Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour of Saint Louis, Missouri, United States "Atheists and Agnostics" for Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour of Saint Louis, Missouri, United States "Atheists and Agnostics" for Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.[Proverbs 3:5]
One of the things I know about unbelievers is this: an atheist says he knows there's no God, while an agnostic isn't quite so sure.
There are two other things which I've learned about agnostics and atheists:
1. None of them are saved.
2. There are more of them today than there used to be.
That last statement is not based on any personal observation but comes from the Barna Group's 2015 study on the state of atheism in America. After consulting with more than 20,000 unchurched people, Barna found that 25 percent considered themselves to be agnostic or atheist.
Barna also found out some other interesting things. For example, they discovered young people were more frequent doubters than the elderly; Barna found out folks with college degrees were more likely to be skeptics of the faith, and one-third of the intellectual unbelievers had never attended a Christian church service.
Perhaps the most pertinent discovery Barna learned from our unsaved brothers and sisters was the two greatest reasons given as to why they don't believe. Those reasons are
1. rejection of the Bible, which they consider to be a regular book filled with interesting stories,
and
2. lack of confidence in the church as an institution.
Take those two reasons, put them on the stove, boil them down, and you will find the heart and soul of the unbelievers' problem is they don't trust.
That's not too surprising, is it? People don't trust the president, Congress, or the Supreme Court. Many folks no longer trust the police, and they never trusted advertisers.
But it's sad when they don't trust the Lord or His Holy Word. It's even more sad that they usually do so without having given either a chance. They meet a grumpy Christian and they write off Christ; they hear about a pastor or priest who sinned and they write off the church. They hear some scholar take a shot at the truth of God's Word and they disregard Holy Scripture.
Far better they trust the Lord over their own wisdom and understanding.
In these two they will find the exception to life's falsehoods. In these two they will be given God's truth, which cannot be changed. In these two they will find how God has loved them and made it possible that -- with faith in His crucified and risen Son -- their sins will be forgiven and they will always have something and Someone to hold on to.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel. Now I ask that the doubters of the world may be given a foundation built on faith and trust in You and the Savior. In His Name. Amen."Going Back" for Sunday, 12 April 2015

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.[1 Corinthians 9:22-23]
Years ago, the starter raised his pistol to begin the 100-yard race.
People in the packed bleachers leaned forward anxiously so they might not miss any detail of the contest. The microphone amplified the announcer's words: "On your mark, get set ..." The word "go" was overshadowed by the crack of the starter's gun.
The runners came out of the starting blocks, each one of them giving it their all.
Anyone who saw the contestants taking their strides soon realized that this race was special, indeed. This race had been sponsored by the Special Olympics. At this race, all of the contestants were physically and developmentally challenged.
The concentration and commitment that registered on the runners' faces showed none of these youngsters were challenged in intent and purpose.
Look at them. Almost evenly matched, they ran the race. First, one was in the lead, then another. Never more than a step separated the leader from the remainder of the pack. The entire race ought to have continued that way. But it didn't. It didn't because, about half way through, one of the young lady runners wiped out.
She was okay, but the tough track surface had managed to scrape both her knees and her dignity.
Her fellow runners continued on, but they did so only for a few yards. Then, without any instruction, without any coach's directive, every runner stopped. Yes, all of them stopped, and all of them turned around and went back.
They helped up the girl who tripped, brushed her off and, arm in arm, they all finished the race together.
I suppose that story, as good as any, is a description of what happens when Christians share the salvation story of Jesus with others. Because of sin, we are all challenged, but because of Christ we are running our life's race with a very special purpose. No longer are we concerned only for ourselves or if we will finish the race in first place.
Somewhere along the way we have been introduced to the Savior. By God's grace we met God's Son and were given faith in Him who left heaven and came to earth to save us from sin, the devil, and death. We learned how Jesus came back to rescue us and gave His life to save us.
And ... we also learned that we had the privilege to go back and try to help others.
Like St. Paul, we as individuals, our churches, our Synods, Lutheran Hour Ministries -- willingly go back and gladly provide the assistance others need so they may also, with us, cross the final finish line successfully.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, accept my thanks for Your Son who came to earth to save us. Grant that all Christians may, in thanks to Him, do what is necessary so others might successfully finish the race of their lives. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
Judges 4:1 But after Ehud had died, the people of Isra’el again did what was evil from Adonai’s perspective. 2 So Adonai handed them over to Yavin king of Kena‘an. He ruled from Hatzor; and the commander of his army was Sisra, who lived in Haroshet-HaGoyim. 3 The people of Isra’el cried out to Adonai, because he had 900 iron chariots, and for twenty years he cruelly oppressed the people of Isra’el.

