The One Year Bible TLB (152 page)
Read The One Year Bible TLB Online
Authors: Tyndale
July 16Then David said, “Right here at Ornan’s threshing floor is the place where I’ll build the Temple of the Lord and construct the altar for Israel’s burnt offering!”
2
David now drafted all the resident aliens in Israel to prepare blocks of squared stone for the Temple.
3
They also manufactured iron into the great quantity of nails needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps; and they smelted so much bronze that it was too much to weigh.
4
The men of Tyre and Sidon brought great rafts of cedar logs to David.
5
“Solomon my son is young and tender,” David said, “and the Temple of the Lord must be a marvelous structure, famous and glorious throughout the world; so I will begin the preparations for it now.”
So David collected the construction materials before his death.
6
He now commanded his son Solomon to build a Temple for the Lord God of Israel.
7
“I wanted to build it myself,” David told him,
8
“but the Lord said not to do it. ‘You have killed too many men in great wars,’ he told me. ‘You have reddened the ground before me with blood: so you are not to build my Temple.
9
But I will give you a son,’ he told me, ‘who will be a man of peace, for I will give him peace with his enemies in the surrounding lands. His name shall be Solomon (meaning “Peaceful”), and I will give peace and quietness to Israel during his reign.
10
He shall build my Temple, and he shall be as my own son and I will be his father; and I will cause his sons and his descendants to reign over every generation of Israel.’
11
“So now, my son, may the Lord be with you and prosper you as you do what he told you to do and build the Temple of the Lord.
12
And may the Lord give you the good judgment to follow all his laws when he makes you king of Israel.
13
For if you carefully obey the rules and regulations that he gave to Israel through Moses, you will prosper. Be strong and courageous, fearless and enthusiastic!
14
“By hard work I have collected several billion dollars worth of gold bullion, millions in silver,
*
and so much iron and bronze that I haven’t even weighed it; I have also gathered timber and stone for the walls. This is at least a beginning, something with which to start.
15
And you have many skilled stonemasons and carpenters and craftsmen of every kind.
16
They are expert gold and silver smiths and bronze and iron workers. So get to work, and may the Lord be with you!”
17
Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to assist his son in this project.
18
“The Lord your God is with you,” he declared. “He has given you peace with the surrounding nations, for I have conquered them in the name of the Lord and for his people.
19
Now try with every fiber of your being to obey the Lord your God, and you will soon be bringing the Ark and the other holy articles of worship into the Temple of the Lord!”
23:
1
By this time David was an old, old man, so he stepped down from the throne and appointed his son Solomon as the new king of Israel.
2
He summoned all the political and religious leaders of Israel for the coronation ceremony.
3
At this time a census was taken of the men of the tribe of Levi who were thirty years or older. The total came to 38,000.
4-5
“Twenty-four thousand of them will supervise the work at the Temple,” David instructed, “6,000 are to be bailiffs and judges, 4,000 will be Temple guards, and 4,000 will praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have made.”
6
Then David divided them into three main divisions named after the sons of Levi—the
Gershom
division, the
Kohath
division, and the
Merari
division.
7
Subdivisions of the
Gershom
corps were named after his sons
Ladan
and
Shimei.
8-9
These subdivisions were still further divided into six groups named after the sons of
Ladan:
Jehiel the leader, Zetham, Joel; and the sons of Shimei
*
—Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran.
10-11
The subclans of
Shimei
were named after his four sons: Jahath was greatest, Zizah
*
was next, and Jeush and Beriah were combined into a single subclan because neither had many sons.
12
The division of
Kohath
was subdivided into four groups named after his sons
Amram, Izhar, Hebron,
and
Uzziel.
13
Amram
was the ancestor of Aaron and Moses.
*
Aaron and his sons were set apart for the holy service of sacrificing the people’s offerings to the Lord. He served the Lord constantly and pronounced blessings in his name at all times.
14-15
As for Moses, the man of God, his sons,
Gershom
and
Eliezer,
were included with the tribe of Levi.
16
Gershom’s
sons were led by Shebuel,
17
and
Eliezer’s
only son, Rehabiah, was the leader of his clan, for he had many children.
18
The sons of
Izhar
were led by Shelomith.
