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Job 38-42 The Righteous Reap Rewards

Job 38-42 The Righteous Reap Rewards

Bill Blurb: We're jumping to the end of Job, and will look at the intervening chapters as poetry when we finish Psalms. Below is an extended “theological” introduction to the Job chapters, as well as a more lengthy analysis of the text in 42:6, a notoriously difficult passage to translate in context. Don't get bogged down in the fog.

Psalm 70:1-5 The SOS Psalm

Ps 70:1 “Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh. 2 Let them be disappointed and confounded who seek my soul. Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 3 Let them be turned because of their shame who say, "Aha! Aha!" 4 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, "Let God be exalted!" 5 But I am poor and needy. Come to me quickly, God. You are my help and my deliverer. Yahweh, don’t delay.

Observations: 70:1 This is almost identical to the last verses of Psalm 40. In distress from enemies who wish him harm David prays for God to help, and quickly.

70:2-3 Two quick verses about turning the tables on the bad guys

70:4 A couplet asking God to answer the prayers of those who seek and trust Him.

70:5 A restatement of the first plea, adding that he is poor and needy and only has God as a helper (as if God didn't know).

Application: God answers the prayers of those who seek and love His salvation, so He can be exalted.

Prayer: God, I know Your timing is perfect, and I think it would be a perfect time to help me out of this difficulty; but You're God, and I'm not, so I trust that You will help me when it's best. May You be exalted in this trial. Amen.

Proverbs 18:10-13 Prosperity Doesn't Protect

Pr 18:10 “The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.“

Observations: 18:10-13 The righteous call out to God, and His name (expression of His character and power) protects them. The rich can sometimes deceive themselves into thinking that their wealth is their protection, and not depend upon God. They are just setting themselves up for destruction and dishonor, but those who are righteous, and trust in the power and might of Yahweh, rather than their own resources, will be protected and honored.

Application: Trusting in the almighty and infinite power of God is a far better bet than trusting in the declining dollar, or euro, or yen, or bitcoin, or...

Prayer:God, in You I trust; don't let me experience the dishonor of the proud, but please protect and prosper me. Thanks. Amen.

Job 38-42 Although Job deals with the question of “why the righteous suffer,” the majority of the book is not about that.

The overriding purpose of the book is to help us understand our place in the cosmos, and God's purposes in our lives, thus serving as a great introduction to the Law. (Job is considered the oldest book in the Bible, pre-Moses since the Law isn't mentioned.)
The secondary purpose, occupying the majority of the material in the book (and the Bible) addresses “why the unrighteous suffer” (since there's a much bigger market for it); the unrighteous suffer because they're reaping the consequences of their sin, which God promised. Job's counselors provide lots of truth about God's just retribution; it's just not directly applicable to Job's situation. But their counsel is indirectly applicable: if God is just, and Job is blameless, then what looks like cursing has to be turned to blessing (in this life or the next), otherwise, God would be unjust. Retribution is paying back reward or punishment.
The third theme, is more about “the correct response to righteous suffering”: suffering is not always a result of sin, but designed to purify and reward, and glorify us (and God on that last one). Suffering is a vaccine against short-sightedness of the soul, and teaches us to not get too comfortable on earth, but look beyond the pain to the eternal gain (which is a major means of glorifying God). When God gives glory to His faithful saints, it displays more of His glory. The more He glorifies, the more He is glorified.
A fourth theme to keep in mind is that Satan (transliteration of the Hebrew for “adversary”) is our adversary (1Pt 5:8), seeking to undermine God's rule in our lives, and prevent us from gaining the glory he grasped at and lost (hence his tempting of Eve and ensnaring of believers). He blinds people to the light of the good news of/about the glory (2Cor 4:4-5 NKJV). More on this in the future.

Job wanted to know why, but God wanted him to trust in His revealed character and promises. The problem is that Job was using a sundial, and God was using a calender. Being able to trust in the character of God, when circumstances are doubtful, requires faith in what God revealed about Himself. (It's not faith if you can see it.) That faith displays aspects of His character, i.e., His trustworthiness and goodness, thus glorifying Him. God is inherently glorious, all He has to do to display His glory is to show up, or be seen. (See How to Glorify God on Truthbase.net, and the last chapters of Job.)

Satan's lie is that God bribes people to obey Him, but the truth is that God justly rewards the loyalty of His blameless and upright servants, who fear Him and eschew evil. He also disciplines those who disobey. Contrast a paycheck with a bribe. A paycheck is not a bribe to get people to work, it is a just earned consequence of doing one's job, according to agreed upon terms (covenant). A bribe is an illicit inducement designed to get someone to do something unjust and which they otherwise would not do (against their will). Loyalty to God is a response of the will to what He has revealed, both regarding His person, and what He wants us to do. A believer with a transformed, Biblical value system, like Job, doesn't need a bribe to obey, but is motivated by what God has revealed and promised. Remember Nehemiah's motivation?

Job 38 Where Were You?

38:1 Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, 2 "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me!

4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measures, if you know? Or who stretched the line on it? 6 Whereupon were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 "Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth from the womb, 9 when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness, 10 marked out for it my bound, set bars and doors, 11 and said, ‘Here you may come, but no further. Here your proud waves shall be stayed?’

12 "Have you commanded the morning in your days, and caused the dawn to know its place; 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? 19 "What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for darkness, where is its place, 20 that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house? 21 Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!

25 Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm; 26 To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; on the wilderness, in which there is no man; 31 "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion? 32 Can you lead forth the constellations in their season? Or can you guide the Bear with her cubs? 33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth? 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind? 39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 40 when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket? 41 Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?

Observations: 38:1-3 Job's been asking God “why?”, now God asks him “who?”, “where?”, and “how?”. Who are you to dim/diminish my designs/plans with unwise words?

38:4-40 God gives Job the world's toughest physical science exam, most of the answers to which most scientists and theologians are still scratching their heads about. Underlying the poetry are some fascinating facts about our world. God gives him an equally impossible biology exam in the next chapter, to help him learn that God knows what He's doing, and Job doesn't. God is both creator and sustainer of the world in which Job lives, so Job can trust Him to be in control of what's going on.