4 Now D’vorah, a woman and a prophet, the wife of Lapidot, was judging Isra’el at that time. 5 She used to sit under D’vorah’s Palm between Ramah and Beit-El, in the hills of Efrayim; and the people of Isra’el would come to her for judgment. 6 She sent for Barak the son of Avino‘am, from Kedesh in Naftali, and said to him: “Adonai has given you this order: ‘Go, march to Mount Tavor, and take with you 10,000 men from the people of Naftali and Z’vulun. 7 I will cause Sisra, the commander of Yavin’s army, to encounter you at the Kishon River with his chariots and troops; and I will hand him over to you.’”

8 Barak answered her: “If you go with me, I’ll go; but if you won’t go with me, I won’t go.” 9 She replied, “Yes, I will gladly go with you; but the way you are doing it will bring you no glory; because Adonai will hand Sisra over to a woman.” Then D’vorah set out and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 Barak summoned Z’vulun and Naftali to come to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him, and D’vorah went up with him.

11 Now Hever the Keini had cut himself off from the rest of Kayin, the descendants of Hovav Moshe’s father-in-law; he had pitched his tent near the oak at Tza‘ananim, which is close to Kedesh. 12 Sisra was informed that Barak the son of Avino‘am had gone up to Mount Tavor. 13 So Sisra rallied his chariots, all 900 iron chariots, and all the troops he had with him, from Haroshet-HaGoyim to the Kishon River.

14 D’vorah said to Barak: “Get going! This is the day when Adonai will hand Sisra over to you! Adonai has gone out ahead of you!” So Barak went down from Mount Tavor with 10,000 men following him; 15 and Adonai threw Sisra, all his chariots and his entire army into a panic before Barak’s sword; so that Sisra got down from his chariot and fled on foot. 16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army all the way to Haroshet-HaGoyim. Sisra’s entire army was put to the sword; not one man was left.

17 However, Sisra ran on foot to the tent of Ya‘el the wife of Hever the Keini, because there was peace between Yavin the king of Hatzor and the family of Hever the Keini. 18 Ya‘el went out to meet Sisra and said to him, “Come in, my lord; stay here with me; and don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. 19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink — I’m thirsty.” She opened a goatskin of milk, gave him some to drink, and covered him up again. 20 He said to her, “Stand at the entrance to the tent; and if anyone asks you if somebody is here, say, ‘No.’” 21 But when he was deeply asleep, Ya‘el the wife of Hever took a tent peg and a hammer in her hand, crept in to him quietly and drove the tent peg into his temple, right through to the ground; so that he died without waking up. 22 So here is Barak pursuing Sisra, and Ya‘el steps out to meet him and says, “Come, I will show you the man you are looking for.” He goes into her tent; and there is Sisra, lying dead with the tent peg through his temple.

23 Thus God on that day defeated Yavin the king of Kena‘an in the presence of the people of Isra’el. 24 The hand of the people of Isra’el came down more and more heavily against Yavin the king of Kena‘an, until they had completely destroyed Yavin the king of Kena‘an.

5:1 On that day D’vorah and Barak the son of Avino‘am sang this song:

2 “When leaders in Isra’el dedicate themselves,

and the people volunteer,

you should all bless Adonai.

3 Hear, kings; listen, princes;

I will sing to Adonai!

I will sing praise to Adonai

the God of Isra’el.

4 “Adonai, when you went out from Se‘ir,

when you marched out from the field of Edom;

the earth quaked, and the sky shook;

yes, the clouds poured down torrents.

5 The mountains melted at the presence of Adonai,

at Sinai, before Adonai the God of Isra’el.

6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of ‘Anat,

in the days of Ya‘el, the main roads were deserted;

travelers walked the byways.

7 The rulers ceased in Isra’el, they ceased,

until you arose, D’vorah,

arose a mother in Isra’el.

8 “They chose new gods when war was at the gates.

Was there a shield or spear to be seen

among Isra’el’s forty thousand men?

9 My heart goes out to Isra’el’s leaders

and to those among the people who volunteer.

All of you, bless Adonai.