19
The sons of
Hebron
were led by Jeriah. Amariah was second in command, Jahaziel was third, and Jekameam was fourth.
20
The sons of
Uzziel
were led by Micah, and Isshiah was the second in command.
21
The sons of
Merari
were
Mahli
and
Mushi.
The sons of
Mahli
were
Eleazar
and
Kish.
22
Eleazar
died without any sons, and his daughters were married to their cousins, the sons of
Kish.
23
Mushi’s
sons were Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth.
24
In the census, all the men of Levi who were twenty years old or older were classified under the names of these clans and subclans; and they were all assigned to the ministry at the Temple.
25
For David said, “The Lord God of Israel has given us peace, and he will always live in Jerusalem.
26
Now the Levites will no longer need to carry the Tabernacle and its instruments from place to place.”
27
(This census of the tribe of Levi was one of the last things David did before his death.)
28
The work of the Levites was to assist the priests—the descendants of Aaron—in the sacrifices at the Temple; they also did the custodial work and helped perform the ceremonies of purification.
29
They provided the Bread of the Presence, the flour for the grain offerings, and the wafers made without yeast (either fried or mixed with olive oil); they also checked all the weights and measures.
30
Each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing thanks and praise to him.
31
They assisted in the special sacrifices of burnt offerings, the Sabbath sacrifices, the new moon celebrations, and at all the festivals. There were always as many Levites present as were required for the occasion.
32
And they took care of the Tabernacle and the Temple and assisted the priests in whatever way they were needed.
Well, then, are we Jews
better
than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all men alike are sinners, whether Jews or Gentiles.
10
As the Scriptures say,
“No one is good—no one in all the world is innocent.”
*
11
No one has ever really followed God’s paths or even truly wanted to.
12
Every one has turned away; all have gone wrong. No one anywhere has kept on doing what is right; not one.
13
Their talk is foul and filthy like the stench from an open grave.
*
Their tongues are loaded with lies. Everything they say has in it the sting and poison of deadly snakes.
14
Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.
15
They are quick to kill, hating anyone who disagrees with them.
*
16
Wherever they go they leave misery and trouble behind them,
17
and they have never known what it is to feel secure or enjoy God’s blessing.
18
They care nothing about God nor what he thinks of them.
19
So the judgment of God lies very heavily upon the Jews, for they are responsible to keep God’s laws instead of doing all these evil things; not one of them has any excuse; in fact, all the world stands hushed and guilty before Almighty God.
20
Now do you see it? No one can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what the law commands. For the more we know of God’s laws, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying them; his laws serve only to make us see that we are sinners.
21-22
But now God has shown us a different way to heaven
*
—not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.
23
Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal;
24
yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.
25
For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God’s anger against us. He used Christ’s blood and our faith as the means of saving us from his wrath.
*
In this way he was being entirely fair, even though he did not punish those who sinned in former times. For he was looking forward to the time when Christ would come and take away those sins.
26
And now in these days also he can receive sinners in this same way because Jesus took away their sins.
But isn’t this unfair for God to let criminals go free, and say that they are innocent? No, for he does it on the basis of their trust in Jesus who took away their sins.
27
Then what can we boast about doing to earn our salvation? Nothing at all. Why? Because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds; it is based on what Christ has done and our faith in him.
28
So it is that we are saved
*
by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do.
29
And does God save only the Jews in this way? No, the Gentiles, too, may come to him in this same manner.
30
God treats us all the same; all, whether Jews or Gentiles, are acquitted if they have faith.
31
Well then, if we are saved by faith, does this mean that we no longer need obey God’s laws? Just the opposite! In fact, only when we trust Jesus can we truly obey him.
Lord! Help! Godly men are fast disappearing. Where in all the world can dependable men be found?
2
Everyone deceives and flatters and lies. There is no sincerity left.
3-4
But the Lord will not deal gently with people who act like that; he will destroy those proud liars who say, “We will lie to our heart’s content. Our lips are our own; who can stop us?”
5
The Lord replies, “I will arise and defend the oppressed, the poor, the needy. I will rescue them as they have longed for me to do.”
6
The Lord’s promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all he says is purest truth, like silver seven times refined.
7
O Lord, we know that you will forever preserve your own from the reach of evil men,
8
although they prowl on every side and vileness is praised throughout the land.
