April 26 - Evening
"The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him,
'Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, This is what the Lord says: "I anoint you king over Israel." Then open the door and run; don’t delay!'
So the young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead. When he arrived, he found the army officers sitting together.
'I have a message for you, commander,' he said.
'For which of us?' asked Jehu.
'For you, commander,' he replied.
Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared,
'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: "I anoint you king over the Lord’s people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her." '
Then he opened the door and ran.
When Jehu went out to his fellow officers, one of them asked him, 'Is everything all right? Why did this maniac come to you?'
'You know the man and the sort of things he says,' Jehu replied.
'That’s not true!' they said. Tell us.'
Jehu said, 'Here is what he told me: "This is what the Lord says: 'I anoint you king over Israel.' " '
They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, 'Jehu is king!' "
Kings 9:1-13
'Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, This is what the Lord says: "I anoint you king over Israel." Then open the door and run; don’t delay!'
So the young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead. When he arrived, he found the army officers sitting together.
'I have a message for you, commander,' he said.
'For which of us?' asked Jehu.
'For you, commander,' he replied.
Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared,
'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: "I anoint you king over the Lord’s people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her." '
Then he opened the door and ran.
When Jehu went out to his fellow officers, one of them asked him, 'Is everything all right? Why did this maniac come to you?'
'You know the man and the sort of things he says,' Jehu replied.
'That’s not true!' they said. Tell us.'
Jehu said, 'Here is what he told me: "This is what the Lord says: 'I anoint you king over Israel.' " '
They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, 'Jehu is king!' "
Kings 9:1-13
Jehu Anointed to Overthrow the House of Omri
When Elijah fled to Mount Sinai from Jezebel the Lord gave him three things to do in 1 Kings 19:15-18
- Anoint Elisha to replace him as prophet
- Anoint Jehu as King over Israel
- Anoint Hazael as king over Aram
Elijah first anoint Elisha to become his prophetic replacement in 1 Kings 19:19-21. In 2 Kings 8:7-15 Elisha went to Damascus in Aram to anoint Hazael who then replaced Ben Hadad as the king over Aram. The last thing Elisha needed to accomplish in order to complete the ministry given to Elijah was to find a Jehu and anoint him to replace the wicked dynasty Omri and his of Baal worshipping sons and grandsons.
Elisha selects a young prophet from the company of the prophets to run to the east side of the Jordan River to anoint General Jehu as the next king. According to the Jewish tradition this prophet was Jonah (Details). (Jonah makes an appearance again in 2 Kings 14:25)
As soon as Jehu is anoint the revolt begins and the house of Omri is destroyed. Jehu’s image appears bowing on his knees with his face to the ground on the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, the Assyrian king (Details, images)
Brosis (Gr) – Eating (Eng) – brosis is Greek word that refers to the act of eating and to that which is eaten. Brosis is used in John 4:32; 6:27 and 6:55; John ; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Colossians 2:16; Hebrews 12:16. Brosis is often translated to refer to what we “eat and drink.” In Matthew 6:19-20 brosis meaning of “the act of eating” is used to speak of rust eating away at a metal.
Do I get frustrated during times of testing?
Do plaiI comn during a test that if passed would propel me to the next level of understanding?
I will focus on being obedient and act in righteousness.
I will trust God to open doors and provide options.
Do plaiI comn during a test that if passed would propel me to the next level of understanding?
I will focus on being obedient and act in righteousness.
I will trust God to open doors and provide options.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Home
Church
Avoid distractions and interference
Nation
Local mayors and city officials
World
Comoro Islands
An ancient Roman road in Sepphoris. Notice the goove cut in the pavement stone by the wagon wheels. (Details on Sepphoris.)
Someone to Quote
“Christianity explains the facts of reality better than any other worldview because it relies upon divine inspiration, observation, reason, personal experience, history, and intuition.”
