Bible Readings for April 27, 2019

Today our passages are Judges 7:1–8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalm 97:1–98:9; and Proverbs 14:7-8. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.  If you find these readings helpful, please consider sending an offering directly to Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Street, Weirton, West Virginia or through PayPal by using the link below. 

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Judges 7-8:17 (Contemporary English Version)

Judges 7

 ¹Early the next morning, Gideon and his army got up and moved their camp to Fear Spring. ^[a] The Midianite camp was to the north, in the valley at the foot of Moreh Hill. ^[b]     ²The LORD said, " Gideon, your army is too big. I can't let you win with this many soldiers. The Israelites would think that they had won the battle all by themselves and that I didn't have anything to do with it. 
    ³So call your troops together and tell them that anyone who is really afraid can leave Mount Gilead ^[c] and go home." Twenty-two thousand men returned home, leaving Gideon with only ten thousand soldiers. 
    ⁴" Gideon," the LORD said, " you still have too many soldiers. Take them down to the spring and I'll test them. I'll tell you which ones can go along with you and which ones must go back home." 
    ⁵When Gideon led his army down to the spring, the LORD told him, " Watch how each man gets a drink of water. Then divide them into two groups--those who lap the water like a dog and those who kneel down to drink." 
    ⁶Three hundred men scooped up water in their hands and lapped it, and the rest knelt to get a drink. 
    ⁷The LORD said, " Gideon, your army will be made up of everyone who lapped the water from their hands. Send the others home. I'm going to rescue Israel by helping you and your army of three hundred defeat the Midianites." 
    ⁸Then Gideon gave these orders, " You three hundred men stay here. The rest of you may go home, but leave your food and trumpets with us." 
   Gideon's army camp was on top of a hill overlooking the Midianite camp in the valley. 
    ⁹That night, the LORD said to Gideon. " Get up! Attack the Midianite camp. I am going to let you defeat them, 
    ¹⁰but if you're still afraid, you and your servant Purah should sneak down to their camp. 
    ¹¹When you hear what the Midianites are saying, you'll be brave enough to attack." 
   Gideon and Purah worked their way to the edge of the enemy camp, where soldiers were on guard duty. 
    ¹²The camp was huge. The Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern nations covered the valley like a swarm of locusts. ^[d] And it would be easier to count the grains of sand on a beach than to count their camels. 
    ¹³Gideon overheard one enemy guard telling another, " I had a dream about a flat ^[e] loaf of barley bread that came tumbling into our camp. It hit the headquarters tent, ^[f] and the tent flipped over and fell down." 
    ¹⁴The other soldier answered, " Your dream must have been about Gideon, the Israelite commander. It means God will let him and his army defeat the Midianite army and everyone else in our camp." 
    ¹⁵As soon as Gideon heard about the dream and what it meant, he bowed down to praise God. Then he went back to the Israelite camp and shouted, " Let's go! The LORD is going to let us defeat the Midianite army." 
    ¹⁶Gideon divided his little army into three groups of one hundred men, and he gave each soldier a trumpet and a large clay jar with a burning torch inside. 
    ^17-18Gideon said, " When we get to the enemy camp, spread out and surround it. Then wait for me to blow a signal on my trumpet. As soon as you hear it, blow your trumpets and shout, `Fight for the LORD! Fight for Gideon!' " 
    ¹⁹Gideon and his group reached the edge of the enemy camp a few hours after dark, just after the new guards had come on duty. ^[g] Gideon and his soldiers blew their trumpets and smashed the clay jars that were hiding the torches. 
    ²⁰The rest of Gideon's soldiers blew the trumpets they were holding in their right hands. Then they smashed the jars and held the burning torches in their left hands. Everyone shouted, " Fight with your swords for the LORD and for Gideon!" 
    ²¹The enemy soldiers started yelling and tried to run away. Gideon's troops stayed in their positions surrounding the camp 
    ²²and blew their trumpets again. As they did, the LORD made the enemy soldiers pull out their swords and start fighting each other. 
   The enemy army tried to escape from the camp. They ran to Acacia Tree Town, toward Zeredah, ^[h] and as far as the edge of the land that belonged to the town of Abel-Meholah near Tabbath. ^[i] 
    ²³Gideon sent word for more Israelite soldiers to come from the tribes of Naphtali, Asher, and both halves of Manasseh ^[j] to help fight the Midianites. 
    ²⁴He also sent messengers to tell all the men who lived in the hill country of Ephraim, " Come and help us fight the Midianites! Put guards at every spring, stream, and well, as far as Beth-Barah before the Midianites can get to them. And guard the Jordan River." Troops from Ephraim did exactly what Gideon had asked, 
    ²⁵and they even helped chase the Midianites on the east side of the Jordan River. These troops captured Raven and Wolf, ^[k] the two Midianite leaders. They killed Raven at a large rock that has come to be known as Raven Rock, and they killed Wolf near a wine-pit that has come to be called Wolf Wine-Pit. ^[l] The men of Ephraim brought the heads of the two Midianite leaders to Gideon. 
    

