#Moses Crouch

[feedingtheflockministry]

Your Sin is Sizing You Up

Recently a video showed up in my YouTube feed of a woman who slept with her pet python at night. She decided to do this because she was lonely. At first everything seemed fine. The python would stretch out on top of her as she slept. When she shared this information with her neighbors though they became concerned for her safety and told her that was a bad idea. She told them it was fine and continued to sleep with her python.

One night she woke up and her snake was gone, but she was to tired to go look for it and went back to sleep. In the morning when she woke up her pet python was stretched out beside her. After that night her python lost its appetite and days later took it to the veterinarian.

The veterinarian examined the python and x-rayed it���s stomach to see if there was any blockage. They found nothing, and the python was completely empty. At this point the veterinarian asked her if there was any change of behavior or environment at home. At this point she told the veterinarian that she started letting her python sleep with her at night to keep her company.

The veterinarian at this point realized what was going on with her snake. Pythons can consume large prey due to their size and the ability to unhinge their jaws. They also size up their prey by stretching themselves out beside it. The comfort and companionship she received from this creature was only putting her life in mortal danger. At this point she returned her python to its cage at night tightly secured.

Her story is similar to all of us. The habitual sins we find comfort and pleasure in are only sizing us up to devour us in the end. For the scriptures say this, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”

There was great comfort and pleasure in Moses’s situation as Pharaoh’s adopted grandson, but he forsook it all for The Lord.

In Cain’s story we see The Lord telling him this, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Sin, if you entertain it, will destroy you in the end.

Do not be overtaken by your desires or emotions, and thereby causes you to look for something to fulfill them that is comfortable and pleasurable. For many of our coping mechanisms lead to sinful things. For James wrote to us this in his letter long ago, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”

Be strong in The Lord and hold fast to what you have in Him. Let no desire separate you from Him.

[edgessunflower]

Can I request some fluff I've been stressed today studying. The first module is all a about Cleopatra so I was wondering if possible a fic about steven helping the reader studying but as it about Egyptian history ( my favourite period of history I may add lol) he starts rambling on about different things about Egypt not noticing that the readers tired but marc and Jake do getting concerned and points out to steven to be quiet so steven thinks the reader annoyed at him especially when they take there glasses of and rub the temple and pinch there nose so he disappears upset but the reader goes to him explaining how they love his ramblings and that there comforting and it just ends in cuddling and affection.

Ooh interesting 💙

Egyptian studying and cuddles

Pairing:Steven Grant x reader

Description:While studying Egyptian for your class your boyfriend Steven helps you but after getting tired you reassure him your not mad at him

You were stressed and dreading having to spend the all night studying,researching,and pulling an all nighter until you heard the door open and gently close seeing that your boyfriend was home from work.He noticed how you looked like you were going to cry any minute and that you got sick which you had only 6 minutes earlier "Love what's wrong are you okay?" he gently puts his hand on your face rubbing his thumb as you lean in his hand "I don't know how I'm going to get this done babe...I don't know where to even start" he looks at the folders played open on the desk with papers for your assignment on top spread out when he notices what they said immediately smiling "Baby I know what to do with this I'm practically an expert and Egyptian History" you look at him lighting up and staring at him while he giggles looking at you.He pulls you into his lap after he sits down writing things he said down asking what had happened first and things that had happened after because what occurred before slowly becoming calmer and more relaxed as you realized you were halfway done and only had just a few more pages to finish and smiling when it was only just turned 8:00 being down by 8:30 or 9:00 having enough time to just spend with steven.You started dozing off while listening to him talk about the story of Moses writing down everything he said realizing all the energy you had built from not sleeping the night before in order to get all your work in class done so you didn't have anything extra to work on while already working on the given task you were falling asleep on immediately waking up as steven had stopped to take a sip of his cup of juice he had next to him."He ran away after killing a taskmaster who was beating a hebrew and fled to Midian where God who was called Yahweh revealed himself in the form of the burning bush called moses to go to Egypt and deliver the Israelites away" he was interrupted by both Jake and Marc speaking to him at once but quickly stopped and marc spoke again "She's clearly not even listening man" jake soon follows right after "She is mad cabron she's clearly in misery" he turns to see your glasses inbetween your fingers while you held your face in your hands trying to focus and stay awake frustrated by the fact that you were tired and just wanted all the work to be done.You get up going to the bathroom coming back to see the chair empty and the cup of juice empty clearly confused looking around the house until you found him on the couch in the living room with tears streaming down his face quietly crying running to him and crouching infront of him "Baby what's the matter?" he looks at you and looks away thinking you were mad and fixing to yell about his ramblings "Hey...sweetie it's okay what's wrong?" he looked back at you with the saddest and most heartbreaking look you'd seen on his face "I know I get too much when I ramble and talk nonstop and I just wanted to help and if I had known you didn't like it I would have just said certain parts" you stop him gently climbing in his lap holding his face in your hands.You rub his face with your thumbs wiping the tears away "I love your rambling and I love how passionate you are about the things you love I'm not mad at all honey...I'm just exhausted and I just want the work to be done so I can watch movies with you and eat dinner and lay in your arms while we sleep" you lay your head on his shoulder while he puts his hand on your face placing a soft kiss on your forehead and rubbing his hand up and down your side until you both got up and finished the work smiling as he finished the story of moses going into the living room and eating dinner watching episodes of FRIENDS until you both started falling asleep on each other going up and into bed watching The road to El Dorado (Yes the DreamWorks movie) until you both fell asleep halfway through.

[unyieldingvalxr]

@retrograderesemblance It's only a scratch (You're likely going to get more than one response)

"A -- A scratch? Sir--you mustn't be serious!!!" Sarah finds herself drawn to the cot where bearded man lay. She crouches beside his form quite carefully. "There were so many of them that Moses and I had a time of trying to stitch you back together---"

The man had been HALF dead when Moses discovered him in that back alley. Her clumsy hand presses to his forehead. "What in heaven's name happened to you? You have been quite adamant that you need to find someone. Perhaps, Dr. Franklin will allow me to fetch them for you, provided you tell me where they are located?"

[crushingmagnolias]

La Dolce Vita - a phanfic

Wrote this as a contribution to the @phoreverhome_zine project (hence the short word count) Would recommend checking out the full zine here if you'd like to see some *adorable* UwU phanart

Inspired by Phorever Home: a Dan and Phil Phanzine by @Im_Not_OKei

Summary: Phil plans a surprise engagement during their vegas trip at the Bellagio hotel. Dan is head over heels, smitten, Phil Trash #1

Word Count: 667 words

Read on AO3 via the link below or keep scrolling to read on tumblr.

Part 1 - Reminiscing Dan POV

Dan stared ahead as the vocal stylings of Moses Sumney rang out, ‘ I just wanna make out in my car…’ Cornelia’s road trip playlist was impeccable; as he bopped along to the rapping of Martyn’s index fingers against the steering wheel, he could only wonder how Martyn managed to tap on-beat and drive without careening off the I-10 highway. 

He turned to his right to look at Phil who was leaning against the headrest, eyebrows furrowed with his hand raised to his forehead. Despite Phil’s clear discomfort, Dan couldn’t help but smile: Phil had spent many road trips crouched in this same position during ‘ The Amazing Tour is Not On Fire ’.  He reached into his backpack for the motion sickness kit he’d packed in anticipation of this. 

Dan brushed his fingers lightly against Phil’s shoulder and felt his breath hitch in his throat once their eyes connected. The kit lay forgotten on his lap as Dan found himself transported to a memory…

'I think you're crazy,' he'd mumbled. ‘ For loving me, for being so perfectly you, for being here .’ were left unsaid.  'Bear,' had been Phil's simple, whispered response. But as Dan looked up into those grey-blue eyes, gazed upon that crooked smile, and stroked a finger along that slight stubble, he’d heard so much more.

‘Oh the kit!’ Phil exclaimed. Jarred back to the present, Dan removed a water bottle and crackers from the pack. 

Phil held onto Dan’s hand as he accepted the items, ‘What would I do without you?’ 

But as Phil smiled that quirky smile, with his tongue poking out the side, Dan knew he was the one who would be lost without Phil.

~+~

Part 2 - The Proposal Phil POV

Phil had scarcely been able to concentrate despite the enthralling performance by the Cirque du Soleil. He’d been on edge since they’d arrived at the Bellagio, but tonight his anxiety was at its zenith. He fiddled with the velvet box in his pocket as he watched Dan walk ahead. He was gesturing wildly, deeply engaged in his conversation with Martyn. Phil couldn’t help but admire how well Dan filled out his retro biker jacket; the blue jacquard panels shimmered beautifully against his skin.

Phil felt a hand fall lightly on his elbow. ‘Hey, how are you feeling?’ asked Cornelia softly.

He leaned into her presence, lulled by the comforting tone of her voice. ‘Yeah uh,’ he replied, ‘just a little nerv

He watched Martyn lead Dan to the ‘ La Dolce Vita ’ display at the Bellagio’s conservatory, as planned. He felt his heart quicken and paused to take a breath as the dread started to build in that hauntingly familiar way. He was considering calling everything off when Cornelia squeezed his elbow and offered a warm smile of encouragement. Phil squeezed her arm in return and gave a firm nod.

Cornelia cued to the violinist in the corner as Phil approached Dan beneath the canopy of lemon tree branches on the East bed. As he kneeled, Phil focussed his thoughts on the faint smell of wisteria and citrus in the garden, the vibrant green of cypress trees, and the shocked face of the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Phil reached for the small box in his pocket to reveal a modest sapphire ring. Dan gasped, ‘Is that violinist playing Toxic?!’

Phil chuckled, his nerves instantly dissipating.

‘You beat me to it,’ Dan complained, ‘I was planning to propose in Japan.’

Phil couldn’t help but feel smug at that, he’d suspected Dan would try to pull something like that on him. ‘Well, what do you say?’ he asked almost impatiently.

‘You, me, and eternity? That’s just ace.’

Only Dan could manage that intoxicating balance of beautiful and infuriating, Phil could feel the tears start to build as he rose and pulled his fiance into him. Their lips crashed and his hand reached instinctively for that spot on the small of Dan’s back, holding him dear.

[moonstonedrawsrandomly]

Reunite 12🟢.

“Alright, Leshy. Where did you teleport from?”

Heket said as Leshy was leading Noelle by the hand while Heket walked close behind. Gaia was watching their hand close around each other, Leshy not letting go. Noelle noticed the silence of Gaia. She’s usually more talkative.

“Hey Gaia, are you okay?”

Noelle said. Gaia shook her head. Her mind was full of what happened last night. She is now aware of how mortal Shamura’s injuries are… and the rest of their injuries…

“-it’s fine Gaia, it bleeds from time to time-“

“NO ITS NOT! That boy is a menace! First Kallamar, then Heket, now I’m learning about you and Leshy! Maybe Klauneck was right! My sacrifice was in vain!”

“GAIA!”

Shamura shouted. The room shook slightly. Gaia elevated her crown to be on the same eye level as them

“Need you forget who your talking to…I am your wife!”

“I know, I’m sorry! Your not getting it!”

“What am I not getting?!?”

Shamura and Gaia continue to hash this out but it felt like they were both going in circles about what should have happened, what didn’t, and all of that.

“This is going nowhere, let’s retire and pick this up when I return”

Gaia begins to float away. Shamura looks at her crown.

“Gaia…”

“What?”

She sounded annoyed. They didn’t blame her, it’s been stressful for everyone, and having Gaia back was an ease on the stress for a bit.

“I love you…”

Gaia turns back to them. They were now standing behind her. How she wished to wrap her arms around her big ol’ spider and litter their face with kisses. She nuzzled her crown next to their face.

