#Commitment Ark of Covenant

[earthcovenant]

Uniting Societies for Global Harmony: The Earth Covenant Manifesto

Uniting Societies for Global Harmony: The Earth Covenant Manifesto. #Covenant #EarthCovenant #TheEarthCovenant #Earth #Legal #Justice #WordofGod #WordofGoddess #Contract #Binding #Law #Commitment #ArkofCovenant #AsktheAnswer #Government #Business #Agency

The Earth Covenant – InfoDownload Uniting Societies for Global Harmony: The Earth Covenant Manifesto The Earth Covenant: Introduction The Earth Covenant is of a representation from the following Societies being:  The Achaemenid Society, The African Society, The Alien Society, The Artificial Intelligence Society, The AI Society, The Atlantis Society, The Aztec Society, The Babylonian Society,…

[mindfulldsliving]

Comparative Sermons: King Benjamin and Apostle Peter's Message Echo Covenant and Repentance

The Book of Mormon is not merely an adjunct to the Bible but a critical interpretive key that unlocks the fuller meaning and application of the Bible’s teachings.

King Benjamin’s AddressJeremy Conrad Winborg (1979)Oil on linen The Book of Mormon is an essential scripture that assists believers in understanding the broader narratives and teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. It serves as a clarifying tool, offering fresh insights and enhancing our comprehension of the Gospel message. My studies of the Book of Mormon have consistently reinforced its…

[is-the-thing-actually-jewish]

are otters or songbirds more jewish i have an argument to settle

Rating: Songbirds, but there's a makhloket

The majority opinion holds that songbirds are more Jewish than otters, as it is written, “Even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself in which to set her young near Your altar, O LORD of hosts, my Sovereign and my God” (Psalms 84:4). There are many other texts that mention songbirds throughout the Tanakh; there are zero results for “otter” as referring to the animal on Sefaria in our sacred texts.* Thus, the simple answer is that songbirds are more important in Judaism, and therefore more Jewish, than otters. Additionally, medieval Jewish illumination such as the famous Bird's Head Haggadah depicts Jews with human bodies and the heads and beaks of birds, indicating a close connection between Jews and birds:

However, as is Jewish tradition, we preserve the following minority opinions as well: 

Otters are more Jewish than songbirds: Songbirds were created on the fifth day of creation, while otters, like humans, were created on the sixth day. Therefore, otters are closer to humanity, and Jews are part of humanity, so otters are more Jewish than songbirds. (Genesis 1:20-24) Furthermore, this photo from the Cincinnati Zoo speaks for itself:

Both otters and songbirds are equally Jewish: Psalms 50:10-11 reads “For Mine is every animal of the forest, the beasts on a thousand mountains I know every bird of the mountains, the creatures of the field are subject to Me.” Clearly, this covers both otters and songbirds, so both are equally Jewish. Furthermore, otters and songbirds both look extremely cute in yarmulkes, which may not be halakhically relevant but feels important to state nonetheless.

Neither otters nor songbirds are Jewish; however, they are righteous gentiles under the Noahide covenant: To be Jewish means to be bound by the Abrahamic covenant in relationship with the Holy One. As animals are neither descended from Jewish parents nor have the agency to choose to be bound by the covenant made between God and Abraham, as human converts do, neither otters nor songbirds are Jewish**. However, following the great flood, God said to Noah, “I now establish My covenant with you and your offspring to come, and with every living thing that is with you—birds, cattle, and every wild beast as well—all that have come out of the ark, every living thing on earth. (Genesis 9:9-10). This covenant, symbolized by the rainbow, is God’s commitment to every living thing (clearly including both songbirds and otters) that God will never flood the Earth again-- something every one of us can support.

*(okay, there are three results: one is a typo for “utter” as in “our otter ruin” and the other two are German). 

** My cat, however, is definitely Jewish.

[idrawweirdstuffnominors]

hey can you write a girl dad josh fic about his daughter meeting milestones while growing up? like her first words, first steps, first day of school, etc?

(YES I LOVE MY FATHER AU OF JOSH BEING A GIRL DAD

“Firsts” – Girl Dad Josh (Father AU)

First Words

Josh had a running list.

An actual list, taped to the fridge.

It read:

– Dada

– Enterprise

– Leonard Nimoy

– Hyperspace

So when your daughter’s first word was “dog,” Josh stared like she’d just committed fandom treason.

> “Dog? Dog?! We don’t even have a dog! This is how it starts. This is how the brain rot begins.”

