Podcasts about Ithamar

Who was Ithamar in the Bible? What can we learn from what the Bible says about Ithamar?

Audio Transcript Elders here and I get the privilege of preaching for you guys this morning. So quick announcement before we get too far. It is a holiday weekend, so we don't have our full kids ministry as usual. So we have, we'll get all the kids in here today. So we got snacks and activities over there kind of where you walk in and then if, if, you know, I got four boys, we only got two here today. So I get it. If they get a little antsy and we need some more room to run, you can go through this back door here, you know, kind of turn back around this way. But we have a meeting room down there where I think the service is projected and just, just some space for the kids to move and you can still follow along with the service. So, yeah, like I said, my name is Rob Fisher, one of the elders here, privileged to. Privilege to preach for you guys today. And so every summer we try to give Aaron, our main teaching pastor, the at least eight weeks off or so out of the pulpit. We think it's important for a couple reasons we want, you know, the Bible says that elders should be, should be able to teach. So we try to get all the elders in here and we also elevate. We elevate preaching, not the preacher. You know, we think it's important not to. We love Aaron. We love the faithful week. He does faithful work. He does week in, week out. But we think it's important to, to be developing other voices and not just be only receiving the word from, from one guy. Now I will say Aaron is preaching his campground this weekend. So they've done a lot of faithful ministry there and we're excited they can do that. So just an overview today we're continuing our series through the book of Exodus. So we're in Exodus chapter 6 today. So we'll start out by reading the text. We'll pray together. Then we're going to work through the text together really line by line. And Lord willing, after we're done working through it, we'll put some main points to it and some themes and we'll see how God is going to use the life and the story of Moses to inform us how we should live in the here and now. Right? So again, we're in Exodus chapter 6 today. We can go ahead and turn there. Continue, continue to the book of Exodus. We're doing this summer. We're going to follow the life of Moses. God has been calling him to be a, to be a part of delivering the Israelites out of Egypt. And we're going to we're going to pick up here in chapter six. So this is the word of the Lord. But the Lord said to Moses, now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand, he will send them out. With a strong hand, he will drive them out of his land. God spoke to Moses and said to him, I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty. But by my name, the Lord, I did not make myself known to them. I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians sold as slaves. And I have remembered my covenant. Say therefore to the people of Israel, I am the Lord. And I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm. With great acts of judgment, I will take you to be my people. And I will be your God. And you shall know that I am the Lord, your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you for possession. I am the Lord. Moses. Thus. Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel. They did not listen to Moses because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. So the Lord said to Moses, go in. Tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to let the people of Israel go out of his land. Moses said to the Lord, behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me? For I am of uncircumcised lips. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh, king of Egypt. To bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. Now these are the heads of their fathers houses. The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel. Hanak, Palu, Hezron and Carmi. These are the clans of Reuben. The sons of Simeon, Jamil, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohor and Sha'. Ul. The sons of the Canaanite woman. These are the clans of Simeon. These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generation. Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The years of the life of Levi being 137 years. The sons of Gershon, Libni and Shimei. By their clans, the sons of Kohath, Amram, Ishar, Hebron and Uziel. The years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. The sons of Merari, Mahil and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. Amram took as his wife Jochebed, his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. The years of the life of Amram being 137 years. The sons of Izar, Korah, Nepheg and Zikri. Don't know about that one. Sons of Uzziel, Mishael, Elsaphan and Sitri. Aaron took as his wife El Shaba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon. And she bore him Nadab, Abuhu, Eleazar and Ithamar. The sons of Korah, Asir, Elkanah and Abiasaph. These are the clans of the Korahites. Eleazar, Aaron's son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Phutiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers, houses of the Levites by their cleans. And these are the Aaron and Moses, to whom the Lord said, bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their host. It was they who spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt. This Moses and this Aaron. And on this day, when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, the Lord said to Moses, I am the Lord. Tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, all that I say to you. But Moses said to the Lord, behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me? Let's pray. Lord, you're grateful for your word. Grateful that we get to learn from it and study it. We're grateful that your word, it studies and examines us as we study and examine it. Grateful for the life of Moses and the story of Moses. We pray that we would be faithful learners of it. We're grateful that you've sustained this church. And we ask that you would. I ask that you would help me speak your truth. Clearly. We don't come here just out of. Simply out of practice. We want it to be beneficial for the building up of your church, beneficial for the equipping of your saints. And. Yeah, we just pray that it's for your glory and for the. For the good of. For the good of those who know you. And it would be a means of evangelism for those who don't. So it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. So Exodus 6 is just a. It's just one chapter in the larger Moses narrative, right? So before we can focus on the, on the details of this passage, we have to remember where it sits within the larger story. So if we come to chapter six, without considering the setting of Moses life and his calling and the recent events, we're going to miss a lot of the weight of what God says here. So the Bible, right, is first and foremost a book about God and God's work to bring redemption, restoration to a fallen and rebellious and sinful people. And in this section of Exodus, though, God is in the process of bringing his people out of slavery in Egypt, and he's using Moses as his church chosen instrument. And because of that, we get this kind of like mini biography of Moses. So chapter six should be read as a chapter within a larger story. It is an isolated scene, but we can't. We can't really understand that isolated scene without the broader context, right? So before we work through chapter six, we need to. Just briefly, I want to look back briefly at Moses life and just see what's brought him to this moment. So, so Moses was an Israelite boy. He was born into an Israelite family while the Israelite nation is enslaved in Egypt, right? And when he was born, there's an Egyptian decree that says, you know, all the Israelite boys need to be killed. The Israelite nation is becoming too strong. Moses, however, was miraculously saved by his mother. He's eventually adopted by the Egyptian royal family, and he grows up in the Egyptian royal household. He's 40 years old. He's an adult. And Moses, he's somehow knowing that he's actually an Israelite, and he's seeing the slavery and the oppression of the Israelites, his true people. He stops an Egyptian who was beating an Israelite by murdering the Egyptian, right? And the day after his murder, Moses realizes he's like, I am in trouble. So he flees, he settles in a foreign land. He lives out. And he lives out 40 years, the next 40 years, right, as a shepherd in Midian. So he has a Midian wife, he has a Midian family, he has an occupation, and he's made a life for himself in this. This foreign land. Now, while Moses is being a shepherd, he has an encounter with God. God charges him to be the means by which God takes the nation of Israel out of Egypt. And in that encounter, Moses raises a lot of objections about his own shortcomings for the tasks. We're going to get into more. We're going to get into more of those shortcomings as we continue. But just know that Moses had a lot of questions and concerns about the task that God is giving him. And in response to Moses concerns and questions, God gives Moses powerful signs and miracles to demonstrate his power. And God also gives Moses the help of his brother Aaron to act as Moses spokesman, since Moses is always expressing his concern over his inability to speak well. Right? So that initial exchange between God and Moses is like all of chapter three and half of chapter four. Then at the end of chapter four and through most of chapter five, Moses then is acting on God's command to go back to the people of Israel who are enslaved in Egypt, and then to Pharaoh and to tell them that, you know, God is going to bring them out of Egypt, right? So Moses and Aaron, initially, they go to the elders of Israel. They tell them, God is going to deliver you from Egypt. And obviously this is well received, as we can imagine. And the Bible says the people believed and bowed their heads and they worshiped. But next, in chapter five, the end of chapter five, Moses and Aaron take their message to Pharaoh. And it goes about as well as we can imagine. So we covered last week. It was. It was far from well received by Pharaoh. Pharaoh does not let the Israelites go. And instead of letting them go, he increases their workload. So the Israelite work leaders take their complaints to Pharaoh. Pharaoh receives them without a shred of sympathy. And the Israelite slaves, then they turn their frustration towards Moses and Aaron. And that's seen at the last, at the end of chapter five. Here. This is the last scene that we have before we go into where we're starting today, into chapter six. So I'm going to read you these verses that lead up to where we're going to start from today, so we can get a grasp on the setting here. So Exodus 5, 20, 23 says they met Moses and Aaron. This is the. They say the Israelite foreman who are waiting for them as they came out from Pharaoh. I just can imagine the scene. Moses and Aaron are outside the meeting room. They're just like, oh my gosh, this is not going good, right? And they say to them, the Lord look on you and judge you because you have made a stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants. You've put a sword in their hand to kill us. Moses turned to the Lord and said, lord, why have you done this evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? Since I came to Pharaoh to speak your name, he's done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all. So again, the background matters here, because chapter six Begins with Moses discouraged. The people are downcast and Pharaoh is unmoved. So when God replies to Moses, he's replying to, you know, he's replying to his chosen instrument. Moses is still chosen, but the chosen instrument is once again, he's questioning God's plan. He's questioning God's timing, he's questioning his own calling. So we enter chapter six. Keep this God's. Chapter six is God responding to this mood in Moses. And he's answering Moses's frustrations and fears. So in response to Moses complaints, God is gonna, he's gonna reply to Moses questions, not directly, but rather he's gonna call. He's gonna call back to his previously stated purposes. So God is, there's, there's kind of a short answer in verse one, and then there's the long answer in verses two through eight. So verse one says, the Lord said to Moses, now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. With a strong hand, he will send them out. With a strong hand, he will drive them out of his land. So the short answer is that God is going to use his strong hand. And this verse, right, the verse is a good reminder to be a good and thorough student of the Bible, right? If we read this over too quickly in this translation of the Bible, it's like it's not clear who the strong hand belongs to, if it's God or Pharaoh. But if you look in the commentaries or the translation, it says the first and second strong hand, it's God. This is all God's work. And this is similar language to the initial conversation between God and Moses at the burning bush about this, how this interaction would go. So like Moses first encounter with God at the burning bush, it lays out how the deliverance process is going to go. And we don't see all the details of the narrative laid out in the in the burning bush conversation, but we see, we can see most of the narrative cover. So Exodus 3, verses 19 and 20. We also, God is using the similar language to convey, to lay out the extraction process of how it's going to go. He says, I know the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand, my hand again, and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it. And after that, he will let you go. So this, this repeated language matters, right? The strong hand, the mighty hand, the outstretched arm, it all points us to the same truth. Israel's deliverance is only going to come by God's power, right? Israel's deliverance is only going to come by God's power. So when we think about verse one, it's just important to see that God is clearly stating that the deliverance of his people will be by his power, his mighty, strong and active outstretched hand. It's important to note that it's not from the willpower of Moses over Pharaoh, and it's not from the generosity of Pharaoh either. Right? The Israelite people can only be on. They're only going to be delivered by the workings of a strong and all powerful God. And the people will be led by Moses, he says, but only because Moses is the man that God chose to be the messenger. So the people would be freed by Pharaoh, but only because of the more powerful and strong mighty hand of God that he showed over the stubbornness of Pharaoh. Right? So God's short answer to Moses is that my promise is not wavered. Moses says, why me? Why is this so hard? Why can't we make any progress, right? God essentially says this. He says, keep watching what I will do. So the current difficulty Moses finds himself in, it's not evidence that God's plan has failed. It's actually evidence that things are going to according to plan. Like Pharaoh will not be easily moved. This was laid out at the burning bush, right? So in God's short answer to Moses in verse one, that's, that's the short answer in verse one. But now let's look at the longer answer, verses two through eight. So as I was reading and I was meditating on this task, being prepared for this, I was just struck again at how God's lengthier reply to Moses groaning again. It's a repetition of something that's already been laid out in the Moses narrative, right? It's been laid out in God's conversation with Moses at the burning bush. So looking at verses four and five, it says, I established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan. And I heard people's groanings as slaves. And I remembered my covenant. I remembered my covenant. The same language that Moses uses. So Moses wrote all this when he writes the end of chapter two. At the end of chapter two, just this huge turning point in the narrative, you know, Moses has established himself in the land of Midian. Meanwhile, business as usual, we can say, continues in Egypt. And the rest of the nation of Israel is still under the oppression of Egyptian slavery, right? Chapter 2, verse 23 and 24 says, the people of Israel are crying to God for help to be freed from slavery. And God hears their Cries the key words here. God remembers his covenant with his people. God remembers his covenant with his people. After that, the narrative turns and God calls Moses at the burning bush. Right then, in the burning bush encounter between God and Moses, God twice recalls his covenant to give the land of Canaan to the offspring of Abraham. And that covenant is going to pull us way back to Genesis 12, the Abrahamic covenant in which God promises. Abraham says, your offspring will inhabit the land of canaan. So Genesis 12 is really the basis of the Exodus narrative because it's setting, it's establishing the promise that God's people will have a home where they can live and prosper and worship the true God. Now, keep working forward through verses 6, 7, and 8, God is gonna. He's gonna drive the details of this promised home even further. It's his promise to his people to remember the covenant, right? So verse six says, I, God, I'm going to free you from Egyptian slavery. And we see the imagery of God again here says, I'm reaching out and pulling his people out of slavery with an outstretched arm. In chapter four, God says, I'm going to use a mighty hand. In the beginning of chapter six, he says, I'm going to use a strong hand. And now here in chapter six, verse six, God says, it's worth an outstretched arm with great acts of judgment, right? In verse seven, it says, you will be my people, I will be your God, and you will know that I brought Israel out of slavery. And finally, verse 8 reminds us of the covenant that God made with Abraham. Says God, the promise that God would give the land of Canaan to the Israelites. Okay, so that's our first eight verses of this chapter. And this narrative is going to continue in verse nine. And Moses is going to start taking action on these commands next. But before we get into that, let me just look it back on these eight verses. I want to summarize as best I can here. So verses one through eight, they're. They're God's reply to Moses's grumblings, really, at the end of chapter five. And so if this were like. So I was thinking about this. This is a TV show. It's divided into episodes, right? Chapter 5 ends with. With Moses in the depths. He's standing outside of the meeting place if the Israelite foreman had just brought their failed appeal to Pharaoh. And so, like, right before the credits roll, Moses is just discouraged. He's frustrating. He's wondering why his obedience to God's commands have only made things worse. And I was thinking about this, the Bible doesn't tell us. We don't get any physical demonstrations from Moses in this moment. So I can only imagine it from my own experience. But I'll just say this, if you don't know me, I've worked in construction management for the last. Trying to remember now, 6, 7, 8 years now 9 out of 10 days wear work boots, jeans, a butt down shirt and a hat. When I need to look more presentable, I just don't wear the hat. Okay? Right. But when something goes wrong on a job site, which believe it or not, sometimes happens, right, the person responsible, usually me, you have to figure out what happened, we have to figure out how to fix it. You have to figure out how long it's going to take and then you have to explain it to everybody involved. Right. And then sometimes when multiple things go wrong at once, like my hat comes off, it's a good thing to throw when you're frustrated, right. And your hands go through, your hands go through my hair like this, right. And you're just going, I don't know anything, I don't know anything about anything. Right. But this is like, this is the kind of human frustration that I, that we see Moses in here. Like, we obviously don't know what he was wearing. We don't know if he wears a hat, if he throws it, we don't know if he turned around and kicked the sand or punched the wall. But, but because, but the, his words here, they're a man overwhelmed by a mission that seems to be collapsing in front of him. And we see this frustration mounting in Moses right here. So that, so Moses again, just keep this in mind before this whole conversation happens. Moses is rejected by Pharaoh, he's blamed by the Israelite foreman. And then he's just kind of like, he's like, this is all going backwards. Like nothing is going right here. So his questions at the end of chapter five, they're not like calm theological observations. They're the words of a desperate man. And he's like, he's like, I'm trying to be obedient, but all I'm doing is leading to more suffering here. So that's the first thing to remember in these first eight verses, right. God's answer is replying to a moment of great frustration. Okay, the second thing to remember here is that God never told Moses it was going to be easy. He was like, like at no point was he like, you're just going to waltz in there and it's going to, you know, it's one conversation. It's over, right? It's not how it's laid out. From the burning bush onward God. He's already told Moses that Pharaoh would resist, that the deliverance would require God's mighty hand. So God's reply isn't a change of plan. It's more of a reminder of the plan that he's already revealed. And it's a reminder that Moses, he's like, you should have expected some hardship here, right? And the third thing to remember about these first eight verses, it's God presenting himself as the covenant maker and the covenant keeper. And God is delivering Israel from slavery by delivering Israel from slavery and bringing them one step closer to the land of Canaan. It's more than Moses assignment. It's actually. It's God fulfilling the promise he made to Abraham. So Moses has to trust in this difficult obedience. He says, I have to trust that this is a part of God's larger plan. Okay, okay, we'll keep working through it here. Let's look at verses 9 through 13. I'll read these for us. Just to refresh it here. Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses because their broken spirit and harsh slavery. So the Lord said to Moses, go in, tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to let the people of Israel go out of his land. But Moses said to the Lord, behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me? For I am of uncircumcised lips. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about a people of Israel, about the people of Israel, and about Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt, Egypt. So. So first of all, here, I think we got to give Moses a little bit of credit here. He has some. We have obedience without grumbling in this case, right? He does what God commands. He's delivering the covenant reminder message to the people. But he hits another setback here. The message falls on deaf ears, right? Verse nine says that they don't. They wouldn't listen because their broken spirit and the harsh slavery. So, like going back to chapter five, Pharaoh's strategy has worked, at least for the moment. And the burden on the Israelites has become so heavy that, like, the mental occupation of survival has crowded out any glimmer of hope. And it's just one of the painful realities of this passage is like, when people are. When you're just crushed by the weight of the present moment, it's hard to see any promise of the future. So the Israelites, I don't think they're rejecting God's promise because it's untrue. I think they're just too burdened to receive it right now. So then moving forward in verses 10 through 13, the focus is going to shift from, from the people's inability to hear God's promise to Moses ongoing struggle to trust God's calling. So, so God tells Moses, he says, go back to Pharaoh and command to let Israel go. But immediately, Moses immediately goes back to his familiar objections. And Moses argues that, he says, if the people of Israel won't listen to me, Pharaoh certainly won't, right? He's like, these are the people. I'm these people who are going to benefit from this, right? Why is Pharaoh gets nothing out of this? Why would he listen? He says, he says, I have uncircumcised lips. And other translations say I have faltering lips, I have poor, poor speech. So in other words, Moses is saying the people who should most want to hear this message are not listening one, and then two. So why should Pharaoh? And lastly, third, I'm still not a good communicator. So God answers, he answers both objections. He gives a charge to Moses and Aaron. And Aaron's present presence is an answer to Moses concerned about speaking, right? Like we go back to chapter to the burning bush encounter. God says, I'll give you Aaron to help you speak, right? So just having Aaron there is an answer to one of the objections. Then the charge itself to Moses and Aaron, it just keeps it mission focused, right? He says, you gotta speak to both Israel and Pharaoh because God me, I am still intending to bring the nation of Israel out of Egypt. So, so neither Pharaoh's resistance, nor Israel's discouragement, nor Moses insecurity can overturn God's command. Okay, so that's, so we're through verse 13 now. Now at this point the narrative is going to pause for a genealogy and like, rather than skipping over it, we need to, we need to, we need to look through this and see how this serves the, the flow of chapter six and how it fits within larger narrative of the Old Testament. This is by no means the, the longest or the most, the most thorough genealogy of the Old Testament. But this one, the purpose of this genealogy, it's going to anchor Moses and Aaron and the family line of Israel. And it reminds us that this rescue mission that we're on here is, is tied to God's long standing covenant promise. So we see the genealogy start with Reuben and Israel, and Israel is another Name for Jacob. And Jacob, right, is the grandson of Abraham, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. And so we see again that Moses, he's just God's tool to fulfill the covenant between God and Abraham. Okay. And secondly the text self identifies its purpose in verse 26 to 27 says these are the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their host. It was they who spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, about bringing the people of Israel from Egypt. This Moses and this Aaron. So by including this family history, Moses connects the deliverance of Egypt back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He's not just, he's not stepping into this random moment in history. He's being placed place within the covenant story of God that God has been working on for generations. So this genealogy reminds us that God's promise has a history and his faithfulness is not interrupted by Moses weakness or by Pharaoh's resistance. Okay, final section of text here, verse 28:30. It's going to return us back to the main narrative, right? God is again going to direct Moses to speak to Pharaoh. And that's going to set us up for the events in chapter seven, right? There's a slight, there's a slight difference here. It says, tell Pharaoh, King of Egypt, all that I say to you. So we're kind of setting up for what's going to be happening next here. But this genealogy has reminded us that God's covenant purposes are still moving forward. And now the narrative is going to remind us that Moses has to continue forward as God's messenger. Right? But Moses again is going to repeat his old objection. He says, I'm not a strong speaker. How will Pharaoh listen? And the chapter is going to end with this kind of unresolved, unresolved tension in Moses mind. But not, not an unresolved, but nothing unresolved in God's plan. Right? The tension is with Moses. So that's our, that's our, that's our text, that's our passage. So Lord willing, let me just try to wrap this up for us here. It's not, it's not hard to see the repeated patterns here, right? As I, when I start writing a sermon, I have the Bible and I have a blank piece of a yellow legal pad. And I just, I make notes verse by verse, verse by verse. And as I'm doing this, I'm like, Moses complains about inability. God reminds him of God reminds Moses of God's greater purpose. Moses complains again. God reminds Moses again. Moses complains. I mean I Mean, it's like, it's not, it's not a. We don't have to be scholars here to see this repeated pattern, right? But that's like the power of the narrative, though. Like God is giving Moses this clear command. It's grounded in his power, it's grounded in covenant faithfulness. But Moses just keeps going back to his own weakness. Then God keeps pointing Moses, think beyond yourself. He's like, he's pointing Moses away, away from himself. He's pointing Moses back towards God who can accomplish the deliverance, right? And as we think about applying this passage, we have to be careful that we don't turn this into like the hero's journey of Moses and needing to believe in himself, right? The main point is not that Moses finally finds enough courage within himself. And that's the risk. These well known Old Testament narratives like Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel, Jonah, to name a few, that's the risk of these passages. The main point of these is that God is faithful, God is powerful, and God is using weak messengers to carry out his saving work. And that the danger in reading these like famous biblical narratives as if their deepest lesson was merely like, follow the healer's good traits and avoid his bad traits. Like, there's just a we can learn from Moses. But the shortfalling of that is that these characters and Moses, he's not the central figure of the passage, right? The strong arm of God, the mighty hand of God the mighty. The strong hand of God is the force that keeps the story moving forward. So when Moses is just repeatedly questioning his ability to do the work that God has called him to do, in one sense he's right. He's not wrong in his assessment of his own abilities, like Moses did not. He doesn't have the power to change Pharaoh's heart. He doesn't have the power to break the Egyptian oppression. He doesn't have the power to fulfill God's covenant promise. But Moses, still, he just keeps missing the point. It's like God is never asking him to be the deliverer. He's. God is asking him to be the messenger of the deliverer, right? Exodus chapter 3, verses 19 and 20 establish this. They say, I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand, this is God speaking, and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it. And after that he will let you go. So again, God is never asking Moses to be the mighty hand. He's just asking Moses to be the messenger. God is never commanding Moses to fulfill the covenant by his own strength. He's just commanding Moses to be an obedient participant in, in God's plan of keeping the covenant. So guys, if we can, this is like, if we can get this through our brains, we can save ourselves so much worry and hanry and consternation. Like, we are not the Saviors, we are not the Saviors. Moses cannot deliver Israel, deliver Israel by his own strength. And we can't deliver ourselves from the consequences of our own sin. Right? We can't save ourselves. Moses couldn't do it. We can't do it. Salvation belongs to the Lord and our calling is just faithful obedience in that. Now back to thinking about, thinking about this narrative as a whole. Like when we read narratives and especially these biographical narratives, it's easy to be the critic. So I say this next part with some hesitation because I don't, I'm confident I would not have done much better than Moses if I were in this situation. So with that trepidation, I, I, if we can glean one like kind of follow Moses lesson out of this or maybe don't follow Moses lesson. The, the lesson we need to learn is we need to be better at speaking the truth to ourselves, right? Moses has some moments of faithful obedience, but, but he's, more often than not he's, he's just plagued by his own self doubts. So when we think about this in the real world, I think about the phrase, I don't know where I heard it first. It's like you don't rise to the occasion, you drop to the level of your training, right? So I've just gotten done this summer. It's the seventh summer I've coached Demetrius, our oldest in baseball. And the past two summers I've been the first base coach. So I get a little bit of like mid at bat coaching time. And it takes me about half the season to remember that like you're not significantly moving the needle in like player development and talent in the middle of the game, in the middle of the at bat, right? Like you got a player with a bad swing at the beginning of that bat. Nothing you can say is really going to make a significant adjustment in the middle of the at bat. So like in the middle of the, in the middle of the game, in the middle of the moment. Most people, we don't rise to the occasion, we just stoop to the level of the training. Like the game moves so fast, the next moment comes so fast and the next moment is so overwhelming that like you stoop to the level of your training, right? So what we can learn from Moses Bad example here is that we have to be faithful and consistent and diligent in consuming what is right and true and what is from God. And we have to be faithful and consistent and diligent in reminding ourselves that like God is the strong and mighty hand and we are not. Right. And again, in full honesty, I don't think I would stack up much better than Moses. Again, it's easy to be the critic. Our life isn't canonized, Right. The main application is not be better than Moses. The main application is this. Like, we have to be mindful of how highly we view our own abilities and we have to be mindful of how low or not we view God's abilities. Right? We have to be mindful of how highly we view our own abilities. And we have to be mindful of how low or how high we view God's abilities. Right? One of my dear friends and mentors in construction and just life is a man named Travis. He's been doing construction management for over 30 years. He's a wonderful man of God, father of three faithful kids, grandfather, he's in construction terms. He's forgotten more work than I've ever managed and he's forgotten more lessons than I've ever learned yet. Right. If you've been to Lucille Downtown, he managed the renovation. It turned the bank vault into this wonderful event space. He's managed like a 500,000 square foot manufacturing plant. He has the experience and the credentials to be respected. And when I first met Travis, I'd been managing projects for like two years. I was like the most stressed out I had ever been. I had more responsibility than I ever had. Like deadlines in 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks. Coming up, Rachel's eight months pregnant with Chris. I'm like overwhelmed. And I meet Travis. I can remember it's like the Panera in Fitchburg. I'm like, Travis, how do you manage this? And he didn't. I can still remember this conversation. He says he didn't give me any. Do this every day. This is my project management checklist. He goes, you know, Rob, you do everything you can. Sometimes you just have to pray those projects over the finish line. Like that was it. It's like, it's, it's hopefully simple, but. But painfully simple, right? It's like you do all we can, but we have to. We have to. We have to show up, but we have to. We have to show up and do the work that God has called us to. Do diligently. But we have to realize that there are responsibilities and goals that seem impossible for man to shoulder. So we have to have to appeal to the all powerful God for help. So when we think about Moses and our narrative today, like Moses repeated objections, they just reveal we're seeing a man who felt the weight of his own weakness, but he struggled to rest in the strength of God. So church just wrapping this up. As we continue to think about Moses and we continue to think about God using Moses to carry out his work, my prayer is that we would learn to be faithful and obedient voices for God in the world. And not because we're strong enough to accomplish his purposes, but because we serve a God who is. So that's all we got for today. Let me pray for us today and then we'll do Lord supper after that. Lord, what a, What a joy and a burden it is. To be able to. Just take time to go into Moses's life in detail and take time to see, to see his shortcomings and to see, to see your strength and your promises and to see how you're using a flawed and sinful man to fulfill your promises, to fulfill your plan to redeem the world. Like. Pray for us, pray for our church that we would, we would diligently serve, we would diligently show up, we'd be faithful, obedient servants. But we would ultimately remember that it is not, it's not on our own strength. We serve an all powerful God who has a strong hand and a mighty arm. Even thinking of this sermon today, you're using a flawed and sinful man to bring, to deliver a divine and holy word here. So pray these words will not return empty and that they would be faithful for the good of your church, the evangelism of the world, and for the building up of the saints. It's in Christ's name we pray. Amen. The post God Promises Deliverance – Exodus 6: 1-30 appeared first on Red Village Church.