Application: Asking God why is OK, demanding an answer is going out of our league. He is God, we're not.

Prayer: Wondrous God of creation, I trust that You know what You're doing with my life, and that You will tell me everything I need to know to do Your will. Amen.

Job 40 Oops, No More Questions

40:1 Moreover Yahweh answered Job, 2 "Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it." 3 Then Job answered Yahweh, 4 "Behold, I am of small account. What shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further."

6 Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, 7 "Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me. 8 Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified? 9 Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him? 11 Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low. 12 Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place. 13 Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place. 14 Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you. 5 “Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you...19 He is the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword.

Observations: 40:1-5 Job responds with “Whoops, small potatoes here, keeping silent.”

40:6-14 Having established that neither Job, nor any human understands the bigger picture apart from God revealing it, God then gets on Job's case for questioning His judgment for the purpose of justifying himself. Job didn't sin in his words, but edged towards doubt by saying the problem must be with God. Actually Job was right in that his affliction was from God, but not as an unjust consequence for his sin.

40:11-14 God says that if Job can perform one of God's key jobs of humbling the proud, then he would be in the position to deliver himself out of his distress. Although Job didn't step over the line into sin, he was tiptoeing pretty close to pride, in wanting to be in control of his life. God is the one who saves from trouble when we humbly depend upon Him and His grace (Js 4:6).

40:15-24 See notes on Behemoth in next chapter.

Application: The first response to suffering is to see if there is anything we've done to cause it, and then to repent, as illustrated in some of the Psalms. The correct response to undeserved suffering is to call out to God to save us, as many of the Psalms also instruct.

Prayer: God, I don't need to know the “why” of the events of my life, just “what” You want me to do. If there's nothing specific, then I will work on following Your revealed will, and trust You to send me a memo if I need to know or do something different. Amen.

Job 41 Looking for Leviathan

41:1 "Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook...10 None is so fierce that he dare stir him up. Who then is he who can stand before me?

11 Who has preceded me, that I should pay him? Everything under the heavens is mine. 33 On earth there is not his equal, that is made without fear. 34 He sees everything that is high. He is king over all the sons of pride."

Observations: 41:1-34 There's all kinds of speculation about what the Leviathan is (and the Behemoth in the last chapter). Both have characteristics of real animals, with which Job was familiar. Both also have aspects of demonic power in both the verses and extra-biblical literature. One thing to notice, apart from the details in the verses, is that Satan, who figured prominently in the beginning of the book, is absent at the end. Job's wife reappears obliquely in the mention of children in the next chapter. The point of mentioning these beasts is that they are beyond man's ability to control, but under God's control.

41:11 Establishes that God owns everything, and owes no one anything, including explanations.

Job 42 The Righteous Reap Reward

42:1 Then Job answered Yahweh, 2 "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides/diminishes counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know. 4 You said, ‘Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. 6 Therefore I abhor/despise/reject, and comfort myself/grieve/repent over/above dust and ashes."

7 It was so, that after Yahweh had spoken these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept him, that I not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did what Yahweh commanded them, and Yahweh accepted Job.

10 Yahweh turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends. Yahweh gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house. They comforted him, and consoled him concerning all the evil that Yahweh had brought on him. Everyone also gave him a piece of money, and everyone a ring of gold. 12 So Yahweh blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 He called the name of the first, Jemimah; and the name of the second, Keziah; and the name of the third, Keren Happuch. 15 In all the land were no women found so beautiful as the daughters of Job. Their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, to four generations. 17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

LXX "And it is written that he will rise again with those whom the Lord raises up."

Observations: 42:1-6 Job pays attention to what God has said (which is more than most commentators and translators do on this passage), and acknowledges that he has spoken beyond his understanding. Most commentators are worse then Job's counselors in their condemnation of Job as a proud sinner. God condemned the counselors for sinning by saying that. The key hinge is verse 42:6, which has multiple translation issues. After Job makes the statement in verse six, everything changes. Note that there is no seeking of pardon for himself, on Job's part, nor granting of forgiveness to Job on God's part, although those actions do occur for those wrongly accusing him of wrongdoing.

Taking the most common meanings of the words as used in the book of Job and Scripture, the text reads, (in light of Job hearing and seeing God at work and recognizing his own lack of understanding of the God's greater purposes, in other words, “getting it”):

“Therefore I despise/recant (my arguments), and comfort myself above dust and ashes (in God's revelation of Himself).”

In other words, Job now takes back his demands for God to answer him (remember, Job still doesn't know about God and Satan in the first two chapters, nor the reason why God has allowed him to be afflicted). Instead of comforting himself in mourning, Job takes comfort “above” ashes, in the revelation God has just given him, of Himself.

The root idea of the word translated “repent” is that of “comfort”, “pity”, “being sorry” and “having compassion.” It is not the word for repenting from sin (“turning back” in the OT, “change of mind” in the NT). In the Niphal (passive, reflective stem) it is to “grieve” or “comfort oneself,” and is used most frequently of God being grieved that He made Saul king, or grieved over Israel's sin. The other six times it is used in the book of Job, it is very obviously referring to “comfort”; a different word is used for repent. The word translated “in” ‘al referring to dirt and ashes, means “above,” having a root and connotation of “over, beyond, surpassing.” It is not the usual word for “in”, and is actually the first word of this verse as well, meaning “moreover” or therefore.

Verse 6 is an example of incorrect translator bias, because there was no sin of which Job needed to repent. God says that Job didn't sin, and in verse 7, that Job's spoken what's right; and in verse 8, again, that Job spoke what's right; and then in verse 9, God accepts Job's prayer on behalf of his “comforters” (2:11; 16:2). If any repenting needs to be done it is by those who read biases into the text and obscure its meaning.

