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Distinguished Producer

Lifespring Family member Berean Brother Paul of Seattle

Podcast Introduction

Today is Gospel Saturday. We’ll read Acts 19-20. I’m calling today’s episode “Big Business.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Niels Steeman on Unsplash

Comments on Acts 19-20

Thoughts on Acts 19

So Paul sort of stirred things up in Ephesus, didn’t he? There was a whole industry built around the worship of Artemis. The silversmith, Demetrius, had a financial interest in keeping people devoted to this false god, didn’t he? It was big business. 

What really caught my attention about this scene was when, during the confusion at the big assembly, it said in verse 32 that “Most of the people did not even know why they were there.” That even happens now at big demonstrations. There’s mass confusion, shouting and even violence, and many of the demonstrators don’t know why they’re even there. And some are there for their own vested interests. 

As it says in Ecclesiastes, “there’s nothing new under the sun”. Beloved, people don’t change. Circumstances change, but men and women are still the same. They needed Jesus in Paul’s time, and we need Jesus now.

Thoughts on Acts 20

For me, the thing that stands out here in Acts 20 is where Paul says, “I want to finish the race that I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus; the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness.” 

Paul had already been on the receiving end of quite a lot of persecution, and the Holy Spirit told him that in every city imprisonment and suffering was waiting for him. Yet he was determined to run…and finish…the race.

I want to have that kind of determination, too. Don’t you? When your race is over and you stand before God, don’t you want to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” To me, that will be a glorious day, and I will do whatever it takes, go through any trial, to hear those words. 

What about you? 

As time winds down, and I believe we are in the final days, living for Jesus is not going to get any easier. We look at the news today and we see how persecution against believers around the world is growing. One of the most important things we can do is to decide, before persecution comes to us, what we will do when we look it in the face. That’s one of the reasons we’re told in scripture that we will face trials. God wants us to know that things aren’t going wrong when those times come. He wants us to know that it’s part of His plan. And He wants us to prepare mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

Have you given any thought to what you will do if and when this kind of persecution comes your way? I pray it never does, but it is good to be prepared.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 19 CEB; Ch. 20 GWT

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Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Paul was determined to run and to finish the race.

INTRO S12E332 – 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 were reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today’s Gospel Saturday. We’ll read Acts 19 and 20. And I’m calling today’s episode, “Big Business”. Today’s show notes page is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e332. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Monday is August 1, and on that show, I’m going to be making an announcement, so you’re not going to want to miss that episode. Just a heads up for you. Let’s get started.

ACTS 19 (NIV) – 0:50Acts, chapter 19. (1) While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples (2) and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

(3) So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

(4) Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” (5) On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (7) There were about twelve men in all.

(8) Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. (9) But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. (10) This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

(11) God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, (12) so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

(13) Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” (14) Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. (15) One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” (16) Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

(17) When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. (18) Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. (19) A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. (20) In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

(21) After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” (22) He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.

(23) About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. (24) A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. (25) He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. (26) And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. (27) There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

(28) When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (29) Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. (30) Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. (31) Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

(32) The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. (33) The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. (34) But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

(35) The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? (36) Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. (37) You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. (38) If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. (39) If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. (40) As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” (41) After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

ACTS 20 (GWT) – 5:51Acts, chapter 20. (1) When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, said goodbye, and left for Macedonia. (2) He went through that region and spoke many words of encouragement to the people. Then he went to Greece (3) and stayed there for three months.

When Paul was going to board a ship for Syria, he found out that the Jews were plotting to kill him. So he decided to go back through Macedonia. (4) Sopater (son of Pyrrhus) from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia accomp

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Prophecy Friday and our reading is the book of Malachi. I’m calling today’s episode “In the Valley.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Ana Filipa Neves on Unsplash

Comments on Malachi

Chapter 1

Malachi is another Old Testament prophet about whom we know very little. Here’s what we do know. His name means “my angel”. That’s about it. Judaic tradition holds that Malachi was from the tribe of Zebulun and that he did not live a long life. 

The message of the book of Malachi contains God’s charges against the people for the neglect of the rebuilt temple. You’ll remember that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah brought reproof for their neglecting to build the temple. In Malachi’s time, the temple had been rebuilt, but now it is neglected.

In addition, God charges them with profaning the temple by their behavior while there. 

There was a period of 400 years between Malachi and the birth of Jesus. Before beginning this period of silence, God used Malachi to speak more about the coming Messiah, and He told the people that His coming was close. Four hundred years might sound like a long time, but in the scheme of things, it’s not.

Chapter 2

The second chapter of Malachi ends with this: 17You have tired the Lord out with your talk. But you ask, “How have we tired him?” By saying, “The Lord Almighty thinks all evildoers are good; in fact he likes them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God who is supposed to be just?”

Chapter 3

And  God’s answer is in the first verse of chapter three: 1The Lord Almighty answers, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant.”

Who was the messenger the Lord Almighty sent to prepare the way? John the Baptist. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all quoted this passage in pointing out that John’s coming was prophesied, and that it was to prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah. 

Notice again the words of the verse: I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Who was speaking? The Lord Almighty. Not another prophet. God Himself would come *to the Temple*, fulfilling the old covenant and establishing a new covenant. A New Covenant. That covenant was what we call the Good News, 

And then verses two through five speaks of the second Messenger judging and refining. This is referring to the second coming of Jesus. Most of the Old Testament prophets did not see the separation of the two advents, or comings of Jesus. I have used this analogy before. In looking at a mountain range from a distance, you can’t see the valleys between the peaks. The peaks are easy to see, and from a distance, they look as if they are the same distance away from you. But there could be, and actually usually is, miles between them, with a valley separating them. This is how the ancient prophets saw the coming of the Messiah. We live in the valley, beloved. The first peak, that of Jesus’ first coming, is behind us, and his second coming is still ahead. 

Also in chapter three is a very unique verse. God tells the people that they are guilty of cheating (or robbing from) Him. 8b ‘How?’ you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings. 9A curse is on all of you because the whole nation is cheating me. 10Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple, so that there will be plenty of food there. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things. 11I will not let insects destroy your crops, and your grapevines will be loaded with grapes.

What was unique? God said, “Put me to the test…” And it was a *command*. Test me. Give as I command, and I will pour out my blessings in abundance. Go ahead, try me. There is no other place in Scripture that compares to this. 

Chapter 4

And finally, the people are reminded to keep the Mosaic law as they watch for the Messiah.

F.B. Meyer wrote the following in his commentary on Malachi. (Before I read it, I need to tell you that his use of the word “type” means “a foreshadowing”.

“The ‘Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings’, verse two. At the end of the Old Testament, it is meet (or appropriate) that the sun should break out. The morning that broke on Paradise was clear enough. It was without clouds. But the sky soon became dark, and at last veiled, with only here and there a chink of blue sky left. All through the dark succeeding centuries there have been gleams of sunshine to let men know that the sun was shining still. Every precious promise, every solemn type, every holy life, that was bathed in supernatural beauty, was like a shining forth of the sun through the bars of human darkness and sin. But evidently more was in store than Old Testament saints had dreamed; and the time was coming when the reign of type, symbol, and parable would be succeeded by the clear vision of the face of God.

