Page 1271 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_12_MacArthur_Bible_Dec.qxd 8/8/03 17:33 Page 1252

DECEMBER 12
5 With a noise like chariots 17 Let the priests, who minister to the LORD,
Over mountaintops they leap, Weep between the porch and the altar;
Like the noise of a flaming fire that Let them say, “Spare Your people,
devours the stubble, O LORD,
Like a strong people set in battle array. And do not give Your heritage
to reproach,
6 Before them the people writhe in pain; That the nations should rule over them.
All faces are drained of color. Why should they say among the peoples,
7 They run like mighty men, ‘Where is their God?’ ”
They climb the wall like men of war;
Every one marches in formation, 18 Then the LORD will be zealous for
And they do not break ranks. His land,
8 They do not push one another; And pity His people.
Every one marches in his own column. 19 The LORD will answer and say
Though they lunge between the to His people,
weapons, “Behold, I will send you grain and new
They are not cut down. wine and oil,
They run to and fro in the city,
9 And you will be satisfied by them;
They run on the wall; I will no longer make you a reproach
They climb into the houses, among the nations.
They enter at the windows like a thief. 20 “But I will remove far from you the
The earth quakes before them,
10 northern army,
The heavens tremble; And will drive him away into a barren
The sun and moon grow dark, and desolate land,
And the stars diminish their brightness. With his face toward the eastern sea
11 The LORD gives voice before His army, And his back toward the western sea;
For His camp is very great; His stench will come up,
For strong is the One who executes And his foul odor will rise,
His word. Because he has done monstrous things.”
For the day of the LORD is great and 21 Fear not, O land;
very terrible; Be glad and rejoice,
Who can endure it? For the LORD has done marvelous
12 “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, things!
“Turn to Me with all your heart, 22 Do not be afraid, you beasts of the
With fasting, with weeping, and with field;
mourning.” For the open pastures are springing up,
So rend your heart, and not your
13 And the tree bears its fruit;
garments; The fig tree and the vine yield their
Return to the LORD your God, strength.
23 Be glad then, you children of Zion,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And rejoice in the LORD your God;
And He relents from doing harm. For He has given you the former rain
14 faithfully,
Who knows if He will turn and relent, And He will cause the rain to come
And leave a blessing behind Him—
down for you—
A grain offering and a drink offering The former rain,
For the LORD your God?
And the latter rain in the first month.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, 24 The threshing floors shall be full of
Consecrate a fast, wheat,
Call a sacred assembly; And the vats shall overflow with new
16 Gather the people, wine and oil.
Sanctify the congregation, 25 “So I will restore to you the years that
Assemble the elders, the swarming locust has eaten,
Gather the children and nursing babes; The crawling locust,
Let the bridegroom go out from his The consuming locust,
chamber, And the chewing locust,
And the bride from her dressing room. My great army which I sent among you.

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