Day 180 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 29 June 2022 reflections
Day 180, 29 June 2022
1) 2 Chronicles 29:3-36,30,31
2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple
3 (2Ch 28:24; 29:7) And in the first year and first month of his reign
he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and restored them.
4 He then brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the square
on the eastern side
5 (2Ch 35:6; 1Ch 15:12) and said to them, "Listen to me, Levites.
Consecrate yourselves and consecrate the house of the Lord God
of your fathers. And bring out the detestable things
from the holy sanctuary.
6 (Eze 8:16; Jer 2:27) For our fathers have acted unfaithfully
and have done what is evil in the eyes of the Lord our God,
and they have abandoned Him. They have turned their face
from the sanctuary of the Lord and have turned their back.
7 (2Ch 28:24) They also shut the doors of the vestibule
and have extinguished the lamps, nor have they burned incense
or burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel.
8 (Jer 25:9; 25:18) Therefore the wrath of the Lord has come on Judah
and Jerusalem for a terror, horror, and scorn as you all can see
with your own eyes.
9 (2Ch 28:17; 28:5-8) Observe, our fathers have fallen by the sword,
and now our sons, daughters, and wives are in captivity for all this.
10 (2Ch 23:16) Now it is in my heart to make a covenant
with the Lord God of Israel so that His burning anger might turn away from us.
11 My people, do not now be negligent for the Lord has chosen you all
to stand in His presence, to serve Him, and to be ministers
and make sacrifices for Him."
12 Then the Levites arose:
from the Kohathites,
Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah;
from the Merarites,
Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel;
from the Gershonites,
Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah;
13 (1Ch 6:39; 15:8) from the descendants of Elizaphan,
Shimri and Jeiel;
from the descendants of Asaph,
Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14 (1Ch 6:33) from the descendants of Heman,
Jehiel and Shimei;
from the descendants of Jeduthun,
Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 (2Ch 30:12; 1Ch 23:28) So they gathered their brothers together
and consecrated themselves and entered in as the king commanded
by the words of the Lord in order to cleanse the house of the Lord.
16 (2Ch 15:16) Then the priests came into the inner part of the house
of the Lord to cleanse it, and they removed everything that they found
that was unclean in the main hall of the temple of the Lord to the court.
And the Levites took those things and brought them out to the Kidron Valley.
17 They began to consecrate themselves on the first day of the first month,
and on the eighth day of the month they entered the vestibule of the Lord.
They consecrated the house of the Lord for eight days. Then on the 16th day
of the first month they completed the task.
18 Then they came toward Hezekiah the king and said, "We have cleaned
the entire house of the Lord, the altar of burnt offerings and all its utensils,
and the table for showbread and all its utensils.
19 (2Ch 28:24) All the vessels that King Ahaz discarded from use
during his reign in his treachery we have prepared and consecrated.
They are before the altar of the Lord."
Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship
20 So King Hezekiah got up early and gathered the officials of the city
and went up to the house of the Lord.
21 (Lev 4:3-14) And he brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs,
and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom, sanctuary,
and Judah. Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer
them up on the altar of the Lord.
22 (Lev 4:18; 8:19) So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests
took their blood and sprinkled it on the altar and then slaughtered
the rams and sprinkled their blood on the altar. They did the same
for the lambs.
23 (Lev 4:15) And they brought the male goats for a sin offering
before the king and the assembly, and they placed their hands on the goats.
24 And the priests slaughtered them and purified the altar with their blood
to provide atoning reconciliation for all Israel because the king said
that the burnt offering and sin offering would be for all Israel.
25 (2Ch 8:14; 2Sa 24:11) And he set the Levites at the house of the Lord
with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the commandment of David,
and Gad the seer of the king, and Nathan the prophet.
For the commandment came from the Lord through His prophets.
26 (1Ch 23:5; 15:24) So the Levites stood with the instruments of David
and the priests with the trumpets.
27 (2Ch 23:18) Then Hezekiah gave the command to offer the burnt offering
on the altar. When they started the burnt offering, the song of the Lord began
also, with the trumpets and the instruments of David, king of Israel.
28 The entire assembly worshipped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters
sounded. All of this took place until the burnt offering was finished.
29 (2Ch 20:18) When the burnt offering was finished, the king and all those
with him bowed down and worshipped.
30 Then Hezekiah the king and the officials ordered the Levites
to praise the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the seer.
So they praised with gladness and bowed down to worship.
31 (2Ch 13:9; Ex 35:22) Then Hezekiah responded, "Now you have dedicated
yourselves to the Lord. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings
to the house of the Lord." So the assembly brought sacrifices
and thank offerings, and all who had a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was seventy
bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs;
all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord.
33 The consecrated animals were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep.
34 (2Ch 30:3; 35:11) However there were too few priests, and they were
not able to skin the burnt offerings. But their brothers the Levites
helped them until the work was finished and more priests consecrated
themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to consecrate
themselves than the priests.
35 (Nu 15:5-10; Ex 29:13) Also burnt offerings were in abundance with the fat
of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings.
So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order.
36 Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people,
since the events happened suddenly.
[3] He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors
of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
[4] And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them
together into the east street,
[5] And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and
sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the
filthiness out of the holy place.
[6] For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the
eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their
faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.
[7] Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps,
and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place
unto the God of Israel.
[8] Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he
hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see
with your eyes.
[9] For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our
daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
[10] Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel,
that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
[11] My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand
before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn
incense.
[12] Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of
Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the
son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah
the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:
[13] And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of
Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:
[14] And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of
Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel.
[15] And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came,
according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to
cleanse the house of the LORD.
[16] And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to
cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the
temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites
took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.
[17] Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on
the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they
sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of
the first month they made an end.
[18] Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all
the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels
thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
[19] Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in
his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are
before the altar of the LORD.
[20] Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city,
and went up to the house of the LORD.
[21] And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and
seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary,
and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them
on the altar of the LORD.
[22] So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and
sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they
sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they
sprinkled the blood upon the altar.
