The Foreknowledge of "I AM" by T. Pierce Brown

https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Brown/T/Pierce/1923/iam.html

The Foreknowledge of "I AM"

Most of us are aware of, and perhaps have meditated upon the answer God gave to Moses in Exodus 3:14 when Moses wanted to know what he should say when he was asked who had sent him. Part of the verse reads, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'I AM hath sent me unto you.'" We have probably come to the conclusion that regardless of what other wonderful things may be involved in that answer, it suggests that God is eternal -- timeless. There is neither past nor future with God, but everything is now. He can thus "declare the end from the beginning" (Isa. 46:10).

It has long been a problem for philosophers, theologians and even for brilliant Christian scholars to explain how, if God foreknew that a thing would happen and thus it had to happen, could man have any freedom to choose. It appears to me that the problem becomes relatively simple, although fantastically profound, if one recognizes that the word "foreknew" is merely a word that applies to man, not to God. From God's standpoint, God knew a thing because to Him it was as if it was happening at that moment, for God is not subject to time as we are. He could say to Joshua, in Joshua 6:2, "I have given into thine hand Jericho," because to Him it was a present reality, though to Joshua it was future. He could say to Abraham in Genesis 17:5, "A father of many nations have I made thee," for it was done, as far as God was concerned, though to Abraham it was future.

Many astute philosophers, theologians, scholars and those who have wrestled with the problem, even those who deny the false assumptions of Calvin, have reasoned like this: "If God knows anything that will happen in the future, then those things are unchangeable and the effect is the same as if God had predestined that they happen." But we may fail to realize that it is not a matter of God "knowing what will happen in the future" for there is no "future" in God's experience, for God is timeless. He only speaks of "future" to accommodate man's understanding. It is what is called an "anthropomorphism," or using human language to accommodate man's perspective. This is common in the Bible. For example, in Isaiah 59:1 we find, "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Surely most of us understand that God does not have a hand or ear as man has, and when "his eyes run to and fro throughout the earth" (Zech. 4:10) we understand the metaphorical language. Surely most of us do not think that in Genesis 18:21 where God says, "I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know" that God had to literally go down and find out personally if Sodom and Gomorrah were sinful. In Genesis 22:12, when God says, "Now I know that thou fearest God" surely few of us would assume that God did not know this before the event. The language is simply adapted to man's way of thinking and speaking, as when a teacher has solved a math problem on the board and says, "Now we know that x equals 6." She knew that x was equal to six before she worked the problem. So, when God says, "It will happen" it is not a matter of his making a decision that it will happen and man therefore has to abide by his decision. It is a matter of his ability to see what IS happening (for the future and the past are all present with him) and simply saying so.

It is presumed that if God foreknows (or knows) everything, we are but pawns in his hand. This is not so, for God knows that man has freedom of choice, for he made us that way, and God can know that man is freely choosing to do what he does. A good question for those to answer who assume that God's knowledge leaves man no freedom of choice is this: Did God know before the foundation of the earth that he would send Jesus to redeem mankind? If so, he knew that mankind would sin, but in no case does the Bible suggest that God was the cause of man's sin, or predestined that he had to sin. 1 Peter 1:20 states that not only was it known, it was "foreordained." Then he must have known that man would sin, and need redemption. Calvin and his followers then assume that since God foreknew that man would sin, man had to sin and that every act of man was foreordained of God. That is not so, as we have pointed out, not because God did not know that man would sin, but because God knew that man would, of his own free will, choose to sin. Let us repeat: It is not that God knew man would do it, so man had to do it. It is the case that God sees Adam choosing to sin as a present reality (from His perspective), and plans for his redemption. He foreordained that Christ would come to redeem man, and what God foreordained could not be changed by any act of man, and would not be changed by any act of God. God did not foreordain that Judas would betray him, but God "foreknew" that Judas would, of his own free and wicked will choose to betray him. In Ezekiel 3:18, God is represented as saying to the wicked, "Thou shalt surely die." Did God know that some of those would not surely die? Of course, for he tells what will happen so they would not die. He was not lying when he told what would happen, but there is not the remotest indication that he made it happen, or that it had to happen because he said it would. He simply knew that some would repent, and when they did, God is represented as repenting. He is not represented as repenting because he changed his mind and did not know what would happen.

1 Samuel 15:29 says, "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent." So when the Bible says that God did repent (Ex. 32:14, Jonah 3:10) it is not teaching that God did not know what was going to happen, and changed his mind because he had made a mistake. He had already told us in Ezekiel 33:8-18 that when the wicked changed, God would change, relative to him. God did not change in himself, or in his essence, nature or purpose. He did not need to say, "I am sorry for what I did, for I did not really know what would happen," for God is always sorry when man sins, and is always glad when he repents. So when the Bible says that God does repent, it is not contradicting the statement that says God does not repent. God does not repent in the same sense that man does, but only repents relative to man. God knew (foreknew from man's viewpoint) that he would destroy Israel (Deut. 9:14) and Nineveh (Jonah 3:4) if they did not repent. He told Jonah to preach "Forty days and you will be destroyed." Was God lying? Of course not, although they were not destroyed after forty days. And when he "repented of the evil that he would do, and did it not," was God sorry because he was going to do evil and decided he had made a mistake? Surely not. He already knew what would happen, but from man's viewpoint, he repented or changed relative to man. God is an unchanging God in himself, but is represented as changing toward man because when man acts properly God is pleased, and when man does not, God is displeased. "In him is no variableness, nor shadow of turning" (James 1:17) yet he is represented as turning when man turns.

Then when we find in the case of Judas as recorded in Acts 1:16 that "the scripture must needs have been fulfilled" it is often assumed that since God had prophesied before that Jesus would be betrayed, Judas was forced to do it, for God had already decreed that he would. If we can look at it from God's standpoint, so to speak, we can see that God is looking at Judas, long before Judas was born, and sees Judas of his own free will, because of a covetous heart, deciding that he would betray the Lord. So it is not a situation where God determined that it had to be that way, and foreordained it, but that He sees what is happening and tells it like it is, when from man's standpoint it has not yet happened. So in various passages like John 17:12, where it seems to imply in the King James Version that the son of perdition (Judas) had to be lost in order to make sure that the scripture was fulfilled, the truth would be better served to realize that the expression should be translated "with the result that the scripture was fulfilled." The idea that God had to make people wicked whether or not they chose to be wicked in order to make one of his predictions come to pass is totally out of harmony with the whole tenor of the scriptures.

