Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 22:13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 22:13
"Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us."

I was so happy to read that Josiah "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord" when he was king. He was only 8 years old when he became king of Judah, and reigned for 31 years. He turned not to the right or the left, he was true and stayed on a straight course. During that time frame he repaired the house of the Lord. That is when the book of the law was found in the temple. At first they didn't know if it was true or not. That means they had no written scriptures to go by. King Josiah had them inquire of the Lord. They went to Huldah the prophetess and were told the Lord would bring evil upon this place and the inhabitants because they have forsaken him. But, to the king of Judah because he had humbled himself he would be gathered to the grave in peace. His eyes would not see the evil that will come upon Judah.

As I read to the end of the book of Kings I saw how Josiah's son was wicked and those after him. It was so sad. I had so much hope with they found the book of the laws. They had the first Passover since before the reign of the kings and most of the judges. There was so much promise. Then I remembered the prophesy given to Josiah, he was basically their last righteous king before destruction would come. I pondered on the importance of scriptures. How having the law lost for generations found a people that were lost. No wonder they were so quick to fall into pagan worship. I also pondered on how the very law was needed and had to be read to the people. They were then accountable for breaking the law with full knowledge. That was their warning.

Day 3856

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 21:1-3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 21:1-3
"Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi-bah.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them."

I found these verse incredibly sad to the point I wept. I had just finish reading the previous two chapters with king Hezekiah. He was a good man and how could he have a son just turn it all away. Hezekiah got rid of the high places and groves and once he was dead his son brings them all back. I know what Isaiah had prophesied to king Hezekiah about his posterity, but it just happened so quickly. It's just so sad.

Day 3855

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 16:15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 16:15
"And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon.
And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.'

If you didn't read the chapter header you may think Ahaz is doing something good, he's making sacrifices.

"Ahaz reigns in wickedness in Judah—He offers his son in heathen sacrifice—He makes a new altar, destroys the brazen sea, and changes the method for sacrificing in the temple."

Ahaz saw an altar in Damascus that he sent to Urijah the priest to make for him. This type of altar was used to worship false gods. With it Ahaz and Urijah set aside the altar of God. They replaced it, and not by the will of God. I can see that being offensive to Him. They are basically turning the God of Israel aside and rejecting Him. Ahaz then makes sacrifice on this replacement altar. After that more changes are made. They alter and destroy the brazen sea, and change the sacrifices. At that point they turned God aside and are worshiping in their own image. The sins and offenses of Israel becomes so great that it leads to no heavenly protection. They are besieged and carried away into Assyria. Only Judah was left. As I reflected on this it made me ponder apostasy. It can be slippery at first. Thinking this improvement or that change needs to be made. Until you've designed yourself a different God. We are not at liberty to alter the ordinances of God. A king had no authority to change the ordinances. Urijah was appeasing a king instead of doing God's work. At that point you've lost your way.

Day 3854

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 10:28-29

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 10:28-29
Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Beth-el, and that were in Dan."

Why did Jehu by subtilty kill the priests and worshipers of Baal, but himself turn around and worship a golden calf? As I looked over how he killed Ahab's descendants, saying he was motivated by his desirer to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah, I don't think he did it with the right heart. Jehu may have used doing the Lord's will to his advantage to secure his kingdom.

Day 3852

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 7:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 7:6-7
"For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life."

This made me think of fake news. Even though this was a fulfillment of prophesy by Elisha. He had told the king that tomorrow fine flour or two measures of barley would sell for a shekel in the gate of Samaria. The king did not believe him, in fact he said if the heavens could open this could not happen. Then the Lord caused the Syrians that surrounded them to hear the noise of an army coming upon them in the night. They fled for their lives, leaving all their belongings behind them. Hearing those sounds were in a way fake news. There was no army upon them but they believed it. It made me think there could be a purpose for fake news. Even if its for the wicked to believe their own lies, or flee. The Lord will fight out battles. The care is to not believe the lies, but believe the prophet.

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."
(Isaiah 54:17)

Day 3851

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 6:15-17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 6:15-17
"And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

These three chapters had so many glorious stories of Elisha. I thought how I would have loved to experience my eyes being opened and seeing all those horses and chariots of fire surrounding them. Then as I reflected on it I thought of my near death experience, and how long it took to recover from what I saw. Even praying was such an overpowering experience because of how close God was. I began to appreciate the veil, and living by faith. I think I would prefer not to see such things during my life time but to review them in the next life.

