Luke 4:1-13 ~ Man shall not live on bread alone.

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.



Deuteronomy 8
2"You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3"He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.

Hosea 11:1
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son"


We wonder about Jesus fulfilling Scriptures - did this come later - it's whispered in our thoughts. Did the disciples and the orators fill in.

No. Ryland's Papyrus are fragments of John's 90 A.D. Gospel not destroyed by 367 years of Roman Empire persecution. And natural destruction of fragile papyrus. Early second-century Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, claiming John was engaged in a battle with the Jews over Religious Law and the Divinity of Jesus on Patmos. Historians B.W. Bacon, Martin Hengel and Henry Barclay Swete, maintain these references to Papias are credible. Papias also has recorded John's support for the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. Papias wrote five books interviewing the accuracy of the sayings of Jesus by speaking with witnesses. Eusebuis quoted Papias from time to time.

Now let's look at layers.

God sent the family to Egypt. The Magi believed Jesus would be at the Palace. Fulfilling Scripture. God used literal truths and faith to set King Herod on his course. Herod did so much good for Judah and this Herod is remembered for the slaughter of twenty or more innocent infants. God used Truth to further His Plan.

Bringing us back to, Jesus was called from Egypt. Literal truth.

Jesus had His own Exodus. If God had merely let Abraham's children be princes on pillows - would they have adhered to the Law and we get so 'OH not Deuteronomy, not the Books of Moses'. These are AMAZING. God centers His Blessings on the Law. The rest of the world was pretty much 'live and let live - be at peace' like the rich man in the Gospels. People trying to be Kosher raised grandchildren and gave birth in the desert. God was teaching them solutions for their diligence. Jesus healed all the time saying - go there, pick that up, walk, don't tell, go home.

So... Jesus had come from Egypt. And then like the Children of Abraham - Jesus had to make His Metal.

Telling us Psalm 11 is True. God wants us to mature, to make choices, to go out of our comfort zones. To adhere. To hope. To Expect. To Grow up and Go Home. Expecting Him to deliver on His Promises.

We are told

Romans 8:28
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But we know that he helps those who love God in everything for good, those whom he preordained to be called.


The devil according to Matthew Henry is subtle, spiteful, and very daring; but he can be resisted. It is a comfort to us that Christ suffered, being tempted; for thus it appears that our temptations, if not yielded to, are not sins, they are afflictions only.

Jesus was tempted and told what to expect. He had time to think - these are my pressure points - this is the way it would look. Jesus made up His Mind - before Palm Sunday.

We have clearly learned - God allows Life to Test us. Making us Grow.

Proved this.

Patmos beach looking up at John's residence - today

Now for some delving.


So. If we want to wiggle a little more information about Jesus - Jesus who created the loaves and fish with the help of a young boy's donations - had a funeral Lunch for His Cousin (boyhood friend?) and fed the multitudes. Matthew 14, 15. We see Jesus - liked a good meal. And then your recall with me, Jesus walked and sailed (which is work) and recorded meals. Jesus is recorded as being a drinker and an eater!

Jesus' reputation was being hauled into question by the 2nd Century. Gnostics were screaming you had to be "in the know" and other sects were screaming Jesus was not man, was only divine "a God." John was battling this in vast old age - living like a Hobbit on Patmos. (It's probable John was not having second breakfasts, but the view was and is spectacular!) Early second-century Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, claiming John was engaged in a battle with the Jews over Religious Law and the Divinity of Jesus on Patmos. Jesus was not another 'god' but Jesus Christ the Man - made wine - His First Sign - thanks Mary!

Luke 7
31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

Luke 5:30
And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

The Feast in the House of Levi, Paolo Verones

Now did the party actually look like this that Matthew threw? Possibly. This was the Roman Thug collecting way too much money. Corruption. Matthew and Zacchaeus both promise to quit over charging. The party is lavish enough to draw a lot of criticism. Jesus had a PARTY THROWN!


Jesus is recorded as having dinner with Peter and his healed mother-in-law. (And Jesus never said, "Oh if only you were not married Peter!"). Nice men eat with mother-in-laws.

Jesus has another dinner party - after He healed Lazarus from Death - Lazarus, Mary and Martha gave Jesus dinner. Imagine - Jesus is THANKED!

Jesus was know to snack as He taught. This time He was teaching about David living God's Work and the triumph of Good over Law. Eating grains of wheat from a field.


