Daily Truthbase: trouble

Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts

Luke 1-3 The Perfect Man

Luke 1-3 The Perfect Man

Psalm 119:89-96 The Preserved and Preserving Word

Ps 119:88 LAMED “ Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever. 90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains. 91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.

92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me. 94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless."

Observations: 119:89-96 The psalmist is in danger of perishing because of affliction by the wicked. However, his delight, and meditation is in God's eternal words, and they revive him, as he waits for God's faithful deliverance/salvation. Since God's word teaches that all things are God's, for His service, the psalmist, who is God's, is able to have hope and confidence in God delivering His servant.

Application: God's eternal words aren't going to be destroyed, nor are His servants who delight in them.

Prayer: My God, I am Your servant, who delights in You and Your eternal words; please preserve and protect me, so I can serve You all my days. Thanks. Amen.

Proverbs 28:10-11 Rich and Poor

Pr 28:10 “Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he himself will be cast into the pit; but the blameless will inherit good. 11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.“

Observations: 28:10 Those who do the devils work in causing upright folks to go astray will themselves suffer evil consequences. This is particularly evident in the lives of the kings in today's post; but the blameless will inherit good as a reward.

28:11 Someone worse than a fool (last post) is one who is wise in their own eyes. No one can tell them anything, a trait of the arrogant rich. The poor who fears God (Pr 1:2; 2:5) has the insight to see their folly, and is the better man.

Application: Riches can be a hindrance to enduring blessing if we are not teachable.

Prayer: God, may I not be led nor lead others astray, but may I be teachable and blameless, controlled by Your wisdom. Amen.

Luke 1-3 The early church attributed the authorship of Luke and Acts, comprising almost 28% of the NT (more than Paul), to Paul's “dear friend, Luke, the doctor” (Col 4:14 NIV). From Acts 16 onward, the author writes in the plural, suggesting that he was a participant in the events, a medical missionary following in the steps of the Great Physician. Tradition (with some NT basis), considers Luke to be a Greek (a Syrian from Antioch). He wrote both this book and Acts to a Roman official, Theophilus (friend of God). See comments under 1:1-4.

In contrast to Matthew, who wrote to Jewish disciples, and Mark who wrote to Roman disciples, Luke writes to a Greek audience, to present Jesus as the Perfect Man (an ideal well established in classical Greek philosophy) who as the Son of Man, comes to seek and save what is lost. Luke shows his readers how to follow Jesus in living righteously in expectation of His return and rule.

Luke 1 Righteous Saints Delighted and Disciplined

1:1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. 17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to return the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news/gospel. 20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." 21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. 24 After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."

26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!" 29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. 36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For everything spoken by God is possible." 38 Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.

39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!" 46 Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord. 47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. 49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. 50 His mercy/hesed is for generations of generations on those who fear him. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy/hesed, 55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever." 56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.

57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father. 60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." 62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." They all marveled. 64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him.

67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and worked redemption for his people; 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old), 71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show mercy towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father, 74 to grant to us that we, being delivered/saved out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us, 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace." 80 The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Observations: 1:1-4 Luke states His purpose up front: to provide an orderly and accurate account so that recipients/disciples would have confidence and conviction concerning the things about which they were instructed. See introduction above for elaboration. Theophilus was instructed as a disciple (katecheo Strongs #2727, a word used for teaching disciples, from which we get the word catechism), and Luke is deepening his roots in the truth. Disciples move from Convinced to Committed on the basis of conviction (ie, there is no other possible explanation for all the facts, therefore this is truth, and I will walk in it).

1:5-25 Luke neatly summarizes OT righteousness, and states that it is possible: walking blamelessly (as in wholeheartedly obeying) all that God commanded (doing what is right in His sight). Anyone who ignores this reality takes truth out of context, distorting it, and thus is a false teacher. Despite their being blessable, they weren't being blessed with fertility, echoing Abraham and Sarah. By lot (the providence of God), Zacharias was selected to burn incense, a once in a lifetime opportunity (if that). He used the opportunity to pray for his needs, and God answered, promising a son who would be great, and filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb (when does life begin? 1:41). The Holy Spirit was given to empower people to special service, and John would function as the promised Elijah (Mal 4:4-6), returning people from foolish disobedience to the wisdom of the righteous, thus making ready a people so they would be built for receiving the Lord (making them blessable -Isa 40:10). Apart from the references to John, this word “prepare” is used of building arks, tabernacles, and houses. John was tasked with returning people back to obedience so the Messiah could bless them.

Note the use of “gospel/good news” in verse 19; the slowness of righteous Zacharias to believe the gospel (doubt and disbelief) resulted in temporary discipline until the promise was fulfilled. Zacharias would have been unable to bless the people with Numbers 6:24-26 (according to the Mishnah). This is a snapshot of a major message in both testaments: obedient, wholehearted faith based upon God's revelation results in blessing, while doubt and disbelief result in temporary discipline (not permanent death). Elizabeth gives glory to God for showing her favor/blessing.

1:26-28 Half a year later, Gabriel goes to Nazareth to say “Hail, Mary” (rejoice). He tells her that she has been favored (perfect tense) and blessed by God and continues to be so. (Here's another righteousness OT saint.) The angel announces the conception and birth of the Son of the God, who will sit on the throne of His human father, David (through the line of Joseph). Mary is puzzled, since she's still a virgin, but the angel explains things. This is not the doubt of Zacharias, but a wondering of how it would happen. Mary readily submits herself to the revealed word of God, (in contrast to Zacharias).

1:39-56 Mary goes to visit Elizabeth who gets filled with the Holy Spirit and repeats the angel's blessing (along with two others) and confirms that Mary's baby would indeed be The Lord. Elizabeth also indicates that Mary had a response of faith to God's revelation. Mary's Magnificat (Latin for “exalt/magnify”) shows her excellent grasp of the OT (alluding to it, by some counts, a dozen times) and parallel's Hannah's psalm of thanksgiving (1Samuel 2).

She starts by praising God her Savior who does not forget, but exalts the lowly, both herself and Israel, according to His mercy/hesed (Ps 103:17; Ex 20:6 used hesed which the LXX, the Greek version of the OT, translates “mercy”). Her praise ends with tying in Jesus' birth to the promises God made to Abraham (Gen 12), of blessing all the world through him.

1:57-80 Zacharias' obedience results in deliverance from his discipline, and he blesses God. (Previously he had been unable to bless the people.) Again “mercy” is shown to be hesed, covenantal loyalty, remembering and fulfilling covenantal obligations, as verse 72 demonstrates. Zacharias' praise reveals the expectation of both a political Savior (salvation/deliverance from enemies), a spiritual Savior (remission/sending back/forgiveness of sin), and a sanctifying Savior (guide feet into way of peace/blessing). Note the three aspects of salvation: justification-forgiveness; sanctification-holiness; glorification-restoration to glory/blessing noted in the first post on Matthew.

Application: Righteous believers are blessed by embracing revealed truth, while those who doubt and demur are disciplined. The disobedient need to turn back to God to be blessed.

Prayer: God, thanks for working within a verifiable history to bring about the fulfillment of Your promises to not only Your people, but the whole world. May I be quick to believe and embrace all You have promised. Amen.

Luke 2 Birth and Growth

2:1 Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 This was the first census made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. 6 It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. 7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. 17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation/comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 "Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; 32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel." 33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46 It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you." 49 He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?" 50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Observations: 2:1-20 The birth of Jesus and account of the angels and shepherds need no comment, but the angelic chorus does. The peace is a Messianic promise and blessing given to those with whom God is pleased. It is on all the earth, not just Judea, and it is for all men, not just Jews. The KJV's “good will to men” misses the point and the thrust of the preposition “en” which usually means in or among, matching the meaning “in or among the highest” in the first half of the verse. The final word in Greek is “good pleasure” (Strongs #2107, in some texts a genitive and others a dative) is almost always used in the NT of what is good or pleasing in God's sight. Most modern translations follow that above, having the genitive modify “men” indicating a subclass, who get the peace. The concept of God giving the covenantal blessing of peace to those with whom He is pleased, is much more consistent with the rest of Scripture, than a general sloshing about out hale and hearty merriment. See under Digging Deeper for more.

2:21-40 Following the law regarding circumcision, purification, and redeeming the firstborn (Ex 13; Lev 12:6; Num 18:15), Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple, where they encounter yet another righteous, Spirit-filled OT saint, named Simeon. He was eagerly expecting the Messianic kingdom promised in the OT (here called the consolation or comfort, when God restored Israel's fortunes - Dt 30:5; Jer 30:3,18) God had promised him, apparently as a blessing for his service (note the Master-servant terminology) that he wouldn't see death until he saw the Christ/Messiah. “In the Spirit” as in being led, he came to the temple in time to hold the Messiah, and prophesy. He quotes,

Isa 49:6 yes, he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth."

again affirming the universality of the Messiah. Simeon also foretells that some would accept and some reject Him, in Israel, and that He would be the revealer of the thoughts and intents of people's hearts (cf Heb 4:12-13). Ana, a prophetess, over a hundred years old, hobbled over and spoke of Him to all who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem (like Simeon). Luke again mentions the righteousness of Mary and Joseph and the growth of Jesus (like John).

2:41 This is the only glimpse into Jesus' childhood, one year shy of when he would customarily embrace the law as His own. Luke highlights Jesus' wisdom, dedication to the Father's purpose (taking precedence over earthly loyalties), and His submission to human authority, matching the mention of His parent's righteousness. Jesus continues to grow intellectually, physically, and spiritually, gaining favor in the sight of God and man. These are good spheres for parents to be concerned about today. Note that Jesus developed as a normal human, but was conscious of His special role and relationship with God.

Application: Looking and living for the future fulfillment of the Father's will, and doing what is already clearly revealed to do in the present are marks of the righteous, who grow in God's favor.

Prayer: God, like the saints of old, may I be living in righteous expectation of Your promised kingdom, and be faithfully telling others about it. Amen.

Luke 3 Repent or Regret

3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight. 5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth. 6 All flesh will see God’s salvation.’" 7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, "You generation of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! 9 Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire." 10 The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?" 11 He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise." 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?" 13 He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you." 14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."

15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ, 16 John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire, 17 whose winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news/gospel to the people, 19 but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, 20 added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

21 Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying "You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased." 23 Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Observations: 3:1-14 Luke dates the beginning of John's ministry, when the word of God came to him, just like the OT prophets. John was in the wilderness, and identifies himself as the messenger of Isaiah 40:1-10 telling people to repent (literally=change mind), for (eis = with a view to; see note in OLB Strongs #1519), the forgiveness (literally=sending away) of sins (missing the mark). This repentance was accompanied by baptism, which is why John ministered around the Jordan river. Baptism has a number of meanings, the most common OT understanding would be a symbol of cleansing, as a leper would wash away defilement. The repentance was in light of the Lord coming to bring God's salvation (including judging Isa 40:10) therefore they needed to be ready to meet the Lord. See comments on Matthew 3 for more about the OT context, from which this passage cannot be divorced. In tender compassion, John gently asks who warned those coming to him to flee from the coming wrath. The term of endearment was “you generation of vipers”; I guess eating locusts makes one cranky, but then, it was the same appellation Jesus used in Matthew 12:34 and 23:33). John exhorts them to produce fruit worth/befitting their new mindset, otherwise they would be chopped and tossed into the fire (garbage dump of Gehenna, but we don't know that yet; however the original audience would have understood burning debris that weren't profitable). John warns them that trusting in their Jewish ancestry, would do them no good when the Messiah comes to set up His kingdom. God didn't need them, He could make sons of Abraham from rocks. They needed to be worthy, as demonstrated by fruit, things they did. Unfruitful trees were also called firewood. So they asked what they should do. Look at the list, and then the common thread, in light of the context. Think about it before you proceed. No peaking. OK, what is the common thread? Trust that Jesus died for their sins? Wrong! How about trust that God would forgive their sins? Wrong again! Give up? How about, stop living as if this world is all there is, and start living as if there is a kingdom coming where God rewards righteousness, like loving your neighbor and dealing justly? Bingo!!! One last question: Are you living as if this world is all there is, or do you believe what God has revealed about the Messiah ? This is the gospel/good news at this stage of Jesus' ministry (see 3:18).

3:15-23 People were beginning to wonder if John was the Messiah, but he said he just baptized (immersed) in water, but a far greater One would come who would baptize/immerse in the Holy Spirit (Joel 2) and fire (judgment). The fruitful wheat would be gathered safely into his barn (Mt 13:30), and the chaff would be burned. There is no indication that this is eternal destiny, and evidence to the contrary in upcoming chapters. Herod adds to his sins by imprisoning John. But before that, Jesus comes to get baptized (see comments on Matthew 3), and God indicates that not only is He His Son, but the One on whom His favor rests.

3:24-38 Luke traces Jesus' genealogy back to Adam, the Son of God, showing He was representative of all humans, not just the Jews. Matthew traced the line forward from Abraham (the progenitor of the Jews) to David, to Joseph, showing Jesus' legal right to the Davidic throne (which was passed through the father). Some think that Luke traces the line back through Mary, but others propose that there is a difference between the physical bloodline and legal (right to rule) descendents to account for the differences with Matthew's genealogy. In any event, Jesus was a real human, the Son of Man and Son of God.

Application: Are you living as this world is all there is, or are you interacting with others in such a way that God will be pleased with the fruit of your life and reward you? It's never too late to repent and do the right thing.

Prayer: Lord, may I live in a manner consistent with my belief in Your revealed truth, and may You be pleased with me, so You can bless, rather than judge me when You return. Amen.

Digging Deeper:
For textual variant geeks only: In Luke 2:14, the KJV's “good will to men” misses the point and the thrust of the preposition “en” which usually means in or among, matching the meaning “in or among the highest” in the first half of the verse (although it can be used as "eis" (to, towards) after certain verbs, but not here). The final word in Greek is “good pleasure” (Strongs #2107, in some texts types (MT/BYZ) a genitive, and in others (Alexandrian), a dative) is almost always used in the NT of what is good or pleasing in God's sight. Most modern translations (NIV, NASB) reflect the concept in this post, having the genitive modify “men” indicating a subclass, who get the peace.
The MT/BYZ dative could be followed (I am a MT fan), giving something like "among men, (to whom there is) favor" which is comparable to the modern translations. The concept of God giving the covenantal blessing of peace to those with whom He is pleased, is much more consistent with the rest of Scripture, than a general sloshing about out hale and hearty merriment.

