How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
The LORD begins today speaking of “the end of days” when the false prophets (Nebuchadnezzar) whose ways caused the desolation of God’s people, walked in “pride.” We know from the previous post (and many others), these are the elements of the “gates of hell:” the pride and arrogance we saw spoken of in Job 38:11 and Jeremiah 48:29. We also saw the LORD’s decree, in the context of these other chapters, upon Peter’s confession that He is God’s anointed, saying, against this (confession), the “gates of hell will not prevail.”
The word “prevail” is the two times used Greek word katicshuo, meaning to overpower. The other time it appears is, in Luke 23:23, when the voices (of the chief priests, the rulers, and the people) calling for the LORD’s crucifixion and death “prevailed.” Herein we see the matter’s crux, in the contrasting voices, one prevails as the other was silent, even three times denying what he earlier confessed.
Friends, today’s message is to the false prophets, calling them to come again to right reasoning, as does Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. The chapter foretells the events discussed over the past days, here described as when “a watcher and a holy one,” and “watchers” come. The word “watchers,” in Daniel 4:17 and “watcher” in verses 13 & 23, is the Chaldee word ‘iyr, “corresponding to 5782; a watcher, i.e. an angel (as guardian).” The corresponding Hebrew word is ‘owr, meaning, “(rather identical with 5783 [‘uwr – to bare] through the idea of opening the eyes); to wake (literally or figuratively).” These words are the same as ‘arar, which we saw in the previous post, also meaning to bare, as part of the word ‘araphel, the “darkness” where the LORD is found. We also saw it (‘araphel) as compounded from the word pil’iy, a two-times used word rendered “secret” and “wonderful.” The first, in Judges 13:18, describing the “secret” name of the angel of God, who is also there said to be the man of God (Timothy), and, in Psalms 139:6, describing the knowledge of God revealed, as too “wonderful.”
These things have been revealed by the Father and show his commendation, and now they are open and belong to us, God’s children who are as many as receive them. I call on the false prophets to surrender, abandon the former corrupt works and do the work God has intended for them. Repent and become His children. Understand, there is no prevailing against this voice; there is no closing again what He has opened.
Isaiah 22
1 The burden of the valley of vision [what is now plainly seen]. What ails you now, that you are wholly gone up to the housetops?
2 You that are full of stirs, a tumultuous city [agitated by the words of men], joyous city: your slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
3 All your rulers are fled together [because they are hirelings], they are bound by the archers [the flee because they fear words that are as shot arrows]: all that are found in you are bound together, which have fled from far.
4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labor not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
5 For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the LORD God of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
6 And Elam [eternity] bare the quiver [that hold the arrows] with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. [Kir is the wall that holds the waters in, restricts the free course of this word of God {see 2 Thessalonians 3:1 – 3}. Those leading and teaching God’s are more interested in controlling the flow than they are in listening and following the one from Who it flows].
7 And it shall come to pass, that your choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate [the army mustered at the gate that holds men in hell].
8 And he discovered the covering of Judah, and you did look in that day to the armor of the house of the forest [this is referring to verse 6 above and what is to be discovers about those leading God’s people].
9 You have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
10 And you have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have you broken down to fortify the wall.
11 You made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but you have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
12 And in that day did the LORD God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die.
14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you die, says the LORD God of hosts.
15 Thus says the LORD God of hosts, Go, get you unto this treasurer [where these treasures are held, waiting to be discovered], even unto Shebna [vigor – meaning in these words, reserved for this moment, are life and strength], which is over the house, and say,
16 What have you here? and whom have you here, that you have hewed you out a sepulcher here, as he that hews him out a sepulcher on high, and that graves an habitation for himself in a rock? [This is telling of these men’s control of knowledge turning it into a grave.]
17 Behold, the LORD will carry you away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover you.
18 He will surely violently turn and toss you like a ball into a large country: there shall you die, and there the chariots of your glory shall be the shame of your lord’s house.
