July 9 - Evening
"Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended."
- Proverbs 22:10
- Proverbs 22:10
Drive Out the Mocker or Self-Destruct
The mocker cannot be taught or corrected (Proverbs 9:7-8). The mocker hates those who love them and try to help them (Proverbs 9:8 and 15:12). In a group situation the simple will follow the mocker and join their rebellious and divisive behavior. Punishing the mocker will teach the simple (Proverbs 21:11). But, driving the mocker out of the group will remove strife, quarrels and insults.
The words “drive out” indicates the ending of a relationship by force (Genesis 3:24; Genesis 4:14; Exodus 23:29-30; Joshua 24:18; Psalm 78:55)
Certain organizations, groups or religious institutions do not need to be ended or reformed, but instead, they simply need to apply the principle of expulsion of the member who is the mocker. Remove the mocker to save the institution, church or social program. If the mocker is feared or respected within the organization the mocker will drive out the wise and that same institution will continue to decline further into corruption until it self-destructs or becomes insignificant.
Zogreo (Gr) – to capture alive (Eng) – the Greek word zogreo comes from the vocabulary of hunting and war. Zogreo occurs 2x in the NT referring to being caught in a net.
Luke 5:10 – “Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.' ”
In Greek writing zogreo usually means “kill,” “massacre,” “annihilate.” Herodotus says, “The Persians zogreo (“massacred”) a large number…and made others prisoners.” Thucydides says, “The Syracusans had either captured or killed a large number of men.”
Often men were not killed in battle, but were instead zogreo is used to refer to them being “captured alive” and taken as prisoners. These captured men are said to be executed in the end, put in weighted fetters, sacrificed, mutilated or tortured.
The reason zogreo, “to be taken alive,” is better than death is because there is still hope of a future liberation.
Besides Jesus using zogreo in Luke 5:10 the other NT use of zogreo is by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:26:
"God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." - 2 Timothy 2:25-26
Luke 5:10 – “Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.' ”
In Greek writing zogreo usually means “kill,” “massacre,” “annihilate.” Herodotus says, “The Persians zogreo (“massacred”) a large number…and made others prisoners.” Thucydides says, “The Syracusans had either captured or killed a large number of men.”
Often men were not killed in battle, but were instead zogreo is used to refer to them being “captured alive” and taken as prisoners. These captured men are said to be executed in the end, put in weighted fetters, sacrificed, mutilated or tortured.
The reason zogreo, “to be taken alive,” is better than death is because there is still hope of a future liberation.
Besides Jesus using zogreo in Luke 5:10 the other NT use of zogreo is by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:26:
"God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." - 2 Timothy 2:25-26
I will not tolerate the mocker, but will instead promote those who seek and speak wisdom.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Contacts with people and network building
Church
A spirit of worship
Nation
Race relations
World
Indonesia
Details of the land of Ephraim and Manasseh and Issachar being divided up in Joshua 16-17 and Joshua 19:17-23 is placed on a map and the locations of cities and land marks are noted.
Someone to Quote
"Unhappiness is not knowing what we want and killing ourselves getting it."
- Don Herold
- Don Herold
Something to Ponder
In the Old Testament the priests served as mediators between the Lord and the people. Generally speaking, the priest were part of the institution of established religion and they spoke to the Lord for the people. Contrary to this, also in a general sense, where the prophets who spoke to the people for the Lord and were often outside the institution of established religion (think of Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist). Priests were on the inside of the system and spoke for the people. Prophets were on the outside of the system and spoke for the Lord.
Here’s a Fact
The location of the altar of burnt offering from Solomon's and Herod's temples may have been identified. The remains of the altar's foundation may have been discovered. See Leen Ritmeyer's article.
Proverb
"Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin."
- Proverbs 10:14
- Proverbs 10:14
Coach’s Corner
The greatest miracle is salvation. The godliest spiritual manifestation is the transformed soul.
Ezekiel 2
New International Version (NIV)
Ezekiel’s Call to Be a Prophet
2 He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
New International Version (NIV)
Ezekiel’s Call to Be a Prophet
2 He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
Isaiah 3-4
New International Version (NIV)
Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah
3
See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water,
2
the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder,
3
the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.
4
“I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.”
5
People will oppress each other— man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored.
6
A man will seize one of his brothers in his father’s house, and say, “You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!”
7
But in that day he will cry out, “I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people.”
8
Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.
9
The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.
10
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.
11
Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.
12
Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.
13
The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.
14
The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.
15
What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
16
The Lord says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.
17
Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald.”
18 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, 19 the earrings and bracelets and veils, 20 the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, 21 the signet rings and nose rings, 22 the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses 23 and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.
24
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.
25
Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.
26
The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
4
1 In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”
The Branch of the Lord
2 In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. 3 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4 The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. 5 Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. 6 It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.
New International Version (NIV)
Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah
3
See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water,
2
the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder,
3
the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.
4
“I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.”
5
People will oppress each other— man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored.
6
A man will seize one of his brothers in his father’s house, and say, “You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!”
7
But in that day he will cry out, “I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people.”
8
Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.
9
The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.
10
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.
11
Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.
12
Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.
13
The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.
14
The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.
15
What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
16
The Lord says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.
17
Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald.”
18 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, 19 the earrings and bracelets and veils, 20 the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, 21 the signet rings and nose rings, 22 the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses 23 and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.
24
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.
25
Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.
26
The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
4
1 In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”
The Branch of the Lord
2 In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. 3 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4 The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. 5 Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. 6 It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.