We could go on with the loaves and fish, New Covenant, but basically we hit the high points. God sent His Son as a man. Jesus had rough times and proclaimed Mercy over Sacrifice. Choosing the Right Path. Jesus told the Samaritan Woman 'Worship with Truth' or Sincerity of Heart.

For adults - who have been tempted - who battle this - Jesus never did jump up and down screaming He was Tempted. He expects us to be honest. And do as He did - move down the Path of Life. Knowing Forgiveness is the Reason Jesus arrived to be a man who lived grace and truth among us.

Thank God, He chose to include the Temptation of Jesus. We have another clear example that life isn't an easy thing. Jesus picked - just like God - to be surrounded by people. And God chose Aaron - not even perfect (ha) Moses to come into the Holy of Holies making the mess we abhor most - blood everywhere.

God believes mankind is worth the effort. He celestially scans us all - declaring His Creation to be Good. God still intends to save the planet. Because HIS Son chose to make Scarlet into White.

The World knows once a sinner always a sinner. Yes. God does too. Yet God sees further. And that looks like a better view for most of us. Those among us still kicking the goads and waiting for Jesus each week to reaffirm us in Church proclaiming His Love. Be fed. Worship the Lord - who Forgives. Know Love. 

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King of Kings

That's My King, by Dr. S.M. Lockridge

Luke's Gospel the 4th Chapter

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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1 Kings 19:12 ~ a gentle whisper

1 Kings 19:12
After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

What would Jesus say:  I Love you.

Exodus 33:19
And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.


Exodus 34:6,7
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

What should we reply:

Psalm 16:2
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."


Psalm 104:31
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works -


Because -

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Luke 13:34H
How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings

Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.


Matthew 9:36
He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

1 John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

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Memorial Day Affords us the Opportunities to be Grateful. 

John 15:12-17 ~ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends

 

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John 14:15-21 ~ HE dwells with you and will be and is in you

John 14:15-21

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,^{[Advocate, Counselor]} 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 and is in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Our Lord God, Father Almighty is just not a tame Lion.

HE is our - Advocate!

We pray for Peace. And Life moves. Wiggles. Shakes. Terrifies. The New Testament was not filled with peace. But conflict and discussion. Opinions. Hassles. Convictions. Counter convictions.

We can hear the same Biblical Passage and be convicted of this separately. Paul heard Syria and Cilicia. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. A Flaw? A Plan!!!

What if - what if - the flames seen in the Holy Spirit discussed in the Acts of the Apostles were God telling the men to go towards their gifts, abilities, innate desires... and HE did. The men took His Words and carried them far. United and with different paths. Fire moves any way the Wind carries Fire. God surely used the appropriate symbol.

When someone discusses the Holy Spirit - what we remember - the best part - is our soul speaking within us.

Paul spoke of his future in God - Many others did as well - GOD Wants us To Witness What HE has Proclaimed for Millenniums -

Job 22:26
Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.

Why should we seek God - with our heart? Many witnesses Give us this.

Job 22:26
Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.

David's Psalm 21:2
You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

Isaiah's 58:14
Then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Peter - who swam to see Jesus - 1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory

How available is His Holy Spirit within us?

1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Does God Really answer our prayers?


Isaiah 65:24
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.

God is this close to all the people inviting HIM to be there.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord?



Elijah - Great Elijah - THE GLORY

1 Kings 19:11-13
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

The GLORY of GOD in Elijah - a low whisper - "God Loves you."

Let me proclaim to you with Joy - Good News.

When I was a child - the Christian World I knew predominantly answered the question, "Are you a Christian?" With! With! With! Their -  appropriate - - - denomination.

Today - We change Churches a lot - Why - According to 'The Pew Report' and 'US News and World Report" - because we want to Hear the WORD of GOD - Proclaimed with Faith.

We are pressed and hammered by the world - and believe He is Sovereign. Today - people routinely say - not just "Have a Nice Day" but intend to bless saying "Have a Blessed Day."

Our Churches use to be a club for paper saints. Wearing their Sunday best. Today we are a Church of sinners. Why? God calls Sinners. (We just should not hand our Hero Jesus our clean up broom willingly.)

Today we see more people sit at home alone. More People really intend to deliberately go to Church.

I hear more about hassles at Church. More people are - More involved. Here is the Church - Here is the Steeple - Where are the people - HERE!
Expect Discussions.

