April 27 - Evening
"Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him.
'My father! My father!' he cried. 'The chariots and horsemen of Israel!'
Elisha said, 'Get a bow and some arrows,' and he did so.
'Take the bow in your hands,' he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 'Open the east window,' he said, and he opened it. 'Shoot!' Elisha said, and he shot. 'The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!' Elisha declared. 'You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.'
Then he said, 'Take the arrows,' and the king took them. Elisha told him, 'Strike the ground.'
He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, 'You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.'
Elisha died and was buried."
- Second Kings 13:14-20
'My father! My father!' he cried. 'The chariots and horsemen of Israel!'
Elisha said, 'Get a bow and some arrows,' and he did so.
'Take the bow in your hands,' he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 'Open the east window,' he said, and he opened it. 'Shoot!' Elisha said, and he shot. 'The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!' Elisha declared. 'You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.'
Then he said, 'Take the arrows,' and the king took them. Elisha told him, 'Strike the ground.'
He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, 'You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.'
Elisha died and was buried."
- Second Kings 13:14-20
Elisha: The Chariots and Horsemen of Israel!
Elisha appears for the first time in the text of scripture since Elisha sent one of the young prophets to anoint Jehu, the grandfather of Israel’s current King Jehoash. The king comes to visit Elisha who is an old, dying man. Fifty years has elapsed since Elisha was last mentioned in scripture.
Elisha “was suffering from the illness from which he died” on the day King Jehoash visited him. Jehoash greets Elisha with the words, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” Which are exactly the same words Elisha used 65 years before when he had watched Elijah be taken up after a chariot of fire and horses appeared and separated Elisha and Elijah. (2 Kings 2:11-12). Now the king of Israel repeats these words to Elisha. The reason for these words and their meaning in both cases is difficult, but Josephus’ comments from around 80 AD may capture, at least, part of the meaning. Josephus’ commentary on this greeting/farewell when used by King Jehoash to Elisha was this:
“Because of Elisha, Israel had never had to use arms against the foe, but through Elisah’s prophecies Israel had overcome the enemy without battle. But now Elisha was departing this life and leaving King Jehoash unarmed before the Syrians (Arameans) and the enemies under them.”
Josephus’ explanation makes sense in light of what Elisha, the prophetic force behind Israel’s military defenses, says next and demonstrates in two signs for Jehoash. The purpose Elisha’s signs and accompanying prophecy that were given to Jehoash was to secure Israel continued military protection after Elisha’s death, but the military success would be based on Jehoash’s own faith, obedience and passion. King Jehoash should have been thinking bigger. The king should have taken Elisha’s symbolic acts to extreme lengths, instead of simply responding politely with actions that were socially acceptable.
Elisha had Jehoash shoot an arrow out the window. When Jehoash obeyed Elisha proclaimed, “The Lord’s arrow of victory. . .You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.” Then Elisha told King Jehoash to take some arrows and strike the ground. Jehoash struck the ground three times and stopped. Elisha was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times. . .now you will defeat Aram only three times.”
Elisha died. Hazael, king of Aram died and his son Ben Hadad II began to reign. Jehoash defeated Aram three times and recovered the towns of Israel.
Polymeros (Gr) – Many Parts (Eng) – polymeros is Greek word made up of poly, “many,” and meros, “parts” and “portions.” Together poly-meros means “many parts” and “many portions.” Polymeros is used in Hebrews 1:1 to describe how God brought forth his revelation of himself to man from the time of Adam until Christ. God’s revelation of himself was polymeros, “many parts,” or fragmentary. Before the coming of Christ God’s revelation came to man in parts and pieces.
Do I respond to opportunities that God provides for me with timidity or gusto?
Do I get the most out of the Lord's plan and work in my life?
I will take full advantage of open doors and opportunities God sets before me.
Do I get the most out of the Lord's plan and work in my life?
I will take full advantage of open doors and opportunities God sets before me.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Wisdom and insight
Church
Music
Nation
Local School System
World
Congo-DRC
Someone to Quote
"There is no magic in small plans. When I consider my ministry, I think of the world. Anything less than that would not be worthy of Christ nor of His will for my life."
- Henrietta Mears
- Henrietta Mears
Something to Ponder
Five Christian Techniques
Definition: TECHNIQUE – the mechanical performance in the practice of an art; the practical details of the methods by which an artist, a craftsman, an athlete, a soldier, etc. in any line expresses his mental concepts (or, theology) and their mechanical skill (or, Christ likeness) in their art (or, life).