A rebellious son is a calamity to his father, and a nagging wife annoys like constant dripping.
14
A father can give his sons homes and riches, but only the Lord can give them understanding wives.
July 17The priests (the descendants of Aaron) were placed into two divisions named after Aaron’s sons,
Eleazar
and
Ithamar.
Nadab and Abihu were also sons of Aaron, but they died before their father did and had no children; so only Eleazar and Ithamar were left to carry on.
3
David consulted with Zadok, who represented the Eleazar clan, and with Ahimelech, who represented the Ithamar clan; then he divided Aaron’s descendants into many groups to serve at various times.
4
Eleazar’s
descendants were divided into sixteen groups and
Ithamar’s
into eight (for there was more leadership ability among the descendants of Eleazar).
5
All tasks were assigned to the various groups by coin-toss
*
so that there would be no preference, for there were many famous men and high officials of the Temple in each division.
6
Shemaiah, a Levite and the son of Nethanel, acted as recording secretary and wrote down the names and assignments in the presence of the king and of these leaders: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the priests and Levites. Two groups from the division of Eleazar and one from the division of Ithamar were assigned to each task.
7-18
The work was assigned (by coin-toss) in this order:
First, the group led by Jehoiarib;
Second, the group led by Jedaiah;
Third, the group led by Harim;
Fourth, the group led by Seorim;
Fifth, the group led by Malchijah;
Sixth, the group led by Mijamin;
Seventh, the group led by Hakkoz;
Eighth, the group led by Ahijah;
Ninth, the group led by Jeshua;
Tenth, the group led by Shecaniah;
Eleventh, the group led by Eliashib;
Twelfth, the group led by Jakim;
Thirteenth, the group led by Huppah;
Fourteenth, the group led by Jeshebeab;
Fifteenth, the group led by Bilgah;
Sixteenth, the group led by Immer;
Seventeenth, the group led by Hezir;
Eighteenth, the group led by Happizzez;
Nineteenth, the group led by Pethahiah;
Twentieth, the group led by Jehezkel;
Twenty-first, the group led by Jachin;
Twenty-second, the group led by Gamul;
Twenty-third, the group led by Delaiah;
Twenty-fourth, the group led by Maaziah.
19
Each group carried out the Temple duties as originally assigned by God through their ancestor Aaron.
20
These were the other descendants of Levi: Amram; his descendant Shubael; and Shubael’s descendant Jehdeiah;
21
the Rehabiah group, led by his oldest son Isshiah;
22
the Izhar group, consisting of Shelamoth and his descendant Jahath.
23
The Hebron group: Jeriah, Hebron’s oldest son; Amariah, his second son; Jahaziel, his third son; Jekameam, his fourth son.
24-25
The Uzziel group was led by his son Micah and his grandsons Shamir and Isshiah, and by Isshiah’s son Zechariah.
26-27
The Merari group was led by his sons:
Mahli
and
Mushi.
(Jaaziah’s group, led by his son Beno, included his brothers Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.)
28
Mahli’s
descendants were Eleazar, who had no sons,
29
and Kish, among whose sons was Jerahmeel.
30
The sons of
Mushi
were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
These were the descendants of Levi in their various clans.
31
Like the descendants of Aaron, they were assigned to their duties by coin-toss without distinction as to age or rank. It was done in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the leaders of the priests and the Levites.
25:
1
David and the officials of the Tabernacle then appointed men to prophesy to the accompaniment of zithers, harps, and cymbals. These men were from the groups of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. Here is a list of their names and their work:
2
Under the leadership of Asaph, the king’s private prophet, were his sons Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah.
3
Under Jeduthun, who led in giving thanks and praising the Lord (while accompanied by the zither), were his six sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah.
4-5
Under the direction of Heman, the king’s private chaplain, were his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Geddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. (For God had honored him with fourteen sons and three daughters.)
6-7
Their music ministry included the playing of cymbals, harps, and zithers; all were under the direction of their father as they performed this ministry in the Tabernacle.
Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king. They and their families were all trained in singing praises to the Lord; each one—288 of them in all—was a master musician.
8
The singers were appointed to their particular term of service by coin-toss, without regard to age or reputation.
