4/6/12

Apr. 6 Numbers 3, 4


Apr. 6
Numbers 3, 4

Num 3:1 Now this is the history of the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that Yahweh spoke with Moses in Mount Sinai.
Num 3:2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Num 3:3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
Num 3:4 Nadab and Abihu died before Yahweh, when they offered strange fire before Yahweh, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the presence of Aaron their father.
Num 3:5 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 3:6 "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
Num 3:7 They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Num 3:8 They shall keep all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the obligations of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
Num 3:9 You shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are wholly given to him on the behalf of the children of Israel.
Num 3:10 You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death."
Num 3:11 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 3:12 "Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine:
Num 3:13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am Yahweh."
Num 3:14 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
Num 3:15 "Count the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families. You shall count every male from a month old and upward."
Num 3:16 Moses numbered them according to the word of Yahweh, as he was commanded.
Num 3:17 These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
Num 3:18 These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.
Num 3:19 The sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, and Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
Num 3:20 The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.
Num 3:21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
Num 3:22 Those who were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those who were numbered of them were seven thousand five hundred.
Num 3:23 The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.
Num 3:24 The prince of the fathers' house of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.
Num 3:25 The duty of the sons of Gershon in the Tent of Meeting shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, its covering, and the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting,
Num 3:26 and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and around the altar, and its cords for all of its service.
Num 3:27 Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
Num 3:28 According to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred, keeping the requirements of the sanctuary.
Num 3:29 The families of the sons of Kohath shall encamp on the south side of the tabernacle.
Num 3:30 The prince of the fathers' house of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
Num 3:31 Their duty shall be the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all its service.
Num 3:32 Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be prince of the princes of the Levites, with the oversight of those who keep the requirements of the sanctuary.
Num 3:33 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites. These are the families of Merari.
Num 3:34 Those who were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand two hundred.
Num 3:35 The prince of the fathers' house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They shall encamp on the north side of the tabernacle.
Num 3:36 The appointed duty of the sons of Merari shall be the tabernacle's boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, all its instruments, all its service,
Num 3:37 the pillars of the court around it, their sockets, their pins, and their cords.
Num 3:38 Those who encamp before the tabernacle eastward, in front of the Tent of Meeting toward the sunrise, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the requirements of the sanctuary for the duty of the children of Israel. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.
Num 3:39 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of Yahweh, by their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty-two thousand.
Num 3:40 Yahweh said to Moses, "Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.
Num 3:41 You shall take the Levites for me (I am Yahweh) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel."
Num 3:42 Moses numbered, as Yahweh commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.
Num 3:43 All the firstborn males according to the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.
Num 3:44 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 3:45 "Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock; and the Levites shall be mine. I am Yahweh.
Num 3:46 For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel, who exceed the number of the Levites,
Num 3:47 you shall take five shekels apiece for each one; after the shekel of the sanctuary you shall take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs):
Num 3:48 and you shall give the money, with which the remainder of them is redeemed, to Aaron and to his sons."
Num 3:49 Moses took the redemption money from those who exceeded the number of those who were redeemed by the Levites;
Num 3:50 from the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
Num 3:51 and Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Num 4:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Num 4:2 "Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers' houses,
Num 4:3 from thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all who enter into the service, to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.
Num 4:4 This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting, the most holy things.
Num 4:5 When the camp moves forward, Aaron shall go in, and his sons, and they shall take down the veil of the screen, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it,
Num 4:6 and shall put a covering of sealskin on it, and shall spread over it a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles.
Num 4:7 On the table of show bread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out; and the continual bread shall be on it.
Num 4:8 They shall spread on them a scarlet cloth, and cover the same with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles.
Num 4:9 They shall take a blue cloth, and cover the lampstand of the light, and its lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, and all its oil vessels, with which they minister to it.
Num 4:10 They shall put it and all its vessels within a covering of sealskin, and shall put it on the frame.
Num 4:11 On the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles.
Num 4:12 They shall take all the vessels of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame.
Num 4:13 They shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth on it.
Num 4:14 They shall put on it all its vessels, with which they minister about it, the fire pans, the flesh hooks, the shovels, and the basins; all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread on it a covering of sealskin, and put in its poles.
Num 4:15 "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp moves forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to carry it: but they shall not touch the sanctuary, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the Tent of Meeting.
Num 4:16 "The duty of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the continual meal offering, and the anointing oil, the requirements of all the tabernacle, and of all that is in it, the sanctuary, and its furnishings."
Num 4:17 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Num 4:18 "Don't cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites;
Num 4:19 but thus do to them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them everyone to his service and to his burden;
Num 4:20 but they shall not go in to see the sanctuary even for a moment, lest they die."
Num 4:21 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 4:22 "Take a census of the sons of Gershon also, by their fathers' houses, by their families;
Num 4:23 you shall count them from thirty years old and upward until fifty years old; all who enter in to wait on the service, to do the work in the Tent of Meeting.
Num 4:24 This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in bearing burdens:
Num 4:25 they shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle, and the Tent of Meeting, its covering, and the covering of sealskin that is above on it, and the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting,
Num 4:26 and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and around the altar, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and whatever shall be done with them. Therein shall they serve.
Num 4:27 At the commandment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burden, and in all their service; and you shall appoint their duty to them in all their responsibilities.
Num 4:28 This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the Tent of Meeting: and their duty shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
Num 4:29 "As for the sons of Merari, you shall number them by their families, by their fathers' houses;
Num 4:30 you shall count them from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who enters on the service, to do the work of the Tent of Meeting.
Num 4:31 This is the duty of their burden, according to all their service in the Tent of Meeting: the tabernacle's boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,
Num 4:32 and the pillars of the court around it, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name you shall appoint the instruments of the duty of their burden.
Num 4:33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the Tent of Meeting, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest."
Num 4:34 Moses and Aaron and the princes of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites by their families, and by their fathers' houses,
Num 4:35 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered into the service, for work in the Tent of Meeting.
Num 4:36 Those who were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred fifty.
Num 4:37 These are those who were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.
Num 4:38 Those who were numbered of the sons of Gershon, their families, and by their fathers' houses,
Num 4:39 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered into the service, for work in the Tent of Meeting,
Num 4:40 even those who were numbered of them, by their families, by their fathers' houses, were two thousand six hundred thirty.
Num 4:41 These are those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, all who served in the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Yahweh.
Num 4:42 Those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, by their families, by their fathers' houses,
Num 4:43 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered into the service, for work in the Tent of Meeting,
Num 4:44 even those who were numbered of them by their families, were three thousand two hundred.
Num 4:45 These are those who were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the commandment of Yahweh by Moses.
Num 4:46 All those who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel numbered, by their families, and by their fathers' houses,
Num 4:47 from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who entered in to do the work of service, and the work of bearing burdens in the Tent of Meeting,
Num 4:48 even those who were numbered of them, were eight thousand five hundred eighty.
Num 4:49 According to the commandment of Yahweh they were numbered by Moses, everyone according to his service, and according to his burden. Thus were they numbered by him, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

