Today's Readings and Stuff -- Sunday, 28 January 2018

Quiet here today.  This morning, I had thought to leave for church services a bit early.  Good thing that I did:  the vehicle was entirely encased in ICE!  I was able, with some trouble, to get the driver door open.  But Every.Single.Window was totally ice-covered.  So was the ground, slippery expresses it pretty well.  I got the engine going, and then spent a good bit of effort clearing the various windows, mirrors, and lighting devices, to enable somewhat safe operation.  It took so long that the temperature gauge was actually starting to move, slightly at least.  I headed out, finally, but my early start was but a memory.  We live several blocks from a "main road", in this case a 4-lane divided highway with very limited intersections and NO driveways to/from it between here and the Interstate exchange area.  So by the time I was on that 4-lane, the system was up to temperature and I had the "defrost" on full blast.  At which point the ice was melting off at a fast pace and windows were completely clear within a mile or so.  But at least most of last week's snow is gone.  May actually have a few snow-free days.  Fine by me.

We spent some time in the morning study in the book of Jonah.  There's a lot there, much of it generally ignored as the focus is on Jonah in the belly of the fish.
But I thought afterwards about a brief mention of the sailors on that ship AFTER Jonah was thrown overboard.  There's a reference that the sailors "took vows".  Vows are frequently mentioned in Scripture, and often there is clear inference that these vows are often made but not honored.  I've been thinking about that the rest of the day.  Do we make these commitments lightly, and then ignore the responsibility to honor them?  And I am not talking "just" about wedding vows, though dishonoring them is all too frequent.  Including, sadly, within the church family and sometimes within the walls as well.  Not good.  If those pagan sailors thought it important, perhaps we should as well.

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Our Scripture reading today is chapters 5 and 6 of the Exodus.
Moses and Aaron were up against quite a lot, speaking to Pharaoh as they did.  In that time and place, the Pharaoh and his dynasty were considered to be at least semi-divine.  Telling the person that the culture regarded almost as a living god that their God, the True God, was over-turning Pharaoh's commands was taking their lives in their hands.  And then knew it.  And did it anyway.

Exodus 5

5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

5:3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

5:4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

5:5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

5:6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

5:7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

5:8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard vain words.

5:10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

5:11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.

5:12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

5:13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

5:14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?

5:15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

5:16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.

5:17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.

5:18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

5:19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

5:20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:

5:21 And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savor to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

5:22 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, LORD, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

5:23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
 

Exodus 6

 6:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

6:2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:

6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

6:4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.

6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.

6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

6:10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

6:11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

6:12 And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

6:13 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

6:14 These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.

6:15 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon.

6:16 And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.

6:17 The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.

6:18 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.

6:19 And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.

6:20 And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.

6:21 And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.

6:22 And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.

6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

6:24 And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites.

6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.

6:26 These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.

6:27 These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron.

6:28 And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,

6:29 That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.

