S3E216 – Leviticus 25-27: Try Me

S3E230 – Numbers 5-8: God’s Benediction

Transcript PODCAST INTRODUCTION Today we will read Numbers 5-8. I’ll have some comments after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “God’s Benediction.” S12E236Art3000-yellow vw bus [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/24171316/S12E236Art3000.jpg]Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Nick Baker on Unsplash COMMENTS ON NUMBERS 5 AND 6 THOUGHTS ON NUMBERS 5 In chapter 5, the Lord began preparing His people for the journey to Canaan, the Promised Land. Part of that process was to deal with the effects of sin among the people. He told Moses to send people who were unclean, the lepers, those who had a discharge, and those who had touched a dead body, out of the camp. Each of these conditions is a reminder of what sin does. Why did this have to be done? Remember what God is doing with His people. He is preparing them to go into the Promised Land. He wanted to remind them that they must separate themselves from sin in order to accomplish this task.  Notice also that in giving this command, He said, “send them away so that the camp where I am living among you will not be made unclean.” God would not dwell where there were any of sin’s effects.  The Lord gave Moses instructions on confessing sin and making restitution, and He had a lot to say about how to deal with jealous husbands and their wives.  Why did He spend so much time on this?  One reason, I believe, is that the marriage between a husband and wife is representative of the relationship between God and His people. We learned last week when we read Numbers that God looked at His chosen people as an unfaithful wife.  Another reason for God spending time on this is that jealousy, whether founded or not, can destroy a marriage, and God’s plan for marriage is that it should be a lifetime commitment.  God’s instructions here in chapter 5 when carried out, would reveal the guilt or innocence of the wife. The truth, once revealed, would then allow the husband and wife to take appropriate actions. It is clear that God does not want husbands and wives to endure the turmoil that jealousy brings.  And since it appears that the ceremony seems to be a public, this was another way for the Lord to teach the people about staying faithful. To each other and to God. Please note that there are different kinds of jealousy. Remember, God says, “I am a jealous God.” If my neighbor gets a shiny new sports car, and I’m jealous because he got it instead of me, that’s sin. I am coveting.  If my neighbor is flirting with my wife, the jealousy I might feel is because he has no right to flirt with her. She is my wife. Only I have the right to flirt with her.  If I give my worship to someone or something other than God, He is jealous, because only God is worthy of worship. So being jealous for something that rightly belongs to you is right, but being jealous for something that does not belong to you is wrong.  So this passage in Numbers dealing with a husband’s jealousy shows how they were to determine whether the jealousy was right or wrong, and as I said, they could deal with the consequences from there.  One last thing. The fact that jealous wives’ jealousy about suspected infidelities of husbands was not addressed does not necessarily mean that it never happened or that husbands got a free pass. It is entirely possible that this sort of ceremony could be employed in this case. THOUGHTS ON NUMBERS 6 Beloved, I want to go back to chapter 6 and the blessing with which God told Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless the children of Israel. God said, “…this is what they should say.” Notice that God gave them the words to say. He didn’t leave it up to their discretion. This blessing is directly from God.  24“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ Shall we break this down? THE LORD BLESS YOU God wants to bless His people. He wants the best, at all times, for His people, and he wants them to be happy. AND KEEP YOU Can you think of a better place to be than to be kept by God? The giver and sustainer of life? Remember, these words are from God Himself. This is not just a nice wish, beloved.  THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE ON YOU Some translations say “smile on you”. But for God’s face to shine on us, I think, goes beyond a smile. I think it denotes a warmth, a well-pleased and satisfied glow of approval for His people. Beloved, when we are in Christ, God sees not just us, but us as the redeemed children we are because of what Jesus has done for us. AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU God bestows His loving mercy on us THE LORD TURN HIS FACE TOWARD YOU I like the KJV version of this: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you In other words, the Lord pay attention to you. I think of the time when my boys were toddlers. I would often be busy, concentrating on a task. And one of my boys would come over to me and say, “Daddy.” And I would be steeped in the work I was doing, and not really hear them. “Daddy!” And my focus would be on the job. “Daddy!” And then I would turn my attention to them, and that was enough to satisfy them. Just by turning my face toward them, they knew that I loved them. Oh, to have the Lord of the universe lift up His countenance upon us. That is enough. AND GIVE YOU PEACE. This is the peace that passes all understanding. A peace down to the center of your being. Of knowing that as long as God is there, all is well and nothing can happen that He does not allow. And knowing that He is a good and loving God, He would never allow anything that is not ultimately good for us, that is enough.  I truly love this benediction, this blessing. The first time I heard it, I was at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and Pastor Chuck Smith spoke it. That was the way he closed every Sunday morning message. And I remember what a warm blessing it was. But no wonder, these are the words of God Himself, given to Moses, who gave them to Aaron and his sons to bless God’s people. Hallelujah and Amen. TODAY’S BIBLE TRANSLATION Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5-6 ERV; Ch. 7 NASB; Ch. 8 NLT SUPPORT This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT [/support/]. [/support/] TRANSCRIPT Steve Webb 0:00 Oh to have the Lord of the universe lift up his countenance upon us! Steve Webb 0:12 This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God caster Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. And I’m so very glad you’re with me today. It truly is a privilege to have you share your time with me. I am honored that you do truly. Today we’re going to read numbers five through eight. I’ll have some comments after the reading and I’m calling today’s episode, God’s benediction. The show notes page for today’s episode, in case you’d like to make a comment, and I always look forward to that is it Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 236. If you’d like to email me, I’m at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s get started. Steve Webb 0:58 Numbers chapter five. The Lord said to Moses, tell the people to send away from the camp, anyone who is unclean, that is, anyone who has a serious skin disease or discharge. And anyone who has touched a dead body, whether they are a man or a woman, send them away so that the camp where I am living among you will not be made unclean. So the Israelites obeyed God’s command, they sent those people outside the camp. They did what the Lord had told Moses, the Lord said to Moses, tell this to the Israelites, you might do something wrong to another person. When you do that you are really sinning against God. So you’re guilty of doing wrong, you must confess that sin, then you must fully pay for that wrong thing you did, you must add 1/5 to the payment and give it all to the person you had done wrong to. But maybe the person is dead and does not have any close relatives to accept the payment. In that case, you will give the payment to the Lord. That is you will give the full payment to the priest. The priest must sacrifice the RAM that makes the people pure. This RAM will be sacrificed to cover your sins, but the priests will keep the rest of the payment. If any of you Israelites gives a special gift to God. The priest who accepts that gift can keep it it is is you don’t have to give these special gifts. But if you do, the gifts belong to the priest. Then the Lord said to Moses, tell the Israelites this. A man’s wife might be unfaithful to him. She might have sexual relations with another man and hide this from her husband. And there might not be anyone to tell him that his wife committed this sin. Her husband might never know about the wrong thing she did. And she might not tell her husband about her sin. But the husband might begin to think that his wife sinned against him. Whether she has or not, he might become jealous, he might begin to believe that she is not pure and true to him. If that happens, he must take his wife to the priest. The husband must also take an offering of eight cups of barley flour, he must not pour oil or incense on the barley flour. This barley flour is a grain offering to the Lord that is given because the husband is jealous. This offering will show that he thinks his wife has been unfaithful to him. The priest will take the woman before the Lord and make her stand there. Then he will take some special water and put it in a clay jar, he will put some dirt from the floor of the holy tent into the water, he will force the woman to stand before the Lord. Then he will loosen her hair and put the grain offering in her hand. This is the barley flour that her husband gave because he was jealous. At the same time he will hold the clay jar of special water. This is the special water that can bring trouble to the woman. Then the priest will make the woman promise to tell the truth and say to her if you have not slept with another man. And if you have not sinned against your husband while you were married to him, then this water that causes trouble will not hurt you. But if you have sinned against your husband, if you had sexual relations with a man who is not your husband, then you are not pure. If that is true, you will have much trouble when you drink this special water. You will not be able to have any children. And if you’re pregnant now your baby will die. And the Lord will cause your people to speak evil of you and curse you. Then the priest must tell the woman to make an oath. She must agree for the Lord to cause these things to happen to her if she lies. The priest must say you must drink this water that causes trouble. If you have sinned, you will not be able to have children. Any baby you have will die before it is born. And the woman should say I agree to do as you say, the priest should write these warnings on a scroll. Then he should wash the words is off into the water, then the woman must drink the water that brings trouble, this water will enter her and if she is guilty, it will cause her much suffering. Then the priest will take the grain offering from her the offering for jealousy and raise it before the Lord. Then he will carry it to the altar. The priests will fill his hands with some of the grain and put it on the altar and let it burn there. After that he will tell the woman to drink the water. If the woman has sinned against her husband, the water will bring her trouble, the water will go into her body and cause her much suffering. Any baby that is in her will die before it is born. And she will never be able to have children. All the people will turn against her. But if the woman has not sinned against her husband, and she is pure, the priests will say that she is not guilty, then she will be normal, unable to have children. So this is the law about jealousy. This is what you should do when a woman sins against her husband while she is married to him. Or if the man becomes jealous and thinks his wife has sinned against him. This is what the man should do. The priest must tell her to stand before the Lord. Then the priest will do all these things. This is the law. The husband will not be guilty of doing anything wrong, but the woman will suffer if she has sinned. Steve Webb 6:22 Numbers chapter six. The Lord said to Moses, tell the Israelites this. If there are people, men or women who want to make a vow dedicating themselves to the Lord is Naza writes for a time. This is what they must do. They must stay away from wine or other strong drink. They must not drink vinegar that is made from wine or from other strong drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. During that special time of dedication. They must not eat anything that comes from grapes. They must not even eat the seeds or the skins from grapes. The whole time of their Nazirite vow, they must not cut their hair. They must be holy until this time of special dedication to the Lord has ended. They must let their hair grow long. If you have taken the Nazirite vow, you must not go near someone who was dying during that special time of dedication. You have given yourself fully to the Lord. So you must not let yourself become unclean like this, even for your own father or mother, brother or sister when they die. This is because you have the hair that you dedicated to God on your head. It is holy because you have given yourself fully to the Lord for the full time of that dedication. So if you are with someone when they suddenly die, you will be unclean and you will have to shave the hair from your head. You must do that on the seventh day of your purification ceremony when you are made clean. Then on the eighth day, you must bring two doves or two young pigeons and give them to the priest at the entrance of the meeting tent. Then the priest will offer one bird as a sin offering and the other one as a burnt offering. The burnt offering will be a payment for the sin of touching a dead body during your special time of dedication. Then you must again promised to give the hair on your head as a gift to God. This means you must again give yourself to the Lord for another time of dedication. You must bring a one year old male lamb to offer as a guilt offering. You must start over from the beginning with a new time of dedication because you touched a dead body during your first time of dedication. After their time of dedication is ended Naza rights must go to the entrance of the meeting tent and give their offering to the Lord. Their offering must be a one year old male lamb that has nothing wrong with it for a burnt offering a one year old female land that has nothing wrong with it for a sin offering one ram that has nothing wrong with it for a fellowship offering a basket of bread made without yeast bread made with fine flour mixed with oil and wafers with oil spread on top and the grain offerings and drink offerings that are part of these gifts. The priests will give these things to the Lord and then the priest will make the sin offering and the burnt offering. He will give the basket of bread without yeast to the Lord. Then he will kill the RAM as a fellowship offering to the Lord. He will give it to the Lord with the grain offering and the drink offering. The Naza writes must go to the entrance of the meeting tent. There they must shave off the hair that they grew as a dedication to the Lord. That hair will be put in the fire that is burning under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering. After the NAZA rites of cut off their hair. The priests will give them a boiled shoulder from the RAM and a large and a small cake from the basket. Both of these cakes are made without yeast. Then the priest will lift these things up to show that they were presented before the Lord. These things are holy and belong to the priest. Also the Rams breast and thigh that were lifted up and presented belong to the priest. After that the NAZA rites can drink wine. These are the rules for those who decide to make the Nazirite vow. They must give all these gifts to the Lord, but they might be able to give much more. If they promised to do more, they must keep their promise. But they must give at least all the things listed in these rules for the Nazirite vow. The Lord said to Moses, tell Aaron and his sons that when they bless the Israelites, this is what they should say, May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord smile down on you and show you his kindness. May the Lord answer your prayers and give you peace. In this way, Aaron and his sons will use my name to give a blessing to the Israelites, and I will bless them. Steve Webb 10:58 Numbers chapter seven. Now, on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it with all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils, he anointed them and consecrated them also. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers households made an offering. They were the leaders of the tribes, they were the ones who were over the numbered men, when they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts in 12 oxen, a card for every two of the leaders and an ox for each one, then they presented them before the tabernacle. Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, except these things from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and you shall give them to the Levites to each man according to his service. So Moses took the carts and the oxen and gave them to the Levites, two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service, and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Moray, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest, but he did not give any to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on the shoulder. The leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed. So the leaders offered their offering before the altar. Then the Lord said to Moses, let them present they’re offering one leader each day for the dedication of the altar. Now, the one who presented his offering on the first day was Nahshon, the son of a min adab of the tribe of Judah, and his offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shackles according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering, and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Nahshon, the son of a man ADAP. On the second day, Nathanael, the son of zoo our leader of this car presented an offering, he presented his his offering one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering, and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Nathanael, the son of zoo are on the third day it was a lie at the center of healing leader of the sons of Zebedee when his offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels. One silver bowl of 70 shackles according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Eliab, the son of Heelan. On the fourth day, it was the lizer, the son of shittier, leader of the sons of Reuben, his offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt Offering one male goat for a sin offering and for the sacrifice of peace offerings two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Eliza, the son of shittier. On the fifth day it was shall Loomio the son of Zahra Shaddai, leader of the children of Simeon his offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels one silver bowl of 70 shackles according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. One gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel, the son of Jura Shaddai. On the sixth day, it was Elias AF the son of dual leader of the sons of Gad. His offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shackles, one silver bowl of 70 shackles, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. One gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs, one year old. This was the offering of Elias AF, the son of duel. On the seventh day, it was Alicia, the son of a Myatt leader of the sons of refereum. His offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shackles, one silver bowl of 70 shackles according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs, one year old. This was the offering of Alicia the son of a mayat. On the eighth day, it was Gamaliel, the son of Pedraza, leader of the sons of Manasa. His offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering, and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs, one year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel, the son of producer. On the ninth day, it was a Biden the son of Gideon, I, leader of the sons of Benjamin, his offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shackles according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering and for the sacrifice of peace offerings. Two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs, one year old. This was the offering of a Biden the son of giddy oni. Steve Webb 18:38 On the 10th day, it was a high easer, the son of Amma Shaddai, leader of the sons of Dan. His offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering and for the sacrifice of peace offerings. Two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of a high easer, the son of Emma Shaddai. On the 11th day, it was Peggy Hill, the son of operon, leader of the sons of Asher. His offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels, one silver bowl of 70 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs, one year old. This was the offering of pay Gil, the son of Cochran on the 12th day, it was a Hira, the son of Benin leader of the sons of NAFTA ally. His offering was one silver dish whose weight was 130 shekels. One silver bowl of 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, one gold pan of 10 shekels full of incense, one bull, one ram, one male lamb, one year old for a burnt offering one male goat for a sin offering, and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of a Jairo the son of Enon this was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders of Israel when it was anointed 12 Silver dishes 12 Silver bowls 12 Gold pans, each silver dish weighing 130 shekels at each bowl 70 All the silver of the utensils was 2400 shekels according to the shekel of the sanctuary, the 12 gold pans full of incense weighing 10 shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, all the gold of the pans 120 shekels, all the oxen for the bird offering 12 bulls, all the Rams 12 The male lambs one year old with their grain offering 12 And the male goats for a sin offering 12 and all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace offerings, 24 bowls, all the Rams 60. The male goats 60 The male lambs one year old 60 This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed. Now, when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the Ark of the testimony from between the two Chair of him, so he spoke to him. Steve Webb 21:54 Numbers chapter eight, the Lord said to Moses, give Aaron the following instructions. When you set up the seven lamps in the lampstand, place them so their light shines forward in front of the lamp stand. So Aaron did this. He set up the seven lamps, so they reflected their light forward just as the Lord had commanded Moses, the entire lampstand from its base to its decorative blossoms was made of beaten gold. It was built according to the exact design the Lord had shown Moses, then the Lord said to Moses, now set the Levites apart from the rest of the people of Israel, and make them ceremonially clean. Do this by sprinkling them with the water of purification, and have them shave their entire body and wash their clothing, then they will be ceremonially clean. Have them bring a young bull and a grain offering of choice flour moistened with olive oil, along with a second young bull for a sin offering. Then assemble the whole community of Israel and present the Levites at the entrance of the tabernacle. When you present the Levites, before the Lord, the people of Israel must lay their hands on them, raising his hands, Aaron must then present the Levites to the Lord as a special offering from the people of Israel, thus dedicating them to the Lord service. Next, the Levites will lay their hands on the heads of the young bulls present one is the sin offering, and the other is a burnt offering to the Lord, to purify the Levites and make them right with the Lord. Then have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and raise your hands and present them as a special offering to the Lord. In this way, you will set the Levites apart from the rest of the people of Israel, and the Levites will belong to me. After this, they may go into the tabernacle to do their work, because you have purified them and presented them as a special offering. Of all the people of Israel, the Levites are reserved for me. I have claimed them for myself in place of all the firstborn sons of the Israelites. I have taken the Levites as their substitutes for all the firstborn males among the people of Israel or mine, both of people and of animals. I set them apart for myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians. Yes, I have claimed the Levites in place of all the firstborn sons of Israel, and of all the Israelites, I have assigned the Levites to Aaron and his sons, they will serve in the tabernacle on behalf of the Israelites and make sacrifices to purify the people. So no plague will strike them when they approach the sanctuary. So Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel dedicated the Levites, carefully following all the Lord’s instructions to Moses, the Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes and Aaron lifted them up and presented them to the Lord as the special offering. He then offered a sacrifice to purify them and make them right with the Lord. After that, the Levites went into the tabernacle to perform their duties, assisting Aaron and his sons. So they carried out all the commands that the Lord gave them. Moses concerning the Levites The Lord also instructed Moses, this is the rule the Levites must follow. They must begin serving in the tabernacle at the age of 25. And they must retire at the age of 50. After retirement, they may assist their fellow Levites by serving his guards at the tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service. This is how you must assign duties to the Levites. Steve Webb 25:27 Well, today in chapter five, the Lord began preparing his people for the journey to Canaan, the Promised Land. Part of that process was to deal with the effects of sin among the people. He told Moses to send people who were unclean, the lepers, those who had a discharge, and those who had touched a dead body to get out of the camp. Why? Well, because each of these conditions is a reminder of what sin does. Remember what God is doing with his people, he’s preparing them to go into the Promised Land, he wanted to remind them that they must separate themselves from sin in order to accomplish this task. Notice also that in giving this command, he said, send them away so that the camp where I am living among you will not be made unclean. You see, God would not dwell where there were any of sins effects. The Lord gave Moses instructions on confessing sin and making restitution. And he had a lot to say about how to deal with jealous husbands and their wives. Well, why did he spend so much time on this? One reason, I believe is that the marriage between a husband and wife is representative of the relationship between God and His people. We learned last week when we read numbers that God looked at his chosen people as an unfaithful wife. Another reason for God’s spending time on this is that jealousy, whether founded or not, can destroy a marriage. And God’s plan for marriage is that it should be a lifetime commitment. God’s instructions here in chapter five, when carried out would reveal the guilt or innocence of the wife. The truth, once revealed, would then allow the husband and wife to take appropriate actions. It’s clear from this that God doesn’t want husbands and wives to endure the turmoil that jealousy brings. And since it appears that the ceremony is a public one, this was another way for the Lord to teach the people about staying faithful to each other and to God. Men note that there are different kinds of jealousy. Remember, God says, I am a jealous God. All right, so let’s talk about the different kinds of jealousy. If my neighbor gets a shiny new sports car, and I’m jealous, because he got it instead of me that sin because I’m coveting, and if my neighbor is flirting with my wife, the jealousy I might feel is because he has no right to flirt with her. She’s my wife, only I have the right to flirt with her. If I give my worship to someone or something other than God, He is jealous because only God is worthy of worship. So being jealous for something that rightly belongs to you, is right. But being jealous for something that does not belong to you, is wrong. So this passage in numbers dealing with a husband’s jealousy shows how they were to determine whether the jealousy was right or wrong. And as I said, then they could deal with the consequences from there. One more thing, the fact that wives jealousy about suspected infidelities of husbands was not addressed, does not necessarily mean that it never happened, or that husband’s got a free pass. It’s entirely possible that this sort of ceremony could be employed in this case as well. Now let’s talk a little bit about number six. There was a blessing with which God told Moses to have Aaron and his sons blessed the children of Israel with God said, This is what they should say. So here, God gave them the exact words to say, he didn’t leave it up to their discretion. This blessing is directly from God. Here it is. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord, make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. How about we break this down? The Lord bless you. God wants to bless His people. He wants the best at all times for his people, and he wants them to be happy. The next phrase is and keep you can you think of a better place to be than to be kept by God, the Giver and Sustainer of life. Remember, these words are from God Himself. This is not just a nice wish, beloved, The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you. Some translations say smile on you. But for God’s face to shine on us, I think goes beyond a smile. I think it denotes a warmth, a well pleased and satisfied glow of approval for his people. Beloved, when we are in Christ, God sees not This does, but us as the redeemed children we are because of what Jesus has done for us. The Lord make his face shine on you and then the next part and be gracious to you. God bestows His loving mercy on us. Hallelujah. And then the Lord turn his face toward you. I like the King James version of this, The Lord lift up His countenance upon you. In other words, the Lord pay attention to you. I think at the time when my boys were toddlers, I would often be busy concentrating on a task, I kind of get that way, when I’m really zoned in on something, I am full focused on whatever it is I’m doing. And then one of my boys would come over to me and say, Daddy, and I’d be steeped in the work and I wouldn’t really hear him, Daddy, and my focus would be on the job, daddy, and then I would turn my attention to them. And that was enough to satisfy them, just by turning my face toward them. They knew that I loved them. Oh, to have the Lord of the universe, lift up his countenance upon us. That is enough. I get choked up thinking about that. The Lord turn his face toward you, and then and give you peace. This, beloved is the peace that passes all understanding, a peace down to the center of your being, of knowing that as long as God is there all as well, and nothing can happen that he does not allow. And knowing that he is a good and loving God. He would never allow anything that is not ultimately good for us. That is enough. I truly love this benediction, this blessing. The first time I heard it, I was at Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa and Pastor Chuck Smith spoke it. That was the way he closed every Sunday morning message. And I remember what a warm blessing it was. But no wonder because these are the words of God Himself given to Moses, who gave them to Aaron and his sons to bless God’s people. Hallelujah. Amen. Thank you, Lord. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 236. Scroll to the bottom of that page. And let me know what you think. Our reading tomorrow is First Chronicles chapters 10 through 14. Steve Webb 32:38 On this date in church history, April 25 1792. John cable was born. He was an Anglican clergyman, poet and leader in the Oxford movement from 1833 to 1845. The Oxford movement sought to purify Anglicanism. John cable is the author of the hymn, Sun Of My Soul, Thou Savior Dear. Steve Webb 33:09 Join me in prayer, our loving Heavenly Father how good it is to be yours to know that you cared deeply for us to know that you pay attention to us to know that you love us. And that even though you cannot countenance any sin and your presence, you made a way through the death and resurrection of your only begotten Son, for us to actually be in your presence throughout all of eternity. Oh, Lord, You are a merciful God, we worship you. We praise you. And we will continue to do so forever and ever because you deserve it. Amen. And Amen. If you’ve got a prayer request or a praise that you’d like to share with us, please go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com. And let me know about it. I’ll pray for you my private prayer time and we’ll rejoice together and pray together on the show. Steve Webb 34:05 If you’ve got a comment on the show, please go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 236. Or email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. John of San Pedro is doing a great job doing the chapters for the show. And thirsty has been doing the newsletter every week for months now and I’m so thankful for both of their help you guys rock. If you enjoy the show, if you’re getting something out of it if you’re glad that it’s here supported with time, talent or treasure. If you’d like to donate time or talent, I’d be so thankful. Are you an artist? Do you love editing text? Those are two very different skills and I have a need for help in both of those areas. If you’d like to help the show and me email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And I’ll get you set up. Donations of treasure are always needed because the bills just keep on coming. You can help out in that area. If you go to Lifespring media.com/support Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. Thanks again for joining me today. Let’s do it again tomorrow my name is Steve Webb The Lord bless you and keep you the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace Transcribed by https://otter.ai [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/28152340/donate.png]https://lifespringmedia.com/support/ * * [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/23123801/NULS_LSFB_RateTheShow.jpg]https://lovethepodcast.com/biblePlease rate or review the show by clicking the heart! The post S3E230 – Numbers 5-8: God’s Benediction [https://lifespringmedia.com/lifespring-one-year-bible-rewind/s3e230-numbers-5-8-gods-benediction/] first appeared on Lifespring! Media [https://lifespringmedia.com].

S3E229 – 1 Timothy 4-6: Fitness

Transcript PODCAST INTRODUCTION Today we will read 1 Timothy 4-6. I’ll have some comments after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “Fitness.”   S12E235Art3000-woman reading bible [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23142336/S12E235Art3000.jpg]Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Alexandra-Fuller on Unsplash COMMENTS ON 1 TIMOTHY 4 > Training the body helps a little, but godly living helps in every way. Godly living has the promise of life now and in the world to come. This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance. Certainly, we work hard and struggle to live a godly life, because we place our confidence in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. > > > 1 Timothy 4:8-10 God’s Word Translation Paul was, as you remember, advising the younger Timothy, who was pastoring the church at Ephesus, which had  become infiltrated with many false teachings. In verse 8 Paul is addressing the idea that was held by many in the Greek and Roman culture that put a great deal of value in physical training. We know that taking care of our body is good, but let’s face it, the benefits are strictly temporary. They don’t last. Eventually, given enough time, we all grow old and our bodies deteriorate.  I started swimming competitively when I was about eight years old. By the time I graduated high school, I had swum the equivalent of nearly the distance from Los Angeles to New York. I was in great shape! A couple of years after graduating, I was a professional ski patrolman. After that I was an apprentice carpenter. All through these years, I maintained a very high level of fitness. But here in my late 60s, my body is definitely showing signs of age. Even if I had continued to exercise at the level I did in my youth, my body would not have been able to stop the aging process. Physical discipline can’t stop the march of time. And one day, my body will die. No one gets outta here alive. But on the spiritual level, I am in the best shape of my life. My walk with God has made me better able to deal with the challenges of life here and now, and the spiritual discipline I have practiced over the years also produces eternal benefits. When my body stops, I will enjoy the eternal benefit of my faith in Christ.  > I assure you, and there are thousands of my brethren who can affirm the same, that after having tried the ways of sin, we infinitely prefer the ways of righteousness for their own pleasure’s sake even here, and we would not change with ungodly men even if we had to die like dogs. With all the sorrow and care which Christian life is supposed to bring, we would prefer it to any other form of life beneath the stars. > > > Charles Spurgeon Verse 10: “Certainly, we work hard and struggle to live a godly life, because we place our confidence in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” “He is the Savior of all people…” There is a belief among some people that everyone will ultimately be saved. But that is not what Paul was saying here. The second half of Paul’s sentence is “…especially of those who believe.”  > What God intends for ALL, he actually gives to them that believe in Christ, who died for the sins of the world, and tasted death for every man. As all have been purchased by his blood so all may believe; and consequently all may be saved. Those that perish, perish through their own fault. > > > Adam Clarke ALL are offered forgiveness if they place their faith in Jesus. No one who comes to Jesus will be rejected. > God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe in him won’t be condemned. But those who don’t believe are already condemned because they don’t believe in God’s only Son. > > > John 3:16-18 God’s Word Translation Paul was instructing Timothy to live a godly life and be an example to the Ephesian church, so that no one could fault him for his youth. > Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure. > > > 1 Timothy 4:11-12 God’s Word Translation Many Bible scholars believe that a better translation here is, “Be an example of the believers” as opposed to to or for the believers. I agree. Each of us should be an example of what it is to be a follower of Christ.  TODAY’S BIBLE TRANSLATION Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 4 GW, Ch. 5-6 HCSB SUPPORT This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT [/support/]. [/support/] TRANSCRIPT Download .txt file. [https://d1uphahyf7mnoz.cloudfront.net/lsfb/LSFAB_S12-E235_otter_ai.txt] Steve Webb 0:00 Physical discipline can’t stop the march of time. Steve Webb 0:11 And here we are again. This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God caster Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and I’m really happy you’ve invited me into your day to day. Our reading today is First Timothy four through six. I will have some comments after the reading and I’m calling today’s episode fitness. If you’d like to comment on today’s show, you can do that at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 235. You can also email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com If you’d like I’d love to hear from you. And with all the preliminaries out of the way, let’s get started. Steve Webb 0:52 First Timothy chapter four. The Spirit says clearly that in later times, some believers will desert the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive and they will believe the teachings of demons. These people will speak lies disguised as truth. their consciences have been scarred as if branded by a red hot iron. They will try to stop others from getting married and from eating certain foods. God created food to be received with prayers of thanks by those who believe and know the truth. Everything God created is good. Nothing should be rejected if it is received with prayers of thanks, God’s word and prayer, set it apart as holy. You are a good servant of Christ Jesus. When you point these things out to our brothers and sisters, then you will be nourished by the words of the Christian faith and the excellent teachings which you have followed closely. Don’t have anything to do with godless myths that old women like to tell. rather train yourself to live a godly life. Training the body helps a little but godly living helps in every way. godly living has the promise of life now and in the world to come. This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance. Certainly we work hard and struggle to live a godly life because we place our confidence in the living God is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Insist on these things and teach them. Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech behavior love, faith and purity and example for other believers. Until I get there. Concentrate on reading scripture in worship, giving encouraging messages and teaching people don’t neglect the gift which he received through prophecy, when the spiritual leaders placed their hands on you to ordain you. Practice these things. devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress. Focus on your life and your teaching. Continue to do what I’ve told you. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you. Steve Webb 3:05 First Timothy chapter five. Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and with all propriety the younger women as sisters, support widows who are genuinely widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents for this pleases God. The real widow left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers. However, she who is self indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command this also so they won’t be blamed. But if anyone does not provide for his own that is in his own household. He has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow should be placed on the official support list unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband, and is well known for good works. That is if she has brought up children shown hospitality, washed the saints feet, helped the afflicted and devoted herself to every good work, but refuse to enroll younger widows for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire they want to marry and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge. At the same time. They also learned to be idle going from house to house. They are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children manage their households and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. For some have already turned away to follow satan. If any believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them and the church should not be burdened so that it can help those who are genuinely widows. The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the scripture says, Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain and the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses, publicly rebuke those who sin so that the rest will also be afraid. I solemnly charge you before God in Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. keep yourself pure. Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. Some people’s sins are obvious going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden. Steve Webb 6:00 First Timothy chapter six. All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and his teaching will not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved, teach and encourage these things. If any one teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with a teaching that promotes godliness, he has conceded understanding nothing but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain, but godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil and by craving it some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But you man of God, run from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith, take hold of eternal life that you were called to, and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God who gives life to all and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only sovereign, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the only one who has a mortality dwelling in unapproachable light, no one has seen or can see him, to Him be honored and eternal might, amen. Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. instruct them to do what is good, to be rich and good works to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you avoiding irreverent empty speech and contradictions from the knowledge that falsely bears that name. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith, Grace be with all of you. Let’s talk a little bit about chapter four. verses eight through 10 said training the body helps a little but godly living helps in every way. godly living has the promise of life now and in the world to come. This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance. Certainly, we work hard and struggle to live a godly life because we place our confidence in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Beloved, you’ll probably remember that Paul was advising the younger Timothy who was pastoring, the church at Ephesus which had become infiltrated with many false teachings. In verse eight, Paul is addressing the idea that was held by many in the Greek and Roman culture that put a great deal of value in physical training. We know that taking care of our bodies a good thing to do, right, but let’s face it, the benefits are strictly temporary, they don’t last. Eventually, given enough time we all grow old and our bodies deteriorate. Steve Webb 10:00 I started swimming competitively when I was about eight years old. By the time I graduated high school, I had swarmed the equivalent of nearly the distance from Los Angeles to New York, I was in great shape. And then a couple of years after graduating, I was a professional ski patrolman. After that I was an apprentice carpenter. And all through these years, I maintained a very high level of fitness. But here I am in my late 60s, and my body is definitely showing signs of age. But even if I had continued to exercise at the level I did in my youth, my body would not have been able to stop the aging process. physical discipline can’t stop the march of time, in one day, my body will just give up, I’ll die. No one gets out of here alive, right. But on the spiritual level, I’m in the best shape of my life. My walk with God has made me better able to deal with the challenges of life here and now. And the spiritual discipline I’ve practiced over the years also produces eternal benefits. When my body stops, I will enjoy the eternal benefit of my faith in Christ. I like what Charles Spurgeon said, I assure you, and there are 1000s of my brethren who can affirm the same, that after having tried the ways of sin, we infinitely prefer the ways of righteousness for their own pleasure sake, even here, and we would not change with ungodly men, even if we had to die like dogs with the sorrow and care which Christian life is supposed to bring. We would prefer it to any other form of life beneath the stars. Amen. Brother Spurgeon. And then here in chapter four, verse 10, Paul said, certainly we work hard and struggle to live a godly life because we place our confidence in the living God, He is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe. Well, let’s go back here. What did Paul mean when he said, He’s the savior of all people, there is a belief among some people that everyone will ultimately be saved. But that isn’t what Paul was saying here. The second half of Paul’s sentence is especially of those who believe, Bible commentator Adam Clarke said this, what God intends for all he actually gives to them that believe in Christ, who died for the sins of the world, and tasted death for every man, as all have been purchased by His blood. So all may believe in Consequently all may be saved. Those that perish, perish through their own fault. Yes, beloved, all are offered forgiveness if they place their faith in Jesus, because no one who comes to Jesus will be rejected. John 316, through 18 says, God loved the world this way, he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die, but will have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe in Him won’t be condemned. But those who don’t believe are already condemned, because they don’t believe in God’s only son. So yes, he is the savior of all people. But then, as Paul said, especially of those who believe Jesus is the Savior of the world, but we have to accept his gift. Steve Webb 13:27 So Paul was instructing Timothy to live a godly life and to be an example to the Ephesian church, so that no one could fault him for his youth. He said in verses 11, and 12, command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you’re young. Set an example for the believers in what you say, and in how you live. Also set an example in how you love and in what you believe, show the believers how to be pure. That is an important thing for every pastor to do, but especially a young pastor. But let’s go back to the sentence that said, set an example for the believers. Many Bible scholars believe that a better translation here is be an example of the believers, as opposed to to or for the believers. I agree with that. Each of us not just pastors, but each of us should be an example of what it is to be a follower of Christ. That’s how we become salt and light to the world. We are to be an example of what a believer is supposed to be. So the sentence still holds up. Set an example of the believers in what you say and how you live. Also send an example of how you love and in what you believe. What do you think? I’d love to hear from you go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 235. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and tell me what you think. Our reading tomorrow We’ll be numbers five through eight boost Steve Webb 15:10 I want to take a moment to encourage you, especially if you’ve been with me since the beginning of season 12. You’re at the Lifespring family Audio Bible. I know it takes a great deal of commitment to listen to the show every day or if you get behind to catch up. Reading through the Bible does take a lot of time. And life is busy. For most of us. We have responsibilities. We have jobs, school, families, church, what have you. But you are here, and I commend you for your persistence. This is episode 235. Keep going. Keep listening. We have just 128 more episodes to go before we achieve our goal. Next Sunday will be two thirds of the way through. Keep your eye on the prize. Beloved, we’ve made it this far. We can make it to the finish line. Are you with me? Come on, let’s go. Steve Webb 16:07 Let’s pray. Our heavenly Father Lord, we love you. And we thank you for your word. Thank you, Lord for encouraging us to live godly lives. Life is so much better when we’re living for you. You give us peace and joy when we follow you and we know that we will live with you for all of eternity which is the greatest benefit. Help us Lord to be good examples. Good representatives of Jesus to those around us. Give us Lord the spiritual discipline we need to finish our race well. We do want to hear you say well done good and faithful servant when we see you face to face. Bless the Lifespring family Lord, encourage them, strengthen them, hold them up when they grow weary as we all do from time to time. Forgive us, Lord, when we fail you. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If God is doing something great in your life, or if you’ve got a prayer request, please go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com. And let me know i’ll rejoice with you and I’ll pray for you in my private prayer time. And we’ll share here on the show prayer dot Lifespring media.com. Steve Webb 17:20 I’d love to hear your comments. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 235 and comment there or send me an email at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Support the show with time talent or treasure. If you’d like to donate time or talent email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. I can get you set up or you can donate treasure at Lifespring media.com/support. John of San Pedro is doing a great job doing the chapters for every episode. And first he is putting the newsletter together each week of course and we thank her for that. God bless you guys. Well until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. Thank you for sharing your time with me today. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. My name is Steve Webb. Bye Transcribed by https://otter.ai [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/28152340/donate.png]https://lifespringmedia.com/support/ * * [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/23123801/NULS_LSFB_RateTheShow.jpg]https://lovethepodcast.com/biblePlease rate or review the show by clicking the heart! The post S3E229 – 1 Timothy 4-6: Fitness [https://lifespringmedia.com/lifespring-one-year-bible-rewind/s3e229-1-timothy-4-6-fitness/] first appeared on Lifespring! Media [https://lifespringmedia.com].

S3E228 – John 5-6: The Pool at Bethesda

Transcript PODCAST INTRODUCTION Today we will complete the book of John 5-6. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “The Pool at Bethesda.”  S12E227Art3000-ripples on water [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/15162453/S12E227Art3000.jpg]Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Linus Nylund on Unsplash LOOKING FOR THE CHOSEN VIDEO? Unfortunately the Video Is no longer available. COMMENTS ON JOHN 5 After Jesus healed the man who had been unable to walk for 38 years, at the pool of Bethesda, the Jewish religious leaders were indignant that Jesus told the man to carry his mat on the Sabbath. Jesus answered their “offendedness” (to coin a word) in some detail, and then said this: JOHN 5:39-40 > 39 You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, 40but you refuse to come to me for eternal life. (CEV) > > > 39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. (NLT) > > > 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. (NASB) > > > 39‘Ye search the Writings, because ye think in them to have life age-during, and these are they that are testifying concerning me; 40and ye do not will to come unto me, that ye may have life; (Young’s Literal Translation) > > > 39 You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; 40and still you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. (Amp) I show these different translations so that you could really get what Jesus was saying. Let us not be like these people, beloved. You and I study the Scriptures together, but let us remember that the goal is not to become experts in Scripture. Our goal is to know *the* Word, as in John 1:1. “1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” If we study Scripture and miss Christ, we are as lost as the so called “religious experts” Jesus was speaking to at the pool. To know Him, to love Him, to put our trust in Him, is life. Amen? Amen! TODAY’S BIBLE TRANSLATION Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5 CEV; Ch. 6 NIV SUPPORT This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT [/support/]. [/support/] TRANSCRIPT Download .txt file. [https://d1uphahyf7mnoz.cloudfront.net/lsfb/LSFAB_S12-E227_otter_ai.txt] Steve Webb 0:00 Can you imagine? Steve Webb 0:09 Hello, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God caster Steve Webb, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here today. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today, we’re going to read from the Gospel of John chapters five and six, I’m calling today’s episode, the pool of Bethesda. And I’ve got a heads up for you. This is going to be a short one today. It is of course the day before Resurrection Day, which is my preferred way to refer to Easter. And my guess is that you might have a lot on your plate. I know I do. So to respect your time, today’s show will be short as well Tomorrow’s the show notes page. And you’re gonna want to take note of this even if you’ve never been to the show notes page, but I want you to go to today’s show notes page for a very special reason, which I’ll tell you about in a few moments that we read. The show notes page for today is Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 227. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And I think it’s about time to get started. Steve Webb 1:14 John chapter five. Later, Jesus went to Jerusalem for another Jewish festival. In the city near the sheep gate was a pool with five porches. And its name in Hebrew was Beth zeta. Many sick, blind, lame and paralyzed people were lying close to the pool. beside the pool was a man who had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw the man and realized that he had been crippled for a long time, he asked him, Do you want to be healed? The man answered, Sir, I don’t have anyone to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up. I tried to get in. But someone else always gets there first. Jesus told him, pick up your mat and walk. Right then the man was healed. He picked up his mat and started walking around. The day on which this happened was the Sabbath. When the Jewish leaders saw the man carrying his mat, they said to him, this is the Sabbath. No one is allowed to carry a mat on the Sabbath. But he replied, The Man Who healed me told me to pick up my mat and walk. They asked him who is this man that told you to pick up your mat and walk. But he did not know who Jesus was in Jesus had left because of the crowd. Later, Jesus met the man in the temple and told him, you are now well, but don’t sin anymore, or something worse might happen to you. The man left and told the leaders that Jesus was the one who had healed him. They started making a lot of trouble for Jesus because He did things like this on the Sabbath. But Jesus said, My father has never stopped working. And this is why I keep on working. Now the leaders wanted to kill Jesus for two reasons. First, he had broken the law of the Sabbath. But even worse, he had said God was his father, which made him equal with God. Jesus told the people, I tell you, for certain the son cannot do anything on his own. He can do only what he sees the Father doing. And he does exactly what he sees the Father do. The Father loves the Son, and has shown him everything he does. The father will show him even greater things, and you will be amazed. Just as the Father raises the dead and gives life. So the Son gives life to anyone he wants to. The father doesn’t judge anyone, but he has made his son, the judge of everyone. The father wants all people to honor the Son as much as they honor