10 “You who ride white donkeys,

sitting on soft saddle-blankets,

and you walking on the road,

talk about it!

11 Louder than the sound of archers at the watering-holes

will they sound as they retell

the righteous acts of Adonai,

the righteous acts of his rulers in Isra’el.

“Then Adonai’s people marched down to the gates.

12 “Awake, awake, D’vorah!

Awake, awake, break into song!

Arise, Barak! Lead away your captives,

son of Avino‘am!

13 “Then a remnant of the nobles marched down;

the people of Adonai marched down to me like warriors.

14 From Efrayim came those rooted in ‘Amalek.

Behind you, Binyamin is with your peoples.

From Makhir the commanders marched down,

and from Z’vulun those holding the musterer’s staff.

15 The princes of Yissakhar were with D’vorah,

Yissakhar, along with Barak;

into the valley they rushed forth behind him.

Among the divisions of Re’uven

they made great resolutions in their hearts.

16 But why did you stay at the pens for the sheep,

and listen to the shepherd’s flute playing for the flocks?

Concerning the divisions of Re’uven

there were great searchings of heart.

17 Gil‘ad lives beyond the Yarden.

Dan — why does he stay by the ships?

Asher stayed by the shore of the sea,

remaining near its bays.

18 The people of Z’vulun risked their lives,

Naftali too, on the open heights.

19 “Kings came; they fought.

Yes, the kings of Kena‘an fought

at Ta‘anakh, by the waters of Megiddo;

but they took no spoil of silver.

20 They fought from heaven, the stars in their courses;

yes, they fought against Sisra.

21 The Kishon River swept them away,

that ancient river, the Kishon River.

O my soul, march on with strength!

22 Then the horses’ hoofs pounded the ground,

their mighty steeds galloping at full speed.

23 “‘Curse Meroz!’ said the angel of Adonai,

‘Curse the people living there with a bitter punishment

for not coming to help Adonai,

to help Adonai against the mighty warriors.’

24 “Ya‘el will be blessed more than all women.

The wife of Hever the Keini

will be blessed more than any woman in the tent.

25 He asked for water, and she gave him milk;

In an elegant bowl she brought him curds.

26 Then she took a tent peg in her left hand

and a workman’s hammer in her right;

with the hammer she struck Sisra, pierced his skull,

yes, she shattered and crushed his temple.

27 He sank down at her feet, he fell and lay there;

he sank at her feet, he fell —

where he sank down, there he fell dead.

28 “Sisra’s mother looks out the window;

peering out through the lattice she wonders,

‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why are his horses so slow to return?’

29 The wisest of her ladies answer her,

and she repeats it to herself,

30 ‘Of course! They’re collecting and dividing the spoil —

a girl, two girls for every warrior,

for Sisra booty of dyed clothing,

a plunder of colorfully embroidered garments,

two embroidered scarves for every soldier’s neck.’

31 “May all your enemies perish like this, Adonai;

but may those who love him be like the sun

going forth in its glory!”

Then the land had rest for forty years.

6:1 But the people of Isra’el did what was evil from Adonai’s perspective, so Adonai handed them over to Midyan for seven years. 2 Midyan exercised its power harshly against Isra’el, and because of Midyan the people of Isra’el hid themselves in mountains, in caves and in other safe places. 3 One time, after Isra’el’s sowing season, Midyan, with ‘Amalek and others from the east, attacked them. 4 They set up camp by them and destroyed the produce of the country all the way to ‘Azah; they left nothing for people to live on, no sheep, no oxen, no donkeys. 5 For they came up with their cattle and tents, and they came in as thick as locusts; both they and their camels were beyond numbering, and they came into the land to destroy it. 6 Isra’el became very discouraged because of Midyan, and the people of Isra’el cried out to Adonai.

7 When the people of Isra’el cried out to Adonai because of Midyan, 8 Adonai sent a prophet to the people of Isra’el, who said to them: “Adonai the God of Isra’el says, ‘I brought you up from Egypt, out of a life of slavery. 9 I delivered you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all your oppressors. I drove them out ahead of you and gave you their land. 10 And I said to you: “I am Adonai your God; you are not to be afraid of the gods of the Emori in whose land you are living.” But you paid no attention to what I said!’”

