Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 5:14-15, 21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 5:14-15, 21-22
"And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;
And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen."

As I was reading about the jealousy offering, when a husband basically accuses his wife of adultery, I had two thoughts. First, could this women get sick and die from the cursed water and be innocent? Then I remembered who was giving these instructions. The Lord would do what he says to both the innocent and guilty. It required faith on the woman that drank it in innocence. Then I thought about how the test was only for women and not for men. Then I read some really good points on these verses. The one I had not considered is a women could ask that the other women suspected of committing adultery with her husband be given the trial of jealousy. If found guilty both parties would die, one by cursed waters, the other by stoning.

"Several points should be noted.
Although this ritual focused on the woman, it in no way implied that men who committed adultery were to be excused, for the law clearly stated that adulterers of both sexes were to be stoned (see Leviticus 20:10).
In a way, the law provided protection of two different kinds for a woman. First, without this law it is possible that a husband could unjustly accuse his wife of infidelity. If his word alone were sufficient to convict her, she would be in a terrible state indeed. Putting the determination of guilt or innocence into the hands of God rather than into the hands of her husband, or even other men, ensured that she could vindicate herself if she were innocent.
The second positive benefit is more subtle but probably is of even greater value. If a husband suspected his wife of adultery, one result would be a terrible strain in the husband-wife relationship. In today’s legal system, with no witnesses to prove her guilt, the court would probably declare her not guilty. But the basis for her acquittal would be a lack of positive evidence of her guilt rather than proof of her innocence. Such a legal declaration, therefore, would do little to alleviate the doubts of the husband and the estrangement would likely continue. Neighbors and friends also would probably harbor lingering suspicions about her innocence. With the trial of jealousy, however, dramatic proof of God’s declaration of her innocence would be irrefutable. The reputation of the woman would be saved and a marriage relationship healed. Thus, true justice and mercy were assured, and the whole matter would be laid promptly to rest.
Those who ask why there was no parallel test a woman could ask of her husband should remember that if the accused woman refused to undergo the trial by drinking the water, her action was considered a confession of guilt. Thus, she and her partner in the evil act would be put to death (see Leviticus 20:10). If she attempted to lie and pass the test, but brought the curses upon herself, this result too was considered proof of the guilt of her male partner. It is possible that a wife who believed her husband guilty of infidelity could ask that his suspected partner be put to the trial of jealousy. The outcome would immediately establish the guilt or innocence of her husband as well as that of the other woman.
Thus, in a world where the rights of women were often abused, the Lord provided a means for protecting their rights as well as seeing that evil was put away and justice done."
(Old Testament Student Manual, "Numbers 1-12: Wilderness Wanderings, Part 1")

Day 3786

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 2:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 2:10

"But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips."

It is to foolish to think that trials will not come to all of us. That some how by being good we are immune to the vicissitudes of life. Cursing God does not change that fact. The only difference for a righteous man is God is with him through all that he endures.

Day 2597

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 10:30-31

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 10:30-31

And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.

But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

Jehu may have brought about the Lord's will in the destruction of the house of Ahab, but it was not done out of a love for the Lord. Jehu was just wicked enough purely do it for himself. Jehu destroys Baal out of Israel, but practiced idolatry himself by worshipped the golden calves. Seems like a lot of contradictions. I notice that Jehu is promised to have his children sit on the throne of Israel for four generations, but that also means it ends after that. It more than likely has an end as punishment for Jehu's idolatry. Which would seem its a case for this...

"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

(Doctrine and Covenants 82:10)

Day 2482

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 3:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 3:8
"And this was done that their seed might be distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction."

I pondered on how the law of Moses had outward signs and observances. In a way just like the Nephites had an outward sign of who they should and shouldn't mix with. Now I can no longer physically identify someone by their race or skin, if they are for or against the Lord. That means this quote from President Nelson is of even greater importance. I will not know who could be a wolf in sheep's clothing unless I have the spirit as my guide.

"In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."
(President Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", April 2018 General Conference)

Day 1861

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 22:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 22:15-16
"And not it came to pass when the Lamanites had found that the people of Limhi had departed out of the land by night, that they sent an army into the wilderness to pursue them;
And after they had pursued them two days, they could no longer follow their tracks; therefore they were lost in the wilderness."

