Day 211 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 30 July 2022 reflections
Day 211, 30 July 2022
1) 2 Kings 23:1-20, 2 Chronicles 34:29-33, 2 Kings 23:21-28, 2 Chronicles 35:1-19,
Nahum 1-3
2 Kings 23:1-20
2 Kings 23
Josiah Renews the Covenant
2Ch 34:3-33; 35:1-36:1
1 Then the king sent them away and they gathered all the elders
of Judah and Jerusalem to him.
2 (2Ki 22:8; Dt 31:10-13) The king went up to the house of the Lord,
and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him,
the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great.
He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant
that was found in the house of the Lord.
3 (2Ki 11:14; 11:17) The king stood by a pillar and made a covenant
before the Lord to follow the Lord, to keep His commandments,
His testimonies, and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul,
to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book.
All the people agreed with the covenant.
4 (2Ki 21:3; 21:7) The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest,
the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold
to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the implements that were
made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven.
Then he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron
and carried their ashes to Bethel.
5 Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah
had ordained to burn incense on the high places at the cities of Judah
and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun,
to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.
6 (2Ch 34:4; 2Ki 23:15) He brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord
to the outside of Jerusalem, to the Kidron Valley. Then he burned it
at the Kidron Valley, crushed it to dust, and threw its dust upon
the graves of the people.
7 (1Ki 14:24; 15:12) He tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes
that were in the house of the Lord, where the women were weaving hangings
for the Asherah.
8 (1Ki 15:22; Jos 21:17) He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah
and defiled the high places where the priests had made offerings, from Geba
to Beersheba. He broke down the high places of the gates at the entry
of the gates of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on the left
at the gate of the city.
9 (Eze 44:10-14) However the priests of the high places did not go up
to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem. Instead they ate unleavened bread
among their fellow priests.
10 (Isa 30:33; Lev 18:21; Jer 7:31-32) He defiled Topheth, which is
in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no man would make his son
or his daughter pass through the fire to Molek.
11 (Eze 8:16) He removed the horses that the kings of Judah
had given to the sun, at the entry of the house of the Lord,
by the hall of Nathan-Melek the eunuch, which was in the vestibule.
The chariots of the sun he burned with fire.
12 (2Ki 21:5; Jer 19:13) The altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber
of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh
had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord the king tore down
and banished from there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.
13 (1Ki 11:5; 11:7) The high places east of Jerusalem, south of the Mount
of Corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth
the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites,
and for Molek the abomination of the Ammonites, the king defiled.
14 (Ex 23:24; Dt 7:5) He broke the standing stones, cut down the Asherah
poles, and filled their sites with human bones.
15 (1Ki 14:16) Moreover, the altar that was at Bethel and the high place
which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made,
both that altar and the high place he tore down. Then he burned the high place
and crushed it to powder, and he burned the Asherah.
16 As Josiah turned, he saw the tombs that were there on the mount.
He took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it,
according to the word of the Lord that the man of God proclaimed,
the one who announced these things.
17 (1Ki 13:1; 13:30-31) Then he said, "What is this monument that I see?"
The men of the city said to him, "It is the tomb of the man of God
who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done
against the altar of Bethel."
18 (1Ki 13:31) He said, "Let him rest. No one shall disturb his bones."
So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet
who came out of Samaria.
19 (2Ch 34:6-7) Moreover, all the houses of the high places that were
in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke
the Lord to anger, Josiah removed. He did to them just
as he had done in Bethel.
20 (2Ki 11:18; Ex 22:20) He slaughtered on the altars all the priests
of the high places who were there, and burned human bones on them.
Then he returned to Jerusalem.
[1] And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah
and of Jerusalem.
[2] And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of
Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and
the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their
ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house
of the LORD.
[3] And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to
walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and
his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words
of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to
the covenant.
[4] And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the
second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple
of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and
for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the
fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.
[5] And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had
ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in
the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal,
to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of
heaven.
[6] And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without
Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and
stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of
the children of the people.
[7] And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of
the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.
[8] And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled
the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to
Beer-sheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the
entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a
man's left hand at the gate of the city.
[9] Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of
the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their
brethren.
[10] And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of
Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the
fire to Molech.
[11] And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the
sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of
Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the
chariots of the sun with fire.
[12] And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which
the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the
two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them
down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.
[13] And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right
hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had
builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the
abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children
of Ammon, did the king defile.
[14] And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled
their places with the bones of men.
[15] Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which
Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar
and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it
small to powder, and burned the grove.
[16] And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there
in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned
them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD
which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.
[17] Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city
told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and
proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.
[18] And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his
bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
[19] And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of
Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger,
Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done
in Bethel.
[20] And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the
altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 34:29-33
Josiah Restores True Worship
29 (2Ki 23:1-3) Then the king sent for all the elders of Judah
and Jerusalem.
30 (2Ki 23:2) Then the king went up to the house of the Lord
with men from Judah and those living in Jerusalem,
even the priests and Levites and all the people
from the greatest to the least, and he read within their hearing
all the words of the Book of the Covenant that was found
in the house of the Lord.
31 (2Ch 23:16; 29:10) Then the king stood in his place
and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord,
and to keep His commandments and His testimonies
and His statutes with all his soul, to perform the words
of the covenant written in this book.
32 Then he appointed all who were in Jerusalem and Benjamin
to carry this out, and those living in Jerusalem did according
to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33 (2Ch 34:3-7) So Josiah took away all the detestable things
from the lands that belonged to the people of Israel
and caused all who were found in Israel to serve their Lord God.
And all his days they did not turn away from the Lord God of their fathers.
[29] Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and
Jerusalem.
[30] And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of
Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites,
and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words
of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.
[31] And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD,
to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies,
and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the
words of the covenant which are written in this book.
[32] And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand
to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of
God, the God of their fathers.
[33] And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that
pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in
Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they
departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 Kings 23:21-28
21 (Dt 16:1-8) The king commanded all the people, "Keep the Passover
to the Lord your God as it is written in this Book of the Covenant."
