Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 03 July 2020

A warm day by local standards.  Having lived in areas where today's high would be 10° or more higher, I don't react quite the same way.  Quite.  But it's better than the sub-zero temps that we've had to endure not that many years ago, and may again this winter.  I'll take it.
Walking around with a sense of foreboding. Some of that is a result of my own sometimes gloomy nature (genetic, I'm sure).  Some of it is a result of my analytical mind-set as I regard the world around us.  Things are not looking good. Wife is pleading with me to avoid public comments on some of the issues and personalities of the day, fearing that we may well have some of these people in our own face at close range, with evil intent.  And soon too.  She may be right.  I know that the Lord is not blind to what is going on, and that He knew it before the world was made.  He's at work in all of this, but the way may be bumpy.  As it is in many places around the world today.


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2nd Chronicles 25

1Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

2Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.

3Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the Lord.

4Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti–ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:

5All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.

7So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the Lord, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.

8And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

9Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:

10The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

11The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

12The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

13The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

14The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

15The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

16The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

17The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

18The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

19The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

20The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

21The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

22The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

23The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

24The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

25The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

26The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

27The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

28The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

29The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

30The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

31The four and twentieth to Romamti–ezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.

2nd Chronicles 26

1Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

2And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

4Moreover the sons of Obed–edom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,

5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.

6Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour.

7The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.

8All these of the sons of Obed–edom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two of Obed–edom.

9And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.

10Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)

11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

12Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the Lord.

13And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.

14And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

15To Obed–edom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.

16To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.

17Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.

18At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.

19These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.

20And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

21As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.

22The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the Lord.

23Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

24And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.

25And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

26Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

27Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord.

28And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.

29Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.

30And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the Lord, and in the service of the king.

31Among the Hebronites was Jeriah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead.

32And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.

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Psalm 119, verses 113 - 120

SAMECH.  

113I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

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Completing the letter to the  Romans, one of my favorite books in all Scripture.
This is not "just" a "so long" section, some of these references are quite significant.  Quite.

Romans 16

1I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ.

6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

9Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

13Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

15Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21Timothy my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

22I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.