Study Desk

I will tell of the Lord 's unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love.

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he became their enemy and fought against them.

Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, "Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?

Where is the one whose power was displayed when Moses lifted up his hand— the one who divided the sea before them, making himself famous forever?

"But because the rest of you have forsaken the Lord and have forgotten his Temple, and because you have prepared feasts to honor the god of Fate and have offered mixed wine to the god of Destiny,

Your name will be a curse word among my people, for the Sovereign Lord will destroy you and will call his true servants by another name.

Hear this message from the Lord , all you who tremble at his words: "Your own people hate you and throw you out for being loyal to my name. ‘Let the Lord be honored!' they scoff. ‘Be joyful in him!' But they will be put to shame.

What is all the commotion in the city? What is that terrible noise from the Temple? It is the voice of the Lord taking vengeance against his enemies.

When you see these things, your heart will rejoice. You will flourish like the grass! Everyone will see the Lord 's hand of blessing on his servants— and his anger against his enemies.

See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his swift chariots roar like a whirlwind. He will bring punishment with the fury of his anger and the flaming fire of his hot rebuke.

The Lord will punish the world by fire and by his sword. He will judge the earth, and many will be killed by him.

In those days Israel was holy to the Lord , the first of his children. All who harmed his people were declared guilty, and disaster fell on them. I, the Lord , have spoken!"

Our enemy rushes down on us like storm clouds! His chariots are like whirlwinds. His horses are swifter than eagles. How terrible it will be, for we are doomed!

So I will go and speak to their leaders. Surely they know the ways of the Lord and understand God's laws." But the leaders, too, as one man, had thrown off God's yoke and broken his chains.

They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for his neighbor's wife.

Enemies will surround you, like shepherds camped around the city. Each chooses a place for his troops to devour.

Shave your head in mourning, and weep alone on the mountains. For the Lord has rejected and forsaken this generation that has provoked his fury.'

But the Lord is the only true God. He is the living God and the everlasting King! The whole earth trembles at his anger. The nations cannot stand up to his wrath.

But the Lord made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens.