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Response to Joshua 15:1-63
First and formost, as we venture into the names of cities and peoples and families - both old and new - both Hebrew and Canaanite (Gentile) - we must realize that all of these names have been recorded in this word of God, His book of life. These names shall not pass away! They join the ranks of all the law and the prophets. That being said, allow me to highlight a couple pieces of this scripture for those who wish to gain some insight into these boundary lines and lineages.
http://www.spiritrestoration.org/Church/Research%20History%20and%20Great%20Links/Maps/Boundaries%20of%20the%20Tribes%20of%20Israel.jpg This site represents Judah well in representation of Joshua 15. I found it difficult to locate a clearer map.
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/google_map_israel.htm modern google map of Israel
The southern border of Joshua 15:1-4 follows the line given by Moses in Numbers 34:3-5
Hezron (vs. 3) was a son of Judah from Genesis 46:12
http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-kadesh-barnea-fortresses-ein-qedeis.htm Study the archeological history of Kadesh Barnea with a likely explanation of the border described in Joshua 15.
The word "beth" generally means house of
The word "ben" generally refers to a mountain or "son of"
The valley of Achor (vs 7) represents the story of Achin from Joshua 7 http://bibleatlas.org/full/valley_of_achor.htm (follow the trail from Joshua 15:7-10)
Jebus (Jerusalem) (vs 8), still was held by the Jebusites, would eventually be given to the tribe of Benjamin, although its mention in verse 8 and verse 63 reflect a timing of this writing.
The waters of Nephtoah most probably represent a spring near the present day village of Lifta on the east side of the Wady beit Hanina. This area appears to feed into the Sorek river basin and out to the Mediterranian sea. Lifta village lies about 2 miles NW of present day Jerusalem.
Kiriath Jearim (vs 9) had also been known as Baalah or Kiriath Baal (city of Baal). II Chronicles 2:52 speaks of the name "Jearim" coming from a descendant of Caleb. This was the city the ark would come to rest in I Samuel 7:1-2 following its loss to the Philistines and the plagues they encountered. Kiriath Jearim would lie on the boundary line shared by Benjamin and Judah. Mount Jearim of verse 10 may also be named after Caleb's descendant.
http://bibleatlas.org/full/kiriath-jearim.htm Beginning from Kiriath Jearim in verse 9, it appears the boundary lies along the Sorek river valley.
Beth Shemesh (house of the Sun) of verse 10 is mentioned in Joshua 18:17 as part of the Benjamin border; Joshua 19:22 as a border city of Issachar; Joshua 19:38 in relation to Naphtali. Certainly there were at least two cities which shared this name. The first lies along the border of Judah and Benjamin and the second along the Jordan River below the Sea of Galilee.
The Judean city of Beth Shemesh is referenced most in scripture. It is the location the cattle first brought the ark from the Philistines in I Samuel 6. Jehoash and Amaziah faced off at Beth Shemesh in II Chronicles 25:20-24 perhaps showing its nearness to Ephraim and Dan. This area of Beth Shemesh and Timnah was captured by the Philistines in II Chronicles 28:16-21. They also stood as a border between Judah and the Philistines. Most likely, Beth Shemesh of Judah is represented by the modern city of Ain Shems.
According to verse 12, the western boundary of the tribe of Judah was the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. However, a slight knowledge of Bible History shows that the Philistines held tightly to that border right up until David conquered the region.
Verse 13-19 returns to the history of the family of Caleb, son of Jephuneh, the Kennizite. A Kenaz was a descendant of Esau by Eliphaz (Genesis 36:10-11). The Kennizites were referred to earlier in Genesis 15:19 as Canaanites! Judges 3:9 coinsides with Joshua 15:17 referring to a Kenaz who was a younger brother of Caleb and I Chronicles 4:15 claims Caleb had a grandson named Kenaz. Jephunneh is only mentioned in reference to Caleb as his father, except for a Jephunneh of the tribe of Asher. Although some wish to believe Caleb was a member of the Kennizites of the Canaanites acting as a double agent, I feel there is no conclusion from the Bible and no reason to believe he was anything other than Judean.
When Caleb first spied out Kiriath-arba in Numbers 13:22, 45 years before, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai were also mentioned.
Debir (vs. 15) is the same name as the King of Eglon who fought against Israel in Joshua 10, although any relation between the two is purely speculative. The Debir of vs. 15 also would not appear to be the same city as Debir above the Valley of Achor (vs. 7). Joshua 15:49 will reflect that Debir (Kiriath-sepher) is also known as Kiriath-sannah. According to the footnotes, after Othniel, nephew of Caleb won Caleb's daughter Achsah for taking Kiriath-sepher, he sent Achsah to Caleb to ask for the water rights in the hills as well as the lower meadows of the Negeb. Othniel became one of the early Judges in Israel as found in Judges 3:7-11.