11 Then the angel of Adonai came and sat under the pistachio tree in ‘Ofrah that belonged to Yo’ash the Avi‘ezri. His son Gid‘on was threshing wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from Midyan. 12 The angel of Adonai appeared to him and said to him: “You valiant hero! Adonai is with you!” 13 “Excuse me, sir,” answered Gid‘on, “but if Adonai is with us, then why is all this happening to us? And where are all his miracles our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Didn’t Adonai bring us up from Egypt?’ For now Adonai has abandoned us and handed us over to Midyan.” 14 Adonai turned to him and said, “Go in this strength of yours and save Isra’el from the hands of Midyan. Haven’t I sent you?” 15 But Gid‘on answered him, “Forgive me, my Lord, but with what am I to save Isra’el? Why, my family is the poorest in M’nasheh, and I’m the youngest person in my father’s house!” 16 Adonai said to him, “Because I will be with you, you will strike down Midyan as easily as if they were just one man.” 17 Gid‘on replied, “If indeed you favor me, would you mind giving me a sign that it is really you talking with me? 18 Please don’t leave until I go and return with a gift and present it to you.” He replied, “I’ll wait till you come back.”

19 Gid‘on went in, cooked a young goat and made matzot from a bushel of flour. He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, brought them out to him under the pistachio tree and presented them. 20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and matzot, lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” Gid‘on did so. 21 Then the angel of Adonai reached out with the stick he was holding, touched the meat and matzot, and fire shot up out of the rock and burned up the meat and matzot. Then the angel of Adonai disappeared before his eyes. 22 Gid‘on realized that he was the angel of Adonai and said, “Oh no! My Lord! Adonai! Because I’ve seen the angel of Adonai face-to-face!” 23 But Adonai reassured him, “Shalom to you, don’t be afraid, you won’t die!” 24 Then Gid‘on built an altar there to Adonai and called it “Adonai-Shalom”; to this day it remains in ‘Ofrah of the Avi‘ezri.

25 That very night Adonai said to him, “Take your father’s bull and the other bull, the seven-year-old. Destroy the altar to Ba‘al that belongs to your father, cut down the sacred pole next to it, 26 and build a proper altar to Adonai your God on top of this strong-point. Then take the second bull; and offer it as a burnt offering, using the wood of the sacred pole you cut down.” 27 Gid‘on took ten of his servants and did what Adonai had told him to do. He didn’t do it by day, because he was afraid of the men in his father’s household and those from the city, so he did it at night. 28 When the men of the city got up the next morning, there was the altar of Ba‘al destroyed, the sacred pole cut down, and the second bull a burnt offering on the newly built altar. 29 They asked each other, “Who could have done this?” But after investigating, they concluded that Gid‘on the son of Yo’ash had done it. 30 “Bring out your son,” the men of the city demanded of Yo’ash, “so that he may die, because he destroyed the altar of Ba‘al and cut down the sacred pole next to it!” 31 But Yo’ash said to all those crowding around him, “You’re defending Ba‘al, are you? It’s your job to save him? Anyone who defends Ba‘al will be put to death before morning! If he’s a god, let him defend himself! After all, somebody destroyed his altar!” 32 Therefore on that day Gid‘on was given the name Yeruba‘al [let Ba‘al defend], because they said, “Let Ba‘al defend himself against him, since he destroyed his altar.”

33 Now all Midyan, ‘Amalek and the others from the east joined forces, crossed the Yarden, and set up camp in the Yizre‘el Valley. 34 But the Spirit of Adonai covered Gid‘on. He sounded the call on the shofar, and Avi‘ezer rallied behind him. 35 He sent messengers throughout all M’nasheh, and they too rallied behind him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Z’vulun and Naftali; and they came up to join them.

36 Gid‘on said to God, “If you are going to save Isra’el through me, as you said you would, 37 then, here: I will lay a wool fleece on the threshing-floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, while all the ground stays dry, I will be convinced that you will save Isra’el through me, as you said you would.” 38 And it happened! He got up early in the morning, pressed the fleece together and wrung dew out of it, a bowlful of water. 39 But Gid‘on said to God, “Don’t be angry with me because I am asking one more thing, let me make one more test, please: this time let it be dry only on the fleece, with dew all over the ground.” 40 And that is what God did that night — it was dry only on the fleece, even though there was dew all over the ground.

Luke 13:1 Just then, some people came to tell Yeshua about the men from the Galil whom Pilate had slaughtered even while they were slaughtering animals for sacrifice. 2 His answer to them was, “Do you think that just because they died so horribly, these folks from the Galil were worse sinners than all the others from the Galil? 3 No, I tell you. Rather, unless you turn to God from your sins, you will all die as they did!