It is always amazing to me to see that after two days pursuit the Lamanite army could no longer follow the tracks of Limhi's people. There were men, women, and children, flocks and herds that all left their tracks upon the land as they were fleeing. The Lord was protecting these people and that is the only way a migration of people and their animals could simply disappear. There is a lot to be said for not standing out in a crowd. It can be a protection. It did make me think about the curse upon this land, if we are not righteous.   

"And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasure in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord.
For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and curse be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasure unto me, cursed is he, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land.
And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their hearts upon riches; and because they have set their hearts upon their riches, and will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies; because they will not hide them up unto me, cursed be they and also their treasures; and in that day shall they be smitten, saith the Lord."
(Helaman 13:18-20)

Day 1851

Today's Favorite Verse: James 3:10

Today's Favorite Verse: James 3:10
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

This made me think of this.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
(James 1:8)

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purity your hearts, ye double minded."
(James 4:7-8)

Day 1722

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 5:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Zechariah 5:3-4
"Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
I will bring if forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof."

Zechariah sees a flying roll and the angel gives him the interpretation of it. I believe the flying roll is the record kept in heaven of our deeds. Those that steal or swear will be cut off both in heaven and earth. The roll, or record of their deeds, will enter their homes and consume even the timbers and stones. I think this means that they will not prosper in this life or the next for their evil deeds. Instead even that which they have will be taken away from them.

This reminds of the curse spoke of in the Book of Mormon. Because of their iniquities the land will be cursed and their riches will become slippery. The greater their wickedness the less they can hold unto their things.

"And behold, the time cometh that he curseth your riches, that they become slippery, that ye cannot hold them; and in the days of your poverty ye cannot retain them.
Behold, we lay a tool here and on the morrow it is gone; and behold, our swords are taken from us in the day we have sought them for battle.
Yea, we have hid up our treasures and they have slipped away from us, because of the curse of the land.
O that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lord came unto us; for behold the land is cursed, and all things are become slippery, and we cannot hold them.
(Helaman 13:31, 34-36)

This curse is still upon the land, even today. It's not just tools, swords or treasures, now it's our electronic funds and identity. It amazes me how casually people will curse and swear and think nothing of it. They are also taking advantage of others, and stealing. As I was going over this I realized that swearing and stealing is considered so severe that the punishment comes not just in the next life. It will happened to them while upon the earth. I am grateful that there is a blessing and protection for the righteous living during these times.

"And it shall come to pass, saith the Lord of Hosts, yea, our great and true God, that whoso shall hide up treasures in the earth shall find them again no more, because of the great curse of the land, save he be a righteous man and shall hide it up unto the Lord.
For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasures unto me, cursed is he, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land."
(Helaman 13:18-19)

Day 1491

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 74:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 74:18
"Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name."

This made me think of this commandment.

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."
(Exodus 20:7)

How foolish indeed are those that take the Lord God's name in vain. It hurts my heart as I hear it so casually used. Some are so used to swearing they don't even know what they are saying. They speak the words of a fool. As I have often thought upon this frequently abused commandment I have come to see it as a cursing that the individual asks God to pronounces upon their own head. For if I can pray to God for deliverance and he hears me, how powerful are the words when he is called in vain? Truly it is foolishness to think there are no repercussions for committing this sin. The first I believe is spiritual death, for the spirit cannot reside in such a tabernacle. 

Day 1127

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 14:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 14:2-3
"And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people.
And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child."

Jeroboam's son Abijah is sick and he tells his wife to disguise herself and visit the prophet Ahijah. He wanted to know what would happen to the child. I found it interesting that he didn't send his wife to seek a blessing to make his son well. He wanted a fortune teller, not a prophet. This made me sit and ponder on a number of things. The prophet is not deceived at all, the Lord prepared him for her coming. The words that the prophet spoke were not of any comfort. In fact the chastisement and rebuke are very strong. The "fortune telling" he receives is the end of his kingdom. I pondered on how anyone that uses a prophet or the priesthood to seek for a sign or divination will hear words they wished they never heard. It will be a cursing instead of a blessing. It did make me think of someone I knew that used priesthood blessings in such a manner. What they really wanted was someone to tell them their future. It is little wonder that person has since apostatized.