6:30 And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 25 January 2017

One seeks to find things to be thankful for

• it's not much, but our weather lately, meaning the last week or so, has been "warm" for this area at this time of year.  Meaning we've been above the freezing point for most of the last week, and won't see that mark again for a few days.  Or so we are told. We shall see.  I'd be happy with 75° right now, and never ever EVER go below it.  Your mileage may vary.  In any event, I am grateful for the respite from snow and bitter cold.
• A quick look at the calendar says that we have less than a week of January left.  February is not my favorite time of the year, but it means that we'll have only about seven more weeks before the Vernal Equinox, the beginning of "official" Spring.  That's something.
• I've mentioned that we have cats.  Well, actually, Dear Wife does, though one of them has decided he's mine.  Whatever.  So, we have to feed them, take care of "sanitation issues", etc.  "We" in this case translates to Yours Truly.  One of them at least has a "sensitive stomach", so the real cheap dry cat food makes him vomit.  Which, of course, Yours Truly has to clean up.  We'd been buying a higher-end, meaning no corn content, at the Wally Mart, sold under the trade name of Evolve.  Worked.  So, of course, Wally Mart quit carrying it, at all, even on the Ship-to-Store app.  We found another source, only to find that it was now making him vomit.  And further investigation revealed that they'd about doubled the price. Wally Mart started carrying that version on the ship-to-store, at a price THREE TIMES what it had been.  Not an option on our very limited resources.  Dear Wife went on line and found a source that would ship us a product that seemed close to what we'd been getting, at a similar price too.  Good people, operating as Chewy.com, and we've been very pleased. But the first shipment arrived with the 20+ pound bag damaged in the shipping box and having spilled a good bit of the product.  We notified them, sent photos.  They sent a same-sized bag, free, to make up for it.  So we essentially had two big bags of dry cat food for the price of one.  This was in October.  We therefore had enough that we don't need to buy more until late February.  See what I mean?  What could have been a series of issues has led to a relationship with a good supplier, and enough of the product to last months.  
• As mentioned previously, Monday morning we were about 18 miles south of here so that Dear Wife could undergo a pretty thorough bone scan, checking the bones for status resulting from her osteoporosis.  We expected a wait of several weeks before hearing results.  Well, we got some hint of the results today.  They're ordering up an infusion of a drug called "Reclast", trade name for Zoledronic acid.  In a hurry.  Now, that may not sound like a blessing, and I guess it's not, not really.  But here is what is a blessing:  the cost to us.  The quoted price for this medicine is around $2800.  Which we simply can't afford, it's much more than our total monthly income.  And under our previous insurance, the co-pay would have been on the order of $380, which we could not afford either.   But under our new plan, just in effect as of the first of the year, that co-pay drops to $28!!   Which we can afford.  Not by much, particularly with the out-of-pocket payments we just made last week, but we'll manage.  Now, of course, given a choice, we'd have a miraculous healing of all of her ailments.  That would be nice, but doesn't seem to be in the offing.  God is making a way, when there seems to be no way.  Good song like that, by the way.  And, in that vein, the singer, Janet Paschal, was recovering from breast cancer when this was recorded.  She had reason to believe this.  So do we.  And she makes reference to the situation we'll see in the Exodus, with Moses and the people, caught in an impossible situation, between the sea and Pharaoh's army.  Yes, God will make a way.  We've been learning that, bit by bit.  If you listen to the song, listen to all of it.  Oh, and several of the other singers there were in the middle of a flood of troubles too.  As all of us are, have been, or will be.  This is our testimony too.
•  Lots more besides.  The roof over my head, the bed we slept in, the clean clothes to put on, a functioning bathroom, food to eat.  And the Lord's presence.  There was a time in my life when I had NONE of these.  None.  He's been good to me.  He didn't have to do that, but He did, and He has.  Thankful doesn't begin to cover it.
• But even if He didn't, our focus needs to be on Him and His love.  Not on the circumstances of the moment.  I'm not good at that, usually.  Getting a little bit better, perhaps.  Not there yet, not by any means.  There will always be yucky circumstances.  Things that aggravate us, perhaps, or things that really are bad, things like sickness, pain, the loss of companionship or friendships, hunger, cold, all of that.  The "stone in your shoe" matters.  The "what idiot set these traffic signals so badly!" ones, the ones that a thousand years from now, or a hundred, or one, probably won't matter.  But He will still be there.  That's worth a lot, and sometimes we take our eyes off of Him.  Faith has a lot to do with where our focus really is.

 If everything holds as planned, we'll head out shortly and hit the grocery store.  Stock up on a few things.  Wife's Disability check hit yesterday.  Paid some overdue bills.  Probably going to spend the rest of it today, things like store brand pancake mix and such.  A little bit of coffee as well.  I'm not a coffee snob, but caffeine is good for me.  And Dear Wife is equally addicted, though she IS a "coffee snob", her term not mine.







