Ezekiel

So, has been quite a while since my last Scripture summary post.
Here are some highlights from the book of Ezekiel.

Ezekiel lived during the time of Daniel and lived through the exile.  A majority of his writings deal with the subject of prophecy. Several passages are strikingly similar to the book of Revelation.
The first few chapters deal with Ezekiel's vision and call from God to speak to the people of Israel who had rejected the Lord.
Much is said about the new covenant inaugurated at Christ's death and resurrection. About how God will give us a heart to follow Him and give us a spirit that we through Christ may be counted righteous. There are many references to God remembering His covenant with His people who have the new heart. This is an amazing prophecy of the church and the new covenant that both Christ and Paul speak about.
The prophesies about various countries such as Tyre and Egypt have been amazingly perfectly fulfilled.
Chapter 34 tell the parable against the shepherds of God's chosen people. The leaders had been strengthening themselves at the expense of the poor and the weak. They had not sought after the sheep but rather had driven away the weak and vulnerable of the congregation. God says in verse 16 that He will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, strengthen the sick.
In this passage, along with many other passages of Scripture, it is obvious that the Lords heart is for the weak, the sick, the disabled, the poor, He desires that they will be welcomed and invited into God's house and family.
The outpouring of the Spirit referred to in Ezekiel has been wondrously fulfilled in the early church at Pentecost! Our God is so amazing! !
The ending of Ezekiel speaks of a city that is called the Lord is There. We the Church are the Temple of God, God is in us and He is always there.

Lamentations

The book of Lamentations was written by the prophet of Jeremiah. This was his heartfelt cry of sorrow about the sin of his people that they had rejected God as their Savior.
Though not easily seen from our English translation, the first four chapters are written as 4 acrostic poems in the Hebrew language. Each verse (or set of 3 verses, as in chapter 3) start with consecutive 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Amid the sorrow and suffering portrayed within this book, chapter 3 verses 22-26 are like a parenthesis of hope and trust in the Lord. They remind us that God's lovingkindnesses and His faithfulness never cease. Each day He gives us the grace we need. To wait upon the Lord is commended.
The main theme of Lamentations, is a call back to return to the Lord that He may show mercy. This is exemplified in chapter 5 by Jeremiah's prayer for God's mercy upon his people.
This book reminds us that though we have suffering and trials, God will not forget. Sin has consequences, but God is merciful to those whose hearts are humble toward Him and repent of their sin.

Jeremiah

Last year our church finished studying through the book of Jeremiah. Here are some insights I learned from reading and studying this book as well as some favorite verses.

• Jeremiah 1:4-8 God's calling of Jeremiah, though he was young, God enabled him to serve Him faithfully, God also called and set apart Jeremiah for a specific service to God before God formed him and he was born. God has called each one of us for a specific task to advance His kingdom. He enables us to complete those tasks by His strength. 
• Jeremiah was known as the "weeping prophet". He called Israel back to God before the exile to Babylon. He prophesied of the coming destruction of Jerusalem. He preached about repentance and God's judgment that was coming and His mercy that was available if they would repent.
• Jeremiah cared deeply for his people (chapter 9). He desired that they would return to their God.
• Though Israel would go into captivity to Babylon because of their sin, God promised that they would return to their own land (chapter 30). 
• Jeremiah 31 is one of the most well known chapters in the book. God calls His own people, proclaims His love toward His people. The New Covenant that was instituted at Christ's death (remembered by the church as the Lord's Supper) was proclaimed by Jeremiah. About this covenant, God says, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." (Jer 31:33) I think it is wonderful that we are now a part of God's New Covenant as the "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16) and that He has written His law on our hearts that we may obey His law. 
• The book of Jeremiah ends with the fall of Jerusalem and the people and the king being exiled to Babylon.