“She was looking at a picture book, Josh.”

> “A picture book with a golden retriever on the front. This is educational sabotage. She’s been indoctrinated.”

You bit your cheek to hide the smile, scooped her up, and kissed her cheeks while Josh paced, muttering about “cultural decay through toddler vocabulary.”

An hour later, she looked up at him and chirped, “Dada!”

Josh froze mid-rant. Just froze.

> “... Say it again. I need to hear you say it again or I will combust.”

“Dada!” she squealed, tiny arms reaching up to him.

He snatched her into his arms like she was the Ark of the Covenant.

> “I knew you’d come around,” he said, voice cracking. “You’re brilliant. A prodigy. We’ll burn the ‘dog’ thing from the records.”

You caught him wiping his eyes when he thought you weren’t looking.

---

First Steps

Josh was not ready.

You told him. You warned him. You said, “Babe, she’s been pulling herself up for days now.”

> “That’s a conspiracy. She’s manipulating gravity. She’s not ready for bipedal motion!”

And yet—there she was. In the middle of the living room. Hands out like a zombie. One wobbly step. Two. Then a glorious faceplant onto a pile of pillows.

> “OH MY GOD.”

He sprinted over like she’d been tackled by a linebacker.

She started laughing. Giggling, even. Proud.

> “You think this is funny?” Josh gasped, lifting her up. “You realize you just evolved? You unlocked a whole skill tree, and you’re laughing?! You can get into my figurines now. We’re doomed.”

“She walked, Josh.”

> “Yeah. Into an era of chaos and destruction. You’re smiling but I know you’re scared too.”

But later, when he thought she was asleep, you found him crouched in her room, just watching her breathe.

> “She walked,” he whispered, like he still didn’t believe it.

---

First Day of School

You dressed her. Josh tried but nearly had a breakdown over sock patterns.

> “If they’re mismatched, they’ll judge her. Kids are monsters. Have you seen elementary schoolers?! They eat their own kind.”

“She’s five, not a fandom forum.”

> “Worse. She’s going in raw. No allies. No moderator. No canon to defend her.”

He didn’t stop pacing the entire walk to the car. Or the drive. Or standing outside the school doors while your daughter bravely charged into the building without a backward glance.

> “She didn’t even look back,” Josh muttered, voice wrecked.

“She’s confident. That’s good.”

> “She’s gonna forget me. I’m gonna get replaced by a gym teacher named Brad.”

You took his hand and squeezed. “Josh. She’ll always look for you in the crowd.”

> “She better. Or I’m pulling her out and homeschooling her with DS9 episodes and NASA documentaries.”

That night, she came home and drew a picture of the three of you holding hands.

Josh hung it on the fridge like it was the goddamn Mona Lisa.

---

Every Moment In Between

He reads to her in voices. Bad ones. Half of them devolve into William Shatner impressions.

He gets into screaming matches with other parents on the PTA forum when someone says Pokémon is “too violent.”

He builds her a science fair volcano so elaborate it sets off the smoke alarm. Twice.

When she’s sick, he’s the one sitting next to her all night, whispering comfort and conspiracy theories about germs.

And every night, when he finally stops talking long enough to breathe, you catch him watching her. Just… watching.

> “She’s the only thing in the universe that actually matters,” he murmurs one night, voice hoarse. “And I don’t want to mess her up.”

You wrap your arms around him from behind.

> “You won’t. Not as long as she’s got both of us.”

He exhales, shaky. Pulls you in closer.

> “You’re my rock, you know that?”

> “You say that every milestone.”

> “And I’ll say it every damn one.”

“Away Mission”

The living room is wrecked. Pillows stacked like asteroids, blankets twisted into makeshift uniforms, cardboard tubes doubling as phasers. Your daughter’s wearing a too-big red shirt with a glued-on insignia, yelling commands into a toy communicator.

Josh?

Josh is in full Starfleet officer mode—tie pulled across his chest like a sash, dramatic expression carved into his face like he’s hosting a one-man stage play.

> “Commander,” he barks, pointing at a stuffed bear on the couch. “Divert power to the deflector shields! We’ve got a Klingon warbird on our tail!”

Your daughter shrieks with glee. “Yes, Captain! Initiating shield sequence!”

You peek in from the kitchen, smiling to yourself as you rinse a plate.

> “The Klingons are just your laundry pile, Josh.”

He gasps, spinning on his heel with the flare of a man who has never broken character in his life.