22 For such a Passover had not been kept from the days of the judges
who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel
and the kings of Judah.
23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was kept
to the Lord in Jerusalem.
24 (Lev 19:31; Ge 31:19; 2Ki 21:6) Moreover, Josiah disposed of the mediums,
the soothsayers, the teraphim, the idols, and all the abominations
that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so that he established
the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah
the priest found in the house of the Lord.
25 (2Ki 18:5) Now there had been no king like him before or after,
who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul,
and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses.
26 (2Ki 21:11-13; 24:4) However, the Lord did not turn from the fierceness
of His great wrath, by which His anger was kindled against Judah,
because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him.
27 (2Ki 18:11; 21:13) The Lord said, "I will also remove Judah from before Me,
as I have removed Israel. I will reject this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem,
and the house of which I said, My name shall be there."
Josiah Dies in Battle
28 Now the rest of the deeds of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not
written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?
[21] And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto
the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.
[22] Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges
that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the
kings of Judah;
[23] But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was
holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.
[24] Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the
images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land
of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the
words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest
found in the house of the LORD.
[25] And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD
with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according
to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
[26] Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great
wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the
provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.
[27] And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have
removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen,
and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
[28] Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not
written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2 Chronicles 35:1-19
2 Chronicles 35
Josiah Celebrates the Passover
2Ki 23:21-23
1 (Ex 12:6; Nu 9:3) Josiah kept a Passover for the Lord in Jerusalem;
they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month.
2 (2Ch 31:2) He appointed priests for their duties and encouraged them
in their service to the house of the Lord.
3 (Dt 33:10; 1Ch 23:26) And he said to the Levites who gave insight to
all Israel and were consecrated to the Lord, "Set the holy ark in the house
that Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel, built. You should not carry
it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and His people Israel.
4 (2Ch 8:14; 1Ch 23:1-26) Prepare yourselves according to your fathers' houses
by your divisions, as instructed in the writing of David, king of Israel,
and the document of Solomon his son.
5 (Ps 134:1) "And stand in the Holy Place according to the divisions
of the fathers' households of your brothers, the laypeople,
and according to the Levites, by division of a father's household.
6 (2Ch 29:5; 29:15) Then slaughter the Passover lamb and consecrate yourselves
and prepare for your brothers to do according to the word of the Lord
by the hand of Moses."
7 (1Ki 8:63; 2Ch 30:24) Josiah contributed to the laypeople, as Passover
offerings for all who were present, lambs and young goats from the flock
to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bulls;
these were from the king's possession.
8 (2Ch 29:31-33) His officials contributed willingly to the people,
to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel,
the chief officers of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover
offerings two thousand six hundred lambs and three hundred bulls.
9 Konaniah, his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah,
Jeiel, and Jozabad, officers of the Levites, gave to the Levites
for the Passover offerings five thousand lambs and five hundred bulls.
10 (2Ch 30:16; Ezr 6:18) When the service was prepared, the priests
stood in their places and the Levites in their divisions,
according to the king's command.
11 (2Ch 29:34) And they slaughtered the Passover offerings,
and the priests sprinkled the blood given to them
while the Levites skinned animals.
12 And they set aside the burnt offering to distribute according
to each house of the fathers for the people to bring near to the Lord,
as written in the Book of Moses. And they did the same with the bulls.
13 (Ex 12:8-9; 1Sa 2:13-15) And they cooked the Passover lamb with fire
according to the rule, and they cooked the holy offerings in pots, jars,
bowls, and quickly brought them to all the people.
14 Afterward they prepared the offerings for them and the priests
because the priests, the sons of Aaron, offered the burnt offering
and fat portions until night. So the Levites prepared for themselves
and for the priests, the sons of Aaron.
15 (1Ch 9:17-19; 25:1-7) The singers, the sons of Asaph, were in their places
according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun
the king's seer. The gatekeepers were at each of the gates;
they did not need to leave their service, for their brothers the Levites
made preparations for them.
16 So all the service of the Lord was carried out that day to have
the Passover, and to offer the burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord
according to the command of King Josiah.
17 (Ex 12:15-20) And the sons of Israel who were present had the Passover
at that time and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.
18 (2Ki 23:21-23; 2Ch 30:5) And no Passover had been made like this in Israel
since the days of Samuel the prophet. And none of the kings of Israel
had performed a Passover like Josiah had done. And the priests and Levites
and all Judah and Israel were present along with those living in Jerusalem.
19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was performed.
2 Chronicles 35
[1] Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they
killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
[2] And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the
service of the house of the LORD,
[3] And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto
the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king
of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve
now
the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
[4] And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your
courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to
the writing of Solomon his son.
[5] And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families
of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the
families of the Levites.
[6] So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your
brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of
Moses.
[7] And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for
the
passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty
thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance.
[8] And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to
the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God,
gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six
hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.
[9] Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah
and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for
passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.
[10] So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and
the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment.
[11] And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from
their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
[12] And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give
according to
the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it
is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
[13] And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but
the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and
divided them speedily among all the people.
[14] And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests:
because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt
offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for
themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
[15] And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the
commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer;
and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their
service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
[16] So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the
passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according
to the commandment of king Josiah.
[17] And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that
time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
[18] And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of
Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover
as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel
that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
[19] In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
Nahum 1
1 (Isa 13:1; Zep 2:13) An oracle for Nineveh, a writing of the vision
of Nahum, the Elkoshite.
God's Anger With Nineveh
2 (Ex 20:5; Ps 94:1; Zec 8:2) The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord avenges and is furious.
The Lord takes vengeance on His enemies,
and He reserves it for His adversaries;
3 (Ex 34:6-7; Ne 9:17) the Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and the Lord will in no way acquit the guilty.
In gale winds and a storm is His way,
and clouds are the dust of His feet.
4 (Isa 33:9; Ps 106:9) He rebukes and dries up the sea,
and He makes waterless all the rivers.
Bashan and Carmel wither up,
and the sprout of Lebanon wastes away.
