The Apostle Matthew speaks of Abel’s righteousness: Matthew 23:35That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
The Lord jesus also speaks of Abel’s righteousness: Luke 11:51From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
The Apostle Pau speaks of Abel’s Faith and righteousness: Hebrews 11:4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
And how the Lord Jesus’ was a better offering than that of Abel. Hebrews 12:24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Second Born of Adam and Eve. Had faith in God, believing what God said. Victim of the first murder. His works were honored by God.
The name means “Altar Hearth of God; or Lion of God.” There are six mentions of that name on the Bible. Ariel is primarily used as a male name in Scripture.
A mighty warrior of David’s. Ezra 8:16Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.
Seems to refer to a city; (another name for Jerusalem) Isaiah 29:1-2 Woe to Ariel, toAriel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me asAriel. Isaiah 29:7And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.
A Moabite whose two sons were killed by Benaiah (2 Samuel 23:20-22)
There are many NAMES in the scripture. Some very prominent and others are just names. Just as today, many times there is more than one individual with the same name. But God had them all put into scripture for a reason.
Some Southerners are pretty skeptical of horoscopes and the people that read them. If we are to ever fully understand all the star signs and the people they represent, we need symbols that all true Southerners understand: See the list below:
OKRA (Dec 22 – Jan 20): Are tough on the outside but tender on the inside. Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere. You can do something good each day if you try.
CHITLIN (Jan 21 – Feb 19): Chitlins come from humble backgrounds. A Chitlin, however, will make something of himself if he is motivated and has lots of seasoning. In dealing with Chitlins, be careful – they may surprise you. They can erupt like Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with Catfish and Okra.
BOLL WEEVIL (Feb 20 – March 20): You have an overwhelming curiosity. You’re unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very intense and driven as if you had some inner hunger. You love to stay busy and tend to work too much. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don’t worry about it.
MOON PIE (March 21 – April 20): You’re the type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. A cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here. You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. It’s not going to be easy. You always have a big smile and are happy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.
POSSUM (April 21 – May 21): When confronted with life’s difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don’t-bother-me-about-it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you’re dead. This strategy is probably not psychologically healthy but seems to work for you. You are a rare breed. Most folks love to watch you work and play. You are a night person and mind your own business.
CRAWFISH (May 22 – June 21): Crawfish is a water sign. If you work in an office, you’re hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer the beach to the mountains, the pool to the golf course, and the bathtub to the living room. You tend not to be particularly attractive physically, but you have very, very good heads.
COLLARDS (June 22 – July 23): Collards have a genius for communication. They love to get in the melting pot of life and share their essence with the essence of those around them. Collards make good social workers, psychologists, and baseball managers. As far as your personal life goes, if you are Collards, stay away from Crawfish. It just won’t work. Save yourself a lot of heartache.
CATFISH (July 24 – Aug 23): Catfish are traditionalists in matters of the heart, although one’s whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. You Catfish are never easy people to understand. You run fast. You work and play hard. Even though you prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life, you are liked by most. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.
GRITS (Aug 24 – Sept 23): Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel though, so maybe you should think about joining a club. Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese, gravy, bacon, butter, or eggs and a good time. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things; that serves you well. You are pure in heart.
BOILED PEANUTS (Sept 24 – Oct 23): You have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best, your friends and loved ones, may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear. You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you.
BUTTER BEAN (Oct 24 – Nov 22): Always invite a Butter Bean to a party because Butter Beans get along well with everybody. You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You’ve grown on the vine of life, and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you, too, shouldn’t have anything to do with Moon Pies.
ARMADILLO (Nov 23 – Dec 21): You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle and kind inside. A good evening for you—old friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms, and insects. You are a throwback. You’re not concerned with today’s fashions and trends. You’re not concerned with anything about today. You’re almost prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns. You probably want to marry another Armadillo, but a Possum is another somewhat kinky mating possibility.
My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she’s 97 years old and we still don’t know where she is.
The only reason I would take up exercising is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven’t lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.
I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.
I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.
The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
And last but not least: I don’t exercise because it makes the ice jump right out of my glass.
You could run this over to your friends but why not just e-mail it to them!