him. When anyone refuses to honor the Son, this is the same as refusing to honor the Father who sent him. I tell you for certain that every one who hears my message in has faith in the One who sent me has eternal life, and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life, I tell you for certain the time will come. And it is already here. When all of the debt will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listened to it will live. The father has the power to give life and he has given that same power to the son. And he has given his son the right to judge everyone because he is the son of man. Don’t be surprised. The time will come when all of the dead will hear the voice of the Son of Man and they will come out of their graves. Everyone who has done good things will rise to life. But everyone who has done evil things will rise and be condemned. I cannot do anything on my own. The father sent me and he is the one who told me how to judge. I judge with fairness because I obey him and I don’t just try to please myself. If I speak for myself, there is no way to prove I am telling the truth. But there is someone else who speaks for Me, and I know what he says is true. You sent messengers to John, and he told them the truth. I don’t depend on what people say about me. But I tell you these things so that you may be saved. John was a lamp that gave a lot of light, and you were glad to enjoy his light for a while. But something more important than John speaks for me. I mean, the things that the Father has given me to do, all of these speak for me and prove that the Father sent Me. The Father who sent Me also speaks for me, but you have never heard his voice or seen him face to face. You have not believed his message because you refused to have faith in the one he sent. You searched the scriptures because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, but you refuse to come to me for eternal life. I don’t care about human praise. But I do know that none of you love God. I have come with my Father’s authority, and you have not welcomed me. But you will welcome people who come on their own. How could you possibly believe you like to have your friends praise you and you don’t care about praise that the only God can give? Don’t think that I will be the one to accuse you to the Father, you have put your hope in Moses, yet he is the very one who will accuse you. Moses wrote about me. And if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me. But if you don’t believe what Moses wrote, how can you believe what I say. Steve Webb 6:28 John chapter six. Sometime after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee, that is the Sea of Tiberius, and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, it would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite. Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon, Peter’s brother spoke up. He was a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish. But how far will they go among so many? Jesus said, Have the people sit down, there was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down about 5000 men were there. Jesus then took the loaves gave thanks and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples gathered the pieces that are left over, Let nothing be wasted. So they gathered them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, surely this is the prophet who was to come into the world. Jesus knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Copernican. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing, and the waters grew rough. When they had rode about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat walking on the water, and they were frightened. But he said to them, it is I don’t be afraid, then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. The next day, the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples that that they had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberius landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, Rabbi, when did you get here? Jesus answered, very, truly, I tell you, you were looking for me not because you saw the signs I performed, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on him, God the Father has placed His seal of approval. Then they asked him, What must we do to do the works God requires? Jesus answered, the work of God is this to believe in the one he has sent? So they asked him, What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you, what will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Jesus said to them, Very truly I tell you, it is not most As who was given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world. Sir, they said, always give us this bread, then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life, Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me, and still you do not believe all those the Father gives Me will come to me. And whoever comes to me, I will never drive away, For I have come down from heaven, not to do my will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent me that I shall lose none of all those He has given me that raise them up at the last day, for my father’s will, is that everyone who looks to the sun and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. At this, the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, I am the bread that came down from heaven. They said, Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, I came down from heaven? Stop stopped grumbling among yourselves, Jesus answered, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me, no one has seen the Father except the one who is from God, only he has seen the Father, very, Truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life, I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here’s the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, how can this man give us his flesh to eat? Jesus said to them, Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you, whoever eats my flesh and drinks, my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food. And my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks, my blood remains in me and I and then, just as the living Father sent me at I live because of the Father. So the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died. But whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of His disciples said, this is a hard teaching who can accept it? Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before? The Spirit gives life? The flesh counts for nothing? The words I have spoken to you, they are full of the spirit and life. You have there are some of you who do not believe for Jesus had known from the beginning, which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, this is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has enabled them. Steve Webb 13:37 From this time, many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him. You do not want to leave to do you. Jesus asked the 12. Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, we have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God. Then Jesus replied, have I not chosen you the 12 yet one of you is a devil. He met Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, who the one of the 12 was later to betray him. Let’s talk a little bit about John five, after Jesus healed the man who had been unable to walk for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda, the Jewish religious leaders were indignant that Jesus told the man to carry his mat on the Sabbath. Can you imagine he healed a man who had been lame for 38 years? And they got mad at him for telling them man pick up your mat and walk? Unbelievable. Well, Jesus answered their offensiveness to coin a word in some detail. And then this is what he said. You search the Scriptures because you think you’ll find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, but you refuse to come to me for eternal life. Now, I’m going to read some other translations for you just so you can get it A real flavor for what Jesus was saying to them. The New Living Translation says, You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the scriptures point to me, yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. And the New American Standard says, You search the Scriptures because you think that in them, you have eternal life. It is these that testify about Me and you are unwilling to come to me, so that you may have life. And then the Young’s Literal Translation reads a little bit strange, because it is a literal word for word translation. But listen to what it says, Ye search the writings, because you think in them to have life age during, in other words, eternal life. Now continuing, and these are they that are testifying concerning me, and you do not will to come unto me that ye may have life. And then one more just for good measure. The Amplified Version says that this way, you search and keep on searching and examining the scriptures, because you think that in them, you have eternal life. And yet it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me. And still you are unwilling to come to me so that you may have life. So I read these different translations, like I said, so that you could really get what Jesus was saying. Now, Beloved, let us not be like these people. You and I study the scriptures together. But let’s remember that the goal is not to become experts in Scripture. Our goal is to know the word as in John one one, in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God, all things came into being through him. And apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being In him was life, and the life was the light of men. Listen, if we study scripture, and we miss Christ, we are as lost as the so called religious experts. Jesus was speaking to at the pool, to know Him, to love Him, to put our trust in Him. That is life. Amen. Amen. Now, by now, you’ve probably heard of the movie project called the Chosun. If you haven’t, then you really must look for it and watch it. Now, here’s my homework for you. Yeah, I have homework today for you. Go to the show notes page Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 227. And watch the video I’m going to be putting up there. It’s from the Chosun. And it’s the scene we read about in chapter five where Jesus heals the man at the pool. It is such a beautiful scene, and it just touches my heart so deeply. Really, you have to watch it, do yourself a favor, even if you’ve already seen it. Go watch it again. Now, while you’re there, after you watch the video, scroll on down to the very bottom of the page. And leave me a comment on today’s show. I’d love to hear from you. Especially if you’ve never written before. Come on, leave a comment right there. bottom of the page. Can’t miss it. All right, tomorrow resurrection day, we’re going to begin the book of First Timothy will read the first three chapters. Again, it’s going to be a short show. Steve Webb 18:32 Timothy LaFontaine said into $30 donation. And Timothy, thank you so much. God bless you, my brother, I appreciate you and your support. It means a lot to me. Now tell you beloved support like Tim’s really helps to keep things running here at the Lifespring family Audio Bible. If you enjoy the show, if it’s a valuable part of your life, then please consider returning some of that value to me to keep it going. Think about and pray about how much support you should send that’s between you and the Lord, and then go to Lifespring media.com/support. There are several payment methods that I’ve set up there to make it as easy as possible for you pick one of those methods and do as the Lord leads. Thank you and God bless you. Steve Webb 19:26 On this date in church history, April 16 1922. I’ve never really mentioned on this show. I don’t think that I love to fly. I like to get on a plane and just go somewhere. And of course I like being behind the microphone too. And what happened on April 16 1922 Just kind of pushes both of those buttons for me. Belvin W Maynard was an ordained Baptist minister known as the flying parson. And on this date, he delivered the first sermon preached from an airplane by radio I think that is so cool. Steve Webb 20:10 And now let’s pray Our Father in heaven, how are we thank You for Your Word, the Bible. We love reading and studying it not for the words on the page, but for the fact that they point us to you, the whole of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The words reveal to us your amazing love for us and the extent you went to redeem us, and when you reveal your character to us through the word, when we see Jesus for who he is, and what he did for us, and what he’s doing even now interceding for us at your right hand, when we learn how the Holy Spirit ministers to us and for us, Lord, we just can’t help but love you. Oh, Lord, thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us life everlasting life, when we were in Jesus. Lord, as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection, tomorrow, may we be moved like never before by what Jesus accomplished that morning when he threw off the bonds of sin and death. And that not happened, we would have nothing but he is risen, and death and the grave no longer have any power over those who believe in it. Tomorrow truly is a holy day, and we praise You for it. Lord, I pray that you bless the Lifespring family today. I thank you for each one who’s listening right now. Whenever there now is, I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If you have something you’d like us to pray with you about or if you’ve got something you’d like us to rejoice with you about, please go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com and fill that form out you find it’s quick, it’s easy. And that’s what family does. We share with one another prayer dot Lifespring media.com. Steve Webb 22:00 Please remember to share the show if you enjoy it. And if you don’t enjoy it. Why are you here? I mean, come on and comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 227. Watch that video there. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com support the show please at Lifespring media.com/support. And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you for inviting me to be with you today. One more time. Remember to go to the show notes page and watch that video. You’ll be glad you did. See you next time. Bye Transcribed by https://otter.ai [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/28152340/donate.png]https://lifespringmedia.com/support/ * * [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/23123801/NULS_LSFB_RateTheShow.jpg]https://lovethepodcast.com/biblePlease rate or review the show by clicking the heart! The post S3E228 – John 5-6: The Pool at Bethesda [https://lifespringmedia.com/lifespring-one-year-bible-rewind/s3e228-john-5-6-the-pool-at-bethesda/] first appeared on Lifespring! 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S3E227 – Daniel 7-10: What Time Is It?