Notes on Joshua 15:20-63
Although 38 names are given for the extreme South (vs. 20-32), verse 32 states 29 cities with their villages. One reason may be that only 29 were considered cities and the rest were villages. Another may be that several of these named locations were later given to the tribe of Simeon. Perhaps the most recognizable name is Beer-sheba, a town where Abraham had signed a peace treaty with Abimelech and Phicol in Genesis 21
"'God is with you in everything you do. Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you.'
Abraham said, 'I swear it.'" Genesis 21:22b-24
Isaac also signed an agreement of peace at Beer-sheba in Genesis 26:33 calling the place 'Shibah' representative of "oath" or "seven." Such had been the desire of the Patriarchs for peace within the land.
Of the remainder of the cities in the lowland and the hill country of Judah, one obvious link to the coming Christ is not even mentioned, that being Bethlehem. This city had been referred to as Ephrath in Genesis 35:19 as the burial site of Rachel (see also Genesis 48:7). There was a Bethlehem given to the tribe of Zebulon which should not be confused with the Bethlehem of Judah (Joshua 19:15). Perhaps the only Bible history known of the Bethlehem of Zebulon would be the mention of Ibzan of Bethlehem who judged Israel in Judges 12:8-10. The separation of the two cities is known as Bethlehemjudah (Bethlehem in Judah) is mentioned in Judges 19 and Ruth 1.
Disputes regarding the Gaza strip in the western border continue into the modern era. Although Ashdod and Gath are mentioned to be within the borders of Judah, the Philistines held onto these areas well into the reign of David.
Any further mention of these cities within Judah in this commentary will have to await notation within their Biblical stories as they come along, but you can check their names for further reference on websites such as Bible Gateway's Keyword search. http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/#intersite
Reflections on Luke 18:18-43
Continued training for Kingdom Discipleship
Following an answer to the Pharisee's question of Luke 17:20 regarding the coming of the Kingdom of God, Jesus gave an explanation to the crowd through the remainder of Luke 17. Luke then shared a couple of parables at the beginning of Luke 18 regarding the unjust judge and the proud Pharisee, followed by the obstinance of the disciples who were keeping the children from coming to Jesus.
Beginning with the story of the children in Luke 18:15, Luke's gospel now falls in line with the gospels of Matthew 19:13-30 and Mark 10:13-34 as the teachings of Jesus continue to follow true discipleship. Following Jesus rebuke of the disciples for hindering the children from His presence and His Love, The rich young ruler enters the story in each gospel. Each follows a basic pattern of great importance! Given the context of the previous Kingdom question and discussion, plus the Parables of Luke 18, I believe Luke provides the strongest message of the three.
Who is asking the question?; Luke claims this man is a 'ruler' whereas Matthew and Mark have only referred to him as a man. Luke's rendering 'ruler' ties his identity to the unjust judge, the Pharisee, and the disciple of the chapter context. In John 10:34, Jesus refers to Psalm 82:6 by stating that we are all not only men or rulers, but gods, sons of the Most High, members of the divine counsel itself, set in judgment upon one another!
Who is the "Good Teacher!" Jesus responds almost in a reprimand to this title in stating quite emphatically that God alone is good! This again ties into the parable of the unjust judge at the beginning of this chapter, Luke 18. I find Jesus goes out of his way to bring glory to God, refusing to take His glory upon himself. I am concerned with the Love focus we have with the Son in association with the fear (being afraid) of the Father. This is one of those pieces of scripture where I feel Jesus is saying such focus is misguided. Listen to greater detail of this teaching from Matthew 23:5-15 about how Jesus really felt about the religious elite!;
"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries[That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm] wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'
But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.[Or Messiah, God with us] The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.[Some manuscripts add verse 14 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Therefore you will be punished more severely.]
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."
What is the Law? In all three gospels, Jesus does not add to his statement that "Only God is Good" by reminding us of the first commandment to "Love God" but only refers to those commandments of how we should treat one another. Honor in relationships, Honor, Honor, Honor, Honor. Live lives of peace with your fellowman.
How does this man judge himself? He claims he has done all the right things! Like most of us who have attempted to justify our own behavior - except for those of us who have just figured its too hard to be so righteous and have just given up.