[23] And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the
king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:
[24] And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their
blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king
commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for
all Israel.
[25] And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with
psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of
Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of
the LORD by his prophets.
[26] And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests
with the trumpets.
[27] And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And
when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the
trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.
[28] And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the
trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was
finished.
[29] And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were
present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.
[30] Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to
sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer.
And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and
worshipped.
[31] Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves
unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the
house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank
offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.
[32] And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought,
was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs:
all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.
[33] And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand
sheep.
[34] But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt
offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work
was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the
Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
[35] And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the
peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the
service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
[36] And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the
people: for the thing was done suddenly.
2 Chronicles 30
Hezekiah Celebrates the Passover
1 And Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah. He even wrote letters
to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they come to the house of the Lord
in Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel.
2 (Nu 9:10-11) The king counseled with his officials and all the assembly
in Jerusalem to have the Passover in the second month.
3 (2Ch 29:34; Ex 12:6) For they were not able to have it at the appropriate
time of the first month because a sufficient amount of priests had not
consecrated themselves, nor had the people assembled yet in Jerusalem.
4 And this matter was pleasing in the eyes of the king and all the assembly.
5 (Jdg 20:1) So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel,
from Beersheba to Dan, that they come to keep the Passover to the Lord God
of Israel in Jerusalem, for the multitude of people did not do
as it was written.
6 (Est 8:14; Jer 51:31) So couriers ran throughout all Israel and Judah
with a letter from the hand of the king and his officials
as a command from the king:
"Sons of Israel, return to the Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel
that He might turn to the remnant who has escaped from the king of Assyria.
7 (2Ch 29:8) Do not act like your fathers and brothers who were faithless
before the Lord God of their fathers, and He appointed them for horror,
as you observe.
8 (Ex 32:9; 2Ch 29:10) So now do not harden your necks as your fathers,
but give yourselves to the Lord and come to the sanctuary
that He has consecrated permanently. Serve the Lord your God so that
His burning anger might turn away from you all.
9 (Ex 34:6-7; Ps 106:46) Because if you return to the Lord, your brothers
and children will find compassion before those who have taken them captive,
in order to return you to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious
and compassionate. He will not turn His face from you
if you all return to Him."
10 (2Ch 36:16; 30:6) So the couriers ran from city to city in the land
of Ephraim and Manasseh and up to Zebulun, but the people laughed
at them and mocked them.
11 (2Ch 30:18; 30:21) However some men from Asher, Manasseh,
and Zebulun humbled themselves and journeyed to Jerusalem.
12 (Php 2:13; Jer 32:39) And even in Judah the hand of God was on them
to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king
and officials by the word of the Lord.
13 And many people assembled in Jerusalem to have
the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month.
There was a very large assembly.
14 (2Ch 28:24; 2Sa 15:23) They went out and removed the altars
that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the incense altars
and threw them into the Kidron Valley.
15 (2Ch 29:34) They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day
of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed,
and they consecrated themselves and brought in burnt offerings
to the house of the Lord.
16 (Dt 33:1; 2Ch 35:15) They stood at their places according
to the Law of Moses, the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood
they received from the hands of the Levites.
17 (2Ch 29:34) For there were many in the assembly
who had consecrated themselves, so the Levites slaughtered
the Passover lamb for those who were not clean in order to consecrate
the people to the Lord.
18 For a multitude of the people-many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar,
and Zebulun-had not purified themselves. For they ate of the Passover
contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed over them saying,
"The Lord is good, and may He pardon
19 (2Ch 19:3) everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord God
of his fathers, but is not pure according the rules of the holy sanctuary."
20 So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
21 (Ex 12:15; 13:6) Then the sons of Israel present in Jerusalem kept
the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy,
and the Levites and priests praised the Lord every day,
singing with loud instruments to the Lord.
22 (2Ch 32:6; Ne 9:3) Then Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites
who taught the good knowledge of the Lord. So they ate for the appointed
seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God
of their fathers.
23 (1Ki 8:65; 2Ch 7:9) Then the whole assembly counseled to have the feast
for another seven days, so they had seven more days of gladness.
24 (2Ch 29:34; 35:7-8) For Hezekiah king of Judah lifted up for the assembly
one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep. And the officials offered up
for the assembly one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep.
And a multitude of priests consecrated themselves.
25 (2Ch 30:11; 30:18) So all the assembly of Judah and the priests
and Levites and all the assembly who came from Israel rejoiced,
even the sojourners who came from the land of Israel
and those who resided in Judah.
26 (2Ch 7:8-10) And there was a great rejoicing in Jerusalem,
for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel
there had not been anything like this.
27 (Dt 26:15; Ps 68:5) Then the priests and Levites went out
and blessed the people, and their voices were heard.
And their prayers came up to His holy habitation in the heavens.
[1] And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to
Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at
Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
[2] For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the
congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
[3] For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not
sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered
themselves together to Jerusalem.
[4] And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
[5] So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel,
from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto
the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time
in such sort as it was written.
[6] So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes
throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the
king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that
are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
[7] And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which
trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up
to desolation, as ye see.
[8] Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves
unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for
ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn
away from you.
[9] For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children
shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall
come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful,
and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
[10] So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim
and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked
them.
[11] Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled
themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
[12] Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the
commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
[13] And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of
unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
[14] And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all
the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.
[15] Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second
month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified
themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
[16] And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law
of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they
received of the hand of the Levites.
[17] For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified:
therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for
every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.
[18] For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh,
Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the
passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them,
saying, The good LORD pardon every one
[19] That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers,
though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
[20] And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
[21] And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the
feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites
and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments
unto the LORD.
[22] And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the
good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven
days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of
their fathers.
[23] And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they
kept other seven days with gladness.
[24] For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand
bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation
a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests
sanctified themselves.
[25] And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites,
and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that
came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.
[26] So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the
son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.
[27] Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their
voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even
unto heaven.