Isaiah

I just finished reading through the book of Isaiah. There are so many wonderful treasures speaking of our Lord and Savior. There are many verses speaking of God's care for us and His foreknowledge. Amid judgment for the nations, the Lord shows forth His compassion for His people. God's faithfulness is clearly seen. The book of Hebrews quotes Isaiah and Isaiah has numerous passages speaking about the birth of our Lord. My favorite Old Testament books are Deuteronomy, Psalms, Ruth, and Isaiah.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” (Jeremiah 1:4-5a)

For You [O God] created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)

This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb. (Isaiah 44:24a)

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b)

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7)

As you do not know {how the spirit enters the body being formed} in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. (Ecclesiastes 11:5)

Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One form us both within our mothers? (Job 31:15)

Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who give him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? (Exodus 4:11)

Ears that hear and eyes that see – the LORD has made them both. (Proverbs 20:12)

Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? (Psalm 94:9)

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” (Romans 9:20)

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

[And] God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31a)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; (Psalm 139:14a)

Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! (Isaiah 42:18)

The Lord gives sight to the blind, (Psalm 146:8a)

This is what the LORD says – He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, [you] whom I have chosen.” (Isaiah 44:2)

I will lead the blind by ways that they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come... He will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. (Isaiah 35:3-6a)

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. (Psalm 18:33)

Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (Hebrews 12:13)

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” (Haggai 1:5)

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength... But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:25, 27-31)

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the LORD to take it away from me.  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

We live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. (Psalm 119:18)

When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God Almighty. (Jeremiah 15:16)

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was Your good pleasure.” (Matthew 11:25-26)

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. (Matthew 18:2-5)

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Then Jesus said..., “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:11-14)

Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame... and make them come in, so that My house will be full.” (Luke 14:21b, 23b)

The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:23)

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” – but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10b)

Then Jesus [said], “ Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

And He [Jesus Christ] is the head of the body, the church. (Colossians 1:18a)

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12:14)

If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable and the parts that we think are less honorable, we treat with special honor...  But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.  (1 Corinthians 12:17-27)

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? (Isaiah 14:27a)

I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1:21b)

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:18)

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)

I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:27)

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, (Psalm 10:17)

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:13-14)

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a)

Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me trust in You even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother’s womb You have been my God. (Psalm 22:9-10)

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)

One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! (John 9:25b)

And I – in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness. (Psalm 17:15)

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD. (Psalm 102:18)

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise You. (Psalm 71:5-6)

You hem me in – behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (Psalm 139:5-6)

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds. (Psalm 73:28)

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:5)

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:11-12)

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13-16)

[For the Lord] has made everything beautiful in {His} time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. (Psalm 71:14-17)

Verses from NIV 1984

Song of Solomon

The book of the Song of Solomon can be interpreted as a picture of Christ's love for His bride, the Church. In this way we see Christ has a deep love for His people and wants us to draw near to Him in a special way. We should desire to have a intimate friendship with our Lord Jesus Christ. He loves His own so much!!
Another way to look at the book is a picture of what a godly marriage should be. As young ladies we should be praying that God would prepare us to be godly wives and mothers and that He would be raising up our future husband to love Christ wholeheartedly. We should endeavor to remain pure in every way that we may be a picture of Christ's holy bride.

Ecclesiastes

When reading through the book of Ecclesiastes, it is best to read all 12 chapters. :) The context is very important in this book. At first glance it may appear that the writer is proclaiming life and all that entails is meaningless. But that is not the case. Rather, that WITHOUT GOD everything would be meaningless.
Ecc 12:13-14 are a good summary of the book. "Now this is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every hidden thing into judgment, whether it is good or evil."
Also the exhortation in Ecc 12:1 to "remember your Creator when you are young" deserves special notice. It is important to live fully dedicated to God in our youth that our witness will glorify Him!!
As you do not know {how the spirit enters the body being formed} in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. (Ecclesiastes 11:5) When I read this verse I had not noticed how God intended to keep a mystery the process of how the spirit of a person enters the child in the womb. This is a wonderful verse to support the fact that all life is precious and that life begins at conception.

