A STRONG HAND
Today’s Reading: Exodus 13
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Looking at the sunrise over the Judean desert, we can see the Dead Sea in the distance beyond the mountain of Masada, which was Herod’s fortress and the place where the Jewish freedom fighters made their last stand in 72 A.D.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Exodus 13:14
So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, “What is this” that you shall say to him, “By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage…”
Four times in today’s reading God’s “Strong Hand” is emphasized. Repetition in Scripture indicates the importance of, in this case, the word picture presented to us. Throughout the millennia, the Children of Israel, known today as Jews, have continued to repeat over and over those words in their annual family ritual known as the “Passover.” In every observant household a child will ask, “What is this?” Again in the Scriptures we read the word, “ordinance.” Simply put, it’s an order from God. Of course the Jews who were the first followers of Jesus continued this “remembrance” every year. It was at “Passover” that Jesus said, as He gave His disciples the bread and wine, “This do in remembrance of Me.” When must obedient Christians partake? There is no set time as is the case of “Passover.” The word “often” is important. It can be daily; it can be weekly; it can be monthly or even annually. But time must be set aside regularly to obey the orders of Jesus to partake in the “Lord’s Supper.” For supplementary reading, go to Matt. 26:26-29, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Cor. 11:23-31.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You established what we refer to as “Communion.” Please grant me the grace of consistently obeying Your standing orders to repeat often the observance You established. May I partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine with a deep discernment of Your sacrifice. With Your “Strong Hand” You reached out to the whole human family, and we nailed Your Hands to the Cross. Thank You for the Gift of Your Body and Blood. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I want to introduce you to Sam Moore, former owner and operator of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the company which financed the new translation of the King James Version of the Bible. Approximately every 100 years another translation of the classic version, KJV, is presented to the world. I was raised on an older translation. For example, the words “thee” and “thou” are no longer in use in everyday conversation. It would be next to impossible for anyone today to read with understanding the actual translation from 1611. A spoken language is constantly changing. Sam’s vision to bring together the finest scholars during the 1970’s caught my attention. He came several times as a guest on TV with me. Some of his scholars were also my guests. The entire Bible translation was completed and published in 1982. Sam was an immigrant from Lebanon to the USA who began selling Bibles from door to door as a university student to pay for his board, room and education, and he was so successful that I have beside me as I type, the New King James Version, my favourite modern translation of God’s Word. Thank You Sam! Click here to find his biography book.
Yours for a greater understanding of God’s revelation of His thoughts printed in the language I know best, English,
David
Such an incredible photo of the Judean desert and glimpse of the Dead Sea. Could you imagine having been there with Moses, being led by a pillar of cloud and pillar of fire? Could not resist reading ahead to tomorrow’s amazing scripture. Grateful for all the versions of the Holy Bible. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord. May His blessings fall richly upon you. Amen.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV
Sanctuary with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxB9VH3cCN4
Amen
For anyone reading back on the post from August 17, 2018
This is the Bible Jesus Used
“The Septuagint was the first translation of the Hebrew Bible; and was made in the third century B.C. by Jewish scribes, who were direct descendents of those trained in Ezra’s Great Synagogue of Jerusalem. They were complete experts in the text, being very well versed in Hebrew and Greek.
“This translation became very popular among Jews in the first two centuries before Christ because many Jews in those days did not understand Hebrew. Their ancestors had left Israel centuries before, and generation after generation gradually lost the ability to read the Scriptures in Hebrew.
“Many of the Jews in Jesus’ day used the Septuagint as their Bible. Quite naturally, the early Christians also used the Septuagint in their meetings and for personal reading; and many of the New Testament apostles quoted it when they wrote the Gospels and Epistles in Greek.
“What is most fascinating is that the order of the books in the Septuagint is the same order in our Bibles today, and not like the Hebrew scrolls. So this means that:Jesus Primarily Used a TranslationJesus and the Apostles: studied, memorized, used, quoted, and read most often from the Bible of their day, the Septuagint.
“Since Matthew wrote primarily to convince the Jews that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed their promised Messiah, it follows as a matter of course that his Gospel is saturated with the Hebrew Scriptures. Yet, when Jesus quotes the Old Testament in Matthew, He uses the Hebrew text only 10% of the time, but the Greek LXX translation—90% of the time!Amazingly, Jesus and Paul used the LXX as their primary Bible.
“It was just like the Bible each of us holds in our hands, not the original Hebrew Old Testament, but a translation of the Hebrew into Greek. But it was based on exactly the same original and inspired words, and reads just like the Bible we hold in our hands today.”
For more from Discover the Book Ministries, please visit discoverthebook.org
(Dr. John Barnett at OnePlace.com)
Amen!
Thank you Beverlee for your post this morning. Most informative. Lovely worship video. God bless.
God bless you, Nan. 😇
Amen
Yes Beverlee; I also enjoyed reading your information about the Word of God. The song was very inspiring and also I enjoyed David’s comments. My Grandson Gavin is 19 today. and I am so thankful that he is still alive to celebrate it. He is not completely healed yet but seems to be doing ok, it is well over a year now since he had his brain operation. Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Yes, Eleanor. I remember your prayer request for Gavin’s healing from brain surgery. Such a huge thing to go through. Time will continue to heal him and he is young, which is of great benefit. Certain that the saints will continue to pray for him, you, and your family. 😇 Amen.
Thank you Lord for sparing Gavin’s life. Please continue to draw him closer to you each day. May he never forget what you have done in his life and may Gavin always testify of Your goodness to him.
Happy birthday Gavin! 🍰🎉
Happy Birthday Gavin!!!
God heal Gavin In Jesus Name Amen!!!
Love the “prayer song” today. My
Memorization of scripture as a child was the KJ version. I like the NIV best now but we are blessed by readily having many options available immediately on Smartphones & IPads. A lady in a nursing home asked me if I could get her a KJV as they were studying another version with the Chaplin. I searched bookcases on each floor & found one. She told me that the meaning of study was different (from chaplin’s version). I mentioned to Chaplin this & she said she would check in with me lady. She did apparently and about 2 weeks later the resident (healthy & alert) passed away. I believe she was ready when she was called home. I missed her as others did as well. Blessings all.
Fantastic Bible information.
Inspiring Song choice.
Nice to read people’s personal experiences, comments and prayers!
Thank you all.
Praising God, with thanksgiving, for Gavin’s life.
Beaten, broken and bruised, yet living water permeated and percolated to produce the elixir of life. Lord, Your ways are right and best and we are truly blest. Thank You. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen
Thank you for all the good posts today. And thank God Gauvin is doing well and pray he keeps progressing forward. Am impressed by the scripture, “And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them on an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt; and Moses took the ROD OF GOD in his hand.” Exodus 4:20. It was called no longer a shepherd’s staff but the rod of God. Remember Rev. Charles Price preached an outstanding sermon on this. Trust all have an outstanding day today.
Happy Birthday , Gavin. And may God bless you daily.
Thank you Blessed. I just saw him on FaceTime. He had a few boys over for cake. His Grandfather and I were so happy to see him looking good and smiling. Eleanor M.
Thank you all for prayers and birthday wishes for Gavin.
Thank you all for your prayers for Gaviin I am not sure if you remember that he lives in Texas. It is two years since my daughter was here with Gavin and His sister Lena., iI miss them so much But they can’t come now with the Covid 19. I do appreciate everyone on this blog. Eleanor M.❤️