4 “Or what about those eighteen people who died when the tower at Shiloach fell on them? Do you think they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Yerushalayim? 5 No, I tell you. Rather, unless you turn from your sins, you will all die similarly.”

6 Then Yeshua gave this illustration: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit but didn’t find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘Here, I’ve come looking for fruit on this fig tree for three years now without finding any. Cut it down — why let it go on using up the soil?’ 8 But he answered, ‘Sir, leave it alone one more year. I’ll dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; if not, you will have it cut down then.’”

10 Yeshua was teaching in one of the synagogues on Shabbat. 11 A woman came up who had a spirit which had crippled her for eighteen years; she was bent double and unable to stand erect at all. 12 On seeing her, Yeshua called her and said to her, “Lady, you have been set free from your weakness!” 13 He put his hands on her, and at once she stood upright and began to glorify God.

14 But the president of the synagogue, indignant that Yeshua had healed on Shabbat, spoke up and said to the congregation, “There are six days in the week for working; so come during those days to be healed, not on Shabbat!” 15 However, the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Each one of you on Shabbat — don’t you unloose your ox or your donkey from the stall and lead him off to drink? 16 This woman is a daughter of Avraham, and the Adversary kept her tied up for eighteen years! Shouldn’t she be freed from this bondage on Shabbat?” 17 By these words, Yeshua put to shame the people who opposed him; but the rest of the crowd were happy about all the wonderful things that were taking place through him.

18 So he went on to say, “What is the Kingdom of God like? With what will we compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his own garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds flying about nested in its branches.”

20 Again he said, “With what will I compare the Kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with a bushel of flour, then waited until the whole batch of dough rose.”

22 Yeshua continued traveling through town after town and village after village, teaching and making his way toward Yerushalayim.

Joshua 19:1 The second lot came out for Shim‘on, for the tribe of the descendants of Shim‘on according to their families. Their inheritance was inside the inheritance of the descendants of Y’hudah. 2 For their inheritance they had Be’er-Sheva, Sheva, Moladah, 3 Hatzar-Shu‘al, Balah, ‘Etzem, 4 El-Tolad, B’tul, Hormah, 5 Ziklag, Beit-Markavot, Hatzar-Susah, 6 Beit-L’va’ot and Sharuchen — thirteen cities, together with their villages; 7 ‘Ayin, Rimmon, ‘Eter and ‘Ashan — four cities, together with their villages; 8 and all the villages surrounding these cities, as far as Ba‘alat-Be’er, Ramah of the Negev. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Shim‘on according to their families. 9 The inheritance of the descendants of Shim‘on was taken out of the allotment for the descendants of Y’hudah, because the portion given to the descendants of Y’hudah was too much for them, so the descendants of Shim‘on had an inheritance inside the descendants of Y’hudah.

10 The third lot came up for the descendants of Z’vulun according to their families. The border of their inheritance began at Sarid. 11 Then their border went up westward to Mar‘alah, extended to Dabeshet and on to the vadi fronting Yokne‘am. 12 Also from Sarid it turned toward the sunrise to the east to the border of Kislot-Tavor, went on to Dovrat and up to Yafia. 13 From there it passed eastward to Gat-Hefer, on to ‘Et-Katzin, went out at Rimmon and reached to Ne‘ah. 14 Then the border turned on the north side to Hanaton, ending in the Yiftach’el Valley. 15 Also Katat, Nahalal, Shimron, Yid’alah and Beit-Lechem — twelve cities, together with their villages. 16 This is the inheritance of the descendants of Z’vulun according to their families, these cities with their villages.

17 The fourth lot came out for Yissakhar, for the descendants of Yissakhar according to their families. 18 Their territory included Yizre‘el, K’sulot, Shunem, 19 Hafarayim, Shi’on, Anacharat, 20 Rabit, Kishyon, Evetz, 21 Remet, ‘Ein-Ganim, ‘Ein-Hadah and Beit-Patzetz. 22 Their territory extended to Tavor, Shachatzimah and Beit-Shemesh; and their territory ended at the Yarden — sixteen cities, together with their villages. 23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Yissakhar according to their families, the cities, with their villages.