Would Jesus ever say; "That's good enough!"? As long as we have more than our fellowman and fail to look after their needs above our own, it will never be enough. Our work must be for the whole of humanity just like Christ's work was. Our blessings from above were not given that we might find comfort on this earth, our blessings from above were given that we might be a blessing to others. Our very lives are forfeit to the Kingdom of God and His purposes of Peace on Earth. Jesus Christ came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
How many students attend college hoping to offer their lives as a sacrifice for the betterment of humanity? How many Rulers look at the average wage and claim they deserve nothing more? How many CEO's are willing to accept only the wage of the common worker regardless of the affluence of their parents and families standard of life? How many rich are willing to give it all up to lift thousands out of poverty or adopt the financial strain on the single mother, widow, orphan, or handicapped? How many of us are willing to see past the sin of our fellowman and consider them worthy of our love, our honor, and our help?
How many of us have justified behaviors against our fellowman because we have bought into the theologies and doctrines of election and exlusionary love - therein rejecting guilt stemming from our behavior in killing the foreigner or sending the alien back where they belong regardless of family ties and decades of reputable history? How many of us stand in judgment on the poor and needy imagining our righteousness within our affluence is based on God's favoritism exemplified by His obvious blessings in our lives?
Lo and behold, we stand as unjust rulers! We stand condemned as Pharisees. It is us who keep the little children from running into the loving arms of our Father's care and comfort on this earth! We are rich young rulers. We stand condemned together as self-righteous antagonists in need of His refinement and His compassion. None of us are worthy of eternal life! Thats the answer to Luke 18:18. If you've heard this message, you may ask as they did in verse 26 "Who then can be saved?" We must each hear his answer of verse 27 "Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
This brings us right back to Isaiah 45:24-25 "They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.' All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But in the Lord all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult."
Men throughout scripture and history have come to this same conclusion! Despite our shame and guilt as we are humbled by our unworthiness, we can run into the loving arms of our Father and find in Him Glory, Love, Joy, and Peace with which we can step out into our world with His heart of compassion, thankful for His gifts to us which have allowed us the pleasure we have. Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=ptcspX7oNRM&feature=related
So, what is the commandment? We Love Him because He first loved us (I John 4:19) Now, go out and serve Him out of reverence for that Love, realizing it is a gift regardless of our works lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:3-10 "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
So, what have you done? Peter had left house and home to devote his life to Jesus! Jesus answers "Whatever you have done for the least of these, you have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40) - and you will be blessed for your good works." Works may not be our means for salvation, but they shall be rewarded and celebrated within the family of God - both in the good we experience on this earth and great is our reward in Heaven itself and the loving arms of a greatful Dad. Welcome Home good and faithful! Let's celebrate!
The entire context of Luke 17-18 stemming from the Pharisee's question of Luke 17:20 has been on discipleship and our call as Children of God. For some that understanding has come, for others, that understanding has yet to come. Most of us are already serving that Kingdom with knowledge of our call, but little understanding of the Bible - others have a great knowledge of the Bible, but little understanding of its call.
Luke's message regarding that call is not lost as we move into Christ's explanation of what it is to take up our cross and follow Him in Luke 18:31-34. As Christ laid claim to the prophetic scriptures regarding His life and death that all must be accomplished in verse 31, so He said that His words would not pass away in Luke 21:33, Mark 13:31, and Matthew 24:35. In the same way, He spoke in Mathew 5:18; "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." His calling was the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, bringing Heaven and Earth back together again. The same is true of our own calling - establishing the peace that exists in Heaven between men and God to earth as He dwells among us. "Do this in remembrance of Him." This is our fellowship offering.
I Corinthians 11:20-33; "When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other."
As we finish Luke 18, we again hear the disciples, (perhaps not the 12, but certainly followers of Jesus who ran ahead of Him), rebuking the poor and needy. Physically, this man was seen as blind and begging. Spiritually speaking, he was hungry for knowledge, understanding, love, and acceptance. As the widow cried unto the unjust judge "Grant me justice against my adversary," so this blind beggar cries "Jesus, have mercy on me," believing certainly that the power of God Himself resided within this great man. He wanted to see - which often reflects wisdom, knowledge, and understanding! This blind beggar believed, and He received His sight. Hebrews 11:6 claims we must believe in order to receive His power! "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
James 1:5-8 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (see also Proverbs 14:6)
Therefore, if you happen to be that widow who desires to see the Kingdom of God, but has faced that unjust judge represented by the religious of this world, or if you are that sinner who has come to recognize the hypocrisy of those of us within the church; If you are that child in need of the Salvation and Love of our master or if you have failed to receive your blessing from the hands of those of us who have been blessed; If you are willing to take up your cross and enter the Kingdom, but have found the doors of the church to be closed to such as the likes of you; If you are blind and begging for mercy from our Almighty God; Do not give up hope! Jesus said believe in God, believe also in me! In my Father's house there are many mansions - and He has prepared a place for you. It is us, the religious of this world who must request your forgiveness for our hard heartedness. We repent of our own wickedness and daily need of His salvation also. We seek to know His compassion, His grace, and His mercy.
