Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 04 August 2018

Happy Saturday,  the first such in the month of August.
I'm still checking out the "body count" from last night's "festivities" in the area.  The web site for one of the local papers "goes to bed" around midnight, so the early morning casualties aren't listed.  At least one of the local TV news stations barely updates at all from Friday evening and another can't be bothered until around 09:00.  I don't sit by a police / fire / EMS scanner these days (and, living where we do, we'd have to get feeds from two state police agencies, sheriff departments in at least five counties in two states, and feeds from about a dozen city and township departments, not to mention a similar number of fire calls and EMT/ambulance agencies).  Having been at the on-the-ground events more than once in my past, the entertainment value isn't much.  What's almost as interesting is the information that the "official" media outlets choose to not make known.  LOTS of that in this area.



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Today's reading is brief, just chapter 13 in the book of Nehemiah.  This concludes that book.
Don't flip over it casually, don't (I often have).
Remember that Nehemiah, following after Ezra, was dedicated to rebuilding Jerusalem as a fortified city and the center of the Jewish nation, after Ezra had led the reconstruction of the Temple and the worship of the true Lord.  All around them were the very visible reminders of the judgment when the Lord had, after generations of apostasy, withdrawn His hand of protection and allowed the enemies free rein.
Nehemiah was, simultaneously, an official in the court of Babylon, and was not in Jerusalem constantly, dealing through persons he'd appointed.  A bit of juggling going on there, and communication was neither fast nor reliable.  Neither were some of those persons.
So his dismay at discovering that, in  his absence, even those whose positions as priests and leaders, persons upon whom he thought reliance was possible, were found to be heavily involved in going back the Bad Old Days, making common cause including marriages, with the heathens around them.
Think the term "heathen" is excessive?  Not at all!  The Ammonites, noted here with names like Tobiah, were worshipers of "gods" like Molech and others that "got into" things like child sacrifice of one's first-born.  At one time, cults like that had taken hold in Israel, which the Lord could not overlook.  So judgment fell.  Yet here it was again, albeit in early stages.  Though clearing out a portion of the Temple complex in order to accommodate one of these Ammonite dignitaries is a bit more than "early".
Such is not unknown in our time either.
I occasionally receive calls and messages from persons, including a few I've known for many years and who are involved in some church and para-church operations, complaining about my use of emotionally loaded terms like "heathen".  Tough.  The desire to make "common cause" with cults, like Islam, that worship a demon, is in no way much different than the efforts in Jerusalem to "make nice" with the heathens from the area we now refer to as Amman, Jordan.  Yet such efforts are to be found in many places.
Nehemiah made a faithful effort to be obedient to the Lord's call upon him, and did so in the face of great odds and opposition.  He was obedient.  May we do as well.

Nehemiah 13

1On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;they…: Heb. there was readaudience: Heb. ears

2Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

3Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

4And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:having…: Heb. being set over

5And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.which…: Heb. the commandment of the Levites

6But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:after…: Heb. at the end of daysobtained…: or, I earnestly requested

7And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.

8And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.

9Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.

10And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.

11Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.place: Heb. standing

12Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.treasuries: or, storehouses

13And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.treasuries: or, storehousesnext…: Heb. at their handtheir office…: Heb. it was upon them

14Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.good…: Heb. kindnessesoffices: or, observations

15In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

16There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

18Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.

19And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

20So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

21Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.about: Heb. before

22And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.greatness: or, multitude

23In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:had…: Heb. had made to dwell with them

24And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.could…: Heb. they discerned not to speakof each…: Heb. of people and people

25And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.cursed: or, reviled

26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

27Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?

28And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.

29Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.because…: Heb. for the defilings

30Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;

31And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Groundhogs are EEEEVIL!

Evil critters

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 03 August 2018

Another Friday has come upon us.  Whoopee.  I guess.  At one time in my life, I worked 7 days a week, two and sometimes three jobs.   The whole "TGIF" thing meant nothing to me.  Later, when we were first married, nearly 30 years ago, that transitioned to a 5-day workweek, but I was at the time also trying to finish the engineering degree, while also being a husband and a father.  Even after the graduation, weekends were anything but "sleep late and go to the beach" times.  And in my last job, a 6-day week, often 12 hour turns (or more, and no, repeat NO overtime paid). And "hints" that coming in on Sunday might be a good idea. 
Now, not working, the TGIF thing still doesn't resonate.
But we do have our weekly routines.  Sunday morning church services for example.  And, here, trash pickup is normally on Thursday morning.  Except that it is now after 4 p.m. on Friday and they've yet to make an appearance.  Trash cans, bags, boxes, etc. all up and down the street.  With the number of feral cats, raccoons, opossums, etc. in the area, might be a real mess by morning.  Not a word on the "why" of it.  Not the biggest problem in the history of the world, of course, but throws all the routines off kilter. 
Doesn't take much, does it?




