Through the Bible – Day 272

₈The Lord had warned the people of Israel, ₉and all of them knew it, including everyone in the capital city of Samaria. But they were proud and stubborn and said,

₁₁The LORD made their enemies attack them. ₁₂He sent the Arameans from the east and the Philistines from the west, and they swallowed up Israel. But even this did not stop him from being angry, so he kept on punishing them. ₁₃The people of Israel still did not turn back to the LORD All-Powerful and worship him.

₁₄In one day he cut off their head and tail, their leaves and branches. ₁₅Their rulers and leaders were the head, and the lying prophets were the tail. ₁₆They had led the nation down the wrong path, and the people were confused. ₁₇The Lord was angry with his people and kept punishing them, because they had turned against him. They were evil and spoke foolishly. That's why he did not have pity on their young people or on their widows and orphans.

₁₈Evil had spread like a raging forest fire sending thorn bushes up in smoke. ₁₉The LORD All-Powerful was angry and used the people as fuel for a fire that scorched the land. They turned against each other ₂₀like wild animals attacking and eating everyone around them, even their own relatives. But still they were not satisfied. ₂₁The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh turned against each other, then joined forces to attack Judah. But the LORD was still angry and ready to punish the nation even more.

₁You people are in for trouble! You have made cruel and unfair laws ₂that let you cheat the poor and needy and rob widows and orphans. ₃But what will you do when you are fiercely attacked and punished by foreigners? Where will you run for help? Where will you hide your valuables? ₄How will you escape being captured or killed? The Lord is still angry, and he isn't through with you yet!

₅The Lord says:

₈The king of Assyria says:

₁₂The Lord will do what he has planned against Jerusalem and Mount Zion. Then he will punish the proud and boastful king of Assyria, ₁₃who says:

₁₅King of Assyria, can an axe or a saw overpower the one who uses it? Can a wooden pole lift whoever holds it? ₁₆The mighty LORD All-Powerful will send a terrible disease to strike down your army, and you will burn with fever under your royal robes. ₁₇The holy God, who is the light of Israel, will turn into a fire, and in one day you will go up in flames, just like a thorn bush. ₁₈The Lord will make your beautiful forests and fertile fields slowly rot. ₁₉There will be so few trees that even a young child can count them.

₂₀A time is coming when the survivors from Israel and Judah will completely depend on the holy LORD of Israel, instead of the nation that defeated them. _21-22There were as many people as there are grains of sand along the seashore, but only a few will survive to come back to Israel's mighty God. This is because he has threatened to destroy their nation, just as they deserve. ₂₃The LORD All-Powerful has promised that everyone on this earth will be punished.

₂₄Now the LORD God All-Powerful says to his people in Jerusalem:

₂₈Enemy troops have reached the town of Aiath. They have gone through Migron, and they stored their supplies at Michmash, ₂₉before crossing the valley and spending the night at Geba. The people of Ramah are terrified; everyone in Gibeah, the home town of Saul, has run away. ₃₀Loud crying can be heard in the towns of Gallim, Laishah, and sorrowful Anathoth. ₃₁No one is left in Madmenah or Gebim. ₃₂Today the enemy will camp at Nob and shake a threatening fist at Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

₁₀The time is coming when one of David's descendants will be the signal for the people of all nations to come together. They will follow his advice, and his own nation will become famous.

₁₁When that day comes, the Lord will again reach out his mighty arm and bring home his people who have survived in Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Ethiopia, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the land along the coast. ₁₂He will give a signal to the nations, and he will bring together the refugees from Judah and Israel, who have been scattered all over the earth. ₁₃Israel will stop being jealous of Judah, and Judah will no longer be the enemy of Israel. ₁₄Instead, they will get together and attack the Philistines in the west. Then they will defeat the Edomites, the Moabites, and the Ammonites in the east. They will rule those people and take from them whatever they want.

₁₅The Lord will dry up the arm of the Red Sea near Egypt, and he will send a scorching wind to divide the River Euphrates into seven streams that anyone can step across. ₁₆Then for his people who survive, there will be a good road from Assyria, just as there was a good road for their ancestors when they left Egypt.

₁Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says, ₂“Obey your father and your mother, ₃and you will have a long and happy life.”

₄Parents, don't be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.

₅Slaves, you must obey your earthly masters. Show them great respect and be as loyal to them as you are to Christ. ₆Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. You are slaves of Christ, so with your whole heart you must do what God wants you to do. ₇Gladly serve your masters, as though they were the Lord himself, and not simply people. ₈You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do, whether you are slaves or free.

₉Slave owners, you must treat your slaves with this same respect. Don't threaten them. They have the same Master in heaven that you do, and he doesn't have any favourites.

₁₀Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. ₁₁Put on all the armour that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. ₁₂We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. ₁₃So put on all the armour that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.

₁₄Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armour. ₁₅Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. ₁₆Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ₁₇Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.

₁₈Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people. ₁₉Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. ₂₀I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.

_21-22I want you to know how I am getting along and what I am doing. That's why I am sending Tychicus to you. He is a dear friend, as well as a faithful servant of the Lord. He will tell you how I am doing, and he will cheer you up.

₂₃I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace, love, and faith to every follower! ₂₄May God be kind to everyone who keeps on loving our Lord Jesus Christ.