God in a nutshell: God keeps His promises and works supernaturally and through human agents to bring about His promised will. He empowers people with His Spirit to do His will in revealing truth and salvation to others. He is the God of the whole earth, not just the Jews.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the supernatural Son of Man and Son of God, who came to earth to

fulfill the promises of the Davidic Covenant, and reign over Israel on the throne of David. He is also the light for the Gentiles, to bring them into a relationship with God. He will reveal the hearts (values/will) of men as some accept and some reject Him. He will immerse people in the blessing of the Holy Spirit, and the judgment of fire.

Us in a nutshell: We can be righteous if we do what God has revealed. Then we will be blessed. If we don't believe and obey, we will be appropriately disciplined. We have the ability to respond to truth, and change our mind, so we can do what God wants.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Luke complete text

Luke 1

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. 8 Now it happened, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. 17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord." 18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." 21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled that he delayed in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. 24 After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."

26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!" 29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. 36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For everything spoken by God is possible." 38 Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.

39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 Why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!" 46 Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord. 47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour, 48 for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. 49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, 55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever." 56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.

57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son. 58 Her neighbours and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father. 60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." 62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." They all marvelled. 64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him.

67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and worked redemption for his people; 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old), 71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show mercy towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father, 74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us, 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace." 80 The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Luke 2

2:1 Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to enrol themselves, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. 6 It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. 7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 The angel said to them, "Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. 11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough." 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men." 15 It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. 17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 "Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; 32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel." 33 Joseph and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 3

3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight. 5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth. 6 All flesh will see God’s salvation.’" 7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! 9 Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire." 10 The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?" 11 He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise." 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?" 13 He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you." 14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."

15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ, 16 John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire, 17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people, 19 but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, 20 added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

Jeremiah 16-20 The Potter Pays Back

Jeremiah 16-20 The Potter Pays Back

Psalm 85:1-13 Stopping the Vicious Cycle of Sin

Psalm 85:1 “ Yahweh, you have been favorable to Your land. You have restored the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people. You have covered all their sin. Selah. 3 You have taken away all Your wrath. You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.

4 Restore us, God of our salvation, and cause Your indignation toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You draw out Your anger to all generations? 6 Won’t You revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your hesed/loyal love, Yahweh. Grant us Your salvation/deliverance.

8 I will hear what God, Yahweh, will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, His saints; but let them not turn again to folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Hesed/loyal love and faithfulness meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth/faithfulness springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. 12 Yes, Yahweh will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness goes before Him, and prepares the way for His steps.“

Observations: 85:1-3 The psalmist recalls that God has been favorable to the land of Israel, and restored/turned back (used five times 85:1,3,4,6,8) the people to the land, forgiven their iniquity and covered over their sin. Note the differences between each of the items. Most commentators think this refers to the return from the Babylonian captivity. God has also taken all of His wrath away and turned from the fierceness of His anger.

85:4-7 The psalmist asks God to restore the people. Some versions add “again,” thinking this is a new circumstance of sin that has aroused God's anger, and thus he appeals to God to repeat the forgiveness of 85:1-3. Another view is that in the first three verses, God has ceased the punishment or penalty of their sin (in reversing the captivity), but they are still reaping consequences of the ruptured relationship. Therefore he asks God to revive them personally so they can rejoice in their relationship with Him, living in hesed/covenantal loyalty.

85:8-13 Either way, the things individuals need to live in hesed/covenantal relationship with God are: listening to God, obeying what He said rather than returning to folly, living in fear of displeasing God, so His presence/glory can dwell with them. When people live in faithful hesed/loyal love towards God, righteousness, peace and faithfulness are demonstrated on the earth. Then God can bless once again.

Application: Avoid the vicious cycle of sin and judgment by fearing God and living in hesed with Him (do what He says). See Judges for Breaking Sin Cycles.

Prayer: God, You are the one who forgives and restores; may I live in righteous loyalty to You, so You can give what is good. Thanks. Amen.

Proverbs 21:1-4 Matters of the Heart

Pr 21:1 “The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires. 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. 4 A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.”

Observations:

21:1 God can change hearts and does so with a purpose. See Pharaoh below.

21:2 Of course we think what we do is right, but God looks at the motives. See Scarab below under Digging Deeper.

21:3 God is not impressed with our ritual, but with our righteousness.

21:4 Doing our thing independently of God is sin (which isn't good).

Application: Evaluate your life and motives from God's perspective every day.

Prayer: God, I want to be acceptable and right in Your sight; change my heart so I desire what You desire for me. Amen.

Jeremiah 16-20 These chapters depict the destruction awaiting those who depart from God and stubbornly refuse to hear His word and repent. God gives encouragement and incentives to obey and horrible consequences for continued rebellion. Jeremiah gives warnings, calls to repentance, and object lessons, but only reaps abuse and pain for speaking God's truth. Some famous verses in the beginnings of chapters 17 and 18 shed light on God's purposes and human responsibility.