Apr. 6, 7 Luke 5


Apr. 6, 7
Luke 5

Luk 5:1 Now it happened, while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.
Luk 5:2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
Luk 5:3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
Luk 5:4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch."
Luk 5:5 Simon answered him, "Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net."
Luk 5:6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.
Luk 5:7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
Luk 5:8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord."
Luk 5:9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught;
Luk 5:10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive."
Luk 5:11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.
Luk 5:12 It happened, while he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean."
Luk 5:13 He stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately the leprosy left him.
Luk 5:14 He commanded him to tell no one, "But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."
Luk 5:15 But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
Luk 5:16 But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.
Luk 5:17 It happened on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them.
Luk 5:18 Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.
Luk 5:19 Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus.
Luk 5:20 Seeing their faith, he said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."
Luk 5:21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"
Luk 5:22 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, "Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?
Luk 5:23 Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you;' or to say, 'Arise and walk?'
Luk 5:24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (he said to the paralyzed man), "I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house."
Luk 5:25 Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God.
Luk 5:26 Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today."
Luk 5:27 After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow me!"
Luk 5:28 He left everything, and rose up and followed him.
Luk 5:29 Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.
Luk 5:30 Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"
Luk 5:31 Jesus answered them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
Luk 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luk 5:33 They said to him, "Why do John's disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?"
Luk 5:34 He said to them, "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
Luk 5:35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days."
Luk 5:36 He also told a parable to them. "No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old.
Luk 5:37 No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.
Luk 5:38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.
Luk 5:39 No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, 'The old is better.' "

