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Podcast Introduction

This is Poetry Thursday. We’ll read Song of Solomon 5-6. I’m calling today’s episode “The Perfect Relationship.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Priyanka Singh on Unsplash

Comments on Solomon 5-6

As you probably know, this book can be read from at least two levels: As just an account of a bride and groom from the purely human level, or as an allegory of the love of Christ for the church. Both interpretations are beautiful, and both have merit. 

As I was studying it again, in preparation for how to present it to you, I came upon an interesting fact. Jewish teachers often advised their young people not to read it till they were thirty years old, because they were afraid that the book would stir up feelings of lust in them. 

Reading the language with our very different vocabulary, it’s a bit difficult to imagine it having that effect on us, I suppose, but their fears are understandable, don’t you think? 

But if we look at the book from the allegorical perspective, we see how much Christ loves His church, and how much we ought to love Him. I ran across the following excerpt from the great 19th century preacher, CHARLES H. SPURGEON. He said, in reference a portion of chapter 5:16, which reads in the KJV: 

“Yea, He is altogether lovely” (v. 16). 

“Looking at my text I felt much humbling of spirit, and I hesitated to preach upon it, for I said in my heart,

“It is high, I cannot attain unto it.” These deep texts show us the shortness of our plumb line; these ocean verses are so exceeding broad that our skills are apt to be driven far out of sight of land where our timid spirits tremble to spread the sail. Then I comforted myself by the thought that though I could not comprehend this text in a measure, nor weigh its mountains in scales, or its hills in a balance, yet it was all mine own, by the gift of divine grace, and therefore I need not fear to enter upon the meditation of it. If I cannot grasp the ocean in my span, yet may I bathe therein with sweet content; if I cannot describe the King in His beauty, yet may I gaze upon Him, since the old proverb says, “A beggar may look at a prince.” Though I pretend not so to preach from such a heavenly Word as that before us, as to spread before you all its marrow and fatness, yet may I gather up a few crumbs which fall from its table. Poor men are glad of crumbs, and crumbs from such a feast are better than loaves from the tables of the world. Better to have a glimpse of Jesus, than to see all the glory of the earth all the days of our life. If we fail on this subject we may do better than if we succeeded upon another; so we will pluck up courage, seek divine help, and draw near to this wondrous text, with our shoes from off our feet like Moses when he saw the bush aglow with God. 

“This verse has been translated in another way: “He is all desires”; and so indeed Jesus is. He was the desire of the ancients, He is the desire of all nations still. To His own people He is their all in all; they are complete in Him; they are filled out of His fullness. He is the delight of His servants, and fills their expectations to the full. But we will not dispute about translations, for, after all, with such a text, so full of unutterable spiritual sweetness, every man must be his own translator, and into his own soul must the power of the message come, by the enforcement of the Holy Spirit. Such a text as this is very like manna which fell in the wilderness, of which the rabbis say it tasted after each man’s liking. If the flavor in a man’s mouth was very sweetness, the angel’s food which fell around the camp was luscious as any dainty he had conceived; whatever he might be, the manna was to him as he was. So shall this text be. To you with low ideas of Christ the words shall but glide over your ears, and be meaningless; but if your spirit be ravished with the precious love of Jesus there shall be songs of angels, and more than that, the voice of God’s own Spirit to your soul.”

—The Treasury of the Old Testament

I can’t improve upon what Spurgeon wrote. So I’ll leave it at that. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5-6 HCSB

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00Both interpretations are beautiful and both have merit.

INTRO S12E351 – 0:11Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. And this is Poetry Thursday. We’ll read Song of Solomon, chapters 5 and 6, and I’m calling today’s episode, “The Perfect Relationship”. Today’s show notes page is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e351. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. If you haven’t sent in your THE NEXT STEP email, please do that. Let’s get started.

SONG OF SOLOMON (HCSB) – 0:45Song of Solomon, chapter 5.

(1) I have come to my garden—my sister, my bride.I gather my myrrh with my spices.I eat my honeycomb with my honey.I drink my wine with my milk.

Eat, friends!Drink, be intoxicated with love!

(2) I sleep, but my heart is awake.A sound! My love is knocking!

Open to me, my sister, my darling,my dove, my perfect one.For my head is drenched with dew,my hair with droplets of the night.

(3) I have taken off my clothing.How can I put it back on?I have washed my feet.How can I get them dirty?(4) My love thrust his hand through the opening,and my feelings were stirred for him.(5) I rose to open for my love.My hands dripped with myrrh,my fingers with flowing myrrhon the handles of the bolt.(6) I opened to my love,but my love had turned and gone away.I was crushed that he had left.I sought him, but did not find him.I called him, but he did not answer.(7) The guards who go about the city found me.They beat and wounded me;they took my cloak from me—the guardians of the walls.(8) Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you:if you find my love,tell him that I am lovesick.

(9) What makes the one you love better than another,most beautiful of women?What makes him better than another,that you would give us this charge?

(10) My love is fit and strong,notable among ten thousand.(11) His head is purest gold.His hair is wavyand black as a raven.(12) His eyes are like dovesbeside streams of water,washed in milkand set like jewels.(13) His cheeks are like beds of spice,towers of perfume.His lips are lilies,dripping with flowing myrrh.(14) His arms are rods of goldset with topaz.His body is an ivory panelcovered with sapphires.(15) His legs are alabaster pillarsset on pedestals of pure gold.His presence is like Lebanon,as majestic as the cedars.(16) His mouth is sweetness.He is absolutely desirable.This is my love, and this is my friend,young women of Jerusalem.

SONG OF SOLOMON 6 (HCSB) – 3:06Song of Solomon, chapter 6.

(1) Where has your love gone,most beautiful of women?Which way has he turned?We will seek him with you.

(2) My love has gone down to his garden,to beds of spice,to feed in the gardensand gather lilies.(3) I am my love’s and my love is mine;he feeds among the lilies.

(4) You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,lovely as Jerusalem,awe-inspiring as an army with banners.(5) Turn your eyes away from me,for they captivate me.Your hair is like a flock of goatsstreaming down from Gilead.(6) Your teeth are like a flock of ewescoming up from washing,each one having a twin,and not one missing.(7) Behind your veil,your brow is like a slice of pomegranate.(8) There are 60 queensand 80 concubinesand young women without number.(9) But my dove, my virtuous one, is unique;she is the favorite of her mother,perfect to the one who gave her birth.Women see her and declare her fortunate;queens and concubines also, and they sing her praises:

(10) Who is this who shines like the dawn—as beautiful as the moon,bright as the sun,awe-inspiring as an army with banners?

(11) I came down to the walnut groveto see the blossoms of the valley,to see if the vines were buddingand the pomegranates blooming.(12) Before I knew it,my desire put meamong the chariots of my noble people.

(13) Come back, come back, Shulammite!Come back, come back, that we may look at you!

Why are you looking at the Shulammite,as you look at the dance of the two camps?

COMMENTS – 4:50Beloved, as you probably know this book, The Song of Solomon, can be read from at least two levels. It can be read as an account of a bride and groom from a purely human level, or as an allegory of the love of Christ for the church. Both interpretations are beautiful, and both have merit.

Now, as I was studying this book again in preparation for how to present it to you, I came upon an interesting fact. In times past, Jewish teachers often advised their young people not to read it until they were 30 years old, because they were afraid that the book would stir up feelings of lust in them.

Well, reading the language with a very different vocabulary today, it’s a bit difficult to imagine it having that effect on us, I suppose. But their fears are understandable, don’t you think?

But if we look at the book from the allegorical perspective, we see how much Christ loves His church, and how much we should love him. I ran across the following excerpt from the great 19th century preacher, Charles Spurgeon, he said in reference to a portion of chapter 15 (which reads in the King James: “Yea, He is altogether lovely” (v. 16)) these following words”

“Looking at my text I felt much humbling of spirit, and I hesitated to preach upon it, for I said in my heart, ‘It is high,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

This is Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read chapters 146-148. I’m calling today’s episode “Can I Get A Hallelujah?”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Rachel Coyne on Unsplash

Comments on Psalms 146-148

Psalm 146 praises God for his trustworthiness. Oh, how I agree with that! I have discovered this to be so very true in my own lifetime. So many times, He has demonstrated that He is always there, always able, always loving, always true. 