“We live in the days of open vision. Let us go forth and exalt. We are to rejoice in every good thing He gives us. As the young calves of the early spring manifest their exuberant life in their caperings and gambols in the pastures, so let us give expression to our joy. Exult because of the clear shining of God’s love: exult because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines: exult because He is coming again, as surely as he came once. Wake up, my soul, take psaltry and harp and sing. The Bridegroom is at hand. Hark! Are those his chariot wheels reverberating through the air? Even so! Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-4 GNT

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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

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Go ahead and try me.

INTRO S12E331 – 0:09Like a bad penny, I’m back! Coming 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. Today’s Prophecy Friday and our reading is the book of Malachi. I’m calling today’s episode, “In the Valley”. Thank you so much for your patience yesterday and letting me take the day off. And I’ll have an update on Kathi’s condition later in the show. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e331. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get started.

MALACHI 1 (GNT) – 0:51Malachi, chapter 1. (1) This is the message that the Lord gave Malachi to tell the people of Israel.

(2) The Lord says to his people, “I have always loved you.”

But they reply, “How have you shown your love for us?”

The Lord answers, “Esau and Jacob were brothers, but I have loved Jacob and his descendants, (3) and have hated Esau and his descendants. I have devastated Esau’s hill country and abandoned the land to jackals.”

(4) If Esau’s descendants, the Edomites, say, “Our towns have been destroyed, but we will rebuild them,” then the Lord will reply, “Let them rebuild—I will tear them down again. People will call them ‘The evil country’ and ‘The nation with whom the Lord is angry forever.’”

(5) The people of Israel are going to see this with their own eyes, and they will say, “The Lord is mighty even outside the land of Israel!”

(6) The Lord Almighty says to the priests, “Children honor their parents, and servants honor their masters. I am your father—why don’t you honor me? I am your master—why don’t you respect me? You despise me, and yet you ask, ‘How have we despised you?’ (7) This is how—by offering worthless food on my altar. Then you ask, ‘How have we failed to respect you?’ I will tell you—by showing contempt for my altar. (8) When you bring a blind or sick or lame animal to sacrifice to me, do you think there’s nothing wrong with that? Try giving an animal like that to the governor! Would he be pleased with you or grant you any favors?”

(9) Now, you priests, try asking God to be good to us. He will not answer your prayer, and it will be your fault. (10) The Lord Almighty says, “I wish one of you would close the Temple doors so as to prevent you from lighting useless fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you; I will not accept the offerings you bring me. (11) People from one end of the world to the other honor me. Everywhere they burn incense to me and offer acceptable sacrifices. All of them honor me! (12) But you dishonor me when you say that my altar is worthless and when you offer on it food that you despise. (13) You say, ‘How tired we are of all this!’ and you turn up your nose at me. As your offering to me you bring a stolen animal or one that is lame or sick. Do you think I will accept that from you? (14) A curse on the cheater who sacrifices a worthless animal to me, when he has in his flock a good animal that he promised to give me! For I am a great king, and people of all nations fear me.”

MALACHI 2 (GNT) – 3:21Malachi, chapter 2. (1) The Lord Almighty says to the priests, “This command is for you: (2) You must honor me by what you do. If you will not listen to what I say, then I will bring a curse on you. I will put a curse on the things you receive for your support. In fact, I have already put a curse on them, because you do not take my command seriously. (3) I will punish your children and rub your faces in the dung of the animals you sacrifice—and you will be taken out to the dung heap. (4) Then you will know that I have given you this command, so that my covenant with the priests, the descendants of Levi, will not be broken.

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Transcript

Introduction

Today is Poetry Thursday, and we’ll finish the book of Ecclesiastes by reading chapters 11-12. 

And I hope you’ll forgive me, but today I am just going to run a repeat of last year’s episode for this reading. As I record this, it’s about 8:30 at night, which means there is only 90 minutes before the show is due to publish, and this is the first chance I’ve had to be in the studio all day, which is highly unusual. So there is no time to produce a new episode for you today. The first thing this morning, I got a call from Del that Kathi was on the way to the Emergency Room. I won’t go into all the details, but suffice to say that she has been checked into Loma Linda University Medical Center with internal bleeding. We’ll know tomorrow. And then the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I had to go out today to do our weekly rounds for the family business. Long story short, this is one of just a very small number of episodes this season that will be a repeat. 

Pray for Kathi, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding. 

Wrapping Up Ecclesiastes

Chapter 11 began with a message that would not come from an old, jaded, cynical Scrooge-type man.

He started with the advice that you should be generous with those in need, because your giving is like a farmer sowing grain. It will yield a return. And if you have the ability now, you never know when your fortunes may change and you may need someone else’s generosity.

And then Solomon advised that the young should enjoy their youth, keeping in mind that God will be the judge of all that we do. So we should avoid evil.

Chapter 12 says the young should keep the Creator in mind, because in our old age life becomes difficult. Our senses dull and our bodies become weak. And ultimately, we die.

And at the very end of the chapter and the book, Solomon refers to himself in the third person and calls himself the Preacher. And he says that after observing all that he could, he wrote down the best words that he could; words of truth. Words that could hold you steady in the storms of life. Words that were given by God. 

Solomon’s Conclusion

And his conclusion was this: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Because God will judge every work, every act, whether good or evil.

The Key to Lasting Happiness and Peace

Beloved, the only true and lasting happiness and peace is found in knowing God and pleasing Him. Anything apart from that will only bring emptiness, heartbreak, spiritual bankruptcy and ultimately eternal separation from God. And as Christians, we know that the only way to truly know God is when we have a personal relationship with Jesus. 

Solomon didn’t know Jesus by name, but he came to know that God was his only hope, and I am sure that God credited his account in the same way as He did with Abraham because of that faith.

My Discovery

I’ll be 67 years old in a few weeks, and even though I have not lived my life with the same privileges as Solomon did, my experiences have taught me the same lessons. When I have gone my own way, veering from the path that I knew God would want me to travel, I have always found nothing but emptiness and sadness. It is only when I cling tightly to Him that I find that unshakeable peace, that joy which is independent of my circumstances, that *knowing* that everything will be alright.

Abundant Life

I hope you have found that marvelous truth in your own life. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” That is what God wants for you. And so do I.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 11-12 NKJV

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Transcript

Download .txt

INTRO S12E330 – 0:00Coming 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. Today is Poetry Thursday. And we’ll finish the book of Ecclesiastes by reading chapters 11 and 12.

And I hope you’ll forgive me, but today I’m going to run a repeat of last year’s episode for this reading. As I record this, it’s about 8:30 at night, which means there’s only about 90 minutes before the show was due to publish, and this is the first chance I’ve had to be in the studio all day long, which is very unusual. So the bottom line is, there’s no time to produce a new episode for you today. You’re saying, Steve, why what happened? Well, the first thing this morning, I got a call from Del that Kathi was on the way to the emergency room. I’m not going to go into details. But suffice to say that she has been checked into Loma Linda University Medical Center, which is closer to their home than City of Hope is and she has internal bleeding. We’ll know tomorrow, what exactly is going on. And then the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I had to go out today and do our weekly rounds for the family business. Long story short, this is just one of a very small number of episodes this season that will be a repeat. Pray for Kathi, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding. And now here’s the episode. God bless you. Thank you for being here.