“I love you too, you soft grape. I didn’t mean to yell, I’m just upset at what’s transpired in my absence…”

“I understand”

“Let’s pick this up another time and let’s go to bed, Darling…”

And that was the last interaction they had before they left the Clan. Noelle asked her again if she was okay

“Hush dear, Mommy is thinking-oh! Sorry Noelle, force of habit!”

“No it’s fine, Leshy teleported us already” and you didn’t notice”

Gaia nodded. She needed to put that out of her mind. Then the powerful smell of smoke and another odor started to eminate from the forest.

“Someone pillaged this town…I smell death in the air”

Heket said. Noelle went forward but Leshy stopped her.

“Noelle, it’s too dangerous! I feel his aura…”

“So do I. Heket and Leshy, go and scout out the village! Noelle, stay silent”

Leshy and Heket nodded as Noelle crouched with Gaia. The other two left and Gaia taps her

“Come, let’s go”

“I thought you said-“

“You said your friend is still around and is close to the goddess…where is her temple?”

Noelle knew this place like the back of her hand. Even though out the rubble, she couldn’t help but feel awful! People she once knew, laid dead on the floor or was missing. The market laid destroyed and even the little houses were laid to waste. His energy was still strong within the clan.

“Where is goddess fernilla?”

“I feel a short signature…someone is wearing her crown…are we too late?”

She thought, all of a sudden, a sword came down just as Gaia moved Noelle.

“Ah!”

“Die you Heret- wait…Noelle?”

Moses lowered his sword. Upon his head was Fernilla’s crown.

“Ohmigosh! Noelle!”

“Moses!”

The two lambs hug each other

“Your alive!”

“YOUR alive!! What happened to you? What happened to everyone? Everything? What is going on?”

Noelle said. Fernilla’s crown spoke.

“Moses, she has a crown on her head, she has turned heretic-“

“Noelle, who is that?”

“Ah, this is Gaia. She’s one of the bishops from the Old Faithful Clan…it’s a long story but we came to rescue you guys…”

“Ah, so those other Gods are your friends as well…even Narinder?”

Gaia levitates

“Narinder was disbanded from the Clam due to the crimes he committed on his family and Clan-members.Bishop Leshy and Heket are hopefully clearing out the Heretics and finding the survivors”

Gaia said. Moses doesn’t trust Gaia but he trusts Noelle. Likewise for the others.

“Moses, what has happened?”

“Fernilla wanted to find out what happened to the other lambs so she trusted him. When she wouldn’t give one of us up, he declared mental insanity on Fernilla’s mind and started laying waste to the Clan. She gave me her crown before she could get possessed. I tried to protect the clan, evacuated as many as I can…but even I…”

He showed them his injuries

“Your abdomen, wait, let me patch you up”

“Hide in the abandoned home until your done. Leave your crown out here…”

“Why? What are you going to do with it?”

“Trust me…Noelle is”

Moses decided to risk it. He leaves Fernilla’s crown outside with Gaia as Noelle cleans and apply medicine to his wounds. Gaia’s crown began to size up the other crown.

“Just like you, I am a goddess, no need for you to intimidate me”

“You honestly thought you could fight legitimate gods at your level?”

“What on earth are you-“

“Look at me and look at you…I am a dark silk while you are still pale in comparison. You know what makes a God a fearful god, right?”

Fernilla’s crown had to think.

“Strong leadership and fairness”

Gaia didn’t consider age into consideration

“…let me rephrase my question, what makes a legitimate bishop?”

Fernilla’s crown seemed like it was thinking, but Gaia ended up answering the question

“You either have to kill a god, or be appointed one by another bishop…my children were lucky we appointed them all to bishops, which is why they all have black crowns. Much more feared and stronger than you. I’m surprised he even kept you alive for so long”

“The color of your crown doesn’t make me less superior! If Narinder is one of yours, then you would know where the lambs are-“

“Why are you asking me something that you already know?”

“No…”

Fernilla’s crown��knew they were gone…but she didn’t believe it. It makes sense how she was easily manipulated by Narinder with that naïveté. She’s probably around Leshy’s level of competence where they are still using their crowns to compensate for their shortcomings.

“So they really are gone…”

“Yes…your name was Fernilla, right?”

“Yes…”

“You really loved your lambs…I assume you don’t know what he’s been doing to your lambs that went missing-“

“Fernilla, Gaia?”

Noelle came back outside with Moses

“I will inform you when we return to the Clan. Right now, where is your Body?”

Moses pointed to the temple wrapped with Narinder’s power.

“I wasn’t able to get in after his power emerged…”

“Makes sense…Noelle, I’m going to need you to get in so I can get into her head”

“Wait, you can free her?”

“Who do you think taught him this ability?”

Gaia said. Moses takes her to the hidden entrance

“Take care, Noelle. I’ll be out here if you need help”

They both crawled into the temple and inside the power of Narinder was incredible. The room was red as Fernilla’s body was laying there, untouched for a while. She could definitely die if she doesn’t receive food or water.

“Okay, Noelle. You stay in this corner and stay cloaked. Do not lift this cloak until I say so or else he will possess you. Understand?”

Noelle nodded as she hid under the cloak. Gaia then hovered over the unconscious goddess and placed herself on top of her head.

“Let’s see what’s going on In that head of yours, Fernilla…”

TBC

[cosmicchrist888]

I will not fall down and worship thou! but thou shalt crouch at my feet; thou wilt give me nothing,but I will make use of thee and take whatever I wish. For I am thy Lord and Master! As Moses lifted up the snake on a pole in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. The kundalini must be lifted up, this is the path to Cosmic Consciousness, self realization, Moksha (liberation).

Cosmic Christ

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

by Jacob Crouch | God commands Moses to lift up this symbol and if anyone would simply look to the symbol, then they would live. And this was not lost on Jesus. In John 3:14 and 15 (the setup to John 3:16), He says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of…

[shadows-starlight]

Shadows and Starlight

Book 96: An Unexpected Arrival

-

As many of you remember, the Obsidian's Keep is a sacred council where sorcerers who practice the dark arts come to mix and mingle over their dark deeds for the month. However, there were times when the council members or the leader alone would gather at a sorcerer's lair for their monthly meetings.

This was exactly what Eldrin, the leader of the Obsidian's Keep, was doing. Tonight, he went to Malakar's lair to discuss their plans for the upcoming lunar eclipse.

However, upon entering Malakar's lair, what he found was more than intriguing, to say the least. Now, although the members of the Obsidian's Keep knew and had come to love Malakar's little daughter, Aurora, it was either amusing or unusual.

When Eldrin entered the main hall, he expected Malakar to be prepared with documents and tea to share. However, upon his arrival, he found Malakar crouched on the floor with Aurora sitting on a blanket in front of him.

The baby was gazing up at him, a look of pure joy on her face as he tickled her little belly.

“Who's the most adorable little princess?” Malakar cooed softly, "Hm? Who is daddy's precious little star? That's you! Yes, you are!"

Aurora burst into a fit of giggles, her tiny fingers grasping at his hand as he tickled her again.

Eldrin cleared his throat, feeling strangely out of place. “Malakar,” he said, his voice echoing in the chamber.

Malakar looked up, the softness in his eyes widening and his cheeks turning scarlet as he met Eldrin’s gaze. “E-E-Eldrin,” he stammered, "Y-You're early!" He gave Aurora one last tickle, then cradled her gently against his chest.

“Evidently,” Eldrin replied, a hint of amusement breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Aurora. “She has certainly grown since the last time we saw her.”

Malakar glanced down at his daughter, his expression softening again. “Yes, she has,” he said quietly, before turning back to Eldrin. “But I assume you didn’t come here to discuss my daughter's development.”

“Indeed not.” Eldrin’s expression grew serious once more. “The lunar eclipse is only two nights away, and I wanted to finalize the arrangements. Its energy will be at its peak just before midnight. We must be prepared.”

“Of course,” Malakar replied, his tone slipping back into business. He gently adjusted Aurora in his arms, rocking her slightly as she began to drift off. “I’ve prepared the spell circle. It’s in the laboratory.

Eldrin nodded, watching as Malakar continued to soothe his dozing daughter. He cleared his throat again. “She seems… quite attached to you,” he observed, slightly awkwardly.

Malakar smiled. “Aurora and I share a bond that goes beyond what my magic can project. She’s my entire world.” He brushed a stray curl from her forehead as her eyes fluttered shut. “But you needn’t worry. My duties will not be compromised because of it.”

“I do not doubt that,” Eldrin replied, smiling faintly. He wasn't used to seeing Makalar, so at ease, so… human from time to time. “The cliffs near the edge of the mountains will be prepared, and I’ll ensure that everything is in place. We’ll use the eclipse to harness the ancient energies, just as we planned.”

Malakar nodded, his gaze drifting back down to Aurora, who was now fast asleep in his arms. “Thank you, Eldrin. I appreciate your diligence.”

Eldrin lingered for a moment, watching the powerful sorcerer hold his sleeping daughter as if she were the most fragile thing in the world.

As Malakar tucked Aurora in her Moses basket, they sat down in the lounge to go over the documents over tea. As they chatted, reviewed papers, and sipped tea, Eldrin found himself smiling, the thought of the formidable Malakar tenderly cradling his daughter was an image he would never forget.

[libidomechanica]

And that I throw off is ideal— lowerd,

A sonnet sequence

               1

For when I was beguile thy mistes eclipse that treasure pass; with lullaby your dreams speak with gold, with place, and now my heart’s history. Do crown thy murderer’s heart alway. But disturbing court to Lady Psyche, ’ I rejoined, the fifth in line from the hearth, and teache her troth, and which made her safe. And that I throw off is ideal—lower’d, like a salmon sing on, as if for Moses and your crooked shape of Terror crouched, in camps, in close faults, yet soft like a ball a workman that word of Death and fall have been born or some troubles from above to another place; crones, old and so tall?

               2

’Mang heaps o’ clavers: and on the woods, filled the truth, the tribe of myself at the terror crept by each simple seen. Some with that looks dim with such disgrace, nor avarice, nor over-anxious because she’s trying to explained, no two made monastic vows; that weld the kitchen, coffee in her amorous parents, albeit so masked, to whom a watched then an offices of sense is it made his life, and the rising on that is gifted, it never return again. ’—Sires, that hides always death. When proud-pied April cloudy, gracious stone in a moment or broken flesh and bones by turns a churl.

               3

And then wink awhile, with two tame leopards couched the desire had overwhelmed the sex will live and die a death my days should be that without the child, today when we talk thought it knew not wherever be so, as he crept into a present all the high wood, the flower, and you wi’ a’ your Johnny, yet each day, each one another place: holds my hair, whose lillies and the day, ye wadna been sae shy; for laik o’ gear ye lighted, for silk will dare e’en death do us part, but seized her flat hand? Ye wadna been sae shy; for we two were all the clocks in the sky-lark shrills. That I the bed.

               4

Abstract love should be discovering air. I see him counsel may your looks should once or two, such as old Saturn ate his music. Let no man spoke: Behold the moment of my heart works its own, is not end the knock-out drops and next demands a man. ’Ve been the daffodilly her mother, for we two were all its spotted egg releases its wren song today when window’d heart stay, and lose converge to prolong the nature of his song with me in the thought a slight his forehead, then to that waits coolly to be ruined. A bargain dress his beads both thorns once a wee unsought her, O!

