Trial by fire...

I was a little surprised to see this on their website (very demotivational.com) because its not often Bible characters are displayed in anything but an irreverent manner.  Elijah controlled fire by the power of God.  Simple concept with a not-so-simple power.  How?  Only the God of heaven knows.  But, Elijah was given that power to confront the Baal gods and that is what really is important.  Here is the SECOND TIME (see also 1 Kings chapter 18) God uses Elijah to confront the Baal's with fire...

WEB: I Kings Chapter 22

[51] Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. [52] He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, in which he made Israel to sin. [53] He served Baal, and worshiped him, and provoked to anger Yahweh, the God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.

WEB: II Kings Chapter 1

[1] Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. [2] Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper room that was in Samaria, and was sick. So he sent messengers, and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover of this sickness.”

[3] But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and tell them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron? [4] Now therefore thus says Yahweh, “You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.”’” Elijah departed.

[5] The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, “Why is it that you have returned?”

[6] They said to him, “A man came up to meet us, and said to us, ‘Go, return to the king who sent you, and tell him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you send to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”’”

[7] He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came up to meet you, and told you these words?”

[8] They answered him, “He was a hairy man, and wearing a leather belt around his waist.”

He said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

[9] Then the king sent a captain of fifty with his fifty to him. He went up to him; and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. He said to him, “Man of God, the king has said, ‘Come down!’”

[10] Elijah answered to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from the sky, and consume you and your fifty!” Fire came down from the sky, and consumed him and his fifty.

[11] Again he sent to him another captain of fifty and his fifty. He answered him, “Man of God, the king has said, ‘Come down quickly!’”

[12] Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from the sky, and consume you and your fifty!” The fire of God came down from the sky, and consumed him and his fifty.

[13] Again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. The third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, and said to him, “Man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight. [14] Behold, fire came down from the sky, and consumed the two former captains of fifty with their fifties. But now let my life be precious in your sight.”

[15] The angel of Yahweh said to Elijah, “Go down with him. Don’t be afraid of him.”

He arose, and went down with him to the king. [16] He said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”

[17] So he died according to the word of Yahweh which Elijah had spoken. Jehoram began to reign in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.

The northern kingdom of Israel, Edom and Judah had made a confederation in order to subdue Moab after the division of Israel into two countries.  But, when Ahaziah was injured he inquired of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron instead of Yahweh.  He did this because he followed the Baal's instead of Yahweh.  Bad move!!! Elijah pronounced the word of God to Ahaziah and his fate was sealed.  However, Ahaziah wanted to show his power and three times sent men to confront Elijah (and his God).  Elijah's God given power to control fire destroyed two of the groups of fifty, but the third one was spared through their contrite submission.  Bottom line... Ahaziah died; end of story.  It could have been different if Ahaziah had turned from the Baal's to Yahweh.  But then we wouldn't have Elijah working a miracle, would we?  After all, calling down fire from heaven is pretty impressive isn't it?  Better than anything Hollywood can come up with, to be sure!!!! 

Apr. 7 Numbers 5, 6

Apr. 7

Numbers 5, 6

Num 5:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 5:2 "Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, and everyone who has an issue, and whoever is unclean by the dead.

Num 5:3 Both you shall put male and female outside of the camp; that they not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell."

Num 5:4 The children of Israel did so, and put them out outside of the camp; as Yahweh spoke to Moses, so did the children of Israel.

Num 5:5 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 5:6 "Speak to the children of Israel: When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit, so as to trespass against Yahweh, and that soul is guilty;

Num 5:7 then he shall confess his sin which he has done, and he shall make restitution for his guilt in full, and add to it the fifth part of it, and give it to him in respect of whom he has been guilty.

Num 5:8 But if the man has no kinsman to whom restitution may be made for the guilt, the restitution for guilt which is made to Yahweh shall be the priest's; besides the ram of the atonement, by which atonement shall be made for him.

Num 5:9 Every heave offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they present to the priest, shall be his.

Num 5:10 Every man's holy things shall be his: whatever any man gives the priest, it shall be his."

