4/10/12

A city on the edge of forever...


Interesting structure!  I wonder what its purpose was?  Reminds me of one of the original Star Trek episodes.  You know, the one where a structure like this transported them back in time.  Time is an interesting concept. It starts off with our being regulated by it by our parents and gradually progresses throughout our lives to regiment us into tight little patterns of activity.  We accomplish more this way, but I wonder how good living in this manner really is?  Someday, God will explain it all to me, but in the meantime we have this passage from the book of Ecclesiastes to instruct us all...


World English Bible: Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

[1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

[2] a time to be born,
and a time to die;


a time to plant,
and a time to pluck up that which is planted;


[3] a time to kill,
and a time to heal;


a time to break down,
and a time to build up;


[4] a time to weep,
and a time to laugh;


a time to mourn,
and a time to dance;


[5] a time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;


a time to embrace,
and a time to refrain from embracing;


[6] a time to seek,
and a time to lose;


a time to keep,
and a time to cast away;


[7] a time to tear,
and a time to sew;


a time to keep silence,
and a time to speak;


[8] a time to love,
and a time to hate;


a time for war,
and a time for peace.

There are patterns in our overall existence.  We are born, we grow up, then old and finally die.  But within that, there are other natural patterns, which Solomon refers to.  It is necessary for us to react to our life situation appropriately in order to survive.  Farmers MUST plant at a particular time in order to farm.  When a foreign army invades you MUST protect yourself or die and so forth.  To me, what is noticeably absent from this list is our relationship with God.  It is always the correct time to seek God!!!  That is, of course, if you have any intention of wanting to live forever.  If you don't care, then there will be a time to pay for that decision, later.  Whatever you decide to do with your life, be careful!!!  Remember, there is no portal to the past; what you have done is what you have done and the consequences of that are truly eternal.

Apr. 10, 11 Luke 7


Apr. 10, 11
Luke 7

Luk 7:1 After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
Luk 7:2 A certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.
Luk 7:3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.
Luk 7:4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to do this for him,
Luk 7:5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us."
Luk 7:6 Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.
Luk 7:7 Therefore I didn't even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Luk 7:8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Luk 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel."
Luk 7:10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.
Luk 7:11 It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.
Luk 7:12 Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.
Luk 7:13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, "Don't cry."
Luk 7:14 He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
Luk 7:15 He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.
Luk 7:16 Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited his people!"
Luk 7:17 This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.
Luk 7:18 The disciples of John told him about all these things.
Luk 7:19 John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?"
Luk 7:20 When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?' "
Luk 7:21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.
Luk 7:22 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
Luk 7:23 Blessed is he who is not offended by me."
Luk 7:24 When John's messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
Luk 7:25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
Luk 7:26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
Luk 7:27 This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'
Luk 7:28 "For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."
Luk 7:29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John's baptism.
Luk 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.
Luk 7:31 "To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?
Luk 7:32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We piped to you, and you didn't dance. We mourned, and you didn't weep.'
Luk 7:33 For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'
Luk 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
Luk 7:35 Wisdom is justified by all her children."
Luk 7:36 One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat at the table.
Luk 7:37 Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
Luk 7:38 Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luk 7:39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner."
Luk 7:40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on."
Luk 7:41 "A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
Luk 7:42 When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"
Luk 7:43 Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
Luk 7:44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
Luk 7:45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luk 7:46 You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
Luk 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
Luk 7:48 He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
Luk 7:49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
Luk 7:50 He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Apr. 10 Numbers 11, 12


