Matthew 6:7-15 ~ Do not be like Gentiles, for Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Cedar of Lebanon

Matthew 6:7-15

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed ^[holy] be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Footnotes: Some manuscripts add,

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

I pray this Lord's Prayer a lot. I was very, very surprised after taking the class to become a Catholic, in 1994, after my first confession - we were assigned to sit in Church, be reflectively meditative, on the cross, and say the Lord's Prayer as the realignment in forgiveness. Yet these are the words of Jesus. Holy Words. Words given to us as part of the gift of forgiveness.

I say these words even when I'm angry and unforgiving. Rick Warren and, his brother-in-law, Tom Holladay discussed forgiveness, "In 40 Days of Love." Forgiveness gives up the right to hurt someone. Forgiveness gives up the right to slander someone.

The Topics
Session One: Love Matters Most
Session Two: Love is Patient, Love is Kind
Session Three: Love Speaks the Truth
Session Four: Love is Forgiving
Session Five: Love is not Selfish
Session Six: The Habits of a Loving Heart

We can provoke one another to unforgiveness. This behavior can spiral down to sadism. Relationships can become toxic. We are not in God's grace to accept the unacceptable. There is a very sound reason Jesus spoke these words.


Matthew 18:21-23
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Or seventy times seven)

23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

God could have said forgive endlessly. He did not. 

Genesis 4:24
If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times."

We could quibble over 77 or 490, missing the Spirit.

Rick Warren spoke in the DVD about forgiveness hurting the deepest in divorce. He said forgiveness doesn't require a reconciliation. Forgiveness requires giving up the right to be grief-stricken and reconstruct the hurt. Forgiveness is the releasing of judgmental anger. This does not require forgetting, just letting go of the desire to hurt and be hurt. Rick Warren refers to wisdom as learning - the actions of the person are like the fruit identifying the tree. We learn what type of person we deal with. Forgiveness does not require the loss of wisdom.

Proverbs 16:20-24
20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 

Add to the joys of forgiveness - this:
Picking up on discovering good, blessed by trusting the LORD. Being discerning.

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

We should give ourselves credit, like the Father running to his prodigal son - when we forgive with our mouths and brain, and allowing for the forgiveness fulling our hearts to be - the tree of life.  Certainly we are given grace to give complete forgiveness all at once. Sometimes the completion of forgiveness is a process.

The evil one would say - you just aren't forgiving, you don't have peace, you are a fake, they probably don't deserve forgiveness. Instead, lean on HIM and say, " Father, please. Help that forgiveness be the tree of life from You."

 Matthew 13:32
It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches

Tulla, Mexico - the tree is really that large.

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Nehemiah 11 ~ at the king's side in all matters concerning the people

Nehemiah 11

Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns. 2 And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.

3 These are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the towns of Judah everyone lived on his property in their towns: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon's servants. 4 And in Jerusalem lived certain of the sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin. Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalalel, of the sons of Perez; 5 and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, son of Col-hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, son of the Shilonite. 6 All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468 valiant men.

7 And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah, 8 and his brothers, men of valor, 928. 9 Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.

10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, 12 and their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, 13 and his brothers, heads of fathers' houses, 242; and Amashsai, the son of Azarel, son of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer, 14 and their brothers, mighty men of valor, 128; their overseer was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim.

15 And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni; 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the outside work of the house of God; 17 and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader of the praise,[f] who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. 18 All the Levites in the holy city were 284.

19 The gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were 172. 20 And the rest of Israel, and of the priests and the Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 21 But the temple servants lived on Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants.

22 The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the work of the house of God. 23 For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a fixed provision for the singers, as every day required. 24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the sons of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's side in all matters concerning the people.


25 And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba and its villages, and in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and its villages, 26 and in Jeshua and in Moladah and Beth-pelet, 27 in Hazar-shual, in Beersheba and its villages, 28 in Ziklag, in Meconah and its villages, 29 in En-rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its villages. So they encamped from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom. 31 The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages, 32 Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. 36 And certain divisions of the Levites in Judah were assigned to Benjamin.