Day 3850

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:13-18

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 19:13-18
"And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

This chapter made me cry for Elijah. He sounds very depressed. Twice he mentioned he is the only prophet left and they seek his life. Before this he had requested to die, that the Lord take away his life. Instead Elijah was strengthened twice by an angel with a baked cake and water. The strength lasted him forty days and nights. Now he is back at a cave as others seek his life. Elijah is done. What I love is how the Lord helps him is by calling him with tasks to perform. He is shown how all is not lost. There will be new kings, prophets and seven thousand that are not bowing the knee to Baal. The Lord needs Elijah and there is work to do. Elijah goes and does as the Lord asks.

Whenever I think of Elijah I think of the keys sealing power that he held. The work being performed in the House of the Lord for my kindred death. As the world grows darker the light we receive in the temples, as we are about our Father's business, is very healing to a tired soul.

Day 3848

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 17:9

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 17:9
"Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."

This is the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. There was drought and famine in the land. Elijah had hid by the brook Cherith and the ravens had feed him. When the brook dried up this verse is the word of the Lord that came to him. What I noticed is the Lord said He commanded the widow woman to sustain Elijah. Yet, when Elijah speaks to the widow to bring him a little water and a morsel of bread she says she was gathering stick to feed her and her son and then they would die. That does not sound like a women that had been waiting for a prophet of the Lord to come and she would feed him. It's very different than the story of Alma and Amulek. Amulek had been prepared to feed a prophet when he met him.

"And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat?
And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.
And it came to pass that the man received him into his house; and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma."
(Alma 8:19-21)

Why is the widow of Zarephath so different? As I was pondering on this I wondered if the word "command" could have a different meaning? I found it could also mean ordained, chosen or appointed. Any of those words would make sense. The Lord hadn't told the widow of His will to feed Elijah, but being a faithful women she came to know His will when the request was made. She had been chose of the Lord and prepared to act in faith.

Day 3847

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:18-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 13:18-22
"He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.
And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:
And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers."

This is rather confusing. Was the prophet that brought the other prophet back really a prophet? Why would he lie to him? Then why would the prophet that lied receive word from the Lord and cry to the other prophet that he had disobeyed the Lord?

"Do Prophets Ever Lie or Disobey the Lord?
True prophets obey the word of God; false prophets do not. In this story are two prophets, one pictured as lying and the other pictured as disobeying God’s instructions. Ellis T. Rasmussen wrote: “There are some problems in this story of the man of God who came from Judah to warn the king of northern Israel and lost his life in the mission. Some help is available in the [Joseph Smith Translation] of verse 18, which indicates that the old prophet said, ‘Bring him back … that I may prove him; and he lied not unto him.’ Also there is a change in verse 26, in which the last part reads: ‘… therefore the Lord hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake unto me.’ These make the account more understandable and more acceptable. The young prophet should have obeyed God.” (An Introduction to the Old Testament and Its Teachings, 2:4; emphasis added.)
(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "1 Kings 12-16: A Kingdom Divided against itself"

"He said unto him, I am a prophet also, even as thou. And an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water, that I may prove him; and he lied not unto him."
(JST 1Kings 13:18)

Day 3846

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 8:46-48

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 8:46-48
"If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:"

Solomon is dedicating the house of the Lord. In the dedicatory prayer is both a warning and blessing. That if Israel sins against the Lord they will be carried away captive. Which happened about 417 years later when they were carried away into Babylon. I love to read over temple dedication prayers. It is always interesting to see what protection and promises are given to particular temples. One thing I learned from my temple's dedicatory prayer is I have to be mindful of winds and storms in my area. I felt great peace when we removed very large and dangerous trees from around my home.