Judges 8

 ¹     

Judges 8

 ¹But the men were really upset with Gideon and complained, " When you went to war with Midian, you didn't ask us to help! Why did you treat us like that?"     ²Gideon answered: 
   Don't be upset! Even though you came later, you were able to do much more than I did. It's just like the grape harvest: The grapes your tribe doesn't even bother to pick are better than the best grapes my family can grow. 
    ³Besides, God chose you to capture Raven and Wolf. I didn't do a thing compared to you. 
   By the time Gideon had finished talking, the men of Ephraim had calmed down and were no longer angry at him.     

Gideon Finishes Destroying the Midianite Army

 ⁴After Gideon and his three hundred troops had chased the Midianites as far as the Jordan River, they were exhausted.     ⁵The town of Succoth was nearby, so he went there and asked, " Please give my troops some food. They are worn out, but we have to keep chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the two Midianite kings." 
    ⁶The town leaders of Succoth answered, " Why should we feed your army? We don't know if you really will defeat Zebah and Zalmunna." 
    ⁷" Just wait!" Gideon said. " After the LORD helps me defeat them, I'm coming back here. I'll make a whip out of thorns and rip the flesh from your bones." 
    ⁸After leaving Succoth, Gideon went to Penuel and asked the leaders there for some food. But he got the same answer as he had gotten at Succoth. 
    ⁹" I'll come back safe and sound," Gideon said, " but when I do, I'm going to tear down your tower!" ^[m] 
    ¹⁰Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor ^[n] with an army of fifteen thousand troops. They were all that was left of the army of the eastern nations, because one hundred twenty thousand of their warriors had been killed in the battle. 
    ¹¹Gideon reached the enemy camp by going east along Nomad ^[o] Road past Nobah and Jogbehah. He made a surprise attack, 
    ¹²and the enemy panicked. Zebah and Zalmunna tried to escape, but Gideon chased and captured them. 
    ¹³After the battle, Gideon set out for home. As he was going through Heres Pass, 
    ¹⁴he caught a young man who lived in Succoth. Gideon asked him who the town officials of Succoth were, and the young man wrote down seventy-seven names. 
    ¹⁵Gideon went to the town officials and said, " Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. Remember how you made fun of me? You said, `We don't know if you really will defeat those two Midianite kings. So why should we feed your worn-out army?' " 
    ¹⁶Gideon made a whip from thorn plants and used it to beat the town officials. 
    ¹⁷Afterwards he went to Penuel, where he tore down the tower and killed all the town officials ^[p] there. 
    

Footnotes:

1. Judges 7:1 Fear Spring: Or " Harod Spring."
2. Judges 7:1 Moreh Hill: About 5 miles north of Fear Spring.
3. Judges 7:3 Mount Gilead: Usually " Gilead" refers to an area east of the Jordan River, but in this verse it refers to a place near Jezreel Valley west of the Jordan.
4. Judges 7:12 locusts: See the note at 6.4,5.
5. Judges 7:13 flat: Or " moldy."
6. Judges 7:13 the headquarters tent: Or " a tent."
7. Judges 7:19 a few hours after dark, just. . . duty: The Hebrew text has " at the beginning of the second watch, just. . . duty." The night was divided into three periods called " watches," each about four hours long, and different guards would come on duty at the beginning of each watch. The first watch began at sunset, so the beginning of the second watch would have been shortly after 10:00 (P.M.)
8. Judges 7:22 Zeredah: Some Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts " Zererah" ; these may be different names for the town of Zarethan in the Jordan River valley.
9. Judges 7:22 Acacia Tree Town. . . Zeredah. . . Abel-Meholah near Tabbath: These were places east of the Jordan River.
10. Judges 7:23 both halves of Manasseh: Half of Manasseh lived east of the Jordan River, and the other half lived on the west.
11. Judges 7:25 Raven and Wolf: Or " Oreb and Zeeb."
12. Judges 7:25 Raven Rock. . . Wolf Wine-Pit: Or " Oreb Rock. . . Zeeb Wine-Pit."
13. Judges 8:9 tower: Towers were often part of a town wall.
14. Judges 8:10 Karkor: A little over 100 miles east of the Dead Sea.
15. Judges 8:11 Nomad: A person who lives in a tent and moves from place to place.
16. Judges 8:17 all. . . officials: Or " every man in town."

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Luke 23:13-43 (Contemporary English Version)

The Death Sentence

(Matthew 27.15-26; Mark 15.6-15; John 18.39--19.16)

 ¹³Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people. ¹⁴He told them, "You brought Jesus to me and said he was a troublemaker. But I have questioned him here in front of you, and I have not found him guilty of anything that you say he has done. ¹⁵Herod didn't find him guilty either and sent him back. This man doesn't deserve to be put to death! ^16-17I will just have him beaten with a whip and set free." ^[a] ¹⁸But the whole crowd shouted, "Kill Jesus! Give us Barabbas!" ¹⁹Now Barabbas was in jail because he had started a riot in the city and had murdered someone.     ²⁰Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he spoke again to the crowds. ²¹But they kept shouting, "Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!"
    ²²Pilate spoke to them a third time, "But what crime has he done? I have not found him guilty of anything for which he should be put to death. I will have him beaten with a whip and set free."
    ²³The people kept on shouting as loud as they could for Jesus to be put to death. ²⁴Finally, Pilate gave in. ²⁵He freed the man who was in jail for rioting and murder, because he was the one the crowd wanted to be set free. Then Pilate handed Jesus over for them to do what they wanted with him.     

Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross

(Matthew 27.31-44; Mark 15.21-32; John 19.17-27)

 ²⁶As Jesus was being led away, some soldiers grabbed hold of a man from Cyrene named Simon. He was coming in from the fields, but they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.     ²⁷A large crowd was following Jesus, and in the crowd a lot of women were crying and weeping for him. ²⁸Jesus turned to the women and said:
   Women of Jerusalem, don't cry for me! Cry for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹Someday people will say, "Women who never had children are really fortunate!" ³⁰At that time everyone will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" They will say to the hills, "Hide us!" ³¹If this can happen when the wood is green, what do you think will happen when it is dry? ^[b]³²Two criminals were led out to be put to death with Jesus. ³³When the soldiers came to the place called "The Skull," ^[c]they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus. ^34-35Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people! They don't know what they're doing." ^[d] While the crowd stood there watching Jesus, the soldiers gambled for his clothes. The leaders insulted him by saying, "He saved others. Now he should save himself, if he really is God's chosen Messiah!"
    ³⁶The soldiers made fun of Jesus and brought him some wine. ³⁷They said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!"
    ³⁸Above him was a sign that said, "This is the King of the Jews."
    ³⁹One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!"
    ⁴⁰But the other criminal told the first one off, "Don't you fear God? Aren't you getting the same punishment as this man? ⁴¹We got what was coming to us, but he didn't do anything wrong." ⁴²Then he said to Jesus, "Remember me when you come into power!"
    ⁴³Jesus replied, "I promise that today you will be with me in paradise." ^[e] 

Footnotes:

1. Luke 23:16 set free: Some manuscripts add, " Pilate said this, because at every Passover he was supposed to set one prisoner free for the Jewish people."
2. Luke 23:31 If this can happen when the wood is green, what do you think will happen when it is dry: This saying probably means, " If this can happen to an innocent person, what do you think will happen to one who is guilty?"
3. Luke 23:33 " The Skull" : The place was probably given this name because it was near a large rock in the shape of a human skull.
4. Luke 23:34 Jesus said, " Father, forgive these people! They don't know what they're doing." : These words are not in some manuscripts.
5. Luke 23:43 paradise: In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, this word is used for the Garden of Eden. In New Testament times it was sometimes used for the place where God's people are happy and at rest, as they wait for the final judgment.

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Psalm 97-98:9 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 97

The LORD Brings Justice

 ¹The LORD is King!    Tell the earth to celebrate 
   and all islands to shout. 
    ²Dark clouds surround him, 
   and his throne is supported 
   by justice and fairness. 
    ³Fire leaps from his throne, 
   destroying his enemies, 
    ⁴and his lightning is so bright 
   that the earth sees it 
   and trembles. 
    ⁵Mountains melt away like wax 
   in the presence of the LORD 
   of all the earth. 
    ⁶The heavens announce, 
   "The LORD brings justice!" 
   Everyone sees God's glory. 
    ⁷Those who brag about 
   the useless idols they worship 
   are terribly ashamed, 
   and all the false gods 
   bow down to the LORD. 
    ⁸When the people of Zion 
   and of the towns of Judah 
   hear that God brings justice, 
   they will celebrate. 
    ⁹The LORD rules the whole earth, 
   and he is more glorious 
   than all the false gods. 
    ¹⁰Love the LORD 
   and hate evil! 
   God protects his loyal people 
   and rescues them 
   from violence. 
    ¹¹If you obey and do right, 
   a light will show you the way 
   and fill you with happiness. 
    ¹²You are the LORD's people! 
   So celebrate and praise 
   the only God. 
    

Psalm 98

The LORD Works Miracles

 ¹Sing a new song to the LORD!    He has worked miracles, 
   and with his own powerful arm, 
   he has won the victory. 
    ²The LORD has shown the nations 
   that he has the power to save 
   and to bring justice. 
    ³God has been faithful 
   in his love for Israel, 
   and his saving power is seen 
   everywhere on earth. 
    ⁴Tell everyone on this earth 
   to sing happy songs 
   in praise of the LORD. 
    ⁵Make music for him on harps. 
   Play beautiful melodies! 
    ⁶Sound the trumpets and horns 
   and celebrate with joyful songs 
   for our LORD and King! 
    ⁷Command the ocean to roar 
   with all of its creatures, 
   and the earth to shout 
   with all of its people. 
    ⁸Order the rivers 
   to clap their hands, 
   and all of the hills 
   to sing together. 
    ⁹Let them worship the LORD! 
   He is coming to judge 
   everyone on the earth, 
   and he will be honest 
   and fair. 

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Proverbs 14:7-8 (Contemporary English Version)

⁷Stay away from fools,
   or you won't learn a thing.
    ⁸Wise people have enough sense
   to find their way,
   but stupid fools get lost.

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Verse of the Day

“The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” - Luke 19:10 

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

English philosopher, biologist, anthropologist, sociologist, and prominent classical liberal political theorist of the Victorian era, Herbert Spencer wrote, “The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools.”

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A Joke for Today

A lady is walking down the street to work and see's a parrot in a pet store. She stops to admire the bird. The parrot says to her, "hey lady, you are really ugly."