Correctly understood, 42:6 is an affirmation of the trustworthiness of God, as Job discards his need to know, and finds comfort in the revealed truth of God, rather than dirt and ashes.

42:7-9 God rebukes those who were accusing Job of sin (except for Elihu), and affirms Job's innocence as noted above.

42:10-17 When Job, who also manages to remain free of bitterness towards his false accusers, prays for his friends/enemies, God gives Job back double what he had, blessing Him (it's what God does), even more than at the beginning. His gets replacement children (which effectively doubles his kids) and the daughters are total knock-outs. Their names mean something like “Radiant as the Day,” “Sweet and Spicy,” and “Mascara Make-up” which probably alludes to her eyes being gorgeous.

42:postscript in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the OT from the Hebrew, done around 250 BC), references the future resurrection of the righteous (see last post).

PS: Job still doesn't know about the bet between God and Satan (but we do).

Application: Instead of asking “why?” when we encounter suffering that isn't due to our sin/stupidity, we should ask “Who do I trust?” and then trust Him.

Prayer: Almighty Creator and Sustainer, infinitely good and just God, I know that You test Your servants and find pleasure in uprightness. May I have grace to pass the tests, for Your glory. Thanks. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

Most of the Biblical theology is in the introduction to the above chapters.

God in a nutshell: God is the sovereign Creator, who sustains His universe purposefully and for His glory. He uses His faithful servants to teach Satan that he should have obeyed, and richly rewards their service. In the process, He glorifies Himself, displaying His power and character.

Us in a nutshell: We are created to bring glory to God, which we do by obediently trusting Him, even in the most trying of circumstances. We can live a life that is pleasing to God, being blameless and upright, fearing Him and eschewing evil. We know that God is in control, infinitely just, and recompenses human behavior, gives us confidence to have faith in Him, when we can't see His reasons, purposes, or plans. We also know that Satan will seek to destroy God's servants, which should cause us to be daily dependent upon God.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Job complete text

Job 38

38:1 Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, 2 "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me!

12 "Have you commanded the morning in your days, and caused the dawn to know its place; 13 that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it? 14 It is changed as clay under the seal, and stands forth as a garment. 15 From the wicked, their light is withheld. The high arm is broken. 16 "Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? 18 Have you comprehended the earth in its breadth? Declare, if you know it all. 19 "What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for darkness, where is its place, 20 that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house? 21 Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! 22 Have you entered the treasuries of the snow, or have you seen the treasures of the hail, 23 which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth?

25 Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm; 26 To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; on the wilderness, in which there is no man; 27 to satisfy the waste and desolate ground, to cause the tender grass to spring forth? 28 Does the rain have a father? Or who fathers the drops of dew? 29 Out of whose womb came the ice? The gray frost of the sky, who has given birth to it? 30 The waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen. 31 "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion? 32 Can you lead forth the constellations in their season? Or can you guide the Bear with her cubs? 33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth? 34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That abundance of waters may cover you? 35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are?’ 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind? 37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky, 38 when the dust runs into a mass, and the clods of earth stick together? 39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 40 when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket? 41 Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?

Job 39

39:1 "Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns? 2 Can you number the months that they fulfil? Or do you know the time when they give birth? 3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, they end their labour pains. 4 Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go forth, and don’t return again. 5 "Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey, 6 Whose home I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place? 7 He scorns the tumult of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver. 8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, he searches after every green thing. 9 "Will the wild ox be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough? 10 Can you hold the wild ox in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you? 11 Will you trust him, because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labour? 12 Will you confide in him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your threshing floor?

13 "The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the feathers and plumage of love? 14 For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust, 15 and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them. 16 She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labour is in vain, she is without fear, 17 because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding. 18 When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider.

19 "Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane? 20 Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome. 21 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men. 22 He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword. 23 The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin. 24 He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the trumpet. 25 As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts, ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

26 "Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south? 27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high? 28 On the cliff he dwells, and makes his home, on the point of the cliff, and the stronghold. 29 From there he spies out the prey. His eyes see it afar off. 30 His young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there he is."

Job 40

6 Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, 7 "Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me. 8 Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified? 9 Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him? 10 "Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honour and majesty. 11 Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low. 12 Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place. 13 Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place. 14 Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you.

15 "See now, behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox. 16 Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly. 17 He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together. 18 His bones are like tubes of brass. His limbs are like bars of iron. 19 He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword. 20 Surely the mountains produce food for him, where all the animals of the field play. 21 He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed, and the marsh. 22 The lotuses cover him with their shade. The willows of the brook surround him. 23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn’t tremble. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. 24 Shall any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?

Job 41

41:1 "Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook, or press down his tongue with a cord? 2 Can you put a rope into his nose, or pierce his jaw through with a hook? 3 Will he make many petitions to you, or will he speak soft words to you? 4 Will he make a covenant with you, that you should take him for a servant forever? 5 Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you bind him for your girls? 6 Will traders barter for him? Will they part him among the merchants? 7 Can you fill his skin with barbed irons, or his head with fish spears? 8 Lay your hand on him. Remember the battle, and do so no more. 9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain. Won’t one be cast down even at the sight of him? 10 None is so fierce that he dare stir him up. Who then is he who can stand before me?

11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Everything under the heavens is mine. 12 "I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, nor his mighty strength, nor his goodly frame. 13 Who can strip off his outer garment? Who shall come within his jaws? 14 Who can open the doors of his face? Around his teeth is terror. 15 Strong scales are his pride, shut up together with a close seal. 16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. 17 They are joined one to another. They stick together, so that they can’t be pulled apart. 18 His sneezing flashes out light. His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 Out of his mouth go burning torches. Sparks of fire leap forth. 20 Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. 21 His breath kindles coals. A flame goes forth from his mouth. 22 There is strength in his neck. Terror dances before him. 23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm on him. They can’t be moved. 24 His heart is as firm as a stone, yes, firm as the lower millstone. 25 When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid. They retreat before his thrashing. 26 If one attacks him with the sword, it can’t prevail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. 27 He counts iron as straw; and brass as rotten wood. 28 The arrow can’t make him flee. Sling stones are like chaff to him. 29 Clubs are counted as stubble. He laughs at the rushing of the javelin. 30 His undersides are like sharp potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge. 31 He makes the deep to boil like a pot. He makes the sea like a pot of ointment. 32 He makes a path shine after him. One would think the deep had white hair. 33 On earth there is not his equal, that is made without fear. 34 He sees everything that is high. He is king over all the sons of pride."