These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.2 Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.3 Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.4 Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.5 Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.6 Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.7 And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.9 Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.10 And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males.11 And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.12 And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.13 And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males.14 Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.15 And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.18 And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;19 And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;20 Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.24 Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,25 And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:26 I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;27 Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the Lord; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the Lord God of your fathers.29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.30 So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.32 And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.33 Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;34 By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the Lord.36 And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.

Ezra 8:1-23 New International Version List of the Family Heads Returning With Ezra 8 These are the family heads and those registered with them who came up with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes: 2 of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom; of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel; of the descendants of David, Hattush 3 of the descendants of Shekaniah; of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him were registered 150 men; 4 of the descendants of Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, and with him 200 men; 5 of the descendants of Zattu,[a] Shekaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men; 6 of the descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men; 7 of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men; 8 of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael, and with him 80 men; 9 of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men; 10 of the descendants of Bani,[b] Shelomith son of Josiphiah, and with him 160 men; 11 of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him 28 men; 12 of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan son of Hakkatan, and with him 110 men; 13 of the descendants of Adonikam, the last ones, whose names were Eliphelet, Jeuel and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men; 14 of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zakkur, and with them 70 men. The Return to Jerusalem 15 I assembled them at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there. 16 So I summoned Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, who were leaders, and Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of learning, 17 and I ordered them to go to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his fellow Levites, the temple servants in Kasiphia, so that they might bring attendants to us for the house of our God. 18 Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, 18 in all; 19 and Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and nephews, 20 in all. 20 They also brought 220 of the temple servants—a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name. 21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 So the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go out of his land.” 12 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?” 13 But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh king of Egypt: to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt.14 These are the heads of their fathers' houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. 15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the clans of Simeon.16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. 20 Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years. 21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. 22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23 Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24 The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites. 25 Eleazar, Aaron's son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites by their clans.26 These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said: “Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts.” 27 It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt, this Moses and this Aaron.28 On the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29 the Lord said to Moses, “I am the Lord; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” 30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”

Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.3 And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.5 Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.6 And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,8 The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,9 The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,10 The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,11 The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,12 The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,13 The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,14 The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,15 The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,17 The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,18 The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.19 These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the Lord, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.20 And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.21 Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.22 Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.24 Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.25 The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.28 Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.29 Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.30 The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.31 These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.

SheminiDe lezingen van parshat Shemini zijn Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 en 2 Samuël 6:1 - 7:17. We focussen in de onderwijzing in het bijzonder op de vijfde aliyah. Dit is het gedeelte van Leviticus 10:16-20. We lezen dat Eliëzar en Ithamar terechtgewezen worden door Mozes, vanwege de bok van het zondoffer. Zij hadden deze verbrand, in plaats van opgegeten. We lezen hoe hun vader Aäron een antwoord geeft aan Mozes, dat hem geruststelt. Wat heeft dit alles met rouw te maken? En hoe geven we rouw een gezonde plaats in ons leven? Aan welke regels is dit gebonden…?Support the show

This is another one of those chapters in the Bible that is not necessarily inspirational or having meaning for us as disciples of Messiah Jesus as we read it.  It is interesting for sure, but it seems only God's details to Moses for how to conduct the induction of (I'm using the Hebrew pronunciation of the names) Ah-aron as high priest and his sons, Naydav, Aveeoo, Elahzar and Ithamar as priests.  But, then we put this text in its historical context and everything changes.  It is clear this is about God's intention to continue to separate His chosen people, the Hebrews, from Egypt.  The had assimilated into the Egyptian culture and now the Lord was doing all things necessary to get Egypt out of Israel.  And it is not as easy for Him as taking Israel out of Egypt.  I did a podcast on showing that indeed the Bible implies that Israel had indeed integrated into the culture of Israel and perhaps assimlated.  Check it out ... Exodus 4 part 2 - Exod. 2:11-25 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-lesson-4-part-2-exod-211-25/ Now we ask the question how did those Hebrews who just came out of Egypt (it had only been no more than 3 months since they left Egypt) possibly understand this ceremony and the sacrifices.  When we put this text back to the year 1446 B.C. we understand that to know the symbolism of this induction of Ah-aron as high priest and his sons, Naydav, Aveeoo, Elahzar and Ithamar as priests we need to understand Egypt, the Egyptian gods, the Egyptian pagan religion, and the Egyptian culture.   One scholar that the Lord provided me was Dr. John Currid.  He is a reputable and proven archaeologist, Egyptologist, and proven theologian.  I highly recommend two of his books.  Check out the pictures below.  Both are available for reduced price at www.Thriftbooks.com.  Get them.  You won't be sorry.  To know the Torah you need to know Egypt.  Amazing stuff. In this lesson we talked about a number of awesome topics.  Here's more on those topics. * OUR BODY LIKE A TENT Rabbis plus Greek scholars of Paul's day teach that the human body is like the Mishkan (Tabernacle) or a tent, symbolizing a portable dwelling for God's presence. This concept primarily found in 2 Corinthians 5:1 and the Wisdom of Solomon 9:15. This concept emphasizes the mortality of the physical body and the anticipation of an eternal, heavenly, and "not made with hands" body to replace it. along with Greek philosophers plus later in mystical Jewish tradition (Kabbalah) and midrash, sees the body as a sacred space housing divine sparks.    [1] https://www.berotbatayin.org/why-do-we-need-to-know-all-these-details-of-the-mishkan-tabernacle/ [2] https://medium.com/@coulter.daniel/bible-study-exodus-26-269ea6d7b466 [3] https://biblehub.com/study/psalms/15-1.htm * APIS BULL - sacred diety of ancient Egypt - https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/bullcult/ * AMUN RE  https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/amun/ * LEAVENED BREAD DISCOVERED IN EGYPT - https://youtu.be/LlipgR0sWqY?si=9sJuGuX9WTytqc0C * LIVERS AND DIVINATION https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-practice-of-divination-in-the-ancient-near-east Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  (Ferret - on Tel el Safi or ancientGath Israel) What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