- David A. Noebel, Understanding the Times
Something to Ponder
Depravity – The total depravity of man means that sin’s corruption has extended into every part of man’s nature (mind, intellect, body, will, emotions, desires, etc.) and also, that there is nothing in man to empower him to gain a right standing with God or commend him to a holy and just God. Total depravity does not mean that every man has thoroughly acted out his depravity or that men do not have a conscience or that they will engage in every type of sin or that a totally depraved man cannot do any good. Total depravity means that man is as bad off as he can be, but it does not mean he is as bad as he can be.
Here’s a Fact
Judges 13:2, 25 and 16:31 names Samson’s hometown as Zorah. Today it is called Sur’ah and is 15 miles west of Jerusalem on a hill north of the Valley of Sorek. Located here is an impressive rock altar similar to the altars built in the days of Judges. This may be the altar Manoah burnt offerings and had his encounter with the angel of the Lord in Judges 13:19-20.
Proverb
"Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool."
- Proverbs 26:8
- Proverbs 26:8
Coach’s Corner
Treat others with grace whenever you have a chance.
1 Kings 19:15-18
New International Version (NIV)
15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
New International Version (NIV)
15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
1 Kings 19:19-21
New International Version (NIV)
The Call of Elisha
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”
21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
New International Version (NIV)
The Call of Elisha
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”
21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
2 Kings 8:7-15
New International Version (NIV)
Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad
7 Elisha went to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad king of Aram was ill. When the king was told, “The man of God has come all the way up here,” 8 he said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go to meet the man of God. Consult the Lord through him; ask him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
9 Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him as a gift forty camel-loads of all the finest wares of Damascus. He went in and stood before him, and said, “Your son Ben-Hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
10 Elisha answered, “Go and say to him, ‘You will certainly recover.’ Nevertheless, the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact die.” 11 He stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael was embarrassed. Then the man of God began to weep.
12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.
“Because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women.”
13 Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog, accomplish such a feat?”
“The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram,” answered Elisha.
14 Then Hazael left Elisha and returned to his master. When Ben-Hadad asked, “What did Elisha say to you?” Hazael replied, “He told me that you would certainly recover.” 15 But the next day he took a thick cloth, soaked it in water and spread it over the king’s face, so that he died. Then Hazael succeeded him as king.
New International Version (NIV)
Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad
7 Elisha went to Damascus, and Ben-Hadad king of Aram was ill. When the king was told, “The man of God has come all the way up here,” 8 he said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go to meet the man of God. Consult the Lord through him; ask him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
9 Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him as a gift forty camel-loads of all the finest wares of Damascus. He went in and stood before him, and said, “Your son Ben-Hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
10 Elisha answered, “Go and say to him, ‘You will certainly recover.’ Nevertheless, the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact die.” 11 He stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael was embarrassed. Then the man of God began to weep.
12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.
“Because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women.”
13 Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog, accomplish such a feat?”
“The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram,” answered Elisha.
14 Then Hazael left Elisha and returned to his master. When Ben-Hadad asked, “What did Elisha say to you?” Hazael replied, “He told me that you would certainly recover.” 15 But the next day he took a thick cloth, soaked it in water and spread it over the king’s face, so that he died. Then Hazael succeeded him as king.
Psalm 30
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 30
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.
1
I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2
Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
3
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.
4
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6
When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”
7
Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
8
To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9
“What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10
Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.”
11
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 30
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.
1
I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2
Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
3
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.
4
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6
When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”
7
Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
8
To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9
“What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10
Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.”
11
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 77-78
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 77
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.
1
I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
2
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.
3
I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
4
You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
5
I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
6
I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7
“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
8
Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
9
Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12
I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
14
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
15
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16
The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.
17
The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.
18
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.
19
Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
20
You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalm 78
A maskil of Asaph.
1
My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
2
I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3
things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.
4
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.
5
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,
6
so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
7
Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
8
They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.
9
The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle;
10
they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law.
11
They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.
12
He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
13
He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall.
14
He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.
15
He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
16
he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.
17
But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
18
They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.
19
They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?
20
True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”
21
When the Lord heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,
22
for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.