2 Chronicles 31
1 (2Ki 18:4; 2Ch 32:12) And when this celebration was finished,
all of Israel that was present went out to the cities of Judah
and smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles
and tore down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah
and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until everything
was destroyed. Then all Israel returned to their cities,
each man to his own possession.
Temple Contributions
2Ki 18:5-7
2 (1Ch 24:1) And Hezekiah set up the divisions of the priests
and Levites according to their divisions, each man as he worked
among the priests and Levites for burnt and fellowship offerings,
to serve, give thanks, and offer praise at the gates of the camp of the Lord.
3 (2Ch 35:7; Eze 45:17) And the portion of the king that came from his own
possessions was for burnt offerings, those given in the morning and evening,
and those given for Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts,
as written in the Law of the Lord.
4 (Mal 2:7; Nu 18:8-21) And he ordered those people living in Jerusalem
to give a portion for the priests and Levites, in order for them to devote
themselves to the Law of the Lord.
5 (Ne 13:12; Nu 18:12) And when the command spread, the sons of Israel
gave generously the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey,
and all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundance
a tenth portion of everything.
6 (Lev 27:30; Dt 14:28) And the sons of Israel and Judah
and all who dwelled in the cities of Judah also brought in a tenth portion
of cattle and sheep, and a tenth portion of the consecrated items
that were to the Lord their God, and brought them in and set them
in great piles.
7 In the third month they began to assign the piles of contribution,
and they finished in the seventh month.
8 When Hezekiah and the officials saw the contribution piles,
they blessed the Lord and His people Israel.
9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites
regarding the contribution piles.
10 (Mal 3:10; 1Ch 6:8) Azariah the head priest from the house of Zadok
said, "Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord,
there has been plenty of food and a large amount left over.
For the Lord has blessed His people, and this great abundance is left over."
11 Then Hezekiah ordered them to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord,
and they did this.
12 (2Ch 35:9) They reliably brought in the contributions, tenth portions,
and consecrated items. The leader over them was Konaniah the Levite,
and Shimei his brother was second to him.
13 And Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah,
Mahath, and Benaiah were supervisors under Konaniah and Shimei his brother
by the appointment of Hezekiah the king
and Azariah the leader of the house of God.
14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite was gatekeeper for the East Gate
and over the voluntary offerings to God, to designate the contributions
of the Lord and most holy offerings.
15 (Jos 21:9-19) Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah,
and Shekaniah reliably assisted him in the cities of the priests
to distribute the portions to their brothers by division,
both great and small.
16 (Ezr 3:4) Besides those males registered from three years old and above,
they distributed to all who entered into the house of the Lord his daily
portion, for their services according to their duties and their divisions.
17 (1Ch 23:24; 23:27) The registration of the priests was according
to the house of their fathers and the Levites from twenty years and above,
according to their duties and their divisions.
18 They were registered with all their little children, wives, sons,
and daughters for the entire assembly for they consecrated
themselves in faithfulness.
19 (2Ch 31:12-15; Lev 25:34) Also for the sons of Aaron, the priests,
who were in the fields of common land of their cities,
there were men in each city who were designated by name to allocate
portions to every male among the priests and to everyone
who was registered by genealogy among the Levites.
20 (2Ki 20:3; 22:2) Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah,
and he did what was good and just and faithful before the Lord his God.
21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house of God
and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,
he did this with all his heart, and he found success.
[1] Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to
the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the
groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and
Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed
them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his
possession, into their own cities.
[2] And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after
their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites
for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give
thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
[3] He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt
offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the
burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set
feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
[4] Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the
portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the
law of the LORD.
[5] And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel
brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and
of all the increase of the fields; and the tithe of all things brought they
in abundantly.
[6] And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the
cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the
tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and
laid them by heaps.
[7] In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and
finished them in the seventh month.
[8] And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed
the LORD, and his people Israel.
[9] Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the
heaps.
[10] And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and
said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the
LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath
blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
[11] Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD;
and they prepared them,
[12] And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things
faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother
was the next.
[13] And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and
Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers
under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of
Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
[14] And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was
over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD,
and the most holy things.
[15] And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah,
Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office,
to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
[16] Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even
unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion
for their service in their charges according to their courses;
[17] Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and
the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their
courses;
[18] And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their
sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set
office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
[19] Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the
suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed
by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all
that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
[20] And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was
good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
[21] And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and
in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his
heart, and prospered.
2) Our Daily Bread for 29 June 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/06/29/run-2
Entitled Run From Sin
Genesis 39:11-23
11 But it happened one day that Joseph went into the house to do his work,
and none of the men of the house was there.
12 She caught him by his clothing, saying, "Lie with me."
But he left his clothing in her hand and fled and got outside.
13 When she saw that he had left his clothing in her hand
and had fled outside,
14 she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying,
"See, he has brought in a Hebrew among us to humiliate us.
He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice.
15 When he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out,
he left his clothing with me, fled, and got outside."
16 She laid up his clothing next to her until his master came home.
17 She spoke to him using these words, saying, "The Hebrew servant,
whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me.
18 When I lifted up my voice and cried out,
he left his clothing with me and fled outside."
19 When his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him,
saying, "This is what your servant did to me," he became enraged.
20 Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison,
a place where the king's prisoners were confined.
So he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph
and showed him mercy and gave him favor in
the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22 The keeper of the prison committed all the prisoners
that were in the prison to the charge of Joseph. So whatever
they did there, he was the one responsible for it.
23 The keeper of the prison did not concern himself with anything
that was under Joseph's charge because the Lord was with him.
And whatever he did, the Lord made it to prosper.
[11] And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to
do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
[12] And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his
garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
[13] And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her
hand, and was fled forth,
[14] That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying,
See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to
lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
[15] And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried,
that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
[16] And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
[17] And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew
servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
[18] And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left
his garment with me, and fled out.
[19] And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which
she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that
his wrath was kindled.
[20] And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place
where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
[21] But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour
in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
[22] And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the
prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the
doer of it.