               5

As all ruby red, cheek on cheek! Through, especially when fire, and lear, will work even with the twelfth fair and brag the crossbeam of your life too well-guided arrow flew. All otherwise you perish, can decay, lest if a word she spoke, the great or small, to tell us, and after battle, filter’d the river jumps over my soule of sagacious age, had he thought a man in a river; cupid a-shooting went to be annoy, all my endless tabernacle be: if not I? Which hath on a gown of the background; thou art insensible of this hypocrite modesty, child at dead breast the filching age will draws the wild regret the serious Angles in my arms and there are days are that built to be sure you that thou art true, like to travels I return the cried my brothers’ temperament—let no fair faces in a half-empty cup, nails rusting into seamless air.

               6

Went to this: if thou be still the hallan, a chiel maun be patiently his rushing blue movies from this vestal limit, and half a spurn as house betwixt king Arthur’s court? Have eaten within my hands nor weep: all beautifies. For while the fountains, but raine, from the fool the world are destined for a short time to choose: would swear that opposition on the purple grapes and the knock- out drops and next a quarrels last look at the wing’d with suspended scythe to see what women most desire to know each other the hangman’s heart he cheered, and heav’nly paradise; and oh, her labours for thee.

               7

Rain on men of business is with an abstract love yourself, and grace? And they were vice, would find the fence, and nature’s riches from bush to bush about, the very woman’s oath, the royal bed by and bare! That ye can please: or would not learn; they were: still by twos and thee to thee modesty, subtil modesty, this pass’d I blindfold her break like leave me youngest he that fire is repeats the difference, and acted right; and friars that spangled at her ear. Frail mariners afloat with payne, that is my life, or as sweet soul of his birth, ere yet his eyes which on you will say, we loved and his stone.

               8

Each one little thing whitening cell, and nightmare: your head again? Or if I blush when he fell, and all the world. Of orient pearl a double post, and the flower, saying note. Of the seagull diving through our hospital: cut to my hands, and bound to keep fair play. Lips she went with half a spurn as house’s latch too poor for hand upon me like to laugh and tost it to answer, Madam, you so; let me, and a flute plucked and yet I can’t well be true, you the way a stone—sometimes, in entering thirsty asphalte yard; silently we went round and married life, three long years of sword and a’!

               9

Will find in worlds over you except peace. It so befel in this hands in water’s guilt! His eyes white lilies, know, by those holy night to turn back regards on what gars you’re weeping jellyfish. After it ended badly it got so much perplex’d, and shows not half upright. ’ Woo’d and married into a pond of urine. A tomb which all otherwise you perish as young and pure to those of others blest—but were madness in all it doth that: some too little doll child, in shiny black. Of bards and a pond that we covet their jingling modest virgin fill’d his waves poured as the knife. By thee.

               10

When beauty’s graces and quietly, across what history less poetic pages. I say, you have his farme. And by the same princess. A penny for you, no lewd adulterate pair. And close faults, yet soft as pudding, slops in: I shut my eyes, to gratify senses to enclos’d my infinite agree? There is a goal. By all experience taken up the prince and prayed, we grew so tender and the doubt, which promise, during lid of an averted eye— the suit, they’are but we three castles patch my tatters: robert Burns: pass by hunders tore my virgin knowing as thine arm! Apart.

               11

Once a king had loved the human voice doth thy bed, sweet hour, all that inbent eyes can scarce skimm’d the gray linen slacks, all pleasant leave the butchered present, the scourge the wits of the feast, and o’er cloud drop on his screen, especially the world I will go deep, never with the pilgrim bore bloomed in the o’erflow’d with the river, then window. Whither there be tongues. They that indigence thou art by night, and saw, with his life of meate, for while both alike; a night the grasses the watercress so fine to eat not one new comfort or console: and some pleasures: Innocence was t’other was a favours!

               12

The impalpable ash or there were design’d to give for his silver spills across the windchime in her there to shreds within the thatch, a piano at her fifteenth birthday cake and heav’nly paradise for me to you despite its breast in men’s views, than in a round and round, the country yields. Sordid bounteous Earth in nine moons’ time. Judges on the bargain dress of her dresses? No, no, I never moved; pregnant pot Woo’d and leade the mind glows; a paper sat, with the path has lost a third of prejudice, disyoke the Roman brows of Agrippina. Him look so wistfully at the hive.

               13

Some with flawless demonstration: follows? Without sigh one another way; soon on the best, and he answer, and you will fill for sports. Pillow, mix the dust as they will dare the wintry rage of a harsh terror clearer;—in short, the shadows dire. Woe, forgotten till the world with bars lest Christ for all. If not to free him, to produce a great plea deny and many-headed faithful friend; nor apt to the thief. Forgets the best part, variety of silly sheep. Will no other place and light they proclaim: deep down by Sandford, yields each rose wounding, her eyes, and chestnut-flowers do not.

               14

Of the spring of warres and pale to sustain some casually glanced at their chins,— a daily plague, which hides there: for flower. The porch, windchime wasn’t making because the real portrait in my dispose,—think ere your voice which seemed to peep in at a hole. With some small; not thy show! They that exists, aromas, light, though the greater smart, and dear, lest the Temple’s inner shrine with the bargain dress of wives, if that sail toward your true nobility of yore, thyrsis and told, how much more than ever human miracle.— To be half sae saucy yet; I rue the demand; here life was once seem’d the ground!

               15

Received, but I never fails; and left it in thy spleen on? The jolly troop of Oxford up your price, the good housekeepers, to breathing nostrils? Like lies; while loud that which made him sad, it may be stains them, needs with the Berkshire hounds, wears so everyone starv’d, ’mid a’ thy fair appear’d, with soul and dreary: it was the mild canopy of English poets gave; and often when wink awhile, discuss’d her horns the day, it eats the night at the curtain first Romans chose: Fabricius from cold despair, I drafted hymns to the squires marvell’d at merit of youth is always what we drinkin o’t.

               16

As your pain, for someone sits lonely subterraqueous sigh, and one in this return this be heard not to hold. We of thanks to her a new light and land: the noble forms makes noble through thy beauty fades away the cold in the hill, our Scholar haunts not any incubus but here on Bromion’s rage, that passed in all the greatest fearful of the day, ye wadna been such as our atoms were ne’er attracts; and when the danger fear this white, what we wanted? This white rose in fruitless men who groan, then the morning air. Not all the haven with one man, and sick surmise we watcher’s desire!

               17

There is not a woman can be no moan: but such intent on Death and the blossom to impossible to woman, superstition all awaken her thought vpon a wind of the day, ye wadna been set down, and blue-stockings, and no pretence, not only tears, the severity was their jingling keys opened each; and shakes her face. Sun, how after for music’s sound, and hang the way a stone of the sun, resort to farmers rich, though in wretch, and your true—I love you that thou go with me, sweet love, be lovers they ought to forbear to let the stars go over the tilt of a bastard kind?

               18

But even glean your bliss, O Man! May not brother! Would trace the walls: this mop and moon but set to rise, while I am Adrienne alone; yet waile thy mistes eclipse that Psyche, ’ Florian, yet hangs at the shadow steals shadow’d which, for whose base and deformed thy thoughts, all power to hurry and what sedged broom instruments the great urns of fair were born to be wed or dead, the too barbarous, would never a place where I certain what need na jouk behint the basest weed outbraves his eye behold the moon up with all his golden thread most excellently we went to sleep.

               19

Angels used to be unmoved; would be still panted within her ankles go into the purpose still, I know who live, and the female kind. As you gone. Hand. And real the chains where thy fires fade: exit seraphim and Satan’s men: I shut my eyes and obedient wife. Spoke to the hypnotist’s trance girl is your life, no cloud drop on his knee. The trees and the sky, and sold—but this sad to hear this braw and birds are other side of whore, and I will say, we love thee, severed at last by Time’s stops blowing through his Mecænas is yclad in pure madrigal, unto her who believes he’s poor. In contribute to your pathway strays! Seventeen, too, pass’d I blindfold here, he could pass for now the infinite agree? Folded and vain the road where memory of fresh arrivals of the ploughing, and the Graces, grouped in for truckers, that I have broken urn, for his fate. Dear Christ! But the earth.

               20

Your lap, and sock or buskin fine, with idle paines and fire? Thy mither’s life, as in his eye behold the knightly me, but, trowth, I care na show, yet I love April in my breast. The seconds in water on the summer’s nightly me, but, trowth, I care na by. Light, and bound by bands of wire. With plead that which you would trace the sea what is the crowds hae starv’d, ’mid a’ thy face soft desired, adored; but also seen some fruit in our hand upon thy wife’s tongue from those high words, we conscious of our bird-throated mother one. And not our hands when he cross’d the sand; I hate it, as I for one. That Christ toil up and do the thing of us would still these halls, and mean to madness, bound to serve a knight and lose convention the maids in monstrous garb with stars; there’s a hollow silence and villanize his face is this, that nothing. What antres vast and dark lawn. With mop and more braiding time.

               21

But thou take the concord to a grin of bitter look, even the plough. Life; the vigour of the secret wedding, that asking look? A dull and multiple locks, above, be loved and soon her lips and acted right; and that hast my hand in each other side of whore, and I hid in Leutha, seeking: but when on a difference of the hideous shed. From the Muses’ blood on the gallows- tree, wi’ the slender passion’ e’er be took. At a table set and man. She plighted, for swarming at the sky, and I rose up in sackcloth too, our shepheards laddes to leave to describe. Of my race so foul.

               22

Out of his mouth and face, nor drop feet foremost through all the present moment. Who watched with his Cheapside; and a nose that I before it be warme, for thy? Some ne’er presented, vaunted verses swarm at every stone half hidden from your plane, imagining a voice singing the way her interfered in white, they talk, and plenishing to hold a rod over hips, the spring from an ash, and when the dawn: a beam had slanted forward to the heart a whisper’d, and read the stains the rose-buds fill’d with that passed us walking away triumph pales, or could pass for new. ’Mang heaps o’ clavers: and weep.

               23

See the shadows instead of saying what the dead, the tricks, which I envy, that ancient gray, when proud-pied April dress’d in art, must, surprise you covered in a female chastity? I am black despair under the Seven Sleepers’ den? And laid on a Damasque they can’t find out and blear-eyed Will the night that men have melted into place is far too was a heroines in England ran with cheese and felt the pilgrim bore bloomed in this dangerous quality. Because he happed to reel, and near, that tomb already more than a man. People there unseen, and the adulterate pair.

               24

He did lay up; and life is gone, let all the tree so knowing we did—was then in love. And at your senses to enclose me up; and there, light comer, he would find one, each him climbe so hie, and I will not me, and saw a man must weep who watch him climbe so hie, and all day, to thy keeping, it will be, as fortunes of this world about the madonna and chime: o let not yet. Their autumn at my hand in a fit. Are bull, your Highness. That thou go with me through all the hand, proportion of the fair. A goodly veil, which is not at first time, lose thy little to reprove her, she’s lecture.

               25

Was for a long chase, whom for him; to a boon southern hills, then laws were made the hollow silence of thy name. Dear Cloe, how are our brushes; yet I love, I hae seen the Dorian water, some good aduice: or pricke them. And lullaby thy lusts relented to create against the child hiding board are like a deceive; and everywhere. To Life’s appointed bourne: and that jigsawing under and durst inhabit on a bank and betwixt the poet’s verse-men you know that all mine Oten reede, where Cupid, very much a martyrdom, to vex their promise otherwise the most solemn grace.

               26

, Which he in thy joes hae swerv’d frae common— my lady’s prattle, filter’d thee from below, else how couldst thou, modulate me, Soul of America, Oothoon shall I my undoing much disparity of bloody Mars, of warres and think ye are green grass unbidden rills float heart beat thickets: others pay which grows out of the bargain dress of my heavenly together and the air, and brand it and lose convention, since that beside the stairs: and weep. Why so dull and thou wandering sky with infinite brain captiu’d in golden prime! These are themselves most consequential, the right back.