Friday Bible Study (2/20/26) // Ezra 8:1-20 (ESV) // *Genealogy of Those Who Returned with Ezra*// 8 These are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king: 2 Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the sons of David, Hattush. 3 Of the sons of Shecaniah, who was of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah, with whom were registered 150 men. 4 Of the sons of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him 200 men. 5 Of the sons of Zattu,[a] Shecaniah the son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men. 6 Of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men. 7 Of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men. 8 Of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him 80 men. 9 Of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men. 10 Of the sons of Bani,[b] Shelomith the son of Josiphiah, and with him 160 men. 11 Of the sons of Bebai, Zechariah, the son of Bebai, and with him 28 men. 12 Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him 110 men. 13 Of the sons of Adonikam, those who came later, their names being Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men. 14 Of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zaccur, and with them 70 men.Ezra Sends for Levites15 I gathered them to the river that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found there none of the sons of Levi. 16 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of insight, 17 and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and[c] the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God. 18 And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen, 18; 19 also Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, 20; 20 besides 220 of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name.Footnotesa. Ezra 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks of Zattub. Ezra 8: 10 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks Banic. Ezra 8: 17 Hebrew lacks andWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW USFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TO SUPPORT US Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Leviticus 10:1–2, 16–20 (ESV)  “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. … Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up. And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying, ‘Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord?' And Aaron said to Moses, ‘Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord, and yet such things as these have happened to me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would the Lord have approved?' And when Moses heard that, he approved.” In this episode of Daily Devotions, Pastor David Sumrall draws our attention to an important leadership lesson from Leviticus. God's commands matter deeply, especially to those who serve near His presence. When Nadab and Abihu disregarded what the Lord had instructed, the consequences were immediate and severe, showing that closeness to God carries responsibility. Later in the chapter, Moses confronted Aaron and his remaining sons over another concern. This time, Moses asked questions and listened carefully to Aaron's explanation. Aaron's actions were shaped by grief and circumstance, not defiance. When Moses heard the explanation, he accepted it. This passage shows us that wise leadership holds firmly to God's instructions while also listening carefully when there is a reasonable explanation. Leaders must care deeply about obedience, but they must also be willing to hear the heart behind a situation. Leviticus reminds us that discernment, humility, and listening are essential in leadership within the Bible and Church life at Cathedral of Praise and beyond, as taught through Daily Devotions with David Sumrall. ---- Discover fundamental truths and the power of Scripture with Pastor David E. Sumrall on Daily Devotions. Pastor Sumrall serves as the Undershepherd of the Cathedral of Praise, a Christian church dedicated to Jesus and His Word, with campuses across Metro Manila and branches around the world.   Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon 

The Bhagavad Gita is a world classic often considered to be not just the 'Hindu Bible' but sometimes the 'Indian Bible' as well. Over the last two centuries, it has attracted much scholarly attention from Indologists. Ithamar Theodor's bold and revisionist monograph The Philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita (Cambridge UP, 2025) aspires to further develop their scholarship by treating the Gita as a discrete philosophy and by offering a systematic survey of its main topics and doctrines, in so doing emphasising their philosophical potential. A major innovation here is the articulation of the Gita's structure extracted from Vedantic and Yogic pattens of thought, presented in a modern fashion. This centres on the Gita's Vedantic concept of hierarchical reality and its Yogic concept of a ladder. Beyond its overarching philosophical and holistic approach to the Bhagavad Gita, the book addresses major themes such as dharma, rebirth, Yoga and Sankhya, bhakti, the Upanishadic nature of the text, and concepts of divinity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The Bhagavad Gita is a world classic often considered to be not just the 'Hindu Bible' but sometimes the 'Indian Bible' as well. Over the last two centuries, it has attracted much scholarly attention from Indologists. Ithamar Theodor's bold and revisionist monograph The Philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita (Cambridge UP, 2025) aspires to further develop their scholarship by treating the Gita as a discrete philosophy and by offering a systematic survey of its main topics and doctrines, in so doing emphasising their philosophical potential. A major innovation here is the articulation of the Gita's structure extracted from Vedantic and Yogic pattens of thought, presented in a modern fashion. This centres on the Gita's Vedantic concept of hierarchical reality and its Yogic concept of a ladder. Beyond its overarching philosophical and holistic approach to the Bhagavad Gita, the book addresses major themes such as dharma, rebirth, Yoga and Sankhya, bhakti, the Upanishadic nature of the text, and concepts of divinity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

The Bhagavad Gita is a world classic often considered to be not just the 'Hindu Bible' but sometimes the 'Indian Bible' as well. Over the last two centuries, it has attracted much scholarly attention from Indologists. Ithamar Theodor's bold and revisionist monograph The Philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita (Cambridge UP, 2025) aspires to further develop their scholarship by treating the Gita as a discrete philosophy and by offering a systematic survey of its main topics and doctrines, in so doing emphasising their philosophical potential. A major innovation here is the articulation of the Gita's structure extracted from Vedantic and Yogic pattens of thought, presented in a modern fashion. This centres on the Gita's Vedantic concept of hierarchical reality and its Yogic concept of a ladder. Beyond its overarching philosophical and holistic approach to the Bhagavad Gita, the book addresses major themes such as dharma, rebirth, Yoga and Sankhya, bhakti, the Upanishadic nature of the text, and concepts of divinity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

The Bhagavad Gita is a world classic often considered to be not just the 'Hindu Bible' but sometimes the 'Indian Bible' as well. Over the last two centuries, it has attracted much scholarly attention from Indologists. Ithamar Theodor's bold and revisionist monograph The Philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita (Cambridge UP, 2025) aspires to further develop their scholarship by treating the Gita as a discrete philosophy and by offering a systematic survey of its main topics and doctrines, in so doing emphasising their philosophical potential. A major innovation here is the articulation of the Gita's structure extracted from Vedantic and Yogic pattens of thought, presented in a modern fashion. This centres on the Gita's Vedantic concept of hierarchical reality and its Yogic concept of a ladder. Beyond its overarching philosophical and holistic approach to the Bhagavad Gita, the book addresses major themes such as dharma, rebirth, Yoga and Sankhya, bhakti, the Upanishadic nature of the text, and concepts of divinity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions

The Bhagavad Gita is a world classic often considered to be not just the 'Hindu Bible' but sometimes the 'Indian Bible' as well. Over the last two centuries, it has attracted much scholarly attention from Indologists. Ithamar Theodor's bold and revisionist monograph The Philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita (Cambridge UP, 2025) aspires to further develop their scholarship by treating the Gita as a discrete philosophy and by offering a systematic survey of its main topics and doctrines, in so doing emphasising their philosophical potential. A major innovation here is the articulation of the Gita's structure extracted from Vedantic and Yogic pattens of thought, presented in a modern fashion. This centres on the Gita's Vedantic concept of hierarchical reality and its Yogic concept of a ladder. Beyond its overarching philosophical and holistic approach to the Bhagavad Gita, the book addresses major themes such as dharma, rebirth, Yoga and Sankhya, bhakti, the Upanishadic nature of the text, and concepts of divinity.

*Parshas Pekudei* אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת אֲשֶׁר פֻּקַּד עַל־פִּי מֹשֶׁה עֲבֹדַת הַלְוִיִּם בְּיַד אִיתָמָר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן׃ These are the records of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the Pact, which were drawn up at Moses' bidding—the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. Subscribe/Listen/Share onepasukpodcast.com

Una de las cualidades que necesitamos desarrollar para honrar a Dios es el agradecimiento.

Numbers 3 – The Levites and Their Role in Israelite Worship Numbers 3 details the census and duties of the Levites, the tribe set apart for religious service in Israel. This chapter explains their responsibilities, their unique status among the tribes, and the substitution of the Levites for Israel's firstborn sons. Understanding the historical and cultural context of this passage provides deeper insight into Israel's priesthood and the organization of worship in the ancient Near East. 1. The Role of the Levites (Numbers 3:1-13) Numbers 3 begins by listing the sons of Aaron—Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar—who were appointed as priests. However, Nadab and Abihu died after offering “unauthorized fire” before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2). This reinforces the seriousness of priestly duties and the necessity of following God's precise instructions. God then designates the entire tribe of Levi to assist the priests in caring for the Tabernacle, Israel's central place of worship. The Levites are given as a substitute for the firstborn sons of Israel, whom God originally claimed after the Passover in Egypt (Exodus 13:2, Exodus 13:11-16). In ancient cultures, firstborn sons were often dedicated to religious service, but God chose to replace Israel's firstborn with the Levites as a special class of religious servants. Historical Context: •Many ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, had hereditary priesthoods. In contrast, Israel's priesthood was unique in that it was not open to all Levites—only Aaron's descendants could serve as high priests, while other Levites handled the Tabernacle's maintenance and transport. •The concept of dedicating firstborns to deities was widespread in the ancient world. The Israelites, however, did not practice human sacrifice (as seen in Canaanite religions); instead, they dedicated their firstborn to God's service or redeemed them with a substitute. 2. The Census of the Levites (Numbers 3:14-39) Moses is commanded to count all male Levites from one month old and older. This is different from the earlier military census, which counted men 20 years and older (Numbers 1). The Levites were not warriors but were responsible for religious duties. The Levites were divided into three major clans based on the sons of Levi: •Gershonites (7,500 men) – Responsible for the Tabernacle's curtains and coverings. •Kohathites (8,600 men) – Carried the most sacred objects (Ark of the Covenant, lampstand, altar, etc.). •Merarites (6,200 men) – Managed the structural components (wooden frames, bars, and bases). The total number of Levite males was 22,000. Historical Context: •The organization of religious service based on family groups was common in ancient priesthoods. •The Ark of the Covenant, which the Kohathites carried, was seen as the holiest object in Israel. Similar sacred chests existed in Egypt and Mesopotamia, but Israel's Ark uniquely represented God's presence rather than a physical idol. 3. Redemption of the Firstborn (Numbers 3:40-51) Since the firstborn of Israel originally belonged to God, a substitution was required. There were 22,273 firstborn males, slightly more than the 22,000 Levites counted. To account for the extra 273 firstborns, a redemption fee of five shekels per person was paid to the priests. Historical Context: •Redemption fees were a common practice in the ancient Near East. Five shekels was a significant amount, reinforcing the sacred value of the firstborn. •The use of silver in religious transactions was common in the region. Many cultures had temple-based economies where silver was a primary currency for offerings. Key Lessons from Numbers 3 in Historical Context 1.God's Sovereign Choice – The Levites were chosen to serve instead of the firstborn sons, showing that God's decisions override human customs. 2.Order and Organization – The strict division of Levite duties ensured proper worship, just as ancient temple systems had clear roles for priests and assistants. 3.The Holiness of Worship – The tragic deaths of Nadab and Abihu highlight the importance of following God's instructions exactly in religious practices. 4.The Concept of Redemption – The ransom for the firstborn symbolizes the broader biblical theme of redemption, which is later fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice. Numbers 3 provides a detailed look at Israel's priesthood, reflecting both practical and spiritual principles that set the nation apart from surrounding cultures. The Levites played a crucial role in preserving the holiness of Israel's worship, ensuring that God's presence remained among His people.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Numbers Chapter 4 – Duties of the Levites Overview: Numbers 4 details the responsibilities of the Levite clans in relation to the Tabernacle. God instructs Moses and Aaron to organize the Levites by their families and assign them specific duties for transporting the sacred objects of the Tabernacle. The chapter focuses on the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites, each given distinct tasks. Key Sections: 1. The Duties of the Kohathites (Numbers 4:1-20) •The Kohathites, one of the three clans of Levi, were responsible for carrying the most sacred objects of the Tabernacle, including: •The Ark of the Covenant •The Table of Showbread •The Golden Lampstand •The Altars •The Utensils used in worship •Before the Kohathites could transport these items, Aaron and his sons (the priests) had to cover them with special cloths and leather to protect them and keep them from direct contact. •God warned that if any Kohathite touched the holy objects, they would die. Their role was strictly to carry the items, not to see or handle them directly. 2. The Duties of the Gershonites (Numbers 4:21-28) •The Gershonites were assigned to carry the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the Tabernacle. •They were under the supervision of Ithamar, the son of Aaron. •Their duties included: •Transporting the curtains of the Tabernacle •Carrying the covering of the Tent of Meeting •Moving the curtains of the courtyard and entrance •Handling the ropes used to secure the structure 3. The Duties of the Merarites (Numbers 4:29-33) •The Merarites had the task of carrying the framework of the Tabernacle, including: •The boards, bars, pillars, bases, and pegs •Like the Gershonites, they were also under the command of Ithamar. •This job required heavy lifting, as they were responsible for the structural components. 4. Census of the Levites (Numbers 4:34-49) •Moses, Aaron, and the leaders conducted a census of all Levites aged 30-50 years old, as they were the ones eligible for service. •The final count of Levites eligible for service was: •Kohathites – 2,750 men •Gershonites – 2,630 men •Merarites – 3,200 men •Total: 8,580 Levites assigned to serve in the Tabernacle. Themes & Lessons: 1.Order and Organization in Worship •God was very specific about how the Tabernacle should be handled, showing that worship should be done with reverence and structure. 2.Holiness and Responsibility •The Kohathites had to be careful not to touch or even look at the sacred objects uncovered, highlighting God's holiness and the importance of obedience. 3.Everyone Has a Role in God's Work •The different Levite clans had different responsibilities, reminding us that everyone has a unique role in serving God. 4.God's Provision for His People •The Levites did not receive land like the other tribes, but God provided for them by giving them special roles in worship and service. Conclusion: Numbers 4 highlights the importance of obedience, holiness, and structure in serving God. It teaches that God values organization, reverence, and responsibility in worship. It also reminds us that every person has a role in God's work, and when we follow His instructions, we honor Him in our service.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Exodus 38 details the construction of specific elements of the Tabernacle, highlighting the craftsmanship and dedication of the Israelites under the leadership of Bezalel. The chapter begins with the making of the altar of burnt offering, constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with bronze. It is equipped with horns at its four corners and various utensils, all made of bronze, including pots, shovels, basins, forks, and firepans. Bezalel also creates a bronze grating to fit into the altar, with rings and poles to facilitate its transportation. The next item described is the bronze basin, made from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. This basin, along with its stand, is used for ceremonial washing, emphasizing the importance of purity in worship. The narrative then turns to the courtyard, describing its dimensions, materials, and craftsmanship. The courtyard is enclosed by curtains made of finely twisted linen, hung on bronze pillars with silver hooks and bands. The entrance curtain is crafted from blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, woven with fine linen, reflecting the intricate design that signifies its sacred purpose. Exodus 38 concludes with an inventory of materials used in the Tabernacle's construction. Ithamar, Aaron's son, oversees the recording of these materials. The total weight of gold, silver, and bronze collected from the Israelites is meticulously listed. The silver is derived from a census tax, with each man aged twenty and older contributing half a shekel. These resources are used for the sockets, hooks, and other components of the Tabernacle. This detailed account underscores the collective effort and generosity of the community in creating a dwelling place for God, a symbol of His presence among His people.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Exodus 28: The Priestly Garments Exodus 28 details God's instructions to Moses for the making of the priestly garments. These garments were designed for Aaron and his sons, who were chosen to serve as priests in the tabernacle. The chapter underscores the sacred role of the priesthood and emphasizes the importance of holiness, beauty, and divine order in worship. Below is a breakdown of the chapter: 1. Appointment of Aaron and His Sons (Verses 1-5) God commands Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons (Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar) as priests to serve Him. Skilled craftsmen, filled with wisdom and understanding, are to make sacred garments for them. These garments were meant to: •Set the priests apart for their holy duties. •Reflect the glory and beauty of God. The materials used included gold, blue, purple, scarlet yarns, and fine linen, signifying wealth, royalty, and purity. 2. The Ephod (Verses 6-14) The ephod, a ceremonial vest, was one of the key garments: •Made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns and fine twisted linen. •Designed with two shoulder pieces to fasten it. •Two onyx stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were placed on the shoulders as a memorial before the Lord. •Gold chains attached the ephod to other parts of the attire. The ephod symbolized the priest carrying the tribes of Israel before God. 3. The Breastpiece of Judgment (Verses 15-30) The breastpiece, worn over the ephod, served a dual purpose of beauty and function: •Crafted with the same materials as the ephod. •A square pouch containing twelve stones arranged in four rows, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel. •Attached to the ephod with gold rings and blue cords. The breastpiece also housed the Urim and Thummim, tools used for divine guidance in judgment. 4. The Robe of the Ephod (Verses 31-35) The robe was made entirely of blue fabric: •Decorated with pomegranates made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, alternating with gold bells along the hem. •The bells were meant to sound as the priest entered and exited the Holy Place, ensuring his life was preserved in God's presence. 5. The Turban and Gold Plate (Verses 36-39) The priest's turban included a gold plate inscribed with “Holy to the Lord.” •Fastened with a blue cord to the turban. •Served as a reminder of the holiness required in approaching God. 6. The Tunics, Sashes, and Underwear (Verses 40-43) •Tunics and sashes were made for Aaron's sons, signifying their priestly role. •Linen undergarments were provided for modesty, preventing sin in the holy place. •These garments were to be worn perpetually whenever the priests served, under penalty of death for disobedience. 6. The Tunics, Sashes, and Underwear (Verses 40-43) •Tunics and sashes were made for Aaron's sons, signifying their priestly role. •Linen undergarments were provided for modesty, preventing sin in the holy place. •These garments were to be worn perpetually whenever the priests served, under penalty of death for disobedience. Themes and Significance 1.Holiness and Set-Apartness: The priestly garments emphasized the holiness of God and the need for those serving Him to reflect that holiness. 2.Representation of the People: The names of the twelve tribes on the ephod and breastpiece illustrated the priest's role as a mediator, carrying the people before God. 3.Divine Order and Beauty: Every detail in the garments reflected God's perfection and the importance of worship being done according to His design. 4.Christ as the Ultimate High Priest: These garments point forward to Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who perfectly mediates between God and humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16). Exodus 28 teaches us the importance of reverence, preparation, and order in worship, emphasizing God's desire for His people to approach Him in purity and humility.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Sermon Series: “The Incarnation: God's Unwavering Commitment to His World” Sermon Text: Luke 1:5-17, 76-79 Sermon Title: “Love Means Always Saying You're Sorry” Sermon Slides: SLIDE 1 – Sermon Title Slide SLIDE 2 – Today's Big Idea: True Love Means True Repentance. But True Repentance Isn't our Chore … it's God's Grace! SLIDE 3 – Point 1: God's Unwavering Commitment … Sends His True Prophet. (Lk. 1:5-17) SLIDE 4 – 1 Chronicles 24:1-8 – “The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests … David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service … They divided them by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God … the eighth [lot fell] to Abijah.” SLIDE 5 – Insert a Copy of Point #1 of Sermon SLIDE 6 – Numbers 6:1-3 – “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes … the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink.” SLIDE 7 – Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” SLIDE 8 – Insert a Copy of Point #1 of Sermon SLIDE 9 – Point 2: God's Uncompromising Communion … Requires Our True Repentance. (Lk. 1:76-79) SLIDE 10 – Romans 12:1 – “I appeal to you therefore … by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” SLIDE 11 – Romans 2:4 – “Do you presume on the riches of his kindness … not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” SLIDE 12 – Insert a Copy of Point #2 of Sermon SLIDE 13 – 2 Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” SLIDE 14 – Four Uses of This Sermon for Our Church and Lives. SLIDE 15 – Christmas Isn't About Sentiment … It's About Our Salvation. SLIDE 16 – Our Relationship with God Comes by Subtraction, not Just Addition. SLIDE 17 – Where Do We Need to Repent … To Prepare this Advent? SLIDE 18 – John is God's Preparation … for Jesus, God's Incarnation.