[23] The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his
hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it
to prosper.
Twice this summer I suffered the scourge of poison ivy. Both times it
happened, I was working on clearing away unwanted plant growth from our yard.
And both times, I saw the nasty, three-leafed enemy lurking nearby. I figured
I could get close to it without it affecting me. Soon enough, I realised I'd
been wrong. Instead of getting nearer to my little green nemesis,
I should have run the other way!
In the Old Testament story of Joseph, we see modeled the principle of running
from something worse than poison ivy: sin. When he was living in the home of
Egyptian official Potiphar, whose wife tried to seduce him, Joseph didn't try
to get close-he ran.
Although she falsely accused him and had him thrown in prison, Joseph remained
pure throughout the episode. And as we see in Genesis 39:21, "The Lord was
with him."
God can help us flee activities and situations that could lead us away from
Him-guiding us to run the other way when sin is nearby. In 2 Timothy 2:22,
Paul writes, "Flee the evil desires." And in 1 Corinthians 6:18, he says to
"flee from sexual immorality."
In God's strength, may we choose to run from those things that could harm us.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
What's your "poison ivy," something that can infect you if you don't run
from it? What can you do to run from it?
God, You know what I'm getting too close to right now.
Help me to run from it and not look back. Please give me the courage
and wisdom to not let anything get between You and me.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 4 - Arming for Battle
Joshua 1:8
8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.
Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according
to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,
and you will be wise.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.
When God spoke these words to Joshua, the young leader's prospects for
"prosperity" and "success" were far from promising. Upon Moses' death,
Joshua was appointed to lead Israel into the Promised Land, to claim
the territory and establish a nation under God's rule.
Joshua was afraid, and for good reason. The people were rebellious
and intractable. And "claiming the land" meant battling many strong enemies.
Yet God told Joshua that his strength would come not in preparing for battle,
but in preparing for battle, but in preparing himself by meditating
on and applying God's word to his life.
We, too, face difficult battles as we seek to enter the "Promised Land"
of God's peace and presence. But his promise is the same as it was to Joshua:
through obedience to the Word, we can find prosperity and success.
God's promise does not necessarily mean financial prosperity
or material success. These victories may come as well, but God's primary
purpose for his people is spiritual success - the victory and joy of living
in fellowship with him. We can be enriched in the knowledge of God and
find power to overcome the enemies of sin and self. The way may not be easy
- after all, there is no victory without conflict - but God promises
that we will succeed as we look to him.
Application
a) What image do I have a personal "Promised Land" that I long
to enter and claim as my own?
b) What enemies will I need to battle in order to enter that land?
c) How can meditation on the Word of God and obedience to him bring me
prosperity and success?
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 7 - Upheld by His Hand
Is 41:10
10 (Jos 1:9; Isa 41:13-14) Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you,
yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Beth had the same recurring nightmare: she was running along a cliff,
then she slipped, and fell headlong, into a bottomless ravine.
Falling, without control,without end, falling, falling, falling...
Beth's dream may be one many of us identify with. The sense
of losing control can be nightmarish, and we may fear falling
without end, without remedy. Financial failure may be the chasm
that we face, or professional disgrace. Personal relationships
may go out of control, and we look into a never-ending
ravine of pain and misunderstanding
But God says, "Don't be afraid; I am holding you up."
Like the father who helps his child learn to swim,
God holds us above the water. We may not feel his hands;
indeed, we may suspect that he lets us go just so we can
do it on our own. But he promises that he doesn't let go.
"I am with you." he declares. "I give you strength
and hold you up."
God's promise never to let go takes on new meaning
in a world where relationships are temporary and life is
uncertain. We do not need to fear, for he is with us.
We can relax and stop striving, for he is our God.
His strength becomes ours; amid all our sin and rebellion,
he undergirds us with his righteousness. We cannot fall,
for he holds us firm.
Application
a) Under what circumstances have I felt myself "falling"?
b) How does God's promise in Is 41:10 help me to have faith
in the midst of my fears?
4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Deut 28:11
11 (Dt 28:4; 30:9) The Lord will make you overflow in prosperity,
in the offspring of your body, in the offspring of your livestock,
and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore
to your fathers to give you.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body,
and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land
which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
1 John 4:16b-18
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us,
so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is,
so are we in this world.
18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love,
but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
Whoever fears is not perfect in love.
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness
in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 29 of the Month
a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion (
Ps 139:13-16
13 You brought my inner parts into being;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;
marvelous are Your works,
and You know me completely.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me unformed,
yet in Your book
all my days were written,
before any of them came into being.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee,
When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
And in thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them.
)
b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight (
Gal 2:10
10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,
which I also was eager to do.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a Reformer like Hezekiah.
Pray to the Lord: "God, You know what I'm getting too close to right now.
Help me to run from it and not look back. Please give me the courage
and wisdom to not let anything get between You and me."
Pray to the Lord and pray to effectively meditate on His Word.
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His covenant.
Pray to the Lord and remember He is love.
Agree in prayer for Quebec:
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion
Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight.
Pray that more Canadian Christians will remember the needs of our
persecuted family around the world.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) 2 Chronicles 29:3-36,30,31
2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple
3 (2Ch 28:24; 29:7) And in the first year and first month of his reign
he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and restored them.
4 He then brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the square
on the eastern side
5 (2Ch 35:6; 1Ch 15:12) and said to them, "Listen to me, Levites.
Consecrate yourselves and consecrate the house of the Lord God
of your fathers. And bring out the detestable things
from the holy sanctuary.
6 (Eze 8:16; Jer 2:27) For our fathers have acted unfaithfully
and have done what is evil in the eyes of the Lord our God,
and they have abandoned Him. They have turned their face
from the sanctuary of the Lord and have turned their back.
7 (2Ch 28:24) They also shut the doors of the vestibule
and have extinguished the lamps, nor have they burned incense
or burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel.
8 (Jer 25:9; 25:18) Therefore the wrath of the Lord has come on Judah
and Jerusalem for a terror, horror, and scorn as you all can see
with your own eyes.