Transcript PODCAST INTRODUCTION Today we will complete the book of Daniel 7-12. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “What Time Is It?” S12E226Art3000-hourglass [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/14174050/S12E226Art3000.jpg]Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash COMMENTS ON DANIEL 7-10 It’s an interesting fact that throughout history, the focus of the church has not always been what it is today. In the first few hundred years after Jesus left the church with the Great Commission, the church focused on the doctrine of Scripture. Which makes sense, right? In the early years, the church had to define what was and what was not divinely inspired scripture. And then, through the centuries, the focus shifted to the doctrine of the Trinity, to the doctrine of who and what Jesus is, to the doctrine of who and what man is, to the doctrine of salvation, to the doctrine of the church. And it really wasn’t until the last couple hundred years that the church spent much time studying the doctrine of the end days. Yes, it is true. For most of our history the biblical books of prophecy have been looked at as being impossible to understand. Some of the prophets who wrote them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit even said that they didn’t understand everything they wrote. But that is because it was not time yet to understand them. As we read these books today, we can begin to see glimpses that make sense. In these chapters having to do with the end times, it is going to be impossible for me to talk about all the possible interpretations or applications to the days in which we are living. Entire books have been, and probably are being written even as I speak about how the book of Daniel applies to today.  What I’m going to do in the short time we have today is look at a couple verses from today’s reading.  First let’s take a look at Daniel 8, verse 26. Someone who looked like a man spoke to Daniel about future events, at the end he said, “The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.” What did he mean when he told Daniel to seal up the vision? Many people believe that he meant that no one would be able to understand the vision until the end times. “…seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.” I disagree. I think he meant, “Safeguard the vision, put it someplace safe because it will be needed later.”  Here’s an example. My wife, the the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I had a will written for us several years ago. We hope that it won’t be needed for many more years. Do you think we keep it on the kitchen table or the coffee table in the living room? Of course not. We have locked it, sealed it up, in our safe. It’s an important document, and we have put it in a place of safekeeping.  This is, I believe, what the one speaking to Daniel meant. Write this message down, and keep it safe for the day that it is needed. As we read this book, it certainly seems as if we are in the end times, doesn’t it? There are so many things prophesied here that it sounds like we’re reading from today’s newspapers. And reading about just the general condition of life in the end times sounds like today, too. For example, in chapter 12, at the end of verse four, the one speaking to Daniel says, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” In the past, some thought that the “running to and fro” reference means missionaries going throughout the world preaching the Gospel. Others have thought that it means that many would search the scriptures trying to discern the meaning of the words in the prophecies. Personally, I disagree with those interpretations, and I’ll tell you why in a moment.  The second half of that sentence was, “…and knowledge will increase.” It’s been thought that this referred to the fact that as we enter the end times, we will understand the prophetic scriptures more clearly. I think that is partly right, but I think there is more. We can’t fault the notions that people in the past had about these scriptures, but how could they possibly know what it would be like to live in our age? We can hop on an airplane and fly from one coast of the United States to the other in a matter of hours. And the U.S. military has aircraft that can do it in about an hour’s time. It’s common for some business people to fly around the world multiple times a week. The point is, mobility for virtually everyone in developed countries is a fact of life. That could be the running to and fro Daniel wrote about. But it also just might refer to the fact that our lives have become so extremely hectic. These days many of us are on the go constantly. We have virtually no leisure time. Even when we are technically “on vacation”, we have our electronic devices with us. Many of us are never disconnected from the internet. Can we even imagine going back to a world where we are not constantly connected?  Which brings up the second point. “…and knowledge will increase.” Scholars of old could not anticipate the internet. When I was a boy, I had to go the library if I wanted to know something that was not in a book at my house. Today, all I have to do is get online and type in a search. Or now, all I have to do is speak to my phone. “OK Google (or Siri or Alexa). Who won the 2016 World Series?” “What was the score?” “What is the specific gravity of water?” “What is the atomic number of lead?” “Who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1954” “What is tomorrow’s weather forecast?” You get the idea. You can find almost anything that man has learned within seconds. That capability did not exist until about 15 years ago when the first iPhone was introduced. Knowledge has increased, and it continues to increase geometrically. I think we can check that one off the list of things to look for. Are we in the end times? Perhaps. Jesus said that only the Father knows the exact time, but scripture gives us many, many things to look for. Are the end times, or last days, something to fear? If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior you might want to worry. Verses 1 and 2 of Daniel 12 say, “…And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” What side are you on? The one who will have everlasting life, or shame and everlasting contempt? TODAY’S BIBLE TRANSLATION Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 7-12 ESV SUPPORT This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT [/support/]. [/support/] TRANSCRIPT Download .txt file. [https://d1uphahyf7mnoz.cloudfront.net/lsfb/LSFAB_S12-E226_otter_ai.txt] Steve Webb 0:00 Are the end times or last days something to fear? Steve Webb 0:11 One more time. Here we are. Again, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God casters. Steve Webb, welcome. Good to see you again. Thanks for sharing your day with me. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today we’re going to complete the book of Daniel will read chapters seven through 12. Of course, I’ll have some comments after the reading. The title of today’s show is what time is it? If you’d like to come in on today’s show, please do go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 226. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. I’d love to hear from you. Let’s get started. Steve Webb 0:53 Daniel chapter seven. In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel declared, I saw in my vision by night and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. The first was like a lion and had eagle’s wings. Then as I looked, the wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and the mind of a man was given to it. And behold another beast, a second one like a bear. It was raised up on one side, it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth, and it was told, Arise, devour much flesh. After this, I looked and behold another like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back, and the beast had foreheads and a dominion was given to it. After this I saw on the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth, it devoured and broken pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had 10 horns, I considered the horns and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things. As I looked, thrones were placed in the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white as snow and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, its wheels were burning fire, a stream of fire issued and came out from before him. 1000 1000s served him and 10,000 times 10,000 stood before him, the Court said in judgment, and the books were opened. I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season at a time. I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, there came one like a Son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples nations and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom, one that shall not be destroyed. As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. These four great beasts are the four kings who shall rise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever. Then I desire to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, which devoured in broken pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the 10 horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. Thus, he said, As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth and trample it down and break it to pieces. As for the 10 horns, out of this kingdom, 10 king shall arise and another show arise after them, he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law, and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half the time. But the court shall sit in judgment and his dominion shall be taken away to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Here’s the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me. And my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart. Daniel chapter eight. In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first and I saw in the vision, and when I saw I was in Susa, the Citadel which is in the province of Elam, and I saw in the vision, and I was at the you lie canal, I raised my eyes and saw and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last, I saw the RAM charging westward and northward and southward, no beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great. As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes, he came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, and he ran at him with his powerful rap. I saw him come close to the RAM, and he was enraged against him, and struck the ram and broke his two horns, and the Ram had no power to stand before him. But he cast him down to the ground and travelled upon him. And there was no one who could rescue the RAM from his power, then the goat became exceedingly great. But when he was strong, the great horn was broken. And instead of it, there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven. Out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great even to the host of heaven. And some of the hosts and some of the stars it through to the ground and traveled on them. It became great, even as great as the prints of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. And a host will be given over to it together with a regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke for how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot. And he said to me, for 2300 evenings and mornings, then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state. When I Daniel had seen the vision, I sought to understand it, and behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the ULI and it called Gabriel make this man understand the vision. So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, understand, Oh, son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end, that when He had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up. He said, Behold, I will make known to you what shall be the latter end of the indignation for it refers to the appointed time of the end. As for the RAM that you saw with two horns, these are the kings of media in Persia, and the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, for kingdom shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of boldface, one who understands riddles shall arise, his power shall be great, but not by his own power, and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind, he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many, and he shall even rise up against the Prince of Princes, and he shall be broken But by no human hand, the vision of the evenings in the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision for it refers to many days from now. And I Daniel was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the Kings business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it. Steve Webb 10:20 Daniel chapter nine. In the first year of Darius, the son of a has us by descent, a Mead, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans in the first year of his reign. I, Daniel, proceed in the books, the number of years that according to the Word of the Lord to Jeremiah, the prophet must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely 70 years. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, Oh Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments. We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly, and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants, the prophets who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, oh, Lord belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away in all the lands to which you have driven them because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, oh, Lord belongs open shame to our kings, to our princes into our fathers because we have sinned against you, to the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness for we have rebelled against Him, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, by walking in His laws, which he set before us by His servants, the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law in turn, decide, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that were written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, had been poured out upon us because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words which He spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven, there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem, as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us. Yet we have not been treated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities in gaining insight, by your truth. Therefore, the Lord has kept ready the calamity, and has brought it upon us. For the Lord, our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now a Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly, oh Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city, Jerusalem, Your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now, therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his pleas for mercy. And for your own sake, oh, Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary which is desolate. Oh my god, incline your ear in here. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our please before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. Oh, Lord here, oh, Lord, forgive all Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not for your own sake, oh my God, because your city and your people are called by your name. Steve Webb 14:06 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my god, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first came to me in Swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He made me understand speaking with me and saying, oh, Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy, a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision 70 weeks or decreed about your people and your holy city to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and profit, and to anoint a most Holy Place, no therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for 62 weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the 62 weeks and anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come, shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end, there shall be war. desolations are decreed, and he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week, he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering and on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate until the decreed end is poured out on the Desolator. Steve Webb 15:51 Daniel chapter 10. In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a word was revealed to Daniel who was named belta. Shahzad, and the Word was true, and it was a great conflict, and he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. In those days, I Daniel was mourning for three weeks, I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all for the full three weeks. On the 24th day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of a great river, that is the Tigris, I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen with a belt of fine gold from youth as around his waist. His body was like barrel, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs, like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words, like the sound of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words. And as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me and sent me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, oh, Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand up right for now I have been sent to you. And when He had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, fear not Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words, the prince of the kingdom of Persia with stood me 21 days. But Michael, one of the chief princes came to help me for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what has to happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is for the days yet to come. When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute, and behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke, I said to him who stood before me, Oh, my Lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me and I retain no strength. How can my lord servant talk with my Lord, for now, no strength remains in me and no breath is left in me. Again, one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, Oh, man, greatly loved fear not peace, be with you, be strong and of good courage. And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, Let my Lord speak for you have strengthened me. Then he said, Do you know why I have come to you, but now I will return to fight against the Prince of Persia. And when I go out, Behold, the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. There is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. Steve Webb 19:03 Daniel, chapter 11. And as for me, in the first year of Darius, the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him, and now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. Then a mighty king shall arise who shall rule with great dominion and do as He wills and as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, or his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these. Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and shall rule and his authority shall be a great authority. After some years they shall make an alliance and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up and her attendance he who fathered her, and he who supported her in those times, and from a branch from her roots, one shall arise in his place, he shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail, he shall also carry off to Egypt, they are gods with their metal images in their precious vessels of silver and gold, and for some years, he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north. Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south, but shall return to his own land, his son shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. Then the king of the south move with rage shall come out and fight against the king of the north, and he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand. And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down 10s of 1000s, but he shall not prevail. For the king of the north shall again raised a multitude greater than the first, and after some years he shall come on with a great army and with abundant supplies. In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail. Then the king of the north shall common throw up siege works and make a well fortified city, and the forces of the south shall not stand or even his best troops, for there shall be no strength to stand. But he who comes against him shall do as He wills, and none shall stand before him, and he shall stand in the glorious land with destruction in his hand, he shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of an agreement and perform them, he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom, but it shall not stand or be to his advantage. Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands and shall capture many of them, but a commander shall put an end to his insolence. Indeed, he shall turn his insolence back upon him, then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found, then shall arise in his place, one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle, in his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom Royal Majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken even the prince of the covenant. And from the time that an alliance is made with him, he shall act deceitfully and he shall become strong with a small people. Without warning, he shall come into the richest parts of the province, and he shall do what neither his father’s nor his father’s father’s have done, scattering among them plunder spoil in goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time, and he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army, and the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand for plots shall be devised against him. Even those who eat his food shall break him, his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil, they shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail. For the end is yet to be at the time appointed, and he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant, and he shall work his will and return to his own land. At the time appointed, he shall return in come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before for ships of kingdom shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the Holy Covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant, forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering, and they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame by captivity and plunder. When they stumble, they shall receive a little help, and many shall join themselves to them with flattery, and some of the wives shall stumble so that they may be refined, purified and made white until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. And the King shall do as He wills he will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his father’s or to the one beloved by women, he shall not pay attention to any other God, for he shall magnify himself above all, he shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these, a god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign God. Those who acknowledge Him He shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many, and shall divide the land for a price. At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships, and he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through, he shall come into the glorious land, and 10s of 1000s shall fall but the shall be delivered out of his hand, Edom and Moab in the main part of the Ammonites, he shall stretch out his hand against the country’s, and the land of Egypt shall not escape, he shall become ruler of the treasuries of gold and of silver and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the KU shites shall follow in his train, but news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction. And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain, yet he shall come to his end with none to help him. Steve Webb 26:41 Daniel chapter 12. At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people, and bear shall come a time of trouble such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book, in many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end, many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase. Then I Daniel looked, and behold, two others stood one on this bank of the stream, and one on that Bank of the stream. And someone said to the man, clothed and linen, who was above the waters of the stream, how long shall it be till the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it would be for a time, times and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things would be finished. I heard but I did not understand. Then I said, Oh, my Lord, what shall be the outcome of these things? He said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white, and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand. But those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1290 days, Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1335 days, but go your way till the end, and you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days. Steve Webb 28:51 You know, it’s an interesting fact that throughout history, the focus of the church has not always been what it is today. In the first few 100 years after Jesus left the church with a great commission, the church focused on the doctrine of Scripture, which makes sense, right? In the early years, the church had to define what was and what was not divinely inspired scripture. And then through the centuries, the focus shifted to the doctrine of the Trinity, to the doctrine of who and what Jesus is to the doctrine of who and what man is to the doctrine of salvation to the doctrine of the Church. And it really wasn’t until the last couple of 100 years that the church spent much time studying the doctrine of the end days. Yes, it’s true for most of our history, the biblical books of prophecy have been looked at as being impossible to understand. Some of the prophets who wrote them under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit even said that they didn’t understand everything they wrote. But that’s because it was not time yet to understand them. As we read these books today, we can begin to see glimpses that do make sense. In Our reading today, we read Daniel chapter seven through 12 Obviously, it’s going to be impossible for me to talk about all the possible interpretations or applications to the days in which we’re living on the show. Entire books have been and probably are being written even as I speak about how the book of Daniel applies to today. What I’m going to do in the short time we have today is look at a couple of verses from today’s reading. First, let’s take a look at Daniel eight, verse 26, someone who looked like a man spoke to Daniel about future events. And at the end, he said, the vision of the evenings in the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now. What do you suppose he meant when he told Daniel to seal up the vision? Many people believe that he meant that no one would be able to understand the vision until the end times, seal up the vision for it refers to many days from now. He said, Well, I disagree. I think he meant safeguard the vision, put it someplace safe, because it’ll be needed later. It’s kind of like this. My wife, a lovely lady Liana and I had a will written for us several years ago. We hope that it won’t be needed for many more years. Steve Webb 31:11 Do you think we keep it on the kitchen table or the coffee table in the living room? No, we’ve locked it up. We’ve sealed it up in our safe. It’s an important documents, and we’ve put it in a place of safekeeping. This, I think is what the one speaking to Daniel meant, write the message down and keep it safe for the day that it’s needed. And as we read this book, it really seems like we’re in the in times, doesn’t it? There are so many things prophesied here that sounds just like we’re reading it from today’s papers, like I said, in reading about just the general condition of life in the in time sounds like it today to, for example, in chapter 12 of the universe for the ones speaking to Daniel says, Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase. In the past some thought that the running to and fro reference means missionaries going throughout the world preaching the gospel. Others have thought that it means that many would search the Scriptures trying to discern the meaning of the words. Personally, I disagree with those interpretations. And I’ll tell you why in just a moment. Now, the second half of that verse was and all knowledge will increase. It was thought that this referred to the fact that as we enter the end times, we’ll understand the prophetic Scriptures more clearly. I think that’s partly right. But I think there’s more. Now we can’t fault the notions that people had in the past about the scriptures, but how could they possibly know what it would be like to live in our age, we can hop on an airplane and fly from one coast of the US to the other in a matter of hours. And the US military has aircraft that can do it in about an hour’s time. It’s common for some business people to fly around the world multiple times a week. The point is mobility for virtually everyone in developed countries is a fact of life. That could be the running to and fro Daniel wrote about, but it also just might refer to the fact that our lives have become so extremely hectic. These days, many of us are on the go constantly, we have virtually no leisure time. And even when we are technically on vacation, quote unquote, we have our electronic devices with us. Many of us are never disconnected from the internet. Can we even imagine going back to a world where we’re not constantly connected. Which brings up the second point from this verse, and knowledge will increase. Scholars of old could not anticipate the internet. When I was a boy, I had to go to the library. If I wanted to know something that was not in the book that was at my house. Today, all I have to do is get online and type in a search. Or I could just speak to my phone. Okay, Google, or Siri or Alexa, who won the 2016 World Series? Steve Webb 33:51 What was the score? What’s the specific gravity of water? What’s the atomic number of LED, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1954? What is tomorrow’s weather forecast? You get the idea, you can find almost anything that man has learned within seconds. That capability did not even exist until about 15. short years ago, when the first iPhone was introduced. Knowledge has increased and it continues to increase geometrically. I think we can check that off of the list of the things that we need to look for before the end times. Are we in the End Times? Maybe. Jesus said that only the Father knows the exact time But Scripture gives us many, many things to look for, or the in times or last days something to fear? Well, if you don’t know Jesus as your savior, you might want to worry. verses one and two of Daniel 12 Say, and there shall be a time of trouble such as there never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time, your people shall be delivered. Everyone whose name shall be found written in the book, and many of those who sleep In the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Well, what side are you on? The one who will have everlasting life or shame and everlasting contempt. If you’re not sure that you’ll have everlasting life you can be. All you need to do is accept Jesus into your life right now. To accept Jesus into your life means that you put your trust in Him, it means that you accept His free gift of salvation. What does that mean? Well, the Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And it says the wages of sin is death. But the Bible also tells us that God is not willing that any should perish. He’s made a way to have your sins forgiven. He sent Jesus to this earth, Jesus, His only begotten Son, the Son of God, to live a sinless life, and he was sacrificed on the cross for my sins and for yours. And then on the third day, he rose to life again, proving that He is God. And he has the ability to forgive our sins. If you believe that, and if you accept that gift that he gives to you that free gift of salvation, you can absolutely know that you’ll have everlasting life. If you believe that, and if you want that for yourself, all you have to do is pray this prayer, pray with me. Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner, and I’m sorry, I turned for my sins now. And I asked you to forgive me of my sins. I pray that you’ll come into my life, and that you’ll be my Lord, and my savior helped me to be the person you created me to be. Thank you for forgiving me. Amen. Well, if you prayed that prayer, and you meant it, congratulations, you’re now a believer in Christ. you’re a Christian, you’re a new creation. The Bible says that when we believe in Him, we become new creatures, old things have passed away. All things are new. I’d like to help you get started in this new life. And I’ve got a Bible that I’d like to send you. It’s called the new believers Bible. And it’s a New Testament, and it’s got hundreds of notes in there written just for brand new believers. I’d like to send it to you at no charge, all you have to do is send me an email Steve at Lifespring media.com. Tell me you prayed that prayer, tell me your mailing address, and we’ll send it off to you again, no charge and I’m not going to take your email address and send it to anybody sell it to anybody or anything like that. Your email addresses safe with me. I just want you to have this Bible to get the very best start you can. I’d love to hear your comments on what I’ve said today. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 226. Scroll to the bottom of the page and let me know your thoughts are reading tomorrow was John five and six. Here’s your cue to boost boost. Steve Webb 37:51 Boostagram. Got a boostagram from Sean of San Pedro this morning and he sent 1160 sats, and said No wonder people love proverbs so much. These are amazing. It’s awesome that this ancient wisdom is still so applicable today. Well, Sean, you know what the writer of Ecclesiastes said he said there’s nothing new under the sun. People really are no different today than they were when Solomon wrote the Proverbs. I’m so glad that God preserved them for us. Thanks for the boostagram Sean. Steve Webb 38:34 On this date in church history, April 15 1452. Today is the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian Renaissance artist, scientist and inventor. Of course, among his more memorable paintings are the Last Supper, which he did in 1498 and the Mona Lisa, which he did in 1503. And on this date in church history, April 15 1729, Johann Sebastian Bach conducted the first and only performance during his lifetime of the passion, according to St. Matthew, at a Good Friday Vespers service at the St. Thomas Lutheran Church of Leipzig, Germany, the St. Matthew Passion, which of course Bach composed, has been called by some the supreme cultural achievement of all Western civilization. Steve Webb 39:30 Let’s pray our Heavenly Father as we read the book of Daniel and see what appears to be signs that we are near the end of days, Lord, give us a burden to share the good news with those who don’t know Jesus. Give us opportunities, Lord, to share with the people around us. Give us the courage to speak in the words to say, prepare the hearts of those you do bring to us that they would listen and truly hear. We know Lord that you don’t want any to perish and if no one tells them How will they here? Help us to fulfill the Great Commission? Lord, I ask this in Jesus name, amen. Do you have a prayer request that you want to share with the family? Is God doing something great in your life? Let us know about it. Go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com and fill out that form there Steve Webb 40:25 I’d love it if you’d go by Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 226. And let me know what you thought about today’s show. If you’d like you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And please support the show at Lifespring media.com/support. Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. Thanks for inviting me to be with you today. My name is Steve Webb. Now let’s get to work. Bye Transcribed by https://otter.ai [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/28152340/donate.png]https://lifespringmedia.com/support/ * * [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/23123801/NULS_LSFB_RateTheShow.jpg]https://lovethepodcast.com/biblePlease rate or review the show by clicking the heart! The post S3E227 – Daniel 7-10: What Time Is It? [https://lifespringmedia.com/lifespring-one-year-bible-rewind/s3e227-daniel-7-10-what-time-is-it/] first appeared on Lifespring! Media [https://lifespringmedia.com].

