Matthew 15 (résumé): Clean/Unclean - Dogs eat Crumbs - Feed 4,000

Initially in Matthew 15 Jesus takes the opportunity to refute the Pharisees' legalism and external religiosity showing that uncleanliness comes from the heart and not just from what is physically consumed. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 "The people honour me with their lips, but their heart are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men". Next comes a fascinating incident with a non-Jewish Canaanite woman asking for liberation from demon possession for her daughter. Jesus initially refuses to act as his priority was "the lost sheep of Israel". The woman insists but Jesus resists saying "it's not right to give the children's bread to the dogs (gentiles)". However the woman reacts saying that even the dogs eat the crumbs from the bread! This great demonstration of persistent faith breaks down Jesus' resistance and he heals the woman's daughter! Jesus then went along the Sea of Galilee healing the blind, lame and dumb. Eventually after 3-days ministry Jesus became concerned about the people's hunger (4,000 men plus women and children) and multiplied 7 loaves and a few small fish so as to feed the thousands and leave 7 basketfuls of food at the end!

Father's Day

The second Sunday in August is Father's Day in Brazil so yesterday our children joined us for a lovely family lunch when they kindly gave me a new pair of sandals! 

At night I led the service in Patos and preached on 'a father after the heart of God'. It was a lovely service at which the children and adolescents took part beautifully including our granddaughter Amanda.

Football Season

The 2026/2027 football season started yesterday in England and QPR drew with Millwall 1 x 1 in the first round of the League Cup but lost on penalties.

Last night I went and took the communion service at Green Pastures and preached on 'Jesus: the Good Shepherd' from John 10:11-21. It was a lovely service. I saw the usual Burrowing Owls along the earth track along the way. I never tire of seeing them. 

Half-way

I have now completed the first half of Matthew's Gospel having written the synopses of 14 of its 28 chapters. John the Baptist has just been executed and Jesus has just fed the 5,000 and walked on the water. Then Peter was a failed copycat! 

I have just sent the details and photos to Marian Rashleigh of two new children for sponsorship as part of the EAB Action Child and Action Schools project. For £25 monthly you can support our 15 schools which educate, feed and evangelize over 800 children. Contact Marian for details at missionmr@ntlworld.com

I can hear you better today! Yesterday I had my ears syringed again! 

Matthew 14 (résumé): John the Baptist beheaded

John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod owing to his stance for righteousness which angered the leader. Herod proceeded to execute John to grant a wish by Herodias's daughter and his disciples buried him and told Jesus what had happened. Jesus then had compassion on a large crowd and healed their sick. He then proceeded to feed the 5,000 men, plus women and children, by multiplying 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and at the end 12 baskets "of broken pieces were left over and collected". Then Jesus dispatched the disciples on a boat because he wanted a time of prayer alone. Jesus later joined them by "walking on the lake"! The disciples were scared thinking it was a ghost but Jesus calmed them down assuring them it was himself, so Peter tried walking on the water too. Initially he was successful, but then he got scared by the strong wind and cried out for help. So the disciples worshipped Jesus saying "truly you are the Son of God".

Matthew 13 (résumé): A series of Parables

Matthew 13 presents a series of 7 parables, and as I was taught as a child at Sunday School, parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings - everyday topics with spiritual meaning. The first parable here is the parable of the Sower where a farmer sows seed and some fell in the path and the birds ate it (the evil one snatches away what was sown), some seed fell on rocky terrain and in the shallow earth the plants withered with no roots (a person receives the word but he doesn't last because of lack of roots), other seed fell among thorns (a person who received the word but lets "the deceitfulness of wealth choke it), and other seed fell on good ground which produces fruit. There then follows a further agricultural parable with good seed being sown, but with an enemy planting weeds to mess things up. The farmer decided to let everything grow together and then burn the weeds at harvest time before gathering the wheat. Jesus says the good seed are the sons of the kingdom, and the bad seed are the sons of the evil one. At the end of the age the evil ones will be thrown in the fiery furnace, and the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom. Next came the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast. The moral of the Mustard Seed parable is that though the seeds are tiny yet they produce large plants that become trees. Then comes the parable of the Yeast which leavens a large amount of flour. These 2 parables show the kingdom with modest beginning having strong effects on people's lives. Next come the parables of hidden treasure  which is bought at all cost, and then the parable of the Pearl which too is purchased at all cost. The moral of these parables is that Jesus and the kingdom are worth more than anything else! Finally comes the parable of the net which catches good and bad fish. Jesus says that at the end of the age angels will put the bad fish in a fiery furnace, but collect the good ones in baskets. Finally Jesus returned to his home town of Nazareth and there people were amazed at his teaching, especially considering that they knew his mother, brothers and sisters. Jesus remarked that a prophet is without honour in his home town.

New Toilet/Shower Unit

A new toilet/shower unit has been built for Damião, Márcia and family at the village of Tamanduá in the municipality of Vazante. Márcia burst into tears of joy when she received it saying "this changes everything in our lives"! Thank you for your support and for your prayers which change needy people's lives for the glory of God.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study, Philip led the praise, Vasti & Espedita sang solos and Firefighter Romildo brought the study on Titus chapter 3. It was a lovely service with a good number present.

Temperatures today range from a low of 19 degrees in the night and a high of 33 degrees in the afternoon.

Matthew 12 (résumé): Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12 tells of how the Pharisees criticized Jesus because his disciples were hungry and picked corn on the sabbath. Jesus retorted that David and his men had eaten "consecrated bread" when they were hungry... "and one greater than the temple was now here... and the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath". Similar tensions arose about the sabbath when Jesus healed a man with a shrivelled hand on the sabbath... because it is lawful to do good on a sabbath... so the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus". So Jesus went elsewhere and healed all their sick "warning them not to tell who he was, which was to fulfil Isaiah 42:1-4: "He is my chosen servant... in whom I delight... I will put my Spirit on him... a bruised reed he will not break... in his name the nations will put their hope". Then they brought Jesus a man who was blind, dumb and demon-possessed and Jesus healed him. The Pharisees again reacted saying he had done this with the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus reacted saying demons against demons doesn't work, but he drives out demons by the Spirit of God! Jesus then said: "He that is not with me is against me... and every sin can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.... a bad tree produces bad fruit... you brood of vipers... you who are evil can't do anything good... but on the day of judgement every careless word will be judged". Then the Pharisees asked for another sign and Jesus refused them calling them an "adulterous nation". He says that the only sign they will receive will be the Jonah sign and as Jonah was in the fish's belly for 3 days so Jesus would spend 3 days in the tomb before rising again. Then Jesus was told that his mother and brothers were outside waiting to speak to him. Jesus reacted asking: "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?... whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother".

Matthew 11 (résumé): Jesus & John the Baptist

Matthew 11 reports that Jesus went preaching in Galilee and John the Baptist sent a question from prison asking if Jesus was the Messiah? Jesus replied pointing them to the evidences of his healing the sick, raising the dead and preaching to the poor. Jesus then goes on to honour John the Baptist saying "there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist... he is the Elijah who was to come". Then Jesus denounces cities where he had ministered like Korazin and Capernaum that refused to repent. Then Jesus praises God because he was revealing the truth "to little children as opposed to the wise and learned... he then goes on to reaffirm his unique relationship with God the Father saying... all things have been committed to me by my Father... and then he calls people to himself saying... Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest".

Readers

The readers of this blog come from a wide-range of countries. By far the largest group is from the USA. Next comes Seychelles, third is Brazil, fourth is India and fifth Vietnam. 6th is Pakistan, 7th Philippines, 8th Bangladesh, 9th Argentina and 10th Saudi Arabia. My prayer is that many people will be blessed by my daily missionary diary and my summaries chapter by chapter of the whole Word of God. I remember how I met a man once who told me he had been converted through my radio ministry many years earlier although I had never met him. My prayer is that this may happen too through this daily blog for the glory of God.

I am now proceeding with my résumé of the New Testament, having completed the Old Testament. Yesterday I concluded the first 10 chapters of the Gospel of Matthew with the sending out of the 12 in mission in chapter 10.

Today the results have come out from the Ministry of Education for all the schools in Brazil, and once again our 'Pastor Frank Dyer School' in Patos has been classified in first place for primary schools in Patos with a mark of 8.2 on the IDEB. Well done headteacher Gerlânia and all the team! All glory be to God!

Matthew 10 (résumé): Jesus sends out the 12

Jesus sent out the 12 in mission. "Jesus called his 12 disciples and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to cure every type of disease... he told them to go to the lost sheep of Israel... preach that the kingdom of heaven is near and heal the sick, raise the dead, drive out demons... freely you have received, freely give... take no bag for the journey... if people reject you shake the dust off your feet... I am sending you like sheep among wolves... you will be given what to say by the Spirit... all men will hate you because of me... a servant is not above his master... but do not be afraid of them... for they cannot kill the soul... and you are worth more than 2 sparrows... whoever acknowledges me before men I will acknowledge before my Father... I did not come to bring peace... and anyone who loves his father and mother more than me is not worthy of me... he who receives you receives me". 

