Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 18 July 2018 === oops! delayed "publish"

mid-week day today.
Wife is next door with the kids.
We'd expected today to be somewhat like yesterday:  Niece out of the house to be at work by 07:00, her  husband leaving around 08:15 or so, so Wife to be over with the kids by 07:30 or even later.  Nope.  We got a HELP! call at 06:41 from Niece.  Her husband had to be at work by 07:00 and she'd slept through his rising, readying, and departure.  Woke to find him gone and her already running late.  So we scurried around to get Wife over there so Niece could leave.  The kids were both asleep still.  So we got her over there, then I walked back across the yard and made some coffee and toast for Wife and got it to her, then  came back over and got her tub (yes, it's a tub) of medicines.  She takes so many that we have  to have one of those daily meds boxes with separate compartments for AM and PM, and while we really should have refilled for the coming week last night, she was just done in and planned  to do it this morning.  Until events intervened.  So, I hauled everything over there and, under her direction, counted out the ones for the coming week and for this morning and got that all done.  And then hauled them back.
The good thing is that  (I think) this was Niece's last day of work this week, at least the last of the 07:00 -- 4:00 pm days, so Wife (and me) can recover for a day at least.  I hope.
So much for a restful day.
And I am still not fully recovered from last weekend's bout with the Crud.  A bit better, but not 100% and not recovered from yesterday's exertions.  But they had to be done.


Had some HEAVY rain here Monday evening, ground in the garden is still pretty wet, but I think we may get a cucumber or two out of there later.  Had some green beans twice now.  Peppers are coming along.  Tomatoes are growing, but still green.  The plants themselves are getting huge but I want the fruit of those plants.  And we've suffered some depredations from some of the local groundhogs getting in there and destroying things.  I've been forbidden to lay in wait and shoot them, which aggravates me more than a bit.



======================================
====================================

2nd Chronicles 25

1Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.

3Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.established…: Heb. confirmed upon him

4But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying, The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.

5Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield.

6He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel for an hundred talents of silver.

7But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.

8But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

9And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.army: Heb. band

10Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger.home again: Heb. to their placein great…: Heb. in heat of anger

11And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

12And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.

13But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth–horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.the soldiers…: Heb. the sons of the band

14Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

15Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.determined: Heb. counselled

17Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

18And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.thistle: or, furze bush, or, thorna wild…: Heb. a beast of the field

19Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

20But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.

21So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth–shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.

22And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.put…: Heb. smitten

23And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth–shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.the corner…: Heb. the gate of it that looketh

24And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed–edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

25And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.

26Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?

27Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the Lord they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.from…: Heb. from aftermade…: Heb. conspired a conspiracy

28And they brought him upon horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

2nd Chronicles 26

1Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.Uzziah: or, Azariah

2He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

3Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

4And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.

5And 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.in the visions…: Heb. in the seeing of God

6And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.about…: or, in the country of Ashdod

7And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur–baal, and the Mehunims.

8And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.spread…: Heb. went

9Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.fortified: or, repaired

10Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.digged…: or, cut out many cisternsCarmel: or, fruitful fieldshusbandry: Heb. ground

11Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.

12The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.

13And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.an army: Heb. the power of an army

14And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.slings…: Heb. stones of slings

15And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.spread: Heb. went forth

16But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men:

18And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God.

19Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar.

20And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.

21And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.several: Heb. free

22Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

23So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

==========================================
==========================================

Psalm 122

A Song of degrees of David.

1I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

2Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

4Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.

5For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.are…: Heb. do sit

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

8For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

9Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

======================================
======================================

Today, chapter 10 in 1st Corinthians.
We really don't "get" the situation that Paul, and the other evangelists as well, in the early church were dealing with.  To start with, they had nothing but the Gospel message.  I don't mean that to imply "merely", certainly the Gospel, and the Spirit, are powerful.  But there was no support network.  Often, someone like Paul or John or Timothy, would come into an area that was hostile, or just had only a smattering notion of what this was all about.  Bibles?  They didn't have them, certainly not for handing out for people to read themselves.  Fact is, most people couldn't read, and the Bible as we know it, certainly the New Testament, was just being written.  Written.  With pens, on parchment, by scribes.  Even the Old Testament was in very limited circulation: a synagogue would probably be so equipped, and portions such as the Writings,  be in the hands of a few.
No tracts to hand out either.
So Paul had to start at the beginning, nearly.  Yes, there were some believers there, the ground wasn't entirely untouched.  But those things we regard as standard doctrine and practice weren't established yet.  And there were more than a few competing ideas.
And then there is the issue of authority.  Why should the words (and example) of Paul or James be authoritative?  Heresy didn't just begin last week, it's been around a very long time.

1st Corinthians 10

1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

29Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

30For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.