TEASER – 1:24Knowing that everything will be all right.

INTRO S11E330 – 1:38Lifespring Family Audio Bible episode number 330. This is the daily podcast where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. I’m Steve Webb. I’m your host. How are you? Are you doing well today? I hope so. We’re going to finish the book of Ecclesiastes today by reading chapters 11 and 12.

OPENING PRAYER – 1:58Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for the senses you gave us to experience the world around us. We thank you for loving us and for giving us your word that we might know you. Above all, we thank you for your son, and the salvation he offers to all that will accept. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

All right, let’s go.

ECCLESIASTER 11 (NKJV) – 2:23Ecclesiastes, chapter 11.

(1) Cast your bread upon the waters,For you will find it after many days.(2) Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

(3) If the clouds are full of rain,They empty themselves upon the earth;And if a tree falls to the south or the north,In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.(4) He who observes the wind will not sow,And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

(5) As you do not know what is the way of the wind,Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.(6) In the morning sow your seed,And in the evening do not withhold your hand;For you do not know which will prosper,Either this or that,Or whether both alike will be good.

(7) Truly the light is sweet,And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;(8) But if a man lives many yearsAnd rejoices in them all,Yet let him remember the days of darkness,For they will be many.All that is coming is vanity.

(9) Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;Walk in the ways of your heart,And in the sight of your eyes;But know that for all theseGod will bring you into judgment.(10) Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,And put away evil from your flesh,For childhood and youth are vanity.

ECCLESIASTES 12 (NKJV) – 3:54Ecclesiastes, chapter 12.

(1) Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,Before the difficult days come,And the years draw near when you say,“I have no pleasure in them”:(2) While the sun and the light,The moon and the stars,Are not darkened,And the clouds do not return after the rain;(3) In the day when the keepers of the house tremble,And the strong men bow down;When the grinders cease because they are few,And those that look through the windows grow dim;(4) When the doors are shut in the streets,And the sound of grinding is low;When one rises up at the sound of a bird,And all the daughters of music are brought low.(5) Also they are afraid of height,And of terrors in the way;When the almond tree blossoms,The grasshopper is a burden,And desire fails.For man goes to his eternal home,And the mourners go about the streets.

(6) Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed,Or the golden bowl is broken,Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain,Or the wheel broken at the well.(7) Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

(8) “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,“All is vanity.”

(9) And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. (10) The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. (11) The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. (12) And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,For this is man’s all.(14) For God will bring every work into judgment,Including every secret thing,Whether good or evil.

COMMENTS – 6:04Chapter 11 began with a message that would not come from an old, jaded, cynical Scrooge-type fella that Solomon has sounded like during much of this book.

He started chapter 11, with the advice that you should be generous with those in need, because you’re giving is like a farmer sowing grain, it will yield a return. And if you have the ability, now, you never know when your fortunes may change, and you may need someone else’s generosity.

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Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read chapters 137-139. I’m calling today’s episode “The God Who Knows Me.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Ben White on Unsplash

Comments on Psalm 139

I love the fact that God knows me intimately. To understand that He knows my desire to know and serve Him makes me feel good, as when a little boy is happy when his daddy is pleased with him. But to also understand that God knows my ugly, dark, sinful parts causes me to feel utterly amazed that He still loves me. He knows my heart, and He knows the weakness of my flesh. But as Psalm 136 said in it’s refrain: His steadfast love endures forever! 1 John 4:8 puts it this way: “God is love.”

Knowing this, my heart swells with love and gratitude. And it makes me want to continue to try to please Him, to continue to persevere in my efforts to live a  life more devoted to Him today than I did yesterday. Not because I’m trying to earn His favor…I already have it. There is nothing I can do to make Him love me more, or love me less. I just want to love Him because He loves me.

And on those dark days when I fail Him to the point where I know I must have certainly brought Him grief, as the last verse in this chapter mentions, the shame I feel motivates me to humbly go to Him and ask forgiveness. And that is when I am most grateful for the promise we have in 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Every verse in this chapter is a jewel. Every verse confirms how good God is. 

How about this one: 5You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. “God is there behind me and in front of me, protecting me, surrounding me. And the most beautiful part of the verse, He lays his hand on me. When my boys were small, many were the times that when we were sitting next to each other, or when we were walking next to each other, I would lay my hand on their head or their shoulder. Just a loving touch to let them know that I was there and I love them. That’s what God does with us. Our loving daddy, or Abba in the Greek language. 

How can one read chapter 139 and not love God more? 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 137-139 ESV

Support

This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT.

Transcript

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00Every verse in this chapter is a jewel.

INTRO S12E329 – 0:10From 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 how are you today? It really is great to see you. I mean that! I look forward to our time together every day. It’s Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 137 through 139. And has been our custom, I’ll have a brief introduction to each chapter before reading them. I’m calling today’s episode, “The God Who Knows Me”. And I also have a personal prayer request to share with you today. Show Notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e329. And I’d love to hear from you via email. You can send it to st***@*************ia.com. You ready? Let’s get going.

INTRO TO PSALM 137 – 0:57In Psalm 137, because of their turning from God and worshipping false gods, God has brought judgment on those who lived in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Babylon has come in and utterly destroyed Jerusalem, killing many men, women and children, and taken captive those who were not murdered. This Psalm is a lament. We don’t know when it was written exactly. And some people think that it was written after the return from Babylon and some think that it’s some years into the exile while still in captivity in Babylon. What we are certain of is that in the midst of the exile, the writer remembered how good it was in Jerusalem, and what the reason was for their exile. They missed Jerusalem and they were sorrowful that they had sinned in such a way that God had allowed them to be in this place. And they asked God to judge Babylon for the terribly cruel treatment that they had received.

PSALM 137 (ESV) – 1:55Psalms, chapter 137.

(1) By the waters of Babylon,there we sat down and wept,when we remembered Zion.(2) On the willows therewe hung up our lyres.(3) For there our captorsrequired of us songs,and our tormentors, mirth, saying,“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”(4) How shall we sing the Lord’s songin a foreign land?(5) If I forget you, O Jerusalem,let my right hand forget its skill!(6) Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,if I do not remember you,if I do not set Jerusalemabove my highest joy!(7) Remember, O Lord, against the Edomitesthe day of Jerusalem,how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare,down to its foundations!”(8) O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed,blessed shall he be who repays youwith what you have done to us!(9) Blessed shall he be who takes your little onesand dashes them against the rock!

INTRO TO PSALM 138 – 2:54The title of Psalm 138 is “A Psalm of David”. And many commentators write that having Psalms 137 and 138 next to one another is fitting. Psalm 137 mentioned how the psalmist was unable to sing in front of the heathen. But David says in 138, that even the kings of the nations will praise God. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “This psalm was wisely placed. Whoever edited and arranged the sacred poems, he had an eye to apposition or the placement next to each other, and contrast for if in Psalm 137 we see the need of silence before revilers, here we see the excellence of a brave confession. There is a time to be silent, lest we cast pearls before swine. And there’s a time to speak openly, lest we be found guilty of cowardly non-confession.”