9 (2Ch 28:17; 28:5-8) Observe, our fathers have fallen by the sword,
and now our sons, daughters, and wives are in captivity for all this.
10 (2Ch 23:16) Now it is in my heart to make a covenant
with the Lord God of Israel so that His burning anger might turn away from us.
11 My people, do not now be negligent for the Lord has chosen you all
to stand in His presence, to serve Him, and to be ministers
and make sacrifices for Him."
12 Then the Levites arose:
from the Kohathites,
Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah;
from the Merarites,
Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel;
from the Gershonites,
Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah;
13 (1Ch 6:39; 15:8) from the descendants of Elizaphan,
Shimri and Jeiel;
from the descendants of Asaph,
Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14 (1Ch 6:33) from the descendants of Heman,
Jehiel and Shimei;
from the descendants of Jeduthun,
Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 (2Ch 30:12; 1Ch 23:28) So they gathered their brothers together
and consecrated themselves and entered in as the king commanded
by the words of the Lord in order to cleanse the house of the Lord.
16 (2Ch 15:16) Then the priests came into the inner part of the house
of the Lord to cleanse it, and they removed everything that they found
that was unclean in the main hall of the temple of the Lord to the court.
And the Levites took those things and brought them out to the Kidron Valley.
17 They began to consecrate themselves on the first day of the first month,
and on the eighth day of the month they entered the vestibule of the Lord.
They consecrated the house of the Lord for eight days. Then on the 16th day
of the first month they completed the task.
18 Then they came toward Hezekiah the king and said, "We have cleaned
the entire house of the Lord, the altar of burnt offerings and all its utensils,
and the table for showbread and all its utensils.
19 (2Ch 28:24) All the vessels that King Ahaz discarded from use
during his reign in his treachery we have prepared and consecrated.
They are before the altar of the Lord."
Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship
20 So King Hezekiah got up early and gathered the officials of the city
and went up to the house of the Lord.
21 (Lev 4:3-14) And he brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs,
and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom, sanctuary,
and Judah. Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer
them up on the altar of the Lord.
22 (Lev 4:18; 8:19) So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests
took their blood and sprinkled it on the altar and then slaughtered
the rams and sprinkled their blood on the altar. They did the same
for the lambs.
23 (Lev 4:15) And they brought the male goats for a sin offering
before the king and the assembly, and they placed their hands on the goats.
24 And the priests slaughtered them and purified the altar with their blood
to provide atoning reconciliation for all Israel because the king said
that the burnt offering and sin offering would be for all Israel.
25 (2Ch 8:14; 2Sa 24:11) And he set the Levites at the house of the Lord
with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the commandment of David,
and Gad the seer of the king, and Nathan the prophet.
For the commandment came from the Lord through His prophets.
26 (1Ch 23:5; 15:24) So the Levites stood with the instruments of David
and the priests with the trumpets.
27 (2Ch 23:18) Then Hezekiah gave the command to offer the burnt offering
on the altar. When they started the burnt offering, the song of the Lord began
also, with the trumpets and the instruments of David, king of Israel.
28 The entire assembly worshipped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters
sounded. All of this took place until the burnt offering was finished.
29 (2Ch 20:18) When the burnt offering was finished, the king and all those
with him bowed down and worshipped.
30 Then Hezekiah the king and the officials ordered the Levites
to praise the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the seer.
So they praised with gladness and bowed down to worship.
31 (2Ch 13:9; Ex 35:22) Then Hezekiah responded, "Now you have dedicated
yourselves to the Lord. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings
to the house of the Lord." So the assembly brought sacrifices
and thank offerings, and all who had a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was seventy
bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs;
all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord.
33 The consecrated animals were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep.
34 (2Ch 30:3; 35:11) However there were too few priests, and they were
not able to skin the burnt offerings. But their brothers the Levites
helped them until the work was finished and more priests consecrated
themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to consecrate
themselves than the priests.
35 (Nu 15:5-10; Ex 29:13) Also burnt offerings were in abundance with the fat
of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings.
So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order.
36 Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people,
since the events happened suddenly.
[3] He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors
of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
[4] And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them
together into the east street,
[5] And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and
sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the
filthiness out of the holy place.
[6] For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the
eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their
faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.
[7] Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps,
and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place
unto the God of Israel.
[8] Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he
hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see
with your eyes.
[9] For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our
daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
[10] Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel,
that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
[11] My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand
before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn
incense.
[12] Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of
Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the
son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah
the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:
[13] And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of
Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:
[14] And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of
Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel.
[15] And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came,
according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to
cleanse the house of the LORD.
[16] And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to
cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the
temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites
took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.
[17] Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on
the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they
sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of
the first month they made an end.
[18] Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all
the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels
thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
[19] Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in
his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are
before the altar of the LORD.
[20] Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city,
and went up to the house of the LORD.
[21] And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and
seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary,
and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them
on the altar of the LORD.
[22] So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and
sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they
sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they
sprinkled the blood upon the altar.
[23] And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the
king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:
[24] And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their
blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king
commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for
all Israel.
[25] And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with
psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of
Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of
the LORD by his prophets.
[26] And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests
with the trumpets.
[27] And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And
when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the
trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.
[28] And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the
trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was
finished.
[29] And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were
present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.
[30] Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to
sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer.
And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and
worshipped.
[31] Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves
unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the
house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank
offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.
[32] And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought,
was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs:
all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.
[33] And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand
sheep.
[34] But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt
offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work
was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the
Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
[35] And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the
peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the
service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
[36] And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the
people: for the thing was done suddenly.
2 Chronicles 30
Hezekiah Celebrates the Passover
1 And Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah. He even wrote letters
to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they come to the house of the Lord
in Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel.
2 (Nu 9:10-11) The king counseled with his officials and all the assembly
in Jerusalem to have the Passover in the second month.