Num 5:11 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 5:12 "Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: If any man's wife goes astray, and is unfaithful to him,

Num 5:13 and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and is kept close, and she is defiled, and there is no witness against her, and she isn't taken in the act;

Num 5:14 and the spirit of jealousy comes on him, and he is jealous of his wife, and she is defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy comes on him, and he is jealous of his wife, and she isn't defiled:

Num 5:15 then the man shall bring his wife to the priest, and shall bring her offering for her: the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal. He shall pour no oil on it, nor put frankincense on it, for it is a meal offering of jealousy, a meal offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to memory.

Num 5:16 The priest shall bring her near, and set her before Yahweh;

Num 5:17 and the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water.

Num 5:18 The priest shall set the woman before Yahweh, and let the hair of the woman's head go loose, and put the meal offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal offering of jealousy. The priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that brings a curse.

Num 5:19 The priest shall cause her to swear, and shall tell the woman, 'If no man has lain with you, and if you haven't gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband, be free from this water of bitterness that brings a curse.

Num 5:20 But if you have gone astray, being under your husband, and if you are defiled, and some man has lain with you besides your husband:'

Num 5:21 then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall tell the woman, 'Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people, when Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell;

Num 5:22 and this water that brings a curse will go into your bowels, and make your body swell, and your thigh fall away.' The woman shall say, 'Amen, Amen.'

Num 5:23 "The priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out into the water of bitterness.

Num 5:24 He shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causes the curse; and the water that causes the curse shall enter into her and become bitter.

Num 5:25 The priest shall take the meal offering of jealousy out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the meal offering before Yahweh, and bring it to the altar.

Num 5:26 The priest shall take a handful of the meal offering, as its memorial, and burn it on the altar, and afterward shall make the woman drink the water.

Num 5:27 When he has made her drink the water, then it shall happen, if she is defiled, and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her thigh will fall away: and the woman will be a curse among her people.

Num 5:28 If the woman isn't defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

Num 5:29 "This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, being under her husband, goes astray, and is defiled;

Num 5:30 or when the spirit of jealousy comes on a man, and he is jealous of his wife; then he shall set the woman before Yahweh, and the priest shall execute on her all this law.

Num 5:31 The man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity."

Num 6:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 6:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to Yahweh,

Num 6:3 he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried.

Num 6:4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is made of the grapevine, from the seeds even to the skins.

Num 6:5 "All the days of his vow of separation there shall no razor come on his head, until the days are fulfilled, in which he separates himself to Yahweh. He shall be holy. He shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.

Num 6:6 "All the days that he separates himself to Yahweh he shall not go near a dead body.

Num 6:7 He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die; because his separation to God is on his head.

Num 6:8 All the days of his separation he is holy to Yahweh.

Num 6:9 "If any man dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles the head of his separation; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing. On the seventh day he shall shave it.

Num 6:10 On the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting.

Num 6:11 The priest shall offer one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make atonement for him, because he sinned by reason of the dead, and shall make his head holy that same day.

Num 6:12 He shall separate to Yahweh the days of his separation, and shall bring a male lamb a year old for a trespass offering; but the former days shall be void, because his separation was defiled.

Num 6:13 "This is the law of the Nazirite: when the days of his separation are fulfilled, he shall be brought to the door of the Tent of Meeting,

Num 6:14 and he shall offer his offering to Yahweh, one male lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings,

Num 6:15 and a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their meal offering, and their drink offerings.

Num 6:16 The priest shall present them before Yahweh, and shall offer his sin offering, and his burnt offering.

Num 6:17 He shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh, with the basket of unleavened bread. The priest shall offer also its meal offering, and its drink offering.

Num 6:18 The Nazirite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of peace offerings.

Num 6:19 The priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them on the hands of the Nazirite, after he has shaved the head of his separation;

Num 6:20 and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh. This is holy for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is offered. After that the Nazirite may drink wine.