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The Old Testament reading today continues in the Exodus, chapters  9 and 10.
Moses is still passing the Lord's message along to Pharaoh, "Let My people go!".  And Pharaoh, unaccustomed as he was, to obeying anything other than his own wishes, refused, subjecting the people of Egypt to all sorts of terrible results.  Several of which revealed the emptiness of that culture's faith in their false gods.  And it wasn't over yet.

Exodus 9

1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. 4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel. 5 And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. 6 And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. 8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. 10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. 12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses. 13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. 15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. 16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. 17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? 18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. 19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. 20 He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: 21 And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. 22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. 23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. 27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 28 Entreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. 29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD's. 30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. 31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. 32 But the wheat and the rye were not smitten: for they were not grown up. 33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. 34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.

Exodus 10

1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these my signs before him: 2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. 3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. 4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 5 And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: 6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. 7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? 8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. 10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. 12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. 13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 And the locust went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. 15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. 18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD. 19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. 21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. 22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. 24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. 25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. 27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. 29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

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The New Testament reading is verses 1-20 from the 18th chapter in the Gospel of Matthew.
This reading contains some material that the "name it and claim it" preachers, some of the ones you see on TV, use and generally mis-use.  Getting a group together and uttering prayers in Jesus' name requesting, or demanding, some thing or action or whatever is somewhat based on this.  It's not quite that way.  I recently read an account of a lawyer who does a fair amount of "legal aid" type stuff, being a court-appointed attorney for indigent clients up on various charges.  He related an account of some defendants, women in fact, who got together in a circle, and prayed loudly that the Lord would protect them and prevent their arrest, before they went out to commit robberies and burglaries.  Somehow, I don't think the Lord was honored in that, and probably not amused either.  Neither do the sometimes heartfelt prayers that your favorite team would win the Big Game.  Need more examples?  Do such things really honor Him?  Don't think so.  Now, I admit, that I do firmly believe in the reality of verse 20.

Matthew 18:1-20

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,  

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  

8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  

9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.  

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.  

12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.  

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 17 January 2017

We are well into the last half of January now.  The first day of Winter is nearly a month behind us, the first day of Spring is just over two months hence.  We shall look forward to that milestone, though we fully expect winter weather for at least a month thereafter, and on occasion have seen it for longer than that.  But it is some sort of progress, and we are hopeful.

Dear Wife is doing the "watching" of the next-door Great Niece today.  If the plans made hold true, then the second great niece, the daughter of wife's sister's son, will be appearing for the next round of this on Thursday.  Wife has been asked to deal with her, as the child's parents are in court that day.  As previously noted, a little while back, just before Thanksgiving, a drunk driver ran off the road, ran into their porch then their vehicle in the driveway, and then left the scene.  Police caught up with him, and he spent the weekend in jail.  But now comes the follow-up.  Nephew's wife had let ALL their insurance policies lapse.  So the damage to the porch is essentially unfixed.  Efforts continue to find rear window and hatch to repair the damage to their van, but to do so on the cheap.  They live in a pretty down-at-the-heels section, (comparable to ours but with more use of alcohol and drugs), and their house is barely off the street, such that there is just, barely, room to park a vehicle parallel to that front porch and to be -- mostly -- off the street.  Which is how the drunk managed to hit their house's porch.  Been no fun, and they are hoping to squeeze some money out of the guy.  So we're watching the little one, as parents sit at the courthouse.
We hope to be able to take the great niece next door to the "story time" thing at the local public library. I have some books to go back.  Gives me a chance to do that.  The books were not that good, looked a whole lot better on the shelf than when I set myself to read them.  Often the case.  Does the Little One good to be at home with books: that does not often seem to be the case in this area.

Wife was doing a teeny bit better yesterday, though progress is very slow and sometime does not occur at all.

I see that the political squabbles also continue.  The inauguration of the President is scheduled for a few days from now, but one seriously doubts that it will end the fights going on.  And, of course, some of the nastiest fights are at the state and local levels.

Some day, I hope, we shall look back at all of this and laugh.  I hope so.