3 (2Ch 29:34; Ex 12:6) For they were not able to have it at the appropriate
time of the first month because a sufficient amount of priests had not
consecrated themselves, nor had the people assembled yet in Jerusalem.
4 And this matter was pleasing in the eyes of the king and all the assembly.
5 (Jdg 20:1) So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel,
from Beersheba to Dan, that they come to keep the Passover to the Lord God
of Israel in Jerusalem, for the multitude of people did not do
as it was written.
6 (Est 8:14; Jer 51:31) So couriers ran throughout all Israel and Judah
with a letter from the hand of the king and his officials
as a command from the king:
"Sons of Israel, return to the Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel
that He might turn to the remnant who has escaped from the king of Assyria.
7 (2Ch 29:8) Do not act like your fathers and brothers who were faithless
before the Lord God of their fathers, and He appointed them for horror,
as you observe.
8 (Ex 32:9; 2Ch 29:10) So now do not harden your necks as your fathers,
but give yourselves to the Lord and come to the sanctuary
that He has consecrated permanently. Serve the Lord your God so that
His burning anger might turn away from you all.
9 (Ex 34:6-7; Ps 106:46) Because if you return to the Lord, your brothers
and children will find compassion before those who have taken them captive,
in order to return you to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious
and compassionate. He will not turn His face from you
if you all return to Him."
10 (2Ch 36:16; 30:6) So the couriers ran from city to city in the land
of Ephraim and Manasseh and up to Zebulun, but the people laughed
at them and mocked them.
11 (2Ch 30:18; 30:21) However some men from Asher, Manasseh,
and Zebulun humbled themselves and journeyed to Jerusalem.
12 (Php 2:13; Jer 32:39) And even in Judah the hand of God was on them
to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king
and officials by the word of the Lord.
13 And many people assembled in Jerusalem to have
the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month.
There was a very large assembly.
14 (2Ch 28:24; 2Sa 15:23) They went out and removed the altars
that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the incense altars
and threw them into the Kidron Valley.
15 (2Ch 29:34) They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day
of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed,
and they consecrated themselves and brought in burnt offerings
to the house of the Lord.
16 (Dt 33:1; 2Ch 35:15) They stood at their places according
to the Law of Moses, the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood
they received from the hands of the Levites.
17 (2Ch 29:34) For there were many in the assembly
who had consecrated themselves, so the Levites slaughtered
the Passover lamb for those who were not clean in order to consecrate
the people to the Lord.
18 For a multitude of the people-many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar,
and Zebulun-had not purified themselves. For they ate of the Passover
contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed over them saying,
"The Lord is good, and may He pardon
19 (2Ch 19:3) everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord God
of his fathers, but is not pure according the rules of the holy sanctuary."
20 So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
21 (Ex 12:15; 13:6) Then the sons of Israel present in Jerusalem kept
the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy,
and the Levites and priests praised the Lord every day,
singing with loud instruments to the Lord.
22 (2Ch 32:6; Ne 9:3) Then Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites
who taught the good knowledge of the Lord. So they ate for the appointed
seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God
of their fathers.
23 (1Ki 8:65; 2Ch 7:9) Then the whole assembly counseled to have the feast
for another seven days, so they had seven more days of gladness.
24 (2Ch 29:34; 35:7-8) For Hezekiah king of Judah lifted up for the assembly
one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep. And the officials offered up
for the assembly one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep.
And a multitude of priests consecrated themselves.
25 (2Ch 30:11; 30:18) So all the assembly of Judah and the priests
and Levites and all the assembly who came from Israel rejoiced,
even the sojourners who came from the land of Israel
and those who resided in Judah.
26 (2Ch 7:8-10) And there was a great rejoicing in Jerusalem,
for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel
there had not been anything like this.
27 (Dt 26:15; Ps 68:5) Then the priests and Levites went out
and blessed the people, and their voices were heard.
And their prayers came up to His holy habitation in the heavens.
[1] And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to
Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at
Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
[2] For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the
congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
[3] For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not
sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered
themselves together to Jerusalem.
[4] And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
[5] So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel,
from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto
the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time
in such sort as it was written.
[6] So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes
throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the
king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that
are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
[7] And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which
trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up
to desolation, as ye see.
[8] Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves
unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for
ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn
away from you.
[9] For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children
shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall
come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful,
and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
[10] So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim
and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked
them.
[11] Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled
themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
[12] Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the
commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
[13] And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of
unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
[14] And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all
the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.
[15] Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second
month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified
themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
[16] And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law
of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they
received of the hand of the Levites.
[17] For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified:
therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for
every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.
[18] For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh,
Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the
passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them,
saying, The good LORD pardon every one
[19] That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers,
though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
[20] And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
[21] And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the
feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites
and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments
unto the LORD.
[22] And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the
good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven
days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of
their fathers.
[23] And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they
kept other seven days with gladness.
[24] For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand
bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation
a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests
sanctified themselves.
[25] And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites,
and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that
came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.
[26] So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the
son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.
[27] Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their
voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even
unto heaven.
2 Chronicles 31
1 (2Ki 18:4; 2Ch 32:12) And when this celebration was finished,
all of Israel that was present went out to the cities of Judah
and smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles
and tore down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah
and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until everything
was destroyed. Then all Israel returned to their cities,
each man to his own possession.
Temple Contributions
2Ki 18:5-7
2 (1Ch 24:1) And Hezekiah set up the divisions of the priests
and Levites according to their divisions, each man as he worked
among the priests and Levites for burnt and fellowship offerings,
to serve, give thanks, and offer praise at the gates of the camp of the Lord.
3 (2Ch 35:7; Eze 45:17) And the portion of the king that came from his own
possessions was for burnt offerings, those given in the morning and evening,
and those given for Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts,
as written in the Law of the Lord.
4 (Mal 2:7; Nu 18:8-21) And he ordered those people living in Jerusalem
to give a portion for the priests and Levites, in order for them to devote
themselves to the Law of the Lord.