Matthew 9 (résumé): Furth ministry by Jesus

Jesus' messianic ministry continues in Matthew 9 as a paralytic man was brought to Jesus so he forgave the man's sins, which put the cat among the pigeons, as far as the teachers of the law was concerned as they felt this was blasphemy. So Jesus healed the man to show his authority which left everyone "filled with awe". This is followed by the calling of Matthew related by Matthew! He was a tax collector and the Pharisees criticized Jesus for keeping their company. Jesus reacted saying: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick!"  Following this John the Baptist's disciples asked Jesus why his disciples didn't fast and he told them it wouldn't happen when the bridegroom was still with them. Things were changing and Jesus showed them the need to pour new wine into new wineskins. Then Jesus was called to resurrect a ruler's daughter, but on the way he was side-tracked curing a woman who had been subject to bleeding for 12 years. Having cured her Jesus went on to raise the dead girl. Then Jesus encountered 2 blind men calling out to him asking for mercy, and Jesus healed them. Then Jesus went on to deliver a dumb man who was demon possessed. The people were amazed hearing him speaking and said: "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!" And Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching and preaching the Gospel and he felt compassion towards the crowds. He said: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few... pray for more workers!"

Matthew 8 (résumé): Multiple healings by Jesus

Now Jesus is approached by "a man with leprosy" who asked Jesus if he was willing to heal him? Jesus said yes, "be clean"! And he was immediately cured. Then at Capernaum a centurion told Jesus that his servant was paralysed and suffering and asked him to heal him at a distance because he wasn't worthy for Jesus to enter his house. Jesus was astonished by his faith and proceeded to heal the servant. Then Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law before healing many sick people and driving out evil spirits. The text says that this fulfilled Isaiah 53:4. Then a teacher of the law declared to Jesus that he would follow him everywhere. Jesus answered that foxes have holes and birds have nests but he had nowhere to lay his head. Then another man said he needed to go and conduct his father's funeral, and Jesus said "let the dead bury the dead"! Then Jesus and the disciples went travelling by boat and were hit by a surprise storm and the disciples asked Jesus for help and Jesus lamented their lack of faith. Jesus rebuked the winds and everything calmed down, so the men were amazed that even the winds and the waves obeyed Jesus! Then Jesus arrived in the region of the Gadarenes where he encountered 2 violent devil possessed men and they asked Jesus to send them into a nearby herd of pigs if he was to cast them out of the men. This happened and the pigs hurtled into a lake and drowned. And the townsfolk asked Jesus to leave the area.

Matthew 7 (résumé): The Sermon on the Mount (part 3)

Further teaching from Jesus flows in Matthew 7 starting with "Do not judge, or you too will be judged... and why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye when you have a plank in your own... and don't throw your pearls to pigs". Jesus then goes on to teach further on prayer saying "ask and it will be given unto you, seek and you will find... if your son asks for bread you don't give him a stone... so God will give good gifts to those who ask him". Jesus then says "enter through the narrow gate... for narrow is the way that leads to life". Then Jesus says "watch out for false prophets which are wolves in sheep's clothing... and by their fruit you will know them... not everyone that says Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven!" Finally Jesus says that putting my word into practice is like building your house on a rock... but not practicing my word is foolishness building in the sand. The house on the rock stands firm in the storm but the one on the sand falls with a great crash. And people were amazed at Jesus' teaching with authority.

Matthew 6 (résumé): Sermon on the Mount (part 2)

Matthew 6 starts with teaching about giving to the needy which Jesus says should be without exhibitionism. "Don't announce your giving with trumpets!" Let God know and nobody else. Then Jesus teaches on prayer with his famous 'Lord's Prayer'. Jesus condemns 'show off' prayers and teaches that prayer should honour God's name... pray for God's kingdom and will... ask for daily bread... seek forgiveness whilst forgiving others... ask for deliverance from temptation and evil. Then Jesus says that fasting ought to be discreet "so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting". Then Jesus teaches that "you cannot serve both God and money... don't store up treasures on earth but rather do it in heaven". Finally in this chapter the Lord tells his disciples not to worry about food, clothing and the days ahead, because the birds and flowers do fine without worrying. "Seek yea first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you". 

Matthew 5 (résumé): The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5 to 7 contains the Sermon on the Mount which is a collection of Jesus' teachings to his disciples. Initially come the famous beatitudes: "The poor in spirit inherit the kingdom of heaven... those who mourn will be comforted... the meek will inherit the earth... those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled... the merciful will be shown mercy... the pure in heart will see God... the peacemakers will be called sons of God... those persecuted because of righteousness will inherit the kingdom of heaven". Jesus then goes on to say that Christian disciples are the salt of the earth influencing society for good... and they are the light of the world shining for God through what they do. Then Jesus says that he has not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it and stresses that true righteousness must exceed superficial external obedience as practiced by the Pharisees. 

Jesus then goes on to specific topics of Christian ethics starting with murder which he of course condemns, but not just physically but he condemns the anger and hatred in the heart which is its root cause. So too Jesus condemns adultery which stems from lust in the heart. Jesus next values marriage but admits divorce in the case of "marital unfaithfulness". Jesus then clearly teaches that Christians should always be truthful and "let your yes be yes, and your no be no", without needing to swear by oaths. Jesus replaces "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" with "if someone strikes you on the right cheek, give him the other one also". Jesus also teaches "love your enemies and pray for persecutors... be perfect, as your Father is perfect".

Matthew 4 (résumé): The temptation of Jesus & the beginning of his ministry

 Straight after Jesus' baptism "Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil" and he fasted for a long period. So the devil suggested that Jesus turn stone in to bread to eat, but Jesus rebuked him saying man doesn't live by bread alone. Then the devil dared Jesus to jump off a high point and trust God, but Jesus told him not to put God to the test. Finally the devil offered a vast panorama of place if Jesus would worship him and Jesus again rebuked him saying only God should be worshipped! Then Jesus went and lived in Capernaum and started preaching publicly saying "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near". Jesus then called the first disciples to follow him: Peter and his brother Andrew, followed by James and his brother John. All 4 were fishermen, but Jesus said he would "make them fishers of men". Then Jesus started healing the sick from a wide variety of diseases, and large crowds started following him. 

Grace

"My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9) was a key phrase in last night's Men's Fellowship meeting. Schoolteacher Claudivan led the meeting, Philip led the praise and I led the Bible study on 'When God says no". It was a beautiful meeting really blessed of God. 🙌

Please pray for our 54-year-old deacon Ricardo of the Patos church who has heart problems and nearly had a heart attack yesterday. He has been taken to João Pessoa for treatment and is in hospital there.

Matthew 3 (résumé): John the Baptist prepares the way

Matthew 3 introduces John the Baptist's public ministry preparing "the way of the Lord" (Isaiah 40:3). He wore "clothes made of camel's hair" and he ate "locusts and wild honey". Faced by his preaching people confessed their sins and he baptized them in the River Jordan, but he called the Pharisees and Sadducees a "brood of vipers!"  John however announced that he was preparing the way for someone "whose sandals I am not fit to carry". He also said that the coming one "is more powerful than I and will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire". Then Jesus came to be baptized by John who felt he was unworthy to do it, but Jesus insisted. Then the heaven opened, the Spirit of God descended on Jesus "like a dove" and God the Father confirmed that Jesus was his son whom he loved and was pleased with. 

Matthew 2 (résumé): The early life of Jesus

 Matthew 2 starts telling about the coming of 3 Wise Men from the east who came to worship Jesus having seen "his star in the east". When King Herod heard about this "he was disturbed" and enquired from "the priests and teachers of the law" as to where it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born and they informed him that it was "in Bethlehem in Judea", and they quoted Micah 5:2 in support of this. So Herod told the Magi to report back to him when they had found Jesus. They then located Jesus and worshipped him and gave him gifts, but they avoided further contact with Herod. Then an angel told Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt with Jesus as Herod was hunting him, and Hosea 11:1 was quoted in support of this. When Herod realized he had been outwitted he carried out an awful slaughter of young babies and todlers in the area. However after Herod's death Jesus returned with his parents and lived in Nazareth in Galilee.

54 Years

54 years ago yesterday I arrived in Brazil for the first time, landing at Recife airport and then being driven to Patos at night by Pastor Frank Dyer in a Rural Wyllis truck together with my wife Liz and baby Deborah. The road trip from Recife to Patos seemed endless!

This blog started 22 years ago this month. It started on UOL where it continued for 10 years before switching to Google Blogspot where it has been for the past 12 years. So you youngsters who talk about "bloggers" should realize I started doing this before hardly anyone had even heard of what a blog was! 😃

Old Testament completed

I am thrilled to announce that I have completed writing résumés or summaries chapter by chapter, book by book, of all the Old Testament. This means I have finished writing 39 books, 929 chapters, and 78% of the Bible. Everything has been posted here in my blog and then published in organized fashion, on the EAB website. Now it's on to the New Testament and its 260 chapters written in 27 books. 

Last night I led the communion service in Patos and Pastor Rafael preached. Philip brought a short word, prayed for the children and sang a solo. It was a lovely service. Pastor Murilo preached in Imaculada. 

Brother Sid Wilder went to be with the Lord this morning at Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, aged 93. Sid was a long-term supporter of EAB having supported the work since our first visit to the Harold Hill church in 1972 before we first came to Brazil. Please pray for the family at this time. 🙏

Matthew 1 (résumé): The genealogy & birth of Jesus

Matthew's (or Levi) Gospel was essentially written for a Jewish audience, quoting the Old Testament extensively, focused on Jesus Christ as Messiah and King. Matthew starts by giving Jesus' genealogy showing him to have been a descendant of Abraham and of David. The genealogy is organized into 3 groups of 14 generations: from Abraham to David / from David to the Babylonian exile / from the exile to Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note the 5 women in this family tree: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (called here "the wife of Uriah") and Mary. There are some unlikely characters here in the genealogy of the Messiah demonstrating God's supreme grace. Then comes the description of Jesus birth. "Mary was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit... she will give birth to a son and you will call him Jesus... this fulfills Isaiah 7:14 that he will be called Immanuel which means God with us... and Mary gave birth to a boy and they called him Jesus".