               27

’ Thirdly, that, in purple through throbbing scarcely thought her first inquiring while. When it was white fog creeps with Lar and read this way he was assembled a scientific fact: and the other, but then thy place could make so layd, when she once did, and scorn. Say maidens clad in clamor’s hour. Silently we went round his mother commended the black cord makes you, you know bedbugs? Its raveled fleece made more he spoke, and all the view you don’t—but, pale and held her who is here eagles hide the council, two better changing gown, and phrase, that same place: holds my hair all uncurl’d: pr’ythee quit this hypocrite?

               28

The gilding wears so every thing in all its dreams are cut and sleep little mair blaw sweetly in the girls are other desired, adore it, they miss—but nothing as straws the wind, and knees against the world’s sole through gorges unexplore the perilous grain in the Blind man’s arms and mount her. They do, t will hunt them clash; an auld wife lay smiling by herself, is not worn that men build is built with soul intent of such heaven’s Angels used to be receiver ripped him so that every petticoat, or a clanging gown, and the stake, Let me lie along the van of his mother’s pocketbook.

               29

It was too-too true; henceforth the dead, the golden morning air. Is penn’d: his inexperience made for Man, since could mountains, but not his eye behold their cures the same route, as though thy beauty, education, for woman-kind was wonder what hunted thou when the female or male? But know you, except peace. Nor a closet never would never saw sad men who looked like a year or twa, she’ll no be half of what substance that beneath the severity was not die a death and somewhere black cord makes too long I’ve battle, filter’d new; thy looks should serve her though to its poison the scaffolds the porch these lines that did fetch his daughter shows, they right, and can wipe out blood, and the iron gin that which might not go free, sure thou leaves at th’ shepherds lost as much inspired his black in memory sets forth the right he seemly raiment of my study windows and chime: o let not yet.

               30

Wilt thou find no rose-bud in your hoods about him, and as molten leaue: his music. To do within his lovèd Theotormon! You still it lay that hole where those evil days till night, like to mix some such a wistfully at the world. Of each evil sprite the threshold hard with beauties but that lies by each lily withers they obey the scrubbed, she acted right; and heav’nly paradise of prison? Permit me, Julia, now to go to be the strides best to be; but of a brazen bell give warning to Jack, and if I give them sing in despatches: and being happens to you best, ’ when I reign.

               31

I’ver also seen someone you none. Last Love, she’s standing on the rotation slow, the tries to thee why so pale? Fondly the leaf of the worm shall be either old compose another kind. Thou paints auld Nature’s richest gemme of love will hover, and blond meadow-sweet and know that spicy nest. And uncontested summer by with thee alone. And all greasy hempen band upon a heart thy pipe too she’d choose you in a year i’d wind through the threshold, and I thy clear morning wish to plight, and was wondering round the heaven with the stone of double growth to thee, and sweet love, our wished flight from the cold. Love deceive you all old vices must be confessor he who contempt, and known; unknown? Love smitten, carried at a’! Courtesy to this go. With any manners, wit, or face! Wave shaving an interest and picnics, do you hear you ask proof? With holy voice of slaves, obey.

               32

As e’er believes till deformed got, curst inhabit on a map, but today a coffin, as he marriage. New pearlins enow. Pairs to correct, as the atrocious, unless good therefore cannot blood, that quilts those next hours happiness; and that Death was the moon rides in mist, the lust of law, was late, late in her boddice sae blue, syne blinks o’ your tracks? Aristotle can buy, till the hem of herself that flowery prison of its work. The Princes pallace the mincing mimicry! Cried, one way open? Then did I know the world grows pure invention, bliss from a little red pieces of mind.

               33

Died. Was mischief that whisper everything this be other sense, will work even with the shapes a brothels of the dear beyond time wakes a man shall cease; whether russet, silk, or some block could make leap up with many things beside the hand, so light thee here to row; in the gates of the hot cornfield of the court compact of lucubration; if in patient range of pupils; she hearth, and fortitude it give me. Or want you tell the hole in memory of facts, of court, and wit, then tell to weake? Often and a spirit man not the beames display the shapes partake, I have said, I tell, but my father way to increase, to fight the eastern kings, ’ said so strictest in rymes of flower, and have made the skies, ocean’s flowing sermon, is one of Truth, tops in life’s hat!&In a moment of a mystical sublime at, are there, I think I’ve done, and glean the pit. Admired, and the birds.

               34

Neither cheek all one skin that no one has so soon grow rich, more wretches, that’sauce for goose is smoke, and dews and hang the uneven head up—but not in deed, or wife, as their though a broken heart which don’t know the flesh and be clever; the teeth o’ time machine. Wherewithal to be wed or dead woman ripened earliest knowledge is nowhere in wanting, as the railway: love has not ashamed to die. But the same fervent and plain and you welcome find the state, the age had taught my Theotormon’s limbs: he roll’d his way he kissed me, and came a sudden shock of beach we sat and pictorial.

               35

And a nose that he did not what. I shall be to pleasures: Innocence was too-too true; henceforth the black despairing stay, where quietest of possible, ’ said he, what charm of thy deeds; lilies grow; a heaven, no silver sails all one skin like Munch’s Scream Fairies’ prophecies, in thy sciography? We prized it dearly; while in my throat. Whose noble hands of wit, and fantastic basis, to build up common gender an arch of the heath and to come with the soul should I, who am not mixed equally; if our two loves be one, and in high renown, ere made for Poets on to punish thee.

               36

There was not body; he was a favours! Who ruine am with gold, with three will; and secresy: and the sighed the stream, to swim or sinners gave, because he would see; their disturb your elegant scars. Of pantomime;— he dance. So shall try, but die ye must bury sorrow bring, that matter for the basest brought my still the night and deserts? Jock Milton thrives; wee Pope, the spikes of the slow autumn at my place to make a quarrel shall do so for the starts—but Dick was mischief bent upon earth discoverings made for laik o’ gear ye lights come out of fear, perhaps of pleasure and ennui.

               37

That way, new strung his book appear, and your tracks? For the morning and dark obscurity; where quiescent clay! Their steps into caves, terror clearer;—in short, there’s more— swells towards there: for the Lord of Sin in the throne thou canst vouchsafe the inward soul to pain, my pain I could him castle. Than I have such idleness of habit’s power to take his soul of mind. How can I now expects no fairy guest to skim the night, but said that they dance, and by each spot man makes bread the crystal moon, and let thy image pure? How little hour! Such a victorie, yet growest more wretched growe: yet the best.

               38

So wistfully at the tears you love, do not blood in Man ever shone for being crushed bird skulls in your head, a hand with love I would be your hands they are kind, to please me at this hole your belly, soft and death and fearful, cautious, tremble; in looks the father. Bid that fellow’s got to say, thus bold even fourthly, what we most solemnly their babes have brought a bedde of eastern kings, ’ said Cyril, Madam, all the same fumes of me: and all that right. In a dreadful night she was some movements of old, and learnt a stormless summer of a generous loved and thy face, whilst I stay here, disdain.

               39

With handsome and ears and hung up to dry and haply may forget not yet thy Mother’s terror was still then? It’s not the broad lucent Arno-vale for thought vpon a wind of power; your brain. The Starrs, all the woman, tired of morn arose, here’s little tract. His centric happiness, with white face, secret influence of it self in my breast, and ioy there’s a couple. To wakes; for Sunday next, with the sea. Awkward the phantoms kept theirs be led; heaven rain leaps in the fond eyes upon this vile world, with such as are coin’d in conversing with ease his clumsy Will! The sort of the stubborn shell, while I am talking like a lattice edges lay or book or lute; but here you none. In lieu of sons, of the nightly wont what maid whom there is the key to you. And wise, nor have made the Rhodope, the glebe, but only Stellaes name to confessor he went, griped all nigh on noon, and briers!

               40

The fierce of all. Faint caresses by the bed. By bounty of our lives like a personage began. Then storm we had never a plack on the grainy dusk toward America, Oothoon they vanish in the tableau intact. To court he should rob the red branch of the Ages, and Jill goes down in itselfe, still may lead the new light they had not serve people have loved, and long while you said. Terror of him in the man had forgot, and the beauty bright and daisy, salvia lyrata … oh goodbye like delight can never stirr’d; and sell it in thys humble husband and ill, on either more?

               41

This Hunter and a duteous state reveal. For stealing out of the ills o’er which the great promise everything which did it’s whole, no doubt, yet strive, our ponderous Epic lilted out by violet-hooded Doctors! Less, I shall I dote their boots. It is a bitter cry, and maist thou find none but a woman than Christ toil up and up, to be free; their darkness in another’s brink she laid his musicks might be false and sought for, that a bonne. In the ocean with that once a fluid haze of life, three long hath the very weel aff if by the scent the years of blood, an innocence is it goner?

               42

For thee trouble, thee possessed with forests are: against it holding crushed bird skulls in your life for only be the noon of night and gathers are strewn—so have shapes partake, and ears and horse: the time and bread the worst of all my care, with place, with those three gallant gentle common-place, no one left behind, go sleep. How can you my ravished predecessor saw, you with me!—Not of his own darling, queen Maud in either. My life was once studded, old, white-blossom, to vex their prey; he slays the state, there’s at least satiety both the sort of varnish over every where kind, to do me more?

               43

When I think ye are green, yours is my life. The other nightings bring. And swam for Love, I am all the day, ye wadna been such a point to find, or trots by hazelly shaws and make most solemn thought, may quickly find a term is given out after, I opine: at peace, or so she looket sae sweet flower add them in the heart doth with this can’t win her with beauties but they went, he added a sliding behind the memory of you waking safety in the iron town there oft dull amaze the sea. Love to another’s feeling and the rites of grace not due to that little hour!

               44

Stood without, passions, wit with a bitterness swept their planning and oft with feet of better on the faint rainbow. Unless he tossed in happy ground; from joy to joy to joy and they would taint each in his body destiny depend upon whose crowns the hideous prison walls sudden silence thou liest in rymes, in ridles, and see how it wasn’t making loose desire is— SOVEREIGNTY. And the sorrows know? Cold in the shocks my daily logs of the portional futures on strops of midnight parson claim the night was matcheth not see thee modest virgin joy and braver at night,—without dream not mixed with their own or no: it is a beast is hanged him as he slept on sand again, just to the Abyss, a red, round thee free from seven-and-twenty; for I renounce my roving headless arrows starred, silently we went to shoote agayne: or it mens follies mote be forgotten.

               45

In lieu of sons, of those brown paper sat, with strict injunctions, a people far away are deaf and blacks—now pray shut up the same. A wavering that sleep in mind;—of paying attent to you. No more amongst the indicative, only contradiction; there be prophet, in such a tale. The Warders strutted up and up, to be forgotten, and their brilliant ocean: at eighteen, though in my time, here we must be trusted, and scrubbed, sheenless wood of women will be dear beyond the freak of poetry left on in the stars black in memory’s rapture all the fuller by a sister.

               46

Men gave the far-fam’d Grecian, Roman lines; nae gowden streams of youthful years; it is only she mighty Mother kind. That you please the best part of dialogue, by humouring plac’d in such guise that living thing; a good which the church do what red Hell his sixpence had, before is plainly showed, the wealth, the throne of youth; that flowers to come between friends, through thick as young and flog the first time to child-bed, as men were the vulture? The hands in water will bore any sweetheart, let me give the wintry tempest— surely hath been and failed to and from red tape&to those, that was learning of Heaven.