5 (Mic 1:4; 2Sa 22:8 )The mountains quake before Him,
and the hills melt;
the land rises up before Him,
the earth and everything that dwells on it.
6 (Mal 3:2; Jer 10:10) Who can stand before His anger?
Who will rise up before His burning wrath?
His heat is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken up before Him.
7 (Ps 1:6; Jer 33:11) The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of distress;
and He knows those who take refuge in Him.
8 (Isa 8:22; 28:17) As a flood running forth,
He will bring to an end the distress,
and He will pursue His adversaries into darkness.
9 (Na 1:11) Why do you all scheme against the Lord?
He will bring it to an end.
It will not rise up a second time.
10 (Mic 7:4; Mal 4:1) Because they are like interwoven thorns
and as drunkards imbibing,
they are consumed like completely dry stubble.
11 (Na 1:9) Out of you, O Nineveh, comes one,
a worthless counselor,
who devises evil against the Lord.
12 (Isa 37:36) So the Lord says:
"Even though they are full and many,
they will be cut down, and it will pass away.
Even though I have afflicted you,
I will no longer afflict you, O Judah;
13 (Isa 9:4; 10:27) now I will break apart his yoke from over you,
and I will tear apart your bonds."
14 (Ps 109:13; 2Ki 19:37) The Lord has given a command concerning you:
"No longer will your name go forth.
I will cut off the carved image and metal image
from the house of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,
for you are despised."
15 (Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15) Look, on the mountains
come the feet of him who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Make your feasts, O Judah,
and complete your vows.
For the wicked one will never again pass through your midst;
he is completely cut down.
[1] The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
[2] God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is
furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth
wrath for his enemies.
[3] The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all
acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
[4] He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers:
Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
[5] The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned
at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
[6] Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the
fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are
thrown down by him.
[7] The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth
them that trust in him.
[8] But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place
thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
[9] What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end:
affliction shall not rise up the second time.
[10] For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken
as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
[11] There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a
wicked counseller.
[12] Thus saith the LORD: Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus
shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted
thee, I will afflict thee no more.
[13] For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds
in sunder.
[14] And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of
thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven
image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
[15] Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows:
for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Nahum 2
The Fall of Nineveh
1 (Jer 51:20-23) He who scatters has come to you.
Guard the fortifications!
Watch the road!
Prepare yourself,
and strengthen yourself!
2 (Ps 80:12-13) For the Lord is restoring the prominence of Jacob,
even the prominence of Israel,
for others have certainly
laid waste their vines.
3 (Eze 23:14-15) The shields of his mighty men are soaked red,
even the mighty men are clad in red.
In the day he prepares the chariots,
they are like a fire of iron.
The cypress spears are ready.
4 (Jer 4:13; Isa 66:15) The chariots run wildly through the streets,
they rush to and fro in the open areas;
their appearance is like torches,
they dash to and fro like lightning.
5 (Jer 46:12) He remembers his officers
as they stumble about on the road;
they hurry on to the wall
as the siege tower is set up.
6 The holding gates are opened wide,
and the palace washes away.
7 (Isa 38:14; 59:11) It is decreed:
She is uncovered and led away captive;
her handmaidens shall lead her as with the voice of doves,
beating their chests.
8 Nineveh is like a pool
whose waters run away.
"Halt! Halt!" they cry,
but no one turns back.
9 "Plunder the silver!
Plunder the gold!
There is no limit to the treasure,
or to the wealth of every precious thing."
10 (Ps 22:14; Joel 2:6) She is desolate, empty, and waste!
Hearts melt away, and knees shake;
pain is in all the loins, and all their faces grow pale.
11 (Isa 5:29; Jer 2:15) Where is the den of the lions,
and the feeding place of the young lions,
where the lion and lioness prowl,
and the lion's cub goes, with no one to disturb them?
12 (Jer 51:34) The lion tore enough food for his cubs,
and strangled prey for his lionesses;
he has filled his caves with prey,
and his dens with flesh.
13 (2Ki 19:23; Ps 46:9) I am against you,
says the Lord of Hosts,
and I will burn your chariots in smoke,
and the sword will devour your lions.
I will cut off your prey from the earth,
and the voice of your messengers
will be heard no more.
Nahum 2
[1] He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition,
watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
[2] For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the
excellency
of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine
branches.
[3] The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in
scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his
preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
[4] The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against
another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run
like the lightnings.
[5] He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they
shall make hast to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.
[6] The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be
dissolved.
[7] And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her
maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their
breasts.
[8] But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away.
Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
[9] Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none
end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
[10] She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees
smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all
gather blackness.
[11] Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young
lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and
none made them afraid?
[12] The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for
his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
[13] Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her
chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I
will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall
no more be heard.
Nahum 3
Woe to Nineveh
1 (Na 2:12; Hab )2:12 Woe to the bloody city!
It is full of lies
and plunder.
The prey never departs.
2 (Jdg 5:22; Job 39:22-25) The noise of the whip
and the noise of the rattling of the wheels,
galloping horses,
and rushing chariots!
3 (Hab 3:11; Isa 37:36) Horsemen charging
with flashing sword
and glittering spear.
Multitude of slain,
great number of corpses,
dead bodies without end-
they stumble on the corpses-
4 (Isa 47:9; 47:12-13) because of the countless harlotries
of the seductive harlot,
the mistress of sorceries,
who sells nations through her harlotries
and families through her sorceries.
5 (Na 2:13; Jer 13:22) I am against you, says the Lord of Hosts;
I will lift your skirts over your face,
and I will show the nations your nakedness,
and the kingdoms your shame.
6 (Job 9:31; Jer 51:37) I will throw filth on you,
and make you vile,
and make you a spectacle.
7 (Isa 51:19; Jer 15:5) All who look at you will flee from you, and say,
"Nineveh is devastated! Who will lament for her?"
Where shall I seek comforters for you?
8 (Am 6:2; Eze 30:14-16) Are you better than Thebes
that sat by the Nile,
with water around her,
whose rampart was the sea,
and whose wall was the water?