19 And I will drive you from your station, and from your state shall he pull you down.
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim [who God raises] the son of Hilkiah [said to mean – whose portion is Jehovah, more precisely, from chalaq, meaning he is the smooth stone of Jehovah]:
21 And I will clothe him with your robe, and strengthen him with your girdle, and I will commit your government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.
24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.
25 In that day, says the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD has spoken it.
Deuteronomy 29
29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 30
1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD your God has driven you,
2 And shall return unto the LORD your God, and shall obey his voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart, and with all your soul;
3 That then the LORD your God will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, whither the LORD your God has scattered you.
4 If any of your be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD your God gather you, and from thence will he fetch you:
5 And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and he will do you good, and multiply you above your fathers.
6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.
7 And the LORD your God will put all these curses upon your enemies, and on them that hate you, which persecuted you.
8 And you shall return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command you this day.
9 And the LORD your God will make you plenteous in every work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over you for good, as he rejoiced over your fathers:
10 If you shall hearken unto the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if you turn unto the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.
11 For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not hidden from you, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.
15 See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil;
16 In that I command you this day to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that you may live and multiply: and the LORD your God shall bless you in the land whither you go to possess it.
17 But if your heart turn away, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other gods [follow the leading of other voices], and serve them;
18 I denounce unto you this day, that you shall surely perish, and that you shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither you pass over Jordan [over the rivers that carry all men into death – the false and misleading word of men] to go to possess it.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live:
20 That you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may cleave unto him: for he is your life, and the length of your days: that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
In the context of the previous posts discussing the mouth of God, His word from children upon who He has superimposed His name, and the above commentary, Deuteronomy 30:14 & 15 tell us life and death are found in the words in our mouth. As we know, Paul, in Romans 10:5 thru 8, quotes Deuteronomy 30:12 thru 14, as he is discussing Israel’s (all God’s people who call themselves by His name) zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. The context is they are looking in all the wrong place (because that’s what they’ve learned), in the deep and in heaven, while not receiving God’s righteousness. He says they (the teacher and the taught) are going about trying to establish their righteousness, meaning they are trying to prove their corruption is sound doctrine, instead of receiving the engrafted word, God’s word from His mouth, correct and sound doctrine.
Romans 10
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.
5 For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what says it? The word is nigh you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the LORD Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same LORD over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, LORD, who has believed our report?
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes truly, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses says, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Isaiah is very bold, and says, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he says, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
James 1
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the LORD.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower thereof falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the LORD has promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit [with His life-giving word] the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
The one time used Chaldee word, rendered “pride” in Daniel 4:37, is gevah, corresponding to the identical, three times used, Hebrew word, meaning, self-commending, “exaltation; (figuratively) arrogance.” Before examining these uses, the LORD refers us to 2 Corinthians 10, which describes this type of pride and arrogance that only listens to others who agree with their common error, condemning them to perish with their works.
2 Corinthians 10
1 Now I Paul [I Timothy in the name of the LORD] myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war [strateuomai] after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare [strateia – only used here and in 1 Timothy 1:18, saying, “17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 18 This charge I commit unto you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on you, that you by them might war [strateuomaia] good warfare [strateia]; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander [those who forbid you to join with the LORD and those who are defenders of such men]; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme [that they may learn not to vilify and demonize the word and work of His Holy Spirit – Jehovah unknown due to man’s ignorance].”] are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do you look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the LORD has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glories, let him glory in the LORD.
18 For not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the LORD commends.
Again, in context, the word gevah first appears in Job 22:29. It comes as Eliphaz (His god is gold) the Temanite is falsely accusing Job, telling of what he knows about God, while proving His ignorance of Him, not knowing where He dwells. Taman is the place where the (so-called) wise men of Edom were. As we know, Esau is Edom, and Idumea, and Mount Seir (sa’iyr – the devils, misleaders, in the temple were the calves were set in God’s place and called God), all speaking of the enemies mixed among us, as if our brothers, as Esau was Israel’s (Jacob’s) brother. These men’s (patterned in Eliphaz the wise man) wisdom is darkness, ignorance of God, where God is seen, when the secrets hidden in their ignorance are revealed.