S3E226 – Proverbs 17-18: The Best Medicine

Transcript PODCAST INTRODUCTION Today we will read Proverbs 17-18. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “The Best Medicine.” S12E225Art3000-laughing young woman [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/13225306/S12E225Art3000.jpg]Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash COMMENTS ON PROVERBS 17 VERSE 3 A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts. Silver and gold are purified in the fire. All the impurities rise to the top when these metals are heated in the crucible and the smelter. In the same way, God purifies our hearts. It is in the heat of trials that our weaknesses are exposed. It is a wise person who allows the Lord to remove the weaknesses, thus purifying the heart. I am the man I am today because of the trials that I’ve been through. Some of the trials were because of poor decisions on my part, and some were what some might call happenstance. I don’t believe in happenstance, though. I believe that we live in a fallen world, a world that is suffering because of sin. And sometimes bad things happen, to good and bad people. God allows these things to happen for various reasons. Sometimes the reason is to take us through the Refiner’s fire. Our faith grows, our reliance on Him grows, and He is glorified. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” All things. Even what appear to be tragedies. All things.  VERSE 6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of sons is their fathers. As a grandfather, I can certainly say a hearty “Amen!” to the first part of this proverb. When I see how my grandkids’ faces light up when they see me, my heart just melts. There are four of them now, with another due in about eight weeks as of today. (April 13, 2022) I can’t wait to meet her! The second part, “the pride of sons is their fathers”, is something that men should aspire to. I was not a perfect dad. But my deficits, I hope, were made up for by the fact that my sons knew that I loved them. All three of them are very different from one another, and each has made choices in their lives that I have not always agreed with, but I love and respect each of them, and they know it. As I have grown older and (I hope) wiser, I try to be a dad that they can be proud of. For the dads listening…and even for the moms…remember to pray for wisdom as you raise your kids. Ask the Lord for guidance. Be in the Word, read, study, meditate on it. Let your kids see you read the Bible, and let them see and hear you pray. Let them know by your actions how important having a relationship with God is. Not just at church, but at home, too.  VERSE 22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. The word “joyful” is sameach in Hebrew. It means glad, joyful, merry (Strongs Concordance). Merriam-Webster defines glad as  1a) experiencing pleasure, joy, or delight : made happy. b) very willing (glad to do it). c) made pleased, satisfied , or grateful 4 *archaic* : having a cheerful or happy disposition by nature So to have a joyful heart is to have (at least in part) a heart of gratitude. Sometimes when life gets difficult, it’s hard to remember to live with a grateful heart. But as believers, we have so very much to be thankful for. Despite the circumstances we need to remember that we are deeply loved by the God of the universe. And as Jesus said in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Of course you are.  In Luke 12:7, Jesus said, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Yes beloved, God knows you and He loves you. So much that He gave His Son so that you would be with Him in eternity, if you have placed your faith in Him.  For that reason alone, you have cause to have a joyful heart. How’s that for good medicine?  VERSES 27-28 The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips. I’ll make this one short. These two verses remind me of Abraham Lincoln’s remark: “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” TODAY’S BIBLE TRANSLATION Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 17 HCSB; Ch. 18 ERV SUPPORT This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT [/support/]. [/support/] TRANSCRIPT Download .txt file. [https://d1uphahyf7mnoz.cloudfront.net/lsfb/LSFAB_S12-E225_otter_ai.txt] Steve Webb 0:00 Sometimes the reason is to take us through the refiner’s fire. Steve Webb 0:11 Hi there, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God castors. Steve Webb, welcome. I hope you’re well today and I’m thankful that you’re spending part of your day with me truly, this is the Daily Show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Now we’re reading today is Proverbs 17 and 18. I’ll have some comments after the reading and I’m calling today’s episode, the best medicine. Today’s Show Notes Pages at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 225. My email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. And with that, let’s get going. Steve Webb 0:50 Proverbs chapter 17. Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife. A ye servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share an inheritance among brothers. A crucible for silver at his smelter for gold and the Lord is the tester of hearts. A wicked person listens to malicious talk, a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. The one who mocks the poor insults his maker and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished. grandchildren are the crown of the elderly in the pride of sons is their father’s eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips. How much worse are lies for a ruler? A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner. Wherever he turns he succeeds. Whoever conceals an offence promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends. A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person more than 100 lashes into a fool. An evil man seeks only rebellion, a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his foolishness. If anyone returns evil for good evil will never depart from his house. To start a conflict is to release a flood. Stop the dispute before it breaks out. acquitting the guilty and condemning the just both are detestable to the Lord. Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time. One without sense, enters in agreement and puts up security for his friend. One who loves to offend loves strife. One who builds a high threshold invites injury. One with a twisted mind will not succeed and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin. A man father’s a fool to his own sorrow. The father of a fool has no joy. A joyful heart is good medicine. But a broken spirit dries up the bones. A wicked man secretly takes a bribe to subvert the course of justice. Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fools eyes roam to the ends of the earth. A foolish son is grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. It is certainly not good to find an innocent person or to beat a Nobel for his honesty. The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when He seals his lips. Steve Webb 3:50 Proverbs chapter 18. Some people like to do things their own way, and they get upset when people give them advice. fools don’t want to learn from others. They only want to tell their own ideas. Do something evil and people will hate you. Do something shameful and they will have no respect for you. Words from wise people are like water bubbling up from a deep well, the well of wisdom. You must be fair in judging others. It is wrong to favor the guilty and robbed the innocent of justice. Fools say things to start arguments. They’re just asking for a beating. Fools hurt themselves when they speak their own words trap them. People love to hear gossip. It is like tasty food on its way to the stomach. Someone who does careless work is as bad as someone who destroys things. The name of the Lord is like a strong tower. Those who do what is right can run to Him for protection. The rich think their wealth will protect them. They think it is a strong fortress. A proud person will soon be ruined, but a humble person will be honored. Let people finish speaking before you try to answer them. That way you will not embarrass yourself and look foolish. A good attitude will support you when you are sick. But if you give up nothing can help. Wise is people want to learn more so they listen closely to gain knowledge. Gifts can open many doors and help you meet important people. The first person to speak always seems right, until someone comes and asks the right questions. The best way to settle an argument between two powerful people may be to use lots and insulted brother is harder to win back than a city with strong walls. Arguments separate people like the strong bars of a palace gate. Your words can be as satisfying as fruit as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach. The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings. If you find a wife, you have found something good, she shows that the Lord is happy with you. The poor are polite when they beg for help. The rich are rude with their answer. Some friends are fun to be with. But a true friend can be better than a brother. Steve Webb 6:27 Oh my goodness, so many great verses to talk about. But I’m just going to comment today on just a few from Proverbs 17. Verse three said, a crucible for silver and a smelter for gold in the Lord is the tester of hearts. As you probably know silver and gold are purified in the fire. All of the impurities rise to the top when silver or gold are melted in the crucible or the smelter. And in the same way God purifies our hearts. It’s in the heat of trials that our weaknesses are exposed. And it’s a wise person who allows the Lord to remove the weaknesses, thus purifying the heart. I still have a long way to go. But I am the man I am today because of the trials that I’ve been through. Some of the trials were because of poor decisions on my part. And some were what some might call happenstance. But I don’t believe in happenstance, I believe that we live in a fallen world a world that is suffering because of sin. And sometimes bad things happen to bad people and good people. God allows these things to happen for various reasons. And sometimes the reason is to take us through the refiners fire. Our faith grows, our reliance on him grows, and he is glorified. Romans 828 says, and we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose, all things you hear that all things, even the things that appear to be tragedies, all things. And then verse six, grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of sons is their fathers. As the grandfather, I can certainly say a hearty amen to the first part of that proverb, grandchildren are the crown of the elderly. When I see how my grandkids faces light up, when they see me, my heart just melts. There are four of them now with another do in about eight weeks as of today, and I just can’t wait to meet her. Yes, grandchildren are the crown of the elderly. I don’t think of myself as being elderly. But who am I to argue with the Bible. The second part that says, The End the pride of sons is their fathers. Well, to me, that’s something that men should aspire to. I was not a perfect dad. But my deficits I hope were made up for by the fact that my sons knew that I loved them. All three of them are very different from one another as they’ve grown to be men, and each one has made choices in their lives that I’ve not always agreed with. But I love and I respect each one of them, and they know it. And as I’ve grown older, and I hope wiser, I try to be a dad that they can be proud of. Now for you dads that are listening, and even for the moms. Remember to pray for wisdom as you raise your kids. Ask the Lord for guidance. Be in the word, read, study, meditate on it, and let your kids see you read the Bible and let them see and hear you pray. Let them know by your actions. How important having a relationship with God is. Let them see you living it. And not just at church. But at home to verse 22 says, a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. The word joyful there Is Samia in Hebrew, it means glad joyful merry. According to the Strong’s Concordance in Merriam Webster defines glad as experiencing pleasure, joy or delight, or to be made happy, to be very willing as in glad to do it, to be made pleased, satisfied or grateful. And an archaic meaning for the word glad is having a cheerful or happy disposition by nature. Steve Webb 10:32 So, as I as I consider all of those different things, and I kind of condense them, part of it is to have a joyful heart is to have a heart of gratitude. Sometimes when life gets difficult, it’s hard to remember to live with a grateful heart. But as believers, we have so very much to be thankful for. Despite the circumstances, we need to remember that we are deeply loved by the God of the universe. And as Jesus said, in Matthew 626, look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Well? Of course you are, aren’t you? You know that you have to know that. It’s a believe that to your very core. And if you doubt it, in Luke 12, seven, Jesus said, Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows. Yes, beloved, God knows you. And he loves you so much that He gave His own Son, so that you would be with him in eternity, if you’ve placed your faith in Him. So for that reason, alone, you have cause to have a joyful heart. How’s that for good medicine. And then verse 27, I’ll make this one short. While it’s actually going to be 27 and 28. Together, the intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding. Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when He seals his lips. So to make this short, these two verses remind me of what Abraham Lincoln once said, It is better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you are a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. I’d love to hear your thoughts today. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 225. And leave your comment there. You’ll scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and find a place to put your comment in there. In our reading tomorrow, we’ll finish the book of Daniel will read chapters seven through 12. Steve Webb 12:57 On this date in church history, April 14 1813. In Philadelphia, the religious Society of Friends otherwise known as Quakers, opened the first privately operated hospital for insane patients. The Asylum for the relief of persons deprived of the use of their reason that was the name of the place, used no manacles, handcuffs, iron grates are bars. In 1888, the name of the hospital was changed to the friends asylum for the insane and later just to the friends hospital in 1914. That change happened. And then on this date in church history, April 14 1940, English Bible expositor, Arthur W. Pink declared in a letter, nothing is too great. And nothing is too small to commit into the hands of the Lord. How true that is. Steve Webb 13:59 Prayer requests I’d like us to pray for Del and Kathy, I was talking to Dell a little while ago. And he was telling me that the both of them are having a bit of a rough go of things right now. Because of Del’s heart condition, he’s really weak. There’s work to do around the house and some other chores. But he’s only got about 20% of his heart function. So he tires really easily. And Kathy is having a hard time regaining her strength after her surgery. So she’s getting a little bit discouraged. So let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we have so very much to be grateful to you for so many reasons to be joyous, that you are our God. We thank you for life now and for the life to come because of your son Jesus. And I pray for Dell and Kathy right now, Lord, that You would help them as they deal with their health issues. I pray that you would be with them. I pray for healing. I pray for strength. I pray, Lord that us simply be with them. I’m grateful for the Lifespring family today, Lord Bless each one where there are needs Lord, I pray that you would meet them in your perfect loving way. You know each person who’s listening right now and you know their heart. Bless them I ask in Jesus name, amen. If you’ve got a prayer request or a praise, go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com and fill out that forum you find there. I’ll pray for you my private prayer time and pray together on the show Steve Webb 15:29 I’d love to get your comments today please go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e to 25 mil let me know your thoughts. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And please support the show at Lifespring media.com/support. I want to thank Sean of San Pedro for doing the chapters for the shows now and I want to thank Kirsty for her help and doing the newsletter. If you’re not signed up yet, go to news dot Lifespring media.com and sign up. Your email is safe with me. I won’t sell it I won’t share it. Your email is safe with me until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. Thank you for inviting me to be with you today. My name is Steve Webb. Bye Transcribed by https://otter.ai [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/28152340/donate.png]https://lifespringmedia.com/support/ * * [https://dzzggm57pi1og.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/23123801/NULS_LSFB_RateTheShow.jpg]https://lovethepodcast.com/biblePlease rate or review the show by clicking the heart! The post S3E226 – Proverbs 17-18: The Best Medicine [https://lifespringmedia.com/lifespring-one-year-bible-rewind/s3e226-proverbs-17-18-the-best-medicine/] first appeared on Lifespring! Media [https://lifespringmedia.com].