"THE BOOK OF DANIEL" Chapter One by Mark Copeland 

 "THE BOOK OF DANIEL"

                             Chapter One

The book opens with the first deportation of Jews to Babylonian captivity
(605 B.C.), and the selection  of Daniel and his three friends for
special training (1-7).  Daniel is commitment to remain undefiled is
blessed by God, and he along with his friends are given wisdom that is
acknowledged and rewarded by the king of Babylon (8-21).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  Young Daniel's commitment to God in pagan environment

   *  How Daniel was able to keep both his faith to God and service to 
      the king

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Daniel and his friends selected for special training - Dan 1:1-7
   - Daniel's faithfulness to God rewarded - Dan 1:8-21

2) When did Nebuchadnezzar besiege Jerusalem, and who gave him victory?
   (1-2)
   - In the third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah (605 B.C.); the Lord

3) Who were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans?
   (3-4)
   - Some of the children of Israel, some of the descendants of the king
     and nobles
   - Young men who were good-looking, wise, quick to learn and able to
     serve

4) How long was their training to last?  What did it include? (5)
   - Three years; daily provisions of the king's delicacies and wine

5) What four young men were selected?  What names were they given?
   (6-7)
   - Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah
   - Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego

6) What did Daniel purpose in his heart? (8)
   - Not to defile himself with the king's delicacies and wine

7) How was Daniel able to keep his commitment? (8-16)
   - With politeness (he requested, not demanded)
   - With God's help (God brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of
     the chief eunuch)
   - With persistence (rebuffed by the chief eunuch, he appealed to the
     steward)
   - With willingness to test his faith (asking for ten day trial)

8) What did God give the four young men? (17)
   - Knowledge, skill in literature, wisdom; Daniel understanding in
     visions and dreams

9) How did Nebuchadnezzar find these four young men after their
   training? (18-20)
   - Ten times better in wisdom and understanding than his magicians and
     astrologers

4/5/12

Rainbows, clouds and the Word of God

 
OK, by now you get it; I like rainbows and I like clouds.  So, if you put the two together, you might come up with something like this.  Funny thing about clouds, you can make them be just about what you want them to be.  In this case it looks like a person lying on its side, clothed in a rainbow.  Hummm, reminds of a passage from the book of Revelation...

WEB: Revelation of John 10:1. I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

Is the angel (messenger) Jesus?  Good question; I don't know for certain, but, could be???  So, why did I post this?  Well, look around; without much effort you will see the work of God all around you.  Keep looking and looking and the more you do, the more the word of God will come alive to you and capture your imagination.  Every day will have something new, something exciting and all you have to do is look; God will speak to you, I promise!!!

