Spiritual Training

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June 10 - Morning

"Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.

They said in their hearts, 'We will crush them completely!'

They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.

We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be."

- Psalms 74:4-9

The Lord is Silent as the Babylonian Soldiers Chop Through and Burn the Temple


Psalm 74 is a community lament prayed by the people of God in the midst of confusion and distress. The psalm begins with the people recognizing that they have been rejected, but they do not know how long they will continue to be rejected by God. (74:1) The worshippers know they are the ancient people of God who have been redeemed by God and brought to his dwelling place on Mount Zion (Jerusalem). But, now they ask to know how long this destruction will last and when God will again turn to defend and restore the people and the sanctuary.

The date of this psalm appears to be after 587 BC when Babylon had destroyed the land of Judah, leveled the city of Jerusalem, burnt the temple and deported the Jewish people into Babylon. The scene is similar to Lamentations 2:5-17 and 2 Kings 25. It is clear that God is angry, but the question is how long his anger will last.

In Psalm 74:4-7 the temple sanctuary is described as being overrun by Babylonian soldiers who have carried their military standards into the Lord’s holy places. The invaders’ purpose is to destroy the temple, so they chop with axes and hatchets through the wooden wall panels carved with images of trees and vines. The splintered lumber is lit on fire as they move through the Lord’s dwelling place.

Although the Babylonians present their own “standards as signs” (74:4), the Lord himself remains silent and “no signs from God” are given (74:9). The people of Israel are left alone to endure this judgment. Even the prophets cannot answer questions or explain how long the people will remain abandoned by their God. (74:9)
Yad (Hb) - hand (Eng) - The Hebrew root word yad is common in Semitic languages. Originally yad meant “arm” and “hand.” Yad is one of the most frequently appearing words in the OT (+1,600x)
Genesis 38:28 – the yad of a person
Daniel 10:10 the yad of an angel
Am I living my life with fear of God Almighty? I will fear the Lord and live to honor Him.



Bible Reading Descriptions Here

Narrative

Complete Text

General Text




Personal

Contacts with people and network building

Church

Life application of Biblical Truth
Poor
Guinea



The ancient Old Testament wall of the city of Samaria with Mount Ebal in the background.
Jehuchal bullae on display.
(Read details in Galyn's blog.)




Someone to Quote

"The primary way to fulfill our stewardship responsibility is to communicate the revelation of God's Word in every aspect of our lives."
- Galyn Wiemers

Something to Ponder

Test your knowledge of the location of the countries in the Middle East online.
Go HERE

Here’s a Fact

Four cuneiform capsules called the Cylinders of Nabonidus confirm the historical existence of Belshazzar (son of Babylonian king Nabonidus) who was the hand writing on the wall and called for Daniel to interpret what was written on the wall.
(Cylinder from Sippar Here ; Cylinder with details about moon god temple in Ur Here)

Proverb

"The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked."
- Proverbs 10:11

Coach’s Corner

In an attempt to seek the lost while fearing to transform them, the church has itself become lost.

1 Samuel 19
New International Version (NIV)
Saul Tries to Kill David
19 Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out.”
Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?”
Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be put to death.”
So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before.
Once more war broke out, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them with such force that they fled before him.
But an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the lyre, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.
11 Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” 12 So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. 13 Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats’ hair at the head.
14 When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, “He is ill.”
15 Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him.” 16 But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats’ hair.
17 Saul said to Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?”
Michal told him, “He said to me, ‘Let me get away. Why should I kill you?’”
18 When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. 19 Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; 20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied. 21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?”
“Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said.
23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Isaiah 19
New International Version (NIV)
A Prophecy Against Egypt
19 A prophecy against Egypt:
See, the Lord rides on a swift cloud     and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him,     and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear.

“I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian—     brother will fight against brother,     neighbor against neighbor,     city against city,     kingdom against kingdom.

The Egyptians will lose heart,     and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead,     the mediums and the spiritists.

I will hand the Egyptians over     to the power of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them,”     declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.

The waters of the river will dry up,     and the riverbed will be parched and dry.

The canals will stink;     the streams of Egypt will dwindle and dry up. The reeds and rushes will wither,

    also the plants along the Nile,     at the mouth of the river. Every sown field along the Nile     will become parched, will blow away and be no more.

The fishermen will groan and lament,     all who cast hooks into the Nile; those who throw nets on the water     will pine away.

Those who work with combed flax will despair,     the weavers of fine linen will lose hope.
10 
The workers in cloth will be dejected,     and all the wage earners will be sick at heart.
11 
The officials of Zoan are nothing but fools;     the wise counselors of Pharaoh give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh,     “I am one of the wise men,     a disciple of the ancient kings”?
12 
Where are your wise men now?     Let them show you and make known what the Lord Almighty     has planned against Egypt.
13 
The officials of Zoan have become fools,     the leaders of Memphis are deceived; the cornerstones of her peoples     have led Egypt astray.
14 
The Lord has poured into them     a spirit of dizziness; they make Egypt stagger in all that she does,     as a drunkard staggers around in his vomit.
15 
There is nothing Egypt can do—     head or tail, palm branch or reed.
16 In that day the Egyptians will become weaklings. They will shudder with fear at the uplifted hand that the Lord Almighty raises against them. 17 And the land of Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians; everyone to whom Judah is mentioned will be terrified, because of what the Lord Almighty is planning against them.
18 In that day five cities in Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the Lord Almighty. One of them will be called the City of the Sun.
19 In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the Lord at its border. 20 It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. 21 So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the Lord and keep them. 22 The Lord will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the Lord, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them.
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. 25 The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”
Proverbs 22-23
New International Version (NIV)
22 
A good name is more desirable than great riches;     to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Rich and poor have this in common:     The Lord is the Maker of them all.