Proverbs

The book of Proverbs contains much wisdom and insight.
It is composed as a book of instruction from a father to his children. Often the book of Proverbs is read in a month reading the corresponding chapter with the day of the month. One of my favorite chapters in Proverbs is chapter 31, describing the virtuous woman. I desire to be an honorable woman, who fears the Lord above all else and is fully devoted to the Lord. Two key themes of the book of Proverbs are: Wisdom and the Fear/Reverence of the Lord. I desire to be a godly Proverbs 31 daughter. May the Lord give that desire to each one of you that you will seek Him with your whole heart.

Proverbs 31:10-31

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Description of a Worthy Woman

10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

Bible Translations

Ok, I have a question (or a few related questions) for all of you readers. :)

I was wondering what Bible translations are your favorites.
What translation do you prefer for memorizing from?
Do you use one version exclusively or use various translations?
Why did you pick the translation you use?
Do you find one version easier to memorize from?
Do you have a favorite audio Bible?
Do you know the history of the translation of the Bible you use? And did that affect your choice of translation?
How do the different "Bible Copyrights" affect your choice of translation?


Please leave a comment on this blog with your answers.

Joshua 1:8  (NKJV)

 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalms

The book of Psalms is one of my absolute favorite books!! I love writing music to fit with the Psalms! God's Words are truly my delight! Reading them hours upon hours is a joy and privilege  "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 When we delight ourselves in God, our desires will be to honor and please Him. Our delight will be wholehearted devotion to Him! As David says in Psalm 63:1, "O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Do we long for being in the presence of the LORD as much as we desire food and water? Is our whole desire of our being wrapped up in just resting in the presence of the LORD and delighting in His Word? Do we truly love the LORD for who He is and are content to serve Him and rest in His presence, or do we just want the blessings He gives His children? 

Since there are so many wonderful Psalms I will just give you a list of some of my favorites. (Psalms 1-150 are my favorites  just kidding, I will give you a less exhaustive list. :) But I actually love all 150 Psalms!)
Psalms: 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 33, 34, 37, 45, 55, 63, 71, 73, 77, 78, 84, 91, 103, 104, 105, 119, 127, 128, 131, 137, 139, 143, 145, 147, 150,
I know, it was hard to pare it down to these "few" Psalms.
What are some of your favorite Psalms?

Here are just a "few" of some of my favorite verses in the Psalms.

"You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Psalm 16:11

"And I - in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness." Psalm 17:15

"The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." Psalm 19:8

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." Psalm 40:3

"By day the LORD directs His love, at night His song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 41:8

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law." Psalm 119:18

"Long ago I learned from Your statutes that You established them to last forever." Psalm 119:152

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all Your works and consider what Your hands have done." Psalm 143:5

Job

From the book of Job we learn about suffering in the life of a believer. Many times we may want to ask "why" because we dont understand what God is doing. To admit you dont understand is okay, to doubt the faithfulness of God is not okay. Through the book of Job we see that God's ways are higher than ours, He knows what is best, He is faithful. No matter what trial or suffering you many currently be going through, remember our Savior understands and is right there with you, remember our "Redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth". "Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

I also love chapters 38-41 where God speaks to Job about His creation. It is valuable to remember that God knows what He is doing. The passages about the Behemoth and Leviathan are wonderful examples that confirm the creation account, that dinosaurs lived and the same time as mankind and that originally God created everything "very good". (these were not hippos and alligators as some commentaries suggest, have you ever seen a hippo with a "tail like a cedar tree" or an alligator that is a "sea dwelling creature that breaths fire"? No, I dont think so. I believe that these were dinosaurs!!)

God's plan in suffering, is to draw us to Himself and to make us more like Christ! That is the real treasure!