24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the descendants of Asher according to their families. 25 Their territory included Helkat, Hali, Beten, Akhshaf, 26 Alamelekh, ‘Am‘ad and Mish’al. It extended to the Karmel on the west and to Shichor-Livnat. 27 The border turned eastward to Beit-Dagon, reached to Z’vulun and the Yiftach’el Valley on its north, then Beit-‘Emek and Ne‘i’el, went out to Kavul on the left, 28 then ‘Evron, Rechov, Hamon, Kanah and on to greater Tzidon. 29 The border turned toward Ramah and the fortified city of Tzor; next the border turned to Hosah; and it ended at the sea from Hevel to Akhziv. 30 Also included were ‘Umah, Afek and Rechov — twenty cities, together with their villages. 31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.

32 The sixth lot came out for the descendants of Naftali, for the descendants of Naftali according to their families. 33 Their border went from Helef and the oak in Tza‘ananim, included Adami-Nekev and Yavne’el, went on to Lakum and ended at the Yarden. 34 Westward the border turned to Aznot-Tavor and went out from there to Hukok, reaching to Z’vulun on the south, Asher on the west and Y’hudah at the Yarden toward the east. 35 The fortified cities were Tzidim, Tzer, Hamat, Rakat, Kinneret, 36 Adamah, Ramah, Hatzor, 37 Kedesh, Edre‘i, ‘Ein-Hatzor, 38 Yir’on, Migdal-El, Horem, Beit-‘Anat and Beit-Shemesh — nineteen cities, together with their villages. 39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Naftali according to their families, the cities with their villages.

40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the descendants of Dan according to their families. 41 The territory of their inheritance included Tzor‘ah, Eshta’ol, ‘Ir-Shemesh, 42 Sha‘alabin, Ayalon, Yitlah, 43 Eilon, Timnah, ‘Ekron, 44 Elt’keh, Gib’ton, Ba‘alat, 45 Y’hud, B’nei-Brak, Gat-Rimmon, 46 Yarkon Springs and Rakon, with the border fronting Yafo. 47 The territory of the descendants of Dan was too small for them, so the descendants of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, defeated it by the sword, took possession of it and lived there, calling Leshem “Dan” after Dan their ancestor. 48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Dan according to their families, these cities with their villages.

49 When they had finished distributing the land for inheritance according to its borders, the people of Isra’el gave an inheritance within their territory to Y’hoshua the son of Nun. 50 According to Adonai’s order they gave him the city he had asked for, Timnat-Serach in the hills of Efrayim; so he built up the city and lived in it.

51 These are the inheritances which El‘azar the cohen, Y’hoshua the son of Nun and the leaders of the ancestral clans of the tribes of the people of Isra’el distributed for inheritance by lot in Shiloh before Adonai at the door of the tent of meeting. Thus they finished dividing up the land.

20:1 Adonai said to Y’hoshua, 2 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘Select the cities of refuge about which I spoke to you through Moshe; 3 so that anyone who kills someone by mistake and unknowingly may escape there; they will serve as refuges for you from the next-of-kin avenger. 4 He is to flee to one of those cities, stand at the entrance to the city gate and state his cause to the city leaders. Then they will bring him into the city with them and give him a place, so that he may live among them. 5 If the next-of-kin avenger pursues him, they are not to hand over the killer to him; because he struck his fellow community member unknowingly and had not hated him previously. 6 So he will live in that city until he stands trial before the community, until the death of the cohen hagadol who is in office at the time. When that time comes, the killer may return to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.’”

7 So they set apart Kedesh in the Galil, in the hills of Naftali; Sh’khem in the hills of Efrayim; and Kiryat-Arba (that is, Hevron) in the hills of Y’hudah. 8 Beyond the Yarden east of Yericho they selected Betzer in the desert, on the plateau, out of the tribe of Re’uven; Ramot in Gil‘ad out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of M’nasheh.

9 These were the cities selected for all the people of Isra’el and for the foreigner living among them, so that anyone who kills any person by mistake could flee there and not die at the hand of the next-of-kin avenger prior to standing trial before the community.