En la tercera parte de nuestra enseñanza sobre el gozo, pastora Ithamar nos habla sobre el gozo de vivir imitando a Cristo.

And Moses spoke thus unto the sons of Israel; and they heard not Moses for distress of spirit, and for hard service. And Jehovah spoke unto Moses, saying, Come, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and let him send the sons of Israel out of his land. And Moses spoke before Jehovah, saying, Behold the sons of Israel have not heard me; and how shall Pharaoh hear me, and I am uncircumcised in lips? And Jehovah spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a command unto the sons of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to lead forth the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt. These are the heads of their fathers' houses: the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben. And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman; these are the families of Simeon. And these are the names of the sons of Leviticus according to their births; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari; and the years of the life of Leviticus were a hundred and thirty and seven years. The sons of Gershon; Libni and Shimei, according to their families. And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were a hundred and thirty and three years. And the sons of Merari; Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of Leviticus according to their births. And Amram took Jochebed his father's sister for a woman; and she bare him Aaron and Moses; and the years of the life of Amram were a hundred and thirty and seven years. And the sons of Izhar; Korah and Nepheg, and Zichri. And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael and Elzaphan, and Sithri. And Aaron took him Elisheba, the daughter of Aminadab, the sister of Nahshon, for a woman; and she bare him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. And the sons of Korah; Assir and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites. And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel for a woman; and she bare him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families. This is the Aaron and Moses to whom Jehovah said, Lead forth the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies. These are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to lead forth the sons of Israel from Egypt. This is the Moses and Aaron. And it was in the day that Jehovah spoke unto Moses in the land of Egypt, And Jehovah spoke unto Moses, saying, I am Jehovah; speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak unto thee. And Moses said before Jehovah, Behold I am uncircumcised in lips, and how shall Pharaoh hear me? Exodus 6:9-30 Stammering Arcana Coelestia 7225. [2] From these passages it is evident that “to be uncircumcised” denotes to be impure; and as everything impure is from impure loves, which are the love of the world and the love of self, therefore by “uncircumcised” is signified that which impedes the influx of good and truth. Where these loves are, the inflowing good and truth are extinguished, for they are contraries, like heaven and hell. Hence by the “uncircumcised ear” is signified disobedience, and by the “uncircumcised heart” the rejection of good and truth, which is especially the case when these loves have fortified themselves with falsity as with a wall. [3] That Moses, because he stammered, calls himself “uncircumcised in lips,” is for the sake of the internal sense, that thereby might be signified that they who are in falsities, who are represented by Pharaoh, would not hearken to the things that would be said to them from the law Divine, because they who are in falsities call the truths which are of the law Divine, falsities; and the falsities which are contrary to the truths of the law Divine they call truths, for they are wholly in the opposite. Hence by them the truths of doctrine are not perceived otherwise than as impure; even heavenly loves appear to them impure. Moreover,

38 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. Five cubits was its length, and five cubits its breadth. It was square, and three cubits was its height. 2 He made horns for it on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. 3 And he made all the utensils of the altar, the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its utensils of bronze. 4 And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, extending halfway down. 5 He cast four rings on the four corners of the bronze grating as holders for the poles. 6 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. 7 And he put the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar to carry it with them. He made it hollow, with boards. 8 He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting. 9 And he made the court. For the south side the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits; 10 their twenty pillars and their twenty bases were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. 11 And for the north side there were hangings of a hundred cubits; their twenty pillars and their twenty bases were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. 12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their ten pillars, and their ten bases; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. 13 And for the front to the east, fifty cubits. 14 The hangings for one side of the gate were fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases.15 And so for the other side. On both sides of the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three bases. 16 All the hangings around the court were of fine twined linen. 17 And the bases for the pillars were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. The overlaying of their capitals was also of silver, and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver. 18 And the screen for the gate of the court was embroidered with needlework in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It was twenty cubits long and five cubits high in its breadth, corresponding to the hangings of the court. 19 And their pillars were four in number. Their four bases were of bronze, their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their capitals and their fillets of silver.20 And all the pegs for the tabernacle and for the court all around were of bronze. 21 These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 22 Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lordcommanded Moses; 23 and with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. 24 All the gold that was used for the work, in all the construction of the sanctuary, the gold from the offering, was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels,[b] by the shekel of the sanctuary.25 The silver from those of the congregation who were recorded was a hundred talents and 1,775 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary: 26 a beka[c] a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone who was listed in the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.27 The hundred talents of silver were for casting the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil; a hundred bases for the hundred talents, a talent a base. 28 And of the 1,775 shekels he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their capitals and made fillets for them. 29 The bronze that was offered was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels; 30 with it he made the bases for the entrance of the tent of meeting, the bronze altar and the bronze grating for it and all the utensils of the altar, 31 the bases around the court, and the bases of the gate of the court, all the pegs of the tabernacle, and all the pegs around the court.

Well it was typically right around this time of year when, every year, as a kid, our family would pack up our bags, load up the car, and travel up to Lutsen, Minnesota. Anyone ever been up to Lutsen before? It's a beautiful area. It's also an area that's four hours away, by car, from the cities. Which, for me as a kid, might as well have been eternity.So, like most kids, in an effort to offset the boredom that I would experience during the four-hour long drives, I began to develop and perfect my road trip set up, which involved stuffing all my drawing supplies into the cupholder and against the window to my left, placing my CDs and no-skip Sony Walkman to my right, usually on top of an overhanging suitcase of some sort, and then stacking a pile of Sports Illustrated for Kids magazines about a foot tall on the floor below my feet. I'd get that set up just right, squeeze on into what remained of the seat, and then buckle in for the journey. And it was typically about 20-30 minutes later when I'd begin wonder, “Why are we still parked in the driveway?” “Why have we yet to go anywhere?” I mean, I'm clearly ready to go. Why isn't this car moving yet?” I'm guessing you've been there before. And if so, then believe it or not, you know something of what readers of the Bible can, at times, experience when reading through these first few chapters in the book of Numbers — a kind of fidgeting, watch-checking, growing sense of impatience.Why We Grow ImpatientAnd there's a reason for that. The fact that we've now, by this time in the narrative, been gearing up to go somewhere for quite some time. What I mean is that, ever since Exodus chapter 19, following God's miraculous rescue of his people, the Israelites, from Egypt, we've been parked in the wilderness of Sinai. And not with intention of staying there indefinitely. But, with the intention of eventually moving on from there, to the Promised Land – the land of Canaan. And yet, as Exodus comes to its close and gives way to Leviticus, and Leviticus comes to its close and gives way to Numbers, in Sinai we yet remain. And so, as readers of the story, we begin to wonder, “Why are we still parked in the driveway?” “Why have we yet to go anywhere?” I mean, I'm clearly ready to go. Why isn't this thing moving yet?”But here's where our true colors really show, as a people. Here's where it becomes clear that either we've already forgotten the significance of all that's been going on throughout this stop in Sinai, or we never really grasped the significance of it all in the first place. Here's what I mean: it was while in Sinai, that God made a covenant with this people and gave them the Law (Exodus Ch. 20-24). And it was while in Sinai, that God took up his earthly residence in the Tabernacle (picture a somewhat large, tent-like structure), filling it with his glory as a cloud (Ex. 40). It was while in Sinai that this Tabernacle (dwelling place of God) became the Tent of Meeting between God and his people. And that was through the establishment of the Priesthood and the sacrificial system. And so, had the people not lingered in Sinai, and had not all the events of the second half of Exodus and the entirety of Leviticus occurred while here in Sinai, then we'd be looking at quite a different picture at this point. A people who still have no formal relationship with God, still have no experience of nearness to God, and still have no covering for their sin before God, heading into the Promised Land alone. You know why we so often get impatient as a people? So often ask, “God, why are we still parked here?” It's because though we do, by nature, desire comfort, and though we do, by nature, desire prosperity, and though we do, by nature, desire to dwell in the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey – we do not by nature desire God. We desire his stuff, we desire his space. And we think our salvation lies in getting it, rather than getting him. We disregard the ultimate treasure, God himself, and go out in search of pocket-change instead. It is a mercy, absolute mercy, brothers and sisters, that God parks us from time-to-time in the wilderness. It's there we often realize that what we really need in life is God. And if we gain him, we will have gained all we ever needed. Israel was parked in Sinai for that: Creation of a relationship with God through covenant, experience of that relationship in God's presence, a presence enabled by the mediation of the priests and the sacrificial system.Now, here's the thing though. By Numbers 1, all those boxes have been checked. And we're still not going anywhere. We're going to yet stay here in Sinai till Numbers chapter 10. Why? With covenant made, Tabernacle created, sacrifices in motion — What is it that's still lacking?We're going to attempt to answer that question through the remainder of this sermon. And we'll do so, Lord-willing, with the help of three R's: Roles, relationships, and realities.1. RolesLet's begin with roles. And this first point will be our longest of the three. Roles. God is going to assign roles for his people to play throughout their journey in the wilderness. First one we're going to look at is that of the priest. You can see in Numbers 3:1-3,“These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests.”Now, if you were with us back in the fall of 2022 for our series through Leviticus, you might remember that the role of the priest involved carrying out the daily sacrifices upon the altar of the Tabernacle — sacrifices which served as a necessary covering for both their sins as well as the sins of the people. But the people who could qualify for this role represented only a very small percentage of the total population of Israel. From all those belonging to the 12 tribes we narrow down to those belonging to one tribe, that of Levi. From those belonging to the tribe of Levi, we narrow down to descendants of Aaron. Is it only this small percentage of the people who get a role to play? Is it the priests, and then everyone else simply along for the ride? Enter, a new role, the Levite.LevitesTurn back with me to Numbers 1:50-51,“But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.” So here's another role, that of the Levite, whose job it is to set up, take down, transport, and guard the Holy Tabernacle at which the priests offer the sacrifices. So the Priests, the smallest group, they carry out the sacrifices at the Tabernacle. The Levites (a slightly larger group — those remaining from the tribe of Levi who were not also in the line of Aaron), they guard and carry the Tabernacle. So the funnel widens once. It's going to widen again. Turn back with me, once more, to the very beginning of Numbers, chapter 1:1-3.SoldierNumbers 1:1-3,“The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. 3 From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war…”Here's a third role — that of soldier. This represents the largest group, pulling from the remaining eleven of the twelve total tribes. And as we can see down in verse 46 of chapter one, the total number of those who receive this role is 603,550. Which, quick note here…When God first called Abraham and said, “I'll make of you a people, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the shore for number,” does anyone know how many descendants he had at that time? …Zero. So, book of Genesis, God says “I'll provide for you a nearly uncountable number of descendants…beginning at…zero.” And, wouldn't you know, a few hundred years later, here in Numbers, more than half a million descendants of Abraham walking around, and that's only including the men in the camp who are old enough for war. Does God keep his promises?So priests, Levites, soldiers — three distinct roles for the people of God to receive prior to heading out on their journey. Three distinct roles that though very different from one another, clearly depend upon one another in order to function. For, how are the priests going to carry out the sacrifices at the Tabernacle if the Levites fail to guard the Tabernacle and it ends up becoming defiled? And how are the Levites going to guard the Tabernacle, if the soldiers fail to guard them when enemy armies approach?And how are either the Levites or the soldiers going to dwell anywhere near the camp, and guard anything at all, if the priests fail to carry out the daily sacrifices? See in this design, the priest cannot say to the Levite “I have no need of you.” Neither can the Levite say to the soldier, “I've no need of you.” Rather, it is when and only when all of these roles are working properly together, that the camp of Israel will be able to move forward as one — out of Sinai, into the Promised Land. How about us? How about our camp? Do we have a role to play here? God says we do. He says in Ephesians 4 that there are certain roles he's given. Some, apostles prophets. Some the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers. And those for the sake of equipping the largest role of all — the saints (that's all of us). Equipping the saints for the work of ministry — that's your job description. My job description — the work of ministry. The work of helping one another attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. That's the role God's given us to play. So we should ask, “how am I doing in that role? How am I leaning-in for the good of the whole? And how might I lean-in just a little more in effort to build this body, and help us move forward as one?” God gave roles for the Israelites to play within the camp back then. He gives us roles to play within his church today. So, why have we not yet left Sinai? What is it we still lack? First R — roles. God's people had roles they still needed to receive. Second R, relationships. This one will move a bit quicker. 2. RelationshipsFor this one, I'll ask you to turn with me to Numbers Chapter 5. I know we're jumping around quite a bit this morning, but I believe it's worth it because it's going to help us better understand this section as a whole. So, Number 5, verse 5, and I want you to listen for the emphasis: And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, when a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the Lord, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.”God is establishing here rules for relationships. Rules for regulating and righting wrongs within relationships. Neighbor-to-NeighborAnd this first rule here, verse 5, applies to neighbor-to-neighbor relationships. It says, “if you wrong your neighbor, here's what you must do to make it right. You first confess your sin, then give back the full amount, plus a fifth, to that person to whom you did the wrong.” Clearly, God is concerned with the health of neighbor-to-neighbor relationships within the camp. Now, just as we moved in concentric circles in terms of roles — soldiers, Levites, priests. So once more we'll move in concentric circles in terms of relationships. Neighbor-to-neighbor at the widest point in the funnel. Moving further in we come to the relationship between spouses.Spouse-to-SpouseChapter 5:11,“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Speak to the people of Israel, If any man's wife goes astray and breaks faith with him,” And now if we had time to read from there through the rest of chapter 5 we'd discover a public process laid out for righting wrongs between spouses. A process that would either result in proving the husband's accusation was unfounded, his wife has been faithful, and her good name should thus be reinstated within the community. Or, in proving her husband's accusation was accurate, his wife has been unfaithful, and she will receive from God the curse of barrenness as her punishment. Either way, a sense of justice, and righting of wrongs, will be recovered in the relationship between spouses.Neighbor-to-neighbor relationships. Spouse-to-spouse relationships. What's at the innermost circle? Our own relationship with God. We see this final movement, chapter 6, with the Law of the Nazirite.Self-to-GodWe can see the set up for it in Numbers chapter 6:1, “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord.”See, we're looking at the level of the individual — his or her relationship to the Lord. And we're seeing a means laid out here for the individual to especially dedicate him or herself, solely to the Lord, for a set amount of time.Again, if we had time to read the rest of this chapter, chapter 6, we'd see that the Nazirite vow involves not cutting your hair, consuming alcohol, nor going near a dead body throughout the time of the vow. And when the time of the vow was over, you'd conclude by bringing with you a very costly gift to sacrifice at the altar before God — one male lamb, one ewe lamb, one ram, a basket of unleavened bread — you'd even cut the hair you'd grown throughout the time of the vow and put that, as well, upon the altar. And then you'd burn it all up, right then and there, before the Lord, as a way of communicating to him, “Lord, I am fully yours, all I have is yours.”So, relationships — with neighbor, with spouse, and with God. God is concerned to have health in all these spheres, all the way through the camp. Once again, we'll ask, how about us? Are we dwelling in right relationships in all three categories?Is there perhaps a wrong you need to right between you and another person in your community group?Is there a wrong you need to right between you and a spouse, a family member, even a close friend? Is there not necessarily a wrong to be righted, but an opportunity, for a time, to intensely pursue the Lord with a passion, persistence, and commitment perhaps you never have before? God gave relationship rules and regulations for the Israelites to abide by within the camp. He gives relationship rules and regulations for us to abide by within his church. So, why have we not yet left Sinai? What is it we still lack? First R — roles. God's people had roles they still needed to receive. Second R, relationships. God's people had rules for their relationships that still needed to be established. Third, final R — reality. A reality finally to be experienced. 3. RealityNow, for this, we really need to draw our attention all the way back to one of the first things God said at the outset of this season in Sinai. Back before the establishment of the priests and sacrifices, back before the construction of the Tabernacle, just after the making of a covenant with his people. And I'll just read this one to you, from Exodus 25:8, where God said, “And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst.” Let them make me a sanctuary, because… I don't merely aim to make a covenant with them. I don't merely aim to dwell within their general vicinity. I don't merely desire to bring their priests near to carry out sacrifices while all the rest remain scattered elsewhere. Rather, I aim to dwell in their midst.And now with all the pieces finally in place, God is going to do exactly that — turn this aim into reality. Numbers, chapter 2, verse 1. Go there with me, I want you to behold this verse. Numbers 2:1,The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.”On every side.Now, here in Numbers, for the very first time, this people are going to form as one around God. God is going to be their central heartbeat filling and sustaining them all with life. God is going to be their sun, keeping them together within his orbit. God is going to dwell in their midst, they are going to camp facing him. With Moses and the priests to his immediate east, where the doors of his Tabernacle open. Moving clockwise from there, will be the Levites making up the central ribbon. Then, to the east once more, will be the tribe of Judah, clockwise from there, the remaining eleven tribes all around.Their new reality, as a people, will from now on involve: Waking up with God in their midst, laying down with God in their midst, working with God in their midst, resting with God in their midst, seeing him as their center, seeing him as their core, seeing the God whose delight it is to live among his chosen people and gladly pour out upon them his abundant joy and love. And, if this is hard for you to imagine, like, you just have a really hard time believing God actually desires to live amongst his people, is actually delighted to live amongst his people, is actually glad to make them glad with his presence…Then look with me at his first act upon assembling his people together as one. What is it, we could ask, that comes most naturally to God, upon the bringing together of his people? Cursing? Frustration? Annoyance? Ambivalence? When he, for the first time, has his people gathered all round, what is, we could say, his knee-jerk, immediate reaction? To bless.The first words out of his mouth are blessing. Go with me to Numbers 6:22, final word here, and it is the capstone of all that's gone on thus far,The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 24 “The LORD bless you and keep you [hold you, protect you, be your shelter and shield]; 25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you [as his face made Moses' to shine, so now may his smile shine upon you and pour forth its bright rays into your heart and life]; 26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace [Give you his Shalom, give you his experience of, “All is right, and all is full, and all is well because my God is here and he loves me]. “This is the blessing that, as one writer puts it, now readily flows forth from God, ushering forth from the Central Tent — encompassing the whole, and casting the light of his face on every Israelite within its bounds (Morales, 166).This is the great reality of God's people now realized. And brothers and sisters, it is only a foretaste of a greater reality still to come. For just as God assembled his people in the wilderness, so will he assemble us into his kingdom. Where it will be declared, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God (Rev. 21:3). Where God will bless us, keep us, and make his face to shine upon us in the face of his very own son whom we will then behold (Rev. 22:4).That is, my brothers and sisters, where we are headed. And we are headed there as a people, as a body, as a camp, trekking through the wilderness together, and onward into glory. The TableAnd this is what now brings us to the table. For at this table, we eat together as God's people — bought with his blood, sealed by His Spirit, bound for his Kingdom to behold his face and experience his peace forever.