Malachi 4 (résumé): The Day of the Lord

 Malachi ends talking about judgement for the wicked and hope for those who fear God. "Surely the Day of the Lord is coming and it will burn like a furnace and arrogant evildoers will be stubble... but for those who fear God the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in his wings... and you will leap like calves... and trample down the wicked... and I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes... and he will bring fathers and children together blessed by God". 

Malachi 3 (résumé): The Day of Judgement

Malachi 3 focuses on God's coming judgement, purification and blessing. "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way for me... but who can endure the day of his coming... for he will be like a refiner's fire... I will come near to you in judgement against sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, defrauders and oppressors and who do not fear me... I the Lord do not change... so return to me and I will return to you... will a man rob God in tithes and offerings?... the whole nation is under a curse because you are robbing me... so bring the whole tithe into the storehouse and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven's blessing... and all nations will call you blessed... and those that fear the Lord will be mine, says the Lord Almighty".

Malachi 2 (résumé): Admonition for the Priests

In Malachi 2 the prophet continues to complain about the priests and the resultant unfaithfulness of his people. "If you priests don't set your heart to honour my name I will send a curse on you... and I will rebuke your descendants... I send you this admonition so that my covenant with Levi may continue... he walked with me in peace and uprightness... for the lips of the priest should preserve knowledge... but you have turned from the way and caused many to stumble... and Judah has broken faith... and desecrated the sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god... guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth... for I hate divorce... so guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith".

Malachi 1 (résumé): Jacob loves, Esau hates

The book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, written around 425 BC, after the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple. Now the Jews had become complacent again so Malachi calls Israel to repentance. 

Malachi starts by reminding his people of his covenant love - Jacob as opposed to Esau. "I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated... Edom may rebuild but I will demolish". Then the chapter goes on to rebuke the priests. "It is you O priests who despise my name... you place defiled food on my altar... oh that one of you would shut the temple doors... for I will not accept offerings from your hands because you bring injured, crippled and diseased animals for sacrifices... for I am a great king, says the Lord Almighty, and my name is to be feared among the nations".

Zechariah 14 (résumé): The Lord comes and reigns

Zechariah concludes his book announcing the coming Day of the Lord. "The Day of the Lord is coming... I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it... the city will be captured... half of the people will go into exile... then the Lord will fight these nations... and the Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives and it will be split in two... and you will flee... and God will come with his holy ones... and on that day there will be no light... but in the evening there will be light... and living water will flow from Jerusalem... and the Lord will be king over the whole earth... and Jerusalem will be secure... and God will give a plague to the nations and their flesh will rot when there are stood up and their eyes will rot in their sockets and their tongues will rot in their mouths... and the wealth of the nations will be collected... whilst a similar plague will affect all the animals... and the survivors of the nation will worship God... and people that don't go will receive no rain... and HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses".

Zechariah 13 (résumé): Cleansing from sin

"A fountain will be opened to cleanse from sin... I will banish idols from the land... I will remove the false prophets with the spirit of impurity from the land... and if they still try to prophesy their own parents will stab them". Then comes a Messianic passage quoted by Jesus himself in Mark 14:27: "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered". Then the text goes on to say: "In the whole land two-thirds will be struck down and one-third left... and I will refine them in the fire like silver and test them like gold... they will call on my name and I will answer them... I will say they are my people and they will say the Lord is our God".

Zechariah 12 (résumé): Jerusalem's enemies to be destroyed

Zechariah 12 prophesies future deliverance of Jerusalem, the defeat of its enemies and the spiritual restoration of God's people. "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding people reeling!... I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock... I will keep a watchful eye over Judah but I will blind all the horses of the nations... the leaders of Judah then will be saying in their hearts - the people of Jerusalem are strong because the Lord Almighty is their God... the leaders of Judah will consume all the surrounding peoples but Jerusalem will remain intact... the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem". 

Viral

Last month this blog went viral with 2,586,505 visits from all over the world! Our thanks and greetings to each one of you. 😀

Zechariah 11 (résumé): Two shepherds

 Zechariah 11 is prophetic of the rejection of God's true shepherd. The chapter starts with a call to Lebanon and Bashan to mourn the destruction of their mighty trees which is symbolic of God's judgement. Then God tells Zechariah to "pasture the flock marked for slaughter (Judah)... for I will no longer have pity on the people of the land... and Zechariah cared for this flock marked for slaughter... and he took 2 staffs with one Favour and the other Union... and the flock detested Zechariah... so he asked for his pay and received 30 pieces of silver... so woe to worthless shepherds who desert the flock... may his arm be withered and his right eye blinded". We must therefore be careful to follow the true shepherd and genuine spiritual leadership.

Zechariah 10 (résumé): The Lord will care for Judah

Zechariah 10 brings a message of hope to his people. "God gives showers of rain and plants of the field to everyone... Idols speak deceit and diviners lie... I will punish bad leaders... but from Judah will come the cornerstone... together they will be mighty men... because the Lord is with them... and I will strengthen the house of Judah... I will retore them because I have compassion on them... their children will see it and be joyful... surely I will redeem them... I will bring them back from Egypt and Assyria... and I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will walk".

Zechariah 9 (résumé): Judgement on Israel's enemies

Now come prophecies about judgment for the nations and about the coming Messiah. "Tyre has built a stronghold and amassed wealth, but the Lord will take away her possessions... Ashkelon will see it and fear... Gaza will writhe in agony... and Ekron too... foreigners will occupy Ashdod... and those left will belong to God... and never again will an oppressor overrun my people". Now rejoice Zion!... your king comes to you... gentle and riding on a donkey... he will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea... and the Lord will appear and the Sovereign Lord will sound the trumpet... the Lord their God will save them on that day... they will sparkle in the land like jewels in a crown!"

Zechariah 8 (résumé): The Lord promises to bless Jerusalem

 Zechariah 8 is a message of hope and restoration. "This is what the Lord Almighty says: I am very zealous for Zion... I will return there and dwell in Jerusalem... and it will be called the City of Truth... the city will have the aged sitting in the streets and boys and girls playing there too... I will save my people from east and west and bring them back to Jerusalem... so let your hands be strong so that the temple can be built... the seed will grow well and the vine will yield its fruit... I will save you and you will be a blessing... I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem... so speak truth... render sound judgement... love truth and peace... and many nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord... and people will ask to go with you because God is with you!"

Zechariah 7 (résumé): Justice and mercy - not fasting

This chapter deals with the practical matter of whether people should continue to fast and mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. People came from Bethel to ask the priests: "Should I mourn and fast as I have done for many years?... and God asked what was your real motive when you fasted over these 70 years?... then the Lord said he had always required people to administer true justice above all else; show mercy and compassion to one another... don't oppress the widow or the orphan, the foreigner or the poor. In your hearts don't think evil of each other... but your forefathers would not listen... which angered God... and he said that's why he scattered them like a whirlwind when he did". 

Zechariah 6 (résumé): Four chariots

 Zechariah 6 brings the last of 8 night visions which ends with a symbolic act pointing to the Messiah. Zechariah saw 4 chariots with red, black, white and dappled horses respectively. An angel told him that these were "the four spirits of heaven" going in different directions around the earth symbolizing God's judgement on the nations. Then Zechariah was told to make a gold and silver crown and put it on the high priest Joshua. This symbolic act points to the coming Messiah called "the branch". "He will build the temple... be a priest on the throne... and there will be harmony between the two".

Zechariah 5 (résumé): The flying scroll & the woman in a basket

Zechariah 5 brings another 2 visions condemning sin. Initially Zechariah sees an enormous flying scroll 9 metres long by 4.5 metres wide representing the curse of God's judgement banishing every thief and everyone who bears false witness. Then an angel showed him a "measuring basket" to measure the sin of the people. In the basket was a woman representing wickedness, and she was kept inside by a lead lid. Two other women then took the basket to Babylon. 

The Door

Last night Philip and I travelled to the village of Picotes about 25 km east of Patos to hold a gospel service. Pastor Rafael led the service, Philip led the praise and worship and I preached on 'Jesus is the Door' from John 10. It was a lovely service with a nice little crowd gathered. Someone asked me after the service if I remembered preaching at the same spot many years ago when a snake appeared near me whilst I was preaching?! (I didn't remember the incident) Everyone was served a snack with coke after the service before we headed down the earth track home. 

Zechariah 4 (résumé): The gold lampstand & the 2 olive trees

 Zechariah 4 brings encouragement for the rebuilding of the temple which will be accomplished by God's help: "Not by might, nor by strength, but by my spirit, says the Lord Almighty... who despises the day of small things?". This message comes from the vision of the gold lampstand and 2 Olive trees. "What are you? O mighty mountain (of challenges and difficulties)? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground". Thus he and all the returned exiles were encouraged that by God's strength the work of the temple would be completed.