PSALM 138 (ESV) – 3:46Psalms, chapter 138.

(1) I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;before the gods I sing your praise;(2) I bow down toward your holy templeand give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,for you have exalted above all thingsyour name and your word.(3) On the day I called, you answered me;my strength of soul you increased.(4) All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,for they have heard the words of your mouth,(5) and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,for great is the glory of the Lord.(6) For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,but the haughty he knows from afar.(7) Though I walk in the midst of trouble,you preserve my life;you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,and your right hand delivers me.(8) The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.Do not forsake the work of your hands.

INTRO TO PSALM 139 – 4:47The title of Psalm 139 is “For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.” And as I’ve mentioned before, “For the Chief Musician” is thought to mean that it is written to God while others believe that it’s written to the temple music leader perhaps Asaph or Heman. This truly is a beautiful psalm. 2 Samuel 23:1 is right when it calls David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.

PSALM 139 (ESV) – 5:13Psalms, chapter 139.(1) O Lord, you have searched me and known me!(2) You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from afar.(3) You search out my path and my lying downand are acquainted with all my ways.(4) Even before a word is on my tongue,behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.(5) You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me.(6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;it is high; I cannot attain it.(7) Where shall I go from your Spirit?Or where shall I flee from your presence?(8) If I ascend to heaven, you are there!If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!(9) If I take the wings of the morningand dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,(10) even there your hand shall lead me,and your right hand shall hold me.(11) If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,and the light about me be night,”(12) even the darkness is not dark to you;the night is bright as the day,for darkness is as light with you.(13) For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.(14) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well.(15) My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth.(16) Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me,when as yet there was none of them.(17) How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!How vast is the sum of them!(18) If I would count them, they are more than the sand.I awake, and I am still with you.(19) Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!O men of blood, depart from me!(20) They speak against you with malicious intent;your enemies take your name in vain.(21) Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?(22) I hate them with complete hatred;I count them my enemies.(23) Search me, O God, and know my heart!Try me and know my thoughts!(24) And see if there be any grievous way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting!

COMMENTS – 7:34Commenting on Psalm 139, I love the fact that God knows me intimately. To understand that he knows my desire to know and serve him makes me feel good as when a little boy is happy when his daddy is pleased with him. But to also understand that God knows my ugly, dark, sinful parts causes me to feel utterly amazed that he still loves me. He knows my heart and he knows the weakness of my flesh. But as Psalm 136 said in its refrain: His steadfast love endures forever! Hallelujah....

Did God really send two bears to kill 42 little children because they made fun of a bald prophet?

That's how the story in 2 Kings 2:23-24 is often told. But is that what the Bible actually says?

In this episode of Verses We Missed, we look at who these “boys” really were, why the Hebrew matters, what was significant about their coming out of Bethel, and what “Get out of here, baldy!” may have meant in light of what had just happened to Elijah.

A Bald Prophet, 2 Bears and 42 “Boys”

Before Elisha ever meets this group on the road, 2 Kings 2 has been establishing something important about him. Elijah is gone. His mantle has fallen to Elisha. The Jordan has parted. And God has demonstrated that Elisha is His prophet.

Then Elisha heads toward Bethel.

What happens next has become one of the strangest—and perhaps most misunderstood—stories in the Old Testament.

Read and compare translations of 2 Kings 2:23 and 2 Kings 2:24 at BibleHub.

Why Does Bethel Matter?

This confrontation doesn't happen in a vacuum. Elisha has just left Jericho and is traveling toward Bethel—a place with an important history in Israel's rebellion against God.

After the kingdom divided, Jeroboam established an alternative center of worship at Bethel and placed a golden calf there.

For that background, read 1 Kings 12:25-33 at Bible Gateway.

So why does a large group come out of Bethel to confront God's newly established prophet?

Were They Really Little Children?

The NIV calls them “boys.” Other translations use words such as “youths,” “young lads,” and “little children.”

But the Hebrew expression is ne'arim qetannim, and its meaning isn't quite as simple as the familiar retelling suggests.

You can examine the Hebrew wording in BibleHub's interlinear of 2 Kings 2.

Who were these people? How old were they? And what can the same Hebrew terminology elsewhere in the Old Testament tell us?

What Does “Go Up, Baldy!” Mean?

The NIV renders their taunt, “Get out of here, baldy!” But the Hebrew uses a command meaning go up.

That's particularly interesting because someone else had just “gone up” earlier in the same chapter: Elijah.

Coincidence? A command for Elisha to leave? Or something more pointed?

And What About the 42?

Two bears come out of the woods, and 42 are mauled.

But does the passage actually say that 42 people were killed?

This is a sobering account of God's judgment. But it's also a good example of why we need to read difficult Bible passages carefully rather than relying on the version of the story we've heard repeated over the years.

Related Scriptures

1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam establishes worship centers at Bethel and Dan.

1 Kings 18 - Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal.

1 Kings 19:15-21 - Elisha is called to follow Elijah.

2 Kings 2:1-22 - Elijah's departure, Elisha's mantle, and the healing of Jericho's water.

Genesis 14:14-24 - An important comparison for the Hebrew word ne'arim.

Podcast Chapters

00:00 A Bald Prophet, 2 Bears and 42 “Boys”

00:54 Welcome to Verses We Missed

01:45 Who Were Elijah and Elisha?

02:55 Elijah's Mantle

04:32 Jericho

05:02 Bethel

06:05 Were They Little Children?

08:28 “Go Up, Baldy!”

10:08 The Curse

11:24 Jericho and Bethel

12:34 What Did We Miss?

13:39 Application

14:55 Prayer

15:55 Value for Value

17:44 Closing Thoughts

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Pray for the ministry, share this episode with someone who might need to hear it, contribute your skills or creativity, or support Lifespring! Media financially.

Learn more at https://lifespringmedia.com/support/.

More from Lifespring! Media

If you enjoy digging deeper into God's Word, you might also enjoy these other podcasts from Steve Webb:

Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind

Lifespring! In Touch With God’s Character

Lifespring!

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is History Tuesday and we’ll begin the book of Nehemiah. Our reading will be chapters 1-4.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash

Comments on Nehemiah 1-4

See if you agree with this statement: What matters to God should matter to us. 

When the book of Nehemiah was written, about a thousand years had passed since God had used Moses to lead the people out of their Egyptian captivity. A lot had happened in the passing years. There had been the time of the judges, but then the people begged to have a king, like the surrounding lands were, so God appointed Saul as their first king. To say the least, he turned out to be a disappointment, just as God had warned the people he would be. 

Then there was David, who certainly had his share of failures, but God called him a man after His own heart. After David was his son, Solomon, who built a Temple for the people to have a place to worship God. Then a long succession of David’s descendants followed Solomon, some of whom were godly men, some of whom were evil men who did not follow God. Eventually, because the people had turned their backs on God to worship false gods, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob allowed Jerusalem to be conquered by Babylon. The Temple was completely destroyed, as was most of the city and its walls. The people of Jerusalem and the surrounding area were taken captive to Babylon, where they remained for 70 years.