The prudent see danger and take refuge,     but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Humility is the fear of the Lord;     its wages are riches and honor and life.

In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,     but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

Start children off on the way they should go,     and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

The rich rule over the poor,     and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,     and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

The generous will themselves be blessed,     for they share their food with the poor.
10 
Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;     quarrels and insults are ended.
11 
One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace     will have the king for a friend.
12 
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,     but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 
The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!     I’ll be killed in the public square!”
14 
The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;     a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.
15 
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,     but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
16 
One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth     and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Saying 1
17 
Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;     apply your heart to what I teach,
18 
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart     and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 
So that your trust may be in the Lord,     I teach you today, even you.
20 
Have I not written thirty sayings for you,     sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 
teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,     so that you bring back truthful reports     to those you serve?
Saying 2
22 
Do not exploit the poor because they are poor     and do not crush the needy in court,
23 
for the Lord will take up their case     and will exact life for life.
Saying 3
24 
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,     do not associate with one easily angered,
25 
or you may learn their ways     and get yourself ensnared.
Saying 4
26 
Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge     or puts up security for debts;
27 
if you lack the means to pay,     your very bed will be snatched from under you.
Saying 5
28 
Do not move an ancient boundary stone     set up by your ancestors.
Saying 6
29 
Do you see someone skilled in their work?     They will serve before kings;     they will not serve before officials of low rank.
Saying 7
23 
When you sit to dine with a ruler,     note well what is before you,

and put a knife to your throat     if you are given to gluttony.

Do not crave his delicacies,     for that food is deceptive.
Saying 8

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;     do not trust your own cleverness.

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,     for they will surely sprout wings     and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Saying 9

Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,     do not crave his delicacies;

for he is the kind of person     who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you,     but his heart is not with you.

You will vomit up the little you have eaten     and will have wasted your compliments.
Saying 10

Do not speak to fools,     for they will scorn your prudent words.
Saying 11
10 
Do not move an ancient boundary stone     or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11 
for their Defender is strong;     he will take up their case against you.
Saying 12
12 
Apply your heart to instruction     and your ears to words of knowledge.
Saying 13
13 
Do not withhold discipline from a child;     if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
14 
Punish them with the rod     and save them from death.
Saying 14
15 
My son, if your heart is wise,     then my heart will be glad indeed;
16 
my inmost being will rejoice     when your lips speak what is right.
Saying 15
17 
Do not let your heart envy sinners,     but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
18 
There is surely a future hope for you,     and your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 16
19 
Listen, my son, and be wise,     and set your heart on the right path:
20 
Do not join those who drink too much wine     or gorge themselves on meat,
21 
for drunkards and gluttons become poor,     and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Saying 17
22 
Listen to your father, who gave you life,     and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 
Buy the truth and do not sell it—     wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
24 
The father of a righteous child has great joy;     a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
25 
May your father and mother rejoice;     may she who gave you birth be joyful!
Saying 18
26 
My son, give me your heart     and let your eyes delight in my ways,
27 
for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,     and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28 
Like a bandit she lies in wait     and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
Saying 19
29 
Who has woe? Who has sorrow?     Who has strife? Who has complaints?     Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 
Those who linger over wine,     who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 
Do not gaze at wine when it is red,     when it sparkles in the cup,     when it goes down smoothly!
32 
In the end it bites like a snake     and poisons like a viper.
33 
Your eyes will see strange sights,     and your mind will imagine confusing things.
34 
You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,     lying on top of the rigging.
35 
“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!     They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up     so I can find another drink?”
Job 25-26
New International Version (NIV)
Bildad
25 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

“Dominion and awe belong to God;     he establishes order in the heights of heaven.

Can his forces be numbered?     On whom does his light not rise?

How then can a mortal be righteous before God?     How can one born of woman be pure?

If even the moon is not bright     and the stars are not pure in his eyes,

how much less a mortal, who is but a maggot—     a human being, who is only a worm!”
Job
26 Then Job replied:

“How you have helped the powerless!     How you have saved the arm that is feeble!

What advice you have offered to one without wisdom!     And what great insight you have displayed!

Who has helped you utter these words?     And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?

“The dead are in deep anguish,     those beneath the waters and all that live in them.

The realm of the dead is naked before God;     Destruction lies uncovered.

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;     he suspends the earth over nothing.

He wraps up the waters in his clouds,     yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

He covers the face of the full moon,     spreading his clouds over it.
10 
He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters     for a boundary between light and darkness.
11 
The pillars of the heavens quake,     aghast at his rebuke.
12 
By his power he churned up the sea;     by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
13 
By his breath the skies became fair;     his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
14 
And these are but the outer fringe of his works;     how faint the whisper we hear of him!     Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”


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