> “Lieutenant,” he says, stalking toward the kitchen. “That’s Commander to you. And you're not authorized to talk back to your superior officer.”

You raise a brow, eyes twinkling. “Is this about last night or—”

Before you can finish, he sweeps in like a warp-speed maniac and scoops you into his arms, dish towel and all.

> “Captain’s log: Stardate NOW. We’ve recovered the rebel communications officer. She's feisty. And wildly disrespectful of Federation protocol.”

You yelp, laughing as he hauls you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

> “Josh—Joshua Levy, put me down, I am covered in soap—!”

> “Negative. You’re under arrest for dissent and temptation. The Federation has strict policies about distracting commanding officers with that face.”

You can hear your daughter giggling from the couch.

> “Daddy, beam Mommy to the brig!!”

> “Already en route, Ensign!” Josh hollers, adjusting his grip like a dramatic pirate.

And just as you’re about to protest again, he flips you around in his arms and kisses you. Hard. Deep. So over-the-top it should be illegal in at least seven alien cultures.

The dish towel slips to the floor.

You blink at him, dazed. “...You’re ridiculous.”

> “And you’re mine,” he smirks, still fully in-character. “End log.”

From the couch:

> “Ew! Dad! That’s gross!”

Josh just smirks, kissing your forehead.

> “Kiddo, when you grow up and marry someone way out of your league like I did, you’ll understand.”

You shake your head, leaning into him.

> “Back to the bridge, Captain?”

> “Only if my best officer’s with me.”

> “I’ll allow it.”

And just like that, he sets you down gently, grabs his cardboard phaser, and heads back into battle with his daughter

[why-bless-your-heart]

@audreythevaliant the real question is why some Christians don’t believe she remained a virgin. We have writings stating that she was a perpetual virgin from as early as the 120s, and it was solidified as doctrine in the 400s, shortly after the biblical canon was affirmed. Even Martin Luther asserted that she was a perpetual virgin.

Apostolic tradition aside, we believe that she was a perpetual virgin because:

1. Her questioning of the angel only makes sense if she intended to remain a virgin after being taken into Joseph’s house. If an engaged woman intending to have natural relations with her spouse after marriage is told that she will conceive and her son will be the Messiah, she doesn’t ask “how can this be, since I have not known a man?” She assumes that she will have a child in the normal manner at some point down the line. Mary’s questioning of the angel shows that her virginity was her vocation, not just her state at the time.

2. She is the new ark of the covenant. The visitation of her cousin Elizabeth parallels the entrance of the ark into Jerusalem with King David. Just as David danced before the ark, John the Baptist leaps with joy. Elizabeth’s words — who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me? — echo David’s — who am I that the ark of my Lord should come to me? The ark of the covenant was so holy that Uzzah was struck dead for putting out his hand to steady it. It carried within it manna, the bread from heaven, Aaron’s rod, symbol of the priesthood, and the Ten Commandments, God’s word. The new ark of the covenant is even holier, because she carried within her the bread of life from heaven, the perfect priest and sacrifice, and the Word of God made flesh. Another word for holy, sacred, means “set apart.” Mary is the daughter of the Father, the mother of the Son, and spouse of the Holy Spirit. She is uniquely holy, and set apart by her virginity.

3. Joseph was a righteous man. A righteous man does not lay claim to what is God’s. It’s a matter of debate whether he believed Mary’s pregnancy was miraculous and so wanted to divorce her because he believed he was unworthy to take her into his home, or if he believed she had committed adultery and wanted to keep her from being put to death. Either way, we know it was only after he was told by the angel it was God’s will that he took her into his home, and we further know that he did not interpret the angel’s message to mean that he was expected to have relations with Mary. Which again, makes sense if the marriage was meant to safeguard Mary’s virginity rather than be consummated.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Daily Light on the Daily Path by Samuel Bagster

Daily Reading for June 24th

Numbers 10:33 Thus they set out from the mount of the LORD three days' journey, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD journeying in front of them for the three days, to seek out a resting place for them.

Psalm 31:15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.

Psalm 47:4 He chooses our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah.

Psalm 5:8 O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me.