After these 70 years, the people were given the chance to go home. But most had never been to Jerusalem. Babylon was their home, and only a small number of them chose to go to their homeland, about 50,000 out of about two or three million.

We read in the book of Ezra how they rebuilt the temple. Nehemiah wrote his book about fifteen years after the period spoken of by Ezra. So in doing the math, it had been nearly 100 years since the return to the Promised Land by those who had been captive in Babylon. And the destruction of Jerusalem had taken place about 150 years earlier. But the walls of Jerusalem had still not been rebuilt. 

Nehemiah had never been to Jerusalem. He lived in the capital city of the Persians, Shushan, in what is now Iran. But he loved God, and he knew that Jerusalem was important to God. 

When he learned that Jerusalem’s walls had not been rebuilt, and that the people were struggling, Nehemiah was heartbroken. And He didn’t just feel bad about the situation, he did what he could do. He fasted and he prayed. And when he prayed, he came with an attitude of  humility. He confessed the sins of himself, his family and the people. And he reminded God of His promise that if His people would return to Him, He would restore them. And one more thing. He asked God to bless him, that he might have favor with the king, because he was the king’s cupbearer.

The bottom line is that Nehemiah was not satisfied just to feel bad about the situation in Jerusalem. No. He humbly wanted to be used by God to do something about it. 

What a marvelous example for us, beloved. Shouldn’t we have hearts that are tender to what God cares about? We need to be willing for God to move us to action, as Nehemiah was. God found in him someone who was deeply moved and altogether willing to do what was necessary.

Oh, beloved, that we would be that kind of people. Look around you. Chances are very good that if you ask, God will show you where He can use you to make a difference.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-2 NASB; Ch. 3-4 CEB

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Transcript

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00He knew that Jerusalem was important to God.

INTRO S12E335 – 0:10Coming to you from Riverside, California, one-time home of racecar-driving great, Dan Gurney and one of the great blues singers, Etta James and birthplace of future Baseball Hall of Famer, Dusty Baker, 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 today’s History Tuesday, and we’ll begin the book of Nehemiah. We’ll read chapters 1 through 4. If you didn’t hear yesterday’s show, then you missed the Big Announcement. You might want to go back and listen to it. And for those of you who did hear it, please do send that email to me that I asked you about. It is really important that I hear from every single Lifespring family member. And if you’ve listened to the show more than once, you are a member of the Lifespring family. So please take just a moment and tell me your thoughts. Send that email to st***@*************ia.com and put “THE NEXT STEP” in your subject line. I’m calling today’s episode, “A Man of Action”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e335. Are you ready? Let’s get started.

NEHEMIAH 1 (NIV) – 1:21Nehemiah, chapter 1. (1) The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, (2) Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

(3) They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

(4) When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (5) Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, (6) let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. (7) We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

(8) “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, (9) but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

(10) “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. (11) Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

NEHEMIAH 2 (NASB) – 3:12Nehemiah, chapter 2. (1) And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. (2) So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” Then I was very much afraid. (3) I said to the king, “Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?” (4) Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. (5) I said to the king, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” (6) Then the king said to me, the queen sitting beside him, “How long will your journey be, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I gave him a definite time. (7) And I said to the king,“If it please the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the provinces beyond the River, that they may allow me to pass through until I come to Judah, (8) and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress which is by the temple, for the wall of the city and for the house to which I will go.” And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me.

(9) Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. (10) When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.

(11) So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. (12) And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding. (13) So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon’s Well and on to the Refuse Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire. (14) Then I passed on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no place for my mount to pass. (15) So I went up at night by the ravine and inspected the wall. Then I entered the Valley Gate again and returned. (16) The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work.

(17) Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Monday, so we’ll read from one of the books of the law. Deuteronomy 20-22. I’m calling today’s episode “There Are Two.” And I have an important announcement today.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Comments on Deuteronomy 22

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread”? I don’t think I’m a fool, but if I am, so be it. Every so often, current events and/or cultural conditions can’t help but influence my commentary on the day’s reading. This is obviously not a political or a news show, and I do dislike participating in political speech on this show. As a matter of fact, I don’t think that what I’m about to say is political, because I’m only going to talk about what the word of God says. But some might want to paint today’s episode with a political label. Whatever. What I am about to talk about needs to be addressed, especially with what’s going on in our current culture.

Genesis 1:27 So God created humans in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.

Genesis 1:31And God saw everything that he had made and that it was very good. (GW)

Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman must never wear anything men would wear, and a man must never wear women’s clothes. Whoever does this is disgusting to the Lord your God. (GW)

Now listen. I’m not a transphobe. I do not hate people of either sex if they disagree with me or Scripture. And I am certainly not afraid of them. That is what “phobia” means. You know that, right? The reason I’m talking about this today, my motivation, in everything I say on this show, is to explain the Scriptures in such a way that the true nature of God is revealed. I believe that when He is properly understood, people’s hearts will be changed and eternal lives will be saved. Failing that, my hope is that there will at least be understanding, and maybe even less antipathy.

When these scriptures were written, it was common for men and women to wear clothes that were similar. Both sexes wore long robes, but with distinctive styles that differentiated between the sexes. Deuteronomy 22:5 was a command not to blur the lines between the sexes or to purposely dress in the manner of the opposite sex.

You see, as Genesis 1:27 says, God created only two sexes. Male and Female. There is not a spectrum. It’s one or the other. Now, before you say, “But Steve, some people are born with the organs of both.” Yes, I know that’s true. But hear me. 

We live in a fallen world. We live in a world that is suffering the effects of sin. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, all of creation has been under a curse. Romans 8:22 says, “All creation groans…” Every living thing on the planet is less than God intended it to be. Humans were not meant to die. Humans were not meant to be born with any kind of defects. There was not supposed to be any disease. Every system on the planet is not what God intended. The weather is not the way God intended. Earthquakes were not supposed to be something we worried about. Everything is broken. Sin ruined everything. Including how we think about ourselves and each other. 

Birth defects do happen, and when a baby is born with a defect, it is not because God made it happen. It is because of the condition of the world. Yes, God allows bad things to happen, but He is not the cause of bad things happening. Couldn’t He just step in and stop bad things from happening? Sometimes He does, but other times He doesn’t. God is sovereign, which means that He does what He does, and He answers only to Himself. But know this: His way is perfect. Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he…” One day, everyone who has ever been born will see that and acknowledge that.

So, back to the subject at hand. God says that it is wrong to dress in the manner of the opposite sex. Why? Because, for one thing, it is rebellion against God’s will. If he created you as a male, He wants you to be a male. If he created you as a female, He wants you to be a female. God truly does love you, and He has a marvelous plan for your life. He wants the very best for you. To reject that plan is really cutting off your nose to spite your face. 

As I have said many times on this show, God’s laws are not given to take our fun away. God is not a cosmic killjoy. He is a loving Father who knows what is best for us. 

