (Harrison, 1980, p. 121). In a comparative study of cows and rabbits, Jules Carles concluded that rumination should not be defined from an anatomical point of view (e.g., the presence of a four-part stomach); rather, it should be viewed from the standpoint of a mechanism for breeding bacteria to improve food. Cows and rabbits are similar in that both possess a fermentation chamber with microorganisms that digest otherwise indigestible plant material, converting it into nutrients. Some of the microorganisms in these two animals are the same, or very similar. Carles has stated that on this basis “it is difficult to deny that rabbits are ruminants” (as quoted in Brand, 1977, p. 104). Dr. Bernard Grzimek, Director of the Frankfurt Zoological Gardens in Germany, likewise has classified the hare as a ruminant (1975, pp. 421-422).

On the other hand, the hyrax also is considered by some to be a ruminant, based upon the fact that it has a multiple digestive process.

The hyrax has a very long protrusion, a caecum, and two additional caeca near the colon. At least one of these protrusions participates in decomposition of cellulose. It contributes certain enzymes necessary for breakdown of the cellulose (Morton, 1978, p. 184).

Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia (1975) considers the hyrax as a ruminant. Professor Joseph Fischel of the University of California has suggested that the biblical allusion to the coney as a cud-chewer probably was due “to the structure of its digestive system, the protuberances in its large stomach together with its appendix and maw possibly being regarded as analogous to a ruminant’s four stomachs” (1971, p. 1144). In his significant study of the intestinal microflora in herbivores, scientist Richard McBee observed that the hyrax has a fermentation chamber for the digestion of grass by microorganisms (as quoted in Brand, 1977, p. 103).

Finally, the precise meaning of gerah, rendered “chewing the cud” in most versions, is uncertain. Many orthodox Jews consider it simply to mean a second mastication, or the semblance of chewing. Samuel Clark stated that the meaning of gerah “became expanded, and the rodents and pachyderms, which have a habit of grinding with their jaws, were familiarly spoken of as ruminating animals” (1981, 1:546).

In view of the foregoing facts, it is extremely presumptuous to suggest that the Mosaic account contains an error relative to these creatures. A sensible interpretive procedure and/or an acquaintance with accurate information would have eliminated such a rash and unwarranted conclusion.

REFERENCES

Archer, Gleason (1982), Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).

Brand, Leonard R. (1977), “Do Rabbits Chew the Cud?,” Origins, 4(2):102-104.

Clark, Samuel (1981), “Leviticus,” The Bible Commentary, ed. F.C. Cook (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).

Fischel, Joseph W. (1971), “Hyrax,” Encyclopedia Judaica (New York: Macmillan).

Grzimek, Bernard, ed. (1975), Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold).

Harrison, R.K. (1980), Leviticus (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press).

Morton, Jean Sloat (1978), Science in the Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody).

The Quran and Throwing Stars by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=8&article=299

The Quran and Throwing Stars

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

In order for a book to demonstrate a divine origin, it must possess the attributes that accompany such a claim. For example, it must refrain from making statements that are outlandish and indicative of an author who was a simply a product of his times, and who shared in the common superstitions, mythology, and misconceptions that afflict humans unaided by supernatural agency.

With this in mind, examine the the Quran of the Muslim religion. The Quran makes several statements regarding heavenly “lamps” and their relationship to “devils.”

And verily in the heaven We have set mansions of the stars, and We have beautified it for beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast devil, save him who stealeth the hearing, and them doth a clear flame pursue (Surah 15:16-18, emp. added).

Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets; with security from every forward devil. They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side, outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame (Surah 37:6-10, emp. added).

And (the Jinn who had listened to the Quran said): We had sought the heaven but had found it filled with strong warders and meteors. And we used to sit on places (high) therein to listen. But he who listened now findeth a flame in wait for him (Surah 72:8-9, emp. added).

And verily We have beautified the world’s heaven with lamps, and We have made themmissiles for the devils, and for them We have prepared the doom of flame (Surah 67:5, emp. added).