Job 22:13 is the only other place the word ‘araphel, where God dwells, is used in Job (the other – Job 38:9, as we saw in the previous post, where it is the “darkness” that has been the earth’s swaddling bands, a wrapping to protect it until we learn self-control – self-governing, the perfect law of liberty).
The following are things known about God, partial truths, while not actually knowing Him, or where to look for or how to hear Him.
Job 22
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? or is it gain to him, that you make your ways perfect?
4 Will he reprove you for fear of you? will he enter with you into judgment?
5 Is not your wickedness great? and your iniquities infinite?
6 For you have taken a pledge from your brother for naught, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 You have not given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.
8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honorable man dwelt in it.
9 You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
10 Therefore snares are round about you, and sudden fear troubles you;
11 Or darkness, that you can not see; and abundance of waters cover you.
12 Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
13 And you say, How does God know? can he judge through the dark [‘araphel] cloud?
14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he sees not; and he walks in the circuit of heaven.
15 Have you marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
16 Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:
17 Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19 The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.
20 Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumes.
21 Acquaint now yourself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto you.
22 Receive, I pray you, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, you shall put away iniquity far from your tabernacles.
24 Then shall you lay-up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks [the things Eliphaz worships – not knowing the gold of Ophir is the treasure of God’s wisdom].
25 Yea, the Almighty shall be your defense, and you shall have plenty of silver.
26 For then shall you have your delight in the Almighty, and shall lift up your face unto God.
27 You shall make your prayer unto him, and he shall hear you, and you shall pay your vows.
28 You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto you: and the light shall shine upon your ways.
29 When men are cast down, then you shall say, There is lifting up [there is gevah – pride]; and he shall save the humble person.
30 He shall deliver the island [those surrounded by the wave of men’s pride] of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of your hands.
The next use of gevah is in Job 33:17 as Elihu (God is Jehovah), God speaking through him as His mouth, is communicating correct understanding (uprightness of heart).
Job 33
13 Why do you strive against him? for he gives not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speak once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering upon the bed;
16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride [gevah] from man.
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draws near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 He looks upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things works God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Jeremiah 13
15 Hear you, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD has spoken.
16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
17 But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride [gevah]; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock is carried away captive.
18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.
19 The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock?
21 What will you say when he shall punish you? for you have taught them to be captains, and as chief over you: shall not sorrows take you, as a woman in travail?
22 And if you say in your heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of your iniquity are your skirts discovered, and your heels made bare.
23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
24 Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passes away by the wind of the wilderness.
25 This is your lot, the portion of your measures from me, says the LORD; because you have forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
Daniel 4
17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers [‘iyr], and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will, and sets up over it the basest of men [I am].
18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now you, O Belteshazzar [“lord of the straitened’s treasure”], declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but you are able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.
19 Then Daniel [the judgment of God], whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate you, and the interpretation thereof to your enemies.
20 The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
22 It is you, O king, that are grown and become strong: for your greatness is grown, and reaches unto heaven, and your dominion to the end of the earth.
23 And whereas the king saw a watcher [‘iyr] and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
25 That they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will.
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; your kingdom shall be sure unto you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule.
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of your tranquility.
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon [confusion], that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?
31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from you.
32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that lives forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What do you?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lord sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Isaiah 65
1 I am sought of them that asked not for me [they looked for me and I am right here]; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walked in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
3 A people that provoked me to anger continually to my face; that sacrifice in gardens, and burn incense upon altars of brick [the creations of men];
4 Which remain among the graves [refuse to come to the living], and lodge in the monuments [among the dead], which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
5 Which say, Stand by yourself, come not near to me; for I am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.
6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, says the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
8 Thus says the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
10 And Sharon [my presence in plain sight] shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor [the places that have been troubled and in tribulation] a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
11 But you are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop [the false prophets, the unrepentant, and antichrists], and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and you shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
Psalms 11
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The LORD tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous LORD loves righteousness; his countenance does behold the upright.