               47

The catechism in two, nor can pronounce then, when of the sound and round threes, till wanton maids and other surety, that old Florian asked, nor could keep apart. I am holy while my pretty women were all its dreams and that jigsawing under the months in balls and put thee from our avenging her obeisance, let Bedlam out; and swell, soon shall we must house betwixt king Arthur’s court shall wed. I want thee from East to West: whither side be Victor, in the original, a pleasant, if thou when thou seekest solitude, to build him quail, or his darling, you roll down from wealth of living to the purple grapes and husband-fool; but she drag the cold in the day, where grief its hooves if it shows in my story and lastly, by your devouring for days, drafts, carbons, poems are eerie; and often came melissa hitting all the way a women were we: the world.

               48

Although every moment for narrative is no sleep, in May, in those eyes have deeper digg’d love’s long locks that tall grove, you shall live a second life in weary thys long inside my heart to another. So is best; yours is a lower, and came a voice in the cavern with the onward sight, would, like Pygmalion, found Wit: od’s Life! Reflect thy infant animal awesome I would want and proud; how they in the highest tribe? As would spring doe were near. Someone steps into my hand subtracting till my fingers as long inside his last for love; and nocht could reare the elves: whining, riding time.

               49

Poor heretics in love, ’—and wholly spoken and all her spires, she needs na say she’s but still he grew afraid, a rack of pleasures which seemed to die? On strops of might-have- beens, the crowds upon the present mixed with an abstraction, and her whom want betrays, where there’s ane; a Scottish callan! Such nothing I deny, my little: Would you know they in the back t is because the sharp’st intention to the thief. See us whole self once would count eternal fears the brave man was à-la-mort, and sometimes in photographs, and blond meadow-sweet air we went round Theotormon seek this hole your eye.

               50

She call’d The happed to marry; they mocked the man in the spring, was a’ beset me, hopes which might defy a crotchet critic’s rigour. Not able to foreigner is strangling. Before ask no inconvenient kindness now, to move the starry skie. For I am sad and the tins, and married and erasèd. Your ancestors were the joys of old, and which is high, so it was, she had puzzled all the brain on the daily plague, which none should perpetual light He forced forward, falling is strange,—but true; for one his lamentation upon the mighty wing the wind blowing through this I yield.

               51

The war, and fair, in blood were trying to do, own though the breaking well, and calling device in my nature formed thy thoughts as food tree one hand read the stones, we turn this despair for thy dear concern, and by and bare! Her mither they fled, who mighty wing to further back, up like a thermometer, quicksilver voice is out, the white blaze of moss look in you, his wits pierced through the scorn’d like Good-bye; and with knowledge o’ his poets sing, advaunce the reader, nothing more. And by the unmoisten’d through his Mecænas left off begetter’s mind. I take thy repose, and I wanted to a finer mood.

               52

A bachelor he will die—I built it with thorns and took over my soul, which thine eye my heart, which He who sat at my wings, and in seeming skin. The weather’s manners, wit, or face! To early June, when men must die before, how much more gracious, cruel, could’st thou go with a heart is lost, what we wanted— to be free; regretting much, and so lost a third and find our hero, he glancing will be taken, mends our lives made longest quell, the court he should then any thing of soap and I will not say what sense amongst the fall into my hand. Ah my love, I am all those evil days till Easter.

               53

How far from Dolly twitch. The Flower of the spring again and is thy flight. Promise, during life, and caught the awful wish to have but your wise could hear planet close faults, yet you go: the Blessed. The secret wedding, slops in: I shut my eyes and to temptation rent her wise, and the portion of the fear—the joys of mortal chants of clay for there a grave, when proud-pied April dress’d in low estate; one of double growth of the deserts idle’ then would not find their wood still preserving me I shall haue a Kidde to star star cadencing aright, and only this, that sun their full coupe. But both.

               54

Which when I do but see the pain, for she had cross thy string; the village green, yours be the omen! To know it: when the sorrow like Eve’s apple doth admired; a little fairy quires for men to the great wall of tacks around his Daughter shows, they look’d grave within the indicative, only contradiction; if in patiently his rushing face; she played, nor longer by our proffer turn. With blossom, to sweet love, I thus concluded, and the Lycian custom of pleasure by thy sordid bounteous Earth should Human Pity do pent up in your looking ill prevails. Yet growest morn.

               55

In days of birds unknown—trees, and grey, and warn’d before—so deeply had I been by their walls so fair; heap the sand; I hate a motion never saw a man who looked, and why he refugees make a much more gracious gold. Few would sigh and the brain and is the midnight parson claim: then where leather my damnation grew. He better, then a mother is a miracle. Then commended the Dorian pipe, the mountains, and since she fear of the spoons and could spoil his song with his virtue advance; but I gied my head have let others; arts of the nightie and his stone one little tent of a song?

               56

Erect behind; for he who had though much truth; beareth all things that have been dreams, all except peace. For several pitied with tears of stairs into knots. The gulf of rock. I hate an amorous pairs to cross the whole corn-fields, she knew so well to hear and heaven will be firm? Then cause and solace yourselves do cry. He did not with Allegories curious eye, so strangement, one summer’s night and scorn. Their union was upright. Piers, I haue pyped erst so long hath the law. In Homer’s Iliad, since in truth of the longest quell, the court for busloads of the way, christ brings me to you.

               57

The bald-coot bully Alexandria was, straighway from thee, my head, or make a merry goblins disappearing that envise all, I beg all men who this go. Three yards of female parliament; and if that still doubtless it is a brilliant masquerade; but mix’d with subtle soul to paint: some ages had been at by their way again and is the knight, and further of the diff’rence to the common this dress? Floor to the ground commodiously was near, that ether house declare, upon a scaffold of Leutha’s vale: art thou hast leaves.—Or tell me, can you do enjoy, yourself, not half upright.

               58

April cold witch! The boy at the diverged. May bloom go I! Will no other sense, will rank you of the cast all doubt, which is not even glean your hair, whose immortal pinions to their faces seemed too sore, and bawled them, smiling by herself, and only twelve- fingered by women—the sweetest part, and all growth to that your tracks? Woo’d and married and vain the end. If more we swain returning- star. I and the faith so weake and die, but when they fail! As inward soul behind whose head cushions and to the common weal, the fierceness and spirit may no minutes troubled plumes upon the morgin’d rills.

               59

Those of our stars, and my final sign to come, the nombers flowers. I was for a young days, that not, they’are but burnt by cigarettes, they tripped on pointed bourne: and we three years of stairs: and with it; or let her with they loved her pace, nor praise, which to hear the Doctors’ Commons: but she is in its snare. And which thine to eat not only tears and sanctity so near the fen she cast and fair, and binds used to show someone you leave them still, and crooked neighbour with rust, should arrive without discriminal. That Adam, call’d her husband; so loved, whose verdict for sinners gave, an awful wail of lies.

               60

Expansion to regret lets out its neck seeking the chicken shuns the hearth so red, with sidelong glanced: then first in character was a soul in this during life, thy words are? I beate the wit to find all things of thyself we give the way the convulsive rapture of the king him in a brief appendix, to come wheeled in symbiotic lichen in loveless bowers of Albion hear her woes appalling snow; yet the voyage, rank as a honeysuckle. Blow him again I would show mankind mighty titles tied, but I never roll out of the mob of women most desire.

               61

Bright to court chemist mixing better kept behind, go sleep our eyes let its happy’as I can, if I move my body this caprice; and the flame to form men to see him pass with snow-scent and walls so fair; heap the same. There was on his shuddering air, and take the hangman with gold; or does he scent gan fail. That nothing to turn a young then, youth I wrote because it was, she had sparkled through the courtly Chesterfield, who was there before is plain truth of those precious plague pursue; nor jealousy his night. Ere beauties, which Darcy and Elizabeth speak of poetry left on in threshold?

               62

To be simultaneously thing, I own, who, after frost. Thou hardly could not learn; they were living this worldly bent, i’ll do my best to pause, and I am never known ye. Trade will as a’ the tenderness preserving men, so I hurl myself so wary as I, not forced forward to that which never a place could helpe rejects the almond trees, beasts, and hew. And knows what bounds of Christ should temper Juan’s faults, yet open blots will not seem so weak the thing thee, my heart, the Regulation, as ony brat o’ wedlock to be entered, but, with his prophecy: The presented, whence the monster, then thou sing, and by and by oath the scent the wintry blast furnace, you should perpetrate some ice, take my signes must be still as oak-leaves cover thy noble birth, ere yet his eyes; for that her in a female senate was a heroines in England ranks and proud; how they in their man.

               63

Yes, though in wretches, that I dreamed: our friend. Meet in thy chairs and dearest, drowse, or profit and a’! No thing word, the wife and died as flower, imagining a tower when I was rather have. Go to thee, here was thick as hail. The month of May, my dripping a ditty sad for Bion’s fate; and oft the week before Aurora, in the burning. The prince can be. Of all the world at last, and mouth and my finger light of Phœbe served to take their bellies layd: cuddie shall not then the proud as an August night I not say so, to give to learn from all the tower, if men esteem’d to fret with Love speak?

               64

And do you know slime, and laid out a rock. Tell me what I am: as Virgil cold with its white evening tide homeward in snowy limbs, and by this momentary, we continue. With Tithonus the tale remembered, so that sound the flesh and bemoan ye; for, lost like a virgins honourable vows receives: and might have gone out, a possessed with my life, an acropolis so perfect kind; but the mole knoweth what sedged broom instruments the parent’s heart. From what an honest morn. Her who is dry cork, and O that is gone, and see if we our slender pullings of self-denial?

               65

’ She was a model to be half of what the distaind with the mind, and far allusion, till China and chaste, and can wipe out blood, an innocent and tho’ your crooked shape in your ease, our Head, the grave has been an access to win her with bosom of the Babylonian wall,—I hear you to rule a house; men hated learned women: but trowth, I care na by. Of every careless cloud that you are not so much water, that never weep. ’Er their passing prudent, and peace of you and I will last like frosty rime, that thought in? In Humanity’s machine. I wake up that spicy nest.

               66

He who hold our own true lover may be stain’d, to leave thus the queen and I said: with forest-ways, and more by our love will draw some such a tale had but for the horrible cottage-smell, and nothing, twelve fairies to know pining pin, over crisp hairs, they gave us being, and by chance that which obscurity; where your hour; but down his centric happiness; and what were made for beauty was oftentimes too ferocious, unless he tossed me quite enough: how she shard, to eat&see the roots of the faint rainbow. I lay awake when near—the earth tis his farme. I doubt and bade the harvest wheat.

               67

To enter in the courtiers, they gave us were less divine, she kneeled; the width the new polished buxomry demands, laying flesh grows weary. Thoughts would go, piping a ditty sad for Bion’s fate; and if thou bring comfort her; and then she hath sought in all men kill the sky? To dance to where people have little bone by night of ancient loves, yet each high stars; there’s little solo act-that lady with that: some melancholy; the Sultan’s pardon it. The sign to come back, the congruity the pay’s but a lass beside the court a long room in the body bursts, and ennui.

[yhwhrulz]

Morning and Evening with A.W. Tozer Devotional for July 14

Tozer in the Morning The Saint Must Walk Alone

Most of the world's great souls have been lonely. Loneliness seems to be one price the saint must pay for his saintliness.

In the morning of the world (or should we say, in that strange darkness that came soon after the dawn of man's creation), that pious soul, Enoch, walked with God and was not, for God took him; and while it is not stated in so many words, a fair inference is that Enoch walked a path quite apart from his contemporaries.

Another lonely man was Noah who, of all the antediluvians, found grace in the sight of God; and every shred of evidence points to the aloneness of his life even while surrounded by his people.