9 (Eze 27:10; 30:5) Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength,
and it was without limit;
Put and Libya were her helpers.
10 (Isa 20:4; Hos 13:16) Yet she went into exile,
she went into captivity;
her young children were dashed to pieces
at the head of every street;
they cast lots for her honorable men,
and all her great men were bound in chains.
11 (Isa 2:10; 49:26) You also will be drunk;
you will go into hiding;
you will seek refuge from the enemy.
12 (Rev 6:13) All your fortresses are like fig trees
with first-ripe figs:
If they are shaken,
they fall into the mouth of the eater.
13 (Jer 51:30; Isa 19:16; Jer 50:37) Your troops
are women in your midst!
The gates of your land
are wide open to your enemies;
fire has devoured your bars.
14 (Na 2:1; 2Ch 32:3-4) Draw water for the siege!
Strengthen your forts!
Go into the clay and
tread the mortar!
Take hold of the brick mold!
15 (Joel 1:4; Na 2:13) There the fire will devour you,
the sword will cut you off;
it will eat you up like the locust.
Multiply yourselves-like the locust!
Multiply-like the grasshopper!
16 You have multiplied your merchants
more than the stars of heaven.
The locust plunders
and flies away.
17 (Jer 51:27; Rev 9:7) Your leaders are like grasshoppers,
your commanders like swarms of locusts,
which camp in the hedges on a cold day;
when the sun rises they fly away,
and the place where they are is not known.
18 (1Ki 22:17; Ps 76:5-6 )Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria;
Your nobles lie in the dust.
Your people are scattered on the mountains,
and no one gathers them.
19 (La 2:15; Mic 1:9) There is no healing of your injury,
your wound is grievous.
All who hear news about you
clap their hands over you,
for upon whom has not your wickedness
continually passed?
Nahum 3
[1] Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey
departeth not;
[2] The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of
the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.
[3] The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear:
and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and
there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:
[4] Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot,
the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms,
and families through her witchcrafts.
[5] Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover
thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and
the kingdoms thy shame.
[6] And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and
will set thee as a gazingstock.
[7] And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee
from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall
I seek comforters for thee?
[8] Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers,
that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall
was from the sea?
[9] Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim
were thy helpers.
[10] Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children
also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots
for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.
[11] Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek
strength because of the enemy.
[12] All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs:
if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.
[13] Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy
land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.
[14] Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay,
and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.
[15] There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it
shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm,
make thyself many as the locusts.
[16] Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the
cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away.
[17] Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great
grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun
ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.
[18] Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the
dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.
[19] There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear
the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy
wickedness passed continually?
2) Our Daily Bread for 30 July 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/07/30/puddles-of-sunshine
Entitled Puddles of Sunshine
John 1:1-5
John 1
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing
was created that was created.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.
5 The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made.
[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
It was a warm summer day and my four-year-old granddaughter Mollie and I were
taking a break from playing ball. As we sat on the porch with our glasses
of water, Mollie looked out at the yard and said, "Look at the puddles
of sunshine." The sunlight was filtering through the thick foliage
to create a pattern of light amid the dark shadows.
Puddles of sunshine. Isn't this a beautiful image for finding hope in dark
days? In the midst of what can often be challenging times-when good news seems
in short supply-instead of concentrating on the shadows,
we can focus on the light.
The Light has a name-Jesus. Matthew quoted Isaiah to describe the brightness
that came into the world when Jesus arrived: "The people living in darkness
have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death,
a light has dawned" (Matthew 4:16; see also Isaiah 9:2). The effects of sin
are all around us as we live in the "land of the shadow of death." But
shining through that shadow is Jesus, the grand and glorious light
of the world (John 1:4-5).
The sunshine of Jesus' love and compassion breaks through the shadow-giving
us "puddles of sunshine" to illuminate our day and brighten our hearts with
hope.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
What darkness is clouding your day? How can you allow the light of Jesus'
presence and love to bring you joy and hope?
Jesus, while we struggle through a world full of trouble,
I need Your presence. I need Your uplifting love to take me out of the shadows
and help me stand in the light of Your magnificence.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Chr 26:5
5 (2 Ch 24:2; Da 1:17) And he sought after God in the days of Zechariah,
the one who instructed him in the fear of the Lord. And in the days
that he sought after the Lord, God caused him to succeed.
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah,
who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long
as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Gift of Salvation
Ps 40:1-3,9-11
PSALMS 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord,
and He turned to me, and heard my cry.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
out of the miry clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
and established my steps.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He has put a new song in my mouth,
even praise to our God;
many will see it, and fear,
and will trust in the Lord.
...
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) I have proclaimed righteousness
in the great congregation;
I have not held back my lips,
O Lord, You know.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) I have not hidden Your righteousness
within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
from the great congregation.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Do not withhold Your compassion from me, O Lord;
may Your lovingkindness and Your truth always guard me.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even
praise unto our God:
Many shall see it, and fear,
And shall trust in the LORD.
...
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation:
Lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart;
I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation:
I have not concealed thy lovingkindness,
And thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD:
Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
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?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National
Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
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 30 of the Month
a) Pray for God's will to be done where you live and throughout
Canadian society, as it is in Heaven
( Matt 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.
)
b) Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city
or community, and across our nation. (
Rom 2:4
4 (Ex 34:6; Isa 30:18) Do you despise the riches of His goodness,
tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God
leads you to repentance?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth
thee to repentance?
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His commands.
Pray to the Lord: "Jesus, while we struggle through a world full of trouble,
I need Your presence. I need Your uplifting love to take me out of the shadows
and help me stand in the light of Your magnificence."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to mold you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to seek Him constantly.
Pray to the Lord and proclaim His Righteousness.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- 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 for God's will to be done where you live and throughout
society, as it is in Heaven
Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city
or community, and across our nation.
Pray that young believers in China will stand firm under any circumstances
and say close to God.