Psalm 147 praises God for the way He cares for us, and for His power over creation itself. There is nothing that He cannot do.

Psalm 148 calls for all of creation to praise the Lord. And there will come a day when that will indeed happen.

Beloved, the older I get, the more I realize that He is worthy of praise. I love Him more today than the day I received Him as my Savior over 50 years ago. When you think about it, that makes sense. I love my wife, the Lovely Lady LeeAnn more than the day I married her coming up on 32 years ago. Why? Because we have gone through so many things together. And I know her better now than I did then. She has never left my side, she puts up with my idiosyncrasies, my faults, my moods, my rough edges and on and on. She loves me despite my many faults. God knows me even better than my wife does, and yet He loves me. And just as I still discover new things about my wife, I discover new things about God. Though He never changes, He reveals new things to me about Himself. The depth of our relationship continues to grow deeper as I walk with Him. 

Yes, the Lord is worthy of praise.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 146-148 NCV

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Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Coming up on 33 years ago.

INTRO S12E359 – 0:10Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. This is Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read chapters 146 through 148. I’ll have a brief introduction before each chapter, and I’m calling today’s episode, “Can I Get a Hallelujah”? The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e350. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get started.

INTRO TO PSALM 146 – 0:45The last five chapters or psalms of the book of Psalms beginning with this Psalm 146 are known as the Hallelujah Psalms.

So what does “Hallelujah” mean? In the simplest terms, it means “Praise the Lord”, but there’s so much more to it than that. Listen to this from Biblestudytools.com, “The word itself is a transliteration into Greek of two Hebrew words ‘hallal’ and ‘Yahweh’. ‘Hallal’ means to extol the greatness or excellence of a person, object or event. It’s often translated to “praise.” But who are you to praise? ‘Yahweh’ is the covenant name of God. So to say ‘hallelujah’ is saying ‘extol greatness to our covenant-keeping God.’” And so the final five psalms are all about that: to extol greatness to our covenant-keeping God.

Well, what does extol mean? From Merriam-Webster it means “to praise highly to glorify”. So are you beginning to understand? “Hallelujah” means to celebrate, to praise, to glorify, to lift up the name of God, to rejoice in, to offer up to him all the honor he so rightly deserves. James Montgomery Boice, the commentator wrote,

“In the earlier psalms we have studied the writers griefs, shames, sins, doubts and fears. We have witnessed the people of God and their defeats and victories, they’re ups and downs in life. We have encountered rebellious words and struggling faith. All that is behind us now. In these final Psalms, every word is a praise.”

PSALM 146 (NCV) – 2:21Psalms, chapter 146.

(1) Praise the Lord!My whole being, praise the Lord.(2) I will praise the Lord all my life;I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.(3) Do not put your trust in princesor other people, who cannot save you.(4) When people die, they are buried.Then all of their plans come to an end.(5) Happy are those who are helped by the God of Jacob.Their hope is in the Lord their God.(6) He made heaven and earth,the sea and everything in it.He remains loyal forever.(7) He does what is fair for those who have been wronged.He gives food to the hungry.The Lord sets the prisoners free.(8) The Lord gives sight to the blind.The Lord lifts up people who are in trouble.The Lord loves those who do right.(9) The Lord protects the foreigners.He defends the orphans and widows,but he blocks the way of the wicked.(10) The Lord will be King forever.Jerusalem, your God is everlasting.Praise the Lord!

INTRO TO PSALM 147 – 3:21Like the other Hallelujah Psalms, Psalm 147, has no title. And like the others, this psalm begins and ends with “Hallelujah” or “Praise the Lord”.

PSALM 147 (NCV) – 3:34Psalms, chapter 147.

(1) Praise the Lord!It is good to sing praises to our God;it is good and pleasant to praise him.(2) The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;he brings back the captured Israelites.(3) He heals the brokenheartedand bandages their wounds.(4) He counts the starsand names each one.(5) Our Lord is great and very powerful.There is no limit to what he knows.(6) The Lord defends the humble,but he throws the wicked to the ground.(7) Sing praises to the Lord;praise our God with harps.(8) He fills the sky with cloudsand sends rain to the earthand makes grass grow on the hills.(9) He gives food to cattleand to the little birds that call.(10) He is not impressed with the strength of a horseor with human might.(11) The Lord is pleased with those who respect him,with those who trust his love.(12) Jerusalem, praise the Lord;Jerusalem, praise your God.(13) He makes your city gates strongand blesses your children inside.(14) He brings peace to your countryand fills you with the finest grain.(15) He gives a command to the earth,and it quickly obeys him.(16) He spreads the snow like wooland scatters the frost like ashes.(17) He throws down hail like rocks.No one can stand the cold he sends.(18) Then he gives a command, and it melts.He sends the breezes, and the waters flow.(19) He gave his word to Jacob,his laws and demands to Israel.(20) He didn’t do this for any other nation.They don’t know his laws.Praise the Lord!

INTRO TO PSALM 148 – 5:06In Psalm 148, all of creation is called upon to praise God, every creature in all the universe. Of this song commentator G. Campbell, Morgan wrote,

“What a wonderful song this is. Look over it again and note the fact that there is no reference in it from first to last to the mercy or pity or compassion of God. But that’s because there is no reference to evil in any form. Hallelujah, indeed.”

And, Beloved, lest you think that this is only an enthusiastic cry based on emotion, think again. Revelation 5:11 through 13 says it will indeed happen. In Revelation 5, the apostle John wrote,

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength, and honor and glory and blessing.’ And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.’”

PSALM 148 (NCV) – 6:25Psalms, chapter 148.

(1) Praise the Lord!Praise the Lord from the skies.Praise him high above the earth.(2) Praise him, all you angels.Praise him, all you armies of heaven.(3) Praise him, sun and moon.Praise him, all you shining stars.(4) Praise him, highest heavensand you waters above the sky.(5) Let them praise the Lord,because they were created by his command.(6) He put them in place forever and ever;he made a law that will never change.(7) Praise the Lord from the earth,you large sea animals and all the oceans,(8) lightning and hail, snow and mist,and stormy winds that obey him,(9) mountains and all hills,fruit trees and all cedars,(10) wild animals and all cattle,crawling animals and birds,(11) kings of the earth and all nations,princes and all rulers of the earth,(12 )young men and women,old people and children.(13) Praise the Lord,because he alone is great.He is more wonderful than heaven and earth.(14) God has given his people a king.He should be praised by all who belong to him;he should be praised by the Israelites, the people closest to his heart.Praise the Lord!

COMMENTS – 7:35Beloved, Psalm 146 praises God for His trustworthiness and, oh, how I agree with that. I have discovered this to be so very true in my own lifetime. So many times he has demonstrated that he is always there, always able, always loving, and always true.

And Psalm 147 praises God for the way he cares for us, and for his power over creation itself. There is nothing that he cannot do.

And Psalm 148 calls for all of creation to praise the Lord. And there will come a day when that will indeed happen.

Beloved, the older I get, the more I realize that he is worthy of praise. I love him more today than the day I received Him as my Savior over fifty years ago. And when you think about it, that makes sense. I love my wife, the Lovely Lady LeeAnn more than the day I married her coming up on thirty-three years ago. How could that be? Well, because we have gone through so many things together, and I know her better now than I did then. She’s never left my side....

Transcript

Executive Producer

Andy Gardner

Podcast Introduction

This is History Tuesday, and we’ll read the first half of Esther…chapters 1-5.  I’m calling today’s episode “Respect” (Respict? 😂).  

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Alice Alinari on Unsplash

Comments on Esther 1

In chapter one, out of pride, Ahasuerus held two different banquets. First there was a six month long banquet for all of his officials and servants. He was ruler of the largest empire in the world, and he wanted to show off. In all likelihood, this lavish celebration was paid for from the taxes he collected. The second banquet was for all the residents of the capital city, Shushan. This celebration was much more modest, lasting only seven days. Drink was abundant at both banquets, but at the second, it was not compulsory. 