Apr. 5 Numbers 1, 2


Apr. 5
Numbers 1, 2

Num 1:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
Num 1:2 "Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, every male, one by one;
Num 1:3 from twenty years old and upward, all who are able to go out to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their divisions.
Num 1:4 With you there shall be a man of every tribe; everyone head of his fathers' house.
Num 1:5 These are the names of the men who shall stand with you: Of Reuben: Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 1:6 Of Simeon: Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Num 1:7 Of Judah: Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Num 1:8 Of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar.
Num 1:9 Of Zebulun: Eliab the son of Helon.
Num 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: Of Ephraim: Elishama the son of Ammihud. Of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Num 1:11 Of Benjamin: Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Num 1:12 Of Dan: Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 1:13 Of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran.
Num 1:14 Of Gad: Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
Num 1:15 Of Naphtali: Ahira the son of Enan."
Num 1:16 These are those who were called of the congregation, the princes of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.
Num 1:17 Moses and Aaron took these men who are mentioned by name.
Num 1:18 They assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month; and they declared their ancestry by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, one by one.
Num 1:19 As Yahweh commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.
Num 1:20 The children of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:21 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty-six thousand five hundred.
Num 1:22 Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, those who were numbered of it, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:23 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.
Num 1:24 Of the children of Gad, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:25 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Gad, were forty-five thousand six hundred fifty.
Num 1:26 Of the children of Judah, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:27 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Judah, were sixty-four thousand six hundred.
Num 1:28 Of the children of Issachar, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:29 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty-four thousand four hundred.
Num 1:30 Of the children of Zebulun, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:31 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.
Num 1:32 Of the children of Joseph, of the children of Ephraim, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:33 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand five hundred.
Num 1:34 Of the children of Manasseh, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:35 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty-two thousand two hundred.
Num 1:36 Of the children of Benjamin, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;
Num 1:37 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty-five thousand four hundred.
Num 1:38 Of the children of Dan, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war;
Num 1:39 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Dan, were sixty-two thousand seven hundred.
Num 1:40 Of the children of Asher, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war;
Num 1:41 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty-one thousand five hundred.
Num 1:42 Of the children of Naphtali, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war;
Num 1:43 those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty-three thousand four hundred.
Num 1:44 These are those who were numbered, whom Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: they were each one for his fathers' house.
Num 1:45 So all those who were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war in Israel;
Num 1:46 even all those who were numbered were six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty.
Num 1:47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
Num 1:48 For Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 1:49 "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, neither shall you take a census of them among the children of Israel;
Num 1:50 but appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle, and all its furnishings; and they shall take care of it, and shall encamp around it.
Num 1:51 When the tabernacle is to move, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall set it up. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.
Num 1:52 The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, according to their divisions.
Num 1:53 But the Levites shall encamp around the Tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be responsible for the Tabernacle of the Testimony."
Num 1:54 Thus the children of Israel did. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so they did.
Num 2:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Num 2:2 "The children of Israel shall encamp every man by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses: at a distance from the Tent of Meeting shall they encamp around it."
Num 2:3 Those who encamp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah, according to their divisions: and the prince of the children of Judah shall be Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
Num 2:4 His division, and those who were numbered of them, were seventy-four thousand six hundred.
Num 2:5 Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and the prince of the children of Issachar shall be Nethanel the son of Zuar.
Num 2:6 His division, and those who were numbered of it, were fifty-four thousand four hundred.
Num 2:7 The tribe of Zebulun: and the prince of the children of Zebulun shall be Eliab the son of Helon.
Num 2:8 His division, and those who were numbered of it, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.
Num 2:9 All who were numbered of the camp of Judah were one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out first.
Num 2:10 "On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their divisions. The prince of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 2:11 His division, and those who were numbered of it, were forty-six thousand five hundred.
Num 2:12 "Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon. The prince of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Num 2:13 His division, and those who were numbered of them, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.
Num 2:14 "The tribe of Gad: and the prince of the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
Num 2:15 His division, and those who were numbered of them, were forty-five thousand six hundred fifty.
Num 2:16 "All who were numbered of the camp of Reuben were one hundred fifty-one thousand four hundred fifty, according to their armies. They shall set out second.
Num 2:17 "Then the Tent of Meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps. As they encamp, so shall they set out, every man in his place, by their standards.
Num 2:18 "On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their divisions: and the prince of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
Num 2:19 His division, and those who were numbered of them, were forty thousand five hundred.
Num 2:20 "Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the prince of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Num 2:21 His division, and those who were numbered of them, were thirty-two thousand two hundred.
Num 2:22 "The tribe of Benjamin: and the prince of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Num 2:23 His army, and those who were numbered of them, were thirty-five thousand four hundred.
Num 2:24 "All who were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were one hundred eight thousand one hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out third.
Num 2:25 "On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan according to their divisions: and the prince of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 2:26 His division, and those who were numbered of them, were sixty-two thousand seven hundred.
Num 2:27 "Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the prince of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ochran.
Num 2:28 His division, and those who were numbered of them, were forty-one thousand and five hundred.
Num 2:29 "The tribe of Naphtali: and the prince of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
Num 2:30 His division, and those who were numbered of them, were fifty-three thousand four hundred.
Num 2:31 "All who were numbered of the camp of Dan were one hundred fifty-seven thousand six hundred. They shall set out last by their standards."
Num 2:32 These are those who were numbered of the children of Israel by their fathers' houses. All who were numbered of the camps according to their armies were six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty.
Num 2:33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Num 2:34 Thus the children of Israel did. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so they encamped by their standards, and so they set out, everyone by their families, according to their fathers' houses.