Esther

The book of Esther (along with Ruth) are the only books of the Bible that are named after women. Both Esther and Ruth were called virtuous women in the Scriptures. Their lives are an example for us to follow.
Esther's hebrew name is Hadassah. Both of these names mean star. Some of the values lauded in the book of Esther are: Submission, Inner Beauty, Uprightness, Sovereignty (of God), and God's Providence. Even the word "God" is not found even once in the entire book (this is the only part of the Bible where that is the case), His hand is seen throughout the book.
When I was reading Esther this last time, I came upon this verse, "...for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up." This passage reminds me that I am to be faithful in following my father's instructions and wishes for me wherever I am, whatever I am doing. I am to be submissive and am to be under his authority until I get married.
The story of Esther is a beautiful story of a young woman, who pleases the Lord, and is used greatly to save her people from destruction by a corrupt man in the government (Haman). The Lord uses those who are willing to follow His ways. Seeing God's plan unfold before you is a beautiful picture.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah was used by the Lord to help organize the rebuilding of the temple and the city of Jerusalem. His story parallels the story of Ezra. My favorite parts of the book of Nehemiah are his prayers. Chapter 1, verse 5-11 are a beautiful rendering of the heartfelt repentance and call to God for His mercy. This story also shows how the Lord works through secular rulers to accomplish His purposes. Another main theme in this book is the command not to marry outside of the faith. In the New Testament, Paul reiterates this command in saying that believers are not be be yoked together with unbelievers (the unequal yoke).
One of the most famous quotes in the book of Nehemiah is Neh 8:10b "the joy of the Lord is your strength." The context of this verse is after Israel heard the law of God read they were exceedingly grieved over their sin. But the day was a holy day unto the Lord and the Levites commanded the people celebrate "because they now understood the words that had been made known to them." (Neh 8:12)
God keeps His covenant because He is righteous. No matter what we may do, He is still faithful to His word. Throughout much of the Scriptures, the term "covenant love" is used. It means the kind of love that God has toward us. It is God's lovingkindness and mercy toward us who do not deserve this kind of love. Love to those who are "unloveable", love toward those who do not return love. This is some amazing love! This is the Love our God has for us!

Ezra

Ezra is a book of hope, hope of restoration for a scattered people of God. In the very first verse it speaks of the sovereignty of God, "in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart..." God sovereignly move the heart of all people to do His purposes. One of the key figures of the book of Ezra is Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel. It is interesting to note that he is listed in the genealogy of Jesus! Two other prophets that we know of are listed in helping with rebuilding, they are Haggai and Zechariah! (two of the minor prophets). Ezra doesn't come to Judah until chapter 7. "He was as teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given... for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel." We should be like Ezra in the way he was well versed in God's law and devoted himself to obeying God's law and to teaching the law to the people.

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles begins with the reign of Solomon. Solomon's heart's desire at the beginning of his reign was "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1 Kings 3 has an even more detailed description of his prayer). The Lord's covenant of love is with those who walk wholeheartedly in the way of the Lord (2 Chron. 6:14). The Lord's promise to Solomon is this, "As for you, IF you walk before me as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, 'Your shall never faith to have a man to rule over Israel.' BUT IF you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name." (2 Chron 7)
At our church we have been studying the book of Jeremiah and also some of the types of covenants in Scripture. This conditional covenant was sadly broken by the people of Israel. But God knew that this would happen, He provided a way to be brought near to Himself again - through the righteous blood of Christ.
Many of the next kings of Israel did not follow the Lord, these are some of the things the Lord said about them: "they abandoned the law of the LORD" (2 Chron 12:1), "He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD" (2 Chron 12:14), "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him, you have done a foolish thing, and form now on you will be at war" (2 Chron 16:9), "his mother encouraged him in doing wrong, he did evil in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Chron 22:3-4), "he did not humble himself before the LORD" (2 Chron 33:23), and many other sad remarks.
Jehoshaphat called upon the LORD when he was in distress "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (2 Chron 20:12) The Lord answered awesomely (2 Chron 20:22), "As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated." All Israel had to do was to trust the Lord and sing praise of His deliverance. I think this is a miracle that should be shared and known just like the miracles of crossing the red sea and the fall of Jericho.
Josiah restored the lost book of the law to God's People. He was truly repentant and humbled by sin. The Lord says to him in 2 Chron 34:27, "Because your heart was responsive and your humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before Me and tore your robes an wept in My presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD." May we all have humble, submissive hearts like King Josiah. May we bring the "lost law of our God to the peoples that they may obey God's laws and follow Him with their whole heart.