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 30:21 Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Psalm 23:1,2 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. • He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

Psalm 103:13,14 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. • For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

Matthew 6:32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

[infectiouspiss]

my dad scares me man we went into tesco for some shit and got meal deals too and then he committed a fucking sin right in front of me and god and these poor tesco employees

he gets two sandwiches and a drink. no snack. not a meal deal.

then we get to the self scan bastard and he’s like i’ll pay n im like sick cheers for that he put his bag in the bagging area and is absolutely bewildered when the machine gets mardy with him so i have to sort that out

then he goes to pay and this is when i learn something fucking horrific. the man has no tesco clubcard. he was gonna pay full price for everything. i practically dive in front of the card reader like it’s a grenade and i’m like mate your clubcard?? scan your clubcard?? and he just shrugs and goes don’t have one, scan yours.

so i’m completely losing my shit this man was about to pay £30 for everything and didn’t even THINK for the second that he could save money. i scan my clubcard Bam a fiver comes off the total, he’s shocked, looks like i’ve just opened the ark of the fucking covenant in this tesco self checkout

insane fucker has been rawdogging every single tesco shop of his life. never once thought about getting a clubcard. batshit insane.

[fallen-abel]

Okay, I'm curious. (You don't have to answer if this makes you uncomfortable) What are your thoughts on David, as in the second king of Israel? I can imagine it can be......complicated. On the one hand he also has a soft spot for music (a lot of the Psalms involve him) and DEFINITELY sheep, but on the other hand, considering his home life as king (Absolem and Bathsheba as examples) along with the many people he killed, it might be a bit........awkward?

Abel: Uh…He’s not in Heaven for…obvious reasons 👀

For Context:

In the biblical narrative of the Books of Samuel, David is described as a young shepherd and harpist whose heart is devoted to Yahweh, the one true God. He gains fame and becomes a hero by killing Goliath. He becomes a favorite of Saul, the first king of Israel, but is forced to go into hiding when Saul suspects David of plotting to take his throne. After Saul and his son Jonathan are killed in battle, David is anointed king by the tribe of Judah and eventually all the tribes of Israel. He conquers Jerusalem, makes it the capital of a united Israel, and brings the Ark of the Covenant to the city. He commits adultery with Bathsheba and arranges the death of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. David's son Absalom later tries to overthrow him, but David returns to Jerusalem after Absalom's death to continue his reign. David desires to build a temple to Yahweh, but is denied because of the bloodshed of his reign. He dies at age 70 and chooses Solomon, his son with Bathsheba, as his successor instead of his eldest son Adonijah. David is honored as an ideal king and the forefather of the future Hebrew Messiah in Jewish prophetic literature, and many psalms are attributed to him.

Source: Wikipedia

[greatwrath]

I need to know more about the terrorizing the Vatican thing 😂

LOL Absolutely! Well, I guess I should start at the beginning.

Suffice it to say that Azrael does not have a good relationship with the Holy See or the Vatican City State. The crux of the conflict dates back to 1095, when Pope Urban II called a council of Catholic clergy in Auvergne. During this council, the Pope delivered a speech calling to arms Christian Princes and their people against Islam, thus starting the first Crusade. The Pope also pointed out that the killing of Muslim people was not only acceptable but just and morally right in the eyes of God. This made Azrael fucking furious. One of her berzerk buttons is when men claim to be acting in the name of Heaven—when they are just violent, greedy megalomaniacs.

Bearing in mind that, at the same time, Azrael was not having a great time in Heaven. Her power and influence had eroded over time and was all but gone, and she was under suspicion for several dozen crimes against Heaven. To make matters that much worse, she was very aware of a coup brewing against her, involving her own lieutenants and more than a few Seraph councillors, all lower-ranking angels than her. A confrontation in front of the entire Council was weeks away. So Azrael was feeling really spiteful and angry.

She started tormenting Pope Urban II and his supporters immediately after the council. By tormenting I mean jump scaring, standing in shadows and behind doors, causing hallucinations, not letting people sleep.

That was how it started.

Then, twenty-one years after Azrael was imprisoned, the Knights Templar began to dig under Al-Aqsa. Eventually, they reached a room with walls inscribed in Aramaic, indicating that it was supposed to contain the Ark of the Covenant. But it wasn't there, unfortunately for them. All they found was an empty dais with Azrael's seal painted on the floor in blood, because Azrael had spirited the Ark away after the Crusaders had broken into Jerusalem in 1099.

The Vatican knew Azrael was responsible, and they knew her seal. They had actually been aware of Azrael as an entity since the founding of the Holy See and had made significant efforts to cover up any mention of her, because an Archangel, a divine being, cannot be an angry, violent woman. After the Crusades, the Vatican continued to track down written copies of stories about Azrael and paintings/sketches of her. They gathered so many that they had to build a vault for all of them.