Num 6:21 "This is the law of the Nazirite who vows, and of his offering to Yahweh for his separation, besides that which he is able to get. According to his vow which he vows, so he must do after the law of his separation."

Num 6:22 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Num 6:23 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.' You shall tell them,

Num 6:24 'Yahweh bless you, and keep you.

Num 6:25 Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.

Num 6:26 Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.'

Num 6:27 "So they shall put my name on the children of Israel; and I will bless them."

"THE BOOK OF DANIEL" Chapter Two by Mark Copeland

"THE BOOK OF DANIEL"

                             Chapter Two        

Nebuchadnezzar has a dream, challenging his would-be interpreters to
first tell him the contents of the dream (1-13).  God reveals the dream
to Daniel (14-23) who then interprets it for the king (24-45). 
Impressed, the king promotes Daniel, and in turn, his three friends
(46-49).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  The kingdoms represented by the image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream

   *  The kingdom which shall never be destroyed:  its identity and
      establishment

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Nebuchadnezzar's dream - Dan 2:1-13
   - God reveals the dream to Daniel - Dan 2:14-23
   - Daniel interprets the dream - Dan 2:24-45
   - Daniel and his friends are promoted - Dan 2:46-49

2) How does Nebuchadnezzar determine who can really interpret his
   dream? (1-13)
   - By requiring that one first be able to tell him what his dream was
     about

3) How was Daniel able to reveal the dream and its interpretation?
   (17-23)
   - In answer to prayer, God revealed the dream and its interpretation
     to him

4) What are the key elements of Nebuchadnezzar's dream?  (31-35)
   - A great image with head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and
     thighs of bronze, legs of iron with feet of iron and clay mixed
   - A small stone made without hands striking the image in its feet,
     destroying it, then becoming a great mountain that filled the earth

5) What was the interpretation of the dream? (36-45)
   - The image represented four successive kingdoms, starting with
     Babylon
   - The fourth kingdom would be strong like iron, but ultimately
     unstable
   - In the days of the fourth kingdom God would establish an
     indestructible kingdom 

6) What do the four kingdoms of this dream likely represent?
   - Head of gold:  Babylon empire (606-539 B.C.)
   - Chest and arms of silver:  Medo-Persian empire (539-331 B.C.)
   - Belly and thighs of bronze:  Greek empire (331-63 B.C.)
   - Legs of iron with feet of iron and clay mixed:  Roman empire (63
     B.C.-397 A.D.)

7) What indestructible kingdom does the stone represent? (44-45)
   - The kingdom of God proclaimed by Christ - Mk 1:15; Mt 28:18
   - Christ's reign begun when He ascended to heaven - Ep 1:19-23; Re
     1:5,9; 2:26-27

Have I got a surprise for you....

Have you ever seen this expression on a baby's face?  I have and it usually means bad news for the person next to the stack of diapers (excuse me, Huggies).  I don't remember anything before about 4 or 5 years of age, but I would guess the smile was caused by a release of intestinal gas and soon a cleanup will be necessary!!!  The days of diaper changes have been gone for many years now, but I still remember cleaning up all those little "messes".  Now, it isn't the fault of the baby, its just doing what is necessary, but when we grow up, THAT IS A DIFFERENT MATTER!!!  OK, I know that adults don't mess their pants (until they get very, very old) but they often do what just feels good without respect to the consequences.  That can lead to some very dangerous actions; the most important of which concern their immortal soul.  Aren't we glad Jesus did the right thing and not just what felt good!!! How about Moses for that matter?  He could have lived a life full of indulgence and power in the household of Pharaoh...

WEB: Hebrews Chapter 11

[24] By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [25] choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time; [26] accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. [27] By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. [28] By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. [29] By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.

A little thing called faith made all the difference!!!!   Doing what feels good may seem the right thing to do, but when it comes to pleasing God, it probably wouldn't do us any good.  Faith (confident trust) means doing the right thing, regardless of the circumstances.  It may be hard at times, but the results have everlasting consequences.  One last thought in this election year:Politicians and diapers have something in common; they should be changed often!!!!!!

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