Seriously, consider what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Let your imagination run wild -think of everything trees are good for: all the do-it yourself projects that involve wood. Probably one of the most pliable and durable of all natural products that man has ever worked with. What good is a tree? It prevents erosion, provides shade, food, lumber products for homes, furniture, boats, wagons, paper products, heat, etc… Trees are very important to man. Not only have they protected, sheltered, and fed him throughout history, but they have also been his weapons of war, bows, arrows, spears, even guns. (Ezekiel 39:9) A new process of pressing wood together makes it harder than steel. (Look it up on internet).
The Bible has much to say about trees. Over 300 references, naming over 30 types of trees are in the Scriptures. Trees were worshipped by the pagans and many times sacrifices were offered under trees (Deuteronomy 12:2). The Hebrews were forbidden to plant a tree near a sacred altar (Deuteronomy 16:21). Tree limbs were used in the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40).
Places of importance were often referenced by trees: Genesis 12 Abram received promises from God under an Oak Tree Judges 4:5 Debora dwelt under a Palm Tree 1 Samuel 14:2 King Saul and 600 men rested under pomegranate tree The Lord Jesus referenced trees in his parables: The Olive tree… The Fig tree… The Fruit tree… Palm trees paved the way for the Lord entering Jerusalem.
There are many lessons to be learned from the trees named in the Scriptures: Leviticus 27:30And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD. Isaiah 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. Psalm 92:12The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Exodus 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, Just to mention some of them.
BUT the three most important trees: Genesis 2:9 The TREE of Life (Also in Revelation 22:1-2) Genesis 2:9,17 The TREE of the knowledge of Good an Evil Deuteronomy 21:22 The TREE of Death Galatians 3:13
Joyce Kilmer wrote: I think I shall never see, A poem as lovely as a tree, A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed, Against the earth sweet flowing breast, A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray, A tree that may in summer wear, A nest of Robins in her hair, Upon whose bosom snow has lain, Who intimately lives with rain, Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.
CandaceActs 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Chloe1 Corinthians 1:11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Claudia 2 Timothy 4:21Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. Damaris Acts 17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Drusilla Acts 24:24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Joanna Luke 3:27Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, Luke 8:3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. Julia Romans 16:15-17Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Persis Romans 16:12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Peter’s wife and mother-in-law Matthew 8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. Salome Mark 15:40There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Mark 16:1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. Sapphira Acts 5:1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, Susanna Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. Thamar (see Tamar) Matthew 1:3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; Tryphena Romans 16:12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Tryphosa Romans 16:12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
Maachah, a common name is Scripture. Maachah 1 1 Kings 15:2Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. and his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
1 Kings 15:10 And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. 1 Kings 15:13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron. 1 Chronicles 3:2 The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: 1 Chronicles 7:15-16 And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister’s name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters. And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 1 Chronicles 11:43 Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 1 Chronicles 27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah: 2 Chronicles 15:16 And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
Maachah 2 1 Chronicles 2:48-49Maachah, Caleb’s concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah. She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was Achsa.
Maachah 3 1 Chronicles 8:29-31 And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife’s name was Maachah: 1 Chronicles 9:35And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife’s name was Maachah:
Maachah 4 2 Chronicles 11:20-22And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.) And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
Numbers 26:33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Numbers 27:1 Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. Numbers 36:11For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their fathers brothers’ sons:
Genesis 29:6And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
Love at first sight: Wife of Jacob – His first and real love
Genesis 29:9-12 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father. Genesis 29:16-17 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
A contract is struct:
Genesis 29:18And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. The wrong woman: Genesis 29:25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? A new deal: Genesis 29:28-31 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. Problems: Genesis 30:1-2 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? Rachel has children thru her handmaid: Genesis 30:6And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan. Genesis 30:8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. Genesis 30:14-15 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son’s mandrakes. And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son’s mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son’s mandrakes. Rachel has her own son’s: Genesis 30:22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. Genesis 30:25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. Jacob plans to Leave Laban and return home (stolen Idols): Genesis 31:4And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, Genesis 31:14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? Genesis 31:19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s. Genesis 31:32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. Jacob reunites with Esau: Genesis 33:1-2 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. Genesis 33:7And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. Genesis 35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. Genesis 35:19And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. Genesis 48:7And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem. Rachel’s sons: Genesis 35:24The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin: Genesis 46:19The sons of Rachel Jacob’s wife; Joseph, and Benjamin. Genesis 46:22These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen. Genesis 46:25These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven. Jacob became Israel and his descendants are the Nation of Israel. Ruth 4:11And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
A simitude: Matthew 2:18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