21:1 Then the leaders of the ancestral clans of the L’vi’im approached El‘azar the cohen, Y’hoshua the son of Nun and the leaders of the ancestral clans of the tribes of the people of Isra’el. 2 It was at Shiloh in the land of Kena‘an that they spoke to them; they said, “Adonai ordered through Moshe that we be given cities to live in, with the surrounding open land for our livestock.” 3 So out of their inheritance the people of Isra’el gave the L’vi’im the following cities with the surrounding open land:

4 The lot came out for the families of the K’hati. The descendants of Aharon the cohen, who were of the L’vi’im, received by lot thirteen cities from the tribes of Y’hudah, Shim‘on and Binyamin. 5 The rest of the descendants of K’hat received by lot ten cities from the families of the tribes of Efrayim and Dan and the half-tribe of M’nasheh. 6 The descendants of Gershon received by lot thirteen cities from the families of the tribes of Yissakhar, Asher, Naftali and the half-tribe of M’nasheh in Bashan. 7 The descendants of M’rari according to their families received twelve cities from the tribes of Re’uven, Gad and Z’vulun. 8 The people of Isra’el gave by lot to the L’vi’im these cities with the surrounding open land, as Adonai had ordered through Moshe.

9 They gave from the tribe of the descendants of Y’hudah and from the tribe of the descendants of Shim‘on these cities here mentioned by name; 10 they were for the descendants of Aharon, of the families of the K’hati, who were among the descendants of Levi; because theirs was the first lot. 11 They gave them: Kiryat-Arba — this Arba was the father of ‘Anak — (that is, Hevron), in the hills of Y’hudah, with the surrounding open land; 12 but the fields and villages of the city they gave to Kalev the son of Y’funeh as his possession. 13 Thus to the descendants of Aharon the cohen they gave: Hevron with its surrounding open land, already a city of refuge for the killer; Livnah with its surrounding open land; 14 Yatir with its surrounding open land; Esht’moa with its surrounding open land; 15 Holon with its surrounding open land; D’vir with its surrounding open land; 16 ‘Ayin with its surrounding open land, Yutah with its surrounding open land and Beit-Shemesh with its surrounding open land — nine cities out of these two tribes. 17 Out of the tribe of Binyamin: Giv‘on with its surrounding open land, Geva with its surrounding open land, 18 ‘Anatot with its surrounding open land and ‘Almon with its surrounding open land — four cities. 19 All the cities of the descendants of Aharon, the cohanim, numbered thirteen cities with their surrounding open land.

20 The families of the descendants of K’hat, who were L’vi’im, that is, the rest of the descendants of K’hat, received the cities of their lot. Out of the tribe of Efrayim 21 they gave them: Sh’khem with its surrounding open land, in the hills of Efrayim, the city of refuge for the killer; Gezer with its surrounding open land; 22 Kivtzayim with its surrounding open land and Beit-Horon with its surrounding open land — four cities. 23 Out of the tribe of Dan: Elt’ke with its surrounding open land, Gib’ton with its surrounding open land, 24 Ayalon with its surrounding open land and Gat-Rimmon with its surrounding open land — four cities. 25 Out of the half-tribe of M’nasheh: Ta‘nakh with its surrounding open land and Gat-Rimmon with its surrounding open land — two cities. 26 All the cities of the families of the rest of the descendants of K’hat numbered ten with their surrounding open land.

27 To the descendants of Gershon, of the families of the L’vi’im, out of the half-tribe of M’nasheh they gave: Golan in Bashan with its surrounding open land, the city of refuge for the killer; and B’esht’rah with its surrounding open land — two cities. 28 Out of the tribe of Yissakhar: Kishyon with its surrounding open land, Dovrat with its surrounding open land, 29 Yarmut with its surrounding open land and ‘Ein-Ganim with its surrounding open land — four cities. 30 Out of the tribe of Asher: Mishal with its surrounding open land, ‘Avdon with its surrounding open land, 31 Helkat with its surrounding open land and Rechov with its surrounding open land — four cities. 32 Out of the tribe of Naftali: Kedesh in the Galil with its surrounding open land, the city of refuge for the killer; Hammot-Dor with its surrounding open land; and Kartan with its surrounding open land — three cities. 33 All the cities of the Gershuni according to their families were thirteen cities with their surrounding open land.

34 To the families of the descendants of M’rari, the rest of the L’vi’im, out of the tribe of Z’vulun: Yokne‘am with its surrounding open land, Kartah with its surrounding open land, 35 Dimnah with its surrounding open land and Nahalal with its surrounding open land — four cities. {(36) Out of the tribe of Re’uven: Betzer with its surrounding open land, Yachtzah with its surrounding open land, (37) K’demot with its surrounding open land and Mefa‘at with its surrounding open land — four cities.}* 36 (38) Out of the tribe of Gad: Ramot in Gil‘ad with its surrounding open land, the city of refuge for the killer; Machanayim with its surrounding open land; 37 (39) Heshbon with its surrounding open land and Ya‘zer with its surrounding open land — four cities in all. 38 (40) All these were the cities of the descendants of M’rari according to their families, the rest of the families of the L’vi’im; their lot totaled twelve cities.

