“What use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba, or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me. Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will lay before this people stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble; fathers and sons together, neighbor and friendContinue reading “Worthless Ritual”
Tag Archives: israel
No Shame
““For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; theyContinue reading “No Shame”
Why?
“And when your people say, ‘Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us?’ you shall say to them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve foreigners in a land that is not yours.’” (Jeremiah 5:19, ESV) One of the strangest debates wasContinue reading “Why?”
Greater Plans
“But even in those days, declares the Lord, I will not make a full end of you.” (Jeremiah 5:18, ESV) When I was a teen, my dad and I got into surf fishing in a big way. One of the things he did was to purchase a Jeep Wagoneer so we could drive onto theContinue reading “Greater Plans”
The Last Survivor
“Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her.” (Jeremiah 5:1, ESV) In 2013 a movie, “Lone Survivor,” came out in the theaters. It was based on aContinue reading “The Last Survivor”
Rock Bottom
“But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth evenContinue reading “Rock Bottom”
Blessed Remnant
“Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” (Jeremiah 3:14, ESV) In 1973, I entered the United States Army Ranger School. I reported in with 290 candidates and of that numberContinue reading “Blessed Remnant”
The Open Door
“Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord. Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and twoContinue reading “The Open Door”
Numbering the People
“Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ houses, all in Israel who are able to go to war.” (Numbers 26:2, ESV) After the plague the Lord asks Moses to take a census to number the people. This is the second census.Continue reading “Numbering the People”
Feeling Abandoned Never Forsaken
“For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.” (Isaiah 54:7, ESV) Many years ago, we used to vacation at the Jersey shore. These were some of the most relaxing of our summer vacations. However, they were not without some interesting experiences. One hot summer day we were allContinue reading “Feeling Abandoned Never Forsaken”
Renewing the Heart 