1 Chronicles

The book of 1 Chronicles begins with 9 chapters of genealogies. It is interesting to see how different people in Scripture are related to each other and to spot people who are in the ancestry of Christ. 1 Chron. 5:2 explains that even though Reuben was the actual firstborn, Joseph was given those rights, even though Judah had the "chief ruler" come from his line, that is, David and Jesus Christ, the rights are still given to Joseph. The end of chapter 6 describes and lists those who used music to glorify God in the temple.
Starting with chapter 1 through the end of 2 Chronicles parallels the accounts listed in the books of the Kings.
1 Chronicles 16 is a beautiful, majestic song of praise to the Lord. These are some of my favorite phrases from this chapter: "let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice", "proclaim His salvation day after day", "for He comes to judge the earth." David's throne is established forever, our King Jesus sits ruling from David's throne in heaven right now! His laws are to be fully loved and obeyed by His people.
When David sinned (chapter 21) he trusted in the mercy of God for he said, "I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men." David know what it meant to honor the LORD, "I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing." Serving the LORD will take a sacrifice on our part.
Concerning the kingdom reign of Solomon, David's son, the LORD says (1 Chronicles 28), "I will establish his kingdom forever IF he is unswerving in carrying out My commands and laws, as is being done at this time.... for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever." I desire to seek the Lord with all of my heart. Sadly, in the end Solomon's heart strayed from the LORD and he followed the gods of his many wives. And because of this idolatrous sin, the kingdom was split during the reign of his son. Our actions has great consequences, even if the results are not in our lifetime.

Psalm 119

א Aleph

¹ Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
    who walk according to the law of the Lord.
² Blessed are they who keep his statutes
    and seek him with all their heart.
³ They do nothing wrong;
    they walk in his ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
    that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
    when I consider all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.
⁸ I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me.

ב Beth

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, O Lord;
    teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
    as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

¹⁷ Do good to your servant, and I will live;
    I will obey your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth;
    do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
    for your laws at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
    and who stray from your commands.
²² Remove from me scorn and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.
²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

²⁵ I am laid low in the dust;
    preserve my life according to your word.
²⁶ I recounted my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.
²⁷ Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;
    then I will meditate on your wonders.
²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word.
²⁹ Keep me from deceitful ways;
    be gracious to me through your law.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth;
    I have set my heart on your laws.
³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
³² I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have set my heart free.

ה He

³³ Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;
    then I will keep them to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
    and obey it with all my heart.
³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word.
³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
    for your laws are good.
⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
    Preserve my life in your righteousness.

ו Waw

⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise;
⁴² then I will answer the one who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.
⁴⁴ I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will speak of your statutes before kings
    and will not be put to shame,
⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands
    because I love them.
⁴⁸ I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love,
    and I meditate on your decrees.

ז Zayin

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.
⁵⁰ My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.
⁵¹ The arrogant mock me without restraint,
    but I do not turn from your law.
⁵² I remember your ancient laws, O Lord,
    and I find comfort in them.
⁵³ Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.
⁵⁴ Your decrees are the theme of my song
    wherever I lodge.
⁵⁵ In the night I remember your name, O Lord,
    and I will keep your law.
⁵⁶ This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.

ח Heth

⁵⁷ You are my portion, O Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.
⁵⁸ I have sought your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ I have considered my ways
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
⁶⁰ I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.
⁶¹ Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget your law.
⁶² At midnight I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.
⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear you,
    to all who follow your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth is filled with your love, O Lord;
    teach me your decrees.