Well, the lady is furious! She storms past the store to her work.

On the way home she saw the same parrot in the window and the parrot upon seeing her says, "hey lady, you are really ugly."

She was incredibly ticked now. The next day on the way to work she saw the same parrot and once again it said, "hey lady, you are really ugly."

The lady was so furious that she stormed into the store and threatened to sue the store and have the bird killed. The store manager apologized profusely and promised the bird wouldn't say it again.

When the lady walked past the store after work the parrot said to her, "hey lady."

She paused and said, "yes?"

The bird said, "you know." 

Bible Readings for April 27, 2018

Today our passages are Judges 7:1–8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalm 97:1–98:9; and Proverbs 14:7-8. The readings are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson.  If you find these readings helpful, please consider sending an offering directly to Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Street, Weirton, West Virginia or through PayPal by using the link below.

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Judges 7-8:17 (The Message)

Judges 7

 ¹ Jerub-Baal (Gideon) got up early the next morning, all his troops right there with him. They set up camp at Harod's Spring. The camp of Midian was in the plain, north of them near the Hill of Moreh.  ^2-3 God said to Gideon, "You have too large an army with you. I can't turn Midian over to them like this—they'll take all the credit, saying, 'I did it all myself,' and forget about me. Make a public announcement: 'Anyone afraid, anyone who has any qualms at all, may leave Mount Gilead now and go home.'" Twenty-two companies headed for home. Ten companies were left.
 ^4-5 God said to Gideon: "There are still too many. Take them down to the stream and I'll make a final cut. When I say, 'This one goes with you,' he'll go. When I say, 'This one doesn't go,' he won't go." So Gideon took the troops down to the stream.
 ^5-6 God said to Gideon: "Everyone who laps with his tongue, the way a dog laps, set on one side. And everyone who kneels to drink, drinking with his face to the water, set to the other side." Three hundred lapped with their tongues from their cupped hands. All the rest knelt to drink.
 ⁷ God said to Gideon: "I'll use the three hundred men who lapped at the stream to save you and give Midian into your hands. All the rest may go home."
 ⁸ After Gideon took all their provisions and trumpets, he sent all the Israelites home. He took up his position with the three hundred. The camp of Midian stretched out below him in the valley.
 ^9-12 That night, God told Gideon: "Get up and go down to the camp. I've given it to you. If you have any doubts about going down, go down with Purah your armor bearer; when you hear what they're saying, you'll be bold and confident." He and his armor bearer Purah went down near the place where sentries were posted. Midian and Amalek, all the easterners, were spread out on the plain like a swarm of locusts. And their camels! Past counting, like grains of sand on the seashore!
 ¹³ Gideon arrived just in time to hear a man tell his friend a dream. He said, "I had this dream: A loaf of barley bread tumbled into the Midianite camp. It came to the tent and hit it so hard it collapsed. The tent fell!"
 ¹⁴ His friend said, "This has to be the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite! God has turned Midian—the whole camp!—over to him."
 ¹⁵ When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he went to his knees before God in prayer. Then he went back to the Israelite camp and said, "Get up and get going! God has just given us the Midianite army!"
 ^16-18 He divided the three hundred men into three companies. He gave each man a trumpet and an empty jar, with a torch in the jar. He said, "Watch me and do what I do. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly what I do. When I and those with me blow the trumpets, you also, all around the camp, blow your trumpets and shout, 'For God and for Gideon!'"
 ^19-22 Gideon and his hundred men got to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the sentries had been posted. They blew the trumpets, at the same time smashing the jars they carried. All three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands, ready to blow, and shouted, "A sword for God and for Gideon!" They were stationed all around the camp, each man at his post. The whole Midianite camp jumped to its feet. They yelled and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, God aimed each Midianite's sword against his companion, all over the camp. They ran for their lives—to Beth Shittah, toward Zererah, to the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath.
 ²³ Israelites rallied from Naphtali, from Asher, and from all over Manasseh. They had Midian on the run.
 ²⁴ Gideon then sent messengers through all the hill country of Ephraim, urging them, "Come down against Midian! Capture the fords of the Jordan at Beth Barah."
 ²⁵ So all the men of Ephraim rallied and captured the fords of the Jordan at Beth Barah. They also captured the two Midianite commanders Oreb (Raven) and Zeeb (Wolf). They killed Oreb at Raven Rock; Zeeb they killed at Wolf Winepress. And they pressed the pursuit of Midian. They brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan. 

Judges 8

 ¹ Then the Ephraimites said to Gideon, "Why did you leave us out of this, not calling us when you went to fight Midian?" They were indignant and let him know it.  ^2-3 But Gideon replied, "What have I done compared to you? Why, even the gleanings of Ephraim are superior to the vintage of Abiezer. God gave you Midian's commanders, Oreb and Zeeb. What have I done compared with you?"
    When they heard this, they calmed down and cooled off.