Day 880

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 28:63

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 28:63
"And it shall come to pass, that as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiple you; so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it."

This chapter starts with all these lovely blessings that God's holy people will be blessed with for keeping his commandments. Then it follows with the cursing if they stray from his commandments. It was rather to terrifying to contemplate. This made me think of the scriptures referring to a two-edged sword.

"Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore, give heed unto my word. (Doctrine & Covenants 12:2)

He can divide asunder my enemies but just as quickly swing that sword back at me if I forsake him. I think I know which side of that sword I want to be on. I want to be worthy of His promised blessings, and having him fight my battles for me.


Day 756

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 22:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 22:28

"Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people."

The topical guide refers me to citizenship. I hear a lot of cursing regarding the coming "ruler of the people". I sat and pondered on if God has ever said it's ok to curse a ruler or king? I could not think of one. What has been the behavior of God's children when they are oppressed with a wicked ruler?  It has been to call on God for deliverance. They do not take such matters into their own hands, to delivered themselves from bondage. Even with Queen Esther, when the King's decree would have killed all the Jews, they fasted and prayed to God for deliverance. She plead their case, but the decision was up to the king. It was only by king Ahasuerus command that he granted the Jews the ability to gather themselves and preserve their lives. It would have been against the Mosaic law for the Jews to do anything else. Even Moses asked Pharaoh's permission for Israel to leave.

I think God is totally capable of removing an unrighteous leader that is oppressing his people. Sometimes its the oppression and bondage that is needed for their hearts to soften and turn back to Him. The twelfth article of faith makes so much sense "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."  I am required to show honor and respect for the title or office. God will take care of the man.

I am rather shocked thinking how right now some misguided members of my faith are asking the leaders of the church to turn their back on the coming "ruler of the people". They do not understand what they are asking, and how offensive this behavior is to God. I would be shaking in my boots to take part in such a demand. It truly goes against everything God has ever said on the matter. 

Day 647

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 20:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 20:7

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."

As I pondered on the ten commandments I could see how our darkening world is accepting a lot of these things as of no significance. What a different world I would live in if these commandments still mattered. 

I thought about how people can break some of the commandments and it only effects them. I'm not usually on the receiving end of what they have done. Nor, do I see what commandments they are even breaking. But, the most careless and offensive to me is the taking of the name of the Lord my God in vain within my presence. It's so common place now it's "normal" language for most. I can't seem to get away from seeing or hearing it used, especially in media today. 

To hear it burns a hole in my heart. It grieves me. Not only is it an offense against my God, but I have come to feel the person just cried out to Satan. When I turn to the Lord and cry out in his name for relief he will answer and bless me. But, when I mock His name and use it in vain, the only master that will answer such a cry, is the one that mocks Christ too. It just opened the windows to Satan and darkness enters. A cursing will be answered upon such a head. I do not even want to be around. This is something I pray I never "get over". 

Day 645

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 1:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Abraham 1:2

"And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers."

I am in the Book of Abraham now. The introduction to the Pearl of Great Price says this about the Book of Abraham. "An inspired translation of the writings of Abraham. Joseph Smith began the translation in 1835 after obtaining some Egyptian papyri. The translation was published serially in the Times and Seasons beginning March 1, 1842, at Nauvoo, Illinois." The book of Abraham begins with the following added in italics by Joseph Smith. "A translation of some ancient Records that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt. The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus."

Inside this chapter it gives the origins of Egypt. Noah's son Ham married a Canaanite women, named Egyptus. Her name in Chaldean means Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden. The Canaanites having been cursed to the right of the holy priesthood. Their daughter Egyptus first discovered the land. She had a son named Pharaoh, which signifies king of royal blood, and he established the first government of Egypt. He was a righteous man and ruled after a patriarchal order, and was blessed by Noah with wisdom, but cursed pertaining to the priesthood.

As I was reading this I sat and wondered "Why didn't God just lift this curse against the Canaanites after the flood?"  He had just removed the wicked and was starting over? These were good righteous people. I sat pondering on that for quite a while. Was it simply because we needed opposition in all things? 