The reader is given the distinct impression that Allah uses shooting stars, or meteors, as missiles to drive evil spirits or demons away from heaven (to prevent them from listening to heavenly conversations) and to torment them. Such language cannot be dismissed as merely figurative, poetic, or phenonmenal. Of course, Muslim apologists recognize the absurdity of the idea of physical objects being hurled at spiritual beings, so they offer an alternative explanation. They claim the verses in question refer to soothsayers and astrologers who seek signs from the stars, but who become frightened by meteorological phenomena (see Pickthall, n.d., pp. 408,417). We leave the reader to judge whether this interpretation accounts adequately for the wording of the quranic text.

REFERENCES

Pickthall, Mohammed M. (n.d.), The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (New York: Mentor).

From Mark Copeland... "CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS" Two Households At Philippi (16:6-34)

                   "CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                  Two Households At Philippi (16:6-34)

INTRODUCTION

1. With "The Conversion Of Cornelius", we were introduced to an event
   that was not uncommon in the early church...
   a. A situation where an entire family, or household, was converted
   b. We have three similar cases recorded in Acts
      1) The conversion of Lydia and her household - Ac 16:15
      2) The conversion of the Philippian jailer and his household
         - Ac 16:33-34
      3) The conversion of Crispus and his household - Ac 18:8

2. Such households likely consisted of both family and servants...
   a. Cornelius sent two of his household servants to Peter - Ac 10:7
   b. He had gathered his family as well as friends to hear Peter 
      - Ac 10:24,33
   -- Some wonder whether such families included infants as well, and 
      if so, were they were baptized too?

3. As the gospel spread to Europe, the first two examples of conversion
   involved "Two Households At Philippi"
   a. With the conversion of Lydia - Ac 16:11-15
   b. With the conversion of the Philippian Jailer - Ac 16:25-40

[As we continue our study in the book of Acts, we shall examine both of
these examples in this lesson, to glean whatever we can about 
conversion, including the issue of "infant baptism".

Let's first consider...]

I. THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA AND HER HOUSEHOLD

   A. PRECIPITATED BY "THE MACEDONIAN CALL"...
      1. Paul and his travel companions had been making their way 
         through modern day Turkey, with the Spirit limiting their 
         options - Ac 16:6-8
      2. Paul has a vision of a man of Macedonian pleading, "Come over
         to Macedonia and help us" - Ac 16:9
      3. Taking the vision as a sign that the Lord wanted them to go 
         there, they travel to Philippi (a chief city of Macedonia) 
         - Ac 16:10-12

   B. LYDIA AND HER HOUSEHOLD ARE BAPTIZED...
      1. Paul and his companions go down to the riverside on the 
         Sabbath - Ac 16:13
         a. It was Paul's custom to find a synagogue and on the Sabbath
            to reason with Jews about Christ - cf. Ac 17:1-3
         b. Evidently there were not that many Jews in Philippi, and no
            synagogue
         c. But at least there were some women who met at the river to
            pray
      2. Paul speaks to them, and Lydia heeded his word - Ac 16:14
         a. She was evidently a successful business woman, yet one who
            worshipped God
            1) Her name is Greek, perhaps a convert to Judaism
            2) From Thyatira, she was seller of purple dye
         b. The Lord "opened her heart" to heed the things spoken by Paul
            1) In what way the Lord opened her heart is not stated
            2) But she had "heard" what Paul was speaking (cf. Ac 16:
               13c,14a), and we know that "faith comes by hearing the
               word of God" - Ro 10:17
            3) Through the gospel, then, one's heart can be opened to
               be receptive
         c. She was willing "to heed the things spoken by Paul"
            1) I.e., to do or obey whatever Paul had said
            2) We can infer from what follows that it included baptism
      3. Lydia and her household are baptized - Ac 16:15