Zechariah 3 (résumé): Clean garments for the high priest

 Zechariah 3 has a vision of Joshua the High Priest standing before the angel of the Lord while Satan is near at hand to accuse him. "The Lord said to Satan - the Lord rebuke you Satan!" Joshua was wearing filthy clothes so the angel ordered their removal. "See, I have taken away your sin, said the angel, and I will put rich garments on you". Then they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him. And the angel said "walk in my ways and keep my requirements and you will govern my house". Then he said "I am going to bring my servant, the Branch... and I will remove the sin of the land in a single day". Thus was symbolized the renewal of the priesthood post exile.

Zechariah 2 (résumé): A man with a measuring line

In the vision of Zechariah 2 God's protection is focused, the expansion yet to come of Jerusalem, the judgement of the enemy and the coming of the Lord. Zechariah saw a man going to measure Jerusalem and an angel then said that Jerusalem would be without walls to cope with their numbers and that God would protect it with a wall of fire. "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming and will live among you, declares the Lord... Many nations will join and become my people... The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again chose Jerusalem".

Zechariah 1 (résumé): A call to return to the Lord

The prophecy of Zechariah came after the Jews had returned from the Babylonian exile around 520 BC. The prophecy calls the people to repentance, calls then too to rebuild the temple and points to a coming Messiah.

God initially calls the people: "Return to me and I will return to you... turn from your evil ways". God warns the people not to repeat the errors of their forefathers because, as the exile showed, God always judges sin". Then comes a vision of a man riding a red horse among myrtle trees in front of red, brown and white horses. An angel and the man in the trees explain that the horses went round and found the world in peace. Then the angel asked God when he would be merciful to Jerusalem which he had punished for 70 years? God said that the nations had exaggerated with the punishment, but now he would return with mercy to Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt. Then Zechariah saw 4 horns which represent the powers which scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem, and he saw 4 craftsmen sent by God to terrify these oppressive nations. For God will ultimately judge these nations and remove their power.

Haggai 2 (résumé): The promised glory of the new house

Haggai 2 brings a message of encouragement to the rebuilders of the temple who might have felt their work wasn't up to Solomon's high standard. But they are told: "The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will grant peace". Then comes another message showing that holiness is not automatically transferred from one thing to another, and showing that impurity easily spreads, So the people's sin had defiled their sacrifices and work. Thus God had judged them through bad harvests and difficulties, but as from now with their commitment to rebuilding the temple: "From this day on I will bless you". Then finally another message came via Haggai: "I will shake the heavens and the earth... overthrow thrones and shatter kingdoms... I will overthrow chariots and their riders... on that day I will take you Zerubbabel and make you like a signet ring (authority) because I have chosen you, declared the Lord". 

Haggai 1 (résumé): A call to build the house of the Lord

This short prophetic book was written about 520 BC after the Jewish exiles had returned from exile, and the objective was to encourage the rebuilding of the temple. So a prophetic word comes through Haggai to Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua calling for the rebuilding of the temple, but the people said "The time has not yet come for the Lord's house to be built". Haggai questions if they should be living "in panelled houses while this house remains in ruin?" The people have neglected God and thus suffer much frustration in their lives. So God calls for the rebuilding of the temple by bringing wood from the mountains for this. And "the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God.... so God said I am with you... and they came and began to work on the house of the Lord".

Zephaniah 3 (résumé): The future of Jerusalem

 Zephaniah 3 compares Jerusalem's rebellion with God's restoration. "Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled... she does not trust in the Lord... her prophets are arrogant... her priests profane the sanctuary... so I have left their streets deserted... but they were still eager to act corruptly... so I will pour out my wrath on them... and then from beyond the rivers of Cush my scattered people will bring me offerings... and I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride... and the remnant of Israel will do no wrong... Sing O daughter of Zion... be glad and rejoice...because the Lord has taken away your punishment... the Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save... he will rejoice over you with singing... I will rescue the lame and gather those that have been scattered... I will bring you home... says the Lord".

Zephaniah 2 (résumé): The great day of the Lord will affect many nations

 "Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon left in ruins... I will destroy you and none will be left... but in the evening the Lord will restore their fortunes... I have heard the insults of Moab.. surely Moab will become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah... this is what they get in place of their pride... the Lord will destroy all their gods... you too O Cushites will be slain by my sword... God will stretch out his hand and destroy Assyria leaving Nineveh utterly desolate... the desert owl and the screech owl will roost on her columns... what a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts".

Pressing on!

I am pressing on towards the end of the Old Testament and have completed half the Minor Prophets, with Micah, which completed 900 chapters of the Bible and nearly 76% of scripture. I then went on to do Nahum and Habakkuk.

I am typing this whilst enjoying the beautiful duet of a pair of rust coloured Caatinga Cacholotes. Last night we had a late-night serenade with Gylmara's father Julimar playing guitar and singing songs about our state of Paraiba. It was very nice evening in the moonlight. 🌛🌜🌝

Our 10-year-old grandson Luis is joyfully stroking our 3 donkeys, and we suspect that the older female 'The Queen of Sheba' is pregnant so we might have a baby donkey a year from now!

Today is our granddaughter Alice's 19th birthday. Happy birthday Alice! May God bless you more and more! Alice is a student of psychology at university and is active in the Patos church. Alice is a specialist in working with autistic children.

I won 3 games of chess against Philip last night. ♜

Zephaniah 1 (résumé): Warning of coming destruction

The book of Zephaniah warns of coming destruction to Israel, surrounding nations and the whole world. However it also points to restoration and salvation in the Lord.

"I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the Lord... men, animals, birds and fish - everything!... I will stretch out my hand against Judah... I will cut off Baal priests, star and Molech worshippers... the day of the Lord is near... wail you who live in the market district... at that time I will punish those in Jerusalem who are complacent... their wealth will be plundered and their houses demolished".

"The great day of the Lord is near... the cry will be bitter... it will be a day of wrath... I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against the Lord... and their silver and gold won't be able to save them... and the whole world will be consumed". 

Habakkuk 3 (résumé): Habakkuk's prayer

Finally in chapter 3 Habakkuk no longer questions God but expresses his faith in worship to his great God revealed to him. "I stand in awe of your deeds... renew them today... in wrath remember mercy... God's glory covers the heavens and his praise filled the earth... his splendour was like the sunrise... he stood and shook the earth... sun and moon stood still in the heavens... you trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters... though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines... though there are no sheep in the pen... yet I will rejoice in the Lord... the sovereign Lord is my strength!"

Habakkuk 2 (résumé): God's answer

 God now answers that his justice may be apparently delayed but it will come at the right time. "God replied... the revelation awaits the appointed time... though it lingers wait for it... for it will certainly come and not delay... the righteous shall live by faith... woe to him who piles up stolen goods... how long must this go on?... you have plundered many nations and have shed man's blood... woe to him who builds his realm through unjust gain... for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord... but you will be filled with shame instead of glory... the cup from the Lord's right hand is coming round to you and disgrace will cover your glory... of what value is an idol?... wood covered with silver and gold yet it cannot speak!... but the Lord is in his holy temple so let all the earth be silent before him".

Habakkuk 1 (résumé): Habakkuk's complaints

The book of Habakkuk is a different prophetic book because it relates a conversation between the prophet and God. Habakkuk questions God about injustice and God's answers cover topics such as sovereignty and faithfulness. The book was written shortly before the Babylonian invasion of Judah in the 7th century BC.

Habakkuk's initial complaint is about all the uncontrolled injustice and violence in Judah. "How long O Lord must I cry for help... with violence... but you do not help... why do you tolerate wrong?... the law is paralyzed and justice never prevails". 

God responds saying that he is at work preparing the Babylonians to administer justice to Judah. "They are a feared and dreaded people... their horses are swifter than leopards... they fly like a vulture... they deride kings... they laugh at fortified cities". 

Habakkuk is flabbergasted by God putting justice into the hands of the Babylonians. "O Lord, you have appointed them to execute judgement! O Rock, you have ordained them to punish!... why do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?"

Nahum 3 (résumé): Woe to Nineveh!

 "Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims... many casualties, piles of dead... all because of the wanton lust of a harlot... I am against you says the Lord... I will pelt you with filth... Nineveh is in ruins... all your fortresses are like fig trees... your troops are all women... your gates are wide open... the fire will devour you and the sword will cut you down... your people are scattered on the mountains with no-one to gather them... everyone who hears the news will rejoice remembering Nineveh's cruelty".

Nahum 2 (résumé): Nineveh to fall

Nahum 2 describes Nineveh's fall owing to its persistent cruelty and oppression. "An attacker advances against you Nineveh... the metal on the chariots flashes... as they storm through the streets... he summons his picked troops yet they stumble on their way... it is decreed that the city be exiled and carried away... plunder the silver and gold!... she is pillages, plundered and stripped... I am against you declares the Lord Almighty! I will burn up your chariots in smoke... the voices of your messengers will no longer be heard".

Nahum 1 (résumé): The Lord's anger against Nineveh

The book of Nahum announce God's judgment on the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. Nineveh had escaped judgement in the time of Jonah but now it had gone astray again and this time God was to punish them. "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God... even though he is slow to anger... but when he acts the mountains quake before him and the earth trembles... but the Lord is good and a refuge in time of trouble... but he will make an end of Nineveh... and they will be entangled in the thorns... and will be consumed like dry stubble... they will be cut down and pass away... the Lord commands Nineveh so that you will have no descendants... I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods... but Judah should celebrate  your festivals and fulfill your vows because the wicked will be completely destroyed". 