It wasn't until I read the first and last part of verse two by Abraham again, that I could understand. "I sought for the blessings of the fathers....I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers."  It was because of the promises God made to their fathers that things continued the way they did after the flood. God is showing us he does not break his promises. Even a curse is a promise God made to a father. God can make new promises, and remove cursing, but they are in his own due time. This was not the time, and his ways are not our ways.

Day 568

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 104:8-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 104:8-10

"Therefore, inasmuch as you are found transgressors, you cannot escape my wrath in your lives.

Inasmuch as ye are cut off for transgression, ye cannot escape the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption."

One of the saddest things in my life has been to witness those that turn their backs on the Lord now feel the buffetings of Satan. In the last 24 hours I have witnessed it in the lives of 3 people. I'm sure that is why I needed to ponder on this verse today. 

What is God's wrath I wonder? How is it manifested? I think it is when He withdraws. His comfort and protect is removed as we pass through the trials in our lives. He also does not prevent the natural course of events any longer. Though He has power over Satan, he does not prevent him from afflicting the lives of the transgressors. I absolutely do not want to imagine what it would be like for them in their lives. I know the pain they are feeling is very real. I have the deepest sorrow for them. It didn't need to happen. I felt impressed to find some external writing on this and found this in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, under "Buffetings of Satan".

"Elder Bruce R. McConkie, a latter-day apostle, explained that to be "turned over to the buffetings of Satan is to be given into [Satan's] hands; it is to be turned over to him with all the protective power of the priesthood, or righteousness, and of godliness removed, so that Lucifer is free to torment, persecute, and afflict such a person without let or hindrance. When the bars are down, the cuffs and curses of Satan, both in this world and in the world to come, bring indescribable anguish typified by burning and fire and brimstone. The damned in hell so suffer" (MD, "Buffetings of Satan", see also McConkie, Vol. 2. p. 335)."

I also found it interesting that the article mentions that the person had to receive extensive spiritual knowledge, and entered into sacred covenants, then turned their back on those promises to the Lord. They may be left to the buffetings of Satan until complete repentance has occurred. This sin differs in nature and category from one committed in ignorance. Yes, all three people fit that criteria in their lives, they were temple endowed. My heart is broken for them, because it never needed to get to this point. The peace, joy and comfort the Lord will give you is worth more than man can ever offer you in this world. Sin was never happiness and it never can be.

Day 523

 

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 41:1, 5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 41:1, 5-6

"Hearken and hear, O ye my people, saith the Lord and your God, ye whom I delight to bless with the greatest of all blessings, ye that hear me; and ye that hear me not will I curse, that have professed my name, with the heaviest of all cursings.

He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you;

For it is not meet that the things which belong to the children of the kingdom should be given to them that are not worthy, or to dogs, or pearls to be cast before swine."

The saints have now come to gather at Kirtland, Ohio. The Lord is preparing them to receive power from on high. This is where the first temple of this dispensation will be built. Covenant blessings will be restored. I noticed these two warnings in this chapter that are very similar. Warning them that if they reject Him after receiving his word, that they will be cursed with the heaviest of cursings, and cast out. It sounds so harsh.

Then I saw how loving this is. To give a warning and speak the consequences. It's like a parent telling a child "Don't touch the hot stove, you will get burned." Why does God warn me? It's because he doesn't want me to be hurt. He's loves me, enough to warn me of everything that could possibly harm me. It's like the hot stove. He wants me to use it to make delicious food that nourishes me, not to be a vehicle to harm or to hurt me. He wants me to be his covenant daughter with all the blessings he can give, not to see me cast out. 

If I obtain His blessing and then cast it aside I will become in Satan's power. The cursing and the casting out is not the Lord doing it to me, I did it to myself. Satan cannot bless he only curses. The cast out is what I did the moment I left the Lord's side. The Lord cannot save me in my sins. I am no longer His. I've only done it all to myself. 

What is my hope? To hear Him, to obey His law, to ever stay his disciple. To take hold of the atonement and repent so I can become clean. If I do this the greatest of all blessings are mine, eternal life.

Day 460