Job 42

42:1 Then Job answered Yahweh, 2 "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know. 4 You said, ‘Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

10 Yahweh turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends. Yahweh gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house. They comforted him, and consoled him concerning all the evil that Yahweh had brought on him. Everyone also gave him a piece of money, and everyone a ring of gold. 12 So Yahweh blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 He called the name of the first, Jemimah; and the name of the second, Keziah; and the name of the third, Keren Happuch. 15 In all the land were no women found so beautiful as the daughters of Job. Their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, to four generations. 17 So Job died, being old and full of days.

2 Samuel 7-10 Davidic Covenant – David and God Get Houses

Psalm 46:8-11 Chill and Be Still

Ps 4:8 (6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice, and the earth melted. 7 Yahweh of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.) 8 Come, see Yahweh’s works, what astonishments he has made in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." 11 Yahweh of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."

Observations: 46:1-7 See post on Deuteronomy 1 for vv 1-7, on having confidence in God in the midst of chaos.

46:8-11 Despite the rantings and ravings of nations, God is in control. He only has to utter a word and the earth melts (2 Peter 3:5,10,12). He will establish world-wide peace, and cause His name to be exalted among all nations. Knowing what God will do, should give us confidence to trust in His sovereignty as we await the fulfillment of His plans. In the meantime, knowing that He is with us (because we are with Him), and that He is our refuge (because we trust in Him), we can calmly face whatever He's permitted.

Application: Next time you're tempted to be overwhelmed by the craziness in our world and the things that impact your life, remember that God can “melt!” and it will all vanish; but until that happens, chill, and take refuge in Him.

Prayer: God, I praise You for being above all that I can see or imagine; I thank You for being my God and refuge, and look forward to the day when all will acknowledge You as You really are. Amen.

Proverbs 13:1-6 Listen and Learn?

Pr 13:1 “A wise son listens to his father's instruction, but a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke. 2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things; but the unfaithful crave violence. 3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied. 5 A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.“

Observation: God is concerned about our enjoyment and tells us how to go about getting it.

Application: Come up with a list of do's and don'ts in the pursuit of satisfaction.

Prayer: God, help me be quick to listen to Truth, careful in my speech, and diligent in my work. Amen.

2 Samuel 7-10 These chapters show the consequences of David's obedient trust in the Lord. The next post will consider his disobedience and subsequent decline. There is grounds for debate about whether the content of these chapters is arranged chronologically or topically. 2Sam 7:1 indicates that God had given David rest from all his enemies, yet he's fighting them in chapter 8. Hiram from chapter 6 is thought to have ruled during the end of David's reign. 7:12 seems to indicate that Solomon's birth is in the future, but it could be referring to a future descendent(s) who would fulfill God's promise. In any event God responds to David's faithfulness with blessing. Under Digging Deeper you'll find a little introduction to a couple of theological approaches to understanding the Davidic Covenant.

2 Samuel 7 House Plans

7:1 It happened, when the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you."

12 When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; 15 but my hesed/loyal covenantal love shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."’" 17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

18 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, "Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh; but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this after the way of men, Lord Yahweh! 20 What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord Yahweh. 21 For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, Yahweh God. For there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 What one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make himself a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeem to yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 24 You established for yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God. 25 Now, Yahweh God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken. 26 Let your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘the Lord of Hosts is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David shall be established before you.’ 27 For you, the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you. 28 "Now, O Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it. Let the house of your servant be blessed forever with your blessing."

Observations: 7:1-11 In the Ancient Near East the real ruler of a land was its god, and the king exercised his authority for him. The temple was the real seat of power. David is enjoying a chat with Nathan in his luxurious cedar paneled family room. He reflects that God dwells in a tent, and purposes to build God a house. God hadn't commanded nor asked for a house, but David, with a heart for God, wanted to do something nice and beautiful for God. Nathan says “Go for it Boss; You're the man God's with.” Nathan should have checked with God first, because God interrupts Nathan's sleep with a message and vision, and Nathan has to go back to David with a correction: “Thanks for the thought, but I'm going to build you a house (as in dynasty).” Sometimes God has different plans than we do.

God does promise: 1) to make David's name great, 2) to give Israel a permanent dwelling place, and 3) rest from their enemies, in addition to building David's dynasty. One could argue that these first three blessings were not totally fulfilled in David's lifetime and await future fulfillment.

7:12-17 This is the Davidic Covenant (Ps 89:34), an elaboration of the “seed” part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 12). The “land” part was elaborated upon in the Book of Deuteronomy, and the “blessing” part will get more specific in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). God raises up leaders to bless His people, as He was doing with David. Jacob (who became Israel) had blessed the twelve sons in Genesis 49, and specified that the scepter would not depart from Judah until the one to whom it belongs (Messiah) would come.

God promises to David that: 1) God would build him a house; 2) a son from his loins would be established and build the temple, in addition to having 3) an everlasting kingdom and 4) everlasting throne/rulership over that kingdom. This begins to be fulfilled through Solomon in future chapters, but doesn't reach its final fulfillment until there is an everlasting kingdom and king, which would have to be the Messiah. God promised to 5) discipline the descendent(s) when necessary, but never permanently remove the kingship as He had from Saul. Like the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15, granting the land to Israel, there are no conditions attached to this covenant. See Digging Deeper for differing views on interpreting the application of this covenant.

7:18-29 David's response is stunned gratitude, with praise to the great God for His work and word, as well as a prayer that His word would be fulfilled as God promised. David thus embraced the promise by faith, just like Abraham. Psalm 89 gives a more poetic and extended version.