Ahasuerus’ wife, Queen Vashti also held a banquet for the women at the palace.

On the seventh day of the second banquet, Ahasuerus was drunk, and he ordered that Vashti should come to him at the banquet, because he wanted to display her beauty. Commentators believe that it is implied that the king wanted her to appear without her clothes, which is the reason she refused to go. In his drunken condition, the king became enraged, and he asked his advisors what he should do in response to this insubordination. They said he should remove her as queen because she was a bad example to all the other women in the kingdom. Find a replacement, they said, or wives everywhere will disrespect their husbands.

In Ephesians 5, Paul says that wives should respect their husbands. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I agree with Paul. Respect is the greatest gift a wife can give to her husband. However, a husband cannot demand respect. Well, that is not entirely true, though, is it? A husband can demand respect, and many husbands have cruel ways to do so. But respect given as a result of mistreatment is not true respect.

Let’s look at what exactly Paul said there in Ephesians. It’s in verse 33 of chapter five: “…each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.” So that brings a bit more perspective into the equation, doesn’t it? Earlier in the chapter, in verse 25, Paul made it even more clear: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her…” That really drives it home. A husband that loves his wife just a Christ loved the church will, in almost every case, be rewarded with respect and love from his wife.

Had Ahasuerus loved Vashti with this kind of love, to begin with, he would have never made such a request of her, and he would have had her respect. 

But then we would not have the rest of the story with Esther, would we? Don’t miss next week’s conclusion.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1 NET; Ch. 2-4 NKJV; Ch. 5 GW

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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.

Transcript

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that I agree with Paul.

INTRO S12E356 – 0:11Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and this is History Tuesday. We’ll read the first half of Esther, chapters 1 through 5. I’m calling today’s episode, “Respect”, or is that “respict”. Before we begin reading the book, I’ll give you a brief introduction. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e356. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

INTRO TO ESTHER – 0:48Esther is the final book of history in the Bible. We will read about a character by the name of King Ahasuerus. He’s better known as Xerxes to students of history. And he was the son of Darius I whom we read about in the books of Ezra, Daniel and Haggai. It’s interesting to note that the ruins of Ahasuerus’ palace in which the events of this book took place have been unearthed by archaeologists. As the events of this book take place, Ahasuerus’ is the largest empire the Persian empire the world had ever seen up to that point, spanning modern Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and parts of Egypt, Sudan, Libya, and Arabia. So, yeah, it was big. As the book takes place, Ezra had returned to Jerusalem, and thirty years before the temple had been rebuilt. Forty years later, under Ahasuerus’ successor, Artaxerxes I, Nehemiah would return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.

ESTHER 1 (NET) – 1:50Esther, chapter 1. (1) The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus. (I am referring to that Ahasuerus who used to rule over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces extending all the way from India to Ethiopia.) (2) In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa the citadel, (3) in the third year of his reign he provided a banquet for all his officials and his servants. The army of Persia and Media was present, as well as the nobles and the officials of the provinces.

(4) He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time – a hundred and eighty days, to be exact! (5) When those days were completed, the king then provided a seven-day banquet for all the people who were present in Susa the citadel, for those of highest standing to the most lowly. It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace. (6) The furnishings included white linen and blue curtains hung by cords of the finest linen and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone. (7) Drinks were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king’s expense. (8) There were no restrictions on the drinking, for the king had instructed all of his supervisors that they should do as everyone so desired. (9) Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus’ royal palace.

(10) On the seventh day, as King Ahasuerus was feeling the effects of the wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who attended him, (11) to bring Queen Vashti into the king’s presence wearing her royal high turban. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive. (12) But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s bidding conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed him.

(13) The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times – for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities. (14) Those who were closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis and had the most prominent offices in the kingdom. (15) The king asked, “By law, what should be done to Queen Vashti in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs?”

(16) Memucan then replied to the king and the officials, “The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. (17) For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women, leading them to treat their husbands with contempt, saying, ‘When King Ahasuerus gave orders to bring Queen Vashti into his presence, she would not come.’ (18) And this very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in the same way to all the royal officials, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger! (19) If the king is so inclined, let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another who is more deserving than she. (20) And let the king’s decision which he will enact be disseminated throughout all his kingdom, vast though it is. Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the most prominent to the lowly.”

(21) The matter seemed appropriate to the king and the officials. So the king acted on the advice of Memucan. (22) He sent letters throughout all the royal provinces, to each province according to its own script and to each people according to its own language, that every man should be ruling his family and should be speaking the language of his own people.

ESTHER 2 (NKJV) – 6:01Esther, chapter 2. (1) After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed against her. (2) Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king; (3) and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women. And let beauty preparations be given them. (4) Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.”

This thing pleased the king, and he did so.

(5) In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. (6) Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives w

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is  Epistles Sunday James 4-5. I’m calling today’s episode “Golden Nuggets.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash

Comments on

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 29 CEV; Ch. 30 ERV; Ch. 31 NCV

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Moses doesn’t just fade away.

INTRO S12E355 – 0:09Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. This is Monday, so our reading will be Deuteronomy 29 through 31. I’m calling today’s episode, “Remember”. Today’s show notes page is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e355. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. For those of you that had problems downloading yesterday’s show, I’m sorry about that. That was operator error, once again. I did get it fixed in the morning after I received some emails from several of you. I thank you for sending those to me. So if you tried and gave up, go ahead and go back and you should be able to get it now. Let’s get started.

DEUTERONOMY 29 (CEV) – 1:01Deuteronomy, chapter 29. (1) So Moses finished telling the Israelites what they had to do in order to keep the agreement the Lord was making with them in Moab, which was in addition to the one the Lord had made with them at Mount Sinai.

(2-3) Moses called the nation of Israel together and told them:

When you were in Egypt, you saw the Lord perform great miracles that caused trouble for the king, his officials, and everyone else in the country. (4-6) He has even told you, “For 40 years I, the Lord, led you through the desert, but your clothes and your sandals didn’t wear out, and I gave you special food. I did these things so you would realize that I am your God.”

But the Lord must give you a change of heart before you truly understand what you have seen and heard.

(7) When we first camped here, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan attacked, but we defeated them. (8) Then we captured their land and divided it among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh.

(9) Israel, the Lord has made an agreement with you, and if you keep your part, you will be successful in everything you do. (10-12) Today everyone in our nation is standing here in the Lord’s presence, including leaders and officials, parents and children, and even those foreigners who cut wood and carry water for us. We are at this place of worship to promise that we will keep our part of the agreement with the Lord our God.

(13-15) In this agreement, the Lord promised that you would be his people and that he would be your God. He first made this promise to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and today the Lord is making this same promise to you. But it isn’t just for you; it is also for your descendants.

(16-17) When we lived in Egypt, you saw the Egyptians worship disgusting idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold. Then as we traveled through other nations, you saw those people worship other disgusting idols. (18) So make sure that everyone in your tribe remains faithful to the Lord and never starts worshiping gods of other nations.

If even one of you worships idols, you will be like the root of a plant that produces bitter, poisonous fruit. (19) You may be an Israelite and know all about the Lord’s agreement with us, but he won’t bless you if you rebel against him. You may think you can get away with it, but you will cause the rest of Israel to be punished along with you. (20-21) The Lord will be furious, and instead of forgiving you, he will separate you from the other tribes. Then he will destroy you, by piling on you all the curses in The Book of God’s Law, and you will be forgotten forever.

(22) The Lord will strike your country with diseases and disasters. Your descendants and foreigners from distant countries will see that your land (23) has become a scorching desert of salt and sulfur, where nothing is planted, nothing sprouts, and nothing grows. It will be as lifeless as the land around the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, after the Lord became angry and destroyed them.

(24) People from other nations will ask, “Why did the Lord destroy this country? Why was he so furious?”