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 Kings 23:1-20, 2 Chronicles 34:29-33, 2 Kings 23:21-28, 2 Chronicles 35:1-19,
Nahum 1-3
2 Kings 23:1-20
2 Kings 23
Josiah Renews the Covenant
2Ch 34:3-33; 35:1-36:1
1 Then the king sent them away and they gathered all the elders
of Judah and Jerusalem to him.
2 (2Ki 22:8; Dt 31:10-13) The king went up to the house of the Lord,
and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him,
the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great.
He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant
that was found in the house of the Lord.
3 (2Ki 11:14; 11:17) The king stood by a pillar and made a covenant
before the Lord to follow the Lord, to keep His commandments,
His testimonies, and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul,
to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book.
All the people agreed with the covenant.
4 (2Ki 21:3; 21:7) The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest,
the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold
to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the implements that were
made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven.
Then he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron
and carried their ashes to Bethel.
5 Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah
had ordained to burn incense on the high places at the cities of Judah
and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun,
to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.
6 (2Ch 34:4; 2Ki 23:15) He brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord
to the outside of Jerusalem, to the Kidron Valley. Then he burned it
at the Kidron Valley, crushed it to dust, and threw its dust upon
the graves of the people.
7 (1Ki 14:24; 15:12) He tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes
that were in the house of the Lord, where the women were weaving hangings
for the Asherah.
8 (1Ki 15:22; Jos 21:17) He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah
and defiled the high places where the priests had made offerings, from Geba
to Beersheba. He broke down the high places of the gates at the entry
of the gates of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on the left
at the gate of the city.
9 (Eze 44:10-14) However the priests of the high places did not go up
to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem. Instead they ate unleavened bread
among their fellow priests.
10 (Isa 30:33; Lev 18:21; Jer 7:31-32) He defiled Topheth, which is
in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no man would make his son
or his daughter pass through the fire to Molek.
11 (Eze 8:16) He removed the horses that the kings of Judah
had given to the sun, at the entry of the house of the Lord,
by the hall of Nathan-Melek the eunuch, which was in the vestibule.
The chariots of the sun he burned with fire.
12 (2Ki 21:5; Jer 19:13) The altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber
of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh
had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord the king tore down
and banished from there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.
13 (1Ki 11:5; 11:7) The high places east of Jerusalem, south of the Mount
of Corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth
the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites,
and for Molek the abomination of the Ammonites, the king defiled.
14 (Ex 23:24; Dt 7:5) He broke the standing stones, cut down the Asherah
poles, and filled their sites with human bones.
15 (1Ki 14:16) Moreover, the altar that was at Bethel and the high place
which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made,
both that altar and the high place he tore down. Then he burned the high place
and crushed it to powder, and he burned the Asherah.
16 As Josiah turned, he saw the tombs that were there on the mount.
He took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it,
according to the word of the Lord that the man of God proclaimed,
the one who announced these things.
17 (1Ki 13:1; 13:30-31) Then he said, "What is this monument that I see?"
The men of the city said to him, "It is the tomb of the man of God
who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done
against the altar of Bethel."
18 (1Ki 13:31) He said, "Let him rest. No one shall disturb his bones."
So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet
who came out of Samaria.
19 (2Ch 34:6-7) Moreover, all the houses of the high places that were
in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke
the Lord to anger, Josiah removed. He did to them just
as he had done in Bethel.
20 (2Ki 11:18; Ex 22:20) He slaughtered on the altars all the priests
of the high places who were there, and burned human bones on them.
Then he returned to Jerusalem.
[1] And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah
and of Jerusalem.
[2] And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of
Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and
the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their
ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house
of the LORD.
[3] And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to
walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and
his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words
of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to
the covenant.
[4] And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the
second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple
of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and
for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the
fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.
[5] And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had
ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in
the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal,
to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of
heaven.
[6] And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without
Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and
stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of
the children of the people.
[7] And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of
the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.
[8] And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled
the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to
Beer-sheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the
entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a
man's left hand at the gate of the city.
[9] Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of
the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their
brethren.
[10] And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of
Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the
fire to Molech.
[11] And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the
sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of
Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the
chariots of the sun with fire.
[12] And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which
the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the
two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them
down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.
[13] And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right
hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had
builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the
abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children
of Ammon, did the king defile.
[14] And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled
their places with the bones of men.
[15] Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which
Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar
and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it
small to powder, and burned the grove.
[16] And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there
in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned
them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD
which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.
[17] Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city
told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and
proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.
[18] And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his
bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
[19] And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of
Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger,
Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done
in Bethel.
[20] And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the
altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 34:29-33
Josiah Restores True Worship
29 (2Ki 23:1-3) Then the king sent for all the elders of Judah
and Jerusalem.
30 (2Ki 23:2) Then the king went up to the house of the Lord
with men from Judah and those living in Jerusalem,
even the priests and Levites and all the people
from the greatest to the least, and he read within their hearing
all the words of the Book of the Covenant that was found
in the house of the Lord.
31 (2Ch 23:16; 29:10) Then the king stood in his place
and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord,
and to keep His commandments and His testimonies
and His statutes with all his soul, to perform the words
of the covenant written in this book.
32 Then he appointed all who were in Jerusalem and Benjamin
to carry this out, and those living in Jerusalem did according
to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33 (2Ch 34:3-7) So Josiah took away all the detestable things
from the lands that belonged to the people of Israel
and caused all who were found in Israel to serve their Lord God.
And all his days they did not turn away from the Lord God of their fathers.
[29] Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and
Jerusalem.
[30] And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of
Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites,
and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words
of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.
[31] And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD,
to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies,
and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the
words of the covenant which are written in this book.
[32] And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand
to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of
God, the God of their fathers.
[33] And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that
pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in
Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they
departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 Kings 23:21-28
21 (Dt 16:1-8) The king commanded all the people, "Keep the Passover
to the Lord your God as it is written in this Book of the Covenant."
22 For such a Passover had not been kept from the days of the judges
who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel
and the kings of Judah.
23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was kept
to the Lord in Jerusalem.