   C. SOME OBSERVATIONS...
      1. Once again we see things gleaned from earlier examples of 
         conversion
         a) Very religious people are being receptive to the gospel 
            - Ac 2,3,8,9,10
         b) Baptism occurs immediately, after hearing just one lesson
            - Ac 2,8,10
      2. In begging Paul and his companions to stay with her, she asks
         "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord..."
         a) What evidence was there to determine whether she was 
            faithful?
         b) At the very least, there was her willingness to be baptized!
      3. Did her "household" include infants?
         a. Proponents of infant baptism often appeal to the example of
            a "household" being baptized as evidence of infant baptism
            in the early church
         b. They say it is plausible to assume infants were present, 
            but is that the case here?
            1) Lydia was a businesswoman, with no mention of a husband
            2) She was from Thyatira, possibly in Philippi only on
               business (though she did have a home)
         c. We can just as easily assume that her household was made up
            of servants, or at the least, children old enough to travel
         -- The burden of proof rests upon those seeking to support 
            infant baptism, and the evidence in this case simply isn't 
            there

[From the example of one who was evidently a truth-seeker, we now turn
to the conversion of one who appears to have "stumbled" onto the 
gospel...]

II. THE CONVERSION OF THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER AND HIS HOUSEHOLD

   A. PRECIPITATED BY THE ARREST OF PAUL AND SILAS...
      1. Paul exorcises a spirit of divination from a slave girl 
         - Ac 16:16-18
      2. Her masters have Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned 
         - Ac 16:19-24

   B. THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER AND HIS HOUSEHOLD ARE BAPTIZED...
      1. Events leading to the jailer's conversion - Ac 16:25-29
         a. Paul and Silas are singing in prison at midnight, with 
            others listening
         b. An earthquake shakes loose the doors and everyone's chains
         c. The jailer, fearing the prisoners escaped, is about to
            commit suicide
         d. He is stopped by Paul, who reassures him that all the 
            prisoners are present
         e. Trembling, he falls down before Paul and Silas
      2. The conversion of the jailer and his household - Ac 16:30-34
         a. He asks, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved"
         b. Paul responds, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you
            will be saved, you and your household"
         c. Paul then proceeds to speak the word of the Lord to him and
            those in his house
         d. In the same hour of the night, the jailer washes the 
            stripes of Paul and Silas, and is baptized along with all
            his family
         e. He then brings Paul and Silas into his home, feeds them, 
            and rejoices that he and his family have believed in God

   C. SOME OBSERVATIONS...
      1. This example of conversion does not teach salvation by "faith
         only"
         a. It is common for some people to simply note verses 30-31
            1) They offer this verse as containing the whole plan of salvation
            2) Denying therefore the necessity of baptism
         b. Of course, this verse says nothing about repentance, 
            confessing Jesus, etc., which the Bible requires elsewhere 
            - cf. Ac 3:19; 17:30; Ro 10:9-10
         c. The context must be taken into consideration
            1) Salvation requires faith, so it is natural that would be
               the first thing to tell someone who asks "What must I do
               to be saved?"
            2) Without faith, one is not a suitable subject for baptism
               - cf. Ac 8:36-37
            3) Having established the necessity of faith, Paul 
               proceeded to speak "the word of the Lord to him and to
               all who were in his house." - Ac 16:32
               a) Though not mentioned, would this not have included 
                  the need to repent?
               b) What is mentioned, though, is that they were baptized
                  immediately!
               -- Clearly the "word of the Lord" included baptism 
                  - Mk 16:16
            4) It is not until after he and his family were baptized,
               that Luke describes them as "having believed in God with
               all his household" - Ac 16:34
         d. Taken out of context, one might use verses 30-31 to teach
            salvation does not involve baptism, but in the context it 
            certainly appears to play a significant role!
      2. This example of conversion reveals something about the 
         "purpose" of baptism
         a. Contrary to the doctrine of many churches, the purpose of 
            baptism is not to make a public profession of one's faith
         b. As we saw in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, 
            baptism can occur when there is only the baptizer and the 
            baptizee - Ac 8:36-38
         c. In this case, a family is baptized in the wee hours of the
            morning (after midnight, in the same hour) - Ac 16:25,33
         d. The purpose of baptism is hinted at by the fact...
            1) It was done immediately, even in the pre-dawn hour
            2) It was done whether in private or public
         e. This example of conversion is consistent with the purpose expressed...
            1) By Peter ("for the remission of sins") - Ac 2:36
            2) By Ananias ("wash away your sins") - Ac 22:16
            -- As such, you don't delay, and it doesn't matter if done
               in private!
      3. This example of conversion provides no evidence of infant baptism
         a. Again, some appeal to the mention of "household" to infer 
            infants were included in the baptism
         b. Yet the text states that:
            1) Paul "spoke the word of the Lord...to all who were in 
               his house", implying that all were able to listen and
               understand what was said - Ac 16:32
            2) The jailer rejoiced, "having believed in God with all 
               his household"; i.e., everyone believed, implying the 
               ability of all to believe what they heard - Ac 16:34
         c. There is nothing here to preclude what we have already 
            concluded as necessary requirements to be a subject 
            qualified for baptism:
            1) Repentance - Ac 2:38
            2) Whole-hearted faith - Ac 8:37
            -- Both of which infants are incapable