(25) And they will be given this answer:

Our ancestors worshiped the Lord, but after he brought them out of Egypt and made an agreement with them, they rejected the agreement (26) and decided to worship gods that had never helped them. The Lord had forbidden Israel to worship these gods, (27-28) and so he became furious and punished the land with all the curses in The Book of God’s Law. Then he pulled up Israel by the roots and tossed them into a foreign country, where they still are today.

(29) The Lord our God hasn’t explained the present or the future, but he has commanded us to obey the laws he gave to us and our descendants.

DEUTERONOMY 30 (ERV) – 4:37Deuteronomy, chapter 30. (1) Everything that I have mentioned will happen to you—both the blessings and the curses. And you will remember these words when the Lord your God sends you away to other nations. (2) Then you and your descendants will turn back to the Lord your God. You will follow him with all your heart and completely obey all his commands that I have given you today. (3) Then the Lord your God will be kind to you. The Lord your God will make you free again! He will bring you back from the nations where he sent you. (4) Even if you were sent to the farthest parts of the earth, the Lord your God will gather you from there and bring you back. (5) The Lord your God will bring you into the land your ancestors had, and the land will become yours. He will do good to you, and you will have more than your ancestors had. You will have more people in your nation than they ever had. (6) The Lord your God will make you and your descendants want to obey him. Then you will love the Lord your God with all your heart. And you will live!

(7) “Then the Lord your God will make all these bad things happen to your enemies, who hate you and cause you trouble. (8) And you will again obey the Lord. You will obey all his commands that I give you today. (9) The Lord your God will make you successful in everything you do. He will bless you with many children. He will bless your cows—they will have many calves. He will bless your fields—they will grow many good crops. He will be good to you. The Lord will again enjoy doing good for you, the same as he enjoyed doing good for your ancestors. (10) But you must do what the Lord your God tells you to do. You must obey his commands and follow the rules that are written in this Book of Teachings. You must obey the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Then these good things will happen to you.

(11) “This command that I give you today is not too hard for you. It is not a secret hidden in some far away land. (12) This command is not in heaven so that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it to us, so that we can hear and do it?’ (13) This command is not on the other side of the sea so that you should say, ‘Who will go across the sea for us and bring it to us, so that we can hear it and do it?’ (14) No, the word of God is very near to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart. So you can obey it.

(15) “Today I have given you a choice between life and death, success and disaster. (16) I command you today to love the Lord your God. I command you to follow him and to obey his commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, and your nation will grow larger. And the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take for your own. (17) But if you turn away from your God and refuse to listen, if you are led away to worship and serve other gods, (18) you will be destroyed. I am warning you today, if you turn away from God, you will not live long in that land across the Jordan River that you are ready to enter and take for your own.

(19) “Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live. (20) You must love the Lord your God and obey him. Never leave him, because he is your life. And he will give you a long life in the land that he, the Lord, promised to give to your ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

DEUTERONOMY 31 (NCV) – 8:04Deuteronomy, chapter 31. (1) Then Moses went and spoke these words to all the Israelites: (2) “I am now one hundred twenty years old, and I cannot lead you anymore. The Lord told me I would not cross the Jordan River; (3) the Lord your God will lead you across himself. He will destroy those nations for you, and you will take over their land. Joshua will also lead you across, as the Lord has said. (4) The Lord will do to those nations what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, when he destroyed them and their land. (5) The Lord will give those nations to you; do to them everything I told you. (6) Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid of them and don’t be frightened, because the Lord your God will go with you. He will not leave you or forget you.”

(7) Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in front of the people, “Be strong and brave, because you will lead these people into the land the Lord promised to give their ancestors, and help them take it as their own. (8) The Lord himself will go before you....

Transcript

Distinguished Producer

Brother Paul of Seattle

Executive Producer

John

Associate Producer

Timothy LaFontaine

Birthday Gift

Anonymous sent a $68 donation for my birthday. Thank you!

Podcast Introduction

This is Epistles Sunday and we’ll be reading 3 John.  I’m calling today’s episode “Vital and Integral.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Randy Fath on Unsplash

Comments on 3 John

 3 John is addressed to a man named Gaius. There seem to be several men with this name in the Bible, one of whom was baptized by Paul. We don’t really know anything more specific about this Gaius, except that John considered him a dear friend.

John commends Gaius for the good reports he hears about him, and for the fact that he supports those who travel about, preaching the Gospel. It is a good thing to support missionaries and others who are on the front lines, sharing the Gospel. Even though we may not personally go out to preach the Good News, our support for them makes us an important, vital and integral part of the team. 

Then John has a warning against a man named Diotrephes, and good words about one named Demetrius. John says, “Never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.” 

So we must be aware of those around us, and watch to see what their fruit is.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. GWT

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Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Imitate good.

INTRO S12E354 – 0:09Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. This is Epistle Sunday and we’ll be reading 3 John. I’m calling today’s episode, “Vital and Integral”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e354, and my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Are you ready? Let’s begin.

3 JOHN (GWT) – 0:423 John. (1) From the church leader.

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love because we share the truth.

(2) Dear friend, I know that you are spiritually well. I pray that you’re doing well in every other way and that you’re healthy. (3) I was very happy when some believers came and told us that you are living according to the truth. (4) Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

(5) Dear friend, you are showing your faith in whatever you do for other believers, especially when they’re your guests. (6) These believers have told the congregation about your love. You will do well to support them on their trip in a way that proves you belong to God. (7) After all, they went on their trip to serve the one named Christ, and they didn’t accept any help from the people to whom they went. (8) We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.

(9) I wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, won’t accept us. (10) For this reason, when I come I will bring up what he’s doing. He’s not satisfied with saying malicious things about us. He also refuses to accept the believers we send as guests. He even tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw those people out of the congregation.

(11) Dear friend, never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.

(12) Everyone, including the truth itself, says good things about Demetrius. We also say good things about him, and you know that what we say is true.

(13) I have a lot to write to you. However, I would rather not write. (14) I hope to visit you very soon. Then we can talk things over personally.

(15) Peace be with you! Your friends here send you their greetings. Greet each of our friends by name.

COMMENTS – 2:32The book of 3 John is addressed to a man named Gaius. And there seems to be several men with his name in the Bible, one of whom was baptized by Paul. We don’t really know anything more specific about this case, except that John considered him to be a very close friend.

John commends Gaius for the good reports he hears about him. And for the fact that he supports those who travel around preaching the gospel. It’s a good thing to support missionaries, and others who are on the front lines sharing the gospel, because even though we may not personally go out to preach the good news, our support for them makes us an important, vital and integral part of the team.

And then John has a warning against a man named Diotrephes. And he has good words to say about a person named Demetrius. John says, “Never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God, the person who does evil has never seen God.”

So, Beloved, we need to be aware of those around us and we need to watch to see what their fruit is. Do you have a comment? Let me know go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e354. And tomorrow is Monday and our reading will be from the book of Deuteronomy. We’ll read chapters 29 through 31.

Boost.

PRODUCER SHOUT-OUTS – 3:56I have several people to thank today. Lifespring Family Berean Brother Paul of Seattle is our Distinguished Producer today and he sent in his weekly $22.22 cent donation. Thank you very much, Brother Paul, and God bless you. And John is our Executive Producer having sent in his monthly $50 donation. John, thank you very much, and God bless you. And our Associate Producer today is Timothy LaFontaine, who sent in his monthly $20 donation. Thank you very much. And God bless you, Timothy. And last but not least Anonymous sent in a donation for my birthday of $68. Thank you, Anonymous. I appreciate you and may God bless you. I want to thank each one of you. I appreciate your support more than you know. God bless each of you.

And yesterday’s show was recorded several days ago because I knew that the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and our middle son Stephen and his wife are going to be taking me out for a birthday dinner on Friday night which meant that I would not be able to record Saturday’s show on Friday as would be the normal practice. Well, they took me to a very nice restaurant in Newport Beach, but before we went in, they gave me a birthday gift that just blew me away. When I unwrapped it, I was really surprised to be holding a Rode Procaster 2, which is the newest, state-of-the-art, all-in-one podcast recording and production setup that all the cool kids have been raving about since it was released a couple of months ago. Well, when I saw it, I looked at LeeAnn, and I said, “You really want me to keep doing this, don’t you?” I told you she was a great supporter, didn’t I?