28 “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. 4 These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. 5 They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 6 “And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. 7 It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. 8 And the skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 9 You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11 As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. 12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance. 13 You shall make settings of gold filigree, 14 and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings. 15 “You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it.16 It shall be square and doubled, a span[a] its length and a span its breadth. 17 You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius,[b] topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; 18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree. 21 There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.22 You shall make for the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold. 23 And you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings on the two edges of the breastpiece. 24 And you shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece. 25 The two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings of filigree, and so attach it in front to the shoulder pieces of the ephod.26 You shall make two rings of gold, and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod.27 And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28 And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod. 29 So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord. 30 And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron's heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly. 31 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment,[c] so that it may not tear. 33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe.35 And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he does not die. 36 “You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.' 37 And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. 38 It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. 39 “You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework. 40 “For Aaron's sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. 41 And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 42 You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43 and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.

0611 以他瑪 Ithamar by 靈修廣播站

Enrique Ithamarez (Ithamar Enriquez, WandaVision) is a valet who just wants to eat his lunch.  Ithamar Enriquez: @ithamarenriquez -- SHOW INFORMATION Mega HQ Get ad free + bonus content with MEGA PREMIUM Support Us on Patreon Instagram: @MegaThePodcast Twitter: @MegaThePodcast Follow Holly and Greg Holly Laurent: Twitter | Instagram Greg Hess: Twitter | Instagram Music by Julie B. Nichols Edited by Makenzie Mizell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 But the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.” 2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty,[a] but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. 7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.'” 9 Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. 10 So the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go out of his land.” 12 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?” 13 But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh king of Egypt: to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 14 These are the heads of their fathers' houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. 15 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the clans of Simeon. 16 These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. 20 Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years. 21 The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri.22 The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23 Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24 The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites.25 Eleazar, Aaron's son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites by their clans. 26 These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said: “Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts.” 27 It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt, this Moses and this Aaron. 28 On the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, 29 the Lord said to Moses, “I am the Lord; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” 30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”

In this Bible study, we cover Exodus 36.8 through the end of chapter 39.  In this time we see the building of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, the Alter of Showbread, the Altar of Incense, and the Bronze Alter.  Additionally, we see the completion of the Bronze Basin, and the Tabernacle courtyard.  We also cover Exodus 38 verses 21-31 which includes the total quantity of gold, silver, and bronze used in the creation of the Tabernacle and all its elements.  Finally, all elements completed, “just as the Lord commanded Moses,” Moses inspects everything and is pleased. Outline: 00:42 - overview of Exodus 25-35 02:48 - outline of Exodus 36-39 as we covered in this study: Ex 36.8-38 - The Tabernacle.  Covered in Ex 26.1-37. For more watch Ex 26 video, The Tabernacle Pt 2: https://youtu.be/nZQEVpHlT6E Ex 37.1-9 - The Ark of the Covenant.  Covered in Ex 25.10-20. For more watch Ex 25 video, The Tabernacle Pt 1: https://youtu.be/VDaleBggyeg Ex 37.10-16 - The Table of Showbread.  Covered in Ex 25.23-29. For more watch Ex 25 video, The Tabernacle Pt 1: https://youtu.be/VDaleBggyeg Ex 37.17-24 - The Lampstand.  Covered in Ex 25.31-39/ For more watch Ex 25 video, The Tabernacle Pt 1: https://youtu.be/VDaleBggyeg Ex 37.25-28 - The Altar of Incense.  Covered in Ex 30.1-5. For more watch Ex 30 video, The Tabernacle Pt 6: https://youtu.be/mc2OZO1ouhU Ex 38.1-7 - The Bronze Alter, also known as the Brazen Alter or the Altar of Burnt Offering.  Covered in Ex 27.1-8.   For more watch Ex 27 video, The Tabernacle Pt 3: https://youtu.be/QCb5fBjEdqo Ex 38.8 - The Bronze Basin, also known as the Brazen Lavier or simply the Basin for Washing.  Covered in Ex 30.17-21.   For more watch Ex 30 video, The Tabernacle Pt 6: https://youtu.be/mc2OZO1ouhU Ex 38.9-20 - The Courtyard of the Tabernacle.  Covered in Ex 27.9-19.   For more watch Ex 27 video, The Tabernacle Pt 3: https://youtu.be/QCb5fBjEdqo Ex 38.21-31 - The Materials Used.   Ex 39.1-7 - The Priestly Garments - The Ephod.  Covered in Ex 28.6-14.   For more Watch Ex 28 video, The Tabernacle Pt 4: https://youtu.be/ESCe9UF-nRg Ex 39.8-21 - The Priestly Garments - The Breastpiece.  Covered in Ex 28.15-28.   For more Watch Ex 28 video, The Tabernacle Pt 4: https://youtu.be/ESCe9UF-nRg Ex 39.22-31 - other Priestly Garments.  Covered in Ex 28.31-43.   For more Watch Ex 28 video, The Tabernacle Pt 4: https://youtu.be/ESCe9UF-nRg Ex 39.32-41 - Moses inspects the completed work. Reading of Exodus 36-38: 07:31 - Exodus 36.8-38 - The Tabernacle. 10:55 - Exodus 37.1-9 - The Ark of the Covenant. 11:55 - Exodus 37.10-16 - The Table of Showbread. 12:39 - Exodus 37.17-24 - The Lampstand. 13:37 - Exodus 37.25-28 - The Altar of Incense. 14:11 - Exodus 38.1-7 - The Bronze Alter. 15:05 - Exodus 38.8 - The Bronze Basin. 15:23 - Exodus 38.9-20 - The Courtyard. 16:52 - Exodus 38.21-31 - The Materials Used. 17:11 - Exodus 38.21.  The Tabernacle of the Covenant Law. 18:38 - Exodus 38.21 - Under the direction of Ithamar? 20:07 - Exodus 38.24 - Total gold used in the Tabernacle: 29 Talents and 730 Shekels: 1 metric ton or 2,204 lbs.  (small car) 21:27 - Exodus 38.25 - Total silver used in the Tabernacle: 100 talents and 1,775 shekels = 3.4 metric tons, or 7,495 lbs. (An empty flatbed semi-truck, or a male Orca whale) 22:30 - Exodus 38.26 - 603,550 Men  24:57 - Exodus 38.29 - Total bronze used in the Tabernacle: 70 talents and 2,400 shekels = 2.4 metric tons or 5,291 lbs.  (Two small cars or a rhinoceros) 26:59 - Exodus 39.1-31 - The Priestly Garments Exodus 39.1-7 - The Ephod. Exodus 39.8-21 - The Breastpiece.  Exodus 39.22-31 - The Garments. 31:27 - Exodus 39.32-41 - Moses Inspects the completed elements of the Tabernacle. 32:58 - Conclusion.  Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donate Listen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheep Contact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.org Be notified of each new teaching, join the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ironsheep/support

Exodus 6:8-7:79 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.10 Then the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.”12 But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”13 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.14 These were the heads of their families: The sons of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel were Hanok and Pallu, Hezron and Karmi. These were the clans of Reuben.15 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon.16 These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.17 The sons of Gershon, by clans, were Libni and Shimei.18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. Kohath lived 133 years.19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of Levi according to their records.20 Amram married his father's sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.21 The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg and Zikri.22 The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan and Sithri.23 Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.24 The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah and Abiasaph. These were the Korahite clans.25 Eleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the Levite families, clan by clan.26 It was this Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, “Bring the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.” 27 They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing the Israelites out of Egypt—this same Moses and Aaron.28 Now when the Lord spoke to Moses in Egypt, 29 he said to him, “I am the Lord. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you.”30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”7:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. 2 You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, 4 he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. 5 And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”6 Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them. 7 Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.

Thursday, 11 July 2024   Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Matthew 1:4   “And Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon” (CG).   The previous verse finished with “and Hezron begot Ram.” Matthew next continues the genealogy with, “And Ram begot Amminadab.”   Amminadab is believed to mean either People of the Prince or My Kinsman is Noble. He is first mentioned in Exodus 6:23. He is mentioned quite a few times, but this is because of his more famous son. Thus, his name is provided in conjunction with that son, Nahshon. As such, Matthew next writes, “and Amminadab begot Nahshon.”   Nahshon is derived from a word meaning brass or snake. The vav-nun couple (the letters o and n) at the end of his name may be locative or personified. Thus, his name may mean Serpent, Serpent Guy, Bronze, Place of Bronze, or some other similar thought. And more, because bronze signifies judgment in Scripture, his name could be extended to Place of Judgment, etc.   Nahshon was the brother-in-law of Aaron. That is noted in Exodus 6 where Nahshon is first mentioned in Scripture –   “Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” Exodus 6:23   He is next noted as the chosen leader of the tribe of Judah in Numbers 1:7. There is a Jewish legend that placed Nahshon as the first to enter the Red Sea when it parted at the exodus. This is most likely a fairy tale, putting the horse before the cart.   The tribe of Judah was selected to be the first tribe to march as Israel proceeded toward Canaan. As Nahshon was the leader of Judah, it might be assumed he was the first to march in his tribe. However, his appointment as leader came after, not before, passing through the Red Sea.   Typically, legends are like this and have no bearing on the reality presented in Scripture. Next, Matthew records, “and Nahshon begot Salmon.”   The name Salmon comes from a word meaning garment. Like his father, the vav-nun couple at the end of his name may make the name personified or locative. Thus, his name may mean Garment or actively Clothed, Place of Garment, Garment Guy, or something similar.   Salmon is only mentioned in Ruth 4:20, 21 in connection with the genealogy of David.   Life application: It is fine to look over extra-biblical writings, and Jewish commentaries may give insights into the culture and habits of the people throughout history. However, it is important to not accept those things as if they are inspired or somehow irrefutable.   Quite often, there are anti-Christian biases inserted directly into such commentaries. These are purposefully stated to lead people away from conclusions that support the notion that Jesus is the Messiah. Therefore, one should be grounded in the word before spending a lot of time in extra-biblical writings.   By knowing the word first, a lot of nonsense can be weeded out when reading other noncanonical literature. So be familiar with the word. The Lord spent millennia of human history compiling it so that we would have exactly what is needed to lead us to an understanding of who Jesus is and what God is doing through Him as His great plan of redemption is being worked out. Be sure to read and know your Bible!   Heavenly Father, may we be responsible and faithful Christians who are willing to carefully read, contemplate, and remember Your word. Help us to check things out when we come across writings that seem to conflict with it. In the end, we know we can trust Your word, but how can we do that if we don't know it? Help us in this, O God. Amen.