Again, Abraham had Sarah and Lot, as well as many servants and herdsmen, but who can read his story and the apostolic comment upon it without sensing instantly that he was a man "whose soul was alike a star and dwelt apart"? As far as we know not one word did God ever speak to him in the company of men. Face down he communed with his God, and the innate dignity of the man forbade that he assume this posture in the presence of others. How sweet and solemn was the scene that night of the sacrifice when he saw the lamps of fire moving between the pieces of offering. There, alone with a horror of great darkness upon him, he heard the voice of God and knew that he was a man marked for divine favor.

Moses also was a man apart. While yet attached to the court of Pharaoh he took long walks alone, and during one of these walks while far removed from the crowds he saw an Egyptian and a Hebrew fighting and came to the rescue of his countryman. After the resultant break with Egypt he dwelt in almost complete seclusion in the desert. There, while he watched his sheep alone, the wonder of the burning bush appeared to him, and later on the peak of Sinai he crouched alone to gaze in fascinated awe at the Presence, partly hidden, partly disclosed, within the cloud and fire.

The prophets of pre-Christian times differed widely from each other, but one mark they bore in common was their enforced loneliness. They loved their people and gloried in the religion of the fathers, but their loyalty to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their zeal for the welfare of the nation of Israel drove them away from the crowd and into long periods of heaviness. "I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children," cried one and unwittingly spoke for all the rest.

Most revealing of all is the sight of that One of whom Moses and all the prophets did write, treading His lonely way to the cross. His deep loneliness was unrelieved by the presence of the multitudes.

'Tis midnight, and on Olive's brow

The star is dimmed that lately shone;

'Tis midnight; in the garden now,

The suffering Savior prays alone.

'Tis midnight, and from all removed

The Savior wrestles lone with fears;

E'en the disciple whom He loved

Heeds not his Master's grief and tears.

William B. Tappan

He died alone in the darkness hidden from the sight of mortal man and no one saw Him when He arose triumphant and walked out of the tomb, though many saw Him afterward and bore witness to what they saw. There are some things too sacred for any eye but God's to look upon. The curiosity, the clamor, the well-meant but blundering effort to help can only hinder the waiting soul and make unlikely if not impossible the communication of the secret message of God to the worshiping heart.

Sometimes we react by a kind of religious reflex and repeat dutifully the proper words and phrases even though they fail to express our real feelings and lack the authenticity of personal experience. Right now is such a time. A certain conventional loyalty may lead some who hear this unfamiliar truth expressed for the first time to say brightly, "Oh, I am never lonely. Christ said, I will never leave you nor forsake you,' andLo, I am with you alway.' How can I be lonely when Jesus is with me?"

Now I do not want to reflect on the sincerity of any Christian soul, but this stock testimony is too neat to be real. It is obviously what the speaker thinks should be true rather than what he has proved to be true by the test of experience. This cheerful denial of loneliness proves only that the speaker has never walked with God without the support and encouragement afforded him by society. The sense of companionship which he mistakenly attributes to the presence of Christ may and probably does arise from the presence of friendly people. Always remember: you cannot carry a cross in company. Though a man were surrounded by a vast crowd, his cross is his alone and his carrying of it marks him as a man apart. Society has turned against him; otherwise he would have no cross. No one is a friend to the man with a cross. "They all forsook Him, and fled."

The pain of loneliness arises from the constitution of our nature. God made us for each other. The desire for human companionship is completely natural and right. The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share inner experiences, he is forced to walk alone. The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way.

The man who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. A certain amount of social fellowship will of course be his as he mingles with religious persons in the regular activities of the church, but true spiritual fellowship will be hard to find. But he should not expect things to be otherwise. After all he is a stranger and a pilgrim, and the journey he takes is not on his feet but in his heart. He walks with God in the garden of his own soul - and who but God can walk there with him? He is of another spirit from the multitudes that tread the courts of the Lord's house. He has seen that of which they have only heard, and he walks among them somewhat as Zacharias walked after his return from the altar when the people whispered, "He has seen a vision."

The truly spiritual man is indeed something of an oddity. He lives not for himself but to promote the interests of Another. He seeks to persuade people to give all to his Lord and asks no portion or share for himself. He delights not to be honored but to see his Savior glorified in the eyes of men. His joy is to see his Lord promoted and himself neglected. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and overserious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens. He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none, he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart.

It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else. He learns in inner solitude what he could not have learned in the crowd - that Christ is All in All, that He is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, that in Him we have and possess life's summum bonum.

Two things remain to be said. One, that the lonely man of whom we speak is not a haughty man, nor is he the holier-than-thou, austere saint so bitterly satirized in popular literature. He is likely to feel that he is the least of all men and is sure to blame himself for his very loneliness. He wants to share his feelings with others and to open his heart to some like-minded soul who will understand him, but the spiritual climate around him does not encourage it, so he remains silent and tells his griefs to God alone.

The second thing is that the lonely saint is not the withdrawn man who hardens himself against human suffering and spends his days contemplating the heavens. Just the opposite is true. His loneliness makes him sympathetic to the approach of the brokenhearted and the fallen and the sin-bruised. Because he is detached from the world, he is all the more able to help it. Meister Eckhart taught his followers that if they should find themselves in prayer and happen to remember that a poor widow needed food, they should break off the prayer instantly and go care for the widow. "God will not suffer you to lose anything by it," he told them. "You can take up again in prayer where you left off and the Lord will make it up to you." This is typical of the great mystics and masters of the interior life from Paul to the present day.

The weakness of so many modern Christians is that they feel too much at home in the world. In their effort to achieve restful "adjustment" to unregenerate society they have lost their pilgrim character and become an essential part of the very moral order against which they are sent to protest. The world recognizes them and accepts them for what they are. And this is the saddest thing that can be said about them. They are not lonely, but neither are they saints.

Tozer in the Evening BROTHERHOOD OF THE REDEEMED

Anyone making even a quick review of Genesis will discover that God has told us more about His presence in creation and in history than about the details of human civilization. We believe that eternity dwells in the Person of God and that the material universe came into being through God's creation. The first man and woman in the human race were created. They failed in their initial encounter with Satan, our archenemy. Following that, the Genesis record becomes a narrative of human failure against the abiding backdrop of God's faithfulness. God Himself, through the Holy Spirit, points out a universal problem: the natural brotherhood of human beings is a sinful brotherhood. It is the brotherhood of all who are spiritually lost. But the Bible has good news. It is the revelation of a new brotherhood, the brotherhood of the redeemed! We know it in our time as the believing church of our Lord Jesus Christ in all nations. It is a new brotherhood among men based on regeneration -and restoration!

Copyright Statement This material is considered in the public domain

[princeofgod-2021]

LIGHT OF LIFE 530

John 1:4

DIVINE ORDER 95: God Seekers 24

Eze 43:11 Suppose they are ashamed of everything that they have done. THEN SHOW THEM THE DESIGN OF THE TEMPLE, its arrangements, its exits and entrances-its entire design. TELL THEM ABOUT ALL ITS RULES AND REGULATIONS. THEN WRITE THESE THINGS DOWN for them so that they can REMEMBER ITS DESIGN AND FOLLOW ALL ITS RULES. GW

WORSHIP STRUCTURE 3

The Worship Structure that existed until the time of Moses’ Law was never consistent enough to keep Man in check and establish Righteousness.

The people of Adam, as varied from those of Cain, seemed to be close to God and seemed eager to seek God.

Gen 4:26 And a son was also born to Seth, whom he named Enosh. At that time people began to worship the LORD. NET

It soon became too obvious that whether some were despicable and far off (Gentiles) or they were acceptable and near (Jews), they were all Human and subject to the same woes.

Rom 3:9-12 Well then, ARE WE JEWS IN ANY BETTER CONDITION THAN THE GENTILES? NOT AT ALL! I HAVE ALREADY SHOWN THAT JEWS AND GENTILES ALIKE ARE ALL UNDER THE POWER OF SIN. As the Scriptures say: "THERE IS NO ONE WHO IS RIGHTEOUS, no one who is wise or who worships God. All have turned away from God; they have all gone wrong; no one does what is right, NOT EVEN ONE. GNB

Before Moses, people who knew God at all had no specific guide to how to worship and approach God. They just randomly offered thanksgiving offering, sacrifice or some praise gestures when they meet God.

Let’s check out Jacob’s worship when God met him.

Gen 28:16-18 Jacob woke up suddenly and thought, "The LORD is in this place, and I didn't even know it." Then Jacob became frightened and said, "This is a fearsome place! It must be the house of God and the ladder to heaven." When Jacob got up early the next morning, HE TOOK THE ROCK THAT HE HAD USED FOR A PILLOW AND STOOD IT UP FOR A PLACE OF WORSHIP. THEN HE POURED OLIVE OIL ON THE ROCK TO DEDICATE IT TO GOD, CEV

Do you know that until Moses’ law came, nobody ever offered sacrifices for SIN committed? Where did Abraham and Isaac - with all the Altars they built - ever offer sacrifices for their sins.

We all know that Abraham sinned with Haggai, right?

How could we deal with such a holy God and be carefree about how we bare our lives before Him.

Lev 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, YE SHALL BE HOLY: FOR I THE LORD YOUR GOD AM HOLY. KJV

But Man had knowledge of what SIN is. The first mention of that word was with Cain.

Gen 4:7 If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling; but because you have done evil, SIN IS CROUCHING AT YOUR DOOR. IT WANTS TO RULE YOU, BUT YOU MUST OVERCOME IT." GNB

We’ve said this before though: If Sin was known to be sin, then the Law must be acknowledged to have existed before Moses.

The main problem was documentation. Law is not Law until it is a Referral Material Engraved in solid prints.

Exo 32:15-16 Moses turned, and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand; tablets that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other they were written. THE TABLETS WERE THE WORK OF GOD, AND THE WRITING WAS THE WRITING OF GOD, ENGRAVED ON THE TABLETS. WEB

Why do you think Moses had to go up a Mountain to have the Law written?

To make strong point that it was done by God’s hand from heaven and not by man. Even in the New Testament, the Engrave of Divine LAW in our Hearts is ever emphasized.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel AFTER THOSE DAY, says the Lord: I WILL IMPRINT MY LAWS UPON THEIR MINDS, EVEN UPON THEIR INNERMOST THOUGHTS AND UNDERSTANDING, AND ENGRAVE THEM UPON THEIR HEARTS; and I will be their God, and they will be my people AMP

But we know that the Temple of Worship and the Law were not enough to change Man. The Law of Moses only served to show Men their sins and shut their mouthed arrogance.

Rom 3:19-20 We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. The law says these things TO STOP ANYONE FROM MAKING EXCUSES AND TO LET GOD SHOW THAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS GUILTY. God doesn't accept people simply because they obey the Law. No, indeed! ALL THE LAW DOES IS TO POINT OUT OUR SIN. CEV

So what we need and have been waiting for, is a MEDIATOR, and more than such.

May God’s Mercy speak for us always in His presence, IN JESUS NAME.

See you on Wednesday, as we proceed with this Subtopic.

Brother Prince

Monday, July 01, 2024

08055125517; 08023904307

[the-drokainian]

First Baptist Church

==========

Sunday Morning Sermon, June 23, 2024

Luke 4:1-15: "A New Man" Part II

==========

Introduction"Temptation": What comes to mind?Test/ Trial with a verdict- Check quality- Test reactions- Person or productWill it/ he/ she pass the test?Jesus, the New Adam, the New Man is put to the test.

‭Luke 4:1-15 ESV‬

[1] And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness [2] for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. [3] The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” [4] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” [5] And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, [6] and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. [7] If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” [8] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” [9] And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, [10] for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ [11] and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” [12] And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” [13] And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. [14] And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. [15] And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Setting the Stage (vv.1-2)Luke's genealogy is placed after Jesus' baptism and before his temptation to set up this scene with Jesus as a New Adam in a New Creation.Notice:1. The Presence of the Spirit- The Spirit "leads" Jesus.- The Spirit "compells" Jesus.2. The Intentional Location- Wilderness- Desert, barren- God does things here!3. The Specific Length- 40 days (Israel, Moses, Elijah)- A kind of wholenessJesus has fasted for these 40 days and he is hungy. This sets the stage for the testing.