Micah 7 (résumé): Israel's misery

 Micah 7 starts with lament and then goes into hope because of God's faithfulness. "What misery is mine!... there are no grapes to eat... the godly have been swept from the land... both hands are skilled in doing evil... the judge accepts bribes... the powerful dictate what they want... a son dishonours his father... but as for me I keep watch for the Lord, I wait in hope for God my saviour; my God will hear me... and though I have fallen yet I will rise... God will bring me out to the light and I will see justice... the day for building walls will come... as in the days when you came out of Egypt I will show them my wonders... nations will lick dust like a snake... and turn in fear to God... who will have compassion on us... and you will be true to Jacob and show mercy to Abraham".

Micah 6 (résumé): The Lord's case against Israel

The literary format of Micah 6 is that of a court of law in which God declares his faithfulness to his people whilst pointing at their unfaithfulness. "The Lord has a charge against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel... what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God... Am I to forget you ill-gotten treasures?... shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales?... her rich me are violent liars... therefore I have begun to destroy you... you will store up but save nothing... you will plant but not harvest... as you have followed Ahab's practices I will give you over to ruin".

Salt

We have a constant battle with salt in the water tanks at Green Pastures owing to the salty water we have from our wells. The salt accumulates in mounds in the 7 water tanks and blocks up the ball valves. Every now and then we have to do a big job shovelling out the salt and disposing of it.

Micah 5 (résumé): A promised ruler from Bethlehem

Micah 5 is a chapter of both judgement and hope pointing to the Messiah and God's final deliverance of his people. "But you Bethlehem... small among the clans of Judah... yet from you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from ancient times... he will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord... and he will be their peace... he will deliver us from the Assyrian when he invades our land... the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations... your hand will be lifted up against our enemies and all our foes will be destroyed... and in that day I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells... I will destroy your images... and I will uproot your Asherah poles and I will take vengeance on the nations that have not obeyed me".

Micah 4 (résumé): The mountain of the Lord

 Micah 4 is a chapter of hope and the restoration of God's people. "In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established... and peoples will stream to it... God will teach us his ways... he will judge between many peoples... and they will beat their swords into ploughshares... and there will be no more wars... and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever... in that day I will gather the lame and assemble the exiles... and the Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and for ever... and the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies in Babylon... but how many nations are gathered against you without understanding God's plan and thoughts... rise and thresh O Daughter of Zion, I will give you horns of iron, hoofs of bronze and you will break in pieces many nations... and their wealth will be for the Lord of all the earth". 

Micah 3 (résumé): Leaders and Prophets rebuked

 Micah 3 brings a strong condemnation of corrupt Jewish leaders. "Listen, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel... you hate good and love evil... you tear the skin from my people.... at that time God will hide his face from them because of the evil they've done... the sun will set for the prophets and the day will go dark for them... and they will get no answer from God... but I am filled with the Spirit of the Lord and with justice and might to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin... you rulers despise justice and distort all that is right... you leaders judge for a bribe... her priests teach for a price, her prophets tell fortunes for money... because of you Zion will be ploughed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble and the temple will be overgrown with thickets".

Micah 2 (résumé): Man's plans & God's plans

Micah 2 continues God's condemnation of Judah. "Woe to those who plan iniquity... they covet fields and seize them... they defraud a man of his home... therefore the Lord is planning disaster against his people... it will be a time of calamity... do not prophesy their prophets say... disgrace will not overtake us... but you strip off the rich robe from those who pass by without a care... you take away my blessing from the children for ever... for if a liar and a deceiver comes and says I will prophecy for you plenty of wine and beer, he would be just the prophet for this people!... but I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel... I will bring them together like a flock... their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head".

Micah 1 (résumé): Judgement against Samaria and Israel

The book of Micah is mainly pointed at the Jews in a time of corruption, injustice and idolatry. Micah warns of God's coming judgement as well as giving hope of restoration and a coming Messiah.

Micah 1 brings a word in vision received from God concerning Samaria and Jerusalem which he received during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah. "Hear O peoples... that the Sovereign Lord witnessed against you... because of Jacob's transgression and Israel's sins... I will make Samaria a heap of rubble... all her idols will be broken to pieces... I will weep and wail... I will howl like a jackal... her wound is incurable and it has come to Judah... even to Jerusalem itself... disaster has come from the Lord, even to the gate of Jerusalem... and the transgressions of Israel were found in you... I will bring a conqueror against you... make yourself as bald as vultures because your children will go from you into exile".

Jonah 4 (résumé): Jonah's anger at God's compassion

The ironic thing is that Jonah who had been miraculously and mercifully saved by God becomes angry at God's mercy and compassion for Nineveh! God reacted saying: "Have you any right to be angry?" God then proceeded to give Jonah an object lesson from a vine which gave him shade one day but not the next owing to destruction by insects. This annoyed Jonah for having lost the shade even it had not been planted by him. So God pointed to Jonah's incoherent upset about a plant whereas the saving of 120,000 people was criticized. For God's compassion is far greater than human prejudice and self-interest. God desires repentance rather than destruction!

Jonah 3 (résumé): Jonah goes to Nineveh

Now God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh for the second time and this time he went as he had learnt his lesson. His message from God to the inhabitants of Nineveh was: "40 more days and Nineveh will be destroyed"! The Ninevites believed God, declared a fast, and everyone, including the king, put on sackcloth. Then the king issued a decree for everyone to urgently call upon God, and give up their evil ways and violence, so that they will not perish. When God saw their sincere repentance he had compassion on them and relented from the destruction he had threatened. 

Jonah 2 (résumé): Jonah's prayer

 Jonah cried out to God from inside the great fish: "In my distress I called to the Lord... I called for help... the currents swirled around me... waves swept over me... seaweed was wrapped around my head... to the roots of the mountains I sank down... and you heard me and brought my life up from the pit... those who cling to worthless idols forfeit grace... but I with a song of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you... salvation comes from the Lord... and the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah on to dry land!"

Jonah 1 (résumé): Jonah flees from the Lord

The book of Jonah is a short prophetic book showing God's mercy and compassion on all people. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against it because of its wickedness. However Jonah ran way in the opposite direction boarding a ship to get away. The ship was engulfed in a violent storm and the sailors cast lots to see who was the cause of the life threatening storm, and the lots fell on Jonah. So Jonah asked them to throw him into the sea to calm things down, and he was swallowed by a large fish where he survived inside it for 3 days and night!

Obadiah (résumé): The vision of Obadiah

The book of Obadiah is the smallest book in the Old Testament with just one chapter of 21 verses. Its focus is God's judgement on Edom for its pride and for exploiting Judah when Jerusalem was under attack. Edom was a nation that descended from Esau. It starts: "This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom... I will make you small among the nations... because the pride of your heart has deceived you... I will bring you down from the height of an eagle says the Lord... Esau will be ransacked... your friends will deceive and overpower you... I will destroy the wise men of Edom... because of your violence against your brother Jacob... you didn't help him when he needed it... you should not rejoice in the day of your brother's destruction... for the day of the Lord is near for all nations... as you have done so it will be done to you... but on Mount Zion will be deliverance... the house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Esau will be stubble - set on fire and consumed... and there will be no survivors... Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord's". 

Amos 9 (résumé): Israel to be destroyed

Amos 9 relates God's final judgement on Israel but previews eventual restoration. "I saw the Lord standing by the altar and he said... Cut off the heads of all the people... none will escape... I will hunt them down anywhere... surely the eyes of the Lord are on the sinful kingdom... I will destroy it... but I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob... but all the sinners will die by the sword... but one day I will restore David's tent... I will repair its broken places and restore its ruins... declares the Lord who will do all things... then new wine will drip from the mountains and flow from the hills... I will bring back my exiled people Israel... they will plant vineyards and drink wine... I will plant Israel in their own land never again to be uprooted... says the Lord your God!"

Amos 8 (résumé): A basket of ripe fruit

Amos 8 contains another vision which Amos received - this time of a basket of ripe fruit because God had run out of patience with Israel so they were ripe and ready for judgement. God said to Amos after showing him the basket of ripe fruit: "The time is right for my people Israel, I will spare them no longer... the songs in the temple will turn to wailing... hear this you who trample the needy... I will never forget anything they have done... in that day declares the Lord I will make the sun go down at noon... I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads... I will send a famine... a famine of hearing the word of the Lord... they will search for the word in every direction but won't find it... they will fall never to rise again".  

Progress in the Minor Prophets

I am now progressing well with my synopses chapter by chapter of the Minor Prophets and have completed Hosea (14 chapters) and Joel (3 chapters). Now it's on to Amos (9 chapters), Obadiah (1 chapter) and Jonah (4 chapters) though the latter is a bit fishy! 

The beautiful orange and black Campo Troupial birds have multiplied profusely at Green Pastures this year and can be seen all over the reserve. Also seen today were Pigmy Owl, Burrowing Owl, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Scaled Doves and Red-cowled Cardinals.

Amos 7 (résumé): Locusts, fire & a plumb-line

Amos 7 relates 3 visions which Amos had and of his confrontation with Priest Amaziah at Bethel. In the first vision God shows Amos "he was preparing swarms of locusts and Amos interceded saying it would be unsupportable for Israel, and God relented. Then in the second vision God showed a devastating fire to devour the land, but Amos interceded and God changed his mind and relented again. However with the 3rd vision of the plumb-line God did not relent but decreed judgement on the temple and on the dynasty of King Jeroboam II. Finally Amaziah the priest denounced Amos before the king for conspiracy and ordered him to leave the country. Amos retorted that the priest's wife would become a prostitute, his children would be killed, his land would be divided up and he would die in a pagan country. He finally confirmed that Israel would indeed go into exile".