When we read in John 18:31-32, "The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die," surely we do not need to assume that in some way God made the Jews say something in order to make sure that what the scriptures had said would come to pass. Rather it is as Thayer indicates on page 304 "with the result that the scripture was fulfilled." There are several such passages that in most versions may sound as if the event had to be that way because God ordained that it be that way in order to fulfill what He had said would happen. But the truth is that God did not ordain that it be that way and thus had to overrule the will of some person or persons. God merely saw the event taking place as if it were what we would call "present time" and said so. When it happened as a result of the free will of man, the result was that the scripture was fulfilled.

This realization will help us to understand many things that may be a mystery to us. For example in Acts 2:23 we find, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." If one wonders how or why one can accuse a person of having wicked hands when he does what God had already determined that he do, the answer is relatively simple, although profound. God had determined long ago that Christ was to die for our sins. The Bible teaches that many times, and the first hint of it is given in Genesis 3:15. However, at no place in the Bible are we taught that God had determined that some specific person would do the wicked deed. God knew who would, of their own free will, do the wicked deed, for all future events (from man's standpoint) were present events from God's standpoint. Remember that God can declare the end from the beginning, but that does not say nor mean that God predestinates the end from the beginning. This is why predestination and foreknowledge are not the same thing, though many have assumed they have to be for they reason that if God knew that a thing would happen, He must make it happen. Again the simple explanation is that God knows a thing will happen because from His viewpoint it is happening. For God to be able to see the future (from our viewpoint) as present (from His viewpoint), does not necessitate his determined purpose or plan that it happen. God does have some specific fixed purposes, and all that man can do will not change those. But not everything that happens is because God had a fixed purpose that it happen that way, as John Calvin and his followers assumed. For example, God does not have a fixed purpose that any should perish (2 Pet. 3:9) but many will, and God knows that and has said it will happen. When it does it could be written, "These are lost that the scriptures might be fulfilled that said, 'Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat.'" But the expression, "that the scriptures might be fulfilled" would be better understood if it were stated, "thus the scriptures were fulfilled," for that expression does not suggest that God decreed that certain persons be lost and at the same time other scriptures said that he did not so decree, nor was it his will. Remember that the primary key to your ability to grasp that which seems so hard for many brilliant persons and great scholars to grasp is the realization that God said, "I AM." He is eternal, and sees everything that has been or will be as a present reality. Do not be disturbed if when you read this, you think, "I simply can't understand that." Of course you cannot understand infinity, or eternity, or omnipresence. You cannot understand how God can see any future event as certain, nor how God can be everywhere in the universe, although he is represented as "coming down" to some mountain or other place.

Someone may say, "I believe that God has the ability to foreknow some things and the ability to choose not to foreknow some other ones." The main problem with that concept is that in order for God to choose not to foreknow some specific thing, He would have to know what he chose not to foreknow before he could choose not to foreknow it. That is simply a contradiction that cannot be resolved with man's words. If one can comprehend the idea that whatever is going to happen (from man's viewpoint) is now happening from God's standpoint, he can at least grasp the idea I am trying to present. To state it another way, all events, past, present and future have already happened from the standpoint of an eternal God. There is a great deal of difference in the fact that we cannot understand an eternal God for whom time means nothing, and who can be everywhere (omnipresent) at the same time and our not believing in those realities that the Bible reveals. That man freely acted and is responsible for his actions God has always known. The fact that God knew that Adam (or any part of mankind) would sin does NOT involve the idea that God predestined that Adam, or any other man, would sin. But God had to know that or he could not have foreordained that Christ would come and redeem mankind from sin. From His timeless perspective, God simply sees Adam (and us) sinning as we choose to do so. Adam is responsible for his sin, and we are responsible for ours. God did not foreordain us to sin, although He did foreknow that we would.

We will continually be confused if we do not differentiate between what God knew (foreknew is the way we put it), and what God determined would take place. The whole idea of Calvin and those who follow his assumptions, even when they do not realize they are doing it, is contrary to God's will and His revelation. Man does have freedom of choice, and if God predestined him individually to be saved or lost, he would not have it. Man's freedom of choice cannot change that which God predestined. He predestined that Christ would die for the sins of the world, and regardless of who did what, Christ would have died for the sins of the world. He was "slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:8) and no power in the universe would change that. Man's salvation depends on his submission, but the fact that God knew that man would rebel and that He would provide a way for man to be saved in spite of that rebellion did NOT mean that God predestined man to rebel and made certain that he would, so that he could gloriously save his specific predetermined elect. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden" is still God's message, even if He knows some will not. He knows beforehand that some will not, but he has not predestined every thing he knows beforehand, for he is not willing that any should perish.

T. Pierce Brown

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

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE CHURCH? BY STEVE FINNELL

 

https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-name-of-church-by-steve-finnell.html

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE CHURCH? BY STEVE FINNELL

The question has been asked "Of what church are you a member?" I am a member of the church that Jesus owns. 

WHAT CHURCH?

Acts 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

I am a member of the church of God which Jesus purchased with His own blood.

Romans 16:16 .....all the churches of Christ greet you.

I am a member of the church of Christ.

Galatians 1:22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ.

I am a member of the church that is in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea......

I am a member of the church of God in Christ.

I am a member of the church of the Messiah.

I am a member of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am a member of the church of the King of Kings.

I am a member of the church of the Lord of Lord's.

I am a member of the church of the Lamb of God.

I am a member of the church of the Prince of Peace.

I am a member of the church of the Son of Man.

I am am member of the church of God's only begotten Son.

I am a member of the church of the Living God.

I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

My church membership is written in the Lamb's book of life. (Rev. 20:15, Rev. 21:17)

The Lord adds the saved to His church. (Acts 2:47 ... and the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.)

Jesus gave the instruction on how to be saved and added them to His church. (Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved....)

THE CHURCHES I AM NOT A MEMBER OF

The church of King Henry the VIII.

The church of Alexander Campbell.

The church of the Pope.

The church of John Calvin.

The church Eudorus N. Bell.

The church of Alexander Mack.

The church of Mary Baker Eddy.

The church of Joseph March.

The church of John Knox.

The church of Freemasons.

The church of Charles Taze Russell.

The church Martin Luther.

The church of Menno Simons.

The church of Joseph Smith.

The church of George Fox.

The church of William Booth.
The church of Ellen G. White.
The church of Herbert W. Armstrong.
The church of John Smythe.
The churches of Catholics.
The churches of Lutherans.
The churches of Baptists.
The churches of Methodists.
The churches of Episcopalians.
The churches of Pentecostals.
The churches of Mormons.
The churches of the Salvation Army.

The Christian church.