I'm asked with some fervency - can you find me that special person for me? My answer frequently is - sure if you want a Pregnant Woman. Did you know I'm still pondering the man who was telling me about his kids and wife and suddenly said - "Oh My God, I forgot I was divorced when I was telling you about my kids!" And he praised his ex-wife and her very supportive husband saying with regret - "I was so young. So young." This man went on to say, "Pregnant? You bet. Find me a very nice redhead who wants her baby."

I'm thinking of James. Who came to help us move plants - heavy plants and said as he went out of his way - he wished people helped each other more. (You have to like "That Guy" who doesn't even see that.)

I like knowing I pray for blessings for people - and feel Heard! GOD Bless those two MEN! GOD BLESS those who spend A LOT of TIME going to HELP Someone!

I want to Proclaim I see people in Crisis - and they - Expect to do the Right Thing. There, there the Upward Path, walking up the slopes - is in their words 'I'm Doing Okay! I'm Doing Fine for my Child!"

I'm surrounded by saints. And when time passes - they look both ways and confide they are Saints. And have deep thoughts. Oh I'm Glad To Be One of Their Number!!!

"I wasn't raised and told about compassion." One told me. "And now I'm forty. And I realized. I'm sort of filled with compassion!" Said with honesty and forthrightness, and actually, genuine humility.

Today, my brother in law drove out of his way to bring us fish. He didn't even want a beer. (By the way Angry Orchard rocks!)

My family is far flung - and we are Going Far. We have a Family Wedding Coming Up. My mom has bought five dresses to choose from. Let's Celebrate Weddings! Be they BBQ and a Picnic!!! - or Dressed To The Hilt!!!

And Lately - we have had Weddings of Adopted Family - Long Delayed and Sweet. Celebrating the Joy God Gives us. What is more stirring than Celebrations of Long Time Love! Tell them again - Wow!

Let me Go On.

What about the cousin who didn't marry and felt life had not given her the desires of her heart. She adopted a little infant girl. And loves her daughter. And the adoptions was finalized. Then. Her daughter's fully biological infant brother was needing a mom. Now she has a daughter and a son! Family.

The Phone Rang at PACN one day - a woman cried and said surely the Pregnancy Assistant Center would Understand! All she wanted was a Baby! And she and her husband can't and they can't afford the years and the tens of thousands of dollars that adoptions can Truly Cost. I said - it is my great pleasure to tell you - "The Arrow Project" in Tomball, Texas on Hwy 2920 helps place children abandoned at birth. Children born in adverse circumstances. Children who need Christian Foster Families. All ages are in need of Love.

Recently, I had the Supreme pleasure to see - a jaded bartender - with That attitude. A young woman projecting her chin and declaring she was so hung over she might still be wobbly - fiercely. Telling how Church makes her angry. Then opening her heart to say WHY. Jesus held out HIS hand to that heart. That Soul of HIS - asked Him to Live there. And I have the joy of knowing - I saw that! Witnessed the Birth of Eternity in Love.

I'm surrounded by Saints.

Sometimes I meet them - Sometimes I hear of them. I Love to Hear about Saints.

I heard this week about a failed Pastor from an orphan.

Yes. This Pastor has failed. His Church has not panned out. The Pastor works in the Pipeline Oil Industry because he has to provide for his family. His whole neighborhood has heard - this Pastor just isn't making it. What they don't hear is this guy - unnamed - does go to the Prisons.

At 14 years of age, this young saint, was told never to contact his parents again. You can't get blood out of turnips. He tried the family fortune - getting into trouble and found Jue-V. Juvenile Detention. Started looking like he was bound for the Adult Prison.

Now. He can stop by and see the Pastor at his house and just sit. And this 14 year old has - gotten his GED - no one looked over his shoulder - with no car. At 14, Someone believed in Him. At age 15, this young Man, got a job with a construction company doing clean up job - at night. At 16, he has been employed for a year. At night. Cleaning up sites. The day, the very day, he turns 18 - just like that - the Pastor is getting him a Pipeline Job. And the Pastor will.

How do I know this 16 year old Saint. He cried in front of me, wiped his eyes and said, "You have to feel the way you really feel. Acknowledge it. Live it. Overcome that." He wanted the tiny baby feet pin we have, accurate 10 week fetal feet. Because his 3 year girlfriend is pregnant. Don't worry too much. They are actually pretty thrilled. Mom, not quite as much. But Mom, in her thirties, is watching them do Homework on Parenting. Youth might just not be wasted on the young.

And I say. Alleluia to God. God doesn't mind numbers too much. Thank GOD the Pastor failed.


