ToES Diary April 2017

What can worship do when there is no temple and few people want exclusive worship? Malachi talks about those who feared God meeting together (Mal 3:16-18) so I decided to have it that way. Meeting on the Sabbath and reading, singing and talking about God and his past work and future promises.

Writing ToESVol2 Ch15 and events in Bethel. What to do with Maacah keeps going around in my head as it seems unfair to have Jeremiah told he cannot marry and she has to suffer too. Maybe that is how God would have it work, but I would prefer it not to. The easiest solution is to have her marry Shobai, but if that were to happen, why would it not have happened yet? Final answer was to add a young woman who he marries and dies in childbirth. Sadness, but a chance to show courage also including “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.” Not only Jeremiah having to be the only one who shows some character. There must have been others who did, I feel, or else people like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah would not have existed, nor Ezekiel either.

Jeremiah needs to come closer to Shaphan’s family including Ahikam who I assume was a little older than Jeremiah since Gedaliah his son was old enough to be appointed to lead the survivors just 35 years later and he had a couple of other sons too that were old enough to be involved in the time of Jehoiakim. Added some discussion between Jeremiah and Ahikam. Provided some rain and cold to make sure there was time for this and a time for Shobai to arrive and then be ready to come to the cleanup work in Bethel. Shobai needs to know about the prophecy against the altar – found from scrolls of history of kings (Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel).

ToES Vol2Ch15. Revised writing from yesterday and then continued. Shobai had to come because of a friend who wanted to talk about Yahweh. Discussion of priests and scrolls. Told Shobai of Josiah’s visit and he was very excited because one of his scrolls included the prophecy of a king called Josiah who would destroy the altar and burn human bones on it. I and fried excited too. Invited Shobai and friend to watch.

Finished the chapter with the invitation of all to come to the Passover at the end of winter.

No mention of whether Shobai or the others would attend.

They will since Maacah at least is needed there.

Last chapter of the volume will be very busy. Passover, unleavened bread and great happiness followed by a mixed conclusion. Need to be very careful not to waste words.

Revision of ToESVol2Ch15. Still a few minor details to add. Added a few more invitations to come to Jerusalem for the Passover.