 Christians do not own the church. All Christians are part of the body of Christ, however, they did not purchase the church. Christians are part of the Lord's church, but it is not their church. I do not belong to the "Christian" Church.    

You can join a denomination, but the Lord adds the saved to His church.

YOU CANNOT JOIN THE LORD'S CHURCH!

YES, I AM A MEMBER OF THE church of CHRIST. Why, because the Lord adds the saved to His church.

THE LORD ADDS ALL THOSE, TO HIS CHURCH, WHO HAVE OBEYED HIS TERMS FOR PARDON.

FAITH: John 3:16

REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38

CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10

BAPTISM: (IMMERSION IN WATER) 1 Peter 3:21

THEN, THE LORD ADDS YOU TO HIS CHURCH! 

Chaos or Calm? by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

https://thepreachersword.com/2020/11/03/chaos-or-calm/#more-17676

Chaos or Calm?

While settling into my little corner in the Hampton Inn lobby to write today’s post, the lady working the front desk walked by and asked, “Are you ready for all the chaos that’s about to unfold today?”

I chuckled to myself. I already had decided to share a few thoughts about our attitudes and actions on this Presidential election day.

My new “friend” further opined that the chaos would not end today, predicting post-election problems, discord, and disorder. She may be right. Some businesses in downtown Indianapolis, as well as Washington, D.C., and a number of other major cities are boarding up their windows, fearing post-election riots, and looting.

Since 2020 has been such an unpredictable and unprecedented year, who knows what will happen? We may not know the election results tonight, tomorrow, or for a few days or weeks. But I predict this. When the dust settles and the winners are announced, about 50% of our citizens will be glad. And the other 50% will be sad. Some even dismayed. Upset. Angry. Worried. And distressed.

While mental health experts have been talking about the stress people are feeling leading to the election, they’re also talking about post-election stress. Yet, whatever chaos that may erupt and ensue following the election, and whatever stress that may be pervasive in our nation, Christians have reasons to remain calm.

I’m reminded of Jehovah’s advice through the prophet Isaiah. The nation of Judah was facing a perilous period during the days of King Ahaz. Assyria was growing stronger. The king was afraid. He was trusting more in political alliances than the power of God.

God then instructed Isaiah to meet Ahaz and offer this counsel. “Say to him, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart…” (Isa. 7:4).

Calmness, however, does not naturally occur. Deciding to be calm is a determined response instead of an emotional reaction. It demands discipline. Requires the right focus. And calls for courage, strength, and fortitude.

Keep calm, because…

…God is more powerful than any political party.

…God is provincially at work behind the scenes.

…God can use whoever is elected to accomplish His purpose.

…God’s will for you transcends this life.

…Your fears, concerns, and challenges will be eased by your trust in God.

…Your faith will sustain you through whatever chaos will ensue.

…Your hope will provide a perspective beyond political issues, social concerns, and worldly problems.

…Your prayers are heard by a God who loves you, cares about your concerns, and will ease the burdens of your mind.

…Your life is founded on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.

…Your citizenship is in heaven. You’re just a sojourner here.

I would urge my brothers and sisters to exercise a calm and measured response on social media. Regardless of the results, refrain from outlandish accusations, unkind retorts, unfounded conspiracy theories, and vitriolic posts that incite anger and kindle strife.

Let’s rise above the chaos of our current social and political climate. Let’s be light in a world of darkness. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Be peaceful when there are protests. Maintain the unity of Christ’s Body in a divisive culture. Be thankful for our blessings. And “do all things without complaining or arguing” (Phil. 2:14)

Keep calm.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" The Cleansing Of The Temple (2:13-25) by Mark Copeland

 

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

The Cleansing Of The Temple (2:13-25) 

 INTRODUCTION

1. It is common to think of Jesus as a gentle, peace-loving man...
   a. He certainly presented Himself as such on most occasions - e.g., Mt 11:28-30
   b. People felt comfortable in bringing their children to Him - e.g., Mt 19:13-14

2. Yet on occasion Jesus displayed strong righteous indignation...
   a. Such as when He visited Jerusalem during the Passover at the
      beginning of His ministry
   b. As He drove the moneychangers and merchandisers out of the temple- Jn 2:13-15

[What prompted this outburst of anger?  What gave Jesus the authority to
do this?  What lessons might we glean from this event?  As we seek to
find the answers let's first note...]

I. THE REBUKE OF THE LORD

   A. MERCHANDISING HIS FATHER'S HOUSE...
      1. The Lord's rebuke reveals the reason for His outburst - Jn 2:16
      2. The sellers of oxen and sheep, along with the moneychangers,
         had turned the temple into a house of merchandise
      3. It was to be a house of prayer, they had turned it into a den
         of thieves - cf. Mt 21:13
      -- The Lord was angered by the manner in which some used religion
         to make money

   B. MIGHT WE BE GUILTY OF A SIMILAR OFFENSE...?
      1. What if we attend church simply as a form of "networking", to
         make business contacts?
      2. What if we take advantage of our relationship as brethren to
         further a multilevel marketing business, a home-based business,
         or any other financial enterprise?
      -- The Lord's temple today is the church, we must be careful lest
         we defile it as well (cf. 1Co 3:16-17)

[The Lord has ordained that those who preach the gospel be supported (1Co
9:14).  But He is angered by those who view the Lord's temple (people)
as a way to get rich.  Next, we note that His anger was prompted by...]  

II. THE ZEAL OF THE LORD

   A. ZEAL FOR HIS FATHER'S HOUSE...
      1. The disciples were reminded of an Old Testament prophecyJn2:17; cf. Ps 69:9
      2. Jesus had zeal (fervor) for God's house, for it's intended
         purpose (a house of prayer)
      -- His great zeal for His Father's house moved Him to action

   B. HOW IS OUR ZEAL FOR THE LORD'S HOUSE...?
      1. Remember, today the Father's house is the church - cf. 1Ti 3:15
      2. Do we have great zeal for the church?
         a. That it fulfill it's intended purpose (to make known God's will)? cf. Ep 3:10-11
         b. That we are troubled when we see people try to turn it into
            something else, such as social club, or a purveyor of entertainment?
      -- If we have zeal for the Lord's house, we will not rest silent
         when others pervert its purpose

[Of course, the action we take may not be the same as what Jesus did. 
Indeed, He took up "a whip of cords."  What right did He have to use
such a display of force?  That's what the Jews wanted to know...]