When Azrael was released from her imprisonment, she immediately resumed terrorising the Pope and several dozen Cardinals. It's punishment for all the evil they have committed.

[infjtarot]

Queen of Cups. Pastoral Tarot

Element: Water Sephirah: Binah (Understanding), sephirah three in Beriah (Creation) Golden Dawn Title: Queen of Cups, Queen of the Thrones of the Waters Elemental Combination: Water of Water Astrological Sign: Cancer Rider Physical Quality: Older woman with light brown hair and gray or blue eyes Rider Deck Theme: Dedication Renaissance Character: Judith Water of water; as one of the four “pure” elemental cards, the Queen of Cups carries a special power. She is much closer to the High Priestess than the impatient King of Wands is to the Magician, for the Queen of Cups is intense and deeply committed to her path, which we might call the creative path of love. Waite says of her that “she sees but she also acts, and her activity feeds her dream.” In the Rider picture, she stares intently at her elaborate cup, which may be her own creation. It stands out in the deck as unique, the only one decorated and the only one covered. Some have compared it to the vessel that holds the “host,” the sacred wafers, or “bread,” that turns into the body of Christ in the Catholic mass. With the winged figures on either side, it recalls the Ark of the Covenant from the temple in ancient Israel, which was guarded by two seraphim. The Ark was the dwelling place of the Shekinah, the female presence of the divine. Notice, by the way, how the Queen from the Visconti holds a similar cup, though without the winged figures. The Rider Queen of Cups has long been one of my favorite cards. Her throne rests on dry land, compared to that of the King, but water swirls all around her and even seems to merge into her dress, so that we can say she blends intense feeling with manifestation. I find the intensity of her gaze symbolic of a strong will, though I know that some Rider devotees find her scowling. In the Shining Tribe deck, the gift of the Gift of Rivers is love. Two streams meet and merge into one, and where they join we see the Holy Grail in the form of a simple bowl. Readings—Intensity, dedication, love, someone who blends feeling with action. She may represent a creative artist or creativity itself. She also can indicate love, both romantic and love of family. Healing and a sense of protection in some difficult situation. Rachel Pollack

[earthcovenant]

Unifying Societies and Beyond: The Earth Covenant Pledge

Unifying Societies and Beyond: The Earth Covenant Pledge. #Covenant #EarthCovenant #TheEarthCovenant #Earth #Legal #Justice #WordofGod #WordofGoddess #Contract #Binding #Law #Commitment #ArkofCovenant #AsktheAnswer #Government #Business #Agency

Unifying Societies and Beyond: The Earth Covenant Pledge The Earth Covenant: Introduction The Earth Covenant is of a representation from the following Societies being:  The Achaemenid Society, The African Society, The Alien Society, The Artificial Intelligence Society, The AI Society, The Atlantis Society, The Aztec Society, The Babylonian Society, The Buddhism Society, The Celtic Society, The…

[gatoself]

If I'm gonna pledge allegiance to anything it's going to be the rainbow flag

Gilbert Baker picked the rainbow for many reasons, because of the diversity of color and because it has such a varied mythology around the world.

Before 1978, the gay liberation symbol was the pink triangle, referencing the mandatory symbols different queer people in concentration camps wore. There were different colors and some were up or down, but for gay liberation it was universally the pink triangle, a small way of saying "never again"

When bible-thumpers say it's based on Noah's ark I have two points

°Noah's ark story is almost entirely plagiarized from the epic of Gilgamesh, where a character named Utnapishtim builds an ark during a great flood. It was written in cuneiform thousands of years before the Bible.

°Baker made the flag with the great flood story in mind as a symbol for hope that humans will never again commit atrocities towards each other, and the fact that the diversity and joy was like the many colors of the rainbow

From this article below:

"The crowd was as much a part of the show as the band. Everyone was there: North Beach beatniks and barrio zoots, the bored bikers in black leather, teenagers in the back row kissing. There were long-haired, lithe girls in belly-dance get-ups, pink-haired punks safety-pinned together, hippie suburbanites, movie stars so beautiful they left you dumbstruck, muscle gayboys with perfect mustaches, butch dykes in blue jeans, and fairies of all genders in thrift-store dresses. We rode the mirrored ball on glittering LSD and love power. Dance fused us, magical and cleansing. We were all in a swirl of color and light. It was like a rainbow.

A rainbow. That’s the moment when I knew exactly what kind of flag I would make.