In this Bible Study, we look closely at God's instructions for the creation of the High Priest's garments, the outfit that Aaron (the first Jewish High Priest) would have worn.  We look at every element, including the undergarments, the tunic, the robe, and the ephod (what is an Ephod???)  We also look at the two shoulder pieces, the breast piece, the sash, and the turban (with the gold engraved plate).  What are the urim and thummim and how would the High Priest have used those to discern God's decrees?  All this and more we discuss as we study Exodus 28. Outline: 01:13- introduction 01:31 - Aaron and the Levitical priesthood (the Aaronic Priesthood).  Genesis 34, Genesis 49.5-7, Exodus 32.26-29, John 15.16 and Leviticus 10. 02:11 - Who was Levi? 06:29 - Who were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar? 06:57 - What was the responsibility of the high priest? Exodus 30.30, 40.13, 15, Leviticus 7.35, John 21.17, Malachi 2.7, Ezekiel 8, Lamentations 4.13, Malachi 1.6-2.9, 1 Peter 2.5,9 13:15 - The High Priest's Garments 14:54 - Why did the high priest wear this ornate outfit?  17:02 - A quick explanation of the outfit of Aaron the High Priest. Undergarments, Tunic, The base layer was very plain white linen.  The Robe, the Ephod, two shoulder pieces, the breast piece, the sash to tie around the ephod, and the turban with a gold plate.  The urim and thummim (Leviticus 8.8, Deuteronomy 33.8, Ezra 2.63, Nehemiah 7.65). 21:10 - What were the urim and thummim? 23:46 - Exodus 28 - Read 32:00 - Why are the bells on the robe?  Why would Aaron die if he was not wearing the special garments? 34:09 - The High Priest was a picture of Christ. Hebrews 5.1, 6.20, 7.26, 9.24-28 and Genesis 14 Genesis 14 Bible Study - who is Melchizedek video: https://youtu.be/7MRx4dqIJic Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donate Listen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheep Contact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.org Be notified of each new teaching, join the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD Books/resources used or referenced: Video of the high priest's garments created by Redeemer-of-israel.blogspotcom on Youtube at Messages of Christ Dave reads from an NIV (New International Version) of the Bible. Courson, Jon.  Jon Courson's Application Commentary Old Testament Vol. 1.  Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2005. https://www.christianbook.com/coursons-application-commentary-genesis-revelation-volumes/jon-courson/9780310118312/pd/0118312?event=ESRCG Enns, Peter. The NIV Application Commentary, Exodus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. https://www.christianbook.com/exodus-niv-application-commentary/peter-enns/9780310206071/pd/0206073?event=ESRCG Rose Guide to the Tabernacle.  Peabody, MA; Rose Publishing, 2008. https://www.christianbook.com/rose-guide-to-the-tabernacle/benjamin-galan/9781596362765/pd/362765?event=ESRCG Wiersbe, Warren W.. The Bible Exposition Commentary, Old Testament, The Pentateuch. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2001. https://www.christianbook.com/the-bible-exposition-commentary-6-volumes/warren-wiersbe/9786125030474/pd/030474?event=ESRCG --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ironsheep/support

But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests. - 1 Chronicles 24:2

They Shall Know that I Am the Lord Exodus 6:14-7:7 June 2, 2024 Pastor Tony Felich  ----more---- Exodus 6:10 So the LORD said to Moses, [11] “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go out of his land.” [12] But Moses said to the LORD, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?” [13] But the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh king of Egypt: to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. [14] These are the heads of their fathers 'houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. [15] The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the clans of Simeon. [16] These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years. [17] The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans. [18] The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. [19] The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. [20] Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years. [21] The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. [22] The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. [23] Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. [24] The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites. [25] Eleazar, Aaron's son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers 'houses of the Levites by their clans. [26] These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said: “Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts.” [27] It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt, this Moses and this Aaron. [28] On the day when the LORD spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, [29] the LORD said to Moses, “I am the LORD; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” [30] But Moses said to the LORD, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?” Exodus 7:1 And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. [2] You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. [3] But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, [4] Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. [5] The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” [6] Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. [7] Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 1 Corinthians 4:1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. [2] Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.          •  Responsible for obedience, not producing the results. (6:10-13)          •  Sovereignly rooted in history, for future mission and roles.  (6:14-30)          •  Ambassadors for the Glory of God (6:28-7:7)

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________EasterIf then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Christ our PassoverPascha Nostrum - BCP p. 83Alleluia.Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *therefore let us keep the feast,Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *death no longer has dominion over him.The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *but the life he lives, he lives to God.So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.Christ has been raised from the dead, *the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.For since by a man came death, *by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, *so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia. Psalm 63Deus, Deus meus BCP p. 670OGod, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *that I might behold your power and your glory.For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *my lips shall give you praise.So will I bless you as long as I live *and lift up my hands in your Name.My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,When I remember you upon my bed, *and meditate on you in the night watches.For you have been my helper, *and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.My soul clings to you; *your right hand holds me fast.[May those who seek my life to destroy it *go down into the depths of the earth;Let them fall upon the edge of the sword, *and let them be food for jackals.But the king will rejoice in God;all those who swear by him will be glad; *for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.] Psalm 98Cantate Domino BCP p. 727Sing to the Lord a new song, *for he has done marvelous things.With his right hand and his holy arm *has he won for himself the victory.The Lord has made known his victory; *his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.Sing to the Lord with the harp, *with the harp and the voice of song.With trumpets and the sound of the horn *shout with joy before the King, the Lord.Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *the lands and those who dwell therein.Let the rivers clap their hands, *and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,when he comes to judge the earth.In righteousness shall he judge the world *and the peoples with equity. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsExod. 28:1-4,30-38Then bring near to you your brother Aaron, and his sons with him, from among the Israelites, to serve me as priests-- Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. You shall make sacred vestments for the glorious adornment of your brother Aaron. And you shall speak to all who have ability, whom I have endowed with skill, that they make Aaron's vestments to consecrate him for my priesthood. These are the vestments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a checkered tunic, a turban, and a sash. When they make these sacred vestments for your brother Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests, In the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron's heart when he goes in before the Lord; thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the Israelites on his heart before the Lord continually. You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it may not be torn. On its lower hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, all around the lower hem, with bells of gold between them all around-- a golden bell and a pomegranate alternating all around the lower hem of the robe. Aaron shall wear it when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the holy place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he may not die. You shall make a rosette of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, "Holy to the Lord." You shall fasten it on the turban with a blue cord; it shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall take on himself any guilt incurred in the holy offering that the Israelites consecrate as their sacred donations; it shall always be on his forehead, in order that they may find favor before the Lord.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. 21. You are GodTe Deum laudamusYou are God: we praise you;You are the Lord; we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded,your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory,the eternal Son of the Father.When you became man to set us freeyou did not shun the Virgin's womb.You overcame the sting of deathand opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.You are seated at God's right hand in glory.We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people,bought with the price of your own blood,and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Mark 6:30-44The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat." But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?" And he said to them, "How many loaves have you? Go and see." When they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish." Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. 16. The Song of ZechariahBenedictus Dominus Deus - Luke 1: 68-79Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old,that he would save us from our enemies, *from the hands of all who hate us.He promised to show mercy to our fathers *and to remember his holy covenant.This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *to set us free from the hands of our enemies,Free to worship him without fear, *holy and righteous in his sightall the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,To give his people knowledge of salvation *by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God *the dawn from on high shall break upon us,To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The SuffragesShow us your mercy, O Lord;And grant us your salvation.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;Let your people sing with joy.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, keep this nation under your care;And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Fourth Sunday in EasterO God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceLord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.For MissionAlmighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionLet us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia. Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.Ephesians 3:20,21

Testimonio de años de Guerra Espiritual de Ithamar Duran, y breve explicación de Guerra Espiritual por Pastor Edwin.

"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said. And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord hath kindled. And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses. And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses." Leviticus 10:1-11

These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. — Exodus 38:21

Prepárate para un episodio que te llevará al siguiente nivel en tus finanzas y en tu vida. En este Transformate Mujer Podcast con Shaida Vázquez, te presento a Ithamar Urdaneta, una verdadera maestra en el arte de crear abundancia y prosperidad. Si estás listo para dejar atrás las limitaciones financieras y tomar el control de tu futuro, este episodio es para ti.En nuestra conversación, Ithamar comparte estrategias reales para asegurarte de que te des la atención financiera que mereces. Descubrirás cómo construir una base financiera sólida, incluso en tiempos desafiantes, y cómo maximizar tus ingresos como un verdadero experto en finanzas.No te pierdas la oportunidad de aprender de una de las mejores en el juego financiero. Ithamar Urdaneta es un faro de sabiduría financiera y está aquí para mostrarte el camino hacia el éxito y la abundancia.No olvides suscribirte y activar las notificaciones para que no te pierdas ningún consejo que puede cambiar tu vida y tu situación financiera. ¡Prepárate para dominar tus finanzas como nunca antes!Unete hoy a Empresarias Business Club  AquíPara conocer más de Ithamar Urdaneta…Instagram Página Web Libros Recomendados :La BibliaLibertad Financiera - Edwin CastroLiderazgo Eficaz de Edwin Castro➡️ Descarga tu guía de planificación anual ➡️ Mi podcast

What we know is that the Levitical Sadducees were not legally of the bloodline of Aaron to Eleazar to Phinchas to Tzadok. Rather, they were more likely of the line of Aaron's son Ithamar, whose priestly line ended in the days of King Solomon, but they continued seeking priestly legitimacy going back to the days of the Hasmoneans. Consider that they held prominent political and religious appointments that were NOT the rightful and true House of Tzadok in the days of King David. When Stephen said, “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute,” this appears to refer to the Hassidim (Pharisees) or religious loyalists belonging to the religious arm of the Hasmoneans in the years 140 – 50 BCE, which was precisely the time when the Priests of the House of Tzadok were being exiled, executed, and stripped of their ancient spiritual authority. This further validates the House of Tzadok as prophets because they themselves claimed ongoing divine revelation through the Holy Spirit in all their teachings. When Yeshua revived Lazarus from the dead on the fourth day, it seems that he legitimized the eternal authority of the Genesis 14:18 High Priest and King Melchizedek. With the resurrection of Lazarus (Elazar), it appears to be Yeshua's declaration that he was Melchizedek who was reviving the Zadokite Priesthood originating with Melchizedek, which was then given to Aaron who passed down his authority to Elazar, to Phinehas, to Zadok, to John the Baptist and finally made complete in and through Yeshua. By believing in Yeshua, we inherit a position among the Sons of Tzadok in the exalted priestly line of Melchizedek through Yeshua, the King, and Priest of Shalem (Genesis 14:18). With Elazar's resurrection on the Fourth Day, this looks like an allusion to the Malachi 4:2 (Hebrew: 3:20) prophecy of the Angel or Messenger of Yehovah - Melchizedek - who comes with healing in his wings as Tzadok ("Righteousness") on DAY 4, which is precisely what the Priests of Zadok believed. The story of the fourth-day resurrection of Elazar powerfully appears as a teaching allusion to the Kingdom of Heaven - Shalem, and the resurrection of the Great King – Melchizedek, who is King and Priest of that city spoken of in the Book of Revelation, a city called the New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12 and 21:2), which is why the Zadok festival calendar was so important to the House of Tzadok (and should likewise be important for all of us too). Between the Hasmoneans and Yeshua, the Zadokites were considered as good as dead as they were replaced by a new political and religious system controlled by the Hassidim (Pharisees) and Tzadokim (Sadducees).  In the meantime, the House of Tzadok lived out their Prophetic Priestly lives in the Qumran area, "outside the camp,” which is what is written in the Book of Hebrews 13:13-14. Join us for this concluding summary of the rise, fall, and rising again of the Sons of Tzadok through Melchizedek/Yeshua, King and Priest of Shalem (Genesis 14:18). This is Real Israel Talk Radio, Episode 141, and PART 27 in the teaching series about Yeshua's last Passover week chronology and the history of the House and Sons of Tzadok.

With family: 1 Chronicles 24–25; 1 Peter 5 1 Chronicles 24–25 (Listen) David Organizes the Priests 24 The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests. 3 With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. 4 Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers' houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. 5 They divided them by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar. 6 And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father's house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar. 7 The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 19 These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the LORD according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him. 20 And of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 The sons of Hebron:1 Jeriah the chief,2 Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno.3 27 The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 Of Kish, the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers' houses. 31 These also, the head of each father's house and his younger brother alike, cast lots, just as their brothers the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites. David Organizes the Musicians 25 David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: 2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,4 Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the LORD. 4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7 The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the LORD, all who were skillful, was 288. 8 And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike. 9 The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve; 10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 20 to the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 21 to the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 22 to the fifteenth, to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 23 to the sixteenth, to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 24 to the seventeenth, to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 25 to the eighteenth, to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 26 to the nineteenth, to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 27 to the twentieth, to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 28 to the twenty-first, to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 29 to the twenty-second, to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 30 to the twenty-third, to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 31 to the twenty-fourth, to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve. Footnotes [1] 24:23 Compare 23:19; Hebrew lacks Hebron [2] 24:23 Compare 23:19; Hebrew lacks the chief [3] 24:26 Or his son; also verse 27 [4] 25:3 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts lack Shimei (ESV) 1 Peter 5 (Listen) Shepherd the Flock of God 5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,1 not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;2 not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Final Greetings 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. Footnotes [1] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight [2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you (ESV) In private: Micah 3; Luke 12 Micah 3 (Listen) Rulers and Prophets Denounced 3   And I said:  Hear, you heads of Jacob    and rulers of the house of Israel!  Is it not for you to know justice?—2     you who hate the good and love the evil,  who tear the skin from off my people1    and their flesh from off their bones,3   who eat the flesh of my people,    and flay their skin from off them,  and break their bones in pieces    and chop them up like meat in a pot,    like flesh in a cauldron. 4   Then they will cry to the LORD,    but he will not answer them;  he will hide his face from them at that time,    because they have made their deeds evil. 5   Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets    who lead my people astray,  who cry “Peace”    when they have something to eat,  but declare war against him    who puts nothing into their mouths.6   Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision,    and darkness to you, without divination.  The sun shall go down on the prophets,    and the day shall be black over them;7   the seers shall be disgraced,    and the diviners put to shame;  they shall all cover their lips,    for there is no answer from God.8   But as for me, I am filled with power,    with the Spirit of the LORD,    and with justice and might,  to declare to Jacob his transgression    and to Israel his sin. 9   Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob    and rulers of the house of Israel,  who detest justice    and make crooked all that is straight,10   who build Zion with blood    and Jerusalem with iniquity.11   Its heads give judgment for a bribe;    its priests teach for a price;    its prophets practice divination for money;  yet they lean on the LORD and say,    “Is not the LORD in the midst of us?    No disaster shall come upon us.”12   Therefore because of you    Zion shall be plowed as a field;  Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,    and the mountain of the house a wooded height. Footnotes [1] 3:2 Hebrew from off them (ESV) Luke 12 (Listen) Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees 12 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Have No Fear 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.1 Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?2 And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Acknowledge Christ Before Men 8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” The Parable of the Rich Fool 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”' 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Do Not Be Anxious 22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?3 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,4 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his5 kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. You Must Be Ready 35 “Stay dressed for action6 and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants7 whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he8 would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” 41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant9 whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Not Peace, but Division 49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Interpreting the Time 54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.' And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,' and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Settle with Your Accuser 57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”10 Footnotes [1] 12:5 Greek Gehenna [2] 12:6 Greek two assaria; an assarion was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/16 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) [3] 12:25 Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters [4] 12:27 Some manuscripts Consider the lilies; they neither spin nor weave [5] 12:31 Some manuscripts God's [6] 12:35 Greek Let your loins stay girded; compare Exodus 12:11 [7] 12:37 Or bondservants [8] 12:39 Some manuscripts add would have stayed awake and [9] 12:43 Or bondservant; also verses 45, 46, 47 [10] 12:59 Greek lepton, a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) (ESV)

Today's episode continues our study of the well-known House of Tzadok (the "Zadokites") as it relates to the life of Yeshua, Hebrew Scripture, and the New Covenant. Recall from Hebrew Scripture a hereditary line that began with Abraham and then to Isaac, to Jacob. Then, through Leah, Jacob's wife, she conceived and gave birth to Levi, which means “attached” or “joined.”  Through her son Levi, a son was born - Kohat. He later produced Amram. Amram added two sons, Moses and Aaron. These two were split into two unique branches, each with special functions. The branch of Aaron came to be established through his sons. They were Eliezer, Itamar, Nadav, and Avihu. These four were set apart to serve as Priests to El Elyon in the Tabernacle. Still, Scripture tells us that Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu died as a punishment for their rebellion. Then, Aaron's son Itamar later produced sons, establishing the House of Ithamar. Still, due to more rebellion, that house of descendants was forever forbidden to serve in the priesthood, leaving only Aaron's firstborn son, Eliezer, who was chosen to carry on the hereditary line of the Aaronic priesthood. Later, Eliezer passed on his elected authority to Pinchas, who passed it down to a man named Tzadok. He became the chosen priest for the House of David and Solomon. Just before the birth of Yeshua, John (Yochanan), the Son of Zechariah and Elisheva (Luke 1:5), received the Mantle of Zadok authority. He transferred his authority over to Yeshua, son of Miriam and Yosef, but in a way that appears to be an "upline" transfer (kind of like a spiritual loop) which returns to its beginning through the Order of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18), who was and continues as King Tzadok of the celestial city of Shalem. All who come into the New Covenant by receiving the testimony of Yeshua are then included into the chosen and elected priesthood status of the Order of Melchizedek, at least, according to Exodus 19:5-6, and are therefore called the "Sons of Tzadok" and Yehovah's "Sons of Light." Let's look into this historical line of Tzadok in today's study, Episode 137 and Part 24 in the Chronology of Yeshua's Last Passover Week.