III. THE AUTHORITY OF THE LORD

   A. THE SIGN THAT PROVES HIS AUTHORITY...
      1. They wanted to know what sign (miracle) He could offer to prove
         His right to cleanse the temple - Jn 2:18
      2. Jesus offered His ability to rise from the dead as the ultimate proof - Jn 2:19-22
         a. Later, He would restate His claim to have this ability - Jn10:17-18
         b. His resurrection proved that He was the Son of God - cf. Ro 1:4
      -- He has been given the authority to exercise such judgment as
         cleansing the temple - cf. Jn 5:22,26-27

   B. WE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME AUTHORITY...
      1. We are to judge with righteous judgment - Jn 7:24
         a. At times we must distinguish between "hogs" and "dogs" - Mt 7:6
         b. We can distinguish between good and bad fruit - Mt 7:15-20
      2. But our authority to judge is limited - Mt 7:1-5
         a. There are things we cannot judge in this life - 1Co 4:3-5
         b. There are people we are not to judge - 1Co 5:11-13
         c. Vengeance in particular belongs to the Lord - cf. Ro 12:17-19
      -- While Jesus is our example (cf. 1Pe 2:21), there are some
         "steps" that He took that we cannot take

[The reason we cannot emulate the Lord in every case becomes evident as
we consider...]

IV. THE POWER OF THE LORD

   A. THE POWER THAT JUSTIFIES HIS ACTION...
      1. John mentions how many came to believe in Him because of His signs - Jn 2:23
      2. John also makes note of His unwillingness to commit Himself to
         others at this time
         a. He had no need to, because he knew all - Jn 2:24
         b. He had no need to, because he knew what was in man - Jn 2:25
      -- Jesus is revealed as one who can discern the hearts of men 
         - cf. Mt 9:4; Re 2:23

   B. WE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME POWER...
      1. We cannot discern the hearts of men like the Lord can; note these comments:
         a. "Our Lord knew all men, their nature, dispositions,
            affections, designs, so as we do not know any man, not even ourselves."
         b. "He knows his crafty enemies, and all their secret projects;
            his false friends, and their true characters."
         c. "He knows who are truly his, knows their uprightness, and
            knows their weaknesses."
         d. "We know what is done by men; Christ knows what is in them,
            he tries the heart."
         -- Matthew Henry Commentary
      2. Since we cannot read the hearts of men, we must be careful
         a. We are unable to always know the motives of others
         b. We must approach those in opposition with humility - cf. 2Ti 2:24-26  
         c. We must approach brethren overtaken in a fault with
            gentleness - cf. Ga 6:1

CONCLUSION

1. In contending for the faith (which is a solemn duty, Jude 3)...
   a. Some often use the example of Jesus cleansing the temple to
      justify their behavior
   b. As they lash out in anger (righteous indignation?) towards those teaching error

2. Is it right to appeal to Jesus' example in this case...?
   a. Can we appeal to every example of Jesus?
   b. If so, are we justified to use a whip of cords as well?

3. The immediate context offers reasons to answer carefully...
   a. Jesus possessed unlimited authority to judge man, proven by His
      resurrection from the dead
   b. Jesus possessed divine power to read the hearts of men, we
      sometimes cannot even discern our own hearts

4. There are times for righteous indignation...
   a. But some things must be left to the Lord, the righteous Judge
   b. We must avoid what might actually be "self-righteous" indignation!

While we may not always be able to emulate the Lord's prerogative to
judge, we should certainly strive to copy His zeal for His Father's
house.  Is our zeal for His church what it ought to be...?         

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

 

Successful Scientists Seminar by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1658

Successful Scientists Seminar

by	Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

February 26-29 of this year marked the first-ever Apologetics Press Scientists Seminar. Held at the Jacksonville church of Christ, across the street from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, the seminar proved to be an unqualified success. The goal of the seminar was to show that the scientific evidence points to the presence of design in the Universe—not random chance, as evolutionary theories suggest.

The seminar kicked off with a general look at the concept of design and the Teleological Argument for the existence of God. Dr. Joe Deweese, a biochemist, presented evidence for design at the molecular level. James Spencer, a geologist, presented evidence of design in the waters of the Earth—specifically the microorganisms that cause natural attenuation. Dr. Jerry Fausz, an aerospace engineer, presented evidence pointing to design in the air. I presented evidence for design in human beings—specifically the human bio-thermal system. Dr. Branyon May, an astrophysicist, presented evidence for design in the cosmos, and Dr. Michael Houts, a nuclear engineer, wrapped up the seminar, looking at the concept of design as a whole.

The seminar was a testament to the fact that there are many qualified scientists who hold to the biblical view of Creation, because we believe that is where the scientific evidence leads. Belief in God and the Bible is not a “blind leap into the dark” without evidence. Rest assured, the Christian’s faith is based on evidence.

For more information on the A.P. scientists seminar, By Accident…or Design?, please click here, or contact our offices at 334-272-8558 to book a seminar in your area.

Successful Scientists’ Retreat by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

 https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2596

Successful Scientists’ Retreat

by	Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

January 6-7 marked an historic date in the history of Apologetics Press: the first annual A.P. scientist retreat. The six professional scientists currently writing for Apologetics Press gathered in Huntsville, Alabama to discuss potential avenues whereby the Kingdom of Christ can be advanced through a more concerted team effort. Geologist James Spencer and Drs. Joe Deweese (biochemist), Jerry Fausz (aerospace engineer), Mike Houts (nuclear engineer), Branyon May (astrophysicist), and myself (biomechanical engineer) spent several hours together brainstorming how our efforts for the Lord could be expanded (see http://apologeticspress.org/Auxiliary.aspx for more information on these scientists).

One important element of our discussions involved the importance of getting the truth out on the Creation/Evolution controversy. Why? Who cares? Does it really matter what a person believes with regard to how the Universe was created—in six days or six billion years? Our conclusion, with one accord, was an unequivocal, resounding, “Yes!” If sections of the Bible, which have no indication of being anything other than literal, historical truth, are taken to be symbolic, figurative, or poetic, what’s to keep a person from viewing the virgin birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as figurative—as some have done? Or what about the God-ordained plan of salvation, involving water baptism for the remission of sins? Further, an evolutionary stance on the Creation account pits the Bible against itself, since the Bible elsewhere confirms a literal, historical interpretation of the Genesis events—Jesus Himself putting His stamp of approval on such a position (e.g., Mark 10:6; Matthew 19:4; Romans 1:20; Luke 11:45-52; John 8:44; Exodus 20:11; Isaiah 40:21; see http://apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/cre_comp.pdf for more information on theistic evolution). Will a person believe in God and His Word, as He requires of us (Hebrews 11:6), or capitulate to the pressures of today’s pseudoscience in his interpretation of Scripture? The truth is, there is no need to take the Genesis account as anything other than literal. True science supports the Bible without exception. We, the A.P. scientists, firmly stand on this truth.