Amos 6 (résumé): Woe to the complacent

Amos 6 warns the complacent leaders of Israel and Judah who think everything is fine despite the widespread spiritual corruption in the land. "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion... you notable men of the nation... you put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror... you lie on beds inlaid with ivory... you dine on choice lambs... you drink wine by the bowlful... but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph... therefore you will be first into exile and that will put an end to your feasting... I abhor the pride of Jacob... the Lord has given the command and he will smash the great house into pieces... for you have turned justice into poison... I will stir up a nation against you, O house of Israel!"

Amos 5 (résumé): A lament over Israel

Amos 5 brings a fervent call for Israel to genuinely repent and not present an empty façade of a form of religion. The chapter starts with a sad lament: "Fallen is virgin Israel never to rise again... and God says seek me and live!... Gilgal will go into exile and Bethel will be reduced to nothing... seek the Lord and live!... you despise him who tells the truth... you trample on the poor... I know how many are your offenses... you oppress the righteous... seek good not evil... then God will be with you like you say he is... hate evil, love good... there will be wailing in all the streets... woe to you who long for the day of the Lord... for it will be darkness not light... I hate your religious feasts... away with the noise of your songs... rather let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream... I will send you into exile says the Lord". 

Amos 4 (résumé): Israel has not returned to God

 In Amos 4 comes the warning especially to the rich to stop oppressing the poor and repent. "Hear this word O cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy... you boast about your sacrifices, for this is what you love to do... but you have not returned to me... I tried to bring you back with rainfall or lack of it, but this didn't work either... I tried mildew, blight and locusts but this didn't function either... I sent plagues but they didn't bring you back... you were like a burning stick snatched from the fire but to no avail... therefore prepare to meet your God O Israel!"

Amos 3 (résumé): Witnesses summoned against Israel

Amos 3 points to God's unique relationship with Israel and his reasons for judging them within this context. The message starts "You only have I chosen... therefore I will punish you". Privilege comes with responsibility. Amos then shows that every effect has a cause. "The lion has roared - who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken - who can but prophesy? Then Amos lays bare the situation saying "They do not know how to do right, declares the Lord". So God will judge and "an enemy will overrun the land... on the day I punish Israel for her sins I will destroy the altars of Bethel... and the mansions will be demolished, declares the Lord".

Amos 2 (résumé): More divine judgement

In Amos 2 God's judgment moves on to Moab before addressing Judah and Israel. "I will send fire upon Moab because he burned, as if to lime, the bone's of Edom's king". Then comes Judah which God condemns because they have rejected the law of the Lord... and because they have been led astray by false gods". Finally comes Israel who were condemned because they sell the righteous for silver... they trample on the heads of the poor... they deny justice to the oppressed... father and son practice immorality using the same girl... you made the Nazirites break their vows and stopped the prophets prophesying... now then I will crush you... the strong will not escape and the warrior will not save his life". For human strength cannot prevail for those who persist in rebellion against God. 

Amos 1 (résumé): Judgement on Israel's neighbours

The Book of Amos calls Israel to repentance, justice and authentic worship. The prophet Amos was a Judean shepherd and a fig farmer sent by God to prophesy to the northern kingdom of Israel in a period of prosperity, though dogged by idolatry, corruption and oppression of the poor. Amos received a revelation from God "two years before the earthquake when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam was king of Israel". The revelation clearly shows that God is sovereign over all nations and not just Israel, and he announces judgement on several nations. Initially Damascus (Syria) is condemned for brutally crushing the people of Gilead: "She threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth". Then came Gaza and the Philistines who were condemned "because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom". Next came Tyre (Phoenicia) who were involved in slave trade "disregarding a treaty of brotherhood". Then came Edom who was condemned "because he pursued his brother (Israel) with a sword". Also came Ammon which practiced barbarities like "ripping open the pregnant women of Gilead". So God's righteousness is universal and no country is beyond his jurisdiction. 

Joel 3 (résumé): The nations judged

 Joel 3 points to the final judgement of the nations and the restoration of Judah and Jerusalem. "In those days when I restore Judah and Jerusalem I will gather all nations... and enter into judgement against them... O Tyre, Sidon and Philistia... I will return on your heads what you have done... I will sell your children to the Jews and they will sell them to a nation far away... so prepare for war!... beat your ploughshares into swords... then let the nations be roused and advance into the valley of Jehoshaphat... and there I will judge them... multitudes in the valley of decision... the Lord will roar from Zion... but the Lord will be a refuge for his people... and Jerusalem will be holy... and a fountain will water the valley of acacias but Egypt will be desolate... yet Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations... the Lord dwells in Zion!

Joel 2 (résumé): An army of locusts

 Joel 2 continues to point to impending judgement for Israel whilst also mentioning God's mercy and future restoration. "Let all who live in the land tremble because the day of the Lord is coming... a day of darkness and gloom... a large and mighty army comes... nothing escapes them... they charge like warriors... they plunge through defenses... their forces are beyond number... the day of the Lord is great... it is dreadful. Who can endure it?... so return to me with all your heart... rend your heart rather than your garments... declare a holy fast... let them say spare your people, O Lord... for why should they say among the people - where is their God?... and the Lord will take pity on his people... and send you grain, and wine and oil... and I will drive the northern army from you... surely he has done great things... rejoice in the Lord your God... for the vats will overflow with new wine and oil... and I will repay you for the years that the locusts have eaten... and you will have plenty to eat and be full... then you will know that I am in Israel and that I am the Lord your God".

Joel 1 (résumé): An invasion of locusts

The Book of Job calls God's people to repentance whilst appointing to the possibilities of judgement or restoration.

This first chapter describes a catastrophic attack of locusts which affects all areas of Jewish society and which acts as a warning to them to repent before God. "Nothing like this locust attack has ever been seen... so wake up you drunkard and weep!... a nation without number has invaded the land... and has laid waste the vines and fig trees... the priests are in mourning... the farmers wail... the harvest has been destroyed... all the fruits and produce is devastated and everyone's joy is withered away... put on sackcloth O priests... declare a holy fast... call a solemn assembly and cry unto the Lord... for the day of the Lord is near... the storehouses are in ruins... the cattle moan because they have no pasture... and the streams have dried up".

Hosea 14 (résumé): Repentance to bring blessing

Hosea 14 brings the book to a close with hope and a strong call to repentance. "Return O Israel to God!.... say to him 'forgive all our sins... we will never again refer to our gods'... I will heal their waywardness and love them freely... and he will blossom like a lily... his splendour will be like an olive tree... men will dwell again in his shade... all your fruitfulness comes from me... the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them".

Hosea 13 (résumé): The Lord's anger against Israel

 Hosea 13 is a further sad chapter depicting Israel's downfall and distancing from God. "Ephraim has become guilty of Baal worship and died... and they make elaborate idols for themselves... they offer human sacrifices and kiss the calf idols... therefore they will be like the morning mist... I am the Lord you God and you should worship no-one else... but when I fed them they became proud  and forgot me... so like a lion I will devour them... I will destroy you Israel... where is your king that he may save you?... the guilt of Ephraim is stored up... I will have no compassion... the people of Samaria must bear their guilt because they have rebelled against their God".

Hosea 12 (résumé): Israel's sin

Hosea 12 continues God's stringent condemnation of Israel sometimes referring to Ephraim as Israel and comparing them with faithful Jacob despite his imperfections. "Ephraim feeds on the wind... and makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.... the Lord will punish Jacob... as a man he struggled with God... you must return to your God... Ephraim boasts about his riches thinking that it will hide his iniquity... I am the Lord your God... I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions... but Ephraim has bitterly provoked him to anger... the Lord will repay him for his contempt".

Half of Hosea

I have written the synopses of the first half of the 14 chapters of Hosea which is the first of the minor prophets and the 28th book of the Bible.

Philip went last night to a service held at 'Campo Alegre' (Happy Field) Farm where a nice little crowd gather to hear the Gospel. Philip sung some songs for them which went down well.

Hosea 11 (summary): God's love for Israel

Hosea 11 is a moving chapter expressing God's profound love for Israel despite their waywardness and rebellion. "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son... but he went away from me... and they sacrificed to the Baals... despite me leading them with cords of love... so swords will flash in their cities... but my heart is moved within me and I won't carry out my fierce anger... for I am God, not man, and the people will follow the Lord... they will come trembling... and I will settle them in their homes". So one clearly feels in this chapter the tension between God's love and God's justice.

Hosea 10 (résumé): Israel was a spreading Vine

God's forthright condemnation of Israel continues in Hosea 10 criticizing them for their abandonment of God and their idolatry amidst their prosperity. "Israel was a spreading vine... his fruit increased... and prosperity went hand in hand with the building of pagan altars... the calf-idol will be carried to Assyria... Ephraim will be disgraced and Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols... and the high places of wickedness will be destroyed... thorns and thistles will cover their altars... I will punish them... break up your unplowed ground because it is time to seek the Lord... but the roar of battle will rise against you and your fortresses will be devastated... when that day dawns the king of Israel will be completely destroyed!"