Confession (self-judgment) – 1 Jn 1:9, The technique by which we deal with personal sins for cleansing, forgiveness, and restoration to full fellowship, power and service. Use this technique daily. (Psalm 32; 38; 51; 1 Cor. 11:28-31; 1 Jn. 1:7-22)
Inhale of Bible Doctrine – (renewing of the mind) This is the technique of hearing the word of God, understanding the principles of scripture and being able to build an apparatus of truth in your soul. You will operate your life and conduct your service from this fortress of reality established in your soul. (Romans 10:17; 12:1-3) This inhale of truth into your soul will enable you to exhale a life that is agreement with the holy God.
Spirituality (life of application) – Ephesians 5:18 and 1:23; 3:16-20; 4:1-16. This is the technique of the daily application of the Word of God in our thinking, speaking and actions. This is not to be confused with modern church emotionalism. Spirituality is no more emotionalism and goose-bumps from a worship service than a cheerleading routine on the sidelines is the basketball team’s offense. This is Living in the Word because your soul is saturated with the Word. This is the “spiritual athlete” of 2 Timothy 2:5 that has trained himself because of his desire to attain the goal as in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Faith-Rest Life (trust in God) The technique of reliance on the promises, principles and doctrines of the Word of God when faced with troubles, persecutions, temptations, worries, deceitfulness and desires of daily life. This technique is inner rest, peace and tranquility. Example: Daniel in the lion’s den. (Mark 4:17-19; Psalm 119:103-105; Psalm 138:2)
Occupation with Jesus Christ (recognition that Jesus is the only true celebrity) This technique involves the pursuit of Jesus Christ for the celebrity he truly is. The emotions, plans, motivation, passion, etc. come from a soul occupied with the thoughts of Jesus Christ. This is the Celebrity of Christ! “I want to know Christ…” (Phil.3:10); “Consider Jesus…” (Hebrews 3:1); Fix your eyes on Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:2; “Consider him who endured…” (Hebrews 12:3).
Confession (self-judgment) – 1 Jn 1:9, The technique by which we deal with personal sins for cleansing, forgiveness, and restoration to full fellowship, power and service. Use this technique daily. (Psalm 32; 38; 51; 1 Cor. 11:28-31; 1 Jn. 1:7-22)
Inhale of Bible Doctrine – (renewing of the mind) This is the technique of hearing the word of God, understanding the principles of scripture and being able to build an apparatus of truth in your soul. You will operate your life and conduct your service from this fortress of reality established in your soul. (Romans 10:17; 12:1-3) This inhale of truth into your soul will enable you to exhale a life that is agreement with the holy God.
Spirituality (life of application) – Ephesians 5:18 and 1:23; 3:16-20; 4:1-16. This is the technique of the daily application of the Word of God in our thinking, speaking and actions. This is not to be confused with modern church emotionalism. Spirituality is no more emotionalism and goose-bumps from a worship service than a cheerleading routine on the sidelines is the basketball team’s offense. This is Living in the Word because your soul is saturated with the Word. This is the “spiritual athlete” of 2 Timothy 2:5 that has trained himself because of his desire to attain the goal as in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Faith-Rest Life (trust in God) The technique of reliance on the promises, principles and doctrines of the Word of God when faced with troubles, persecutions, temptations, worries, deceitfulness and desires of daily life. This technique is inner rest, peace and tranquility. Example: Daniel in the lion’s den. (Mark 4:17-19; Psalm 119:103-105; Psalm 138:2)
Occupation with Jesus Christ (recognition that Jesus is the only true celebrity) This technique involves the pursuit of Jesus Christ for the celebrity he truly is. The emotions, plans, motivation, passion, etc. come from a soul occupied with the thoughts of Jesus Christ. This is the Celebrity of Christ! “I want to know Christ…” (Phil.3:10); “Consider Jesus…” (Hebrews 3:1); Fix your eyes on Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:2; “Consider him who endured…” (Hebrews 12:3).
Here’s a Fact
The largest Ashlar stone is found in the north portion of the west wall of the retaining wall in the Western Wall tunnels north of the Western Wall Prayer Plaza. This ashlar is 45 feet thick and weighs 570 ton.
Proverb
"Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home."