A Rainbow Flag was a conscious choice, natural and necessary. The rainbow came from earliest recorded history as a symbol of hope. In the Book of Genesis, it appeared as proof of a covenant between God and all living creatures. It was also found in Chinese, Egyptian and Native American history. A Rainbow Flag would be our modern alternative to the pink triangle. Now the rioters who claimed their freedom at the Stonewall Bar in 1969 would have their own symbol of liberation.”

[halos-top-alien-model]

Sangheili Bracket Round 2 Match 8

More info below:

Usze 'Taham:

Debuted in Halo 3

Born Oct. 31st, 2519, Usze was fathered by the famous swordsman Toha 'Sumai (although only knew him as an uncle that would act as a trainer) and born into a respected merchant family in Sumai keep. He would graduated with honors from a top war college, being posted on the Fleet of Faithful Ardor afterwards. After only a single tour within the fleet, he would be offered a place in the Covenant Honor Guard, but declined out of the desire to start away from ceremonial positions. He continued to refuse offers, which could have put him in danger of accusations of apostasy; but, either due to luck or superiors protecting him, Usze would not be targeted, save for some assassination attempts. His actions during the Human-Covenant war would ultimately cause those wishing him in the Honor Guard to finally back off. Still prior to the Great Schism, Usze would join the Ascetics and serve as a liaison for the Covenant, while also serving under SpecOps Commander Rtas 'Vadumee. Once the Great Schism broke out, he would join the Separatists' Fleet of Retribution, specifically the Special Warfare Group. He would then head to Earth alongside the Arbiter and N'tho 'Sraom. Later, he would take part in the Battle of Installation 00, even being present when the Master Chief deactivated the Halo Array and the Arbiter killed the Prophet of Truth.

At the end of the war, he would become a liaison to the UNSC and an emissary within the Ascetics' naval forces. He also liaisoned between feuding Sangheili keeps and factions, while also helping to resurrect the Ascetic Guard. Upon joining the Swords of Sanghelios, he helped establish the Riftborn: a SpecOps division fully committed to joint operations with the UNSC. In 2555, he learned of an assassination plot against the Arbiter and confronted the would-be assassin, Otar 'Bemet, refusing his attempts to get Usze on his side and killing the rebel. Once that was finished, the Arbiter informed him that the UNSC discovered the Halo Array was suddenly ticking down to activation, so he would be sending him alongside N'tho and the Mayhem to help stop it in Operation: FAR STORM. While waiting for the portal at Voi to be reactivated, he watched over the Huragok Drifts Randomly. When Drifts finally activated the portal, a Forerunner Retriever suddenly appeared and attacked. A meeting would then be organized on Mayhem. The Sangheili wished to continue on with the operation immediately, but Captain Annabelle Richards claimed they needed to wait for consent due to the unknown threat to Earth. Yet N'tho had foreseen this as a possibility, revealing he had tricked the humans necessary for the operation to be on board Mayhem and that he had already decided he would be heading into that portal with or without approval. Another Retriever would attack just then, but Mayhem took care of it before entering the portal. To their surprise, they found the journey took a matter of hours rather than the usual two weeks. Multiple Retrievers were waiting for them, causing Mayhem to crash on the Ark. Usze would then join an expedition on foot, only for a pack of Blind wolves and a group of Chaefka to attack and Olympia Vale to become separated from the group. The team would split up, with Usze, Spartan Elias Holt, and Henry Lamb following Vale's footsteps in the snow. Communications with the other team would then be lost, with increased snowfall sabotaging efforts to follow Vale. Therefore, they decided to head to the Citadel in the hopes they'd regroup with anyone. Forerunner armigers and a giant carnivorous planet would be among the obstacles the trio faced on the way. Once the whole team - barring the still missing Vale - regrouped at the Citadel, the Halo Array was shut down only for more armigers to attack. Usze, Luther Mann, Henry Lamb, Drifts Randomly, and Kola 'Baoth would retreat down the same elevator shaft Usze used as an escape route the first time he was at the Ark, while the rest of the team were teleported elsewhere by the Ark's monitor, 000 Tragic Solitude. In the inner tunnels of the Citadel, they would discover the central power station, where Drifts would start repairs while Lamb was killed by a Sentinel. They would continue to search for an exit, finding a heavy, locked door blocking their path. Usze and Kola would lift the door enough for Luther and Drift to enter, but would be forced to wait on the other side, becoming open to an armiger ambush. As they fought off the armigers, Drifts would finally take control of the Ark from Tragic Solitude, who would be destroyed shortly afterwards. With the galaxy now safe, everyone - including the recovered Vale - returned to the Mayhem and waited for reinforcements to arrive and bring them back to Earth. Following the end of the mission, Usze would have a heart-to-heart with Vale regarding her failure to negotiate with the rampant monitor.