^4-5 Gideon and his three hundred arrived at the Jordan and crossed over. They were bone-tired but still pressing the pursuit. He asked the men of Succoth, "Please, give me some loaves of bread for my troops I have with me. They're worn out, and I'm hot on the trail of Zebah and Zalmunna, the Midianite kings."
 ⁶ But the leaders in Succoth said, "You're on a wild goose chase; why should we help you on a fool's errand?"
 ⁷ Gideon said, "If you say so. But when God gives me Zebah and Zalmunna, I'll give you a thrashing, whip your bare flesh with desert thorns and thistles!"
 ^8-9 He went from there to Peniel and made the same request. The men of Peniel, like the men of Succoth, also refused. Gideon told them, "When I return safe and sound, I'll demolish this tower."
 ¹⁰ Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with an army of about fifteen companies, all that was left of the fighting force of the easterners—they had lost 120 companies of soldiers.
 ^11-12 Gideon went up the caravan trail east of Nobah and Jogbehah, found and attacked the undefended camp. Zebah and Zalmunna fled, but he chased and captured the two kings of Midian. The whole camp had panicked.
 ^13-15 Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by way of the Heres Pass. He captured a young man from Succoth and asked some questions. The young man wrote down the names of the officials and leaders of Succoth, seventy-seven men. Then Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, "Here are the wild geese, Zebah and Zalmunna, you said I'd never catch. You wouldn't give so much as a scrap of bread to my worn-out men; you taunted us, saying that we were on a fool's errand."
 ^16-17 Then he took the seventy-seven leaders of Succoth and thrashed them with desert thorns and thistles. And he demolished the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the city.

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Luke 23:13-43 (The Message)

 ^13-16Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, "You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It's clear that he's done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I'm going to warn him to watch his step and let him go."

 ^18-20At that, the crowd went wild: "Kill him! Give us Barabbas!" (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again.

 ²¹But they kept shouting back, "Crucify! Crucify him!"

 ²²He tried a third time. "But for what crime? I've found nothing in him deserving death. I'm going to warn him to watch his step and let him go."

 ^23-25But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.

Skull Hill

 ^26-31As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. The time is coming when they'll say, 'Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!' Then they'll start calling to the mountains, 'Fall down on us!' calling to the hills, 'Cover us up!' If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they'll do with deadwood?"

 ³²Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution.

 ³³When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.

 ^34-35Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing."

   Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!"

 ^36-37The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: "So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!"

 ³⁸Printed over him was a sign: this is the king of the jews.

 ³⁹One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: "Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!"

 ^40-41But the other one made him shut up: "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this."

 ⁴²Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom."

 ⁴³He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."

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Psalm 97-98:9 (The Message)

Psalm 97

    God rules: there's something to shout over! On the double, mainlands and islands—celebrate!

 ² Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him;
   Right and justice anchor his rule.

 ³ Fire blazes out before him,
   Flaming high up the craggy mountains.

 ⁴ His lightnings light up the world;
   Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear.

 ⁵ The mountains take one look at God
   And melt, melt like wax before earth's Lord.

 ⁶ The heavens announce that he'll set everything right,
   And everyone will see it happen—glorious!

 ^7-8 All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry—
   And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods!    On your knees, all you gods—worship him!
   And Zion, you listen and take heart!
   Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out:
   God has done it all, has set everything right.

 ⁹ You, God, are High God of the cosmos,
   Far, far higher than any of the gods.

 ¹⁰ God loves all who hate evil,
   And those who love him he keeps safe,
   Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.

 ¹¹ Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people,
   Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

 ¹² So, God's people, shout praise to God,
   Give thanks to our Holy God! 

Psalm 98

    Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders!    He rolled up his sleeves, 
   He set things right. 

 ² God made history with salvation, 
   He showed the world what he could do. 

 ³ He remembered to love us, a bonus 
   To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love. 
   The whole earth comes to attention. 
   Look—God's work of salvation! 

 ⁴ Shout your praises to God, everybody! 
   Let loose and sing! Strike up the band! 

 ⁵ Round up an orchestra to play for God, 
   Add on a hundred-voice choir. 

 ⁶ Feature trumpets and big trombones, 
   Fill the air with praises to King God. 

 ⁷ Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, 
   With everything living on earth joining in. 

 ⁸ Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" 
   And mountains harmonize the finale— 

 ⁹ A tribute to God when he comes, 
   When he comes to set the earth right. 
   He'll straighten out the whole world, 
   He'll put the world right, and everyone in it.

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Proverbs 14:7-8 (The Message)

 ⁷ Escape quickly from the company of fools;
   they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words.

 ⁸ The wisdom of the wise keeps life on track;
   the foolishness of fools lands them in the ditch.

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Verse of the Day

“The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” - Luke 19:10

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day 

English philosopher, biologist, anthropologist, sociologist, and prominent classical liberal political theorist of the Victorian era, Herbert Spencer wrote, “Who indeed, after pulling off the coloured glasses of prejudice and thrusting out of sight his pet projects, can help seeing the folly of these endeavours to protect men against themselves? A sad population of imbeciles would our schemers fill the world with, could their plans last.”

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A Joke for Today

The animals were bored. Finally, the lion had an idea. "I know a really exciting game that the humans play called football. I've seen it on T.V."

He proceeded to describe it to the rest of the animals and they all got excited about it so they decided to play. They went out to the field and chose up teams and were ready to begin.

The lion's team received. They were able to get two first downs and then had to punt. The mule punted and the rhino was back deep for the kick. He caught the ball, lowered his head and charged. First, he crushed a roadrunner, then two rabbits. He gored a wildebeast, knocked over two cows, and broke through to daylight, scoring six.