24 (Lev 19:31; Ge 31:19; 2Ki 21:6) Moreover, Josiah disposed of the mediums,
the soothsayers, the teraphim, the idols, and all the abominations
that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so that he established
the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah
the priest found in the house of the Lord.
25 (2Ki 18:5) Now there had been no king like him before or after,
who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul,
and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses.
26 (2Ki 21:11-13; 24:4) However, the Lord did not turn from the fierceness
of His great wrath, by which His anger was kindled against Judah,
because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him.
27 (2Ki 18:11; 21:13) The Lord said, "I will also remove Judah from before Me,
as I have removed Israel. I will reject this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem,
and the house of which I said, My name shall be there."
Josiah Dies in Battle
28 Now the rest of the deeds of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not
written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?
[21] And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto
the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.
[22] Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges
that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the
kings of Judah;
[23] But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was
holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.
[24] Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the
images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land
of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the
words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest
found in the house of the LORD.
[25] And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD
with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according
to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
[26] Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great
wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the
provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.
[27] And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have
removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen,
and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
[28] Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not
written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2 Chronicles 35:1-19
2 Chronicles 35
Josiah Celebrates the Passover
2Ki 23:21-23
1 (Ex 12:6; Nu 9:3) Josiah kept a Passover for the Lord in Jerusalem;
they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month.
2 (2Ch 31:2) He appointed priests for their duties and encouraged them
in their service to the house of the Lord.
3 (Dt 33:10; 1Ch 23:26) And he said to the Levites who gave insight to
all Israel and were consecrated to the Lord, "Set the holy ark in the house
that Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel, built. You should not carry
it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and His people Israel.
4 (2Ch 8:14; 1Ch 23:1-26) Prepare yourselves according to your fathers' houses
by your divisions, as instructed in the writing of David, king of Israel,
and the document of Solomon his son.
5 (Ps 134:1) "And stand in the Holy Place according to the divisions
of the fathers' households of your brothers, the laypeople,
and according to the Levites, by division of a father's household.
6 (2Ch 29:5; 29:15) Then slaughter the Passover lamb and consecrate yourselves
and prepare for your brothers to do according to the word of the Lord
by the hand of Moses."
7 (1Ki 8:63; 2Ch 30:24) Josiah contributed to the laypeople, as Passover
offerings for all who were present, lambs and young goats from the flock
to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bulls;
these were from the king's possession.
8 (2Ch 29:31-33) His officials contributed willingly to the people,
to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel,
the chief officers of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover
offerings two thousand six hundred lambs and three hundred bulls.
9 Konaniah, his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah,
Jeiel, and Jozabad, officers of the Levites, gave to the Levites
for the Passover offerings five thousand lambs and five hundred bulls.
10 (2Ch 30:16; Ezr 6:18) When the service was prepared, the priests
stood in their places and the Levites in their divisions,
according to the king's command.
11 (2Ch 29:34) And they slaughtered the Passover offerings,
and the priests sprinkled the blood given to them
while the Levites skinned animals.
12 And they set aside the burnt offering to distribute according
to each house of the fathers for the people to bring near to the Lord,
as written in the Book of Moses. And they did the same with the bulls.
13 (Ex 12:8-9; 1Sa 2:13-15) And they cooked the Passover lamb with fire
according to the rule, and they cooked the holy offerings in pots, jars,
bowls, and quickly brought them to all the people.
14 Afterward they prepared the offerings for them and the priests
because the priests, the sons of Aaron, offered the burnt offering
and fat portions until night. So the Levites prepared for themselves
and for the priests, the sons of Aaron.
15 (1Ch 9:17-19; 25:1-7) The singers, the sons of Asaph, were in their places
according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun
the king's seer. The gatekeepers were at each of the gates;
they did not need to leave their service, for their brothers the Levites
made preparations for them.
16 So all the service of the Lord was carried out that day to have
the Passover, and to offer the burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord
according to the command of King Josiah.
17 (Ex 12:15-20) And the sons of Israel who were present had the Passover
at that time and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.
18 (2Ki 23:21-23; 2Ch 30:5) And no Passover had been made like this in Israel
since the days of Samuel the prophet. And none of the kings of Israel
had performed a Passover like Josiah had done. And the priests and Levites
and all Judah and Israel were present along with those living in Jerusalem.
19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was performed.
2 Chronicles 35
[1] Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they
killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
[2] And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the
service of the house of the LORD,
[3] And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto
the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king
of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve
now
the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
[4] And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your
courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to
the writing of Solomon his son.
[5] And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families
of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the
families of the Levites.
[6] So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your
brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of
Moses.
[7] And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for
the
passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty
thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance.
[8] And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to
the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God,
gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six
hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.
[9] Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah
and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for
passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.
[10] So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and
the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment.
[11] And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from
their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
[12] And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give
according to
the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it
is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
[13] And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but
the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and
divided them speedily among all the people.
[14] And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests:
because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt
offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for
themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
[15] And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the
commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer;
and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their
service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
[16] So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the
passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according
to the commandment of king Josiah.
[17] And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that
time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
[18] And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of
Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover
as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel
that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
[19] In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
Nahum 1
1 (Isa 13:1; Zep 2:13) An oracle for Nineveh, a writing of the vision
of Nahum, the Elkoshite.
God's Anger With Nineveh
2 (Ex 20:5; Ps 94:1; Zec 8:2) The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord avenges and is furious.
The Lord takes vengeance on His enemies,
and He reserves it for His adversaries;
3 (Ex 34:6-7; Ne 9:17) the Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and the Lord will in no way acquit the guilty.
In gale winds and a storm is His way,
and clouds are the dust of His feet.
4 (Isa 33:9; Ps 106:9) He rebukes and dries up the sea,
and He makes waterless all the rivers.
Bashan and Carmel wither up,
and the sprout of Lebanon wastes away.
5 (Mic 1:4; 2Sa 22:8 )The mountains quake before Him,
and the hills melt;
the land rises up before Him,
the earth and everything that dwells on it.