But there is an Enemy. He is called Lucifer, Satan, the Devil, the god of this world and many other names in the Bible. His mission from the beginning of the creation, has been to pervert God’s creation and keep people from having a relationship with God. He takes what is beautiful and perverts it. What we are seeing in our culture today, with the blurring of sexual boundaries and distinctions is nothing new, as is evident by the fact that God talks about it in Deuteronomy 22. People today think they’re being progressive by advancing this agenda. They’re not progressive. They’re puppets of Satan himself. 

The Good News is that their sin can be forgiven. God said in Ezekiel 18:23, “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” And 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

Repentance is turning away from, going in an entirely new direction. It is agreeing with God that I have sinned. That I want to begin living as He wants me to. That I acknowledge that His way is better than my way. 

But listen. I cannot do it on my own. It is impossible for me to live a perfect life. Only one man has ever done that. His name is Jesus. But Jesus is more than a man. He is also God. He is fully God and fully human, and He is the only way that I, or anyone else, can have a restored relationship with God. John 3:16-21 says, “16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

God loves you. And He loves you enough to give you free will. You must decide. The time is now. If you have not yet accepted the free gift of salvation that Jesus is offering you today, you can do it now. You may not have tomorrow. The Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I were reminded recently how quickly our lives could be snuffed out, with no warning. We were involved in a hit and run traffic accident, and believe me, there was absolutely no time to think about what was happening. We were driving along a street that we have been on literally thousands of times before, little more than two miles from our home. All of a sudden, there was a terrible crashing sound of metal against metal, our car shook, and I had to wrestle the steering wheel to keep control. LeeAnn screamed and I watched the car that had sideswiped us accelerate down the road in front of us. Praise the Lord, we were not hurt, but we could have been. Instead of rear ending our car, he sideswiped it. The point is, you never know how or when your life will be over. 

Will you make the decision now to follow Jesus? If you want to have a changed life….a changed eternity, let me lead you in a prayer where you will tell God that you want to turn from your sin, and that you want to follow Jesus. Will you pray with me? Once I publish this podcast, I don’t know who or where or when it will hear it. I still have episodes from almost 18 years ago at lifespringmedia.com. And I have no idea how many episodes are on hard drives all over the world. So whether you’re hearing this on the day I publish or days, weeks, months or years later, this invitation is for you to hear right now as you’re listening to my voice. Decide NOW that this is the day to have your eternity changed. Pray with me.

“Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you now confessing my sins. I know that I have not lived the way I should, and I ask You to forgive me now. Thank you for sending Your son, Jesus, to take my sins upon Himself. Jesus, I’m asking You to be my Lord and my Savior now. Show me how I should live. Teach me. Help me to follow You. Thank you for hearing my prayer, Lord. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family. You might have felt like a weight was lifted from you, you might have felt some strong emotion, or you might have felt nothing. Whatever you felt, that’s ok. Our relationship with God is not based on emotions. Our relationship with God is based on His promise. God promised that anyone who accepts Jesus will be saved. If you accepted Jesus just now, you are saved, because God promised it, and He always keeps His promise. 

If you did just pray that prayer with me, I have a gift for you. It’s free. I want to send you a special edition of the New Testament called the New Believer’s Bible. All you have to do is send me a quick email with your name and address so I can mail it to you at my expense. This NT has hundreds and hundreds of notes in it by Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church, written with new believers in mind....

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Epistles Sunday. Our reading will be 1 John 1-3.. Before I begin the chapters, I’ll have an introduction to John’s Epistles for you. Tomorrow is August 1st, and I will have an announcement to share with you on the show, so don’t miss it. I’m calling today’s episode “They’re Talking About You.” 

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Thomas M. Evans on Unsplash

Comments on 1 John 1-3

Chapter 1

John begins chapter one much like he did his Gospel. He refers to Jesus as the Word, and he affirms that the Word has existed from the beginning. And he says that he, John, personally saw and heard Him.

He says that it is through Jesus that we can have a relationship with God, and that when we have that, we have a relationship with other believers…we truly are brothers and sisters.

This is important because if we say we believe, and yet don’t love each other, we are fooling ourselves. 

And then at the end of chapter one we read one of the foundational truths of the Gospel. John writes in verse nine, “God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong.” Of course, God sets a high standard for us, but He knows how weak and fallible we are. But because of what Jesus did on the cross, this forgiveness is available to all who believe.

Chapter 2

And in the opening verses of chapter two, John continues this thought. And this one just blows me away. Did you know that you are a topic of conversation between Jesus and the Father? You are. And I am. Listen to this. John writes: I’m writing this to you so that you will not sin. Yet, if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ, who has God’s full approval. He speaks on our behalf when we come into the presence of the Father.” 

When you and I sin, Jesus looks at the Father and says, “Forgive him, Father. I already paid for that sin with my blood.” What better advocate could there possibly be? Such Good News!

Of course, there are a lot of golden nuggets of truth in these first three chapters, but I’m going to leave you with that last one.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-3 GWT

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00This one just blows me away.

INTRO S12E333 – 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 the year is almost over. Today’s Epistle Sunday and our reading will be 1 John chapters 1 through 3. Before I begin the chapters, I’ll have an introduction to John’s epistles for you. And tomorrow is August 1. I’ll have an announcement to share with you on that show. So you might not want to miss it. I’m calling today’s episode, “They are Talking About You”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e333. If you’d like to send me an email, I’d sure love to read it. Send it to st***@*************ia.com. And by the way, as you just heard, this is episode 333 of season 12. And I’ll have a little bit more to say about 333 a little bit later in the show. Let’s get started.

INTRO TO EPISTLES OF JOHN – 1:051 John is one of three epistles or letters that are attributed to John the Apostle who also wrote the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation. He’s the disciple that is often called John the Beloved, because it’s thought that he’s the one referred to six different times in the Gospel of John as the disciple whom Jesus loved. He’s also the disciple who was with Mary at the foot of the cross and into whose care Jesus gave Mary. The letters were not written to a specific church, but were intended to be circulated around to all the churches, the epistle was written to help them and encourage them in their devotion to Jesus, and to remind them that false teachers would be around and to emphasize that their love of God and people, especially other believers, was of the utmost importance.

1 JOHN 1 (GWT) – 1:531 John, chapter 1. (1) The Word of life existed from the beginning. We have heard it. We have seen it. We observed it and touched it. (2) This life was revealed to us. We have seen it, and we testify about it. We are reporting to you about this eternal life that was in the presence of the Father and was revealed to us. (3) This is the life we have seen and heard. We are reporting about it to you also so that you, too, can have a relationship with us. Our relationship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (4) We are writing this so that we can be completely filled with joy.

(5) This is the message we heard from Christ and are reporting to you: God is light, and there isn’t any darkness in him. (6) If we say, “We have a relationship with God” and yet live in the dark, we’re lying. We aren’t being truthful.

(7) But if we live in the light in the same way that God is in the light, we have a relationship with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from every sin. (8) If we say, “We aren’t sinful” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong. (10) If we say, “We have never sinned,” we turn God into a liar and his Word is not in us.