Unfortunately, they lacked a placekicker, and the score remained 6 - 0.

Late in the first half the lion's team scored a touchdown and the mule kicked the extra point. The lion's team led at halftime 7 - 6. In the locker room, the lion gave a pep talk.

"Look you guys. We can win this game. We've got the lead and they only have one real threat. We've got to keep the ball away from the rhino, he's a killer. Mule, when you kick off be sure to keep it away from the rhino."

The second half began. Just as the mule was about to kick off, the rhino's team changed formation and the ball went directly to the rhino. Once again, the rhino lowered his head and was off running. First, he stomped two gazelles. He skewered a zebra, and bulldozed an elephant out of the way. It looked like he was home free. Suddenly at the twenty yard line, he dropped over dead. There were no other animals in sight anywhere near him. The lion went over to see what had happened. Right next to the dead rhino he saw a small centipede.

"Did you do this?" he asked the centipede.

"Yeah, I did." the centipede replied.

The lion retorted, "Where were you during the first half?"

"I was putting on my shoes."

Bible Readings for April 25, 2015

Today our passages are Judges 4:1–5:31; Luke 22:35-53; Psalm 94:1-23; and Proverbs 14:3-4. The readings are the Contemporary English Version. 

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Judges 4-5:31 (Contemporary English Version)

Judges 4

Deborah and Barak

 ¹After the death of Ehud, the Israelites again started disobeying the LORD.     ²So the LORD let the Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor conquer Israel. Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, lived in Harosheth-Ha-Goiim.
    ³Jabin's army had nine hundred iron chariots, and for twenty years he made life miserable for the Israelites, until finally they begged the LORD for help.
    ⁴Deborah the wife of Lappidoth was a prophet and a leader ^[a] of Israel during those days.
    ⁵She would sit under Deborah's Palm Tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where Israelites would come and ask her to settle their legal cases.
    ⁶One day, Barak the son of Abinoam was in Kedesh in Naphtali, and Deborah sent word for him to come and talk with her. When he arrived, she said:
   I have a message for you from the LORD God of Israel! You are to get together an army of ten thousand men from the Naphtali and Zebulun tribes and lead them to Mount Tabor.
    ⁷The LORD will trick Sisera into coming out to fight you at the Kishon River. Sisera will be leading King Jabin's army as usual, and they will have their chariots, but the LORD has promised to help you defeat them.
    ⁸" I'm not going unless you go!" Barak told her.
    ⁹" All right, I'll go!" she replied. " But I'm warning you that the LORD is going to let a woman defeat Sisera, and no one will honor you for winning the battle."
   Deborah and Barak left for Kedesh,
    ¹⁰where Barak called together the troops from Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand soldiers gathered there, and Barak led them out from Kedesh. Deborah went too.
    ¹¹At this time, Heber of the Kenite clan was living near the village of Oak in Zaanannim, ^[b] not far from Kedesh. The Kenites were descendants of Hobab, the father-in-law of Moses, but Heber had moved and had set up his tents away from the rest of the clan.
    ¹²When Sisera learned that Barak had led an army to Mount Tabor,
    ¹³he called his troops together and got all nine hundred iron chariots ready. Then he led his army away from Harosheth-Ha-Goiim to the Kishon River.
    ¹⁴Deborah shouted, " Barak, it's time to attack Sisera! Because today the LORD is going to help you defeat him. In fact, the LORD has already gone on ahead to fight for you."
   Barak led his ten thousand troops down from Mount Tabor.
    ¹⁵And during the battle, the LORD confused Sisera, his chariot drivers, and his whole army. Everyone was so afraid of Barak and his army, that even Sisera jumped down from his chariot and tried to escape.
    ¹⁶Barak's forces went after Sisera's chariots and army as far as Harosheth-Ha-Goiim.
   Sisera's entire army was wiped out.
    ¹⁷Only Sisera escaped. He ran to Heber's camp, because Heber and his family had a peace treaty with the king of Hazor. Sisera went to the tent that belonged to Jael, Heber's wife.
    ¹⁸She came out to greet him and said, " Come in, sir! Please come on in. Don't be afraid."
   After they had gone inside, Sisera lay down, and Jael covered him with a blanket.
    ¹⁹" Could I have a little water?" he asked. " I'm thirsty."
   Jael opened a leather bottle and poured him some milk, then she covered him back up.
    ²⁰" Stand at the entrance to the tent," Sisera told her. " If someone comes by and asks if anyone is inside, tell them `No.' "
    ²¹Sisera was exhausted and soon fell fast asleep. Jael took a hammer and drove a tent-peg through his head into the ground, and he died.
    ²²Meanwhile, Barak had been following Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. " The man you're looking for is inside," she said. " Come in and I'll show him to you."
   They went inside, and there was Sisera--dead and stretched out with a tent-peg through his skull.
    ²³That same day the Israelites defeated the Canaanite King Jabin, and his army was no longer powerful enough to attack the Israelites.
    ²⁴Jabin grew weaker while the Israelites kept growing stronger, and at last the Israelites destroyed him.
   

Judges 5

Deborah and Barak Sing for the LORD

 ¹After the battle was over that day, Deborah and Barak sang this song:     ²We praise you, LORD!
   Our soldiers volunteered,
   ready to follow you.
    ³Listen, kings and rulers,
   while I sing for the LORD,
   the God of Israel.
    ⁴Our LORD, God of Israel,
   when you came from Seir,
   where the Edomites live,
    ⁵rain poured from the sky,
   the earth trembled,
   and mountains shook.
    ⁶In the time of Shamgar
   son of Anath,
   and now again in Jael's time,
   roads were too dangerous
   for caravans.
   Travelers had to take
   the back roads,
    ⁷and villagers couldn't work
   in their fields. ^[c] Then Deborah ^[d] took command, protecting Israel
   as a mother
   protects her children.
    ⁸The Israelites worshiped
   other gods,
   and the gates of their towns
   were then attacked. ^[e] But they had no shields
   or spears to fight with.
    ⁹I praise you, LORD,
   and I am grateful
   for those leaders and soldiers
   who volunteered.
    ¹⁰Listen, everyone!
   Whether you ride a donkey
   with a padded saddle
   or have to walk.
    ¹¹Even those who carry water ^[f] to the animals will tell you,
   " The LORD has won victories,
   and so has Israel."
   Then the LORD's people marched
   down to the town gates
    ¹²and said, " Deborah, let's go!
   Let's sing as we march.
   Barak, capture our enemies."
    ¹³The LORD's people who were left
   joined with their leaders
   and fought at my side. ^{[g]
    14}Troops came from Ephraim,
   where Amalekites once lived.
   Others came from Benjamin;
   officers and leaders
   came
   from Machir and Zebulun.
    ¹⁵The rulers of Issachar
   came along with Deborah,
   and Issachar followed Barak
   into the valley.
   But the tribe of Reuben
   was no help at all! ^{[h]
    16}Reuben, why did you stay
   among your sheep pens? ^[i] Was it to listen to shepherds
   whistling for their sheep?
   No one could figure out
   why Reuben wouldn't come. ^{[j]
    17}The people of Gilead stayed
   across the Jordan.
   Why did the tribe of Dan
   remain on their ships
   and the tribe of Asher
   stay along the coast
   near the harbors?
    ¹⁸But soldiers of Zebulun
   and Naphtali
   risked their lives
   to attack the enemy. ^{[k]
    19}Canaanite kings fought us
   at Taanach by the stream
   near Megiddo ^[l] -- but they couldn't rob us
   of our silver. ^{[m]
    20}From their pathways in the sky
   the stars ^[n] fought Sisera,
    ²¹and his soldiers were swept away
   by the ancient Kishon River.
   I will march on and be brave.
    ²²Sisera's horses galloped off,
   their hoofs thundering
   in retreat.
    ²³The LORD's angel said,
   " Put a curse on Meroz Town!
   Its people refused
   to help the LORD fight
   his powerful enemies."
    ²⁴But honor Jael,
   the wife of Heber
   from the Kenite clan.
   Give more honor to her
   than to any other woman
   who lives in tents.
   Yes, give more honor to her
   than to any other woman.
    ²⁵Sisera asked for water,
   but Jael gave him milk--
   cream in a fancy cup.
    ²⁶She reached for a tent-peg
   and held a hammer
   in her right hand.
   And with a blow to the head,
   she crushed his skull.
    ²⁷Sisera sank to his knees
   and fell dead at her feet.
    ²⁸Sisera's mother looked out
   through her window.
   " Why is he taking so long?"
   she asked.
   " Why haven't we heard
   his chariots coming?"
    ²⁹She and her wisest women
   gave the same answer:
    ³⁰" Sisera and his troops
   are finding treasures
   to bring back--
   a woman, or maybe two,
   for each man,
   and beautiful dresses
   for those women to wear." ^{[o]
    31}Our LORD, we pray
   that all your enemies
   will die like Sisera.
   But let everyone who loves you
   shine brightly
   like the sun
   at dawn.
   There was peace in Israel for about forty years.
   

Footnotes:

1. Judges 4:4 leader: See 2.16 and the note there.
2. Judges 4:11 the village. . . Zaanannim: Or " the oak tree in the town of Zaanannim."
3. Judges 5:7 villagers. . . fields: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
4. Judges 5:7 Deborah: Or " I, Deborah."
5. Judges 5:8 The Israelites. . . attacked: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
6. Judges 5:11 Even. . . water: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
7. Judges 5:13 side: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 13.
8. Judges 5:15 But. . . at all: Or " But the people of Reuben couldn't make up their minds."
9. Judges 5:16 sheep pens: Or " campfires."
10. Judges 5:16 No. . . come: Or " The people of Reuben couldn't make up their minds."
11. Judges 5:18 to attack the enemy: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
12. Judges 5:19 stream near Megiddo: Probably refers to one of the streams that flow into the Kishon River.
13. Judges 5:19 rob us of our silver: The army that won a battle would take everything of value from the dead enemy soldiers.
14. Judges 5:20 stars: In ancient times, the stars were sometimes regarded as supernatural beings.
15. Judges 5:30 and beautiful. . . wear: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

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Luke 22:35-53 (Contemporary English Version)

Moneybags, Traveling Bags, and Swords

 ³⁵Jesus asked his disciples, "When I sent you out without a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals, did you need anything?"    "No!" they answered.
    ³⁶Jesus told them, "But now, if you have a moneybag, take it with you. Also take a traveling bag, and if you don't have a sword, ^[a] sell some of your clothes and buy one. ³⁷Do this because the Scriptures say, `He was considered a criminal.' This was written about me, and it will soon come true." ³⁸The disciples said, "Lord, here are two swords!"
   "Enough of that!" Jesus replied.
   