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Nehemiah 11

The People Dwelling in Jerusalem

1Now the leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, Neh. 10:18; Matt. 4:5; 5:35; 27:53the holy city, and nine-tenths were to dwell in other cities. 2And the people blessed all the men who Judg. 5:9; 2 Chr. 17:16willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.

31 Chr. 9:2, 3These are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem. (But in the cities of Judah everyone dwelt in his own possession in their cities—Israelites, priests, Levites, Ezra 2:43Nethinim, and Ezra 2:55descendants of Solomon’s servants.) 4Also 1 Chr. 9:3in Jerusalem dwelt some of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin.

The children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Gen. 38:29Perez; 5and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni. 6All the sons of Perez who dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred and sixty-eight valiant men.

7And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah; 8and after him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred and twenty-eight. 9Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer, and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.

101 Chr. 9:10Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, and Jachin; 11Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the leader of the house of God. 12Their brethren who did the work of the house were eight hundred and twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, 13and his brethren, heads of the fathers’ houses, were two hundred and forty-two; and Amashai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14and their brethren, mighty men of valor, were one hundred and twenty-eight. Their overseer was Zabdiel the son of one of the great men.

15Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; 16Ezra 10:15Shabbethai and Ezra 8:33Jozabad, of the heads of the Levites, had the oversight of 1 Chr. 26:29the business outside of the house of God; 17Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the leader whobegan the thanksgiving with prayer; Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. 18All the Levites in Neh. 11:1the holy city were two hundred and eighty-four.

19Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren who kept the gates, were one hundred and seventy-two.

20And the rest of Israel, of the priests and Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance. 212 Chr. 27:3; Neh. 3:26But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel. And Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.

22Also the overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha, of the sons of Asaph, the singers in charge of the service of the house of God. 23For Ezra 6:8, 9; 7:20it was the king’s command concerning them that a certain portion should be for the singers, a quota day by day. 24Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Gen. 38:30Zerah the son of Judah, was 1 Chr. 18:17the king’s deputy in all matters concerning the people.

The People Dwelling Outside Jerusalem

25And as for the villages with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Josh. 14:15Kirjath Arba and its villages, Dibon and its villages, Jekabzeel and its villages; 26in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth Pelet, 27Hazar Shual, and Beersheba and its villages; 28in Ziklag and Meconah and its villages; 29in En Rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, 30Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages; in Lachish and its fields; in Azekah and its villages. They dwelt from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

31Also the children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel, and their villages; 32in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah; 33in Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim; 34in Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat; 35in Lod, Ono, and 1 Chr. 4:14the Valley of Craftsmen. 36Some of the Judean divisions of Levites were in Benjamin.

Nehemiah 12

The Priests and Levites

1Now these are the Ezra 2:1, 2; 7:7priests and the Levites who came up with Neh. 7:7; Matt. 1:12, 13Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Neh. 10:2–8Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, 4Iddo, Ginnethoi, Luke 1:5Abijah, 5Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, 6Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, 7Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah.

These were the heads of the priests and their brethren in the days of Ezra 3:2; Hag. 1:1; Zech. 3:1Jeshua.

8Moreover the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah Neh. 11:17who led the thanksgiving psalms, he and his brethren. 9Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, stood across from them in their duties.

10Jeshua begot Joiakim, Joiakim begot Eliashib, Eliashib begot Joiada, 11Joiada begot Jonathan, and Jonathan begot Jaddua.

12Now in the days of Joiakim, the priests, the Neh. 7:70, 71; 8:13; 11:13heads of the fathers’ houses were: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14of Melichu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; 15of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; 16of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; 17of Abijah, Zichri; the son of Minjamin; of Moadiah, Piltai; 18of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 19of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; 20of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; 21of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; and of Jedaiah, Nethanel.

22During the reign of Darius the Persian, a record was also keptof the Levites and priests who had been 1 Chr. 24:6heads of their fathers’ houses in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua. 23The sons of Levi, the heads of the fathers’ houses until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib, were written in the book of the 1 Chr. 9:14–22chronicles.