"THE BOOK OF DANIEL" Introduction by Mark Copeland 

"THE BOOK OF DANIEL"

                             Introduction

One of the more fascinating books of the Bible is the book of Daniel...

   *  The first six chapters contain accounts of faith that inspire both
      young and old

   *  The last six chapters are filled with apocalyptic visions that
      challenge even the most advanced Bible students and scholars

It is a book that has often been attacked and abused...

   *  Attacked by liberals and skeptics who deny its inspiration

   *  Abused by many who have taken its visions out of context to support
      all kinds of wild theories concerning the second coming of Christ

But when properly read and understood, the book of Daniel can...

   *  Inspire us to greater faithfulness in our service to God

   *  Strengthen our faith in the inspiration of the Bible

DANIEL AND HIS TIMES

The name "Daniel" means "God is my judge" which provides a hint of one of
the key themes in this book:  God will judge the nations of men.  Daniel
was a person of deep and abiding faith...

   *  As a youth, he purposed not to defile himself - Dan 1:8

   *  When old, he persisted in serving God despite threats against his
      life - Dan 6:10

God blessed Daniel because of his faith...

   *  He rose to great heights in the kingdoms of Babylon and Persia 
      - Dan 2:48; 6:1-3

   *  He served as a statesman, a counselor to kings, and a prophet of 
      God 

Daniel was contemporary with two other great prophets:  Jeremiah and 
Ezekiel...

   *  Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem before and during the Babylonian
      exile (626-528 B.C.)

   *  Ezekiel prophesied in Babylon among the exiles (592-570 B.C.)

   *  Daniel prophesied in the capital of Babylon (605-586 B.C.)

Nothing is known of his personal life outside of the book.  He descended
from one of Judah's prominent families, if not from royal blood (Dan
1:3).  At an early age (likely in his teens) Daniel along with others was
taken from his family to be trained in the courts of Babylon (Dan 1:3-4).
Whether he ever married is uncertain.

Some key dates and events will help appreciate the times in which Daniel
lived...

*  612 B.C. - Fall of Nineveh, capital of Assyria  Assyria had ruled the
world since the days of Tiglath-Pileser (845 B.C.).  Nabopolassar came to
the throne in Babylon and rebelled against the Assyrians in 625 B.C. 
Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nabopolassar, was the general who led the
Babylonian army against Nineveh, defeating it in 612 B.C.

*  605 B.C. - Battle of Carchemish, establishing Babylonian domination 
Pharaoh-Necho of Egypt came to fight the Babylonians at Carchemish. 
Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptians, chasing them south through Judah. 
At Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar heard of his father's death; he returned to
assume the throne in Babylon.  The first group of Jewish captives were
taken, along with Daniel and his friends (Dan 1:1-4).

*  597 B.C. - A second remnant taken to Babylon  Jehoiachin (Jeconiah,
Coniah) followed the reign of his father, Jehoiakim.  He lasted just
three months, when Nebuchadnezzar took him and 10,000 Jews to Babylon
(2Ki 24:8-16).  This second group of captives included Ezekiel (Eze
1:1-3).

*  586 B.C. - Fall of Jerusalem and the temple destroyed  Zedekiah was
installed as king in Jerusalem, but was weak and vacillating.  Eleven
years later, Jerusalem was totally devastated by Babylonian forces (2Ki
25:1-10).  A third group was taken into Babylonian captivity, but
Jeremiah was among those who stayed behind (2Ki 25:11-12,22; Jer
39:11-14; 40:1-6).

*  536 B.C. - Babylon falls, and the first remnant returns to Jerusalem 
Cyrus, king of Persia, sends the first remnant back under the leadership
of Zerubbabel (Ezr 1:1-5; 2:1-2).  The foundation of the temple was soon
started, but the temple was not completed until 516 B.C. (Ezr 3:8-13;
6:14-16).

*  457 B.C. - A second remnant returns to Jerusalem  Ezra the priest
returns with this group (Ezr 7:1-8:36).  He leads a much-needed revival
(Ezr 9:1-10:44).