Hosea 9 (résumé): Punishment for Israel

A doomful message of judgement continues in Hosea 9 as God warns the Jews that they ought to be preparing themselves for judgement rather than rejoicing over their prosperity. "Do not rejoice, O Israel, because you have been unfaithful to your God... and you love the wages of a prostitute... their sacrifices will not please God... thorns will overrun their tents... the days of punishment are coming... because your sins are so many... they have sunk deep into corruption... Ephraim's glory will fly away like a bird... woe to them... give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that are dry... because of their sinful deeds I will drive them out of my house... my God will reject them because they have not obeyed him".

Hosea 8 (résumé): Israel to reap the Whirlwind

Hosea 8 warns of impending judgement for a people that maintain superficial religiosity as a cover for a broken covenant distant from God. "The people have broken my covenant although they pretend to acknowledge me... they set up kings without my consent... and make idols from silver and gold... throw out your calf-idol O Samaria!... they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind... Israel has gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey... Ephraim has sold herself to lovers... they offer sacrifices to me and eat the meat... now the Lord will remember their wickedness and punish their sins... Israel has forgotten his maker... so I will send fire on their cities".

Hosea 7 (résumé): Ephraim is a flat cake

Hosea 7 carries on with the indictment of the northern kingdom of Israel which is also called Ephraim. "The sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed... their sins engulf them... they are all adulterers... all of them are hot as an oven; they devour their rulers... Ephraim mixes with nations and is a flat cake not turned over... Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless... woe to them because they have strayed from me... they do not cry to me from their hearts... they do not turn to the most high... and they will be ridiculed in Egypt".

Deaf Service

Last night we held a special service for the deaf with a church full including 16 deaf people. I led the service and deaf pastor Luiz Carlos preached on 'Obedience to God', based on John 14:23-28, with interpreter Daysa transmitting the message to the non-deaf. Before the message the deaf presented a short drama, and afterwards the deaf choir did a song. It was a lovely service. 

If anyone is able to help us build the new church at Ipueira we need 6 windows at £100 each and we need 4 doors at £300 each. Please send your donations to the EAB treasurer. Last week we put the roof on the church. We plan to inaugurate the church before the end of the year. Please pray!

Hosea 6 (résumé): Israel unrepentant

Hosea 6 shows Israel discussing returning to the Lord yet God sees this as superficial and lacking in commitment. The text shows that initially Israel cogitates: "Come let us return to the Lord, he has torn us to pieces but he will heal us... let us acknowledge the Lord... as surely as the sun rises he will appear". However God sees through their apparent reconciliation and reacts: "Your love is like the morning mist... therefore I cut you in pieces... for I desire mercy rather than sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings... but like Adam they have broken the covenant... committing shameful crimes... Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled. Also for you Judah a harvest is appointed".

Hosea 5 (résumé): Judgement against Israel

 Hosea 5 condemns the Jews for insistent idolatry and warns that judgement is approaching. He initially condemns the priests: "Hear this, you priests... judgement is against you... Ephraim turned to prostitution and Israel is corrupt... a spirit of prostitution is in their hearts... Israel's arrogance testifies against them... they are unfaithful to the Lord... Ephraim will be laid waste... I will pour out my wrath on Judah... I will tear them to pieces... in their misery they will earnestly seek me".

Hosea 4 (résumé): The charge against Israel

Hosea brings a formal legal charge against Israel for having broken their covenant. "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land... the land mourns because of this... you stumble day and night and the prophets stumble with you... because you have ignored the law of God I will ignore your children... it will be like people, like priests and I will punish both... they have deserted the Lord to turn to prostitution... they consult a wooden idol... a spirit of prostitution leads them astray... a people without understanding will come to ruin... the Israelites are stubborn like a stubborn heifer... a whirlwind will sweep them away and their sacrifices will bring them shame!"

Hosea 3 (résumé): Hosea's reconciliation with his wife

Hosea 3 shows how God's redeeming love is greater than our unfaithfulness and God tells Hosea to go and love his wife again even though she is an adulteress and "is loved by another". Gomer is now apparently enslaved to her lover but God tells Hosea to go and buy her back - go and redeem her. So he went and redeemed her paying 170 grams of silver plus 330 litres of barley and they returned to living as faithful husband and wife once again. The chapter closes referring to Israel's exile followed by their return when they will "seek the Lord and David their king... and they will have blessings in the last days".

Major Prophets

Yesterday I completed my summary of the Book of Daniel and thus concluded all the Major Prophets, 862 chapters of the Bible, and 72.5% of the Bible. Now its on to the Book of Hosea and all the other Minor Prophets.

Yesterday evening Liz and I went to the annual children's special festival held this year at the Pastor Frank Dyer School south of the River Espinharas in Patos. It was a lovely joyful time of praising Jesus with singing and dancing and the very clear presentation of the Gospel. The children clearly enjoyed it and so did we. 😄

Hosea 2 (résumé): Israel punished & restored

Maintaining the adulterous woman imagery Hosea 2 likens Israel to an unfaithful wife betraying the Lord with Baal and other pagan objects of worship. God rather retorts: "I will block her path with thornbushes... so that she cannot find her way... she has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her everything... I will stop all her celebrations, festivals and feasts... I will punish her for the days she burned incense to the Baals... and me she forgot". Despite all Israel's unfaithfulness however God still loved her "and will speak tenderly to her... I will give her back her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope... there she will sing as in her youth... in that she will call me my husband... not my master... I will remove the Baals from your lips... and I will betroth you to me forever... and you will acknowledge the Lord... and I will show my love... and I will say to Israel you are my people and they will say to me you are my God!"

Hosea 1 (résumé): Hosea's wife & children

The Book of Hosea has an unusual plot with him, his wife and family being a living parable! Hosea's wife Gomer is adulterous and so portrays the adulterous nature of Israel's sinful relationship with God. On the other hand Hosea persists in loving Gomer which also reflects God's attitude to his people.

In chapter 1 it is God who commands Hosea to marry Gomer who would be adulterous symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness to God owing to pagan idolatry and worship. As the couple had children God gave them symbolic names too with symbolic meaning. The first was named Jezreel: "Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel". Next they had a daughter whom they called Lo-Ruhamah meaning 'not loved' or 'no mercy', reflecting God's attitude to his people owing to their persistent rebellion. Then came another boy which was named Lo-Ammi ('not my people'). "For you are not my people and I am not your God". Then gratefully the chapter ends positively and a restored people will be called "sons of the living God and Judah and Israel will be re-united".

Daniel 12 (résumé): The end times

Daniel 12 concludes the prophet's final vision pointing to the end time, the resurrection of the dead and God's final victory. Initially Michael the princely protector of Israel arises in a time of extreme distress, but those whose names are written "in the book" will be delivered. "Multitudes who sleep in the dust will awake - some to everlasting life and others to shame and everlasting contempt". Then Daniel is told to seal the scroll for the time being. The 2 angels ask when all this will come to pass and the answer was: "It will be a time (year), times (2 years) and half a time (half a year) which adds up to 3 and a half years". Further periods of time are mentioned: 1,290 and 1,335 days, but their interpretation is not clear. Daniel is finally told that he will die but he will later arise to receive his allotted inheritance.

Daniel 11 (résumé): The Kings of the south & of the north

Daniel 11 starts saying that after 3 more Persian kings a further one would arise "far richer than all the others... (Thought to be Alexander the Great) but after his death the kingdom would be divided in 4 directions". The vision then focuses on conflict between the king of the south (Egypt) and the king of the north (Syria). Then the prophecy culminates denouncing Antiochus IV Epiphanes who will: "desecrate the temple... abolish the daily sacrifice... set up the abomination of desolation... and persecute God's people though many resisted". Finally the prophecy goes on to perhaps foresee the antichrist who "will exalt himself above every god... he will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a pagan god... he will extend his power over many countries... but eventually he will come to his end and no-one will help him". 

Daniel 10 (résumé): Daniel's vision of a man

Daniel 10 introduces the final vision of the book as laid out in chapters 10 to 12. Initially Daniel mourned, prayed and fasted for 3 weeks. Then he had a vision of a man dressed in linen and wearing a gold belt and his face was like lightning and his eyes like flaming torches and his voice was unbelievably loud. Daniel looked like he had seen a ghost and felt weak, and those with him fled even though they hadn't seen the vision. An angel touched Daniel and helped him stand, telling him not to fear and that his prayers were heard. However the angelic intervention was delayed by 21 days owing to resistance from the Persian prince. Then he told Daniel that the vision referred to "a time yet to come". He then touched Daniel and strengthened him, before leaving to fight against the prince of Persia. 

Daniel 9 (résumé): Daniel's Prayer

Daniel 9 starts with Daniel's prayer of repentance and then goes into a very significant prophecy of the seventy weeks. It was during the first year's reign of King Darius that Daniel was studying the writings of Jeremiah and realized that the 70 years exile was nearing its end so he seeks God in intense prayer and fasting. He remembers God's keeping of his covenant and confesses "we have sinned... we haven't listened to the prophets... we are covered with shame and have sinned against you... all Israel has transgressed your law... that's why you judged us... the Lord brought the disaster upon us rightly... please turn away your anger and wrath from us... give ear O God and hear... forgive!" Then comes the second part of the chapter with the arrival of the angel Gabriel who tells Daniel that "seventy sevens (weeks) are decreed for people and city to finish transgression, end sin, atone, bring everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy to anoint the most holy". The prophecy divides the 70 weeks as follows: 7 weeks (49 years) when Jerusalem will be rebuilt albeit in times of trouble + 62 weeks (434 years) building up to the coming of "the Anointed One, the ruler (the Messiah)" + 1 final week (7 years) when "he will confirm a covenant and put an end to sacrifice and offering... and he will be cut off (on the cross)".