Nehemiah 11:1 Hebrew nine hands

"Mark Twain" (meaning "Mark number two") was a Mississippi River term: the second mark on the line that measured depth signified two fathoms, or twelve feet—safe depth for the steamboat. If we read this passage we are going to think about why wouldn't you want to live in a city.

This particular city, Jerusalem, was in complete ruins.

The passage was like a newspaper article and would be vastly interesting to the former Jewish slaves choosing to remain in the Persian empire. People who had become very comfortable in the Persian Empire and chose to remain. Like Hadassah and Mordecai.


Esther 2:5-11

Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. 7 He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. 8 So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. 9 And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king's palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem. 10 Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known. 11 And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.


Scripture is about being surrounded by life.
The people who left slavery are finding life difficult. The people choosing to remain in their familiar comfort are having difficulty.

My grandmother and her sister would read the newspapers from Lousiana the same day each week, pouring over what was going on in Franklinton and Richardson, Louisiana.

This passage was extremely important  - saying a destroyed nation has people thronging into the city and the country - creating a new nation. People had a choice to make, were they staying with the familiar or braving the elements? The important choice wasn't the judgements of the neighbors or the community. We can clearly see the people praying to fulfill God's plan for their lives, made a difference. The Christians choosing to die bravely in the coliseum made a huge difference. And the Christians who fled for their lives, carried Scripture and the Good News of Jesus Christ with them.

So when faced with challenges -
the important consideration is what God would have you do each day with your prayer, your words, your actions. Asking Him to help you build the life He wants.

How did the the Jews survive being forced to walk away from their families, their small children, their ruined homes and towns? Not many nations would be a people, much less a returning slave population with the blessing of the Emperor. Three Emperors were so impressed with the Jews they vowed to return their nation. Twice the promise did not come to pass. What would be the consideration allowing these destroyed people to serve with such magnitude the people around them were impressed?

What can we say made the conquered nation be an inspiration to the Persian Emperors?

How did survival become praise, becoming a nation again?

God did not leave them alone. Jeremiah convinced them, upon disaster, the LORD was trying to tell them to straighten up and fly right - trusting and honoring HIM. To their credit, they believed Jeremiah, a bit late, but they believed Him. Ezekiel rose up and agreed with Jeremiah. Saying don't despair He will rescue and raise us for being HIS people. God provided them, in their darkest hour, with prophesy that would require belief and trust. The Children of Israel in Nehemiah 11 are seeing the Lord's Promises bring them into safe harbor.

Being our Father God of mercy, the remnants not returning are found a plan carrying their faith into the milleniums.

We see Israel has survived after two milleniums and we see so have the tombs we honor of Queen Esther and Mordecai.

He has carried others who honor HIM in other millenniums - He is still working and doesn't plan to drop us on our heads.






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Matthew 14:13-21 ~ he had compassion on them and healed their sick

Matthew 14:13-21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

In the midst of His day, a day filled with requests, endless ideas of what they perceive God to be, ideas of what He should be, their joy, their pain, their trouble, Jesus acted lovingly.

So much need. So many requests. With God, He will find a way.

Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Who are these people peppering Jesus with their prayer requests? It is us. Jesus as the Son of God can speak a blessing over God's provision. How can we do less?

John 5:17
Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

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Mark 6:14-29 ~ Ask me

Herod Antipas was known as a builder. Tiberus, the city was built to let Caesar know - Herod was his man. Herod Antipas lived on a stage, where he liked to create images; fittingly this ruin survives the best of all he built.

This coin of Herod Antipas was carefully created without images to please his
Jewish Kingdom, who, biblically, did not like images.

Mark 6:14-29 (English Standard Version)

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

~ And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."

Herod was unwise. He had divorced his wife and married his brother's wife. He was worried Jesus was John's reincarnation and he hoped Jesus would perform for him - a miracle. Herod Antipas, was what is known as a "poser". A Jewish King, leading God's chosen people, while twisting or ignoring the rules to suit himself or Caesar.