Jeremiah 16 From Ruin to Rejoicing

10 It shall happen, when you shall show this people all these words, and they shall tell you, Why has Yahweh pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against Yahweh our God? 11 Then you shall tell them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, says Yahweh, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshiped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law; 12 and you have done evil more than your fathers; for, behold, you walk every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart, so that you don’t listen to me: 13 therefore will I cast you forth out of this land into the land that you have not known, neither you nor your fathers; and there you shall serve other gods day and night; for I will show you no favor.

14 Therefore, behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that it shall no more be said, As Yahweh lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; 15 but, As Yahweh lives, who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the countries where he had driven them. I will bring them again into their land that I gave to their fathers. 16 Behold, I will send for many fishermen, says Yahweh, and they shall fish them up; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks. 17 For my eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from my face, neither is their iniquity concealed from my eyes. 18 First I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable things, and have filled my inheritance with their abominations. 19 Yahweh, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, vanity and things in which there is no profit. 20 Shall a man make to himself gods, which yet are no gods? 21 Therefore, behold, I will cause them to know, this once will I cause them to know my hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is Yahweh.

Observations: 16:1-9 Jeremiah is forbidden to marry and have children, because the inhabitants of Jerusalem will die in dishonor and become dung on the hills. There will be no lamenting nor celebrating because of the coming judgments. God will remove His peace and covenantal protection (hesed) from the land as a result of their rebellion (next section).

16:10-18 The people are so insensitive to God that they don't think they're doing anything wrong, when in fact they have forsaken Him and sinned to a greater degree than their fathers. Each rebelliously does whatever his evil heart wants, and doesn't listen to nor obey God. In depicting the ensuing judgment and punishment, God graciously inserts a promise of return from captivity. Those who read this in captivity would be encouraged to faithfulness and have hope.

16:19-21 Jeremiah responds with a little praise chorus, acknowledging that Yahweh is not only His strength and refuge, but that of the whole earth. The nations shall come to Yahweh, confessing that the gods they served are vain and profitless. When Yahweh destroys the city, He will cause Judah to know and acknowledge that the God they should have been hearing and worshiping is Yahweh, not Baal or Ashtoreth.

Application: Those who are sensitive to the true God will confess and forsake their sin and futile ways, and sing praises to the God who is their fortress and salvation.

Prayer: God, please cause me to see and forsake whatever is in my life that is displeasing to You and might incur Your judgment; then I will rejoice in You. Amen.

Jeremiah 17 Cursings and Blessings

17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of your altars; 2 while their children remember their altars and their Asherim by the green trees on the high hills. 3 My mountain in the field, I will give your substance and all your treasures for a spoil, and your high places, because of sin, throughout all your borders. 4 You, even of yourself, shall discontinue from your heritage that I gave you; and I will cause you to serve your enemies in the land which you don’t know: for you have kindled a fire in my anger which shall burn forever.

5 Thus says Yahweh: Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart departs from Yahweh. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose hope/confidence Yahweh is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be anxious in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? 10 I, Yahweh, search the emotions/kidneys, I examine the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. 11 As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right; in the midst of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool.

12 A glorious throne, set on high from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary. 13 Yahweh, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be disappointed. Those who depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Yahweh, the spring of living waters. 14 Heal me, O Yahweh, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise. 15 Behold, they tell me, Where is the word of Yahweh? let it come now. 16 As for me, I have not hurried from being a shepherd after you; neither have I desired the woeful day; you know: that which came out of my lips was before your face. 17 Don’t be a terror to me: you are my refuge in the day of evil. 18 Let them be disappointed who persecute me, but let not me be disappointed; let them be dismayed, but don’t let me be dismayed; bring on them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.

19 Thus said Yahweh to me: Go, and stand in the gate of the children of the people, through which the kings of Judah come in, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; 20 and tell them, Hear the word of Yahweh, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: 21 Thus says Yahweh, Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day holy, neither do any work: but make the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. 23 But they didn’t listen, neither turn their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not receive instruction. 24 It shall happen, if you diligently listen to me, says Yahweh, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but to make the Sabbath day holy, to do no work therein; 25 then shall there enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever. 26 They shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places around Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the lowland, and from the hill country, and from the South, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meal offerings, and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving, to the house of Yahweh. 27 But if you will not listen to me to make the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

Observations: 17:1-11 God gives two outcomes for His people: Depart from Him, and trust in finite humans and institutions, and you'll live in a spiritual desert and be destroyed. Continue in Him, trusting His word, and you'll be a fruitful tree experiencing prosperity regardless of the weather. God searches/examines the emotions (literally “kidneys”) and hearts to give to everyone the consequences of their actions. The uncircumcised/insensitive and untrained heart is inclined toward wickedness, rather than God's will, therefore it gets us into trouble. (“It's not my fault I have to blame someone/something for my failings.”) Those who prosper apart from God (as many do), are a temporary aberration in the eternal scheme of things.

17:12-18 Jeremiah offers a principle and a prayer: Those who depart from the spring of living water won't have life; May those who persecute him be dismayed and destroyed.