By 2559, N'tho continued to assist the Arbiter. Notably, he helped escort the Arbiter to and from a meeting shortly after the destruction of the Jiralhanae homeworld Doisac, only to be stopped by Created armigers and forced to give up his weapons whilst they searched their vehicle for the perpetrators of a recent conflict. Later, when they returned to Vadam keep, Usze would be present - along with Kola - in hearing out the Oath Warden Crei 'Ayomuu regarding the existence of a weapon that could defeat Cortana.

Chak 'Lok:

Debuted in Halo Infinite

Born Jan. 15th, 2485 on Malurok, he would earn a place within the Seneschal order of the Evocati (known as Ultras to humanity) while serving in the Covenant military. After the fall of the Covenant, he would join the Banished and convinced many other Sangheili Ultras to follow suit. Within the Banished, he utilized interrogation and torture methods to collect intel. By May 2560, he was among the Banished forces occupying Installation 07, taking up the Tower as a personal base of operations. Once he finished gaining all he could out of prisoners, he would send them off to the House of Reckoning. Among those taken prisoner by him were Spartan Hudson Griffin and medic Lucas Browning. On or around May 28th, Chak would set a trap for the Master Chief by activating a distress signal within Spartan Griffin's armor. Then, he put the Tower on lockdown and taunted the Master Chief via hologram. Once the Chief finally made it inside, Chak politely greeted him before engaging one-on-one. However, Chief would recovered Griffin's Threat Sensor, which aided him in killing Chak 'Lok. Following his death, Glibnub the propagandist would claim he was still "100% alive" and that the Tower was merely closed for renovations. Others were not convinced and blamed Chak 'Lok for the fall of the Tower, with Bassus specifically openly expressing delight at his demise.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

4th January >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton 

on

4th January.

4th January

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

(Readings for the feria (Thursday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Thursday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading 1 John 3:7-10 Those who are begotten by God commit no sin.

Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous. Whoever sins belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil. No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God. In this way, the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 98:1, 7-8, 9

R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.

R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

The LORD comes; he comes to rule the earth; He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity.

R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Gospel Acclamation Hebrews 1:1-2

Alleluia, alleluia. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel John 1:35-42 We have found the Messiah.

John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

---------------------------

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton 

(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Thursday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

Either:

First Reading Deuteronomy 10:8-9 The Lord himself is our heritage.

Moses summoned all of Israel and said to them: “At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to be in attendance before the LORD and minister to him, and to give blessings in his name, as they have done to this day. For this reason, Levi has no share in the heritage with his brothers; the LORD himself is his heritage, as the LORD, your God, has told him.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

OR: --------

First reading 1 Kings 19:4-9a, 11-15a Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord.

Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death saying: “This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. He looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again, but the angel of the LORD came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, “Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!” He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb. There he came to a cave, where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake– but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire– but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?” He replied, “I have been most zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.” The LORD said to him, “Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus.”

OR: --------

First reading 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21 Elisha left and followed Elijah.

The LORD said to Elijah: “You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.” Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

EITHER: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. or Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. or Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. or Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Not so, the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the LORD watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes.

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. or Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord. or The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue.

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; By whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD.

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed.

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 16:1-2ab and 5, 7-8, 11

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.” O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 23:1-3, 4, 5, 6

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me on right paths for his name’s sake.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear and be glad.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for nought is lacking to those who fear him. The great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.

I will bless the Lord at all times. or Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 103:1bc-2, 3-4, 8-9, 13-14, 17-18a

O bless the Lord, my soul!

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

O bless the Lord, my soul!

He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills, He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

O bless the Lord, my soul!

Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever.

O bless the Lord, my soul!

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him, For he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust.

O bless the Lord, my soul!

But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him, And his justice toward his children’s children among those who keep his covenant.

O bless the Lord, my soul!

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7b-8, 9

Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia.

Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia.

Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia.

An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia.

Lavishly he gives to the poor, his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or Alleluia.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; Your children like olive plants around your table.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

OR: --------

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 131:1bcde, 2, 3

In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me.

In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.

In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.