Jesus spoke in Luke 11:7-13 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
For those of us who believe we have this down, I suggest we look at the least of these our brethren! How have we treated the alien, the widow, and the orphan? How have we treated the terrorist within our midst? One thing we know about the terrorist is that he is seeking God. We may not like his methods and thus we have responded with retribution, veangance, and bloodshed. We have found we cannot beat them, so we have joined them. Peace with them is the farthest thing from our minds, yet it is the closest desire of our Father's heart. We must take up our cross and follow Him. We must open the doors of the Kingdom and seek Peace in the name of our mutual Father and stop our justifications which have stemmed out of our own self-righteousness and the vain deceits of our corrupt theologies. If it is not Love, it is not pure! God has written their names in the book of life, and what God has put together, let not man put asunder. (Mark 10:9 and Matthew 19:6)
What should you do? Matthew 10:7-8 "As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." These indeed represent the weaknesses and failures of our faith - the alien, the terrorist, and all these children of impure faith. "Go ye into all the world!" (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 24:47-48)
Response to Psalms 86:1-17
The Prayer of the poor and needy Psalm 86
How easy it would be to own this prayer as we face our trials of each day! How beautiful the words as it carries so many of the themes from the Bible! How true it is that each of us in our own way - both physically, spiritually, and emotionally - reflect the poor and needy of the Bible. Yet, at the same time, how important it is to hear this prayer from our brothers and sisters around the planet - and even within our nearby communities as we stand together as our Father's hands and feet to be the answer to this prayer to them bringing Glory to our Father who has blessed us enough to be an answer to the prayers of others.
Note the virtues of the petitioning heart; poor, needy, devoted, trusting, serving, penitent, persistant, willing, teachable, open, greatful, loyal, studious, worshipful, humble, full of praise, fearful, vulnerable, dependant, weak, peaceful, helped, comforted, seeking.
Note the virtues given in praise and thanksgiving to God as the penitent servant calls on His name; merciful, full of joy, forgiving, good, loving, attentive, trustworthy, inclusive, majestic, worthy, great, powerful, marvelous, praisworthy, saving, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, faithful, strong, comforting, helping.
Note the Biblical themes;
(vs 1) The poor and needy shall always be with us to test our hearts towards God (Deuteronomy 15:11)
(vs 2) The relationship between God and man as Master and servant (Genesis 27:37)
(vs 3) Penitent sinner, Merciful God (Numbers 15:24)
(vs 4) Worshipful Man finds strength in the Joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10)
(vs 5) God is merciful and compassionate, forgiving and good, abounding in Love to all who seek Him. (Exodus 34:6)
(vs 6) God is the just Judge, listening to the cries of His children. (Exodus 16:12)
(vs 7) God is trustworthy even though man often waits until trouble strikes to call upon Him. (Romans 5:8)
(vs 8) Man imagines there are more than one God - even though God is One. He alone is good. (Isaiah 45:20-22)
(vs 9) One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess (Isaiah 45:23-25)
(vs 10) God is one and besides Him there is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:35)
(vs 11) God seeks a pure heart, fully devoted to Him for our own good. (Jeremiah 32:39)
(vs 12) We must come before Him with praise and thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2)
(vs 13) He is our Redeemer and our Deliverer (Job 19:23-27)
(vs 14) In this world we are destined to be refined through adversity (James 1:2-4)
(vs 15) see also vs. 5 God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in Love (Exodus 34:6)
(vs 16) In our God we will find mercy and strength (Exodus 15:13)
(vs 17) Through His children God's name will be glorified, calling all men unto Him. (John 12:28)
Response to Proverbs 13:9-10
I John 1:5-10 "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."
Job 18:4-11 "You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, is the earth to be abandoned for your sake? Or must the rocks be moved from their place?
The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out; the flame of his fire stops burning. The light in his tent becomes dark; the lamp beside him goes out. The vigor of his step is weakened; his own schemes throw him down. His feet thrust him into a net and he wanders into its mesh. A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare holds him fast. A noose is hidden for him on the ground; a trap lies in his path. Terrors startle him on every side and dog his every step."
I John 2:16-17 "For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
Job 29:3 "when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness!"
John 14:23-27 " Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Proverbs 3:3-8 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
John 3:29-35 "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
He must become greater; I must become less. The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands."
Isaiah 45:22-25 " 'Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.' '
All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But in the Lord all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult."
There are few words I can add that scripture has not said in a truth and a beauty by which I stand amazed.
Until tomorrow
Rick.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
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