Jesus called Herod a fox. Unlike "poser", Jesus meant fox as in the traditional cunning animal. A fox - typically live in small family groups, opportunistic feeders that hunt live prey. Jesus loved and forgave all of us. Herod the Great had killed his father-in-law's family in order to rule. Like a fox in a chicken house. Jesus could see into our hearts and Jesus sees straight into Herod. Unless a fox is killing your livestock, it's a great pleasure to see a fox. Splendid apparel with a shrewd face. Jesus loved Herod and could appreciate him, even for his flaws.

Herod is offering half his kingdom in exchange for the life of a man of God. He has posed so long as so many different roles - even to himself - he has forgotten...

Isaiah 7:9
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

Herod Antipas did forfeit ....his whole kingdom; his small family group included Herodias' brother. Herodias' brother convinced Caesar, after 42 years, Herod Antipas was a failure. Herod Antipas and Herodias were cut off and exiled from Israel.

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Ruth 3:1-18 ~ I do

"Marty" - this movie about a man seeking love, won Best Picture and three other award from the Academy Awards. Ernest Borgnine, is Marty, pictured here with his on-screen Mother.


Ruth 3:1-18 American Standard Version

1 And Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 2 And now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing-floor. 3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the threshing-floor, but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest I will do.

6 And she went down unto the threshing-floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her. 7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. 8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 And he said, who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thy handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thy handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of Jehovah, my daughter: thou hast showed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followest not young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou sayest; for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a worthy woman. 12 And now it is true that I am a near kinsman; howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as Jehovah liveth: lie down until the morning.

14 And she lay at his feet until the morning. And she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor. 15 And he said, Bring the mantle that is upon thee, and hold it; and she held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and he went into the city. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. 17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law. 18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he have finished the thing this day.


1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.


Coincidences. Ruth married into the family of Naomi. Naomi takes a moabite with her to become an ancestor of Jesus the Lord. That was one fine moabite, but this is the family of God and if you look at the descriptions you find many different physical attributes. David was described as ruddy and handsome. God chose for Jesus to have a blended family.

And then you go many, many years ahead to Thomas Jefferson. A man people debate, rudely actually, if he was a Christian. Jefferson answered this for himself, Thomas Jefferson took a Bible and he began to read HIS Word looking for his heart to grow warm, looking to see what resonated in Thomas Jefferson for truth. Jefferson felt so strongly, he took the Word and began to assemble his warm heart parts, the ones Thomas Jefferson said, "The truth rings and eminates from these Words." Coincidence. John Adams eventually worked for years upon a project. His political career had been hurt by his former friend Thomas Jefferson. Adams began to work and work to restore a bridge of meaning and warmth again. And as John Adams died, he was a sinner. And John Adams, according to several eye witness accounts, cried out to the effect of this, "Thomas Jefferson lives!" Adams knew full well Thomas Jefferson had been ill. The coincidence - both men required a Savior to live. And had found that savior.

Who will we account worthy to say, I've done the works of Salvation? God says Salvation is a Gift only from Him. No one may boast of works done for Salvation.

And how very touching that the work of the heart, to repair a bridge of friendship, was honored by the Lord in John Adams' first glimpse of His Kingdom.

God does not give us works to create Salvation, but how pleased He is with those who preserve the way, the truth and the life in Him. These men established a freedom atheists have been unable to stamp upon and diminish. The Supreme Court has marble upon the walls proclaiming Old Testament ethics come from the Law given to us through Moses. Until fifty years ago, the Congress was used by a congregation as a Church on Sundays. These rights are given to us, in our Constitution. Visit the Memorial to Abraham Lincoln. Both speeches engraved into the walls tell us of Lincoln's spiritual life and considerations. My family and I visited this two days ago, tears were on our cheeks for the efforts Lincoln went to, living his convictions. Surely his photographs of his tenure, in the Office of the President of the United States, tell of his personal growth and his determination to heal the nation.

Lincoln also had a coincidence. Three days before Good Friday, April 14th 1865, Abraham Lincoln had a dream where he felt he left his bed, traveled down the hallways of the White House, to see a corpse. People were weeping everyone. Lincoln turned and asked, "Who has died in the White House?" The President has been assassinated, he was told. Would Abraham Lincoln be enough of a saint to die on Good Friday? Why should we act as his jury. This man made his life's work to say men are created equal. A union so fought for, should be preserved, and Abraham Lincoln prepared his efforts, in his last speech, to tell a weary nation - work on forgiveness.