9-31
The first toss indicated Joseph of the Asaph clan;
The second, Gedaliah, along with twelve of his sons and brothers;
The third, Zaccur and twelve of his sons and brothers;
The fourth, Izri and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Fifth, Nethaniah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Sixth, Bukkiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Seventh, Jesharelah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Eighth, Jeshaiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Ninth, Mattaniah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Tenth, Shimei and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Eleventh, Azarel and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twelfth, Hashabiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Thirteenth, Shubael and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Fourteenth, Mattithiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Fifteenth, Jeremoth and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Sixteenth, Hananiah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Seventeenth, Joshbekasha and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Eighteenth, Hanani and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Nineteenth, Mallothi and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twentieth, Eliathah and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twenty-first, Hothir and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twenty-second, Giddalti and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twenty-third, Mahazioth and twelve of his sons and brothers;
Twenty-fourth, Romamti-ezer and twelve of his sons and brothers.
26:
1
The Temple guards were from the Asaph division of the Korah clan. The captain of the guard was Meshelemiah, the son of Kore.
2-3
His sergeants were his sons: Zechariah (the oldest), Jediael (the second), Zebadiah (the third), Jathniel (the fourth), Elam (the fifth), Jehohanan (the sixth), Eliehoenai (the seventh).
4-5
The sons of Obed-edom were also appointed as Temple guards: Shemaiah (the oldest), Jehozabad (the second), Joah (the third), Sacar (the fourth), Nethanel (the fifth), Ammiel (the sixth), Issachar (the seventh), Peullethai (the eighth). What a blessing God gave him with all those sons!
6-7
Shemaiah’s sons were all outstanding men and had positions of great authority in their clan. Their names were: Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad.
Their brave brothers, Elihu and Semachiah, were also very able men.
8
All of these sons and grandsons of Obed-edom—all sixty-two of them—were outstanding men who were particularly well qualified for their work.
9
Meshelemiah’s eighteen sons and brothers, too, were real leaders.
10
Hosah, one of the Merari group, appointed Shimri as the leader among his sons, though he was not the oldest.
11
The names of some of his other sons were: Hilkiah, the second; Tebaliah, the third; Zechariah, the fourth. Hosah’s sons and brothers numbered thirteen in all.
Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, then he would have something to boast about. But from God’s point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride.
3
For the Scriptures tell us Abraham
believed God,
and that is why God canceled his sins and declared him “not guilty.”
4-5
But didn’t he earn his right to heaven by all the good things he did? No, for being saved is a gift; if a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn’t be free—but it is! It is
given
to those who do
not
work for it. For God declares sinners to be good in his sight if they have faith in Christ to save them from God’s wrath.
*
6
King David spoke of this, describing the happiness of an undeserving sinner who is declared “not guilty”
*
by God.
7
“Blessed and to be envied,” he said, “are those whose sins are forgiven and put out of sight.
8
Yes, what joy there is for anyone whose sins are no longer counted against him by the Lord.”
*
9
Now then, the question: Is this blessing given only to those who have faith in Christ but also keep the Jewish laws, or is the blessing also given to those who do not keep the Jewish rules but only trust in Christ? Well, what about Abraham? We say that he received these blessings through his faith. Was it by faith alone, or because he also kept the Jewish rules?
10
For the answer to that question, answer this one:
When
did God give this blessing to Abraham? It was
before he became a Jew
—before he went through the Jewish initiation ceremony of circumcision.
11
It wasn’t until later on,
after
God had promised to bless him
because of his faith,
that he was circumcised. The circumcision ceremony was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him just and good in his sight—before the ceremony took place. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who believe and are saved without obeying Jewish laws. We see, then, that those who do not keep these rules are justified by God through faith.
12
And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those Jews who have been circumcised. They can see from his example that it is not this ceremony that saves them, for Abraham found favor with God by faith alone
before he was circumcised.
How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you look the other way when I am in need?
2
How long must I be hiding daily anguish in my heart? How long shall my enemy have the upper hand?
3
Answer me, O Lord my God; give me light in my darkness lest I die.
4
Don’t let my enemies say, “We have conquered him!” Don’t let them gloat that I am down.
5
But I will always trust in you and in your mercy and shall rejoice in your salvation.
6
I will sing to the Lord because he has blessed me so richly.
A lazy man sleeps soundly—and he goes hungry!
16
Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them means death.