17:19-27 God tells Jeremiah to stand in the gate on the way to the temple and rebuke the people on their way to ritual worship for defiling the Sabbath (major command of the covenant; for their violation of it, they would go into captivity). But, they didn't want to listen, much less obey, yet God offers blessing and continuation of the Davidic Covenant (2Sam 7) if they would diligently listen and obey.

Application: Learn God's ways, align your heart with His word, and be blessed; or trust in your heart and don't listen to God, and be cursed. Hmmm, pretty obvious choice.

Prayer: All wise and knowing God, help me diligently listen to Your word, and incline my heart to trust and obey You, the Spring of living water. Amen.

Jeremiah 18 Potter Pays Back

18:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, 2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words. 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he was making a work on the wheels. 4 When the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 6 House of Israel, can’t I do with you as this potter? says Yahweh. Behold, as the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel. 7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy it; 8 if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do to them. 9 There are times I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10 if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they not obey my voice, then I will repent of the good, with which I said I would benefit them.

11 Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Yahweh: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return you now everyone from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. 12 But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do everyone after the stubbornness of his evil heart. 13 Therefore thus says Yahweh: Ask now among the nations, who has heard such things; the virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing. 14 Shall the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field? Shall the cold waters that flow down from afar be dried up? 15 For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in byways, in a way not built up; 16 to make their land an astonishment, and a perpetual hissing; everyone who passes thereby shall be astonished, and shake his head. 17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

18 Then they said, Come, and let us devise schemes against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. 19 Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me. 20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them. 21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword; and let their wives become childless, and widows; and let their men be slain of death, and their young men struck of the sword in battle. 22 Let a cry be heard from their houses, when you shall bring a troop suddenly on them; for they have dug a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet. 23 Yet, Yahweh, you know all their counsel against me to kill me; don’t forgive their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from your sight; but let them be overthrown before you; deal you with them in the time of your anger.

Observations: 18:1-17 God compares Himself to a potter who can make and then remake a pot that is marred or flawed. God can and does change His plans for people and nations based upon their free will choices to obey or disobey. Verse 8 states clearly that if they repent and turn from their evil, He will relent and not send the promised judgment. That's because God had promised to bless obedience and curse disobedience. If they disobey, God moves into the promised cursing mode. If they obey, He moves into the promised blessing mode. Unfortunately, they ignored His call to repentance (18:11), and chose to walk in their stubborn stupidity (18:12). They forsook the relationship they had with Yahweh to follow false gods, and refused to return. So God will scatter and destroy them.

18:18-23 The evil institutional hierarchy conspires against Jeremiah to do him evil. This is a typical response, claiming they have truth, when all they do is cling to false tradition. Jesus and Paul, and most other prophets had the same problem. Jeremiah calls for God to judge them terminally.

Application: If we return to God, He returns to us in blessing; if we rebel, He will turn from us in sending judgment. Any questions?

Prayer: God, thanks that You are totally just, and will repay evil to evildoers, and good to those who do good in serving You; protect me from the lying hypocrites who don't know or do Your will, and recompense them accordingly. Thanks again. Amen.

Jeremiah 19 Breaking the Bottle

19:1 Thus said Yahweh, Go, and buy a potter’s earthen bottle, and take some of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests; 2 and go forth to the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the gate Harsith, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell you; 3 and say, Hear the word of Yahweh, kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem: thus says Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring evil on this place, which whoever hears, his ears shall tingle. 4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it to other gods, that they didn’t know, they and their fathers and the kings of Judah; and have filled this place with the blood of innocents, 5 and have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire for burnt offerings to Baal; which I didn’t command, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind: 6 therefore, behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that this place shall no more be called Topheth, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of Slaughter. 7 I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hand of those who seek their life: and their dead bodies will I give to be food for the birds of the sky, and for the animals of the earth. 8 I will make this city an astonishment, and a hissing; everyone who passes thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all its plagues. 9 I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters; and they shall eat everyone the flesh of his friend, in the siege and in the distress, with which their enemies, and those who seek their life, shall distress them.

10 Then you shall break the bottle in the sight of the men who go with you, 11 and shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh of Hosts: Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter’s vessel, that can’t be made whole again; and they shall bury in Topheth, until there is no place to bury. 12 Thus will I do to this place, says Yahweh, and to its inhabitants, even making this city as Topheth: 13 and the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, shall be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses on whose roofs they have burned incense to all the hosts of the sky, and have poured out drink offerings to other gods. 14 Then came Jeremiah from Topheth, where Yahweh had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of Yahweh’s house, and said to all the people: 15 Thus says Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring on this city and on all its towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it; because they have made their neck stiff, that they may not hear my words.

Observations: 19:1-9 God tells Jeremiah to get a bottle and some elders to witness the next prophecy of judgment. Since Judah has forsaken Him to worship other gods and the host of heaven (stars), thus defiling the land, God will bring such a defiling judgment on them, that everyone who hears of it will be appalled. They will become cannibals during the distress of the siege.

19:10-15 Jeremiah is told to break the bottle to demonstrate the irreparable nature of their judgment, because they make their neck stiff (rebellious) so that they would not hear God's words.