With family: 1 Chronicles 5–6; Hebrews 10 1 Chronicles 5–6 (Listen) Descendants of Reuben 5 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son; 2 though Judah became strong among his brothers and a chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph), 3 the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 4 The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6 Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-pileser1 king of Assyria carried away into exile; he was a chief of the Reubenites. 7 And his kinsmen by their clans, when the genealogy of their generations was recorded: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah, 8 and Bela the son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal-meon. 9 He also lived to the east as far as the entrance of the desert this side of the Euphrates, because their livestock had multiplied in the land of Gilead. 10 And in the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagrites, who fell into their hand. And they lived in their tents throughout all the region east of Gilead. Descendants of Gad 11 The sons of Gad lived over against them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah: 12 Joel the chief, Shapham the second, Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan. 13 And their kinsmen according to their fathers' houses: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia and Eber, seven. 14 These were the sons of Abihail the son of Huri, son of Jaroah, son of Gilead, son of Michael, son of Jeshishai, son of Jahdo, son of Buz. 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, son of Guni, was chief in their fathers' houses, 16 and they lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasturelands of Sharon to their limits. 17 All of these were recorded in genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel. 18 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had valiant men who carried shield and sword, and drew the bow, expert in war, 44,760, able to go to war. 19 They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. 20 And when they prevailed2 over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him. 21 They carried off their livestock: 50,000 of their camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 men alive. 22 For many fell, because the war was of God. And they lived in their place until the exile. The Half-Tribe of Manasseh 23 The members of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land. They were very numerous from Bashan to Baal-hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon. 24 These were the heads of their fathers' houses: Epher,3 Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty warriors, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses. 25 But they broke faith with the God of their fathers, and whored after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26 So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, the spirit of Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and he took them into exile, namely, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan, to this day. 4 Descendants of Levi 6 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar fathered Phinehas, Phinehas fathered Abishua, 5 Abishua fathered Bukki, Bukki fathered Uzzi, 6 Uzzi fathered Zerahiah, Zerahiah fathered Meraioth, 7 Meraioth fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub, 8 Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Ahimaaz, 9 Ahimaaz fathered Azariah, Azariah fathered Johanan, 10 and Johanan fathered Azariah (it was he who served as priest in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem). 11 Azariah fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub, 12 Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Shallum, 13 Shallum fathered Hilkiah, Hilkiah fathered Azariah, 14 Azariah fathered Seraiah, Seraiah fathered Jehozadak; 15 and Jehozadak went into exile when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. 16 5 The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. 17 And these are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their fathers. 20 Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son. 22 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25 The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth, 26 Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 28 The sons of Samuel: Joel6 his firstborn, the second Abijah.7 29 The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, 30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son. 31 These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. 32 They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. 33 These are the men who served and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer the son of Joel, son of Samuel, 34 son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah, 35 son of Zuph, son of Elkanah, son of Mahath, son of Amasai, 36 son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah, 37 son of Tahath, son of Assir, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, 38 son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel; 39 and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, 40 son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchijah, 41 son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah, 42 son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei, 43 son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi. 44 On the left hand were their brothers, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch, 45 son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah, 46 son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer, 47 son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi. 48 And their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God. 49 But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense for all the work of the Most Holy Place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 50 These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. 54 These are their dwelling places according to their settlements within their borders: to the sons of Aaron of the clans of Kohathites, for theirs was the first lot, 55 to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands, 56 but the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge: Hebron, Libnah with its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands, 58 Hilen with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands, 59 Ashan with its pasturelands, and Beth-shemesh with its pasturelands; 60 and from the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon,8 Geba with its pasturelands, Alemeth with its pasturelands, and Anathoth with its pasturelands. All their cities throughout their clans were thirteen. 61 To the rest of the Kohathites were given by lot out of the clan of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities. 62 To the Gershomites according to their clans were allotted thirteen cities out of the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Manasseh in Bashan. 63 To the Merarites according to their clans were allotted twelve cities out of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. 64 So the people of Israel gave the Levites the cities with their pasturelands. 65 They gave by lot out of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin these cities that are mentioned by name. 66 And some of the clans of the sons of Kohath had cities of their territory out of the tribe of Ephraim. 67 They were given the cities of refuge: Shechem with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, 68 Jokmeam with its pasturelands, Beth-horon with its pasturelands, 69 Aijalon with its pasturelands, Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands, 70 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its pasturelands, and Bileam with its pasturelands, for the rest of the clans of the Kohathites. 71 To the Gershomites were given out of the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands and Ashtaroth with its pasturelands; 72 and out of the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands, 73 Ramoth with its pasturelands, and Anem with its pasturelands; 74 out of the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands, 75 Hukok with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands; 76 and out of the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, Hammon with its pasturelands, and Kiriathaim with its pasturelands. 77 To the rest of the Merarites were allotted out of the tribe of Zebulun: Rimmono with its pasturelands, Tabor with its pasturelands, 78 and beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, out of the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its pasturelands, Jahzah with its pasturelands, 79 Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands; 80 and out of the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, 81 Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands. Footnotes [1] 5:6 Hebrew Tilgath-pilneser; also verse 26 [2] 5:20 Or they were helped to prevail [3] 5:24 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew and Epher [4] 5:26 Ch 5:27 in Hebrew [5] 6:16 Ch 6:1 in Hebrew [6] 6:28 Septuagint, Syriac (compare verse 33 and 1 Samuel 8:2); Hebrew lacks Joel [7] 6:28 Hebrew and Abijah [8] 6:60 Septuagint, Syriac (compare Joshua 21:17); Hebrew lacks Gibeon (ESV) Hebrews 10 (Listen) Christ's Sacrifice Once for All 10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ1 came into the world, he said,   “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,    but a body have you prepared for me;6   in burnt offerings and sin offerings    you have taken no pleasure.7   Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,    as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ2 had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16   “This is the covenant that I will make with them    after those days, declares the Lord:  I will put my laws on their hearts,    and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds,   “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. The Full Assurance of Faith 19 Therefore, brothers,3 since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For,   “Yet a little while,    and the coming one will come and will not delay;38   but my righteous one shall live by faith,    and if he shrinks back,  my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Footnotes [1] 10:5 Greek he [2] 10:12 Greek this one [3] 10:19 Or brothers and sisters (ESV) In private: Psalms 148–150; Amos 4 Psalms 148–150 (Listen) Praise the Name of the Lord 148   Praise the LORD!  Praise the LORD from the heavens;    praise him in the heights!2   Praise him, all his angels;    praise him, all his hosts! 3   Praise him, sun and moon,    praise him, all you shining stars!4   Praise him, you highest heavens,    and you waters above the heavens! 5   Let them praise the name of the LORD!    For he commanded and they were created.6   And he established them forever and ever;    he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.1 7   Praise the LORD from the earth,    you great sea creatures and all deeps,8   fire and hail, snow and mist,    stormy wind fulfilling his word! 9   Mountains and all hills,    fruit trees and all cedars!10   Beasts and all livestock,    creeping things and flying birds! 11   Kings of the earth and all peoples,    princes and all rulers of the earth!12   Young men and maidens together,    old men and children! 13   Let them praise the name of the LORD,    for his name alone is exalted;    his majesty is above earth and heaven.14   He has raised up a horn for his people,    praise for all his saints,    for the people of Israel who are near to him.  Praise the LORD! Sing to the Lord a New Song 149   Praise the LORD!  Sing to the LORD a new song,    his praise in the assembly of the godly!2   Let Israel be glad in his Maker;    let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!3   Let them praise his name with dancing,    making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!4   For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;    he adorns the humble with salvation.5   Let the godly exult in glory;    let them sing for joy on their beds.6   Let the high praises of God be in their throats    and two-edged swords in their hands,7   to execute vengeance on the nations    and punishments on the peoples,8   to bind their kings with chains    and their nobles with fetters of iron,9   to execute on them the judgment written!    This is honor for all his godly ones.  Praise the LORD! Let Everything Praise the Lord 150   Praise the LORD!  Praise God in his sanctuary;    praise him in his mighty heavens!22   Praise him for his mighty deeds;    praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3   Praise him with trumpet sound;    praise him with lute and harp!4   Praise him with tambourine and dance;    praise him with strings and pipe!5   Praise him with sounding cymbals;    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!6   Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!  Praise the LORD! Footnotes [1] 148:6 Or it shall not be transgressed [2] 150:1 Hebrew expanse (compare Genesis 1:6–8) (ESV) Amos 4 (Listen) 4   “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan,    who are on the mountain of Samaria,  who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,    who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!'

Pete Gomez (Ithamar Enriquez: Wandavision) joins our hosts to discuss his work and passion: having families reenact famous moments in history and then selling them a photograph of it! There's only one thing he's more passionate about: karaoke. And it's not even close.

Old Testament: Ezra 8–10 Ezra 8–10 (Listen) Genealogy of Those Who Returned with Ezra 8 These are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king: 2 Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel. Of the sons of David, Hattush. 3 Of the sons of Shecaniah, who was of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah, with whom were registered 150 men. 4 Of the sons of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him 200 men. 5 Of the sons of Zattu,1 Shecaniah the son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men. 6 Of the sons of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men. 7 Of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men. 8 Of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him 80 men. 9 Of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men. 10 Of the sons of Bani,2 Shelomith the son of Josiphiah, and with him 160 men. 11 Of the sons of Bebai, Zechariah, the son of Bebai, and with him 28 men. 12 Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him 110 men. 13 Of the sons of Adonikam, those who came later, their names being Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men. 14 Of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zaccur, and with them 70 men. Ezra Sends for Levites 15 I gathered them to the river that runs to Ahava, and there we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found there none of the sons of Levi. 16 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of insight, 17 and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brothers and3 the temple servants at the place Casiphia, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God. 18 And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen, 18; 19 also Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, 20; 20 besides 220 of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name. Fasting and Prayer for Protection 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. Priests to Guard Offerings 24 Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their kinsmen with them. 25 And I weighed out to them the silver and the gold and the vessels, the offering for the house of our God that the king and his counselors and his lords and all Israel there present had offered. 26 I weighed out into their hand 650 talents4 of silver, and silver vessels worth 200 talents,5 and 100 talents of gold, 27 20 bowls of gold worth 1,000 darics,6 and two vessels of fine bright bronze as precious as gold. 28 And I said to them, “You are holy to the LORD, and the vessels are holy, and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the LORD, the God of your fathers. 29 Guard them and keep them until you weigh them before the chief priests and the Levites and the heads of fathers' houses in Israel at Jerusalem, within the chambers of the house of the LORD.” 30 So the priests and the Levites took over the weight of the silver and the gold and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God. 31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way. 32 We came to Jerusalem, and there we remained three days. 33 On the fourth day, within the house of our God, the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed into the hands of Meremoth the priest, son of Uriah, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas, and with them were the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui. 34 The whole was counted and weighed, and the weight of everything was recorded. 35 At that time those who had come from captivity, the returned exiles, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and as a sin offering twelve male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the LORD. 36 They also delivered the king's commissions to the king's satraps7 and to the governors of the province Beyond the River, and they aided the people and the house of God. Ezra Prays About Intermarriage 9 After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race8 has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” 3 As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. 4 Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. 5 And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God, 6 saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. 7 From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt. And for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as it is today. 8 But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold9 within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery. 9 For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection10 in Judea and Jerusalem. 10 “And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, 11 which you commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land that you are entering, to take possession of it, is a land impure with the impurity of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations that have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness. 12 Therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.' 13 And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this, 14 shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be angry with us until you consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape? 15 O LORD, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.” The People Confess Their Sin 10 While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. 2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord11 and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. 4 Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” 5 Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath. 6 Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib, where he spent the night,12 neither eating bread nor drinking water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles. 7 And a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem, 8 and that if anyone did not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all his property should be forfeited, and he himself banned from the congregation of the exiles. 9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. And all the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. 10 And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have broken faith and married foreign women, and so increased the guilt of Israel. 11 Now then make confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.” 12 Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, “It is so; we must do as you have said. 13 But the people are many, and it is a time of heavy rain; we cannot stand in the open. Nor is this a task for one day or for two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter. 14 Let our officials stand for the whole assembly. Let all in our cities who have taken foreign wives come at appointed times, and with them the elders and judges of every city, until the fierce wrath of our God over this matter is turned away from us.” 15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them. 16 Then the returned exiles did so. Ezra the priest selected men,13 heads of fathers' houses, according to their fathers' houses, each of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to examine the matter; 17 and by the first day of the first month they had come to the end of all the men who had married foreign women. Those Guilty of Intermarriage 18 Now there were found some of the sons of the priests who had married foreign women: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah, some of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers. 19 They pledged themselves to put away their wives, and their guilt offering was a ram of the flock for their guilt.14 20 Of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. 21 Of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. 22 Of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. 23 Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. 24 Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri. 25 And of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah,15 and Benaiah. 26 Of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. 27 Of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. 28 Of the sons of Bebai were Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. 29 Of the sons of Bani were Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth. 30 Of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh. 31 Of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. 33 Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. 34 Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu. 38 Of the sons of Binnui:16 Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. 43 Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. 44 All these had married foreign women, and some of the women had even borne children.17 Footnotes [1] 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks of Zattu [2] 8:10 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks Bani [3] 8:17 Hebrew lacks and [4] 8:26 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms [5] 8:26 Revocalization; the number is missing in the Masoretic Text [6] 8:27 A daric was a coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams [7] 8:36 A satrap was a Persian official [8] 9:2 Hebrew offspring [9] 9:8 Hebrew nail, or tent-pin [10] 9:9 Hebrew a wall [11] 10:3 Or of the Lord [12] 10:6 Probable reading; Hebrew where he went [13] 10:16 Syriac; Hebrew And there were selected Ezra . . . [14] 10:19 Or as their reparation [15] 10:25 Septuagint; Hebrew Malchijah [16] 10:38 Septuagint; Hebrew Bani, Binnui [17] 10:44 Or and they put them away with their children (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 32 Psalm 32 (Listen) Blessed Are the Forgiven A Maskil1 of David. 32   Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,    whose sin is covered.2   Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,    and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3   For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away    through my groaning all day long.4   For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;    my strength was dried up2 as by the heat of summer. Selah 5   I acknowledged my sin to you,    and I did not cover my iniquity;  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 6   Therefore let everyone who is godly    offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;  surely in the rush of great waters,    they shall not reach him.7   You are a hiding place for me;    you preserve me from trouble;    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah 8   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.9   Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,    which must be curbed with bit and bridle,    or it will not stay near you. 10   Many are the sorrows of the wicked,    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.11   Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Footnotes [1] 32:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 32:4 Hebrew my vitality was changed (ESV) New Testament: Mark 11 Mark 11 (Listen) The Triumphal Entry 11 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus1 sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?' say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.'” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Jesus Curses the Fig Tree 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Jesus Cleanses the Temple 15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they2 went out of the city. The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received3 it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”4 The Authority of Jesus Challenged 27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,' he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?' 32 But shall we say, ‘From man'?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Footnotes [1] 11:1 Greek he [2] 11:19 Some manuscripts he [3] 11:24 Some manuscripts are receiving [4] 11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26: But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses (ESV)