- Proverbs 27:8
- Proverbs 27:8
Coach’s Corner
Do not vilify those you love. Do not cast blame on those who trust you to love them.
1 Chronicles 23
New International Version (NIV)
The Levites
23 When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.
2 He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. 3 The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. 4 David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. 5 Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”
6 David separated the Levites into divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
Gershonites
7 Belonging to the Gershonites:
Ladan and Shimei.
8 The sons of Ladan:
Jehiel the first, Zetham and Joel—three in all.
9 The sons of Shimei:
Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran—three in all.
These were the heads of the families of Ladan.
10 And the sons of Shimei:
Jahath, Ziza, Jeush and Beriah.
These were the sons of Shimei—four in all.
11 Jahath was the first and Ziza the second, but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons; so they were counted as one family with one assignment.
Kohathites
12 The sons of Kohath:
Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel—four in all.
13 The sons of Amram:
Aaron and Moses.
Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the Lord, to minister before him and to pronounce blessings in his name forever. 14 The sons of Moses the man of God were counted as part of the tribe of Levi.
15 The sons of Moses:
Gershom and Eliezer.
16 The descendants of Gershom:
Shubael was the first.
17 The descendants of Eliezer:
Rehabiah was the first.
Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very numerous.
18 The sons of Izhar:
Shelomith was the first.
19 The sons of Hebron:
Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth.
20 The sons of Uzziel:
Micah the first and Ishiah the second.
Merarites
21 The sons of Merari:
Mahli and Mushi.
The sons of Mahli:
Eleazar and Kish.
22 Eleazar died without having sons: he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.
23 The sons of Mushi:
Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth—three in all.
24 These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the Lord. 25 For David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, 26 the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” 27 According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more.
28 The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the Lord: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God. 29 They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the special flour for the grain offerings, the thin loaves made without yeast, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. 30 They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening 31 and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals. They were to serve before the Lord regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them.
32 And so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the tent of meeting, for the Holy Place and, under their relatives the descendants of Aaron, for the service of the temple of the Lord.
New International Version (NIV)
The Levites
23 When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.
2 He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. 3 The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. 4 David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. 5 Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”
6 David separated the Levites into divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
Gershonites
7 Belonging to the Gershonites:
Ladan and Shimei.
8 The sons of Ladan:
Jehiel the first, Zetham and Joel—three in all.
9 The sons of Shimei:
Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran—three in all.
These were the heads of the families of Ladan.
10 And the sons of Shimei:
Jahath, Ziza, Jeush and Beriah.
These were the sons of Shimei—four in all.
11 Jahath was the first and Ziza the second, but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons; so they were counted as one family with one assignment.
Kohathites
12 The sons of Kohath:
Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel—four in all.
13 The sons of Amram:
Aaron and Moses.
Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the Lord, to minister before him and to pronounce blessings in his name forever. 14 The sons of Moses the man of God were counted as part of the tribe of Levi.
15 The sons of Moses:
Gershom and Eliezer.
16 The descendants of Gershom:
Shubael was the first.
17 The descendants of Eliezer:
Rehabiah was the first.
Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very numerous.
18 The sons of Izhar:
Shelomith was the first.
19 The sons of Hebron:
Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth.
20 The sons of Uzziel:
Micah the first and Ishiah the second.
Merarites
21 The sons of Merari:
Mahli and Mushi.
The sons of Mahli:
Eleazar and Kish.
22 Eleazar died without having sons: he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.
23 The sons of Mushi:
Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth—three in all.
24 These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the Lord. 25 For David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, 26 the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” 27 According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more.
28 The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the Lord: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God. 29 They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the special flour for the grain offerings, the thin loaves made without yeast, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. 30 They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening 31 and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals. They were to serve before the Lord regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them.
32 And so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the tent of meeting, for the Holy Place and, under their relatives the descendants of Aaron, for the service of the temple of the Lord.
Psalm 81
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 81
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph.
1
Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
2
Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.
3
Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
4
this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5
When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph.
I heard an unknown voice say:
6
“I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.
7
In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8
Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel!
9
You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me.
10
I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
11
“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.
12
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
13
“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways,
14
how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
15
Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.
16
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 81
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph.
1
Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
2
Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.
3
Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
4
this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5
When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph.
I heard an unknown voice say:
6
“I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.
7
In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8
Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel!
9
You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me.
10
I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
11
“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.
12
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
13
“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways,
14
how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
15
Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.
16
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”