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The Old Testament reading for this morning is chapter 41 of the Genesis.
This is more of the story of Joseph.  Joseph begins this account as a prisoner, falsely accused of a terrible crime.  It ends with him in an incredibly powerful position in Egypt, directly under Pharaoh.  And, by virtue of the Lord's leading, able and active in preserving the lives of many.  Who could have imagined that a poor shepherd boy, one of many sons, could somehow be transported into such a position?  A position that no one could have imagined, but now in a position to do great good for a great many.  As we shall see.    I guess the Lord was up to something.  You think maybe??

Genesis 41

1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. 2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favored kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favored and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. 4 And the ill favored and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. 6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. 7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. 8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. 9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: 10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker: 11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. 12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. 13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. 17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: 18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favored; and they fed in a meadow: 19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favored and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: 20 And the lean and the ill favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: 21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favored, as at the beginning. So I awoke. 22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: 23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: 24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me. 25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath showed Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. 27 And the seven thin and ill favored kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. 28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he showeth unto Pharaoh. 29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; 31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. 32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. 33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. 37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. 46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. 48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. 49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. 50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. 53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. 54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. 56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. 57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

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The New Testament reading is verses 1-32 of the 13th chapter in the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 13:1-32

 

1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 

2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.  

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:  

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:  

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.  

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:  

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.  

9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.  

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?  

11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  

12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.  

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.  

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  

15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.  

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.  

17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.  

18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.  

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.  

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.  

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:  

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.  

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.  

31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:  

32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 27 January 2016

A relatively mild day here, for which we give thanks.  And they are quite sincere, believe me.
That's the good part.
The bad part is that I was notified this morning of a death.  The lady was the wife of the pastor of the church that I grew up in, lo these many moons ago.  She was 91 years old and had been in pretty bad shape last summer, so it's not terribly surprising.  They had 66 years of married life together, quite a good run.  But she had been so unfailingly kind, especially to kids like me, for whom kindness and a smile must occasionally have been a trial.  I am grateful for her life and ministry.  Funeral is Saturday and I hope to be able to attend.  I am sure that there will be many there who have similar memories.  Their oldest son lives a long way off, I have not seen him since around 1971 or so, so that would also be nice. 
It does somewhat reduce the joy of the relatively warm day.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 13, 14, and 15 of the Exodus.  Pharaoh has, indeed, "let My people go".  And off they go, precisely 430 years after their ancestors entered Egypt.  To the very day, in fact.  As they leave, the Lord lays out some commands about things going forward, notably in the remembrance of His provision in this.
And then, Pharaoh changes his mind.  Bad idea.  So the Lord makes a way, when there seems to be no way, and provides a dry path in the midst of the sea.  The Israelites take the path to safety.  Pharaoh and his army try the same thing.  Bad idea.  The sea closes up over them.  Much death there.  Guess he should have listened.

Exodus 13

1	And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2	Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
3	And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
4	This day came ye out in the month Abib.
5	And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.
6	Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
7	Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
8	And thou shalt show thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.
9	And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
10	Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
11	And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,
12	That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD's.
13	And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
14	And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
15	And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
16	And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.
17	And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
18	But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
19	And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
20	And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
21	And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
22	He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Exodus 14

1	And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2	Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
3	For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
4	And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.
5	And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
6	And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
7	And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
8	And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
9	But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.
10	And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
11	And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12	Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
13	And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14	The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
15	And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
16	But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
17	And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
18	And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
19	And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20	And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21	And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22	And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23	And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24	And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25	And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
26	And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
27	And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28	And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
29	But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30	Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
31	And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 15

1	Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
2	The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
3	The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
4	Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
5	The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
6	Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
7	And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
8	And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
9	The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
10	Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
11	Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12	Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
13	Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
14	The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
15	Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
16	Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
17	Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established.
18	The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
19	For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
20	And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
21	And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
22	So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
23	And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24	And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25	And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
26	And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
27	And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

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The New Testament reading is verses 1-15 of Matthew 19.

Matthew 19:1-15

1	And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
2	And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3	The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4	And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5	And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6	Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7	They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8	He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9	And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10	His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11	But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12	For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
13	Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14	But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15	And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.