In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:3

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Matthew 5:6

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Matthew 5:8

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: See Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Matthew 11:28

Alleluia, alleluia. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Matthew 23:11, 12b

Alleluia, alleluia. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: Luke 21:36

Alleluia, alleluia. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 8:12

Alleluia, alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 8:31b-32

Alleluia, alleluia. If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia. I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia. Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come to him. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 15:4a, 5b

Alleluia, alleluia. Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Alleluia, alleluia.

Or: John 15:9b, 5b

Alleluia, alleluia. Remain in my love, says the Lord; whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. Alleluia, alleluia.

EITHER: --------

Gospel Matthew 19:3-12 For the sake of the Kingdom of heaven.

Some Pharisees approached Jesus and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” His disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 10:17-30 Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor; then come, follow me.

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”

OR: --------

Gospel Mark 10:17-27 Go, sell what you have and give to the poor; then come, follow me.

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 9:57-62 I will follow you wherever you go.

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

OR: --------

Gospel Luke 12:32-34 Your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

Or:

Gospel Luke 14:25-33 Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[dfroza]

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures

for the 27th of may 2025 with a paired chapter from each Testament (the First & the New Covenant) of the Bible

[The Book of Revelation, Chapter 9 • The Book of Job, Chapter 15]

along with Today’s reading from the ancient books of Proverbs and Psalms with Proverbs 27 and Psalm 27 coinciding with the day of the month, accompanied by Psalm 69 for the 69th day of Astronomical Spring, and Psalm 147 for day 147 of the year (with the consummate book of 150 Psalms in its 1st revolution this year)

A post by John Parsons:

Desert Places...

Our Torah portion for this week, parashat Bamidbar ("in the desert"), is the first reading from the Book of Numbers, and is always read before the great holiday of Shavuot (i.e., “Pentecost”). The portion begins exactly where the Book of Exodus left off, that is, with the glory of the LORD (כְּבוֹד יְהוָה) hovering over the Mishkan (Tabernacle) as the Israelites were camped before Mount Sinai (see Exod. 40:38, Num. 1:1). On the first day of the thirteenth month following the great Exodus from Egypt – exactly thirty days after the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was first consecrated – God commanded Moses to take a census of all Israelite males over 20 years of age who would bear arms. Moses and the heads of each tribe recorded the results, with 603,550 men in all. This number did not include the Levites, however, since they were designated to take care of the Tabernacle during the journeys.

The LORD then gave instructions about how the Israelite camp was to be arranged. The Tabernacle would occupy the central location, with three clans of the Levites surrounding it on the north, south, and west (Moses and Aaron’s tents were placed before the entrance on the east). The twelve other tribes were divided into four groups of three. All of the tents of the Israelites were to face the Tabernacle on every side. This camp formation was to be strictly maintained while traveling throughout the desert.

Each tribe had its own prince (i.e., nassi: נשׂיא), its own flag (i.e., degel: דגל) whose color corresponded with the color of its respective stone in Aaron's breastplate (Exod. 28:15-21). For example, Judah's stone was a sky-blue carbuncle and therefore the color of his flag was like the color of the sky with a “fiery lion” embroidered upon it (see Gen. 49:9).

The portion ends with a census of the three sons of Levi (בני לוי), namely Gershon (גרשׁון), Kohath (קהת), and Merari (מררי). The sons of Gershon (i.e., the Gershonites) were to maintain the inner tent of the Mishkan and were to be located on the west side of the courtyard; the sons of Kohath (i.e., the Kohathites) were to maintain the furnishings of the Mishkan such (as the Ark of the Covenant, the Menorah, etc.) and were to be located on the south side of the courtyard; and the sons of Merari (i.e., the Merarites) maintained the frames and pillars of the Mishkan and were located to the north of the courtyard. Finally, though the sons of Aaron were technically descendants of Kohath, they were set apart to serve as priests (i.e., kohanim: כהנים) and were located before gate into the Mishkan to the east.

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Numbers 1:1 reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/num1-1a-jjp.mp3

Parashat Bamidbar summary page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/BeMidbar/bemidbar.html

Audio podcast:

https://hebrew4christians.com/training/parashat-bamidbar/

Bamidbar Table Talk:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/BeMidbar/ShabbatTableTalkPageBaMidbar.pdf

5.25.25 • Facebook

from Israel365

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

[walkwithgod07]

3 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord.

2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth?

5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.

6 The Lord said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

7 And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever.

13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord.

14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

20 Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.

21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the Lord their God.

22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.

23 Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.

24 For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.

25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.