Apr. 10
Numbers 11, 12

Num 11:1 The people were complaining in the ears of Yahweh. When Yahweh heard it, his anger was kindled; and Yahweh's fire burnt among them, and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
Num 11:2 The people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire abated.
Num 11:3 The name of that place was called Taberah, because Yahweh's fire burnt among them.
Num 11:4 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, "Who will give us flesh to eat?
Num 11:5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;
Num 11:6 but now we have lost our appetite. There is nothing at all except this manna to look at."
Num 11:7 The manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like the appearance of bdellium.
Num 11:8 The people went around, gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots, and made cakes of it. Its taste was like the taste of fresh oil.
Num 11:9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.
Num 11:10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent; and the anger of Yahweh was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased.
Num 11:11 Moses said to Yahweh, "Why have you treated with your servant so badly? Why haven't I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
Num 11:12 Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them forth, that you should tell me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which you swore to their fathers?'
Num 11:13 Where could I get meat to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.'
Num 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Num 11:15 If you treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in your sight; and don't let me see my wretchedness."
Num 11:16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you.
Num 11:17 I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone.
Num 11:18 Say to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you will eat flesh; for you have wept in the ears of Yahweh, saying, "Who will give us flesh to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt." Therefore Yahweh will give you flesh, and you will eat.
Num 11:19 You will not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days,
Num 11:20 but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because that you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?" ' "
Num 11:21 Moses said, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, 'I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.'
Num 11:22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?"
Num 11:23 Yahweh said to Moses, "Has Yahweh's hand grown short? Now you will see whether my word will happen to you or not."
Num 11:24 Moses went out, and told the people the words of Yahweh; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them around the Tent.
Num 11:25 Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.
Num 11:26 But two men remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.
Num 11:27 A young man ran, and told Moses, and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!"
Num 11:28 Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, "My lord Moses, forbid them!"
Num 11:29 Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh's people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!"
Num 11:30 Moses went into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
Num 11:31 A wind from Yahweh went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth.
Num 11:32 The people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails. He who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them all abroad for themselves around the camp.
Num 11:33 While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Yahweh was kindled against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague.
Num 11:34 The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.
Num 11:35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth; and they stayed at Hazeroth.
Num 12:1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.
Num 12:2 They said, "Has Yahweh indeed spoken only with Moses? Hasn't he spoken also with us?" And Yahweh heard it.
Num 12:3 Now the man Moses was very humble, above all the men who were on the surface of the earth.
Num 12:4 Yahweh spoke suddenly to Moses, to Aaron, and to Miriam, "You three come out to the Tent of Meeting!" The three of them came out.
Num 12:5 Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood at the door of the Tent, and called Aaron and Miriam; and they both came forward.
Num 12:6 He said, "Hear now my words. If there is a prophet among you, I Yahweh will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream.
Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so. He is faithful in all my house.
Num 12:8 With him I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Yahweh's form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?"
Num 12:9 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against them; and he departed.
Num 12:10 The cloud departed from over the Tent; and behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
Num 12:11 Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, please don't count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.
Num 12:12 Let her not, I pray, be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother's womb."
Num 12:13 Moses cried to Yahweh, saying, "Heal her, God, I beg you!"
Num 12:14 Yahweh said to Moses, "If her father had but spit in her face, shouldn't she be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut up outside of the camp seven days, and after that she shall be brought in again."
Num 12:15 Miriam was shut up outside of the camp seven days, and the people didn't travel until Miriam was brought in again.
Num 12:16 Afterward the people traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.

"THE BOOK OF DANIEL" Chapter Five by Mark Copeland

                         "THE BOOK OF DANIEL"

                             Chapter Five

This chapter fast forwards to 539 B.C. and the last night of Babylonian
rule.  King Belshazzar (grandson of Nebuchadnezzar) throws a drunken,
idolatrous feast that is interrupted by a hand writing on the wall
(1-12).  Daniel is brought in, and explains that it proclaims the
judgment of Belshazzar and the fall of Babylon into the hands of the
Medes and Persians (13-29) which occurs that very night (30-31). 

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  The character of King Belshazzar contrasted with that of Daniel

   *  The meaning of the writing on the wall as explained by Daniel

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall - Dan 5:1-12
   - Daniel explains the writing on the wall - Dan 5:13-29
   - Belshazzar's fall - Dan 5:30-31

2) What is the setting leading to the hand writing on the wall? (1-4)
   - A drunken, idolatrous feast using gold vessels from the house of God
     in Jerusalem

3) What reaction did the king have to the hand writing on the wall? (6)
   - Countenance changed, troubled thoughts, hip joints loosened, knees
     knocking

4) Who was unable to tell the king the interpretation of the writing?
   (7-8)
   - His wise men (astrologers, Chaldeans, soothsayers)

5) Who counseled the king to call for Daniel to interpret the writing?
   (10-12)
   - The queen (likely the queen mother, daughter of Nebuchadnezzar)

6) Before interpreting the writing, what did Daniel tell King
   Belshazzar? (17-24)
   - The king could keep his reward (gifts) for himself
   - He had not learned from what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar
   - He had failed to humble himself before God, and did not glorify Him

7) What was the inscription written on the wall, and the
   interpretation? (24-28)
   - Mene (to number):  God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it
   - Tekel (to weigh):  You have been weighed in the balances, and found
     wanting
   - Upharsin (to divide):  Your kingdom has been divided, given to the
     Medes and Persians 

8) What happened that very night? (30-31)
   - King Belshazzar was slain
   - Darius the Mede received the kingdom