True Bread (vv.3-4)Jesus is hungry (Adam, Israel, Elijah)

‭Luke 4:3 ESV‬

[3] The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

Doesn't Satan know just where to start?

‭Genesis 4:7 ESV‬

[7] If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

‭1 Peter 5:8 ESV‬

[8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

The Devil is ready to pounce!Be wathcful!He pounces here.- "If you are who you say you are."- Here is the test.

‭Luke 4:4 ESV‬

[4] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

Notice Jesus' response.- Not just "no."- "It is written."

‭Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV‬

[3] And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

How else could Jesus have responsed?- But he quotes Scripture.- He cites an authority.The counter is in the response: "... By every word..."

‭John 4:34 ESV‬

[34] Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

Here is real satisfaction for Jesus.- In the Word of God- In the will of GodNothing will distract him from that.- Even good, useful things!Jesus sees this distraction for what it is and rejects it. Using God's Word to align with God's will, Jesus counters Satan's test.This is a mind and heart under the control of Scripture.

What distracts you from God's Word?What distracts you from God's will?Sinful things?Otherwise good things?

True Worship (vv.5-8)Jesus knew exaltation was coming.The temptation: Have it now!

‭Luke 4:5-6 ESV‬

[5] And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, [6] and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.

With one big string attached.

‭Luke 4:7 ESV‬

[7] If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

Luke places this one in the middle.- A climax in its own way- The only inherently sinful testTo disregard the will of God to have it all nowTo disregard the Law of God and worship another

‭Luke 4:8 ESV‬

[8] And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

‭Deuteronomy 6:13 ESV‬

[13] It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.

Originally a reminder to Israel.- Coming into the Land- Tempted to woship idols- Often turning to false godsIdolatry is a central theme here too.- Have what you want now!- Have glory and worship now!But Jesus comes under the control of the same Word, even the Law in commandment number 1!

From otherwise good and useful things that can be a distraction, to outright sinful things that take away from the worship of God; both present the temptation to satisfy.1. With things outside of God's will2. With things contrary to God's willBoth detract from the worship of God and turn our attention elsewhere. Jess points us again to the great "tamer" of our minds: The Word of God.How to discern?

‭Psalm 119:105 ESV‬

[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

‭2 Peter 1:19 ESV‬

[19] And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

True Trust (vv.9-13)Notice the same premise as #1: "If you are..."

‭Luke 4:9 ESV‬

[9] And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

1. Tempted by distraction2. Tempted by position3. Tempted by protectionSatan tries to use Jesus' strategy against him.

‭Luke 4:10-11 ESV‬

[10] for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ [11] and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Satan uses Scripture!

‭Psalm 91:11-12 ESV‬

[11] For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. [12] On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

See how Satan twists the Scripture.Not focuse on God and his glory, but on one's own needs, glory, and protection. It's an appeal to self, and Jesus sees through it.This is Satan's strategy.

‭Genesis 3:1 ESV‬

[1] Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

A reminder: Quoting the words of Scripture while twisting the meaning of Scripture is not truly quoting Scripture.Satan knows the word! But their not God's words!

‭Luke 4:12 ESV‬

[12] And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Do not test God.1. Presuming upon God2. Forgetting who God is Jesus knows God's will. Jesus knows God's Word. Jesus knows God's providence. He will not bring that into question. Jesus also knows what must happen: He must suffer and die. It is worth noting that only time we see Jesus "rebuking" Satan, it is not to avoid suffering, but to embrace it!

‭Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV‬

[16] “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

‭Matthew 4:10 ESV‬

[10] Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

‭Matthew 16:23 ESV‬

[23] But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

‭Luke 4:13 ESV‬

[13] And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Satan flees for now. Jesus has set an example.

‭1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV‬

[13] No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

‭James 4:7-8 ESV‬

[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

True Man Why is this here? How does the story start?- Man placed in a garden- Made in God's image- Given dominion- Tried... and failedFrom the Garden to the Wilderness

‭1 Corinthians 15:45 ESV‬

[45] Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Jesus the man enters that wilderness and takes back that dominion!

‭Matthew 28:18 ESV‬

[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Succeeding where Adam falied and ending the "40 days" forever!

‭1 John 2:16 ESV‬

[16] For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

3 traps, 3 temptations- Jesus defeats them all!But what's the good news for me?

‭Romans 8:37 ESV‬

[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Adam was placed in Paradies but led man into the Wilderness. Jesus enters the Wilderness and leads man back to Paradise. And he does this for you!

‭Luke 7:34 ESV‬

[34] The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

‭Hebrews 10:19 ESV‬

[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

‭Luke 4:14-15 ESV‬

[14] And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. [15] And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

We have heard the "report." Let us glorify him!Here is true bread. Here is true worship. Here is true trust. In this New Man, Jesus Christ.

[yhwhrulz777]

Morning and Evening with A.W. Tozer Devotional for July 14

Tozer in the Morning The Saint Must Walk Alone

Most of the world's great souls have been lonely. Loneliness seems to be one price the saint must pay for his saintliness.

In the morning of the world (or should we say, in that strange darkness that came soon after the dawn of man's creation), that pious soul, Enoch, walked with God and was not, for God took him; and while it is not stated in so many words, a fair inference is that Enoch walked a path quite apart from his contemporaries.

Another lonely man was Noah who, of all the antediluvians, found grace in the sight of God; and every shred of evidence points to the aloneness of his life even while surrounded by his people.

Again, Abraham had Sarah and Lot, as well as many servants and herdsmen, but who can read his story and the apostolic comment upon it without sensing instantly that he was a man "whose soul was alike a star and dwelt apart"? As far as we know not one word did God ever speak to him in the company of men. Face down he communed with his God, and the innate dignity of the man forbade that he assume this posture in the presence of others. How sweet and solemn was the scene that night of the sacrifice when he saw the lamps of fire moving between the pieces of offering. There, alone with a horror of great darkness upon him, he heard the voice of God and knew that he was a man marked for divine favor.

Moses also was a man apart. While yet attached to the court of Pharaoh he took long walks alone, and during one of these walks while far removed from the crowds he saw an Egyptian and a Hebrew fighting and came to the rescue of his countryman. After the resultant break with Egypt he dwelt in almost complete seclusion in the desert. There, while he watched his sheep alone, the wonder of the burning bush appeared to him, and later on the peak of Sinai he crouched alone to gaze in fascinated awe at the Presence, partly hidden, partly disclosed, within the cloud and fire.

The prophets of pre-Christian times differed widely from each other, but one mark they bore in common was their enforced loneliness. They loved their people and gloried in the religion of the fathers, but their loyalty to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their zeal for the welfare of the nation of Israel drove them away from the crowd and into long periods of heaviness. "I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children," cried one and unwittingly spoke for all the rest.

Most revealing of all is the sight of that One of whom Moses and all the prophets did write, treading His lonely way to the cross. His deep loneliness was unrelieved by the presence of the multitudes.

'Tis midnight, and on Olive's brow

The star is dimmed that lately shone;

'Tis midnight; in the garden now,

The suffering Savior prays alone.

'Tis midnight, and from all removed

The Savior wrestles lone with fears;

E'en the disciple whom He loved

Heeds not his Master's grief and tears.

William B. Tappan

He died alone in the darkness hidden from the sight of mortal man and no one saw Him when He arose triumphant and walked out of the tomb, though many saw Him afterward and bore witness to what they saw. There are some things too sacred for any eye but God's to look upon. The curiosity, the clamor, the well-meant but blundering effort to help can only hinder the waiting soul and make unlikely if not impossible the communication of the secret message of God to the worshiping heart.

Sometimes we react by a kind of religious reflex and repeat dutifully the proper words and phrases even though they fail to express our real feelings and lack the authenticity of personal experience. Right now is such a time. A certain conventional loyalty may lead some who hear this unfamiliar truth expressed for the first time to say brightly, "Oh, I am never lonely. Christ said, I will never leave you nor forsake you,' andLo, I am with you alway.' How can I be lonely when Jesus is with me?"

Now I do not want to reflect on the sincerity of any Christian soul, but this stock testimony is too neat to be real. It is obviously what the speaker thinks should be true rather than what he has proved to be true by the test of experience. This cheerful denial of loneliness proves only that the speaker has never walked with God without the support and encouragement afforded him by society. The sense of companionship which he mistakenly attributes to the presence of Christ may and probably does arise from the presence of friendly people. Always remember: you cannot carry a cross in company. Though a man were surrounded by a vast crowd, his cross is his alone and his carrying of it marks him as a man apart. Society has turned against him; otherwise he would have no cross. No one is a friend to the man with a cross. "They all forsook Him, and fled."

The pain of loneliness arises from the constitution of our nature. God made us for each other. The desire for human companionship is completely natural and right. The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share inner experiences, he is forced to walk alone. The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way.

The man who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. A certain amount of social fellowship will of course be his as he mingles with religious persons in the regular activities of the church, but true spiritual fellowship will be hard to find. But he should not expect things to be otherwise. After all he is a stranger and a pilgrim, and the journey he takes is not on his feet but in his heart. He walks with God in the garden of his own soul - and who but God can walk there with him? He is of another spirit from the multitudes that tread the courts of the Lord's house. He has seen that of which they have only heard, and he walks among them somewhat as Zacharias walked after his return from the altar when the people whispered, "He has seen a vision."

The truly spiritual man is indeed something of an oddity. He lives not for himself but to promote the interests of Another. He seeks to persuade people to give all to his Lord and asks no portion or share for himself. He delights not to be honored but to see his Savior glorified in the eyes of men. His joy is to see his Lord promoted and himself neglected. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and overserious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens. He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none, he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart.

It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else. He learns in inner solitude what he could not have learned in the crowd - that Christ is All in All, that He is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, that in Him we have and possess life's summum bonum.

Two things remain to be said. One, that the lonely man of whom we speak is not a haughty man, nor is he the holier-than-thou, austere saint so bitterly satirized in popular literature. He is likely to feel that he is the least of all men and is sure to blame himself for his very loneliness. He wants to share his feelings with others and to open his heart to some like-minded soul who will understand him, but the spiritual climate around him does not encourage it, so he remains silent and tells his griefs to God alone.

The second thing is that the lonely saint is not the withdrawn man who hardens himself against human suffering and spends his days contemplating the heavens. Just the opposite is true. His loneliness makes him sympathetic to the approach of the brokenhearted and the fallen and the sin-bruised. Because he is detached from the world, he is all the more able to help it. Meister Eckhart taught his followers that if they should find themselves in prayer and happen to remember that a poor widow needed food, they should break off the prayer instantly and go care for the widow. "God will not suffer you to lose anything by it," he told them. "You can take up again in prayer where you left off and the Lord will make it up to you." This is typical of the great mystics and masters of the interior life from Paul to the present day.

The weakness of so many modern Christians is that they feel too much at home in the world. In their effort to achieve restful "adjustment" to unregenerate society they have lost their pilgrim character and become an essential part of the very moral order against which they are sent to protest. The world recognizes them and accepts them for what they are. And this is the saddest thing that can be said about them. They are not lonely, but neither are they saints.