"May its beauty never be marred by evil hands. May it stand strong against the winds and storms that will beat upon it. May it be a beacon of peace and a refuge to the troubled. May it be an holy sanctuary to those whose burdens are heavy and who seek Thy consoling comfort."
(Dedicatory Prayer, Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple, October 13, 1996)

My temple has been a place of peace and refuge. I have had my burdens lifted and found words of comfort as I have served in the house of the Lord. Various older temples and some younger than mine have been renovated and rededicated. I have wondered if the dedicatory prayers have changed. If mine is redone I hope it will still say "We thank Thee for this favored season in the history of Thy work."

Day 3844

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 6:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 6:12-13
"Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel."

I pondered how that same promise is made with ever House of the Lord.

"And in a manner that we may be found worthy, in thy sight, to secure a fulfilment of the promises which thou hast made unto us, thy people, in the revelations given unto us;
That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house;
And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness."
(Doctrine and Covenants 109:11-13

"The temple is literally the house of the Lord. I promise you as you come worthily and prayerfully to His holy house, you will be armed with His power, His name will be upon you, His angels will have charge over you, and you will grow up in the blessing of the Holy Ghost.
The Lord promised, “Every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.” There are many different ways to see the face of Christ, and there is no better place than in His holy house.
In this day of confusion and commotion, I testify that the temple is His holy house and will help preserve us, protect us, and prepare us for the glorious day when, with all His holy angels, our Savior returns in majesty, power, and great glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth", Apr 2024 General Conference)

Day 3843

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 2:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 2:17
"And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife."

David made Solomon king while his elder son Adonijah tried to claim it for himself. Adonijah then fears Solomon and they seem to have some sort of agreement. At first I couldn't under why Adonijah asking to take Abishag for wife was worthy of death. I had to go back and remind myself who Abishag was. She was the young virgin given to warm David in his old age. She cared for him, but he knew her not. She still would have been considered the former king's wife or concubine. Which could only be taken by a king's successor. Which was basically Adonijah plotting treason to ask to marry Abishag.

Day 3842

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 8:5-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 8:5-7
"And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."

Samuel's son were not righteous, but that isn't the only reason the people rejected them. They wanted to be like other nations, that had kings. They wanted to reject the theocracy, and being given direction from God. Samuel warns them about the dangers of kings, but they didn't care. The Lord counsels Samuel to give them what they want, a king, because they have rejected Him. I pondered on how rejecting the government that the Lord setup is a sign of their complete apostasy.

"Now I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you.
For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!
And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood.
For behold, he has his friends in iniquity, and he keepeth his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in righteousness before him; and he trampleth under his feet the commandments of God;
And he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among his people, yea, laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey his laws he causeth to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against him he will send his armies against them to war, and if he can he will destroy them; and thus an unrighteous king doth pervert the ways of all righteousness. "
(Mosiah 29:16-17, 21-23)

Day 3826

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 25:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 25:7

"And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon."

Not all the sons of Zedekiah were killed. Mulek came to the America's after Lehi and his family. This was a witness to Lehi descendants that Jerusalem had been destroyed as prophesied.

"And now will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem? But behold, this is not all—"

(Helaman 8:21)

I also found this commentary on this verse and it's interesting to see how prophesy works, and how you should never dismiss what a prophet says.

"Josephus recorded an interesting story about Zedekiah and hearkening to the prophets: “Now as to Zedekiah himself, while he heard the prophet [Jeremiah] speak, he believed him, and agreed to every thing as true, and supposed it was for his advantage; but then his friends perverted him, and dissuaded him from what the prophet advised, and obliged him to do what they pleased. Ezekiel also foretold in Babylon what calamities were coming upon the people, which when he heard, he sent accounts of them unto Jerusalem. But Zedekiah did not believe their prophecies, for the reason following: It happened that the two prophets agreed with one another in what they said as in all other things, that the city should be taken, and Zedekiah himself should be taken captive; but Ezekiel disagreed with him [Jeremiah], and said that Zedekiah should not see Babylon [see Ezekiel 12:13], while Jeremiah said to him, that the king of Babylon should carry him away thither in bonds [see Jeremiah 34:3]; and because they did not both say the same thing as to this circumstance, he disbelieved what they both appeared to agree in, and condemned them as not speaking truth therein, although all the things foretold him did come to pass according to their prophecies, as we shall show upon a fitter opportunity.” (Antiquities, bk. 10, chap. 7, par. 2.)

