- the LORD[YHWH]:
- We have not abandoned the Lord; and we still serve him according to His own law. But what Abijah urged concerning the state of religion in Judah was not strictly just; and, as spoken by him, it favoured ostentation. Abijah himself was but an indifferent character; and idolatry was evidently connived at in his days. Yet it was true, that the men of Judah had the priests, ordinances, and worship of Jehovah among them; that there were numbers of pious worshippers in the land; that theirs was the more righteous cause; that Jehovah was on their side as their Captain, while Israel fought against him; and that the presence of the priests with the sacred trumpets was a token of His presence and favour. "And afterª them out of all¹¹ the tribesª of Israelª such as setª°¹ their heartsª to seekª°¹ the LORDª Godª of Israelª cameª° to Jerusalem,ª to sacrificeª° unto the LORDª Godª of their fathers.ª ... So they strengthenedª°¹ the kingdomª of Judah,ª and made¹ Rehoboamª the sonª of Solomonª strong,ª° threeª years:ª for¹ threeª yearsª they walkedª° in the wayª of Davidª and Solomon.ª" {2Ch 11:16-17} + "Now¹ therefore, if¹ ye will obey²° my voice² indeed,ª°¹ and keepª°¹ my covenant,ª then ye shall be¹ a peculiar treasureª unto me above all¹¹ people:ª for¹ all¹ the earthª [is] mine: ... And ye¹ shall be¹ unto me a kingdomª of priests,ª and an holyª nation.ª These¹ [are] the wordsª which¹ thou shalt speakª° unto¹ the childrenª of Israel.ª" {Exd 19:5-6} + "And I will bringª°¹ the third partª through the fire,ª and will refineª° them as¹ silverª is refined,ª° and will tryª° them as¹ goldª is tried:ª° they¹ shall callª° on my name,ª and I¹ will hearª° them: I will say,ª° It¹ [is] my people:ª and they¹ shall say,ª° The LORDª [is] my God.ª" {Zch 13:9}
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