April 20 - Evening
"Now there was a certain old prophet living in Bethel, whose sons came and told him all that the man of God had done there that day. They also told their father what he had said to the king. Their father asked them, “Which way did he go?”
And his sons showed him which road the man of God from Judah had taken.
...He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, 'Are you the man of God who came from Judah?'
'I am,' he replied.
So the prophet said to him, 'Come home with me and eat.'
The man of God said, 'I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came." '
The old prophet answered, 'I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: "Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water." '
(But he was lying to him.) So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.
While they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet who had brought him back. He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah,
'This is what the Lord says: "You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors." ’ "
- First Kings 13:11-22
And his sons showed him which road the man of God from Judah had taken.
...He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, 'Are you the man of God who came from Judah?'
'I am,' he replied.
So the prophet said to him, 'Come home with me and eat.'
The man of God said, 'I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came." '
The old prophet answered, 'I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: "Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water." '
(But he was lying to him.) So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.
While they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet who had brought him back. He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah,
'This is what the Lord says: "You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors." ’ "
- First Kings 13:11-22
A Prophet from Judah Prophecies God's Word, but Follows the Words of a Man
A prophet came out of Judah (Josephus says his name was Yadon, or Iddo) to condemn Jerobaom for setting up a golden calf in Bethel and in Dan (the southern and northern extremities of the kingdom of Israel.) The prophet prophesied against the altar and spoke of a son from the house of Jesse named Josiah who would arise in the future to desecrate the golden calf shrine in Bethel. It was a very dramatic moment during the dedication ceremony when the prophet spoke (1 Kings 13:1-10), but on his way home the prophet himself disobeyed the word of the Lord and was deceived by an older man who also claimed to be a prophet.
Because the prophet from Judah disobeyed the word the Lord have given him and had instead followed the word of the older prophet the prophet from Judah was killed by a lion.
After the prophecy came true and the prophet from Judah was killed by the lion, the older prophet recovered the body and buried it with in a tomb near the burial place of the false priest of the golden calf near the sanctuary of the golden calf in Bethel.
In 2 Kings 23:15-20 about 310 years later (930-620 BC) Josiah fulfills the prophecy around 620 BC that was spoken by the prophet from Judah at the golden calf sanctuary in Bethel in 930 BC by tearing the shrine down. But, when Josiah does, he also honors the tomb of the prophet from Bethel who predicted Josiah's very actions 310 years before. Below are photos of the golden calf shrine in Dan, Israel that was built at the same time as the shrine in Bethel, so there would surely have been some similarities.
The Golden Calf Sanctuary in Dan. The podium where the calf stood is on the right and the altar location is on the left
Front of the podium in Dan with steps leading up to where the calf idol would have set in a building/temple.
Toni standing on the steps that lead up to the podium, the temple and the golden calf.
The altar is to the right of the photo, or to Toni's left.
The altar is to the right of the photo, or to Toni's left.
Close up photo of the fine craftsmanship by the stonemasons who cut the ashlars for the podium retaining wall in Dan, Israel.
Soma (Gr) – Body (Eng) – soma is Greek word that means the body of a man or an animal either living or dead, and even to the heavenly bodies of stars and planets. Soma can also be used to refer to group of people in society, as a family or a union as the church. In Colossians 2:17 soma is used to distinguish between the shadow of an image and the actual body that casts the shadow. In Colossians soma is reality while the shadow is symbolic.
Do I know God's Word?
Can I stand and obey God's Word while men are advising me to do something different?
I will obey the Word of the Lord and will seek discernment concerning the words of men.
Can I stand and obey God's Word while men are advising me to do something different?
I will obey the Word of the Lord and will seek discernment concerning the words of men.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Listen to someone in need
Church
Peace among members
Nation
Equal Rights
World
China, Hong Kong
Someone to Quote
“Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”
– C. S. Lewis
Something to Ponder
Substitution – The necessity for substitution exists because the righteous and holy God demands that sin and rebellion be punished. Romans 3:22-26 addresses the question of how a holy, just and righteous God can maintain his holy, just and righteous character and yet justify the sinner:
“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”
Here’s a Fact
Tyre of Ezekiel 26:14, 17 is still identifiable. The remains of Tyre are 20 miles south of Sidon on what used to be an island in the Mediterranean Sea ¾ of a mile from the coast. The rubble of the remains of the city destroyed by Alexander in 333 BC can still be seen in the shallow water of the shores of Tyre.
Proverb
"Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?"
- Proverbs 20:6
- Proverbs 20:6
Coach’s Corner
A true man sets aside his desires and goals to serve those who have been entrusted to his care. A true man is selfless like his Lord Jesus, not selfish like his sin nature.
2 Samuel 16
New International Version (NIV)
David and Ziba
16 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.
2 The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?”
Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”
Ziba said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom.’”
4 Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.”
“I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
Shimei Curses David
5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”
11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai
15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16 Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17 Absalom said to Hushai, “So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?”
18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”
20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”
21 Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.
New International Version (NIV)
David and Ziba
16 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.
2 The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?”
Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”
Ziba said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom.’”
4 Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.”
“I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
Shimei Curses David
5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”
11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai
15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16 Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17 Absalom said to Hushai, “So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?”
18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”
20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”
21 Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.
2 Samuel 16
New International Version (NIV)
David and Ziba
16 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.
2 The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?”
Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”
Ziba said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom.’”
4 Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.”
“I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
Shimei Curses David
5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”
11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai
15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16 Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17 Absalom said to Hushai, “So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?”
18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”
20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”
21 Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.
New International Version (NIV)
David and Ziba
16 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.
2 The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?”
Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”
Ziba said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom.’”
4 Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.”
“I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
Shimei Curses David
5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”
11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai
15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16 Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17 Absalom said to Hushai, “So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?”
18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”
20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”
21 Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.
Psalm 128-130
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 128
A song of ascents.
1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
2
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4
Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.
5
May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6
May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.
Psalm 129
A song of ascents.
1
“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say;
2
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.
3
Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.
4
But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
5
May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
6
May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;
7
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8
May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2
Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
4
But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
6
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7
Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
8
He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 128
A song of ascents.
1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
2
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4
Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.
5
May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6
May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.
Psalm 129
A song of ascents.
1
“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say;
2
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.
3
Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.
4
But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
5
May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
6
May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;
7
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8
May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2
Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
4
But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
6
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7
Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
8
He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.