The first joint effort of this team is to present a seminar featuring all six scientists. Though arranging our schedules to accommodate such an ambitious goal is a daunting task, we all believe such an effort would be well worth the difficulty, and we believe God will bless this venture with success. The Jacksonville church of Christ in Jacksonville, Alabama will host the first A.P. scientists’ seminar on February 26-29, 2012. Each speaker will present material, largely in his field of scientific expertise, that points to the fact that the evidence demands a Designer—not random chance, as the atheistic viewpoint contends. We hope to produce a companion book and DVD of the seminar in the coming months.

Also, like last year, the scientists plan to have a presence during the A.P. youth camps this summer. Be sure to enroll your 3^rd-12^th graders for camp before space runs out! Other exciting potential ideas were discussed during the retreat as well, including long-term joint projects. Stay tuned over the coming months for more exciting details concerning the A.P. scientist projects.

Super Blue Blood Moon by Alana May, M.S.

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=5508

Super Blue Blood Moon

by	Alana May, M.S.

[Editor’s Note: Alana holds a Master’s degree in Astrophysics from the University of Alabama.]

In the early morning hours of January 31, 2018, much of North America will get the privilege of witnessing a rare celestial event: Super Blue Blood Moon. But what exactly is this trifecta of lunar phenomena? Is it a harbinger of doom or apocalyptic events? Let’s break it down.

Supermoon

Like the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, the Moon travels in an elliptical orbit around the Earth. Because of this, the Moon has a closest approach (perigee) and a farthest approach (appogee) to the Earth. A Supermoon occurs when the Moon reaches its perigee and will therefore, appear up to 16% larger and 30% brighter than usual.¹ The January 31st Supermoon is the last in a trio of back-to-back Supermoon Full Moons, the previous occurring on December 3, 2017 and January 2, 2018.

Blue Moon

The Moon orbits around the Earth in approximately a 29.5 day cycle. During this cycle, the Moon appears to go through phases: New Moon, Crescent Moon, Quarter Moon, Gibbous Moon, and Full Moon. Occasionally, there will be two Full Moons in a calendar month. The second of these Full Moons is called a Blue Moon.

Image credit: https://mars.nasa.gov/images/Lunar_eclipse_sideview.jpg

Blood Moon

 A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow, blocking the sunlight on the Moon. One of the first things a spectator of this event might notice is the reddish color the Moon seems to turn. (The red color is caused by the scattering of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere as the Moon enters Earth’s shadow and reflects only the scattered light.)

Super Blue Blood Moon

On January 31st, the Moon will be in its orbital perigee (Supermoon) at the time of the second full Moon of the month (Blue Moon) and will reach the lunar eclipse maximum in the early morning hours appearing completely awash in a reddish hue (Blood Moon), therefore giving it the name: Super Blue Blood Moon.

While total solar eclipses might be considered more spectacular than lunar eclipses, lunar eclipses are quite impressive, too. While the precise alignment of a solar eclipse means that only those in the narrow path of the shadow can see it, a lunar eclipse can be enjoyed by entire continents of people.

These naturally occurring events are part of the physical laws God put into place when He created the Universe, and are not harbingers of doom. Rather than being characterized by chaos, as though from an explosion, the Universe displays magnificent order, which attests to a Grand Designer. The machine-like behavior of the Universe allows scientists to understand and even predict celestial events long before they occur. The beauty, magnificence, and complexity of such celestial events should fill us with awe toward the Designer of the Universe.

Endnotes

¹ https://www.space.com/34515-supermoon-guide.html.

Of musings, shapes and one eventful return by Gary Rose

 

I am not quite sure WHY I like this picture, yet there is something about it that just draws me right into it. Its contrasting features;the high mountains surrounded by the clouds as compared to the lighter and sometimes quite dark ( let me say deep ) blue sky. To me, this is quite a picture.

We all have seen sky before and all sorts of things can be imagined by simply viewing the clouds. I distinctly remember one autumn day when I was about 8 or so, just lying in a pile of leaves, viewing the sky and finding shapes of all kinds – dogs, cats, lizards and the occasional cloud that faintly resembled my favorite bite sized bit of candy. I was so absorbed in the view, that I lost all perception of time! And then it happened; I had to go, The Mickey Mouse Club was on and I ran for all I was worth to see my sweetheart- Annette Funicello.

That was then, times have changed (and so have I ). However, every so often I still enjoy some pleasant moments viewing the sky and composing shapes of the passing clouds.

For those of us who endeavor to follow Jesus, the sky is important, for reasons other than musings of shapes and such. As I looked at the picture I remembered something from the book of Acts, and here it is…

Acts 1 ( World English Bible )

¹ The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

² until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

³ To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom.

⁴ Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.

⁵ For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

⁶ Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

⁹ When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

¹⁰ While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,

¹¹ who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

Those two men in white clothing made the revelation to the Galileans who watch Jesus ascend to the Father that Jesus would come again in the same way that he left ( see verse 11 ). Earlier, Jesus is asked the question as to when the Father will restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus, in a very straightforward manner tells them- it isn’t for you to know. As I think about it, this ( not knowing ) applies to Jesus’ return as well.

So, the next time fellow Christian, when you momentarily view the sky, look for more than just shapes – look for Jesus’ return and your deliverance from this evil world.

 

Maranatha, Lord Jesus!

Bible Reading for June 25 - 27 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading for June 25 - 27

World  English  Bible

June 25

2 Samuel 16-18

2Sa 16:1 When David was a little past the top of the ascent, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

2Sa 16:2 The king said to Ziba, What do you mean by these? Ziba said, The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.

2Sa 16:3 The king said, Where is your master's son? Ziba said to the king, Behold, he abides at Jerusalem; for he said, Today will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

2Sa 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, all that pertains to Mephibosheth is yours. Ziba said, I do obeisance; let me find favor in your sight, my lord, O king.

2Sa 16:5 When king David came to Bahurim, behold, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out, and cursed still as he came.

2Sa 16:6 He cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

2Sa 16:7 Thus said Shimei when he cursed, Be gone, be gone, you man of blood, and base fellow:

2Sa 16:8 Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son; and behold, you are caught by your own mischief, because you are a man of blood.

2Sa 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head."

2Sa 16:10 The king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, Curse David; who then shall say, Why have you done so?

2Sa 16:11 David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeks my life: how much more may this Benjamite now do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for Yahweh has invited him.

2Sa 16:12 It may be that Yahweh will look on the wrong done to me, and that Yahweh will requite me good for his cursing of me this day.

