DAY 258 Read Zechariah 5 through 9.
Today's reading: Some of Zechariah's predictions (like those of other prophets) concerned the judgments of God on other nations. We call attention to one of those predictions in the "Thought for today."
Memory gem: "The Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land" (Zechariah 9:16).
Thought for today:
Here is another important city which is mentioned by prophecy. We will notice just two sentences about the city of Ashkelon which was also on the Mediterranean seacoast, in what is now the territory of the modern republic of Israel. Today there is hardly a ruin to be seen. Everything is hidden underground--the city has been so completely destroyed. Let us read what the prophet Zephaniah and Zechariah say. Remember, these prophecies were made centuries before Christ:
"Ashkelon [shall be] a desolation" (Zephaniah 2:4).
"Ashkelon shall not be inhabited" (Zechariah 9:5).
Ashkelon was founded 1800 years before Christ, and it was at the height of its glory while Jesus was here on earth 1800 years later. There was certainly no sign of any impending disaster to the city for nearly 2000 years after the prophets had made their prediction at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
This city actually grew in magnificence and power for centuries after the prediction of its destruction was made. In A.D. 636 it passed over to the control of the Arabs. During the Crusades it was the key to southwestern Palestine, and was finally captured by the Crusaders in 1153 after a six-month siege. Thus it was still a powerful city fifteen centuries after the prophet foretold its destruction.
Finally, in 1270, the sultan Beibars I destroyed its fortifications and blocked its harbor with stones. Now it has lain desolate for more than 700 years.
----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Zechariah 5:7. "Talent"--literally, a round disk. A heavy laden lid on the vessel.
Zechariah 5:8. "It"--rather: her.
Today's reading: Some of Zechariah's predictions (like those of other prophets) concerned the judgments of God on other nations. We call attention to one of those predictions in the "Thought for today."
Memory gem: "The Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land" (Zechariah 9:16).
Thought for today:
Here is another important city which is mentioned by prophecy. We will notice just two sentences about the city of Ashkelon which was also on the Mediterranean seacoast, in what is now the territory of the modern republic of Israel. Today there is hardly a ruin to be seen. Everything is hidden underground--the city has been so completely destroyed. Let us read what the prophet Zephaniah and Zechariah say. Remember, these prophecies were made centuries before Christ:
"Ashkelon [shall be] a desolation" (Zephaniah 2:4).
"Ashkelon shall not be inhabited" (Zechariah 9:5).
Ashkelon was founded 1800 years before Christ, and it was at the height of its glory while Jesus was here on earth 1800 years later. There was certainly no sign of any impending disaster to the city for nearly 2000 years after the prophets had made their prediction at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
This city actually grew in magnificence and power for centuries after the prediction of its destruction was made. In A.D. 636 it passed over to the control of the Arabs. During the Crusades it was the key to southwestern Palestine, and was finally captured by the Crusaders in 1153 after a six-month siege. Thus it was still a powerful city fifteen centuries after the prophet foretold its destruction.
Finally, in 1270, the sultan Beibars I destroyed its fortifications and blocked its harbor with stones. Now it has lain desolate for more than 700 years.
----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Zechariah 5:7. "Talent"--literally, a round disk. A heavy laden lid on the vessel.
Zechariah 5:8. "It"--rather: her.
RSS Feed