So, I’ve been playing with this thing all day trying to figure out all the bells and whistles. Now, at this point, I know I’m in no way using even half of what it’ll do. But I hope the sound is okay. Let me know in the comments one way or the other. I know I’ve got some tweaking still to do. And let me also say that this doesn’t change the fact that I will no longer be producing daily shows after the end of this season of the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. But also The Next Step emails many of you have sent to me have really touched me. At least no one has said, “It’s about time you hung it up.” So, I will be doing something with the Lifespring Audio Bible. It isn’t just going to come to an end. Stay tuned and stay subscribed. And if you’re not already, I would suggest you subscribe to the Lifespring Media All Shows Feed, if you want to know if and when I do something else other than this show. If I start a new show, or if I do new episodes of Lifespring HymnStories or In Touch with God’s Character or whatever, it’ll show up on the Lifespring All Shows podcast feed. But do me a favor, would you, please? Keep praying that God makes it abundantly clear what my next step should be. But with this cool new gear that LeeAnn and the kids gave me for my birthday, I just can’t quit, right?

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 6:59On this date in church history, August 21, 1912, William Bramwell Booth, the son of the founder, William Booth, became head of the American Salvation Army.

CLOSING PRAYER – 7:20Let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, we thank you for the little book of 3 John and the reminder to support those who are doing the work of sharing the good news. Missionaries and others who preach the gospel need a team behind them, praying for them and supplying them with what is needed to do the work. And Lord, I thank you for the ones you’ve sent this season to help me do the work that you called me to do. You’ve given them generous hearts, and I pray that You would bless them many, many times over for what they’ve done. Bless them, Lord for their prayers and their donations and their notes of encouragement. I pray, Lord, that You would bless each Lifespring family member today, everyone who’s been on this journey through Your Word, whether they’ve been here since day one or joined some time during the year. Bless them for their commitment to read or listen along with us. I pray that this year has just been the beginning of a lifetime of reading your word every day. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

If you have a prayer request or a praise, go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E354 – 8:28Comment on the show at lifespringmedia.com/s12e354. Send an email to me at st***@*************ia.com. Thanks to Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise, the three team members that really help me out....

Transcript

Distinguished Producer

Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Paul of Seattle

Podcast Introduction

This is Gospel Saturday. Our reading will be Acts 23-24. I’m calling today’s episode “Conspiracy.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Catalin Pop on Unsplash

Comments on Acts 23

Let’s think for a moment about the conspiracy to kill Paul that we read about in chapter 23, verses 12 through 22. 

We read that it was a group of Jews, and they bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

These people felt that they had the moral authority to commit murder. What? How can this be? The Mosaic Law clearly states that murder is forbidden. It’s even in the 10 Commandments, right? Thou shalt not murder. (Side note, the 10 Commandments does not say, Thou shalt not kill. Killing and murder are two different things.)

So what’s going on here is an excellent example of what can happen when a group of people have such an extreme and rigid view of an agenda or ideology that they are willing to do anything to defend that ideology. 

Wow. That sounds vaguely familiar, doesn’t it? The more things change, the more they remain the same.

These Jews thought that Paul’s message contradicted the Law, and they were so extremely incensed that he would dare to preach a different message that they would not, and could not accept his reasoned response to them. They were so rigidly adhering to the letter of the Law that they could no longer hear God’s voice in the intent of the Law, which Jesus came to fulfill. And so, they conjured up this scheme to silence Paul. A permanent cancellation, you might say.

When a group is so passionately affixed on an ideology that any opposing idea results in invectives and violence, there’s a problem folks. If we can’t agree to disagree, and discuss our differences in a calm and reasoned fashion, there’s a problem. 

Just because I disagree with you does not mean I hate you, nor does it give you the right to call me names or strike me or destroy my property or do violence against me. 

This is true in matters of religion, in matters of culture, in matters of politics. Civilized people don’t behave this way. But then, there does seem to be a shortage of civilized people today, doesn’t there?

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 23 NIV; Ch. 24 NLT

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Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00We know that something’s wrong.

INTRO S12E346 – 0:09Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and it’s Gospel Saturday. Our reading will be Acts 23 and 24. I’m calling today’s episode, “Conspiracy”. Today’s show notes page is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e346. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get going.

ACTS 23 (NIV) – 0:41Acts, chapter 23. (1) Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” (2) At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. (3) Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”

(4) Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

(5) Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

(6) Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” (7) When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (8) (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

(9) There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” (10) The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

(11) The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

(12) The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. (13) More than forty men were involved in this plot. (14) They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. (15) Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

(16) But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

(17) Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” (18) So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

(19) The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

(20) He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. (21) Don’t give it to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

(22) The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

(23) Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. (24) Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

(25) He wrote a letter as follows:

(26) Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency, Governor Felix:

Greetings.

(27) This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. (28) I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin. (29) I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. (30) When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.

(31) So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. (32) The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. (33) When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. (34) The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, (35) he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.

ACTS 24 (NLT) – 5:15Acts chapter 24. (1) Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. (2) When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor:

“You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. (3) For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you. (4) But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment. (5) We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. (6) Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him. (8) You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” (9) Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.

(10) The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. (11) You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. (12) My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. (13) These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.

(14) “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. (15) I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. (16) Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

...

Transcript

Executive Producer

Roderick

Podcast Introduction

This is Prophecy Friday. Our reading will be Revelation 7-11. I’m calling today’s episode “The Thirty Minute Silence.” 

Design: Steve Webb

Comments on Revelation 7-8

In chapter 5, the book with the seven seals is introduced. No one in heaven or on the earth was able to open the book or look into it. And John wept. But then one of the elders told him to stop weeping because the Lion from the tribe of Judah (who is Jesus) was able.

And then in chapter 6, the first six seals are opened. Only one seal remained.

But in chapter 7, there was an interlude, and 144,000 from the twelve tribes were sealed as the bond-servants of God. And a great multitude from all over the earth began to cry with a loud voice, praising God and the Lamb.

Now in chapter eight, try to picture the scene in your mind’s eye. There is a great multitude of people in Heaven before the throne. Some are those who have believed in Jesus, 144,000 of them are from the 12 tribes of Israel, there is a multitude of angels, and there is the Lamb, the Son of God sitting at the right hand of God, who is at the center of it all. 

And then, the seventh seal is opened. Everyone has been waiting for this moment. Everyone is focused on the Book. The seal is opened…and there was silence for half an hour. For 30 minutes, everyone was still. Waiting. What will happen with the breaking of the seventh seal? But before anything happens, there is silence. Listen to silence. 15 seconds.

That was just 15 seconds. Imagine 30 minutes. is 120 times as long. Can you imagine a scene like that, with all of those beings, possibly millions, and there is….silence?

There was such anticipation and wonder at what the breaking of the seventh seal would bring.

And the next thing that happens brings a powerful message. 

After the silence, at the peak of anticipation, when you know all eyes were on the throne, an angel came and stood at the altar with incense. And the prayers of the believers, along with the incense went up before God out of the angel’s hand.

Do you think prayer is important? Do you think God pays attention? Absolutely! Imagine the focus of all of Heaven here! Every eye is observing the scene at the altar. No one knows what the breaking of the seventh seal will bring, and they are all watching closely. And a very special angel brings your prayers and mine and lifts them up to God at this eternally important time in history.

It is the prayers of God’s people that precede the final moments of the history of this world. T. F. Torrance, the 20th century Scottish theologian said, “More potent, more powerful than all the dark and mighty powers let loose in the world, more powerful than anything else, is the power of prayer set ablaze by the fire of God and cast upon the earth.”

Do you think your prayers aren’t important to God? From what we’ve seen here, I would say that God considers prayer as vitally important.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 7-9 NASB; Ch. 10-11 WEB

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Everyone has been waiting for this moment.