Application: Stubborn stupidity is doubly stupid, missing out on God's blessing, and incurring irrevocable wrath.

Prayer: God, may my heart and ears always be sensitive to Your voice. Amen.

Jeremiah 20 Pain From False Prophets

20:1 Now Pashhur, the son of Immer the priest, who was chief officer in the house of Yahweh, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. 2 Then Pashhur beat Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of Yahweh. 3 It happened on the next day, that Pashhur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, Yahweh has not called your name Pashhur, but Magormissabib. 4 For thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself, and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see it; and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon, and shall kill them with the sword. 5 Moreover I will give all the riches of this city, and all its gains, and all the precious things of it, yes, all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies; and they shall make them a prey, and take them, and carry them to Babylon. 6 You, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house shall go into captivity; and you shall come to Babylon, and there you shall die, and there you shall be buried, you, and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied falsely.

(NET to 7-13) 7 Yahweh, you coerced me into being a prophet, and I allowed you to do it. You overcame my resistance and prevailed over me. Now I have become a constant laughingstock. Everyone ridicules me. 8 For whenever I prophesy, I must cry out, "Violence and destruction are coming!" This message from Yahweh has made me an object of continual insults and derision. 9 Sometimes I think, "I will make no mention of his message. I will not speak as his messenger any more." But then his message becomes like a fire locked up inside of me, burning in my heart and soul. I grow weary of trying to hold it in; I cannot contain it. 10 I hear many whispering words of intrigue against me. Those who would cause me terror are everywhere! They are saying, "Come on, let's publicly denounce him!" All my so-called friends are just watching for something that would lead to my downfall. They say, "Perhaps he can be enticed into slipping up, so we can prevail over him and get our revenge on him. 11 But Yahweh is with me to help me like an awe-inspiring warrior. Therefore those who persecute me will fail and will not prevail over me. They will be thoroughly disgraced because they did not succeed. Their disgrace will never be forgotten. 12 O Yahweh who rules over all, you test and prove the righteous. You see into people's hearts and minds. Pay them back for what they have done because I trust you to vindicate my cause. 13 Sing to Yahweh! Praise Yahweh! For he rescues the oppressed from the clutches of evildoers.

14 Cursed is the day in which I was born: don’t let the day in which my mother bore me be blessed. 15 Cursed is the man who brought news to my father, saying, A boy is born to you; making him very glad. 16 Let that man be as the cities which Yahweh overthrew, and didn’t repent: and let him hear a cry in the morning, and shouting at noontime; 17 because he didn’t kill me from the womb; and so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb always great. 18 Why came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

Observations: 20:1-6 A leader of the ritual religionists heard Jeremiah proclaiming the word of God and responded by causing him to be beaten and put in torture stocks. The Hebrew word for “stocks” comes from a root that means “turn back on oneself” indicating a painful bending or distortion of the body. When released, Jeremiah says Yahweh changed his name from “Freedom” to “Surrounded by Terror”, and that he, and all the false prophets would die in Babylon.

20:7-13 Jeremiah laments his career choice because of the opposition he encounters, and decides to quit. But he can't keep quiet about God's word. He recognizes that Yahweh is with him, and his enemies have not prevailed, although they have made life difficult. He also recognizes that Yahweh tests the righteous and judges righteously, and winds up praising God for deliverance. Anyone who preaches and practices truth will be swimming upstream, surrounded by proud and wicked slime slithering downstream. Get used to it, and keep focused on God.

20:14-18 Slipping back into his melancholy, Jeremiah laments the day of his birth.

Application: Focusing on the promises and presence of God rather than problems eases pain.

Prayer: God, I realize that in standing with You, I will face the same rejection You experience from those who do Satan's will; may I rejoice in Your presence and promises more than my temporal comfort. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God has purposed to bless His people if they obey Him, and curse them if they don't. Their choice. He calls them to repentance, and back to a relationship with Him, but they stubbornly refuse, thus setting up the cursing part of His plan. His sovereign rule is to bless or curse depending upon the response of individuals. It is clearly not arbitrary. God protects His servants not allowing their enemies to prevail, but allowing the servants to experiencing purifying pain. He will pay back the enemies.

Us in a nutshell: We have a choice to hear and obey, or refuse to hear and obey. Either course of action has consequences attached to it. We can make ourselves hear, or make ourselves not hear. Even though chosen by God to be His special people, we forfeit all His planned blessings by forgetting and forsaking Him to serve false gods. God's true servants must be prepared to find all their joy and comfort in the presence of God, because most people are opposed to truth.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Jeremiah complete text

Jeremiah 16

16:1 The word of Yahweh came also to me, saying, 2 You shall not take a wife, neither shall you have sons or daughters, in this place. 3 For thus says Yahweh concerning the sons and concerning the daughters who are born in this place, and concerning their mothers who bore them, and concerning their fathers who became their father in this land: 4 They shall die grievous deaths: they shall not be lamented, neither shall they be buried; they shall be as dung on the surface of the ground; and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their dead bodies shall be food for the birds of the sky, and for the animals of the earth. 5 For thus says Yahweh, Don’t enter into the house of mourning, neither go to lament, neither bemoan them; for I have taken away my peace from this people, says Yahweh, even loving kindness and tender mercies. 6 Both great and small shall die in this land; they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them; 7 neither shall men break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother. 8 You shall not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and to drink. 9 For thus says Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place, before your eyes and in your days, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.