Pastor Phil Watkins

We are thrilled to learn that Pastor Phil Watkins (Bristol Ivy Church) was released from hospital yesterday after a 2-month stay where he received a successful stem cell infusion for his Leukaemia from his compatible donor son Nathanael. Well done Nathanael! Well done Phil! Well done Shirley! Praise the Lord! (We were at Bristol Ivy Church last October 12th before all this erupted)

I have just eaten mashed cassava roots with salted meat cooked by our daughter-in-law Gylmara. Absolutely delicious. 😋

Daniel 8 (résumé): Daniel's vision of a Ram and a Goat

Daniel's vision of a ram and a goat points to God's sovereignty over history. He sees a ram with 2 horns representing Media and Persia. "No animal could resist him... he did as he pleased and became great". The goat represented Greece and the large horn probably represented Alexander the Great. Then the large horn is broken and replaced by 4 smaller horns representing the 4-way fracture of the kingdom. One of these horns, the "little horn" became arrogant, persecuting God's people and disrupting daily sacrifices. This oppression and persecution will last "2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated". Then the angel Gabriel came and explained the vision to Daniel showing that the ram represents Media and Persia and the goat represents Greece, whilst the little horn represents a deceitful ruler who opposes God, but eventually God will destroy him. The chapter ends stating how deeply perturbed was Daniel by the vision and its meaning.

Daniel 7 (résumé): Daniel's Dream of 4 Beasts

Daniel 7 tells about a dream which Daniel had during the reign of king Belshazzar. Daniel dreamt of "four great beasts, each different from the other, came up out of the sea". The first was like a lion but had the wings of an eagle, and this beast is often understood to represent Babylon. "I watched until its wings were torn off" thought to be a reference to God humiliating Babylon. The second beast was a bear with 3 ribs in its mouth suggesting conquest. This is thought to represent Medo-Persia. Next came a leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads which "was given authority to rule". This is usually interpreted as Greece under Alexander the Great and the kingdom's division into 4 after his death. Finally came a frightening strange beast with 10 horns and iron teeth often associated with Rome. Now the dream switches its focus from earth to heaven where we see "the Ancient of Days (God)" sitting on his throne as the heavenly court was convened, the books were opened and the 4th beast was judged, slain, destroyed and "thrown into the blazing fire"! Then "there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven... he was given authority, glory and power... and all nations worshiped him... and he has an everlasting dominion that will not pass away or ever be destroyed". The son of man here is clearly Jesus Christ. The 4 beasts clearly represent earthly kingdoms "but the saints of the most high will receive and possess the kingdom forever". God's kingdom is eternal. Evil will last for a time, but God will ultimately judge it. 

Daniel 6 (résumé): Daniel in the Den of Lions

King Darius was organizing the kingdom and appointed 120 satraps (regional governors) with 3 administrators coordinating them, and the plan was to appoint Daniel as coordinator of all. Daniel's popularity and success brought jealousy and some sought to damage his image, but they didn't succeed because Daniel was so upright and honest. So they approved an irrevocable law making it illegal to worship any god  other than Darius for 30 days. Being the spiritual man that he was Daniel ignored the law and continued with his normal daily prayers, and when he was caught they threw him into the Lion's den as punishment. But God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths and he was untouched. Then they got the jealous trouble makers and threw them to be devoured by the lions! So Darius decreed that Daniel's God was the living God who endures forever... his dominion will never end... and he performs signs and wonders!"

Daniel 5 (résumé): The Writing on the Wall

 Daniel 5 covers a period when Belshazzar was king of Babylon some years after Nebuchadnezzar's reign. The chapter relates Babylon's fall under Belshazzar. "King Belshazzar gave a banquet for a thousand nobles and drank wine with them using goblets taken from the temple in Jerusalem... and they praised their gods... suddenly a human hand appeared and wrote on the wall... and the king was scared stiff... but none of his wise men could decipher the meaning".  So Daniel was called and he told the king the meaning of the words written on the wall: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin. which meant: "God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end... you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting... your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians". Belshazzar rewards Daniel making him the third highest ruler in the kingdom and that very night "Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede took over at the age of 62".

Hair cut

 I have just had my bi-monthly hair cut. I hope you like it? 👨

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Pastor Murilo gave an excellent study on the 3rd Epistle of John. 

Having completed my synopsis of the Book of Ezekiel I have now covered 71.5% of the chapters of the Bible. I am now in the final book of the major prophets and have done one third of the 12 chapters of Daniel. Then it will be on to the 12 minor prophets to complete the Old Testament which is just over 78% of the Bible.

Daniel 4 (résumé): Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a tree

Daniel 4 is an unusual chapter as it is Nebuchadnezzar's personal testimony of how he was humbled and then restored by God. It is the only chapter in the Bible written by a pagan king. So Nebuchadnezzar tells us that "I had a dream that made me afraid". He told it to his magicians who couldn't interpret it so he called Daniel. In the dream he saw a gigantic tree "that reached the sky... and was visible to the ends of the earth... on it was food for all... and it sheltered beasts and birds". Then came a messenger ordering the felling of the tree and leaving just the stump bound by iron and bronze. Then the tree (Nebuchadnezzar) "is given the mind of an animal till seven times (years) pass by for him". Then it's declared that it must be recognized that "the Most High is sovereign and gives the kingdoms of men to whom he wishes". Daniel interprets the dream and the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar himself and his empire, and God will remove him from his throne. Then the king will "live with the wild animals, eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew. He will stay like this until he acknowledges the sovereignty of God... the remaining stump means that you will be restored when you acknowledge that heaven rules". Daniel advises repentance and doing what is right. Then the dream comes to pass with Nebuchadnezzar becoming insane living like a wild mad animal, "his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird" until he recognized the supreme sovereignty of God. Then, and only then, does God restore his right mind, and he praises "the Most High; I honoured and glorified him who lives forever... and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before". Thus Nebuchadnezzar concludes: "All those who walk in pride God is able to humble!"

Daniel 3 (résumé): The image of Gold & the Fiery Furnace

This chapter tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar building an enormous gold statue 27 metres high and 2.7 metres wide. He then summoned all the authorities to its inauguration and dedication and a herald announced that whenever people heard the sound of music from horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and pipes they must bow and worship the image. However 3 faithful Jews: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refused to comply and were threatened with being thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. They reacted that the Lord was able to rescue them from the furnace and that even if he didn't they would never bow before the idols. Infuriated Nebuchadnezzar had the fire made 7 times hotter than normal and tied up the men throwing them into the fire. However in a later inspection the king saw the men walking freely in the fire accompanied by a 4th man looking "like a son of the gods"! They eventually emerged from the fire untouched and not even smelling of smoke. So Nebuchadnezzar said: "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants". He then forbid persecution of the Lord and promoted the 3 men.

Hub Community Church

 Last night I led a wonderful service at Green Pastures with a team of 16 mainly young people from the Basingstoke Hub Community church which has been with us for a 2-week stay. The group sang, presented a drama sketch, preached a message based on the sketch and another of the group gave a word of testimony. It was a lovely blessed service.

Philip has also taken the group on 2 nature trails around the nature reserve.

We are thrilled and praising the Lord for a wonderful divine healing that we have seen. Liz and I were asked to pray for a child with the laying on of hands and God has healed the child from a quite complicated problem. All glory be to God! 🙌

I have completed my synopsis of the Book of Ezekiel and am now into the final major prophet Daniel. 

Daniel 2 (résumé): Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that deeply disturbed him so he summoned all his wise men and challenged them to both tell him what he had dreamt and give him its interpretation too. The wise men couldn't do it and kept stringing him along hoping that the king would cave in and tell them the dream so that they could then fix him with an interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar came to realize the wise men were playing for time and so he lost his patience and said he would have the men executed. Daniel got to hear about this, sought God, and God revealed the dream and its interpretation to him which he told to the king. In the dream was a great statue. It had a head of gold (Babylon), chest and arms of silver (an inferior kingdom probably the Medo-Persia), Belly and thighs of bronze - probably Greece), legs of iron (probably Rome), feet a mixture of iron and clay. Thus the statue revealed a series of kingdoms starting with Babylon and beyond. Then comes a stone not hewn by humans which smashes the statue representing God's eternal kingdom above all human kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar is ecstatic with the revelation of his dream and its interpretation and exalts God the author as "the God of gods and Lord of kings"! He promotes Daniel to a high post over Babylon and also appoints Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to places of authority.

Daniel 1 (resumé): Daniel's training in Babylon

Daniel 1 tells of the early life of Daniel in Babylonian exile and of his resolute faithfulness to God in this foreign and pagan context. Daniel and 3 other young Jews were chosen for a 3-year training course to immerse them in Babylonian culture, cuisine, literature and language so as to prepare them for work in the Babylonian court. However "Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine" scheduled for him and he politely yet firmly refused it, insisting on a vegetarian diet in keeping with Israelite culture. God honoured his faithfulness and he and his colleagues were healthier and stronger on the Jewish diet. What is more Nebuchadnezzar found the 4 men to be 10 times wiser that his magicians and enchanters, and Daniel received the special gift of interpreting dreams and visions. God blesses those who are faithful and Daniel served in the royal court for many years.