INTRO S12E345 – 0:10And coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. This is Prophecy Friday, and our reading will be Revelation 7 through 11. I’m calling today’s episode, “The Thirty Minute Silence”. The show notes page for today is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e345, should you care to make a comment. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

REVELATION 7 (NASB) – 0:45Revelation, chapter 7. (1) After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. (2) And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, (3) saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”

(4) And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

(5) from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,

(6) from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,

(7) from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,

(8) from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

(9) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; (10) and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (11) And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, (12) saying,

“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

(13) Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” (14) I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (15) For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. (16) They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; (17) for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

REVELATION 8 (NASB) – 3:26Revelation, chapter 8. (1) When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (2) And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

(3) Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. (4) And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. (5) Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

(6) And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.

(7) The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

(8) The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, (9) and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

(10) The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. (11) The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

(12) The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.

(13) Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

REVELATION 9 (NASB) – 5:31Revelation chapter 9. (1) Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. (2) He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. (3) Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. (4) They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (5) And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. (6) And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them.

(7) The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

This is Poetry Thursday. We’ll Song of Solomon, chapters 3-4  I’m calling today’s episode “The Wedding.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Asdrubal luna on Unsplash

Comments on Song of Solomon 3-4

Chapter 3 shows us snapshots of the wedding ceremony and chapter 4 the wedding night.

Much of the language of this book sounds strange to modern ears. We do not speak in metaphors such as “Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead. 2Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep coming up from washing, each one having a twin, and not one missing.” 

My suggestion is that you find a good commentary to help you understand the imagery and the meaning of the Song of Solomon. As I don’t have any control of who will listen to the podcast, and because this book is for a mature audience, I do not feel comfortable discussing it in detail. Here is a good list of commentaries on Song of Solomon.

The important points to remember are these: Attraction, courtship, affection, marriage and physical intimacy were created by God, and they are intended to be shared…in that order…between a man and a woman who are husband and wife. That is God’s perfect plan.

In our current culture, it is increasingly rare for people to adhere to God’s plan. But does that mean that there are no consequences for violating that plan? If culture says it’s OK, does that mean that God’s plan is outdated, inconsequential or no longer valid? Of course not. God’s plan is always better.

So what do we do if we have violated His plan? We ask God to forgive us. When we confess our sins…any sins…to God, He is faithful and just to forgive them, if we are in Christ Jesus. And then He removes those sins as far as the east is from the west. He doesn’t hold them over our heads, and He doesn’t hold a grudge. They are gone. And then, as Jesus said to the woman caught in the act of adultery, “Go and sin no more.”

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 3 NLT; Ch. 4 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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00So what do we do if we violated his plan?

INTRO S12E344 – 0:10Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. And after today, there are twenty episodes left. This is Poetry Thursday, we’ll read the Song of Solomon, chapters 3 and 4. I’m calling today’s episode “The Wedding.” The show notes page for today’s episode is lifespringmedia.com/s12e344. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

SONG OF SONGS 3 (NLT) – 0:45Song of Songs, chapter 3.

The Young Woman(1) One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover.I yearned for him, but he did not come.(2) So I said to myself, “I will get up and roam the city,searching in all its streets and squares.I will search for the one I love.”So I searched everywhere but did not find him.(3) The watchmen stopped me as they made their rounds,and I asked, “Have you seen the one I love?”(4) Then scarcely had I left themwhen I found my love!I caught and held him tightly,then I brought him to my mother’s house,into my mother’s bed, where I had been conceived.(5) Promise me, O women of Jerusalem,by the gazelles and wild deer,not to awaken love until the time is right.

The Young Women of Jerusalem(6) Who is this sweeping in from the wildernesslike a cloud of smoke?Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincenseand every kind of spice?(7) Look, it is Solomon’s carriage,surrounded by sixty heroic men,the best of Israel’s soldiers.(8) They are all skilled swordsmen,experienced warriors.Each wears a sword on his thigh,ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.(9) King Solomon’s carriage is builtof wood imported from Lebanon.(10) Its posts are silver,its canopy gold;its cushions are purple.It was decorated with loveby the young women of Jerusalem.

The Young Woman(11) Come out to see King Solomon,young women of Jerusalem.He wears the crown his mother gave him on his wedding day,his most joyous day.

SONG OF SOLOMON 4 (HCSB) – 2:27Song of Solomon, chapter 4.

(1) How beautiful you are, my darling.How very beautiful!Behind your veil,your eyes are doves.Your hair is like a flock of goatsstreaming down Mount Gilead.(2) Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheepcoming up from washing,each one having a twin,and not one missing.(3) Your lips are like a scarlet cord,and your mouth is lovely.Behind your veil,your brow is like a slice of pomegranate.(4) Your neck is like the tower of David,constructed in layers.A thousand bucklers are hung on it —all of them shields of warriors.(5) Your breasts are like two fawns,twins of a gazelle, that feed among the lilies.(6) Before the day breaksand the shadows flee,I will make my way to the mountain of myrrhand the hill of frankincense.(7) You are absolutely beautiful, my darling,with no imperfection in you.(8) Come with me from Lebanon, my bride —with me from Lebanon!Descend from the peak of Amana,from the summit of Senir and Hermon,from the dens of the lions,from the mountains of the leopards.(9) You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride.You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes,with one jewel of your necklace.(10) How delightful your love is, my sister, my bride.Your love is much better than wine,and the fragrance of your perfume than any balsam.(11) Your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb, my bride.Honey and milk are under your tongue.The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.(12) My sister, my bride, you are a locked garden —a locked garden and a sealed spring.(13) Your branches are a paradise of pomegranateswith choicest fruits,henna with nard —(14) nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,with all the trees of frankincense,myrrh and aloes,with all the best spices.(15) You are a garden spring,a well of flowing waterstreaming from Lebanon.

(16) Awaken, north wind —come, south wind.Blow on my garden,and spread the fragrance of its spices.Let my love come to his gardenand eat its choicest fruits.

COMMENTS – 4:52In chapter 3, we hear snapshots of the wedding ceremony and in chapter 4 snapshots of the wedding night.

Much of the language of this book sounds kind of strange to modern ears. We don’t speak in metaphors such as “Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep coming up from washing, each one having a twin, and not one missing.”

I mean, it sounds kind of funny, right? Well, my suggestion is that you find a good commentary to help you understand the imagery and the meaning of the Song of Solomon. Because I don’t have any control of who will listen to this podcast, and because this book is for a mature audience, I don’t really feel comfortable discussing it in detail here. I will have a link on the show notes page to a good list of commentaries, though. So if you’d like more insight into the Song of Solomon, those commentaries will help you.

But we can glean some very important points, though, without getting too graphic. Those points are attraction, courtship, affection, marriage, and physical intimacy, and they were all created by God. And they are intended to be shared in that order, between a man and a woman who then progress to marriage. That’s God’s perfect plan.

In our current culture, it’s increasingly rare for people to adhere to God’s plan, though, isn’t it? But does that mean that there are no consequences for violating that plan? If a culture says it’s okay, does that mean that God’s plan is outdated, inconsequential or no longer valid? No, of course not. God’s plan is always better.

So what do we do if we violated his plan? Well, we ask God to forgive us. And when we confess our sins – any sins – to God, he is faithful and just to forgive them if we are in Christ Jesus. And then he removes those sins as far as the east is from the west. He doesn’t hold them over our heads and he doesn’t hold a grudge. They’re gone. And then, as Jesus said to the woman caught in the act of adultery, “Go and sin no more.”

Do you have a comment? Let me know. The show notes page where you can put your comment is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e344. Tomorrow is Prophecy Friday, and our reading will be Revelation 7 through 11.

Boost!

SUPPORTER SHOUT-OUTS – 7:22I only go to the mailbox once every few days. And it’s been several days since I went to the mailbox, and so I went to pick up the mail today and found a very nice handwritten card and a check for $50 from Susan Johnson in Hillsboro, Oregon.