Coincidences. How delicate is God's Hand. Let us each day place ourselves in His Hand, asking for the nation conceived in liberty and justice for all, should pray and engrave upon its walls - HE is our faith, our hope, our love. In HIM shall nations look to provide justice with mercy. Allowing us to walk humbly with HIM. He asks our country to provide one another with freedom. How shall we discern this freedom - give unto others what you would have them give to you.

Never forget the freedoms so many people have fought for in Arlington Cemetery - are not a politically correct freedom which assumes only the current politics and philosophies, - is the enduring bread Jesus gave us. See the crosses each would want upon their tomb. Always be one who is incouraged by wonders, acts of love, leaning upon HIS judgments not our own, and never fail to be generous, and gracious in honoring and encouraging others. We build our lives, our families, our nation in these truths and kindnesses. Let me, Father GOD, each day and put out my hands - who will be built up by me today? In the name of Jesus Christ, give me the opportunity to show Your Kingdom on earth is at hand. Amen.

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2 Samuel 1 ~ I have escaped

The Triumph of King David painted by Raphael Sanzio

2 Samuel 1

1 After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. 2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. 3 David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” 5 Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6 And the young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him. 7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8 And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 And he said to me ‘Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.’ 10 So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 And David said to the young man who told him, “Where do you come from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.” 14 David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?” 15 Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him.” And he struck him down so that he died. 16 And David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord's anointed.’”

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18 and he said it [1] should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. [2] He said:

19 “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath,
publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

21 “You mountains of Gilboa,
let there be no dew or rain upon you,
nor fields of offerings! [3]
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

22 “From the blood of the slain,
from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan turned not back,
and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles;
they were stronger than lions.

24 “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

25 “How the mighty have fallen
in the midst of the battle!

“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.

27 “How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”

Footnotes
[1] 1:18 Septuagint; Hebrew the Bow, which may be the name of the lament's tune
[2] 1:18 Or of the upright
[3] 1:21 Septuagint firstfruits

Matthew Henry's commentary:

Kasheth probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.

Today, my family and I walked from Ford's Theater on 10 Ave in Washington D.C. and walked another 1.6 miles through the areas of investigation of President Lincoln's murder. It was a surprise to me to learn Sec. of State, William Seward, survived an assasination attempt on his life during the same 10 p.m. fatal attack on Pres. Lincoln. Vice-President Johnson also  had a 10 p.m. assassin waiting to attack him, in his affluent boarding house, but the assassin became fearful and intoxicated. The police and the army were in panic the day after the shooting, thinking the forces of the southern armn would rise again. Later it was determined, not to be so, one of the sure signs the telegraph office continued to receive incoming messages, therefore our nation was not under attack.

Mu father-in-law said the same thing for September 11th. If real war was to be pursuited, all banking-electronic data would have been erased, as well as utility plants nation wide.

In this life, we have trouble. God does not ever abandon those calling upon HIM.

Tonight, we sat in Lafayette Park, across from the porte cachen from the White House, just several hundred feet from the window where Lincoln gave his last speech about putting the country back together again in bonds of peace. And this evening, as the light faded, hundreds of fireflies lighted the evening deep green, verdant grass. Memories of summers long ago, and the knowledge we have miles to go.

As Paul said, life is an adventure of expectation and joy in revealing the sons of men.

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Matthew 1-2 ~ My people Israel

Pomegranate in Mishmarot, (Hebrew: משמרות‎) Israel. Exodus 28:33–34 directed that images of pomegranates be woven onto the borders of Hebrew priestly robes. 1 Kings 7:13–22 describes pomegranates depicted in the temple King Solomon built in Jerusalem. Jewish tradition teaches that the pomegranate is a symbol for righteousness. The pomegranate is one of the few images which appear on ancient coins of Judea as a holy symbol, and today many Torah scrolls are stored while not in use with a pair of decorative hollow silver "pomegranates" (rimmonim) slid down over the two upper scroll handles.