6 (Mal 3:2; Jer 10:10) Who can stand before His anger?
Who will rise up before His burning wrath?
His heat is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken up before Him.
7 (Ps 1:6; Jer 33:11) The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of distress;
and He knows those who take refuge in Him.
8 (Isa 8:22; 28:17) As a flood running forth,
He will bring to an end the distress,
and He will pursue His adversaries into darkness.
9 (Na 1:11) Why do you all scheme against the Lord?
He will bring it to an end.
It will not rise up a second time.
10 (Mic 7:4; Mal 4:1) Because they are like interwoven thorns
and as drunkards imbibing,
they are consumed like completely dry stubble.
11 (Na 1:9) Out of you, O Nineveh, comes one,
a worthless counselor,
who devises evil against the Lord.
12 (Isa 37:36) So the Lord says:
"Even though they are full and many,
they will be cut down, and it will pass away.
Even though I have afflicted you,
I will no longer afflict you, O Judah;
13 (Isa 9:4; 10:27) now I will break apart his yoke from over you,
and I will tear apart your bonds."
14 (Ps 109:13; 2Ki 19:37) The Lord has given a command concerning you:
"No longer will your name go forth.
I will cut off the carved image and metal image
from the house of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,
for you are despised."
15 (Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15) Look, on the mountains
come the feet of him who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Make your feasts, O Judah,
and complete your vows.
For the wicked one will never again pass through your midst;
he is completely cut down.
[1] The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
[2] God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is
furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth
wrath for his enemies.
[3] The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all
acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
[4] He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers:
Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
[5] The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned
at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
[6] Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the
fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are
thrown down by him.
[7] The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth
them that trust in him.
[8] But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place
thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
[9] What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end:
affliction shall not rise up the second time.
[10] For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken
as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
[11] There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a
wicked counseller.
[12] Thus saith the LORD: Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus
shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted
thee, I will afflict thee no more.
[13] For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds
in sunder.
[14] And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of
thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven
image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
[15] Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows:
for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Nahum 2
The Fall of Nineveh
1 (Jer 51:20-23) He who scatters has come to you.
Guard the fortifications!
Watch the road!
Prepare yourself,
and strengthen yourself!
2 (Ps 80:12-13) For the Lord is restoring the prominence of Jacob,
even the prominence of Israel,
for others have certainly
laid waste their vines.
3 (Eze 23:14-15) The shields of his mighty men are soaked red,
even the mighty men are clad in red.
In the day he prepares the chariots,
they are like a fire of iron.
The cypress spears are ready.
4 (Jer 4:13; Isa 66:15) The chariots run wildly through the streets,
they rush to and fro in the open areas;
their appearance is like torches,
they dash to and fro like lightning.
5 (Jer 46:12) He remembers his officers
as they stumble about on the road;
they hurry on to the wall
as the siege tower is set up.
6 The holding gates are opened wide,
and the palace washes away.
7 (Isa 38:14; 59:11) It is decreed:
She is uncovered and led away captive;
her handmaidens shall lead her as with the voice of doves,
beating their chests.
8 Nineveh is like a pool
whose waters run away.
"Halt! Halt!" they cry,
but no one turns back.
9 "Plunder the silver!
Plunder the gold!
There is no limit to the treasure,
or to the wealth of every precious thing."
10 (Ps 22:14; Joel 2:6) She is desolate, empty, and waste!
Hearts melt away, and knees shake;
pain is in all the loins, and all their faces grow pale.
11 (Isa 5:29; Jer 2:15) Where is the den of the lions,
and the feeding place of the young lions,
where the lion and lioness prowl,
and the lion's cub goes, with no one to disturb them?
12 (Jer 51:34) The lion tore enough food for his cubs,
and strangled prey for his lionesses;
he has filled his caves with prey,
and his dens with flesh.
13 (2Ki 19:23; Ps 46:9) I am against you,
says the Lord of Hosts,
and I will burn your chariots in smoke,
and the sword will devour your lions.
I will cut off your prey from the earth,
and the voice of your messengers
will be heard no more.
Nahum 2
[1] He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition,
watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
[2] For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the
excellency
of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine
branches.
[3] The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in
scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his
preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
[4] The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against
another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run
like the lightnings.
[5] He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they
shall make hast to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.
[6] The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be
dissolved.
[7] And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her
maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their
breasts.
[8] But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away.
Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
[9] Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none
end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
[10] She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees
smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all
gather blackness.
[11] Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young
lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and
none made them afraid?
[12] The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for
his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
[13] Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her
chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I
will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall
no more be heard.
Nahum 3
Woe to Nineveh
1 (Na 2:12; Hab )2:12 Woe to the bloody city!
It is full of lies
and plunder.
The prey never departs.
2 (Jdg 5:22; Job 39:22-25) The noise of the whip
and the noise of the rattling of the wheels,
galloping horses,
and rushing chariots!
3 (Hab 3:11; Isa 37:36) Horsemen charging
with flashing sword
and glittering spear.
Multitude of slain,
great number of corpses,
dead bodies without end-
they stumble on the corpses-
4 (Isa 47:9; 47:12-13) because of the countless harlotries
of the seductive harlot,
the mistress of sorceries,
who sells nations through her harlotries
and families through her sorceries.
5 (Na 2:13; Jer 13:22) I am against you, says the Lord of Hosts;
I will lift your skirts over your face,
and I will show the nations your nakedness,
and the kingdoms your shame.
6 (Job 9:31; Jer 51:37) I will throw filth on you,
and make you vile,
and make you a spectacle.
7 (Isa 51:19; Jer 15:5) All who look at you will flee from you, and say,
"Nineveh is devastated! Who will lament for her?"
Where shall I seek comforters for you?
8 (Am 6:2; Eze 30:14-16) Are you better than Thebes
that sat by the Nile,
with water around her,
whose rampart was the sea,
and whose wall was the water?
9 (Eze 27:10; 30:5) Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength,
and it was without limit;
Put and Libya were her helpers.