She said, “In the morning, Steve.” Well, I wonder where she heard about this show? The No Agenda podcast! She said, “I have not missed a single day of this season’s Lifespring Family Audio Bible. I appreciate your time and effort spent on each episode. And then regarding The Next Steps, I found it very helpful and relevant every time you shared your own views and comments relating to Scripture, as it dealt with current social topics. I’d love more of that. God bless you, Susan.”

Well, Susan, thank you. God bless you. It’s so good to hear from you. I’m happy to know that you’ve been here since day one and have enjoyed the show. And thank you for your Next Step idea, too. I’m collecting these ideas that are being sent in and putting them on a spreadsheet so that when the season is over, I’ll really be able to prayerfully consider the direction that the Lord is leading me. So again, thank you, Susan.

And, Beloved,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

This is Psalms Wednesday and our reading will be chapters 143-145. I’m calling today’s episode “Reasons To Praise.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Rachel McDermott on Unsplash

Comments on Psalm 145

Have you ever sat down and made a list of all the blessings in your life? All the good things from your past and from the present, and even your future? It’s a great exercise. 

You might feel as if there isn’t much to put on your list. Maybe life has been difficult for you. I have some very close friends who have had severe health problems for decades. Recurring cancer, multiple sclerosis, cognitive decline, diabetes, heart attacks. And yet, they praise God for their blessings. They have family that loves and supports them. They live in an area that has always been their dream, though in a humble home. Their faith is strong. The God that David praised in this Psalm is their God, and He is as faithful to them as He was to David. The same God who was with Daniel in the lion’s den is with them. And the same God who forgave the thief who was on the cross next to Him forgives my friends. And he forgives me, and he forgives you if you have asked Him to forgive you and to be your Savior.

Beloved, oh my goodness we have so much to be thankful for, and to praise God for. I really like the way David closed this Psalm: I will praise the Lord. Let everyone praise his holy name forever.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 143-145 NCV

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Oh my goodness, we have so much to be thankful for and to praise God for.

INTRO S12E343 – 0:12Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and it’s Psalms Wednesday. Our reading today will be chapters 143 through 145. And I’m calling the episode, “Reasons to Praise”. Of course, since it is the Psalms, I’ll have a brief intro to each chapter before reading them. The show notes page is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e343 in case you’d like to comment on today’s show, and my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get going.

INTRO TO PSALM 143 – 0:52Psalm 143 is another of the psalms simply entitled “A Psalm of David”. It comes from a time when David was again in need of God’s help and strength because his enemies were again seeking to harm him. This is another of the penitential Psalms along with Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102 and 130. They’re called this because they’re psalms of confession and of humility.

PSALM 143 (NCV) – 1:19Psalms, chapter 143.

(1) Lord, hear my prayer;listen to my cry for mercy.Answer mebecause you are loyal and good.(2) Don’t judge me, your servant,because no one alive is right before you.(3) My enemies are chasing me;they crushed me to the ground.They made me live in darknesslike those long dead.(4) I am afraid;my courage is gone.(5) I remember what happened long ago;I consider everything you have done.I think about all you have made.(6) I lift my hands to you in prayer.As a dry land needs rain, I thirst for you. Selah(7) Lord, answer me quickly,because I am getting weak.Don’t turn away from me,or I will be like those who are dead.(8) Tell me in the morning about your love,because I trust you.Show me what I should do,because my prayers go up to you.(9) Lord, save me from my enemies;I hide in you.(10) Teach me to do what you want,because you are my God.Let your good Spiritlead me on level ground.(11) Lord, let me liveso people will praise you.In your goodnesssave me from my troubles.(12) In your love defeat my enemies.Destroy all those who trouble me,because I am your servant.

INTRO TO PSALM 144 – 2:40Psalm 144 is also entitled “A Psalm of David” and it was probably written about the time when all the tribes of Israel acknowledged him as their king.

PSALM 144 (NCV) – 2:51Psalms chapter 144.

(1) Praise the Lord, my Rock,who trains me for war,who trains me for battle.(2) He protects me like a strong, walled city, and he loves me.He is my defender and my Savior,my shield and my protection.He helps me keep my people under control.(3) Lord, why are people important to you?Why do you even think about human beings?(4) People are like a breath;their lives are like passing shadows.(5) Lord, tear open the sky and come down.Touch the mountains so they will smoke.(6) Send the lightning and scatter my enemies.Shoot your arrows and force them away.(7) Reach down from above.Save me and rescue me out of this sea of enemies,from these foreigners.(8) They are liars;they are dishonest.(9) God, I will sing a new song to you;I will play to you on the ten-stringed harp.(10) You give victory to kings.You save your servant David from cruel swords.(11) Save me, rescue me from these foreigners.They are liars; they are dishonest.(12) Let our sons in their youthgrow like plants.Let our daughters belike the decorated stones in the Temple.(13) Let our barns be filledwith crops of all kinds.Let our sheep in the fields havethousands and tens of thousands of lambs.(14) Let our cattle be strong.Let no one break in.Let there be no war,no screams in our streets.(15) Happy are those who are like this;happy are the people whose God is the Lord.

INTRO TO PSALM 145 – 4:27Psalm 145 is the only Psalm with this title: “A Praise of David.” It’s a beautiful psalm that could only be written after having lived a life of striving to be a faithful servant of God through times of great difficulties in great victories. James Montgomery Boice wrote of this psalm, “Psalm 145 is indeed a monumental praise Psalm, a fit summary of all David had learned about God during a long lifetime following hard after the Almighty.”

PSALM 145 (NCV) – 4:59Psalms, chapter 145.

(1) I praise your greatness, my God the King;I will praise you forever and ever.(2) I will praise you every day;I will praise you forever and ever.(3) The Lord is great and worthy of our praise;no one can understand how great he is.(4) Parents will tell their children what you have done.They will retell your mighty acts,(5) wonderful majesty, and glory.And I will think about your miracles.(6) They will tell about the amazing things you do,and I will tell how great you are.(7) They will remember your great goodnessand will sing about your fairness.(8) The Lord is kind and shows mercy.He does not become angry quickly but is full of love.(9) The Lord is good to everyone;he is merciful to all he has made.(10) Lord, everything you have made will praise you;those who belong to you will bless you.(11) They will tell about the glory of your kingdomand will speak about your power.(12) Then everyone will know the mighty things you doand the glory and majesty of your kingdom.(13) Your kingdom will go on and on,and you will rule forever.The Lord will keep all his promises;he is loyal to all he has made.(14) The Lord helps those who have been defeatedand takes care of those who are in trouble.(15) All living things look to you for food,and you give it to them at the right time.(16) You open your hand,and you satisfy all living things.(17) Everything the Lord does is right.He is loyal to all he has made.(18) The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him,to all who truly pray to him.(19) He gives those who respect him what they want.He listens when they cry, and he saves them.(20) The Lord protects everyone who loves him,but he will destroy the wicked.(21) I will praise the Lord.Let everyone praise his holy name forever.

COMMENTS – 6:54After reading Psalm 145, I couldn’t help but wonder, have you ever sat down and made a list of all the blessings in your life, all the good things from your past and from the present and even your future? It’s a great exercise. Maybe you feel like there isn’t much to put on your list. Maybe life has been difficult for you. All season long, we’ve been praying for my very close friends, Del and Kathi. And they’ve had severe health problems for decades, literally decades: reoccurring cancer, multiple sclerosis, cognitive decline, diabetes, heart attacks, and yet they praise God for their blessings. They have family that loves them and supports them. They live in an area that has always been their dream, even though it is a humble home they have. Their faith is strong.

The God that David praised in this psalm is their God, and He is as faithful to them as He was to David. The same God who was with Daniel in the lion’s den is with them. And the same God who forgave the thief who was on the cross next to Jesus forgives Del and Kathi. And he forgives me and he forgives you, if you’ve asked him to forgive you and to be your Savior.

Beloved, oh my goodness, we have so much to be thankful for and to praise God for and I really liked the way David closed this psalm. He said, “I will praise the Lord. Let everyone praise his holy name forever.”