CONCLUSION

1. With the conversion of "Two Households At Philippi", a wonderful 
   church was born...
   a. The church at Philippi, to which the epistle to the Philippians
      was written
   b. A congregation that supported the apostle Paul and the preaching
      of the gospel throughout Macedonia and into Achaia - Php 1:3-5;
      4:15-16
   c. A congregation that was mindful of Paul even toward the end of
      his life, as he awaited trial in Rome - Php 4:10,14,17-18
   -- Never underestimate the effect of the gospel in the life of a family!

2. The conversion of "Two Households At Philippi" are illustrative of
   what Jesus taught in two parables...
   a. "The Hidden Treasure" (Mt 13:44) depicts one who stumbles onto
       the truth; the Philippian jailer was such a person
   b. "The Pearl Of Great Price" (Mt 13:45-46) depicts one who is 
      searching for the truth; Lydia of Thyatira was certainly seeking
      to please God
   -- What is important to note is that the Lord knew such people 
      existed at Philippi (cf. the "Macedonian Call"), and saw to it 
      that they had an opportunity to hear the gospel

What kind of person are you?  Whether you are one who has been on a 
life-long search for truth, or have simply stumbled across the gospel,
are you willing to allow God to open your heart through the gospel and
heed the word of the Lord?

Only God knows, but perhaps you will save not only yourself, but your
whole family as well...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Don't hang up, I know where there is a free meal...

I don't about you, but I am fed up with people trying to sell me things!  I hear the phone ring- and my first thought is: And who is it now and what do the want to sell?  From the national association for the prevention of stupidity to surveys about how well my deodorant works, people just push more and more at me everyday!!! Even with being on the national "do not call list" - they still call!!! And the worst part of all this is that their persistence creates a barrier to the truth of God!!!  So, how are we to go about sharing God's truth with a world already inundated with "selling". Should we sell Jesus?  Good question! And then there is this passage, penned by none other than the apostle Paul, himself....  

2 Timothy, Chapter 4 (WEB)

 1 I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:  2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.  3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;  4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.

Hummm... As I think about it, I don't want to sell Jesus to you- he is not a product!!! However, I do remember something I heard long ago: "Christianity is like one beggar showing another beggar where there is a free meal."  Different than a phone solicitor isn't it??  People may not want to hear a "sales pitch", but most will listen to a friend wanting to help them. Just day to day stuff, without a programmed presentation- just one person sharing with another the truth of God as best as it can be understood.

This I do; without ulterior motive or a catch.  The life I live with God, I share with you. I hope that you will eventually realize that I am your friend and together we will get to know God even better than we do today.

Your friend always,

Gary

From Gary... Bible Reading May 20

Bible Reading  

May 20

The World English Bible

May 20

Joshua 21, 22

Jos 21:1 Then the heads of fathers' houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of fathers' houses of the tribes of the children of Israel.

Jos 21:2 They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, "Yahweh commanded Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for our livestock."

Jos 21:3 The children of Israel gave to the Levites out of their inheritance, according to the commandment of Yahweh, these cities with their suburbs.

Jos 21:4 The lot came out for the families of the Kohathites. The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by lot out of the tribe of Judah, out of the tribe of the Simeonites, and out of the tribe of Benjamin.

Jos 21:5 The rest of the children of Kohath had ten cities by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Jos 21:6 The children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, out of the tribe of Asher, out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.

Jos 21:7 The children of Merari according to their families had twelve cities out of the tribe of Reuben, out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun.

