Study Desk

For in the days of David and Asaph, long ago, there were leaders of the singers, and songs of praise and thanks to God.

On that day they read from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever gather together to worship with the people of God.

It was because they did not meet the sons of Israel with food and water, but paid Balaam to curse them. Yet our God turned the curse into good.

Before this, Eliashib the religious leader, who watched over the store-rooms of the house of our God, being close to Tobiah,

and came to Jerusalem. I learned about the sinful thing Eliashib had done for Tobiah, by giving a room for him in the house of God.

Then I said that the rooms must be made clean, and put back the things of the house of God with the grain gifts and the special perfume.

So I spoke sharp words to the leaders and said, "Why is the house of God no longer cared for?" Then I gathered them together and returned them to their duties.

Remember me for this, O my God. Do not forget my good works which I have done for the house of my God and His worship.

Did not your fathers do the same, so that our God brought all this trouble to us and to this city? Yet you are bringing more anger to Israel by not keeping the Day of Rest holy."

Then I told the Levites to make themselves free from sin and come and watch the gates to keep the Day of Rest holy. Remember me for this also, O my God. Be good to me because of Your great loving-kindness.

So I fought with them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them promise in the name of God, saying, "You must not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.

Did not King Solomon of Israel sin because of these women? Yet among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. But the women from other nations caused even him to sin.

Should we hear now that you also are sinning in the same way by not being faithful to our God, by marrying women from other nations?"

Remember them, O my God, because they have brought sin to the religious leaders and to the agreement of the religious leaders and the Levites.

And I saw to it that wood would be brought at the right times, and also the first-fruits. O my God, remember me for good.

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was without blame. He was right and good, he feared God, and turned away from sin.

When the days of their special supper were over, Job would get up early in the morning and send for them. Then he would give burnt gifts for each of them so that they would be pure. For Job said, "It might be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Job always did this.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to show themselves before the Lord. Satan came with them also.

The Lord said to Satan, "Have you thought about My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth. He is without blame, a man who is right and good. He honors God with fear and turns away from sin."

Then Satan answered the Lord, "Does Job fear God for nothing?