What do you think? Do you have a comment? What are you thankful for? Let me know at lifespringmedia.com/s12e343. Tomorrow is Poetry Thursday and we’ll read Song of Songs, chapters 3 and 4.

Boost.

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 8:45On this date in church history, August 10, 1933, the Wycliffe Bible Translators got its start at the Day of Prayer for the Tribes of Latin America in Keswick, New Jersey, on this date. Founders W. Cameron Townsend and Leonard L. Legters incorporated the Wycliffe Bible Translators in 1942, and it has since grown into one of the largest inter-denominational missionary agencies in the world. They do great work.

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Transcript

Podcast Introduction

This is History Tuesday. We’ll finish the book of Nehemiah 10-13. I’m calling today’s episode “It Had To Happen.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Herbert Goetsch on Unsplash

Comments on Nehemiah 13

At the end of it all, Nehemiah’s conscience is clear, but he is disappointed that the people could not fulfill their vows to serve faithfully.

And once again, we see that there is nothing new under the sun. We are no better than they were at living a sin-free life. Despite our best intensions, we fail. Truer words were never said: The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Commentator David Guzik wrote, “If we could be saved by our own promises, by our own commitment to Jesus, then His death would have been noble, but unnecessary. We aren’t saved by some vow we make, or some leaf we turn over, but by trusting in who Jesus is, and what He has done to save us.”

How thankful we are, and how blessed we are to have a Savior whose sacrifice on the cross paid the price for our weakness. If we could live a sinless life, His sacrifice would not have been necessary. But since we cannot, His sacrifice was necessary…and it saved the souls of all who would believe. 

Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 10 NCV; Ch. 11-12 ERV; Ch. 13 NET

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00There’s nothing new under the sun.

INTRO S12E349 – 0:09Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. This is History Tuesday. We’ll finish the book of Nehemiah by reading chapters 10 through 13. I’m calling today’s episode, “It Had To Happen”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e348, that means there are two weeks, fourteen episodes remaining. If you have not yet sent in you’re THE NEXT STEP email to me, please do it today. What sort of podcast would you like to hear me do when this season is over? Or do you think I should just hang up the microphone? If I just replayed the previous season, would you listen? Would you like that? Or should I do something else? I can’t do the daily shows anymore, but if there’s something you would enjoy, please tell me. Send your email to st***@*************ia.com and put in the subject line “THE NEXT STEP”. All right, you ready? Let us begin.

NEHEMIAH 10 (NCV) – 1:12Nehemiah, chapter 10. (1) These are the men who sealed the agreement:

Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah.

Zedekiah, (2) Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, (3) Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah, (4) Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, (5) Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, (6) Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, (7) Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, (8) Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These are the priests.

(9) These are the Levites who sealed it: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel, (10) and their fellow Levites: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, (11) Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, (12) Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, (13) Hodiah, Bani, and Beninu.

(14) These are the leaders of the people who sealed the agreement: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, (15) Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, (16) Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, (17) Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, (18) Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, (19) Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, (20) Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, (21) Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, (22) Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, (23) Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, (24) Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, (25) Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, (26) Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, (27) Malluch, Harim, and Baanah.

(28) The rest of the people took an oath. They were the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Temple servants, all those who separated themselves from foreigners to keep the Teachings of God, and also their wives and their sons and daughters who could understand. (29) They joined their fellow Israelites and their leading men in taking an oath, which was tied to a curse in case they broke the oath. They promised to follow the Teachings of God, which they had been given through Moses the servant of God, and to obey all the commands, rules, and laws of the Lord our God.

(30) They said:

We promise not to let our daughters marry foreigners nor to let our sons marry their daughters. (31) Foreigners may bring goods or grain to sell on the Sabbath, but we will not buy on the Sabbath or any holy day. Every seventh year we will not plant, and that year we will forget all that people owe us.

(32) We will be responsible for the commands to pay for the service of the Temple of our God. We will give an eighth of an ounce of silver each year. (33) It is for the bread that is set out on the table; the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals, and special feasts; the holy offerings; the offerings to remove the sins of the Israelites so they will belong to God; and for the work of the Temple of our God.

(34) We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, have thrown lots to decide at what time of year each family must bring wood to the Temple. The wood is for burning on the altar of the Lord our God, and we will do this as it is written in the Teachings.

(35) We also will bring the first fruits from our crops and the first fruits of every tree to the Temple each year.

(36) We will bring to the Temple our firstborn sons and cattle and the firstborn of our herds and flocks, as it is written in the Teachings. We will bring them to the priests who are serving in the Temple.

(37) We will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the Temple the first of our ground meal, our offerings, the fruit from all our trees, and our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tenth of our crops to the Levites, who will collect these things in all the towns where we work. (38) A priest of Aaron’s family must be with the Levites when they receive the tenth of the people’s crops. The Levites must bring a tenth of all they receive to the Temple of our God to put in the storerooms of the treasury. (39) The people of Israel and the Levites are to bring to the storerooms the gifts of grain, new wine, and oil. That is where the utensils for the Temple are kept and where the priests who are serving, the gatekeepers, and singers stay.

We will not ignore the Temple of our God.

NEHEMIAH 11 (ERV) – 5:33Nehemiah, chapter 11. (1) Now the leaders of the Israelites moved into the city of Jerusalem. The rest of the people used lots to decide who else should move there with the leaders. They chose a tenth of the people to live in Jerusalem, the holy city. The rest of the people stayed in their own towns. (2) The people who stayed asked God to bless those who were willing to move to Jerusalem.

(3) Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants lived in the various towns throughout Judah. These all lived on property they owned in these towns. But the area leaders lived in Jerusalem. (4) And other people from the families of Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem.

These are the descendants of Judah who moved to Jerusalem:

Athaiah son of Uzziah (the son of Zechariah, who was the son of Amariah, who was the son of Shephatiah, who was the son of Mahalalel, who was a descendant of Perez) (5) and Maaseiah son of Baruch (the son of Col-Hozeh, who was the son of Hazaiah, who was the son of Adaiah, who was the son of Joiarib, who was the son of Zechariah, who was a descendant of Shelah). (6) The number of Perez’s descendants living in Jerusalem was 468. All of them were brave men.

(7) These are the descendants of Benjamin who moved into Jerusalem:

Sallu son of Meshullam (the son of Joed, who was the son of Pedaiah, who was the son of Kolaiah, who was the son of Maaseiah, who was the son of Ithiel, who was the son of Jeshaiah), (8) and those who followed Jeshaiah were Gabbai and Sallai. All together there were 928 men. (9) Joel son of Zicri was in charge of them. And Judah son of Hassenuah was in charge of the Second District of the city of Jerusalem.

(10) These are the priests who moved into Jerusalem:

Jedaiah son of Joiarib, Jakin, (11) and Seraiah son of Hilkiah (the son of Meshullam, who was the son of Zadok, who was the son of Meraioth, who was the son of Ahitub), who was the supervisor in the Temple of God, (12) and 822 men of their brothers that did the work for the Temple, and Adaiah son of Jeroham (the son of Pelaliah, who was the son of Amzi, who was the son of Zechariah, who was the son of Pashhur, who was the son of Malkijah), (13) and 242 men who were Adaiah’s brothers (leaders of their families), Amashsai son of Azarel (the son of Ahzai, who was the son of Meshillemoth, who was the son of Immer), (14) and 128 of Amashsai’s brothers. (These men were brave soldiers. The officer over them was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim.)

(15) These are the Levites who moved into Jerusalem:

Shemaiah son of Hasshub (the son of Azrikam, who was the son of Hashabiah, who was the son of Bunni), (16) Shabbethai and Jozabad (two of the leaders of the Levites in charge of the outside work of God’s Temple), (17) Mattaniah (the son of Mica, who was the son of Zabdi, who was the son of Asaph), the director who led the people in singing songs of praise and prayer, Bakbukiah (the second in charge over his brothers), and Abda son of Shammua (the son of Galal, who was the son of Jeduthun). (18) So there were 284 Levites who moved into Jerusalem, the holy city.

(19) These are the gatekeepers who moved into Jerusalem:

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