As recorded in 2 Kings 25:7, both prophets were vindicated by subsequent events. After chastising Zedekiah for his unfaithfulness and treachery, Nebuchadnezzar “commanded his sons and his friends to be slain, while Zedekiah and the rest of the captains looked on; after which he put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him, and carried him to Babylon. And these things happened to him, as Jeremiah and Ezekiel had foretold to him, that he should be caught, and brought before the king of Babylon, and should speak to him face to face, and should see his eyes with his own eyes; and thus far did Jeremiah prophesy. But he was also made blind, and brought to Babylon, but did not see it, according to the prediction of Ezekiel.” (Antiquities, bk. 10, chap. 8, par. 2.)"

(Old Testament Student Manuel, "Judah's Return to Wickedness", (19-20)

Day 2497

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 24:2, 17

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 24:2, 17

"And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."

Was Lehi one of the prophets being referenced here?

"For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard."

(1 Nephi 1:4, 18)

Day 2496

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 23:2, 24-25

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 23:2, 24-25

"And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.

 Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him."

Before Josiah cleanses Judah from all its abominations it's important that he read the book of the covenant to the people. They needed to be reminded of the covenants they had made and how they had strayed from them. Then all the signs of their pagan worship to false gods could be removed. Yet this wasn't enough to turn the hearts of the people back to God. The king's heart was right, he did what was right, the people did not. I thought about how Josiah was able to stand clean before the Lord with no accountability for the sins of the people on his head. This was all on theirs.

Day 2495

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 22:8, 11, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 22:8, 11, 19

"And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

The book of the law, which could have been the book of Deuteronomy or the Pentateuch, covering the five books of Moses, had been found. That suggests that they had been lost. Not surprising given the wickedness in Judah, and Israel. I pondered on the blessing of reading the scriptures and how it keeps us on the covenant path. There is also a protection in them to keep us humble and a heart that is turned to God. He will then watch over us, and hear our prayers.

Day 2494

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 21:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 21:12-13

"Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.

And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down."

I was fascinated in the meaning of "ears that tingle". I don't think my ears have ever tingled. I know I've heard of itching ears when men will not hear sound doctrine. I had to ponder on what it would mean to have your ears tingle. There are a couple of footnotes.

"And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle."

(1 Samuel 3:11)

This happens when Samuel is told this ears will tingle when what the Lord spoke concerning Eli house happens. Which isn't a good thing.

Then again to Jeremiah it's a voice of warning.

"And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle."

(Jeremiah 19:3)

It's also mention in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"Yea, and again, when the lightnings shall streak forth from the east unto the west, and shall utter forth their voices unto all that live, and make the ears of all tingle that hear, saying these words—Repent ye, for the great day of the Lord is come?"

(Doctrine and Covenants 43:22)

As I reflect on ears that tingle I think of the physical sensation that comes with it. Almost like when your spin tingles when something is scary. I think seeing Jerusalem wiped clean and turned upside down like a dish would be scary to see. It's like the Lord is saying not only will you hear with your own ears what was prophesied, but you will feel it too. It isn't just a witness of the Holy Ghost when something is right. It's a witness of when something is very wrong because He wasn't listened to and now you know it. I hope I never do have ears that tingle. I would much rather hear the words of the Lord and believe before hand.

Day 2493

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 20:1, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 20:1, 6

"In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake."

Hezekiah is sick and the prophet Isaiah comes to tell him to set his house in order for he's not going to die. Hezekiah pleads with the Lord and weeps. Isaiah is sent back and tells him he will live another 15 years. That is such a blessing to be given an extension to put your house in order. But, I thought about what would come in those 15 years. One would be the son that rules after him, that does evil. Was it a blessing for Hezekiah not to see that son as an adult? Or would it have been more blessed that the son was never born? I don't know, but one thing is sure God is in command.

Day 2492

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 19:32, 34-35

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Kings 19:32, 34-35

"Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.

For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses."

Hezekiah had been a righteous king and when he sees Jerusalem is surrounded by the Assyrians he turned in prayer to God. The answer comes through the prophet Isaiah, that the Assyrians won't come into the city and do battle. How must it have felt in the morning to see 185,000 Assyrians lay dead. A humble, grateful king would feel even more so.

Day 2491