Chapter Twenty

Zechariah slipped out of his priestly robes and into his tunic. His feet welcomed a pair of sandals after having spent the day barefoot in the Temple. His old feet were felt the weight of the day much more now than in his younger days.

The evening sacrifices were completed and the evening meal lie ahead. The priests would gather for a while between them to relax and rest after having been on their feet all day. From the time they entered the Temple until they left, they could not sit down. They must stand before the Lord as they served.

Bukki, Jerimoth and Abishua joined him as he exited the changing room and headed back to the bed chambers.

“Well Jerimoth, how was your first day of service unto the Lord.”

“I don’t know how to describe it. This morning while I was waiting for instructions about what to do, a man named David and his wife Ruth came in and called me priest. They kept saying, ‘Priest, come here. Priest, priest.’ I did not realize at first they were speaking to me. I almost told them to wait while I went and fetched a priest for them.”

Zechariah, Bukki, and Abishua laughed at him.

“My first day I experienced the very same thing,” Bukki said. “Only I did go and get them a priest. When I returned with one they looked at me very strangely. I think they were glad I had gotten them a real priest rather than fumbled my way through.”

Abishua smiled and slapped his hand upon Bukki’s back.

“I can see them now. Oh priest, oh priest,” he laughed.

Zechariah made his way to a bedding platform. He fluffed the straw mattress a bit and excused himself for a nap.

As he lay down Jerimoth came over and sat next to him.

“How did I do Zechariah?”

“You did just fine Jerimoth. Just fine my son.”

“I did not realize just how many animals we sacrifice everyday.”

“You want to talk about sacrifices? Wait until Passover week. There you will see some sacrifices.”

“Am I allowed to serve during Passover?” Jerimoth said.

“Only the division selected for Passover week may serve then.”

“I would love to serve that week.”

“I doubt you would feel the same way at the end of Passover week. But who knows, you may get your chance someday,” Zechariah replied.

Zechariah lay down on the mattress and looked up at Jerimoth. The two sat in silence and enjoyed one another’s company.

Pashur and Berechiah entered the bed chambers discussing Samson’s plight.

“I tell you, the Lord was with him to the end. He just did not do any miracles through him while he was in prison. Until Samson’s heart became right.”

“So, his power wasn’t in his hair?” Berechiah said.

“Of course not. The Lord’s power was never dependent upon the length of his hair but the quality and intent of his heart.”

Jerimoth and Zechariah smiled at the two of them. Neither was happy if he wasn’t arguing the finer points of the Lord’s word.

“Seems to me that he wasted the Lord’s blessings,” Zechariah said.

“Yes, yes he did,” Berechiah said.

“Never the less, the Lord’s hand was on him his whole life,” Pashur said.

“Did he only have power while he believed he had power?” Jerimoth said.

“Not at all,” Berechiah said. “Tell him Zechariah. He still thought he had power when he awoke from his sleep after Delilah had cut his hair off. The guards easily subdued him. Then they blinded him and took him to prison.”

Samuel and his sons entered the bed chambers. Zechariah sat up and made room for them beside him and Jerimoth.

“Can’t an old man take a nap around this place?” He asked.

The rest laughed.

“Of course, just not in the middle of the day,” Ithamar said. What do you think this is?  An inn?”

“Speak with respect to your elders Ithamar,” Samuel said.

“Hey Jerimoth, I think it is time for you to prove you know the Torah. No priest is fit to srve if he does not know the Torah.” Micah said.

“Yes,” said Phineha.

The priests gather round to grill young Jeremy.

“First, the Lord’s commandments,” said Pashur his father.

“Yes,” said Zechariah. He sat up and prepared to listened.

“Ok,” said Jerimoth.

“Exodus 20 says, And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.’”

Jerimoth looked around at the other priests sitting and listening.

“Not bad for the new guy,” Jahzerah said.

Jerimoth continued.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

He stopped for a moment, then continued.

“Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’ And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.’ So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. “

“Far enough son, Samuel said.

“Psalm 119,” Obadiah said.

“Now, Obadiah,” Samuel said. “We do not wish to be here listening to him so long that we miss the evening meal.”

“Let him begin it and you tell him when to stop.”

“I can quote the whole thing,” Jerimoth said. “And, will that not please our Lord?”

“Ok son. Psalm 119 it is then,” Pashur said.

“We’ll wake you when he is done Zechariah,” Berechiah said.

“Wake me when he is done. I’ll show you young ones how it is done. I will quote it with you Jerimoth. You take a passage, then I will, then you, then me. What do you say?”

Jerimoth smiled and began quoting.

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.
You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!”

Zechariah took over.

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes!
With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.”

Jerimoth continued.

“Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.
Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.
You rebuke the proud-the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.
Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.”

Zechariah continued.

“My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.
I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.
My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.
Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.
I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame!
I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.”

Jerimoth continued.

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.
Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.
Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good.
Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.”

Zechariah rubbed his chin and looked around the chamber.

“What is an old man to do? Should his memory betray him in his old age? Listen to the word of the Lord my friends.”

Zechariah elbowed Jerimoth and fired off the next section of the Psalm.

“Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord-Your salvation according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.
I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love.
My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.”

Jerimoth continued.

“Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, And have comforted myself.
Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.
I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, And I keep Your law.
This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts.”

Zechariah spoke up.

“You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words.
I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.
I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.
The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.
I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.
The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes.”

Samuel spoke up, “Allow me gentlemen.”

Zechariah and Jerimoth motioned for him to take the next session.

“You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.
You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.”

Jerimoth spoke again.

“Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word.
I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant.
Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts.
Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies.
Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed.”

Zechariah continued.
“My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.
My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law.
All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me!
They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.
Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.”

“Let me take the next passage,” Abishua said.

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.
They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.
Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.
I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.
The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies.
I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.”

“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.
I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way,” Zechariah quoted.

Jerimoth took the next section.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me Your judgments.
My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end.”

Zechariah stood and quoted the next section.

“I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God!
Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood.
You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments.”

Jerimoth stood beside him and quoted the next section.

“I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.
Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the proud oppress me.
My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word.
Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes.
I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies.
It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as void.
Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.”

Zechariah took the ext section.

“Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them.
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.
Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law.”

“Righteous are You, O Lord, And upright are Your judgments.
Your testimonies, which You have commanded, Are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal has consumed me, Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it.
I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.
The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live,” said Jerimoth.

Zechariah continue with the next section.

“I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes.
I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.
My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.
Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.
They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law.
You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.
Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.”

Jerimoth continued.

“Consider my affliction and deliver me, For I do not forget Your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.
Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes.
Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord; Revive me according to Your judgments.
Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, Because they do not keep Your word.
Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”

Pashur stood and took the next section.

“Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.
I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law.
Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.
Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.
Lord, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.
My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.
I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You.”
Zechariah said the next verse.

“Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word.”

Then Jerimoth.

“Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.”

Then Zechariah.

“My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.”

Then Pashur.

“My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.”

Then Jerimoth.

“Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts.”

Then Zechariah.

“I long for Your salvation, O Lord, And Your law is my delight.”

Then Pashur.

“Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me.”

Then all the men said together, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.”

“Amen,” said Zechariah.

“Amen,” said the rest of the priests.

A priest passing by poked his head in and said,” You are about to miss the evening meal priests. Hurry up.”

They all quickly followed him to the food hall.

© 2011 John Pearson All Rights Reserved.