Application: We can't out-give God. He is pleased to abundantly bless those who seek His blessing by giving Him our loyal allegiance.

Prayer: God who blesses, thanks for doing great things for Your servants; may my wholehearted service of You be worthy of meriting Your blessing, like David, and unlike Saul. Amen.

2 Samuel 8 Giving and Governing

8:1 After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 3 David struck also Hadadezer, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion/rule at the River. 4 David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots. 5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: 11 King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued; 12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 David earned a reputation when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men. 14 He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 15 David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe; 18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

Observations: 8:1-12 The text records how God's establishment of David's kingdom flows from His promises. God subdues enemies and has others bless David, making his name great, as promised. The spoil of these wars was dedicated to and used in the construction of the temple. God allowed problems to prosper His people, giving them the power to fight and the plunder as well. God gave to them, so they could give to Him. 1Chronicles 18:8 “From...Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.”

8:13-18 David was not just a warrior, but an able administrator, consolidating and delegating power. God gave victory wherever David went. David reigned as God intended, using his power to insure justice and righteousness were in the land. When people can't rule themselves, because they lack an ingrained moral code, eternal means are necessary to contain the inherent selfishness of man/women/kid-kind. Note the different aspects of government: army/military; a recorder-historian/record keeper; priests; a scribe who was more for writing external decrees; the two groups mentioned in verse 18 are considered to be valiant Philistines who were loyal to David during his exile, now serving as bodyguard/executioners and messengers/couriers with a military authority, both groups are subsequently mentioned as a sort of royal guard. David's sons were ministers or chief rulers. This is the usual word for “priest,” but originally it meant one who serves. Since David was not a Levite, his sons couldn't occupy a priestly office.

Application: God allows difficulties so we can trust Him to deliver us from them; out of the difficulties He gives blessings, so we can bless Him and others (both materially and spiritually).

Prayer: God, help me view every difficulty not as a source of panic, but as a source of eventual prosperity as I respond correctly to the problem, faithfully trusting and obeying You. Amen.

2 Samuel 9 Unmerited Hesed

9:1 David said, "Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him hesed/loyal love for Jonathan’s sake?" 2 There was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He said, "Your servant is he." 3 The king said, "Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the hesed/loyal love of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet." 5 Then king David sent, and fetched 6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, "Mephibosheth." He answered, "Behold, your servant!" 7 David said to him, "Don’t be afraid of him; for I will surely show you hesed/loyal love for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You shall eat bread at my table continually." 8 He bowed down, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?"

9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, "All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given to your master’s son. 10 You shall till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your servants; and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat: but Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread always at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your shall servant do." So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table, like one of the king’s sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All that lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem; for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.

Observations: 9:1-13 David demonstrates hesed/loyal covenantal love to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, mirroring the hesed God has for us. David had called himself a dead dog while entreating Saul in 1Sam 24:14. Mica goes on to continue the line of Jonathan in 1Chron 8:34-35.

9:4 “may show the hesed/loyal love of God to him.”

As a potential rival, Mephibosheth should have been killed, and as a lame person, excluded from a king's presence. But, David seeks after him to bless him; redeems or brings him back from being outside the realm of blessing; reverses the effects of the fall of the house of Saul;

gives him lands, servants, and income; and then treats him as his own son, having him eat always at David's table. This is a great example of grace as unmerited favor, for all Mephibosheth had to do was be born the son of Jonathan. Should Mephibosheth have proven treacherous, another destiny would have awaited him, but he bowed before David, acknowledging himself as David's servant.

Application: As servants of God, we can expect God to demonstrate hesed to us, as we demonstrate loyal service to Him.

Prayer: Gracious God, thanks for this picture of the loyal love (hesed) You have for me, Your servant; may I always live in Your presence, enjoying the continual feast at Your table, regardless of circumstances. Amen.

2 Samuel 10 Problems Lead to Prosperity

10:1 It happened after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 David said, "I will show hesed/loyal covenantal love to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed hesed/loyal covenantal love to me." So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn’t David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?" 4 So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."

6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men. 7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men. 8 The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field. 9 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: 10 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon. 11 He said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and Yahweh do that which seems good to him." 13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 14 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

15 When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16 Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. 18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians seven hundred charioteers, and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the captain of their army, so that he died there. 19 When all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

Observations: 10:1-5 David again seeks to bless others in hesed/loyalty to those who had been hesed/loyal to him. Scripture doesn't record the hesed that Nahash had shown David, but as Saul's first conquest (1Sam 11), he would have been disposed to aid David while he was fleeing from Saul. Listening to fearful, evil counselors causes Hanun to experience David's wrath rather than blessing, as a result of mistreating David's messengers.

10:6-14 Joab and his brother Abishai devise a wise strategy for the people and cities of God, and trust Yahweh for the outcome. Being strong and courageous as well as trusting in God as Joshua did (Josh 1:9), brings about victory and blessing for Israel, eliminating the Syrian threat.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Application: God brings about blessing and prosperity from potential problems, when His people are strong and courageous in living for His purposes and trusting Him.

Prayer: Mighty God, may I be strong and courageous in trusting You and doing Your will in the face of misunderstood motives and unexpected difficulties. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

I'm not a fan of most “theology” because it is frequently man's inaccurate reasonings read into the text, rather than applicable principles derived accurately from what God has revealed and emphasized. However, it is worth pausing here to consider approaches to interpreting the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7). Almost all conservative interpreters of Scripture agree that the promises made to David find fulfillment in the Messiah

Luke 1:31 behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.