The GLORY of GOD in Elijah - a low whisper - "God Loves you."

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Revelation 4 ~ worship Him

Map showing Patmos, near Turkey

 Upward Path to John's Cave, Island of Patmos

Interior showing the stone bed used by John in the 4 meter cave.

Early mosaic of John writing Revelation, near the entrance of the cave.

Entrance to the Cave of the John - who is historically recorded by local historians as living here even in the second century.

 View from the cave - now, now, now - we know why John lived in this Cave!

Looking up at the entrance, The John's Cave on the island of Patmos. Patmos is part of Greece, located in The Aegean. Some time in 81 to 96 A.D., John was exiled to Patmos by the Roman Emperor Domitian, Eusebius records Christians were persecuted toward the end of Domitian's reign. John was unable to be killed by Domitian in front of the whole coliseum. According to historians.

Here in the 4 meter Cave of the Apocalypse, John lived & slept on a stone bed. Historically, this is where Revelations is written. Critics of Revelation often feel that Revelation comes without Biblical background, which is not correct. 

Apocalypse is the Greek word for revealing or disclosure.

(Looks rather like Hobbits. JRR Tolkein must have seen this place.)

Revelation 4

1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings [voices or sounds] and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

According to Church tradition, John was the only disciple to live to be old - reported as having opinions that the other Gospels were accurate and battling for the Truth of God's Love. What did Jesus say about this:

John 21:20-25
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John, still according to Church tradition, survived unharmed Emperor Domitian literally throwing John into a boiling cauldron of oil. Domitian had no other way to put John away other than exile.

Unsurprisingly, God had use of John's long life and they wrote one of the most memorable books of the Bible, with the most glimpses of heaven. Small wonder Heaven confuses us with the descriptions of such splendor.

Critics of Revelation believe John must have found wild mushrooms as he was having these visions. Nothing could be more wrong, these unusual details were also written thousands of years before Revelation met John's parchment. The prophets who also saw such splendor were: Moses, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, Isaiah and Jesus Himself.


Exodus 19:19-20
19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain.

Zechariah 4:2
And he said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it.


Ezekiel 1:28
Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.

Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.


Isaiah 6:2-3
Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

And one called to another and said:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"

Father God, the earth is full of Your glory. Help us each day to see the goodness of your many blessings, the glimpses You give us of heaven. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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1 Kings 13:1-10 ~ And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’

Angel, by Walter Rane

Kings 13:1-10

And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the Lord to Bethel.
Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings.

2 And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’” 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the Lord has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”

4 And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself.

5 The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.

6 And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” And the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before.

7 And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” 8 And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’” 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel.

 


Some Background History:

Shema servant of Jeroboam Bulla or Seal

While still young, Jeroboam was promoted by Solomon to be chief superintendent of the slaves. Upon hearing the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-39), he began to conspire to become king; but was discovered, fled to Egypt, remaining under the protection of Pharaoh Shishak. Upon the death of Solomon, Rehoboam assumed the throne. The 10 northern tribes revolted against Solomon's son and asked Jeroboam to become king. Rehoboam's poor conduct helped Jeroboam, and Jeroboam was accordingly proclaimed "King of Israel".

Jeroboam fortified Shechem as the capital of his kingdom. and in Dan and Bethel,built "golden calves," which he set up as symbols of God, pulling worship away from Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, but to bring their offerings to his shrines.

He became distinguished as the man "who made Israel to sin."

This miracle made no abiding impression on him.He was in constant war with the "House of Judah."

Translocate
verb (used with object), trans·lo·cat·ed, trans·lo·cat·ing.
to move or transfer from one place to another; cause to change location; displace; dislocate.
Saint Pio (Pius) of Pietrelcina was said to have translocated to be with people in prayer. This information is not readily available in his saint literature. It would be difficult to prove and might cause someone to cry out "seize him" in order to ascertain the situation. This didn't work out well for Zechariah in Luke 1 either.

What a unique reaction. Usually people have fear and trembling when dealing with Mighty Acts of God. The Scriptures do not record God trying again with Jeroboam. The Word of God, He sent forth, was fulfilled.

Isaiah 55:11
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

 
Father God, You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Your Word will be fulfilled. You know our names and Write our Days in Your Book of Life.

Wonderful are your works! Our souls acknowledge the Truth. Our frames were seen by You as we were being made in the depths, our unformed substances are written in Your Book of Life. Our days are formed by You! We as Your Blessings, Guide us and Lead us. In Jesus. Amen.

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