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 24–25 1 Chronicles 24–25 (Listen) David Organizes the Priests 24 The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests. 3 With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. 4 Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers' houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. 5 They divided them by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar. 6 And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father's house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar. 7 The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 19 These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the LORD according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him. 20 And of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 The sons of Hebron:1 Jeriah the chief,2 Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno.3 27 The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 Of Kish, the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers' houses. 31 These also, the head of each father's house and his younger brother alike, cast lots, just as their brothers the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of fathers' houses of the priests and of the Levites. David Organizes the Musicians 25 David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: 2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,4 Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the LORD. 4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7 The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the LORD, all who were skillful, was 288. 8 And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike. 9 The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve; 10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 20 to the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 21 to the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 22 to the fifteenth, to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 23 to the sixteenth, to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 24 to the seventeenth, to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 25 to the eighteenth, to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 26 to the nineteenth, to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 27 to the twentieth, to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 28 to the twenty-first, to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 29 to the twenty-second, to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 30 to the twenty-third, to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 31 to the twenty-fourth, to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve. Footnotes [1] 24:23 Compare 23:19; Hebrew lacks Hebron [2] 24:23 Compare 23:19; Hebrew lacks the chief [3] 24:26 Or his son; also verse 27 [4] 25:3 One Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts lack Shimei (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 14 Psalm 14 (Listen) The Fool Says, There Is No God To the choirmaster. Of David. 14   The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”    They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;    there is none who does good. 2   The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man,    to see if there are any who understand,1    who seek after God. 3   They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;    there is none who does good,    not even one. 4   Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers    who eat up my people as they eat bread    and do not call upon the LORD? 5   There they are in great terror,    for God is with the generation of the righteous.6   You would shame the plans of the poor,    but2 the LORD is his refuge. 7   Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!    When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,    let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. Footnotes [1] 14:2 Or that act wisely [2] 14:6 Or for (ESV) New Testament: Matthew 16–17 Matthew 16–17 (Listen) The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs 16 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them,1 “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock2 I will build my church, and the gates of hell3 shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed4 in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection 21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord!5 This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance6 to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life7 will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” The Transfiguration 17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,8 with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon 14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,9 and it10 came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.11 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”12 Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection 22 As they were gathering13 in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. The Temple Tax 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel.14 Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” Footnotes [1] 16:2 Some manuscripts omit the following words to the end of verse 3 [2] 16:18 The Greek words for Peter and rock sound similar [3] 16:18 Greek the gates of Hades [4] 16:19 Or shall have been bound . . . shall have been loosed [5] 16:22 Or “[May God be] merciful to you, Lord!” [6] 16:23 Greek stumbling block [7] 16:25 The same Greek word can mean either soul or life, depending on the context; twice in this verse and twice in verse 26 [8] 17:5 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved [9] 17:18 Greek it [10] 17:18 Greek the demon [11] 17:18 Greek from that hour [12] 17:20 Some manuscripts insert verse 21: But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting [13] 17:22 Some manuscripts remained [14] 17:27 Greek stater, a silver coin worth four drachmas or approximately one shekel (ESV)

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 6 1 Chronicles 6 (Listen) Descendants of Levi 6 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar fathered Phinehas, Phinehas fathered Abishua, 5 Abishua fathered Bukki, Bukki fathered Uzzi, 6 Uzzi fathered Zerahiah, Zerahiah fathered Meraioth, 7 Meraioth fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub, 8 Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Ahimaaz, 9 Ahimaaz fathered Azariah, Azariah fathered Johanan, 10 and Johanan fathered Azariah (it was he who served as priest in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem). 11 Azariah fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub, 12 Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Shallum, 13 Shallum fathered Hilkiah, Hilkiah fathered Azariah, 14 Azariah fathered Seraiah, Seraiah fathered Jehozadak; 15 and Jehozadak went into exile when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. 16 1 The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. 17 And these are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their fathers. 20 Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son. 22 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25 The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth, 26 Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 28 The sons of Samuel: Joel2 his firstborn, the second Abijah.3 29 The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, 30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son. 31 These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. 32 They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. 33 These are the men who served and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer the son of Joel, son of Samuel, 34 son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah, 35 son of Zuph, son of Elkanah, son of Mahath, son of Amasai, 36 son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah, 37 son of Tahath, son of Assir, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, 38 son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel; 39 and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, 40 son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchijah, 41 son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah, 42 son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei, 43 son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi. 44 On the left hand were their brothers, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch, 45 son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah, 46 son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer, 47 son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi. 48 And their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God. 49 But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense for all the work of the Most Holy Place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 50 These are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. 54 These are their dwelling places according to their settlements within their borders: to the sons of Aaron of the clans of Kohathites, for theirs was the first lot, 55 to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands, 56 but the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge: Hebron, Libnah with its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands, 58 Hilen with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands, 59 Ashan with its pasturelands, and Beth-shemesh with its pasturelands; 60 and from the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon,4 Geba with its pasturelands, Alemeth with its pasturelands, and Anathoth with its pasturelands. All their cities throughout their clans were thirteen. 61 To the rest of the Kohathites were given by lot out of the clan of the tribe, out of the half-tribe, the half of Manasseh, ten cities. 62 To the Gershomites according to their clans were allotted thirteen cities out of the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Manasseh in Bashan. 63 To the Merarites according to their clans were allotted twelve cities out of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. 64 So the people of Israel gave the Levites the cities with their pasturelands. 65 They gave by lot out of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin these cities that are mentioned by name. 66 And some of the clans of the sons of Kohath had cities of their territory out of the tribe of Ephraim. 67 They were given the cities of refuge: Shechem with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, 68 Jokmeam with its pasturelands, Beth-horon with its pasturelands, 69 Aijalon with its pasturelands, Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands, 70 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Aner with its pasturelands, and Bileam with its pasturelands, for the rest of the clans of the Kohathites. 71 To the Gershomites were given out of the clan of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands and Ashtaroth with its pasturelands; 72 and out of the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands, 73 Ramoth with its pasturelands, and Anem with its pasturelands; 74 out of the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands, 75 Hukok with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands; 76 and out of the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, Hammon with its pasturelands, and Kiriathaim with its pasturelands. 77 To the rest of the Merarites were allotted out of the tribe of Zebulun: Rimmono with its pasturelands, Tabor with its pasturelands, 78 and beyond the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, out of the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its pasturelands, Jahzah with its pasturelands, 79 Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands; 80 and out of the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, 81 Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands. Footnotes [1] 6:16 Ch 6:1 in Hebrew [2] 6:28 Septuagint, Syriac (compare verse 33 and 1 Samuel 8:2); Hebrew lacks Joel [3] 6:28 Hebrew and Abijah [4] 6:60 Septuagint, Syriac (compare Joshua 21:17); Hebrew lacks Gibeon (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 4 Psalm 4 (Listen) Answer Me When I Call To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. 4   Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!    You have given me relief when I was in distress.    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! 2   O men,1 how long shall my honor be turned into shame?    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah3   But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;    the LORD hears when I call to him. 4   Be angry,2 and do not sin;    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah5   Offer right sacrifices,    and put your trust in the LORD. 6   There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”7   You have put more joy in my heart    than they have when their grain and wine abound. 8   In peace I will both lie down and sleep;    for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Footnotes [1] 4:2 Or O men of rank [2] 4:4 Or Be agitated (ESV) New Testament: Matthew 6 Matthew 6 (Listen) Giving to the Needy 6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. The Lord's Prayer 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:   “Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name.110   Your kingdom come,  your will be done,2    on earth as it is in heaven.11   Give us this day our daily bread,312   and forgive us our debts,    as we also have forgiven our debtors.13   And lead us not into temptation,    but deliver us from evil.4 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Fasting 16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Lay Up Treasures in Heaven 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust5 destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.6 Do Not Be Anxious 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?7 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Footnotes [1] 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence [2] 6:10 Or Let your kingdom come, let your will be done [3] 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow [4] 6:13 Or the evil one; some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen [5] 6:19 Or worm; also verse 20 [6] 6:24 Greek mammon, a Semitic word for money or possessions [7] 6:27 Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters (ESV)

With family: Numbers 26; Psalm 69 Numbers 26 (Listen) Census of the New Generation 26 After the plague, the LORD said to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron, the priest, 2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war.” 3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 4 “Take a census of the people,1 from twenty years old and upward,” as the LORD commanded Moses. The people of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt were: 5 Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the clan of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the clan of the Palluites; 6 of Hezron, the clan of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the clan of the Carmites. 7 These are the clans of the Reubenites, and those listed were 43,730. 8 And the sons of Pallu: Eliab. 9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the LORD 10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning. 11 But the sons of Korah did not die. 12 The sons of Simeon according to their clans: of Nemuel, the clan of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the clan of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the clan of the Jachinites; 13 of Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the clan of the Shaulites. 14 These are the clans of the Simeonites, 22,200. 15 The sons of Gad according to their clans: of Zephon, the clan of the Zephonites; of Haggi, the clan of the Haggites; of Shuni, the clan of the Shunites; 16 of Ozni, the clan of the Oznites; of Eri, the clan of the Erites; 17 of Arod, the clan of the Arodites; of Areli, the clan of the Arelites. 18 These are the clans of the sons of Gad as they were listed, 40,500. 19 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan; and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20 And the sons of Judah according to their clans were: of Shelah, the clan of the Shelanites; of Perez, the clan of the Perezites; of Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites. 21 And the sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the clan of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the clan of the Hamulites. 22 These are the clans of Judah as they were listed, 76,500. 23 The sons of Issachar according to their clans: of Tola, the clan of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the clan of the Punites; 24 of Jashub, the clan of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the clan of the Shimronites. 25 These are the clans of Issachar as they were listed, 64,300. 26 The sons of Zebulun, according to their clans: of Sered, the clan of the Seredites; of Elon, the clan of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the clan of the Jahleelites. 27 These are the clans of the Zebulunites as they were listed, 60,500. 28 The sons of Joseph according to their clans: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the clan of the Machirites; and Machir was the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the clan of the Gileadites. 30 These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the clan of the Iezerites; of Helek, the clan of the Helekites; 31 and of Asriel, the clan of the Asrielites; and of Shechem, the clan of the Shechemites; 32 and of Shemida, the clan of the Shemidaites; and of Hepher, the clan of the Hepherites. 33 Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters. And the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34 These are the clans of Manasseh, and those listed were 52,700. 35 These are the sons of Ephraim according to their clans: of Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the clan of the Becherites; of Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites. 36 And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the clan of the Eranites. 37 These are the clans of the sons of Ephraim as they were listed, 32,500. These are the sons of Joseph according to their clans. 38 The sons of Benjamin according to their clans: of Bela, the clan of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the clan of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the clan of the Ahiramites; 39 of Shephupham, the clan of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the clan of the Huphamites. 40 And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the clan of the Ardites; of Naaman, the clan of the Naamites. 41 These are the sons of Benjamin according to their clans, and those listed were 45,600. 42 These are the sons of Dan according to their clans: of Shuham, the clan of the Shuhamites. These are the clans of Dan according to their clans. 43 All the clans of the Shuhamites, as they were listed, were 64,400. 44 The sons of Asher according to their clans: of Imnah, the clan of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the clan of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the clan of the Beriites. 45 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the clan of the Heberites; of Malchiel, the clan of the Malchielites. 46 And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. 47 These are the clans of the sons of Asher as they were listed, 53,400. 48 The sons of Naphtali according to their clans: of Jahzeel, the clan of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the clan of the Gunites; 49 of Jezer, the clan of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the clan of the Shillemites. 50 These are the clans of Naphtali according to their clans, and those listed were 45,400. 51 This was the list of the people of Israel, 601,730. 52 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 53 “Among these the land shall be divided for inheritance according to the number of names. 54 To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance; every tribe shall be given its inheritance in proportion to its list. 55 But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 56 Their inheritance shall be divided according to lot between the larger and the smaller.” 57 This was the list of the Levites according to their clans: of Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the clan of the Kohathites; of Merari, the clan of the Merarites. 58 These are the clans of Levi: the clan of the Libnites, the clan of the Hebronites, the clan of the Mahlites, the clan of the Mushites, the clan of the Korahites. And Kohath was the father of Amram. 59 The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister. 60 And to Aaron were born Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 61 But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD. 62 And those listed were 23,000, every male from a month old and upward. For they were not listed among the people of Israel, because there was no inheritance given to them among the people of Israel. 63 These were those listed by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who listed the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the LORD had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. Footnotes [1] 26:4 Take a census of the people is implied (compare verse 2) (ESV) Psalm 69 (Listen) Save Me, O God To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. Of David. 69   Save me, O God!    For the waters have come up to my neck.12   I sink in deep mire,    where there is no foothold;  I have come into deep waters,    and the flood sweeps over me.3   I am weary with my crying out;    my throat is parched.  My eyes grow dim    with waiting for my God. 4   More in number than the hairs of my head    are those who hate me without cause;  mighty are those who would destroy me,    those who attack me with lies.  What I did not steal    must I now restore?5   O God, you know my folly;    the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. 6   Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,    O Lord GOD of hosts;  let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,    O God of Israel.7   For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,    that dishonor has covered my face.8   I have become a stranger to my brothers,    an alien to my mother's sons. 9   For zeal for your house has consumed me,    and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.10   When I wept and humbled2 my soul with fasting,    it became my reproach.11   When I made sackcloth my clothing,    I became a byword to them.12   I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,    and the drunkards make songs about me. 13   But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.    At an acceptable time, O God,    in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.14   Deliver me    from sinking in the mire;  let me be delivered from my enemies    and from the deep waters.15   Let not the flood sweep over me,    or the deep swallow me up,    or the pit close its mouth over me. 16   Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;    according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.17   Hide not your face from your servant,    for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.18   Draw near to my soul, redeem me;    ransom me because of my enemies! 19   You know my reproach,    and my shame and my dishonor;    my foes are all known to you.20   Reproaches have broken my heart,    so that I am in despair.  I looked for pity, but there was none,    and for comforters, but I found none.21   They gave me poison for food,    and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. 22   Let their own table before them become a snare;    and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.323   Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,    and make their loins tremble continually.24   Pour out your indignation upon them,    and let your burning anger overtake them.25   May their camp be a desolation;    let no one dwell in their tents.26   For they persecute him whom you have struck down,    and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.27   Add to them punishment upon punishment;    may they have no acquittal from you.428   Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;    let them not be enrolled among the righteous. 29   But I am afflicted and in pain;    let your salvation, O God, set me on high! 30   I will praise the name of God with a song;    I will magnify him with thanksgiving.31   This will please the LORD more than an ox    or a bull with horns and hoofs.32   When the humble see it they will be glad;    you who seek God, let your hearts revive.33   For the LORD hears the needy    and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. 34   Let heaven and earth praise him,    the seas and everything that moves in them.35   For God will save Zion    and build up the cities of Judah,  and people shall dwell there and possess it;36     the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,    and those who love his name shall dwell in it. Footnotes [1] 69:1 Or waters threaten my life [2] 69:10 Hebrew lacks and humbled [3] 69:22 Hebrew; a slight revocalization yields (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome) a snare, and retribution and a trap [4] 69:27 Hebrew may they not come into your righteousness (ESV) In private: Isaiah 16; 1 Peter 4 Isaiah 16 (Listen) 16   Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,  from Sela, by way of the desert,    to the mount of the daughter of Zion.2   Like fleeing birds,    like a scattered nest,  so are the daughters of Moab    at the fords of the Arnon. 3   “Give counsel;    grant justice;  make your shade like night    at the height of noon;  shelter the outcasts;    do not reveal the fugitive;4   let the outcasts of Moab    sojourn among you;  be a shelter to them1    from the destroyer.  When the oppressor is no more,    and destruction has ceased,  and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land,5   then a throne will be established in steadfast love,    and on it will sit in faithfulness    in the tent of David  one who judges and seeks justice    and is swift to do righteousness.” 6   We have heard of the pride of Moab—    how proud he is!—  of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence;    in his idle boasting he is not right.7   Therefore let Moab wail for Moab,    let everyone wail.  Mourn, utterly stricken,    for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth. 8   For the fields of Heshbon languish,    and the vine of Sibmah;  the lords of the nations    have struck down its branches,  which reached to Jazer    and strayed to the desert;  its shoots spread abroad    and passed over the sea.9   Therefore I weep with the weeping of Jazer    for the vine of Sibmah;  I drench you with my tears,    O Heshbon and Elealeh;  for over your summer fruit and your harvest    the shout has ceased.10   And joy and gladness are taken away from the fruitful field,  and in the vineyards no songs are sung,    no cheers are raised;  no treader treads out wine in the presses;    I have put an end to the shouting.11   Therefore my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab,    and my inmost self for Kir-hareseth. 12 And when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, when he comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not prevail. 13 This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past. 14 But now the LORD has spoken, saying, “In three years, like the years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt, in spite of all his great multitude, and those who remain will be very few and feeble.” Footnotes [1] 16:4 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac; Masoretic Text let my outcasts sojourn among you; as for Moab, be a shelter to them (ESV) 1 Peter 4 (Listen) Stewards of God's Grace 4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,1 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Suffering as a Christian 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory2 and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And   “If the righteous is scarcely saved,    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”3 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. Footnotes [1] 4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you [2] 4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power [3] 4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear? (ESV)