Some say the Messiah hasn't come yet. - Jewish view. The destruction of the Temple in AD 70 makes this view problematic, because after that, there was no kingdom of Israel until AD 1948 when the secular state of Israel was re-established. The peaceful theocratic kingdom, the line of David, and a king ruling on his throne are distant memories.
Some say that all the promises are fulfilled in Christ's (anointed/Messiah) first advent. - Amillenial view (no millennium - 1000 year future reign of Christ). This view “spiritualizes” the promises, saying they are fulfilled by the Christian church, in a non-literal way. It has the advantage of explaining why the Jewish kingdom ceased after Christ. However, it fails to take into account the rest of the OT information about a future regathering of literal Israel, in the literal land, ruled over literally by the Messiah. It also ignores the NT teaching about a future kingdom, and has no Biblical support for having Christ currently sitting upon David's throne.
This view would make our current day, and all of history since Christ, His theocratic rule, in which God blesses the world with his rule as promised to Abraham. Anyone with a awareness of history would be uncomfortable with this view as compatible with the peaceful rule He wanted to have in ancient Israel.
Some say that Christ is the promised descendant who partially fulfills the promises at His first advent, and will completely fulfill them when He returns to set up the millennial kingdom. - Premillennial view (Christ returns before the millennium). This has the advantage of a literal fulfillment, and takes into account all the OT and NT data (e.g., Rom 11; Rev 20). The disadvantage is that we don't currently see the Messiah ruling (Hebrews 2:8-10). During the Babylonian exile Israel wasn't in the land, nor was there a descendent of David on David's throne, yet the promise was still intact. The NT indicates that the kingdom, in the person of Jesus was standing in the midst of the Pharisees who were rejecting Him (Lk 17:21-37). Thus if the kingdom promises and Davidic line are safely and eternally bound up in the person of Jesus, when He returns and rules, all will be completely fulfilled.

For more Biblical information on the future kingdom see pages 40-48 in the Survey and Study Guide to Rewards on Truthbase.net. It's also a good example of how Biblical theology comes out of an accurate exegesis of the Scriptures.

God in a nutshell: God abundantly blesses those who are loyal, faithful and obedient to Him. He fulfills His promises so that He is seen as incomparably great. He allows problems into the lives of His people so He can come to their aid, and bless them when they call out to him with a pure heart. He gives to us, so we can give to Him and others. He raises up individuals, sometimes from the most unlikely places, to guide His people to blessing.

Us in a nutshell: We can be blessed by God beyond our expectations, if we are pleasing to Him. Sometimes our desire to do something for God isn't brought to fruition because God has other and better plans. Sharing His blessing with others often opens the door to greater blessings. If we face difficulties with courage and strength that comes from an awareness of God's purposes, God can bring even greater blessing out of the situation. With appropriate submission, we can reap benefits that far outweigh anything we might have done to deserve them.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Survey and Study Guide to Rewards

2 Samuel 7-10 complete text

2 Samuel 7

4 It happened the same night, that the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying, 5 "Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh," Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in? 6 For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’"’ 8 Now therefore you shall tell my servant David this, ‘Thus says Yahweh of Armies, "I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first, 11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; 15 but my loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."’" 17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

18 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, "Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh; but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this after the way of men, Lord Yahweh! 20 What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Lord Yahweh. 21 For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, Yahweh God. For there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 What one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make himself a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeem to yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 24 You established for yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God. 25 Now, Yahweh God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken. 26 Let your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David shall be established before you.’ 27 For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you. 28 "Now, O Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it. Let the house of your servant be blessed forever with your blessing."

2 Samuel 8

8:1 After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 3 David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River. 4 David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots. 5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer, 10 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: 11 King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued; 12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13 David earned a reputation when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men. 14 He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

15 David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe; 18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

2 Samuel 9

9:1 David said, "Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?" 2 There was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He said, "Your servant is he." 3 The king said, "Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet." 4 The king said to him, "Where is he?" Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar." 5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. 6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, "Mephibosheth." He answered, "Behold, your servant!" 7 David said to him, "Don’t be afraid of him; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You shall eat bread at my table continually." 8 He bowed down, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?"

2 Samuel 10

10:1 It happened after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David honours your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn’t David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?" 4 So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."

Leviticus 21-23 Priests and Feasts of Israel

Psalm 19:1-14 Star On Stage

19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God...4 In them He has set a tent for the sun...

7 Yahweh's law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh's testimony is sure, making wise the simple. 8 Yahweh's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh's commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh's ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter... 11 Moreover in/by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer."

Observations: The key to correctly interpreting Psalm 19 is to recognize the parallelism of “in them” between verses 4 and 11. In the heavens the stage is set for the star (sun) to shine and reflect well on the Creator. In the laws/Revelation of Yahweh the stage is set for the star performer (you) to shine and reflect well on Him.

Note the view of David toward the law, and all the benefits of having an intimate relationship with God's Word.

Application: Meditation (19:14) is thinking thru implications for applications. (Cf Joshua 1:8). That's how the benefits of the Revelation become a reality in your life.

Prayer: My Creator and Director, may I live and act within the purposes You've planned for me, so that I may be pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Proverbs 5:21-23 "He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake..."

5:21 “For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh. He examines all his paths. 22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly. 23 He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.”

Observation: No, we're not talking about Santa Claus, but about the All-Seeing Omniscient One, who watches over His children, and lets the rebellious reap the reward of their wickedness. Note how Proverbs teaches wisdom (and the fear of the Lord); it gives us a view of reality, and the consequences of our actions, so we'll take the right path. (Unlike Cain). Unfortunately, some would rather believe in folklore.

Application: Memorize Proverbs 5:21 and be ready to explain why you do what you do.

Prayer: All-Seeing God and Judge of the universe, help me walk the paths of freedom today. Amen.

Leviticus 21-23 Two chapters stress the spotless service required by God. Then chapter 23 gives the calendar of the Seven Feasts. Note that no liturgy is specified, although the ritual sacrifices were. Still no mention of singing. Digging Deeper has a chart comparing the Feasts to the NT prophetic calendar.