24And the heads of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers across from them, to Neh. 11:17praise and give thanks, Ezra 3:11group alternating with group, 1 Chr. 23—26according to the command of David the man of God. 25Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers keeping the watch at the storerooms of the gates. 26These lived in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah Neh. 8:9the governor, and of Ezra the priest, Ezra 7:6, 11the scribe.

Nehemiah Dedicates the Wall

27Now at Deut. 20:5; Neh. 7:1; Ps. 30:titlethe dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, 1 Chr. 25:6; 2 Chr. 5:13; 7:6both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps. 28And the sons of the singers gathered together from the countryside around Jerusalem, from the 1 Chr. 9:16villages of the Netophathites, 29from the house of Gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built themselves villages all around Jerusalem. 30Then the priests and Levites Ezra 6:20; Neh. 13:22, 30purified themselves, and purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

31So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. Neh. 12:38One went to the right hand on the wall Neh. 2:13; 3:13toward the Refuse Gate. 32After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, 33and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35and some of the priests’ sons Num. 10:2, 8with trumpets—Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36and his brethren, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, andHanani, with 1 Chr. 23:5the musical 2 Chr. 29:26, 27instruments of David the man of God. Ezra the scribe went before them. 37Neh. 2:14; 3:15By the Fountain Gate, in front of them, they went up Neh. 3:15the stairs of the 2 Sam. 5:7–9City of David, on the stairway of the wall, beyond the house of David, as far as Neh. 3:26; 8:1, 3, 16the Water Gate eastward.

38Neh. 12:31The other thanksgiving choir went the opposite way, and I was behind them with half of the people on the wall, going past the Neh. 3:11Tower of the Ovens as far as Neh. 3:8the Broad Wall, 392 Kin. 14:13; Neh. 8:16and above the Gate of Ephraim, above Neh. 3:6the Old Gate, above Neh. 3:3the Fish Gate, Neh. 3:1the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of the Hundred, as far as Neh. 3:32the Sheep Gate; and they stopped by Jer. 32:2the Gate of the Prison.

40So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me; 41and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Minjamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, andHananiah, with trumpets; 42also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director.

43Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard Ezra 3:13afar off.

Temple Responsibilities

442 Chr. 31:11, 12; Neh. 13:5, 12, 13And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the Neh. 10:37–39tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered. 45Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification, 1 Chr. 25; 26according to the command of David andSolomon his son. 46For in the days of David 1 Chr. 25:1; 2 Chr. 29:30and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for Neh. 11:23each day. Num. 18:21, 24They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, Num. 18:26and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron.

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Psalm 134

Praising the Lord in His House at Night

A Song of Ascents.

1Behold, bless the Lord,

All you servants of the Lord,

Who by night stand in the house of the Lord!

2Lev. 25:21; Deut. 28:8; Ps. 42:8Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,

And bless the Lord.

3The Lord who made heaven and earth

Bless you from Zion!

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2nd Corinthians 6

Marks of the Ministry

1We then, as 1 Cor. 3:9workers together with Him also 2 Cor. 5:20plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2For He says:

Is. 49:8“In an acceptable time I have heard you,

And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

3Rom. 14:13We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4But in all things we commend ourselves 1 Cor. 4:1as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 52 Cor. 11:23in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 72 Cor. 7:14by the word of truth, by 1 Cor. 2:4the power of God, by Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 10:4the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yettrue; 9as unknown, and 2 Cor. 4:2; 5:11yet well known; 1 Cor. 4:9, 11as dying, and behold we live; Ps. 118:18as chastened, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many 1 Cor. 1:5; (2 Cor. 8:9)rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Be Holy

11O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, Is. 60:5; 2 Cor. 7:3our heart is wide open. 12You are not restricted by us, but 2 Cor. 12:15you are restricted by your own affections. 13Now in return for the same 1 Cor. 4:14(I speak as to children), you also be open.

14Deut. 7:2, 3; 22:10; 1 Cor. 5:9Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For 1 Sam. 5:2, 3; 1 Kin. 18:21; Eph. 5:6, 7, 11; 1 John 1:6what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 6:19); Eph. 2:21; (Heb. 3:6)you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

Ex. 29:45; Lev. 26:12; Jer. 31:33; 32:38; Ezek. 37:26, 27; Zech. 8:8“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

17Therefore

Num. 33:51–56; Is. 52:11; Rev. 18:4“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.”

18“I 2 Sam. 7:14; Jer. 31:1, 9; (Rev. 21:7)will be a Father to you,

And you shall be My (John 1:12; Rom. 8:14; Gal. 4:5–7); Phil. 2:15; 1 John 3:1sons and daughters,

Says the Lord Almighty.”