*  444 B.C. - A third remnant returns to Jerusalem  This group is led by
Nehemiah (Neh 1:1-2:20).  Under his leadership, the walls of Jerusalem
are rebuilt (Neh 3:1-7:73).  Together with Ezra, they restore much of the
religion (Neh 8:1-13:31).

Daniel lived through much of these times (605-534 B.C.).  He was among
the first group of captives taken to Babylon (Dan 1:1-4).  He continued
there over the entire 70 years of captivity (Dan 1:21; 10:1; cf. Dan
9:1-2; Jer 25:11; 29:10).  Daniel was certainly a remarkable man.  His
greatness was recognized by his contemporary, Ezekiel (Eze 14:14,20;
28:3). 

THEME

From a number of passages (Dan 2:21; 4:17,25,32,34-35; 5:21) we can
deduce the main theme of the book of Daniel:

                   God Rules In The Kingdoms Of Men

In this book, we see the rule of God is...

   *  Manifested in the days of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and
      Cyrus, kings of the Babylonians, Medes, and Persians

   *  Foretold to occur in the days of the Persians, Greeks, and Romans

In this book, we learn that the rule of God would be especially
manifested...

   *  With the establishment of God's kingdom - Dan 2:44

   *  With the vindication of the cause of His saints - Dan 7:27

OUTLINE

Here is a brief outline of the book of Daniel...

1. God's Providence In History - Dan 1:1-6:28
   a. Daniel and his determination to be pure - 1:1-21
   b. Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's promotion - 2:1-49
   c. Faith in the face of fire by Daniel's friends - 3:1-30
   d. Nebuchadnezzar's second dream and temporary insanity - 4:1-37
   e. The writing on the wall and fall of Belshazzar - 5:1-31
   f. Darius and his den of lions - 6:1-28

2. God's Purpose In History - Dan 7:1-12:13
   a. Daniel's dream of the four beasts - 7:1-28
   b. Daniel's dream of the ram and the goat - 8:1-27
   c. Daniel's prayer, and the vision of the seventy weeks - 9:1-27
   d. Daniel's vision of the time of the end - 10:1-12:13

CONCLUSION

As with all Scripture, the book of Daniel is profitable for our study
(2Ti 3:16-17).  From Daniel and his friends, we will learn the power of
faith and commitment.  By studying this book, we can better understand
our Lord's references to it (cf. Mk 1:14-15; Mt 24:15-16).

Despite some of its more difficult and challenging passages, we can
benefit from them as well, as long as we interpret them...

   *  In the context of the book itself

   *  Consistent with all else the Bible may say on the subject

   *  With the humility and openness that is incumbent upon all who would
      study and teach God's word (cf. 2Ti 2:24-25)

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) During what periods of Israel's history did Daniel live and
   prophesy?
   - The Babylonian captivity, and at the beginning of its restoration
     (605-534 B.C.)

2) What two prophets were contemporary with Daniel?
   - Jeremiah and Ezekiel

3) What is suggested as the theme of Daniel? (Dan 2:21; 4:17,25,32,
   34-35; 5:21)
   - God rules in the kingdoms of men

4) What are the two main sections of the book?
   - God's providence in history (Dan 1:1-6:28)
   - God's purpose in history (Dan 7:1-12:13)

4/4/12

Merry-go-rounds of the mind...


Pride is a terrible thing; it blinds the senses and alters reality, it is the essence of HELL.  Funny thing about PRIDE, you can't see it.  Even when you try to understand it, you are blinded.  Your thinking becomes circular, just like the person doing the talking in the picture, you contradict yourself without knowing it.  Recently, I have been reading the book of Romans again and this passage came to mind...

WEB: Romans Chapter 1

[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, [19] because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. [20] For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. [21] Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.

Sounds like PRIDE, doesn't it?  Yet, if you want something bad enough, your thinking will change to accommodate your desire.  To many people out there, there is no God because they want no God.  So, they reason until they arrive at an argument that sounds plausible enough so they can believe it.  Pride, simple, factual and mostly, just terrible!!!  By the way, what is an argument anyway?  Isn't it just an explanation of why the speaker believes they are right... a pretty good definition of the word argument?  And around and around we go....
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