5 (Ne 13:12; Nu 18:12) And when the command spread, the sons of Israel
gave generously the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey,
and all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundance
a tenth portion of everything.
6 (Lev 27:30; Dt 14:28) And the sons of Israel and Judah
and all who dwelled in the cities of Judah also brought in a tenth portion
of cattle and sheep, and a tenth portion of the consecrated items
that were to the Lord their God, and brought them in and set them
in great piles.
7 In the third month they began to assign the piles of contribution,
and they finished in the seventh month.
8 When Hezekiah and the officials saw the contribution piles,
they blessed the Lord and His people Israel.
9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites
regarding the contribution piles.
10 (Mal 3:10; 1Ch 6:8) Azariah the head priest from the house of Zadok
said, "Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord,
there has been plenty of food and a large amount left over.
For the Lord has blessed His people, and this great abundance is left over."
11 Then Hezekiah ordered them to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord,
and they did this.
12 (2Ch 35:9) They reliably brought in the contributions, tenth portions,
and consecrated items. The leader over them was Konaniah the Levite,
and Shimei his brother was second to him.
13 And Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah,
Mahath, and Benaiah were supervisors under Konaniah and Shimei his brother
by the appointment of Hezekiah the king
and Azariah the leader of the house of God.
14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite was gatekeeper for the East Gate
and over the voluntary offerings to God, to designate the contributions
of the Lord and most holy offerings.
15 (Jos 21:9-19) Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah,
and Shekaniah reliably assisted him in the cities of the priests
to distribute the portions to their brothers by division,
both great and small.
16 (Ezr 3:4) Besides those males registered from three years old and above,
they distributed to all who entered into the house of the Lord his daily
portion, for their services according to their duties and their divisions.
17 (1Ch 23:24; 23:27) The registration of the priests was according
to the house of their fathers and the Levites from twenty years and above,
according to their duties and their divisions.
18 They were registered with all their little children, wives, sons,
and daughters for the entire assembly for they consecrated
themselves in faithfulness.
19 (2Ch 31:12-15; Lev 25:34) Also for the sons of Aaron, the priests,
who were in the fields of common land of their cities,
there were men in each city who were designated by name to allocate
portions to every male among the priests and to everyone
who was registered by genealogy among the Levites.
20 (2Ki 20:3; 22:2) Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah,
and he did what was good and just and faithful before the Lord his God.
21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house of God
and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,
he did this with all his heart, and he found success.
[1] Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to
the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the
groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and
Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed
them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his
possession, into their own cities.
[2] And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after
their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites
for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give
thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
[3] He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt
offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the
burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set
feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
[4] Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the
portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the
law of the LORD.
[5] And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel
brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and
of all the increase of the fields; and the tithe of all things brought they
in abundantly.
[6] And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the
cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the
tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and
laid them by heaps.
[7] In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and
finished them in the seventh month.
[8] And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed
the LORD, and his people Israel.
[9] Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the
heaps.
[10] And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and
said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the
LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath
blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
[11] Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD;
and they prepared them,
[12] And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things
faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother
was the next.
[13] And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and
Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers
under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of
Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
[14] And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was
over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD,
and the most holy things.
[15] And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah,
Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office,
to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
[16] Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even
unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion
for their service in their charges according to their courses;
[17] Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and
the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their
courses;
[18] And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their
sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set
office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
[19] Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the
suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed
by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all
that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
[20] And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was
good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
[21] And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and
in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his
heart, and prospered.
2) Our Daily Bread for 29 June 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/06/29/run-2
Entitled Run From Sin
Genesis 39:11-23
11 But it happened one day that Joseph went into the house to do his work,
and none of the men of the house was there.
12 She caught him by his clothing, saying, "Lie with me."
But he left his clothing in her hand and fled and got outside.
13 When she saw that he had left his clothing in her hand
and had fled outside,
14 she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying,
"See, he has brought in a Hebrew among us to humiliate us.
He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice.
15 When he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out,
he left his clothing with me, fled, and got outside."
16 She laid up his clothing next to her until his master came home.
17 She spoke to him using these words, saying, "The Hebrew servant,
whom you have brought to us, came in to me to mock me.
18 When I lifted up my voice and cried out,
he left his clothing with me and fled outside."
19 When his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him,
saying, "This is what your servant did to me," he became enraged.
20 Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison,
a place where the king's prisoners were confined.
So he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph
and showed him mercy and gave him favor in
the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22 The keeper of the prison committed all the prisoners
that were in the prison to the charge of Joseph. So whatever
they did there, he was the one responsible for it.
23 The keeper of the prison did not concern himself with anything
that was under Joseph's charge because the Lord was with him.
And whatever he did, the Lord made it to prosper.
[11] And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to
do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
[12] And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his
garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
[13] And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her
hand, and was fled forth,
[14] That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying,
See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to
lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
[15] And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried,
that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.
[16] And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.
[17] And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew
servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
[18] And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left
his garment with me, and fled out.
[19] And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which
she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that
his wrath was kindled.
[20] And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place
where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
[21] But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour
in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
[22] And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the
prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the
doer of it.
[23] The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his
hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it
to prosper.
Twice this summer I suffered the scourge of poison ivy. Both times it
happened, I was working on clearing away unwanted plant growth from our yard.
And both times, I saw the nasty, three-leafed enemy lurking nearby. I figured
I could get close to it without it affecting me. Soon enough, I realised I'd
been wrong. Instead of getting nearer to my little green nemesis,
I should have run the other way!
In the Old Testament story of Joseph, we see modeled the principle of running
from something worse than poison ivy: sin. When he was living in the home of
Egyptian official Potiphar, whose wife tried to seduce him, Joseph didn't try
to get close-he ran.
Although she falsely accused him and had him thrown in prison, Joseph remained
pure throughout the episode. And as we see in Genesis 39:21, "The Lord was
with him."
God can help us flee activities and situations that could lead us away from
Him-guiding us to run the other way when sin is nearby. In 2 Timothy 2:22,
Paul writes, "Flee the evil desires." And in 1 Corinthians 6:18, he says to
"flee from sexual immorality."