Jos 21:8 The children of Israel gave these cities with their suburbs by lot to the Levites, as Yahweh commanded by Moses.

Jos 21:9 They gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are mentioned by name:

Jos 21:10 and they were for the children of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi; for theirs was the first lot.

Jos 21:11 They gave them Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (the same is Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, with its suburbs around it.

Jos 21:12 But they gave the fields of the city and its villages to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.

Jos 21:13 To the children of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah with its suburbs,

Jos 21:14 Jattir with its suburbs, Eshtemoa with its suburbs,

Jos 21:15 Holon with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs,

Jos 21:16 Ain with its suburbs, Juttah with its suburbs, and Beth Shemesh with its suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.

Jos 21:17 Out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its suburbs, Geba with its suburbs,

Jos 21:18 Anathoth with its suburbs, and Almon with its suburbs; four cities.

Jos 21:19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

Jos 21:20 The families of the children of Kohath, the Levites, even the rest of the children of Kohath, had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.

Jos 21:21 They gave them Shechem with its suburbs in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Gezer with its suburbs,

Jos 21:22 Kibzaim with its suburbs, and Beth Horon with its suburbs; four cities.

Jos 21:23 Out of the tribe of Dan, Elteke with its suburbs, Gibbethon with its suburbs,

Jos 21:24 Aijalon with its suburbs, Gath Rimmon with its suburbs; four cities.

Jos 21:25 Out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its suburbs, and Gath Rimmon with its suburbs; two cities.

Jos 21:26 All the cities of the families of the rest of the children of Kohath were ten with their suburbs.

Jos 21:27 They gave to the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the half-tribe of Manasseh Golan in Bashan with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Be Eshterah with its suburbs; two cities.

Jos 21:28 Out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its suburbs, Daberath with its suburbs,

Jos 21:29 Jarmuth with its suburbs, En Gannim with its suburbs; four cities.

Jos 21:30 Out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its suburbs, Abdon with its suburbs,

Jos 21:31 Helkath with its suburbs, and Rehob with its suburbs; four cities.

Jos 21:32 Out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammothdor with its suburbs, and Kartan with its suburbs; three cities.

Jos 21:33 All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

Jos 21:34 To the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its suburbs, Kartah with its suburbs,

Jos 21:35 Dimnah with its suburbs, and Nahalal with its suburbs; four cities.

Jos 21:36 Out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its suburbs, Jahaz with its suburbs,

Jos 21:37 Kedemoth with its suburbs, and Mephaath with its suburbs; four cities.

Jos 21:38 Out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Mahanaim with its suburbs,

Jos 21:39 Heshbon with its suburbs, Jazer with its suburbs; four cities in all.

Jos 21:40 All these were the cities of the children of Merari according to their families, even the rest of the families of the Levites. Their lot was twelve cities.

Jos 21:41 All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their suburbs.

Jos 21:42 Each of these cities included their suburbs around them. It was this way with all these cities.

Jos 21:43 So Yahweh gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers. They possessed it, and lived in it.

Jos 21:44 Yahweh gave them rest all around, according to all that he swore to their fathers. Not a man of all their enemies stood before them. Yahweh delivered all their enemies into their hand.

Jos 21:45 Nothing failed of any good thing which Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

Jos 22:1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,

Jos 22:2 and said to them, "You have kept all that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, and have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you.

Jos 22:3 You have not left your brothers these many days to this day, but have performed the duty of the commandment of Yahweh your God.

Jos 22:4 Now Yahweh your God has given rest to your brothers, as he spoke to them. Therefore now return and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan.

Jos 22:5 Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, to love Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to hold fast to him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."

Jos 22:6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went to their tents.

Jos 22:7 Now to the one half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given inheritance in Bashan; but to the other half gave Joshua among their brothers beyond the Jordan westward. Moreover when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them,

Jos 22:8 and spoke to them, saying, "Return with much wealth to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with brass, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers."

Jos 22:9 The children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession, which they owned, according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.

Jos 22:10 When they came to the region about the Jordan, that is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, a great altar to look at.

Jos 22:11 The children of Israel heard this, "Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar in the forefront of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that pertains to the children of Israel."