For the same reason, pomegranates are a motif found in Christian religious decoration. They are often woven into the fabric on vestments and liturgical hangings or wrought in metalwork.



Matthew 1
1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah
and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,
15 Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

 

Pomegranites are also a symbol of being fruitful. In Jesus Christ, we hope our lives are fruitful for Him. So much of progression in the Lord  - is mercy. Looking at the tree of Jesus' forebearers, we see a noted lack of perfection. God, not including His Son, is noted for working around the imperfect, using people who obvoiously need Him to be accounted as righteous.

We live in interesting times, I'm currently in Washington D.C. I used to visit this city quite a bit in my teens. And most recently in 2006. The walk way up to the Lincoln Memorial needs some significant yard work. The concrete, war type barricades, of 2006 are gone. The Smithsonian underwent vast improvements in 2006, unfortunately the Museums, in our Nation's capital,  aren't wired for audio or interact with the internet. Finding wireless in Washington D.C. seems difficult. And yet to see the buildings laid out by Thomas Jefferson and see the Capital at night is still amazing. Walking into the crowded Lincoln Memorial and reading Lincoln, the largest appellate lawyer in Illinois, even today, writing his own speeches about freedom and overcoming war brought us to tears. He noted both sides called upon the same God, but one side fought for equality and both sides would continue until freedom was won. Fight the good fight. Seeing the 3D photos of the civil war, as clear as any nightly news broadcast, the proud beginnings of Fort Sumpter launching the new flag - to the devestation station of Charleston - were sobering. Freedom is not free. In this nation and for Christians calling upon the promises of GOD.

Let us continue to pray daily to be fruitful for HIM, both individually and for a nation so proudly proclaiming their devotion to Him engraved upon their marble, hallowed walls. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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Ezra 7:27-28, 8:21-36 ~ blessed be the LORD

Ezra 7:27-28



27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

Ezra 8:21-36


21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

24 Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their kinsmen with them. 25 And I weighed out to them the silver and the gold and the vessels, the offering for the house of our God that the king and his counselors and his lords and all Israel there present had offered. 26 I weighed out into their hand 650 talents [75 pounds or 34 kilograms] of silver, and silver vessels worth 200 talents, and 100 talents of gold, 27 20 bowls of gold worth 1,000 darics, [coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams] and two vessels of fine bright bronze as precious as gold. 28 And I said to them, “You are holy to the Lord, and the vessels are holy, and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the Lord, the God of your fathers. 29 Guard them and keep them until you weigh them before the chief priests and the Levites and the heads of fathers' houses in Israel at Jerusalem, within the chambers of the house of the Lord.” 30 So the priests and the Levites took over the weight of the silver and the gold and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God.

31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way. 32 We came to Jerusalem, and there we remained three days. 33 On the fourth day, within the house of our God, the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed into the hands of Meremoth the priest, son of Uriah, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas, and with them were the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui. 34 The whole was counted and weighed, and the weight of everything was recorded.

35 At that time those who had come from captivity, the returned exiles, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and as a sin offering twelve male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the Lord. 36 They also delivered the king's commissions to the king's satraps [Persian official] and to the governors of the province Beyond the River, and they aided the people and the house of God.


You have to applaud the truth in the Scriptures. Not a golden fable where everything is always clear to people trying to live God's will. God's favored people have been freed from slavery, an amazing, rare thing. Not easy grace; God's children have experienced slavery first hand. Like Egypt, the children of Israel are leaving not just with the clothes on their backs, but laden with all types of riches. An amazing king, giving treasure and working God's plan. For the King, which came first? God's blessings to him, or his willingness to bless God?

This band of newly freed men don't rush to ask for Darius' willing protection, but immediately wonder, worry, if God will protect them. They worry for themselves, they worry for God's honor in their words, they worry about their witness. This anxiety is far from displeasing God.

In this glorious time, is it any wonder the Temple of the Living God would be built?

God says:

“The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.”


Isaiah 49:23b
you will know that I am the Lord;
those who wait for me shall not be put to shame

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 2:19
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."


John 14:13-18
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.



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