Leviticus 21 A Holy God Requires Spotless Priests and Sacrifices

21:1 Yahweh said to Moses, Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, no one shall defile himself for the dead among his people; 2 except for his relatives, that are near to him 7 They shall not take a woman that is a prostitute, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God. 8 You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God: he shall be holy to you: for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy. 16 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 17 Speak to Aaron, saying, Whoever he be of your seed throughout their generations that has a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 22 He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy: 23 only he shall not go in to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a blemish; that he not profane my sanctuaries: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.

Observations: Blamelessness, both spiritual and physical, was required. Any descendant who had a physical defect could eat the holy offerings, but not offer them, to emphasize the need for absolute purity.

Leviticus 22 A Holy God Requires Perfect Sacrifices

22:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name: I am Yahweh. 3 Tell them, Whoever he be of all your seed throughout your generations, that approaches to the holy things, which the children of Israel make holy to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me: I am Yahweh. 20 But whatever has a blemish, that shall you not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. 21 it shall be perfect to be accepted; 31 Therefore shall you keep my commandments, and do them: I am Yahweh. 32 You shall not profane my holy name; but I will be made holy among the children of Israel: I am Yahweh who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am Yahweh.

Observations: Fortunately God's people don't have to be perfect, just forgiven and cleansed.

Application: We can't expect God's blessing when we make Him Lord of the Leftovers.

Prayer: Holy God, thank You that I can be acceptable in Your presence. May I only offer You my best, acknowledging Your supremacy. Amen.

Leviticus 23 Festivals and Feasts

23:1 "Yahweh spoke to Moses 2 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, The set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts."

Observations: This chapter gives a calendar of the mandated festivals at this time in Jewish history. Purim and Hanukkah were added later. The “when” and “how” are specified, but not the “why.” The translation is pretty wooden, but you'll get the idea. One general principle that emerges is that life is not all work and no worship. Theologian John Hammett noted: “Americans tend to worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.”

Sabbath 3 Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no manner of work: it is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings.

Observations: Other Sabbaths were every seven years, and every seven times seven years.

The seventh month was also significant, containing three feasts.

Passover-Unleavened Bread/Pesah 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Yahweh`s Passover. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Yahweh: seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh seven days: the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work.

Observations: Passover starts the year and the experience of Israel as God's redeemed people. When originally specified in Ex 12-13, the reason was to remember how God delivered so they would keep the law as they awaited fulfillment of God's promises. See 1Cor 5:6-8.

Exodus 13:8 "You shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'It is because of that which YAHWEH did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.'9 It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of YAHWEH may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand YAHWEH has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year."

First-fruits/Shavuot 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, When you are come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest: 12 In the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a he-lamb without blemish a year old for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 14 You shall eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor fresh ears, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Observations: Giving God the first part of the harvest, recognized His ownership and provision, and were expressed faith that the rest of the harvest would come in. Note the emphasis on not even eating until you give God His due. See 1Cor 15:23 for NT usage of first-fruits.

Pentecost-Harvest/Shabuoth 15 You shall count...from the wave-offering; seven Sabbaths 16...fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal-offering to Yahweh.18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without blemish a year old, and one young bull, and two rams: they shall be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to Yahweh. 19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin-offering, and two he-lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace-offerings. 20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest. 21 You shall make proclamation on the same day; there shall be a holy convocation to you; you shall do no servile work: it is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. 22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleaning of your harvest: you shall leave them for the poor, and for the sojourner: I am Yahweh your God.

Observations: “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word for “fifty” since it was celebrated 50 days from First-fruits. Rabbinical interpretation considers it to commemorate the giving of the Torah or Law. Since the timing coincided with the harvest, the comment about gleaning is appropriate. In the NT the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost.

Trumpets/Rosh Hashana 23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 24 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest to you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no servile work; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Observations: The Shofar or ram's horn was sounded at the beginning of every month. In Lev 25:9-10 the blowing of trumpets marked the year of Jubilee, a new start. In rabbinical interpretation, the Feast of trumpets is also considered a memorial of Creation, and viewed as the beginning of the New Year (cx Passover). Here it heralds the Day of Atonement ten days later, so also in rabbinical interpretation it is a call to regather and repent. Isaiah 18:3 and 27:13 point to a future regathering and repentance.

Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 27 However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation to you, and you shall afflict your souls; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 28 You shall do no manner of work in that same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before Yahweh your God. 29 For whatever soul it be who shall not be afflicted in that same day; he shall be cut off from his people. 30 Whatever soul it be who does any manner of work in that same day, that soul will I destroy from among his people. 31 You shall do no manner of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even to even, shall you keep your Sabbath.

Observations: This is the most solemn day of the year, the only one in which the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat for all sins. Joel 2:11-15 indicates the repentance that should accompany it. See notes on Lev 16, when God first instituted it.

Tents/Booths/Tabernacles/Sukkot 33 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 34 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tents for seven days to Yahweh. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: it is a solemn assembly; you shall do no servile work.

37 These are the set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, and a meal-offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day; 38 besides the Sabbaths of Yahweh, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill -offerings, which you give to Yahweh. 39 However on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 40 You shall take on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God seven days. 41 You shall keep it a feast to Yahweh seven days in the year: it is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall keep it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths seven days; all who are home-born in Israel shall dwell in booths; 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your God. 44 Moses declared to the children of Israel the set feasts of Yahweh.

Observations: Booths was a joyful memorial (commanded to rejoice 23:40) of the time the nation dwelt in booths after the Exodus. In the future it will include all nations. Zech 14:16-21

Application: We should regularly set aside time to reflect on what God has done in our lives from the beginning of our relationship with Him. As we follow Him we should see progressive holiness follow our redemption as we enjoy His blessings.

Prayer: Great and Good God, when I think about where I was, and what You've done since we met, all I can do is say thanks, and seek to obediently please You. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

Note the parallels between the order of the feasts and the NT prophetic calendar. Coincidence?

God in a nutshell: God is frighteningly holy; worship and life must be on His, and only on His, terms. He mandates memorials to keep us mindful of His work and provision in our lives.