10 (Isa 20:4; Hos 13:16) Yet she went into exile,
she went into captivity;
her young children were dashed to pieces
at the head of every street;
they cast lots for her honorable men,
and all her great men were bound in chains.
11 (Isa 2:10; 49:26) You also will be drunk;
you will go into hiding;
you will seek refuge from the enemy.
12 (Rev 6:13) All your fortresses are like fig trees
with first-ripe figs:
If they are shaken,
they fall into the mouth of the eater.
13 (Jer 51:30; Isa 19:16; Jer 50:37) Your troops
are women in your midst!
The gates of your land
are wide open to your enemies;
fire has devoured your bars.
14 (Na 2:1; 2Ch 32:3-4) Draw water for the siege!
Strengthen your forts!
Go into the clay and
tread the mortar!
Take hold of the brick mold!
15 (Joel 1:4; Na 2:13) There the fire will devour you,
the sword will cut you off;
it will eat you up like the locust.
Multiply yourselves-like the locust!
Multiply-like the grasshopper!
16 You have multiplied your merchants
more than the stars of heaven.
The locust plunders
and flies away.
17 (Jer 51:27; Rev 9:7) Your leaders are like grasshoppers,
your commanders like swarms of locusts,
which camp in the hedges on a cold day;
when the sun rises they fly away,
and the place where they are is not known.
18 (1Ki 22:17; Ps 76:5-6 )Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria;
Your nobles lie in the dust.
Your people are scattered on the mountains,
and no one gathers them.
19 (La 2:15; Mic 1:9) There is no healing of your injury,
your wound is grievous.
All who hear news about you
clap their hands over you,
for upon whom has not your wickedness
continually passed?
Nahum 3
[1] Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey
departeth not;
[2] The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of
the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.
[3] The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear:
and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and
there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:
[4] Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot,
the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms,
and families through her witchcrafts.
[5] Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover
thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and
the kingdoms thy shame.
[6] And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and
will set thee as a gazingstock.
[7] And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee
from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall
I seek comforters for thee?
[8] Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers,
that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall
was from the sea?
[9] Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim
were thy helpers.
[10] Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children
also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots
for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.
[11] Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek
strength because of the enemy.
[12] All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs:
if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.
[13] Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy
land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.
[14] Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay,
and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.
[15] There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it
shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm,
make thyself many as the locusts.
[16] Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the
cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away.
[17] Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great
grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun
ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.
[18] Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the
dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.
[19] There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear
the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy
wickedness passed continually?
2) Our Daily Bread for 30 July 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/07/30/puddles-of-sunshine
Entitled Puddles of Sunshine
John 1:1-5
John 1
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing
was created that was created.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.
5 The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made.
[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
It was a warm summer day and my four-year-old granddaughter Mollie and I were
taking a break from playing ball. As we sat on the porch with our glasses
of water, Mollie looked out at the yard and said, "Look at the puddles
of sunshine." The sunlight was filtering through the thick foliage
to create a pattern of light amid the dark shadows.
Puddles of sunshine. Isn't this a beautiful image for finding hope in dark
days? In the midst of what can often be challenging times-when good news seems
in short supply-instead of concentrating on the shadows,
we can focus on the light.
The Light has a name-Jesus. Matthew quoted Isaiah to describe the brightness
that came into the world when Jesus arrived: "The people living in darkness
have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death,
a light has dawned" (Matthew 4:16; see also Isaiah 9:2). The effects of sin
are all around us as we live in the "land of the shadow of death." But
shining through that shadow is Jesus, the grand and glorious light
of the world (John 1:4-5).
The sunshine of Jesus' love and compassion breaks through the shadow-giving
us "puddles of sunshine" to illuminate our day and brighten our hearts with
hope.
By: Dave Branon
Reflect & Pray
What darkness is clouding your day? How can you allow the light of Jesus'
presence and love to bring you joy and hope?
Jesus, while we struggle through a world full of trouble,
I need Your presence. I need Your uplifting love to take me out of the shadows
and help me stand in the light of Your magnificence.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
2 Chr 26:5
5 (2 Ch 24:2; Da 1:17) And he sought after God in the days of Zechariah,
the one who instructed him in the fear of the Lord. And in the days
that he sought after the Lord, God caused him to succeed.
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah,
who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long
as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Gift of Salvation
Ps 40:1-3,9-11
PSALMS 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord,
and He turned to me, and heard my cry.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
out of the miry clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
and established my steps.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) He has put a new song in my mouth,
even praise to our God;
many will see it, and fear,
and will trust in the Lord.
...
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) I have proclaimed righteousness
in the great congregation;
I have not held back my lips,
O Lord, You know.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) I have not hidden Your righteousness
within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
from the great congregation.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) Do not withhold Your compassion from me, O Lord;
may Your lovingkindness and Your truth always guard me.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even
praise unto our God:
Many shall see it, and fear,
And shall trust in the LORD.
...
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation:
Lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart;
I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation:
I have not concealed thy lovingkindness,
And thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD:
Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
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?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National
Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
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 30 of the Month
a) Pray for God's will to be done where you live and throughout
Canadian society, as it is in Heaven
( Matt 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.
)
b) Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city
or community, and across our nation. (
Rom 2:4
4 (Ex 34:6; Isa 30:18) Do you despise the riches of His goodness,
tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God
leads you to repentance?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth
thee to repentance?
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to keep His commands.
Pray to the Lord: "Jesus, while we struggle through a world full of trouble,
I need Your presence. I need Your uplifting love to take me out of the shadows
and help me stand in the light of Your magnificence."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to mold you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to seek Him constantly.
Pray to the Lord and proclaim His Righteousness.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- 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 for God's will to be done where you live and throughout
society, as it is in Heaven
Pray that in kindness God will lead many to repentance in your city
or community, and across our nation.
Pray that young believers in China will stand firm under any circumstances
and say close to God.
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.
Trackbacks
No Trackbacks
Comments
Display comments as Linear | Threaded