10 It shall happen, when you shall show this people all these words, and they shall tell you, Why has Yahweh pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against Yahweh our God? 11 Then you shall tell them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, says Yahweh, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law; 12 and you have done evil more than your fathers; for, behold, you walk every one after the stubbornness of his evil heart, so that you don’t listen to me: 13 therefore will I cast you forth out of this land into the land that you have not known, neither you nor your fathers; and there you shall serve other gods day and night; for I will show you no favour.

Jeremiah 17

5 Thus says Yahweh: Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from Yahweh. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose trust Yahweh is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? 10 I, Yahweh, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. 11 As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right; in the midst of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool.

Jeremiah 18

18:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, 2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words. 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he was making a work on the wheels. 4 When the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 6 House of Israel, can’t I do with you as this potter? says Yahweh. Behold, as the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel. 7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy it; 8 if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do to them. 9 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10 if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they not obey my voice, then I will repent of the good, with which I said I would benefit them.

18 Then they said, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. 19 Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me. 20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them. 21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword; and let their wives become childless, and widows; and let their men be slain of death, and their young men struck of the sword in battle. 22 Let a cry be heard from their houses, when you shall bring a troop suddenly on them; for they have dug a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet. 23 Yet, Yahweh, you know all their counsel against me to kill me; don’t forgive their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from your sight; but let them be overthrown before you; deal you with them in the time of your anger.

Jeremiah 19

19:1 Thus said Yahweh, Go, and buy a potter’s earthen bottle, and take some of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests; 2 and go forth to the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the gate Harsith, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell you; 3 and say, Hear the word of Yahweh, kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem: thus says Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring evil on this place, which whoever hears, his ears shall tingle. 4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it to other gods, that they didn’t know, they and their fathers and the kings of Judah; and have filled this place with the blood of innocents, 5 and have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire for burnt offerings to Baal; which I didn’t command, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind: 6 therefore, behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that this place shall no more be called Topheth, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of Slaughter. 7 I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hand of those who seek their life: and their dead bodies will I give to be food for the birds of the sky, and for the animals of the earth. 8 I will make this city an astonishment, and a hissing; everyone who passes thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all its plagues. 9 I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters; and they shall eat everyone the flesh of his friend, in the siege and in the distress, with which their enemies, and those who seek their life, shall distress them.

10 Then you shall break the bottle in the sight of the men who go with you, 11 and shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh of Hosts: Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter’s vessel, that can’t be made whole again; and they shall bury in Topheth, until there is no place to bury. 12 Thus will I do to this place, says Yahweh, and to its inhabitants, even making this city as Topheth: 13 and the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, shall be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses on whose roofs they have burned incense to all the army of the sky, and have poured out drink offerings to other gods. 14 Then came Jeremiah from Topheth, where Yahweh had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of Yahweh’s house, and said to all the people: 15 Thus says Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring on this city and on all its towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it; because they have made their neck stiff, that they may not hear my words.

Jeremiah 20

20:1 Now Pashhur, the son of Immer the priest, who was chief officer in the house of Yahweh, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. 2 Then Pashhur struck Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of Yahweh. 3 It happened on the next day, that Pashhur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, Yahweh has not called your name Pashhur, but Magormissabib. 4 For thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself, and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see it; and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon, and shall kill them with the sword. 5 Moreover I will give all the riches of this city, and all its gains, and all the precious things of it, yes, all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies; and they shall make them a prey, and take them, and carry them to Babylon. 6 You, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house shall go into captivity; and you shall come to Babylon, and there you shall die, and there you shall be buried, you, and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied falsely.

7 Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded; you are stronger than I, and have prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocks me. 8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because the word of Yahweh is made a reproach to me, and a derision, all the day. 9 If I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I can’t. 10 For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall; perhaps he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. 11 But Yahweh is with me as an awesome mighty one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be utterly disappointed, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten. 12 But, Yahweh of Hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance on them; for to you have I revealed my cause. 13 Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh; for he has delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evildoers.

14 Cursed is the day in which I was born: don’t let the day in which my mother bore me be blessed. 15 Cursed is the man who brought news to my father, saying, A boy is born to you; making him very glad. 16 Let that man be as the cities which Yahweh overthrew, and didn’t repent: and let him hear a cry in the morning, and shouting at noontime; 17 because he didn’t kill me from the womb; and so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb always great. 18 Why came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

Luke 1-3 The Perfect Man

Jeremiah 16-20 The Potter Pays Back

Translate Daily Truthbase

Contact Us at Daily Truthbase