ט Teth

⁶⁵ Do good to your servant
    according to your word, O Lord.
⁶⁶ Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
    for I believe in your commands.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I obey your word.
⁶⁸ You are good, and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.
⁶⁹ Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
⁷⁰ Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
⁷¹ It was good for me to be afflicted
    so that I might learn your decrees.
⁷² The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

י Yodh

⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous,
    and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.
⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
    that I may not be put to shame.

כ Kaph

⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?
⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
    contrary to your law.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy;
    help me, for men persecute me without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ Preserve my life according to your love,
    and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

ל Lamedh

⁸⁹ Your word, O Lord, is eternal;
    it stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
    you established the earth, and it endures.
⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day,
    for all things serve you.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.
⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
    but I will ponder your statutes.
⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit;
    but your commands are boundless.

מ Mem

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
    I meditate on it all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
    for they are ever with me.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.
¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders,
    for I obey your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path
    so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰² I have not departed from your laws,
    for you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.

נ Nun

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light for my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much;
    preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
    and teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
    I will not forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me,
    but I have not strayed from your precepts.
¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² My heart is set on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.

ס Samekh

¹¹³ I hate double-minded men,
    but I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Away from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commands of my God!
¹¹⁶ Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live;
    do not let my hopes be dashed.
¹¹⁷ Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
    I will always have regard for your decrees.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who stray from your decrees,
    for their deceitfulness is in vain.
¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
    therefore I love your statutes.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles in fear of you;
    I stand in awe of your laws.

ע Ayin

¹²¹ I have done what is righteous and just;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Ensure your servant’s well-being;
    let not the arrogant oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
    looking for your righteous promise.
¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your love
    and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.
¹²⁶ It is time for you to act, O Lord;
    your law is being broken.
¹²⁷ Because I love your commands
    more than gold, more than pure gold,
¹²⁸ and because I consider all your precepts right,
    I hate every wrong path.

פ Pe

¹²⁹ Your statutes are wonderful;
    therefore I obey them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,
    longing for your commands.
¹³² Turn to me and have mercy on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.
¹³³ Direct my footsteps according to your word;
    let no sin rule over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of men,
    that I may obey your precepts.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine upon your servant
    and teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.

צ Tsadhe

¹³⁷ Righteous are you, O Lord,
    and your laws are right.
¹³⁸ The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
    they are fully trustworthy.
¹³⁹ My zeal wears me out,
    for my enemies ignore your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
    and your servant loves them.
¹⁴¹ Though I am lowly and despised,
    I do not forget your precepts.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.
¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands are my delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your statutes are forever right;
    give me understanding that I may live.

ק Qoph

¹⁴⁵ I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord,
    and I will obey your decrees.
¹⁴⁶ I call out to you; save me
    and I will keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promises.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
    preserve my life, O Lord, according to your laws.
¹⁵⁰ Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
    but they are far from your law.
¹⁵¹ Yet you are near, O Lord,
    and all your commands are true.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from your statutes
    that you established them to last forever.

ר Resh

¹⁵³ Look upon my suffering and deliver me,
    for I have not forgotten your law.
¹⁵⁴ Defend my cause and redeem me;
    preserve my life according to your promise.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out your decrees.
¹⁵⁶ Your compassion is great, O Lord;
    preserve my life according to your laws.
¹⁵⁷ Many are the foes who persecute me,
    but I have not turned from your statutes.
¹⁵⁸ I look on the faithless with loathing,
    for they do not obey your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love.
¹⁶⁰ All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.

ש Sin and Shin

¹⁶¹ Rulers persecute me without cause,
    but my heart trembles at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood
    but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your statutes,
    for I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your precepts and your statutes,
    for all my ways are known to you.

ת Taw

¹⁶⁹ May my cry come before you, O Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ May my supplication come before you;
    deliver me according to your promise.
¹⁷¹ May my lips overflow with praise,
    for you teach me your decrees.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
¹⁷⁶ I have strayed like a lost sheep.
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten your commands.

NIV 1984