2Sa 16:13 So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

2Sa 16:14 The king, and all the people who were with him, came weary; and he refreshed himself there.

2Sa 16:15 Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

2Sa 16:16 It happened, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, Long live the king, Long live the king.

2Sa 16:17 Absalom said to Hushai, Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?

2Sa 16:18 Hushai said to Absalom, No; but whom Yahweh, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

2Sa 16:19 Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn't I serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence.

2Sa 16:20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.

2Sa 16:21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to your father's concubines, that he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father: then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.

2Sa 16:22 So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

2Sa 16:23 The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

2Sa 17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

2Sa 17:2 and I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid; and all the people who are with him shall flee; and I will strike the king only;

2Sa 17:3 and I will bring back all the people to you: the man whom you seek is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.

2Sa 17:4 The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

2Sa 17:5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he says.

2Sa 17:6 When Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, Ahithophel has spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not, speak up.

2Sa 17:7 Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.

2Sa 17:8 Hushai said moreover, You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, as a bear robbed of her cubs in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

2Sa 17:9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will happen, when some of them are fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.

2Sa 17:10 Even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.

2Sa 17:11 But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.

2Sa 17:12 So shall we come on him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light on him as the dew falls on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him we will not leave so much as one.

2Sa 17:13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there not be one small stone found there.

2Sa 17:14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.

2Sa 17:15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counseled this way.

2Sa 17:16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Don't lodge this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.

2Sa 17:17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female servant used to go and tell them; and they went and told king David: for they might not be seen to come into the city.

2Sa 17:18 But a boy saw them, and told Absalom: and they went both of them away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down there.

2Sa 17:19 The woman took and spread the covering over the well's mouth, and strewed bruised grain thereon; and nothing was known.

2Sa 17:20 Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? The woman said to them, They have gone over the brook of water. When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

2Sa 17:21 It happened, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said to David, Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.

2Sa 17:22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they passed over the Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them who had not gone over the Jordan.

2Sa 17:23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and got him home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.

2Sa 17:24 Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

2Sa 17:25 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.

2Sa 17:26 Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.

2Sa 17:27 It happened, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

2Sa 17:28 brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and meal, and parched grain, and beans, and lentils, and parched pulse,

2Sa 17:29 and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David, and for the people who were with him, to eat: for they said, The people are hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

2Sa 18:1 David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.

2Sa 18:2 David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.

2Sa 18:3 But the people said, You shall not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city.

2Sa 18:4 The king said to them, I will do what seems best to you. The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.

2Sa 18:5 The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom.

2Sa 18:6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim.

2Sa 18:7 The people of Israel were struck there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.

2Sa 18:8 For the battle was there spread over the surface of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

2Sa 18:9 Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the sky and earth; and the mule that was under him went on.

2Sa 18:10 A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.

2Sa 18:11 Joab said to the man who told him, Behold, you saw it, and why didn't you strike him there to the ground? and I would have given you ten pieces of silver, and a sash.

2Sa 18:12 The man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn't put forth my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.

2Sa 18:13 Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hid from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.

2Sa 18:14 Then said Joab, I may not wait thus with you. He took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

2Sa 18:15 Ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him.

2Sa 18:16 Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held back the people.

2Sa 18:17 They took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled everyone to his tent.

2Sa 18:18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar, which is in the king's dale; for he said, I have no son to keep my name in memory: and he called the pillar after his own name; and it is called Absalom's monument, to this day.

2Sa 18:19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king news, how that Yahweh has avenged him of his enemies.

2Sa 18:20 Joab said to him, You shall not be the bearer of news this day, but you shall bear news another day; but this day you shall bear no news, because the king's son is dead.

2Sa 18:21 Then said Joab to the Cushite, Go, tell the king what you have seen. The Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran.

2Sa 18:22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But come what may, Please let me also run after the Cushite. Joab said, Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?

2Sa 18:23 But come what may, said he, I will run. He said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.

2Sa 18:24 Now David was sitting between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.

2Sa 18:25 The watchman cried, and told the king. The king said, If he be alone, there is news in his mouth. He came apace, and drew near.

2Sa 18:26 The watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the porter, and said, Behold, another man running alone. The king said, He also brings news.

2Sa 18:27 The watchman said, I think the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. The king said, He is a good man, and comes with good news.

2Sa 18:28 Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, All is well. He bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth, and said, Blessed be Yahweh your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their hand against my lord the king.

2Sa 18:29 The king said, Is it well with the young man Absalom? Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, even me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I don't know what it was.

2Sa 18:30 The king said, Turn aside, and stand here. He turned aside, and stood still.

2Sa 18:31 Behold, the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, News for my lord the king; for Yahweh has avenged you this day of all those who rose up against you.

2Sa 18:32 The king said to the Cushite, Is it well with the young man Absalom? The Cushite answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is.

2Sa 18:33 The king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son! 

 

June 26

2 Samuel 19-21

2Sa 19:1 It was told Joab, Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.

2Sa 19:2 The victory that day was turned into mourning to all the people; for the people heard say that day, The king grieves for his son.

2Sa 19:3 The people got them by stealth that day into the city, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

2Sa 19:4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, my son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!

2Sa 19:5 Joab came into the house to the king, and said, You have shamed this day the faces of all your servants, who this day have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines;

2Sa 19:6 in that you love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. For you have declared this day, that princes and servants are nothing to you: for this day I perceive that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased you well.

2Sa 19:7 Now therefore arise, go out, and speak to comfort your servants; for I swear by Yahweh, if you don't go out, not a man will stay with you this night: and that would be worse to you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now.

2Sa 19:8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. They told to all the people, saying, Behold, the king is sitting in the gate: and all the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent.

2Sa 19:9 All the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land from Absalom.

2Sa 19:10 Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don't you speak a word of bringing the king back?

2Sa 19:11 King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, to bring him to his house.

2Sa 19:12 You are my brothers, you are my bone and my flesh: why then are you the last to bring back the king?

2Sa 19:13 Say to Amasa, Aren't you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren't captain of the army before me continually in the room of Joab.

2Sa 19:14 He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent to the king, saying, Return, you and all your servants.

2Sa 19:15 So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.

2Sa 19:16 Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.

2Sa 19:17 There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went through the Jordan in the presence of the king.

2Sa 19:18 A ferry boat went to bring over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, when he was come over the Jordan.

2Sa 19:19 He said to the king, Don't let my lord impute iniquity to me, neither do you remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

2Sa 19:20 For your servant does know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I have come this day the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.

2Sa 19:21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, Shall Shimei not be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?