Jesus Prays

(Matthew 26.36-46; Mark 14.32-42)

 ³⁹Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his disciples went with him. ⁴⁰When they got there, he told them, "Pray that you won't be tested."     ⁴¹Jesus walked on a little way before he knelt down and prayed, ⁴²"Father, if you will, please don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. ^[b] But do what you want, and not what I want." ⁴³Then an angel from heaven came to help him. ⁴⁴Jesus was in great pain and prayed so sincerely that his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood. ^{[c] 45}Jesus got up from praying and went over to his disciples. They were asleep and worn out from being so sad. ⁴⁶He said to them, "Why are you asleep? Wake up and pray that you won't be tested."
   

Jesus Is Arrested

(Matthew 26.47-56; Mark 14.43-50; John 18.3-11)

 ⁴⁷While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd came up. It was led by Judas, one of the twelve apostles. He went over to Jesus and greeted him with a kiss. ^{[d] 48}Jesus asked Judas, "Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"     ⁴⁹When Jesus' disciples saw what was about to happen, they asked, "Lord, should we attack them with a sword?" ⁵⁰One of the disciples even struck at the high priest's servant with his sword and cut off the servant's right ear.
    ⁵¹"Enough of that!" Jesus said. Then he touched the servant's ear and healed it.
    ⁵²Jesus spoke to the chief priests, the temple police, and the leaders who had come to arrest him. He said, "Why do you come out with swords and clubs and treat me like a criminal? ⁵³I was with you every day in the temple, and you didn't arrest me. But this is your time, and darkness ^[e] is in control."

Footnotes:

1. Luke 22:36 moneybag. . . traveling bag. . . sword: These were things that someone would take on a dangerous journey. Jesus was telling his disciples to be ready for anything that might happen. They seem to have understood what he meant (see 22.49-51).
2. Luke 22:42 having me drink from this cup: In the Scriptures " to drink from a cup" sometimes means to suffer.
3. Luke 22:44 Then an angel. . . like drops of blood: Verses 43,44 are not in some manuscripts.
4. Luke 22:47 greeted him with a kiss: It was the custom for people to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
5. Luke 22:53 darkness: Darkness stands for the power of the devil.

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Psalm 94:1-23 (Contemporary English Version)

Psalm 94

The LORD Punishes the Guilty

 ¹LORD God, you punish    the guilty.
   Show what you are like
   and punish them now.
    ²You judge the earth.
   Come and help us!
   Pay back those proud people
   for what they have done.
    ³How long will the wicked
   celebrate and be glad?
    ⁴All of those cruel people
   strut and boast,
    ⁵and they crush and wound
   your chosen nation, LORD.
    ⁶They murder widows,
   foreigners, and orphans.
    ⁷Then they say,
   "The LORD God of Jacob
   doesn't see or know."
    ⁸Can't you fools see?
   Won't you ever learn?
    ⁹God gave us ears and eyes!
   Can't he hear and see?
    ¹⁰God instructs the nations
   and gives knowledge to us all.
   Won't he also correct us?
    ¹¹The LORD knows how useless
   our plans really are.
    ¹²Our LORD, you bless everyone
   that you instruct and teach
   by using your Law.
    ¹³You give them rest
   from their troubles,
   until a pit can be dug
   for the wicked.
    ¹⁴You won't turn your back
   on your chosen nation.
    ¹⁵Justice and fairness
   will go hand in hand,
   and all who do right
   will follow along.
    ¹⁶Who will stand up for me
   against those cruel people?
    ¹⁷If you had not helped me, LORD,
   I would soon have gone
   to the land of silence. ^{[a] 18}When I felt my feet slipping,
   you came with your love
   and kept me steady.
    ¹⁹And when I was burdened
   with worries,
   you comforted me
   and made me feel secure.
    ²⁰But you are opposed
   to dishonest lawmakers
    ²¹who gang up to murder
   innocent victims.
    ²²You, LORD God, are my fortress,
   that mighty rock ^[b] where I am safe.
    ²³You will pay back my enemies,
   and you will wipe them out
   for the evil they did.
   

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 94:17 land of silence: The grave or the world of the dead.
2. Psalm 94:22 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.

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Proverbs 14:3-4 (Contemporary English Version)

³Proud fools are punished
   for their stupid talk,
   but sensible talk
   can save your life.
    ⁴Without the help of an ox
   there can be no crop,
   but with a strong ox
   a big crop is possible.

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Verse of the Day

“God did this because he wanted you Gentiles to understand his wonderful and glorious mystery. And the mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God's glory. We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ's followers will grow and become mature.” - Colossians 1:27-28

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

 

English philosopher, biologist, anthropologist, sociologist, and prominent classical liberal political theorist of the Victorian era, Herbert Spencer wrote, “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.”