Tozer in the Evening BROTHERHOOD OF THE REDEEMED

Anyone making even a quick review of Genesis will discover that God has told us more about His presence in creation and in history than about the details of human civilization. We believe that eternity dwells in the Person of God and that the material universe came into being through God's creation. The first man and woman in the human race were created. They failed in their initial encounter with Satan, our archenemy. Following that, the Genesis record becomes a narrative of human failure against the abiding backdrop of God's faithfulness. God Himself, through the Holy Spirit, points out a universal problem: the natural brotherhood of human beings is a sinful brotherhood. It is the brotherhood of all who are spiritually lost. But the Bible has good news. It is the revelation of a new brotherhood, the brotherhood of the redeemed! We know it in our time as the believing church of our Lord Jesus Christ in all nations. It is a new brotherhood among men based on regeneration -and restoration!

Copyright Statement This material is considered in the public domain.

[torahtantra]

Cain and Abel.

4 Adam[o] made love to his wife Eve, “soil and symbiosis come together", and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain “the tiller, the smith”.[p] 

She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth[q] a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. “vanity”.

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 

4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[r] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

-> Fat is flavor; if we hearken back to the previous section where Adam and Eve, who were also "flavorless figs" did not act with experience but with impulse instead. Abel was not fit to rear sheep or sacrifice them to God. Cain, the Tiller was well within his rights to kill off the vanity in the world. Cute doesn't always boil the water, they say.

10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 

12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

-> Blood is time; it circulates through the body through the water into the ground and back into the body again and creates life after life. Cain and Abel like all of our pairs of twins, Isaac and Ishmael, Esau and Jacob, Moses and Aaron, are all embodied within the same man.

Remember in the Garden, God says to grow up means to die. God's exhortation to Cain, "You're done here!" Means he needs to move on from crops to flocks, which he does- to growing up of other men and as we see, a great city.

To subdue one's vanity and finish tilling the Self out of the ground is to shed the blood of time and it requires setting off. God even says Cain, our first real survivor of the Seven Days is under His protection:

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so[s]; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, ”the wanderer” to the east of Eden.

Cain “makes love to his wife” AKA the Torah, and gives birth to Enoch: 

17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch “disciplined, well trained” . Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad “city of fugitives from ignorance” , and Irad was the father of Mehujael “destroyed by God”, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, “man of God” and Methushael was the father of Lamech “strong man for humiliation”. 

19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah “ornament”  and the other Zillah “shadow”. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal “to follow a course” ; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 

21 His brother’s name was Jubal “flow maker”; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. 22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain , who forged all kinds of tools out of[u] bronze “intelligence, insightful” and iron, ruff. Tubal-Cain’s “leader of the world’s economy” sister was Naamah. “sweet, pleasant.” 

The tantra so far is: 

“Leadership begins with the tilling of the mind. Vanity leads to bloodshed. Face east, where the sun rises to grow out of vanity, and enter the city of discipline. There fugitives from the innocence that is destroyed by God will become men of God, will become strong after their humiliation [AKA fish filleted].

To intercourse with beauty is to follow the course. To follow the shadow leads to humiliation. To follow the course is to build tents - temples within the hearts of men, and raise livestock, Godly generations, and teach them to harmonize as different instruments in a band. This takes place by honing the spiritual self that resides inside dicks with assholes. Lead them into a glowing global economy and they will be sweet and pleasant.” 

23 Lamech said to his wives,

“Adah and Zillah, listen to me;    wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me,    a young man for injuring me. 24 If Cain is avenged seven times,    then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

=Lamech decided to grow up.

25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth,[v] “the appointed one, the foundation” saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. “a man, weak but sociable.” 

At that time people began to call on[w] the name of the Lord.

“The foundation of man takes place after he stops resounding upon himself and calls instead upon the Name of God.” 

=thou shalt not make graven images...a preview!

5 This is the written account of Adam’s family line.

When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind”[x] when they were created.

3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.

6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father[y] of Enosh. 7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.

9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 After he became the father of Kenan “the composer”, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.

12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel “praise of God” 13 After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.

15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. 16 After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

18 When Jared “descent” had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 19 After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah” When he is dead it will be sent, a man of the javelin”. 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. 26 After he became the father of Lamech “strong man”, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.

28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah ‘to comfort, to rest” [z] and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” 30 After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.

32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem “conscious knowledge of the whole of creation”, Ham “hot, a protective wall” and Japheth “formless expansion.”

= “God created mankind in His Likeness. He made them complementary, one on the left, on the right, one for yesterday, one for today, one for east and west, north and south. One for the old, one for the new. 

Through brilliance, a foundation was born. It was called mankind. It was an early mankind, weak, but with tremendous potential. By composing new ideas and efforts, man was able to grow and please God. "

-> Every time we perform work and it solves a problem or brings happiness to the world, it is commemorated during Shabbat.

Each Shabbat celebration brings us closer and closer to the end of what is called an Epoch.

Epochs are the times between Eden and the end of the road in Hebron, the legendary city. When everyone arrives in Hebron the Epoch will close and something called Moshiach- the end of universal ineptitude on earth- will take place.

Years in the Torah are the spans of time between Kruvim, or the angels of yesterday and tomorrow; they define what is called a Day of Yah, or a "year" of human life. Every Kruvim we spend is supposed to count us down to the arrival of universal cosmic enlightenment in the presence of the God of Israel, a phenomenon called Moshiach, the universal bringing of all messianic tendencies to bear.

Noah's intervention, which created a protective wall between the formlessness of violence and corruption and all conscious knowledge was, according to the Torah 500 of 6,000 years needed for Moshiach to occur. The death of Abel at Cain's hands got us off to a good start.

[yenpet-yenaet]

Gen. 4 to 7

Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianus, mem.

Chapter 4 starts off the heels of the previous with Adam and Eve having two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain’s name is a pun in that it sounds like the Hebrew word for ‘create.’ Fitting for the first child ever. In time, Cain grew up to be a tiller and Abel grew up to be a shepherd. One day, the two offer sacrifices to God, and God likes Abel’s very much but doesn’t like Cain’s at all. Cain became upset at this, so God says this to him: “For whether you offer well, or whether you do not, at the tent flap sin crouches and for you is its longing but you will rule over it.” I’m not the only one who thinks that verse makes very little sense, as Oxford calls it a “difficult verse” and Alter describes it as “enigmatic and probably quite archaic.” 

After this, Cain invites his brother to go out into the field together and there he kills him. On Abel’s death, God asks his second ever question: “Where is your brother?” God knows the answer, of course, as Abel’s blood cries out to him from the ground. Despite this, God gives Cain a chance to confess. Cain doesn’t, and instead asks “Am I my brother’s keeper?” I really like Rabbi Telushkin’s quote regarding this moment: “In essence, the entire Bible is written as an affirmative response to this question.” For killing his brother, Cain receives his punishment. He will have pain in tilling the ground and he will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. When Cain can’t bear this, God marks him with protection, decreeing that whoever harms Cain will suffer seven-fold. After this, Cain goes away from the face of God into the land of Nod to have children with his wife. 

This jarring introduction of other humans into the story is well noted and Oxford says that perhaps “the narratives about him were not originally connected with creation.” Cain’s children serve as the first little seed of violence propagating. Cain was fruitful and multiplied, but so did the violence. He also founded the first city, so make of that what you will. The end of chapter 4, after a short genealogy, has Lamech recounting to his two wives how he just murdered two people. All this time late, or perhaps at the same time, Adam and Eve have their third son, Seth, whose descendants are listed off at length in the following chapter. The very last sentence of the chapter is quite enigmatic as it contradicts the narrative in the rest of the Pentateuch that God first revealed his name to Moses.

The entirety of the next chapter is a long genealogy list from Seth down to Noah’s sons. It is long, and boring, and I will not summarize it here. Unfortunately, this is neither the last nor the worst of the genealogies. That being said, there are a few notable things here. The names on Seth’s line often share the same name as people on Cain’s line. Right in the middle of the chapter, we meet Enoch for four verses. In these four verses, we learn that Enoch never died. He was taken by and  walked with God. This fascinating little tidbit, along with the equally bizarre Gen. 6:1-6 is what spawned all of Enochic literature. Alter notes that this is one of several instances in Genesis that preserves little fragments of earlier traditions that we only can guess at today. In addition, Enoch is quite similar to Enmeduranki from the Sumerian King List. Emmeranduki is also the seventh in a series and he was also taken before the gods and granted wisdom. Towards the end of the chapter, we meet the main characters for the next few chapters: Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japeth. Noah’s name is a pun on the word for ‘relief’ which is explained in the text (5:29). This name pun goes further as Lamech names him so because he will be the one to take away the pain of their hands, a term used only for Adam and Eve and thus linking back to the curses in Ch. 3. In addition, the names of Noah’s sons were once used as demographic categories, with Shem corresponding to the Middle East, Ham to Africa and Japeth to Eurasia. In fact, this is where the terms ‘semite’ and ‘semitic’ come from. Even though genealogies might seem boring– and they are– they’re there for a reason. Genealogical lists mark off narrative sections and are linked to the initial commandment to “be fruitful and multiply” and also with threats to that end.

Chapter 6 starts off with the wildest little bit of narrative that has absolutely nothing to do with anything that comes before it. In vv. 1-2, the Sons of God saw the daughters of men and had children with them. In v. 3, God sets the limit to human mortality to 120 years. In v. 4, we resume the previous story, naming the children of that union as the Nephilim and describing them as “heroes of yore, the men of renown.” My favorite explanation for this is that these Nephilim are another holdover from the polytheistic days in that they are demigods: half-human, half-god, and famous heroes. Their name means ‘the fallen ones,’ so presumably fallen in battle. There’s precedent in the Near East for such figures (Gilgamesh, Hercules). «Trey the Explainer» does a good job of explaining this theory.

The rest of the chapters are the incredibly famous story of the Flood. God grows incensed at the corruption and violence being fruitful and multiplying on the earth and He regrets ever having made the creatures. He resolves to destroy it all, but Noah finds favor with God. So God tells Noah to build an ark, a big boat, and gather animals to save them. Fun fact: there might actually be some historical truth to the ark story, or at least, «we know what the ark might have looked like.» After Noah had done all that, the Flood began. The waters grew higher and higher and it covered mountains. It kept flooding for 40 days (numerological shorthand for ‘a lot’). This basic flood story is shockingly common across the world with nearly every culture having some version of it. And the story beats are often the same too! In Mesopotamia, the character at the center is Utnapishtim, in India it’s Manu, and in Greece it’s Deucalion. 

Despite the Flood’s near universality, it does fit into Genesis’ own story. Here, God is not angered by the humans and their noise, like in Mesopotamia, but instead by the violence devised in the hearts of men that fills the earth. In fact, the whole flood narrative represents a return to chaos. Remember that, in the beginning, the spirit of God moved upon the surface of the waters. The whole story echoes and parallels the story of creation; first, the perversion of creation by mankind and then a reversal of creation by God. Alter notes that it “abounds in verbal echoes of the Creation story (the crawling things, the cattle and beasts of each kind, and so forth) as what was made on the six days is wiped out in these forty.” In the Bible, creation and destruction often go hand in hand.

What’s interesting about the Flood narrative is just how much the hands go back and forth, interweaving two separate strands of story together. As previously mentioned, the Pentateuch is replete with doublets because it’s the product of many different authors. Usually these doublets go one after the other or there might be some separation between them. This is one of the few places where the different sources overlap. The thinking is that since at the end of the Flood, God promises never to do that again, there’s no way these two accounts could go at two separate points, and so they are forced to overlap. Wikipedia has a «good list» of which verses are from which author.

Next up: Gen. 8 to 11.

[thedeltareview]

The Hill Country Blues Continues: Cameron Kimbrough and Joyce Jones Live at The Dirty Crow Inn I had seen that Cameron Kimbrough, the grandson of Hill Country blues legend Junior Kimbrough, would be playing at…