39 (41) All the cities of the L’vi’im, forty-eight cities with their surrounding open land, are to be in among the lands possessed by the people of Isra’el — 40 (42) these cities, each with its surrounding open land; thus is it to be with all these cities.

41 (43) So Adonai gave Isra’el all the land which he swore to give to their ancestors, and they took possession of it and lived in it. 42 (44) Then Adonai gave them rest all around, according to everything he had sworn to their ancestors. Not a man from all their enemies stood against them; Adonai handed all their enemies over to them. 43 (45) Not one good thing that Adonai had spoken of to the household of Isra’el failed to happen; it all took place.

Luke 11:19 If I drive out demons by Ba‘al-Zibbul, by whom do your people drive them out? So, they will be your judges! 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God,[a] then the Kingdom of God has come upon you!

21 “When a strong man who is fully equipped for battle guards his own house, his possessions are secure. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and defeats him, he carries off all the armor and weaponry on which the man was depending, and divides up the spoils. 23 Those who are not with me are against me, and those who do not gather with me are scattering.

24 “When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it travels through dry country seeking rest. On finding none, it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they come and live there — so that in the end the person is worse off than he was before.”

27 As Yeshua was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice to call out, “How blessed is the mother that gave birth to you and nursed you from her breast!” 28 But he said, “Far more blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”

29 As the people crowded around him, Yeshua went on to say, “This generation is a wicked generation! It asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it — except the sign of Yonah. 30 For just as Yonah became a sign to the people of Ninveh, so will the Son of Man be for this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will appear at the Judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Shlomo, and what is here now is greater than Shlomo. 32 The people of Ninveh will stand up at the Judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they turned to God from their sins when Yonah preached, and what is here now is greater than Yonah.

33 “No one who has kindled a lamp hides it or places it under a bowl; rather, he puts it on a stand, so that those coming in may see its light. 34 The lamp of your body is the eye. When you have a ‘good eye,’ [that is, when you are generous,] your whole body is full of light; but when you have an ‘evil eye,’ [when you are stingy,] your body is full of darkness. 35 So take care that the light in you is not darkness! 36 If, then, your whole body is filled with light, with no part dark, it will be wholly lighted, as when a brightly lit lamp shines on you.”

37 As Yeshua spoke, a Parush asked him to eat dinner with him; so he went in and took his place at the table; 38 and the Parush was surprised that he didn’t begin by doing n’tilat yadayim before the meal. 39 However, the Lord said to him, “Now then, you P’rushim, you clean the outside of the cup and plate; but inside, you are full of robbery and wickedness. 40 Fools! Didn’t the One who made the outside make the inside too? 41 Rather, give as alms what is inside, and then everything will be clean for you!

42 “But woe to you P’rushim! You pay your tithes of mint and rue and every garden herb, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You have an obligation to do these things — but without disregarding the others!

43 “Woe to you P’rushim, because you love the best seat in the synagogues and being greeted deferentially in the marketplaces!

44 “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.”

45 One of the experts in Torah answered him, “Rabbi, by saying these things you are insulting us also.” 46 Yeshua said, “Woe to you Torah experts too! You load people down with burdens they can hardly bear, and you won’t lift a finger to help them!

47 “Woe to you! You build tombs in memory of the prophets, but your fathers murdered them! 48 Thus you testify that you completely approve of what your fathers did — they did the killing, you do the building! 49 Therefore the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and emissaries; they will kill some and persecute others’; 50 so that on this generation will fall the responsibility for all the prophets’ blood that has been shed since the world was established, 51 from the blood of Hevel to the blood of Z’kharyah, who was killed between the altar and the Holy Place. Yes, I tell you, the responsibility for it will fall on this generation!

52 “Woe to you Torah experts! For you have taken away the key of knowledge! Not only did you yourselves not go in, you also have stopped those who were trying to enter!”

53 As Yeshua left that place, the Torah-teachers and the P’rushim began to oppose him bitterly and to provoke him to express his views on all sorts of subjects, 54 laying traps to catch him in something he might say.[Footnotes:

Luke 11:20 Exodus 31:18]

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