2Sa 19:22 David said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be adversaries to me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for don't I know that I am this day king over Israel?

2Sa 19:23 The king said to Shimei, You shall not die. The king swore to him.

2Sa 19:24 Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

2Sa 19:25 It happened, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?

2Sa 19:26 He answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for your servant said, I will saddle me a donkey, that I may ride thereon, and go with the king; because your servant is lame.

2Sa 19:27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in your eyes.

2Sa 19:28 For all my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should cry any more to the king?

2Sa 19:29 The king said to him, Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, You and Ziba divide the land.

2Sa 19:30 Mephibosheth said to the king, yes, let him take all, because my lord the king is come in peace to his own house.

2Sa 19:31 Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king, to conduct him over the Jordan.

2Sa 19:32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

2Sa 19:33 The king said to Barzillai, Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.

2Sa 19:34 Barzillai said to the king, How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

2Sa 19:35 I am this day eighty years old: can I discern between good and bad? can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? why then should your servant be yet a burden to my lord the king?

2Sa 19:36 Your servant would but just go over the Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

2Sa 19:37 Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.

2Sa 19:38 The king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you: and whatever you shall require of me, that will I do for you.

2Sa 19:39 All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over: and the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.

2Sa 19:40 So the king went over to Gilgal, and Chimham went over with him: and all the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel.

2Sa 19:41 Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king, and his household, over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?

2Sa 19:42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is a close relative to us: why then are you angry for this matter? have we eaten at all at the king's cost? or has he given us any gift?

2Sa 19:43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than you: why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

2Sa 20:1 There happened to be there a base fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew the trumpet, and said, We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, Israel.

2Sa 20:2 So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.

2Sa 20:3 David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody, and provided them with sustenance, but didn't go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.

2Sa 20:4 Then said the king to Amasa, Call me the men of Judah together within three days, and be here present.

2Sa 20:5 So Amasa went to call the men of Judah together; but he stayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him.

2Sa 20:6 David said to Abishai, Now will Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take your lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fortified cities, and escape out of our sight.

2Sa 20:7 There went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

2Sa 20:8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was girded with his apparel of war that he had put on, and thereon was a sash with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out.

2Sa 20:9 Joab said to Amasa, Is it well with you, my brother? Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

2Sa 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he struck him therewith in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and didn't strike him again; and he died. Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

2Sa 20:11 There stood by him one of Joab's young men, and said, He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab.

2Sa 20:12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.

2Sa 20:13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

2Sa 20:14 He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.

2Sa 20:15 They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.

2Sa 20:16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, "Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, 'Come near here, that I may speak with you.' "

2Sa 20:17 He came near to her; and the woman said, Are you Joab? He answered, I am. Then she said to him, Hear the words of your handmaid. He answered, I do hear.

2Sa 20:18 Then she spoke, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.

2Sa 20:19 I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel: you seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why will you swallow up the inheritance of Yahweh?

2Sa 20:20 Joab answered, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

2Sa 20:21 The matter is not so: but a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David; deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. The woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.

2Sa 20:22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

2Sa 20:23 Now Joab was over all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites;

2Sa 20:24 and Adoram was over the men subject to forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder;

2Sa 20:25 and Sheva was scribe; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

2Sa 20:26 and also Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David.

2Sa 21:1 There was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of Yahweh. Yahweh said, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites.

2Sa 21:2 The king called the Gibeonites, and said to them (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn to them: and Saul sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah);

2Sa 21:3 and David said to the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of Yahweh?

2Sa 21:4 The Gibeonites said to him, It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Saul, or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel. He said, What you shall say, that will I do for you.

2Sa 21:5 They said to the king, The man who consumed us, and who devised against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the borders of Israel,

2Sa 21:6 let seven men of his sons be delivered to us, and we will hang them up to Yahweh in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of Yahweh. The king said, I will give them.

2Sa 21:7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

2Sa 21:8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:

2Sa 21:9 He delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the mountain before Yahweh, and they fell all seven together. They were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, at the beginning of barley harvest.

2Sa 21:10 Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water was poured on them from the sky; and she allowed neither the birds of the sky to rest on them by day, nor the animals of the field by night.

2Sa 21:11 It was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

2Sa 21:12 David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen them from the street of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, in the day that the Philistines killed Saul in Gilboa;

2Sa 21:13 and he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son: and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged.

2Sa 21:14 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. After that God was entreated for the land.

2Sa 21:15 The Philistines had war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines. David grew faint;

2Sa 21:16 and Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.

2Sa 21:17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, You shall go no more out with us to battle, that you don't quench the lamp of Israel.

2Sa 21:18 It came to pass after this, that there was again war with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the sons of the giant.

2Sa 21:19 There was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite's brother, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

2Sa 21:20 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

2Sa 21:21 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, killed him.

2Sa 21:22 These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. 

 

June 27

2 Samuel 22-24

2Sa 22:1 David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:

2Sa 22:2 and he said, Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;

2Sa 22:3 God, my rock, in him I will take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence.

2Sa 22:4 I will call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from my enemies.

2Sa 22:5 For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

2Sa 22:6 The cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.

2Sa 22:7 In my distress I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry came into his ears.

2Sa 22:8 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.

2Sa 22:9 Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Fire out of his mouth devoured. Coals were kindled by it.

2Sa 22:10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.

2Sa 22:11 He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he was seen on the wings of the wind.

2Sa 22:12 He made darkness pavilions around himself: gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

2Sa 22:13 At the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled.

2Sa 22:14 Yahweh thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice.

2Sa 22:15 He sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and confused them.

2Sa 22:16 Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of Yahweh, At the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

2Sa 22:17 He sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters.

2Sa 22:18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

2Sa 22:19 They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support.

2Sa 22:20 He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

2Sa 22:21 Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.

2Sa 22:22 For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

2Sa 22:23 For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I did not depart from them.

2Sa 22:24 I was also perfect toward him. I kept myself from my iniquity.

2Sa 22:25 Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.

2Sa 22:26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.

2Sa 22:27 With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.

2Sa 22:28 You will save the afflicted people, But your eyes are on the haughty, that you may bring them down.

2Sa 22:29 For you are my lamp, Yahweh. Yahweh will light up my darkness.

2Sa 22:30 For by you, I run against a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall.

2Sa 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect. The word of Yahweh is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.

2Sa 22:32 For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God?

2Sa 22:33 God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.

2Sa 22:34 He makes his feet like hinds' feet, and sets me on my high places.

2Sa 22:35 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of brass.

2Sa 22:36 You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.

2Sa 22:37 You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.

2Sa 22:38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn't turn again until they were consumed.