1 JOHN 2 (GWT) – 3:131 John, chapter 2. (1) My dear children, I’m writing this to you so that you will not sin. Yet, if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ, who has God’s full approval. He speaks on our behalf when we come into the presence of the Father. (2) He is the payment for our sins, and not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.

(3) We are sure that we know Christ if we obey his commandments. (4) The person who says, “I know him,” but doesn’t obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn’t in that person. (5) But whoever obeys what Christ says is the kind of person in whom God’s love is perfected. That’s how we know we are in Christ. (6) Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived.

(7) Dear friends, it’s not as though I’m writing to give you a new commandment. Rather, I’m giving you an old commandment that you’ve had from the beginning. It’s the old commandment you’ve already heard. (8) On the other hand, I’m writing to give you a new commandment. It’s a truth that exists in Christ and in you: The darkness is fading, and the true light is already shining.

(9) Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark. (10) Those who love other believers live in the light. Nothing will destroy the faith of those who live in the light. (11) Those who hate other believers are in the dark and live in the dark. They don’t know where they’re going, because they can’t see in the dark.

(12) I’m writing to you, dear children, because your sins are forgiven through Christ.(13) I’m writing to you, fathers, because you know Christ who has existed from the beginning.I’m writing to you, young people, because you have won the victory over the evil one.(14) I’ve written to you, children, because you know the Father.I’ve written to you, fathers, because you know Christ, who has existed from the beginning.I’ve written to you, young people, because you are strong and God’s word lives in you. You have won the victory over the evil one.

(15) Don’t love the world and what it offers. Those who love the world don’t have the Father’s love in them. (16) Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father. It comes from the world, and (17) the world and its evil desires are passing away. But the person who does what God wants lives forever.

(18) Children, it’s the end of time. You’ve heard that an antichrist is coming. Certainly, many antichrists are already here. That’s how we know it’s the end of time. (19) They left us. However, they were never really part of us. If they had been, they would have stayed with us. But by leaving they made it clear that none of them were part of us.

(20) The Holy One has anointed you, so all of you have knowledge. (21) I’m writing to you because you know the truth, not because you don’t know the truth. You know that no lie ever comes from the truth.

(22) Who is a liar? Who else but the person who rejects Jesus as the Messiah? The person who rejects the Father and the Son is an antichrist. (23) Everyone who rejects the Son doesn’t have the Father either. The person who acknowledges the Son also has the Father. (24) Make sure that the message you heard from the beginning lives in you. If that message lives in you, you will also live in the Son and in the Father. (25) Christ has given us the promise of eternal life.

(26) I’m writing to you about those who are trying to deceive you. (27) The anointing you received from Christ lives in you. You don’t need anyone to teach you something else. Instead, Christ’s anointing teaches you about everything. His anointing is true and contains no lie. So live in Christ as he taught you to do.

(28) Now, dear children, live in Christ. Then, when he appears we will have confidence, and when he comes we won’t turn from him in shame. (29) If you know that Christ has God’s approval, you also know that everyone who does what God approves of has been born from God.

1 JOHN 3 (GWT) – 7:121 John, chapter 3. (1) Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God’s dear children. And that’s what we are....

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Gospel Saturday Acts 17-18. I’m calling today’s episode “Just Do Your Job.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Elaine Casap on Unsplash

Comments on Acts 18

Something that struck me in today’s reading was in verse 5 and 6. Paul had told the Jews that Jesus was the Christ, and he was opposed and slandered. Other translations use the word “blasphemed” or “became abusive” or “insulted.” His response to this treatment was interesting. What do many of us tend to do today when people don’t accept our message? We try to change our approach. We try even harder to convince them that Jesus is who He said He is. But Paul shook the dust from his clothes in protest and said to them, “You are responsible for your own fates! I’m innocent! From now on I’ll go to the Gentiles!” He didn’t seem to fret over saving every last person he delivered the message to. 

Folks, we need to remember that our job is merely to deliver the message as faithfully and accurately as we can. It’s not our job to make them believe. We can’t. It’s the Holy Spirit who convinces. Yes, we must be prepared to give an answer when people ask questions, but we cannot bring about change in the human heart. Once we’ve delivered the message, our job is done.

That’s not to say that we should take too casual an attitude about witnessing, however. Note that in verse 28, we’re told that Apollos “would vigorously defeat Jewish arguments in public debate,” and here is the key part of the verse, “using the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.”

He defeated the Jews with the scriptures. Not his own human arguments, but with scripture. Very important. Scripture is the living Word of God. My own arguments are just the word of Steve, which isn’t worth much. But God’s Word? That’ll change someone’s eternity.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 17 NCV; Ch. 18 CEB

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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

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Scripture is the living word of God.

INTRO S12E325 – 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. What’s going on? Today is Gospel Saturday and we’ll read Acts 17 and 18. I’m calling today’s episode, “Just Do Your Job”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e325. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. And I think it’s time we get started.

ACTS 17 (NCV) – 0:44Acts, chapter 17. (1) Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue. (2) Paul went into the synagogue as he always did, and on each Sabbath day for three weeks, he talked with his fellow Jews about the Scriptures. (3) He explained and proved that the Christ must die and then rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I am telling you about is the Christ.” (4) Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, along with many of the Greeks who worshiped God and many of the important women.

(5) But some others became jealous. So they got some evil men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot. They ran to Jason’s house, looking for Paul and Silas, wanting to bring them out to the people. (6) But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers to the leaders of the city. The people were yelling, “These people have made trouble everywhere in the world, and now they have come here too! (7) Jason is keeping them in his house. All of them do things against the laws of Caesar, saying there is another king, called Jesus.”

(8) When the people and the leaders of the city heard these things, they became very upset. (9) They made Jason and the others put up a sum of money. Then they let the believers go free.

(10) That same night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea where they went to the synagogue. (11) These people were more willing to listen than the people in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true. (12) So, many of them believed, as well as many important Greek women and men. (13) But the people in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, too. So they came there, upsetting the people and making trouble. (14) The believers quickly sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. (15) The people leading Paul went with him to Athens. Then they carried a message from Paul back to Silas and Timothy for them to come to him as soon as they could.

(16) While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was troubled because he saw that the city was full of idols. (17) In the synagogue, he talked with the Jews and the Greeks who worshiped God. He also talked every day with people in the marketplace.

(18) Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him, saying, “This man doesn’t know what he is talking about. What is he trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be telling us about some other gods,” because Paul was telling them about Jesus and his rising from the dead. (19) They got Paul and took him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said, “Please explain to us this new idea you have been teaching. (20) The things you are saying are new to us, and we want to know what this teaching means.” (21) (All the people of Athens and those from other countries who lived there always used their time to talk about the newest ideas.)

(22) Then Paul stood before the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens, I can see you are very religious in all things. (23) As I was going through your city, I saw the objects you worship. I found an altar that had these words written on it: to a god who is not known. You worship a god that you don’t know, and this is the God I am telling you about! (24) The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands. (25) This God is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else to people. He does not need any help from them; he has everything he needs. (26) God began by making one person, and from him came all the different people who live everywhere in the world. God decided exactly when and where they must live. (27) God wanted them to look for him and perhaps search all around for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us: (28) ‘By his power we live and move and exist.’ Some of your own poets have said: ‘For we are his children.’ (29) Since we are God’s children, you must not think that God is like something that people imagine or make from gold, silver, or rock. (30) In the past, people did not understand God, and he ignored this. But now, God tells all people in the world to change their hearts and lives. (31) God has set a day that he will judge all the world with fairness, by the man he chose long ago. And God has proved this to everyone by raising that man from the dead!”