23
Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens;
24
he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.
25
Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.
26
He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power made the south wind blow.
27
He rained meat down on them like dust, birds like sand on the seashore.
28
He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents.
29
They ate till they were gorged— he had given them what they craved.
30
But before they turned from what they craved, even while the food was still in their mouths,
31
God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.
32
In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.
33
So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror.
34
Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again.
35
They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.
36
But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues;
37
their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.
38
Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.
39
He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
40
How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the wasteland!
41
Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.
42
They did not remember his power— the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,
43
the day he displayed his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the region of Zoan.
44
He turned their river into blood; they could not drink from their streams.
45
He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.
46
He gave their crops to the grasshopper, their produce to the locust.
47
He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
48
He gave over their cattle to the hail, their livestock to bolts of lightning.
49
He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility— a band of destroying angels.
50
He prepared a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death but gave them over to the plague.
51
He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.
52
But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
53
He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; but the sea engulfed their enemies.
54
And so he brought them to the border of his holy land, to the hill country his right hand had taken.
55
He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.
56
But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High; they did not keep his statutes.
57
Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow.
58
They angered him with their high places; they aroused his jealousy with their idols.
59
When God heard them, he was furious; he rejected Israel completely.
60
He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent he had set up among humans.
61
He sent the ark of his might into captivity, his splendor into the hands of the enemy.
62
He gave his people over to the sword; he was furious with his inheritance.
63
Fire consumed their young men, and their young women had no wedding songs;
64
their priests were put to the sword, and their widows could not weep.
65
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.
66
He beat back his enemies; he put them to everlasting shame.
67
Then he rejected the tents of Joseph, he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
68
but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved.
69
He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever.
70
He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;
71
from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.
72
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 77
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.
1
I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
2
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.
3
I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
4
You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
5
I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
6
I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7
“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
8
Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
9
Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12
I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
14
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
15
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16
The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.
17
The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.
18
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.
19
Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
20
You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalm 78
A maskil of Asaph.
1
My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
2
I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3
things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.
4
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.
5
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,
6
so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
7
Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
8
They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.
9
The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle;
10
they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law.
11
They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them.
12
He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
13
He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall.
14
He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.
15
He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
16
he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.
17
But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
18
They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.
19
They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?
20
True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”
21
When the Lord heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,
22
for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.
23
Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens;
24
he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.
25
Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.
26
He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power made the south wind blow.
27
He rained meat down on them like dust, birds like sand on the seashore.
28
He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents.
29
They ate till they were gorged— he had given them what they craved.
30
But before they turned from what they craved, even while the food was still in their mouths,
31
God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.
32
In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.
33
So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror.
34
Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again.
35
They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.
36
But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues;
37
their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.
38
Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.
39
He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
40
How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the wasteland!
41
Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.
42
They did not remember his power— the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,
43
the day he displayed his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the region of Zoan.
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He turned their river into blood; they could not drink from their streams.
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He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them.
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He gave their crops to the grasshopper, their produce to the locust.
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He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
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He gave over their cattle to the hail, their livestock to bolts of lightning.
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He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility— a band of destroying angels.
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He prepared a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death but gave them over to the plague.
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He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.
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But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
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He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; but the sea engulfed their enemies.
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And so he brought them to the border of his holy land, to the hill country his right hand had taken.
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He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.
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But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High; they did not keep his statutes.
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Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow.
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They angered him with their high places; they aroused his jealousy with their idols.
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When God heard them, he was furious; he rejected Israel completely.
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He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent he had set up among humans.
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He sent the ark of his might into captivity, his splendor into the hands of the enemy.
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He gave his people over to the sword; he was furious with his inheritance.
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Fire consumed their young men, and their young women had no wedding songs;
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their priests were put to the sword, and their widows could not weep.
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Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.
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He beat back his enemies; he put them to everlasting shame.
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Then he rejected the tents of Joseph, he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
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but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved.
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He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever.
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He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;
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from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.
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And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.