2Sa 22:39 I have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can't arise. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.

2Sa 22:40 For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

2Sa 22:41 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.

2Sa 22:42 They looked, but there was none to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn't answer them.

2Sa 22:43 Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.

2Sa 22:44 You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.

2Sa 22:45 The foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.

2Sa 22:46 The foreigners will fade away, and will come trembling out of their close places.

2Sa 22:47 Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,

2Sa 22:48 even the God who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,

2Sa 22:49 who brings me away from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.

2Sa 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations. Will sing praises to your name.

2Sa 22:51 He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his seed, forevermore.

2Sa 23:1 Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:

2Sa 23:2 The Spirit of Yahweh spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.

2Sa 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, one who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

2Sa 23:4 He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, When the tender grass springs out of the earth, Through clear shining after rain.

2Sa 23:5 Most certainly my house is not so with God, yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, for it is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he doesn't make it grow.

2Sa 23:6 But all of the ungodly shall be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can't be taken with the hand,

2Sa 23:7 But the man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear. They shall be utterly burned with fire in their place.

2Sa 23:8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite, against eight hundred slain at one time.

2Sa 23:9 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away.

2Sa 23:10 He arose, and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and Yahweh worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.

2Sa 23:11 After him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. The Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines.

2Sa 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh worked a great victory.

2Sa 23:13 Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

2Sa 23:14 David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

2Sa 23:15 David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

2Sa 23:16 The three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh.

2Sa 23:17 He said, Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

2Sa 23:18 Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.

2Sa 23:19 Wasn't he most honorable of the three? therefore he was made their captain: however he didn't attain to the first three.

2Sa 23:20 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

2Sa 23:21 He killed an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.

2Sa 23:22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men.

2Sa 23:23 He was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn't attain to the first three. David set him over his guard.

2Sa 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

2Sa 23:25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,

2Sa 23:26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

2Sa 23:27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,

2Sa 23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

2Sa 23:29 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,

2Sa 23:30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.

2Sa 23:31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

2Sa 23:32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,

2Sa 23:33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,

2Sa 23:34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

2Sa 23:35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,

2Sa 23:36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,

2Sa 23:37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,

2Sa 23:38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

2Sa 23:39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

2Sa 24:1 Again the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.

2Sa 24:2 The king said to Joab the captain of the army, who was with him, Go now back and forth through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number you the people, that I may know the sum of the people.

2Sa 24:3 Joab said to the king, Now Yahweh your God add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it: but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?

2Sa 24:4 Notwithstanding, the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the army. Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.

2Sa 24:5 They passed over the Jordan, and encamped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and to Jazer:

2Sa 24:6 then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; and they came to Dan Jaan, and around to Sidon,

2Sa 24:7 and came to the stronghold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites; and they went out to the south of Judah, at Beersheba.

2Sa 24:8 So when they had gone back and forth through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

2Sa 24:9 Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

2Sa 24:10 David's heart struck him after that he had numbered the people. David said to Yahweh, I have sinned greatly in that which I have done: but now, Yahweh, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.

2Sa 24:11 When David rose up in the morning, the word of Yahweh came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,

2Sa 24:12 Go and speak to David, Thus says Yahweh, I offer you three things: choose one of them, that I may do it to you.

2Sa 24:13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said to him, Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? or shall there be three days' pestilence in your land? Now answer, and consider what answer I shall return to him who sent me.

2Sa 24:14 David said to Gad, I am in distress. Let us fall now into the hand of Yahweh; for his mercies are great; and let me not fall into the hand of man.

2Sa 24:15 So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel from the morning even to the time appointed; and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

2Sa 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, Yahweh relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who destroyed the people, It is enough; now stay your hand. The angel of Yahweh was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

2Sa 24:17 David spoke to Yahweh when he saw the angel who struck the people, and said, Behold, I have sinned, and I have done perversely; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me, and against my father's house.

2Sa 24:18 Gad came that day to David, and said to him, Go up, rear an altar to Yahweh in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

2Sa 24:19 David went up according to the saying of Gad, as Yahweh commanded.

2Sa 24:20 Araunah looked forth, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

2Sa 24:21 Araunah said, Why is my lord the king come to his servant? David said, To buy the threshing floor of you, to build an altar to Yahweh, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people.

2Sa 24:22 Araunah said to David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him: behold, the cattle for the burnt offering, and the threshing instruments and the yokes of the oxen for the wood:

2Sa 24:23 all this, king, does Araunah give to the king. Araunah said to the king, Yahweh your God accept you.

2Sa 24:24 The king said to Araunah, No; but I will most certainly buy it of you at a price. Neither will I offer burnt offerings to Yahweh my God which cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

2Sa 24:25 David built there an altar to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So Yahweh was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel. 

 

Jun. 25

John 21

Joh 21:1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.

Joh 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

Joh 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, "I'm going fishing." They told him, "We are also coming with you." They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.

Joh 21:4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn't know that it was Jesus.

Joh 21:5 Jesus therefore said to them, "Children, have you anything to eat?" They answered him, "No."

Joh 21:6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." They cast it therefore, and now they weren't able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

Joh 21:7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.

Joh 21:8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.

Joh 21:9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.

Joh 21:10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."

Joh 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn't torn.

Joh 21:12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." None of the disciples dared inquire of him, "Who are you?" knowing that it was the Lord.

Joh 21:13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

Joh 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.

Joh 21:15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

Joh 21:16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

Joh 21:17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?" Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, "Do you have affection for me?" He said to him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

Joh 21:18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don't want to go."

Joh 21:19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus sincerely loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus' breast at the supper and asked, "Lord, who is going to betray You?"

Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?"

Joh 21:22 Jesus said to him, "If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me."

Joh 21:23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn't die. Yet Jesus didn't say to him that he wouldn't die, but, "If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?"

Joh 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.

Joh 21:25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn't have room for the books that would be written. 

 

Jun. 26, 27

Acts 1

Act 1:1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

Act 1:2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

Act 1:3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God's Kingdom.

Act 1:4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, "Don't depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.

Act 1:5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Act 1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

Act 1:7 He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.

Act 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."

Act 1:9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Act 1:10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,

Act 1:11 who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky."

Act 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

Act 1:13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

Act 1:14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Act 1:15 In these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said,

Act 1:16 "Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.

Act 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry.

Act 1:18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.

Act 1:19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called 'Akeldama,' that is, 'The field of blood.'

Act 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;' and, 'Let another take his office.'

Act 1:21 "Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Act 1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

Act 1:23 They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

Act 1:24 They prayed, and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen

Act 1:25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place."

Act 1:26 They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.