Us in a nutshell: We are blessed far beyond what we could ever deserve, but we must still do what God says to be blessed, or we will be cut off from blessings. Because we tend to forget our history in preoccupation with daily living, we need to take a break and reflect on God's blessings and our receipt of them.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Leviticus 21-23 (complete text)

Leviticus 21

21:1 Yahweh said to Moses, Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people; 2 except for his relatives, that is near to him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother, 3 and for his sister a virgin, that is near to him, that has had no husband; for her may he defile himself. 4 He shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself. 5 They shall not make baldness on their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. 6 They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. 7 They shall not take a woman that is a prostitute, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God. 8 You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God: he shall be holy to you: for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy. 9 The daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father: she shall be burnt with fire. 10 He who is the high priest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head go loose, nor tear his clothes; 11 neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; 12 neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is on him: I am Yahweh. 13 He shall take a wife in her virginity. 14 A widow, or one divorced, or a profane woman, a prostitute, these shall he not take: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife. 15 He shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies him. 16 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 17 Speak to Aaron, saying, Whoever he be of your seed throughout their generations that has a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For whatever man he be that has a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that has a flat nose, or any deformity, 19 or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed, 20 or crook-backed, or a dwarf, or that has a blemish in his eye, or is scurvy, or scabbed, or has his stones broken; 21 no man of the seed of Aaron the priest, that has a blemish, shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire: he has a blemish; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. 22 He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy: 23 only he shall not go in to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a blemish; that he not profane my sanctuaries: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them. 24 So Moses spoke to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel.

Leviticus 22

22:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name: I am Yahweh. 3 Tell them, Whoever he be of all your seed throughout your generations, that approaches to the holy things, which the children of Israel make holy to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me: I am Yahweh. 4 Whatever man of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or has an issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him; 5 or whoever touches any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatever uncleanness he has; 6 the soul that touches any such shall be unclean until the even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his flesh in water. 7 When the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread. 8 That which dies of itself, or is torn by animals, he shall not eat, to defile himself therewith: I am Yahweh. 9 They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it: I am Yahweh who sanctifies them. 10 There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest`s, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing. 11 But if a priest buy any soul, the purchase of his money, he shall eat of it; and such as are born in his house, they shall eat of his bread. 12 If a priest`s daughter be married to a stranger, she shall not eat of the heave-offering of the holy things. 13 But if a priest`s daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and be returned to her father`s house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father`s bread: but there shall no stranger eat of it. 14 If a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part of it to it, and shall give to the priest the holy thing. 15 They shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer to Yahweh, 16 and [so] cause them to bear the iniquity that brings guilt, when they eat their holy things: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them. 17 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 18 Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and tell them, Whoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners in Israel, that offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill-offerings, which they offer to Yahweh for a burnt offering; 19 that you may be accepted, [you shall offer] a male without blemish, of the bulls, of the sheep, or of the goats. 20 But whatever has a blemish, that shall you not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. 21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace-offerings to Yahweh to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill-offering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. 22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, you shall not offer these to Yahweh, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Yahweh. 23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that may you offer for a freewill-offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted. 24 That which has its stones bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut, you shall not offer to Yahweh; neither shall you do [thus] in your land. 25 Neither from the hand of a foreigner shall you offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, there is a blemish in them: they shall not be accepted for you. 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 27 When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the hen; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 28 Whether it be cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day. 29 When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh, you shall sacrifice it that you may be accepted. 30 On the same day it shall be eaten; you shall leave none of it until the morning: I am Yahweh. 31 Therefore shall you keep my commandments, and do them: I am Yahweh. 32 You shall not profane my holy name; but I will be made holy among the children of Israel: I am Yahweh who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am Yahweh.

Leviticus 23

23:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, The set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts. 3 Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no manner of work: it is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings. 4 These are the set feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, is Yahweh`s Passover. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Yahweh: seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work. 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, When you are come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest: 11 and he shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh, to be accepted for you: on the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 In the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a he-lamb without blemish a year old for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 13 The meal-offering of it shall be two tenth parts [of an ephah] of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire to Yahweh for a sweet savor; and the drink-offering of it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin. 14 You shall eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor fresh ears, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 15 You shall count to you from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave-offering; seven Sabbaths shall there be complete: 16 even to the next day after the seventh Sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal-offering to Yahweh. 17 You shall bring out of your habitations two wave-loaves of two tenth parts [of an ephah]: they shall be of fine flour, they shall be baked with yeast, for first-fruits to Yahweh. 18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without blemish a year old, and one young bull, and two rams: they shall be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to Yahweh. 19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin-offering, and two helambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace-offerings. 20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest. 21 You shall make proclamation on the same day; there shall be a holy convocation to you; you shall do no servile work: it is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. 22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleaning of your harvest: you shall leave them for the poor, and for the sojourner: I am Yahweh your God. 23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 24 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest to you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no servile work; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 27 However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation to you, and you shall afflict your souls; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 28 You shall do no manner of work in that same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before Yahweh your God. 29 For whatever soul it be who shall not be afflicted in that same day; he shall be cut off from his people. 30 Whatever soul it be who does any manner of work in that same day, that soul will I destroy from among his people. 31 You shall do no manner of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even to even, shall you keep your Sabbath. 33 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 34 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tents for seven days to Yahweh. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: it is a solemn assembly; you shall do no servile work. 37 These are the set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, and a meal-offering, a sacrifice, and drinkofferings, each on its own day; 38 besides the Sabbaths of Yahweh, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill -offerings, which you give to Yahweh. 39 However on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 40 You shall take on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God seven days. 41 You shall keep it a feast to Yahweh seven days in the year: it is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall keep it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths seven days; all who are home-born in Israel shall dwell in booths; 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your God. 44 Moses declared to the children of Israel the set feasts of Yahweh.

Job 38-42 The Righteous Reap Rewards

2 Samuel 7-10 Davidic Covenant – David and God Get Houses

Leviticus 21-23 Priests and Feasts of Israel

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