In God's strength, may we choose to run from those things that could harm us.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
What's your "poison ivy," something that can infect you if you don't run
from it? What can you do to run from it?
God, You know what I'm getting too close to right now.
Help me to run from it and not look back. Please give me the courage
and wisdom to not let anything get between You and me.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 4 - Arming for Battle
Joshua 1:8
8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.
Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according
to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,
and you will be wise.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.
When God spoke these words to Joshua, the young leader's prospects for
"prosperity" and "success" were far from promising. Upon Moses' death,
Joshua was appointed to lead Israel into the Promised Land, to claim
the territory and establish a nation under God's rule.
Joshua was afraid, and for good reason. The people were rebellious
and intractable. And "claiming the land" meant battling many strong enemies.
Yet God told Joshua that his strength would come not in preparing for battle,
but in preparing for battle, but in preparing himself by meditating
on and applying God's word to his life.
We, too, face difficult battles as we seek to enter the "Promised Land"
of God's peace and presence. But his promise is the same as it was to Joshua:
through obedience to the Word, we can find prosperity and success.
God's promise does not necessarily mean financial prosperity
or material success. These victories may come as well, but God's primary
purpose for his people is spiritual success - the victory and joy of living
in fellowship with him. We can be enriched in the knowledge of God and
find power to overcome the enemies of sin and self. The way may not be easy
- after all, there is no victory without conflict - but God promises
that we will succeed as we look to him.
Application
a) What image do I have a personal "Promised Land" that I long
to enter and claim as my own?
b) What enemies will I need to battle in order to enter that land?
c) How can meditation on the Word of God and obedience to him bring me
prosperity and success?
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 7 - Upheld by His Hand
Is 41:10
10 (Jos 1:9; Isa 41:13-14) Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you,
yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Beth had the same recurring nightmare: she was running along a cliff,
then she slipped, and fell headlong, into a bottomless ravine.
Falling, without control,without end, falling, falling, falling...
Beth's dream may be one many of us identify with. The sense
of losing control can be nightmarish, and we may fear falling
without end, without remedy. Financial failure may be the chasm
that we face, or professional disgrace. Personal relationships
may go out of control, and we look into a never-ending
ravine of pain and misunderstanding
But God says, "Don't be afraid; I am holding you up."
Like the father who helps his child learn to swim,
God holds us above the water. We may not feel his hands;
indeed, we may suspect that he lets us go just so we can
do it on our own. But he promises that he doesn't let go.
"I am with you." he declares. "I give you strength
and hold you up."
God's promise never to let go takes on new meaning
in a world where relationships are temporary and life is
uncertain. We do not need to fear, for he is with us.
We can relax and stop striving, for he is our God.
His strength becomes ours; amid all our sin and rebellion,
he undergirds us with his righteousness. We cannot fall,
for he holds us firm.
Application
a) Under what circumstances have I felt myself "falling"?
b) How does God's promise in Is 41:10 help me to have faith
in the midst of my fears?
4) Prosperity verses from Kenneth Copeland
Deut 28:11
11 (Dt 28:4; 30:9) The Lord will make you overflow in prosperity,
in the offspring of your body, in the offspring of your livestock,
and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore
to your fathers to give you.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body,
and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land
which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are lonely
1 John 4:16b-18
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17 (1Jn 2:5; 2:28) In this way God's love is perfected in us,
so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is,
so are we in this world.
18 (Ro 8:15; 2Ti 1:7) There is no fear in love,
but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
Whoever fears is not perfect in love.
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness
in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Quebec
Quick facts on Muslims in Quebec
Quebec 2015 population 8214 000
est Muslim Population 418946
CNMM Networks: Montreal
There is a growing Muslim population in Quebec City and a smattering
of Muslims scattered around the rest of the province, yet the vast majority
of Muslims live in the greater Montreal area. n fact, 23% of Canada's Muslim
population live in Quebec. Why is that? It is largely because Francophone
African Muslims are attracted to La Belle Provence.
And here's an interesting, perhaps even shocking fact: There are more
Muslims in Montreal than there are evangelical Christians.
This is one demographic factor creates a challenging environment for churches
and believers here: The size of the available 'workforce' is small
by comparison to begin with. Believers are already is a host culture that
is often either indifferent to religion or resistant to it. And now
this 'new' religious community of Muslims - many of whom do not visibly
or socially conform to Quebec society - are a growing population. It might br
easy for Christians to feel overwhelm by this cultural double-whammy,
yet God has always worked miracles through the small, the few.
Agree in prayer for :
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 29 of the Month
a) Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion (
Ps 139:13-16
13 You brought my inner parts into being;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder;
marvelous are Your works,
and You know me completely.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw me unformed,
yet in Your book
all my days were written,
before any of them came into being.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins:
Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee,
When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
And in thy book all my members were written,
Which in continuance were fashioned,
When as yet there was none of them.
)
b) Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight (
Gal 2:10
10 (Ac 24:17) Only they requested that we should remember the poor,
which I also was eager to do.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a Reformer like Hezekiah.
Pray to the Lord: "God, You know what I'm getting too close to right now.
Help me to run from it and not look back. Please give me the courage
and wisdom to not let anything get between You and me."
Pray to the Lord and pray to effectively meditate on His Word.
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His covenant.
Pray to the Lord and remember He is love.
Agree in prayer for Quebec:
- The people of Quebec, Muslim or otherwise, to be open to the Gospel
- for Muslims who are encountering believers and responding
-for a new group of Muslim background believers who are meeting
together for worship!
- For pastors and believers to be full of passion, faith and vision for
reaching Muslims in Quebec.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that God will enlighten those in medicine and health care
to acknowledge the sanctity of life and server with true
integrity and compassion
Pray that the Church in Canada will remember the poor
and compassionately respond to their plight.
Pray that more Canadian Christians will remember the needs of our
persecuted family around the world.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
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