Jos 22:12 When the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up against them to war.

Jos 22:13 The children of Israel sent to the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,

Jos 22:14 and with him ten princes, one prince of a fathers' house for each of the tribes of Israel; and they were everyone of them head of their fathers' houses among the thousands of Israel.

Jos 22:15 They came to the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, to the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying,

Jos 22:16 "Thus says the whole congregation of Yahweh, 'What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following Yahweh, in that you have built you an altar, to rebel this day against Yahweh?

Jos 22:17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day, although there came a plague on the congregation of Yahweh,

Jos 22:18 that you must turn away this day from following Yahweh? It will be, seeing that you rebel today against Yahweh, that tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.

Jos 22:19 However, if the land of your possession is unclean, then pass over to the land of the possession of Yahweh, in which Yahweh's tabernacle dwells, and take possession among us; but don't rebel against Yahweh, nor rebel against us, in building an altar other than the altar of Yahweh our God.

Jos 22:20 Didn't Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the devoted thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? That man didn't perish alone in his iniquity.' "

Jos 22:21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and spoke to the heads of the thousands of Israel,

Jos 22:22 "The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, the Mighty One, God, Yahweh, he knows; and Israel shall know: if it was in rebellion, or if in trespass against Yahweh (don't save us this day),

Jos 22:23 that we have built us an altar to turn away from following Yahweh; or if to offer burnt offering or meal offering, or if to offer sacrifices of peace offerings, let Yahweh himself require it.

Jos 22:24 If we have not out of concern done this, and for a reason, saying, 'In time to come your children might speak to our children, saying, "What have you to do with Yahweh, the God of Israel?

Jos 22:25 For Yahweh has made the Jordan a border between us and you, you children of Reuben and children of Gad. You have no portion in Yahweh." ' So your children might make our children cease from fearing Yahweh.

Jos 22:26 Therefore we said, 'Let's now prepare to build ourselves an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice;

Jos 22:27 but it will be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may perform the service of Yahweh before him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings;' that your children may not tell our children in time to come, 'You have no portion in Yahweh.'

Jos 22:28 Therefore we said, 'It shall be, when they tell us or our generations this in time to come, that we shall say, "Behold the pattern of the altar of Yahweh, which our fathers made, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice; but it is a witness between us and you." '

Jos 22:29 Far be it from us that we should rebel against Yahweh, and turn away this day from following Yahweh, to build an altar for burnt offering, for meal offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of Yahweh our God that is before his tabernacle!"

Jos 22:30 When Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation, even the heads of the thousands of Israel that were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them well.

Jos 22:31 Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, "Today we know that Yahweh is in the midst of us, because you have not committed this trespass against Yahweh. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of Yahweh."

Jos 22:32 Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, to the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.

Jos 22:33 The thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and spoke no more of going up against them to war, to destroy the land in which the children of Reuben and the children of Gad lived.

Jos 22:34 The children of Reuben and the children of Gad named the altar "A Witness Between Us that Yahweh is God."

 May 20, 21

John 3

Joh 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

Joh 3:2 The same came to him by night, and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him."

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can't see the Kingdom of God."

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into the Kingdom of God!

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Joh 3:7 Don't marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.'

Joh 3:8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don't know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered him, "How can these things be?"

Joh 3:10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and don't understand these things?

Joh 3:11 Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don't receive our witness.

Joh 3:12 If I told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

Joh 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.

Joh 3:14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

Joh 3:15 that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Joh 3:17 For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

Joh 3:18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn't believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

Joh 3:19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.

Joh 3:20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.

Joh 3:21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God."

Joh 3:22 After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized.

Joh 3:23 John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.

Joh 3:24 For John was not yet thrown into prison.

Joh 3:25 There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with some Jews about purification.

Joh 3:26 They came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him."

Joh 3:27 John answered, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.

Joh 3:28 You yourselves testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before him.'

Joh 3:29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.

Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Joh 3:31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the Earth belongs to the Earth, and speaks of the Earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

Joh 3:32 What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness.

Joh 3:33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.

Joh 3:34 For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.

Joh 3:35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.

Joh 3:36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."