(32) When the people heard about Jesus being raised from the dead, some of them laughed. But others said, “We will hear more about this from you later.” (33) So Paul went away from them. (34) But some of the people believed Paul and joined him. Among those who believed was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, a woman named Damaris, and some others.

ACTS 18 (CEB) – 5:31Acts, chapter 18. (1) After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. (2) There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus. He had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul visited with them. (3) Because they practiced the same trade, he stayed and worked with them. They all worked with leather. (4) Every Sabbath he interacted with people in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks. (5) Once Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. (6) When they opposed and slandered him, he shook the dust from his clothes in protest and said to them, “You are responsible for your own fates! I’m innocent! From now on I’ll go to the Gentiles!” (7) He left the synagogue and went next door to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile God-worshipper. (8) Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household came to believe in the Lord. Many Corinthians believed and were baptized after listening to Paul.

(9) One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Don’t be afraid. Continue speaking. Don’t be silent. (10) I’m with you and no one who attacks you will harm you, for I have many people in this city.” (11) So he stayed there for eighteen months, teaching God’s word among them.

(12) Now when Gallio was the governor of the province of Achaia, the Jews united in their opposition against Paul and brought him before the court. (13) “This man is persuading others to worship God unlawfully,” they declared.

(14) Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If there had been some sort of injury or criminal behavior, I would have reason to accept your complaint. (15) However, since these are squabbles about a message, names, and your own Law, deal with them yourselves. I have no desire to sit in judgment over such things.” (16) He expelled them from the court, (17) but everyone seized Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and gave him a beating in the presence of the governor. None of this mattered to Gallio.

(18) After Paul stayed in Corinth for some time,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Prophecy Friday Zechariah 8-14.  I’m calling today’s episode “There Is A Fountain.”  

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Tony Mucci on Unsplash

Comments on Zechariah 8-14

The Messiah is prophesied in chapter 6. There, He is referred to as the Branch, who will build the Temple of the Lord. What temple did Jesus build? The Church. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19.

And then in chapter 7, the Lord, through Zechariah, said that His people ignored Him, so He ignored them and scattered them among the nations.

But in chapter 8 He once again said how much He loves them, and then makes nine more statements that demonstrate that love, so that they would not be discouraged by the punishment they had received because of their disobedience. 

And isn’t that how a loving Father disciplines his child? How terrible it is when a parent allows a child to lose hope, to doubt that he or she is still loved. Discipline should always be couched in love, and the child should always have that love reinforced.

This is what God the Father has always done for us, His children.

In verse 1 of chapter 12, we read, “The word of the Lord concerning Israel. A declaration of the Lord, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundation of the earth, and formed the spirit of man within him.”

This verse is confirming that the God who created all that is spoke this message, just in case there was any doubt about its veracity. The Supreme Being of the Universe has a message, and all who hear should listen. 

The bottom line of God’s message is that any nation that comes against Jerusalem will ultimately be soundly defeated. Any nation that comes against Israel is on a fool’s errand. They may triumph for a day, but the final outcome is sure. 

The chapter ends, of course, with a look forward to Jesus Himself, the fact that He would be pierced, and the mourning that would take place upon His death.

Chapter 13 begins with the declaration of what would be the result of the piercing. It says, “On that day a fountain  will be opened for the house of David and for the residents of Jerusalem, to wash away sin and impurity.“ Of course, being on this side of the prophecy and having knowledge of the New Testament and the work of Jesus, we know that this promise applies to all, not just to the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, it applies to all who believe.

The rest of the chapter speaks more to who this Messiah would be, and it ends with another beautiful promise, “I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say: They are My people, and they will say: Yahweh is our God.”

Imagine. This God who created all that is says, “Steve is mine. Mike is mine. Suzie is mine.” Put your own name in there. You are His, if He is your God. What a privilege! Are you feeling bad today? Do you think no one loves you? Do you get no respect? YOU ARE HIS! Hallelujah! You. Are. His. That should thrill your heart. I know it thrills mine.

The final chapter of Zechariah shows us a glimpse of one of the final chapters of man’s history on Earth. It talks about a last battle with those who are against God, and the resolution of the aftermath. Peace. 

Why did the Lord leave this message with us? So that, even when we are still in the midst of the turmoil and pain that we all must endure, our heart can have peace in the knowledge that we belong to Him and as such, we will be included in His victory and then have lasting peace. Sure, there are difficulties in life, but we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that they are temporary. Whatever situation we are in, it is only for a season. It is not permanent. God *is* permanent and unchanging. His promises never fail. And His promise is that victory is sure, and peace is secure. Rest in that, Beloved.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 8-11 NIV; Ch. 12-14 HCSB

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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

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Our heart can have peace.

INTRO S12E324 – 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. How’s your day going? Today’s Prophecy Friday. We’ll read Zechariah 8 through 14 which will finish that book. I’m calling today’s episode, “There is a Fountain”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e324. That means we’ve got forty more episodes in this season. If you’d like to email me, you can send it to st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

ZECHARIAH 8 (NIV) – 0:48Zechariah, chapter 8. (1) The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.

(2) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”

(3) This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

(4) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. (5) The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

(6) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of the people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the Lord Almighty.

(7) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. (8) I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

(9) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. (10) Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. (11) But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the Lord Almighty.

(12) “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. (13) Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

(14) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, (15) “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. (16) These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; (17) do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.

(18) The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.

(19) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

(20) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, (21) and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’ (22) And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.”

(23) This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold by one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”

ZECHARIAH 9 (NIV) – 4:04Zechariah, chapter 9.(1) A prophecy:

The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrak

and will come to rest on Damascus—

for the eyes of all people and all the tribes of Israel

are on the Lord—

(2) and on Hamath too, which borders on it,and on Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.(3) Tyre has built herself a stronghold;she has heaped up silver like dust,and gold like the dirt of the streets.(4) But the Lord will take away her possessionsand destroy her power on the sea,and she will be consumed by fire.(5) Ashkelon will see it and fear;Gaza will writhe in agony,and Ekron too, for her hope will wither.Gaza will lose her kingand Ashkelon will be deserted.(6) A mongrel people will occupy Ashdod,and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines.(7) I will take the blood from their mouths,the forbidden food from between their teeth.Those who are left will belong to our Godand become a clan in Judah,and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.(8) But I will encamp at my templeto guard it against marauding forces.Never again will an oppressor overrun my people,for now I am keeping watch.

(9) Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!See, your king comes to you,righteous and victorious,lowly and riding on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a donkey.(10) I will take away the chariots from Ephraimand the warhorses from Jerusalem,and the battle bow will be broken.He will proclaim peace to the nations.His rule will extend from sea to seaand from the River to the ends of the earth....