The Amish Voice 7
Pennsylvania Deitsh Testa-
ment
If you
would
like
to
obtain a New
Testament with Psalms
and Proverbs in Pennsylvania Deitsh,
they are available for $13.95 postpaid
from the
Commitee for Translaton,
3864 Township Road 162, Sugarcreek,
OH 44681. Phone 330-852-4663.
You do not need to send money ahead
of tme; they will bill you with your
order. Your local Christan bookstore
may also have them available.
In making this translaton, the com-
mitee’s purpose was two-fold: 1) to
adhere as closely as possible to the
Textus Receptus Greek text, which is
closely associated with Luther’s
(German) and the Authorized (English)
version, the two versions most com-
monly in use by the Amish, and 2) to
make the translaton in fuent everyday
Pennsylvania Deitsh as it is spoken in
the home.
The translaton procedures and princi-
ples used in this translaton are basical-
ly those employed by the Wyclife Bible
Translators, and the exegesis closely
follows their series of in-house
“Exegetcal Helps”. The fnal manu-
script was checked for exegetcal accu-
racy by New Testament Greek special-
ists from the Translaton Department
of the Wyclife Bible Translators.
Ezra, Chapter 3-6, tell us: When the children
of Israel turned their hearts back to the Lord
and repented, they began to rebuild the tem-
ple that had been destroyed by the Babyloni-
ans when King Nebuchadnezzar had exiled
them to Babylon.
Jobs were assigned to the correct people.
Plans were organized, and everyone was
filled with joy and energy.
However, as soon as their enemies realized
what was happening, they tried to trick the
Israelites into allowing them to
help with the
work
. They were told that they could not
help; only Israelites could take part in this
work.
Since that scheme was ineffective, the ene-
mies then tried to interrupt, to hinder, and to
discourage the work in every possible way.
This time of trial for the Israelites lasted dur-
ing the reign of King Cyrus (the king of Per-
sia) until King Darius took the throne after
King Artaxerxes. During King Darius‟s
reign, the work of rebuilding the temple was
brought to a screeching halt.
When King Darius took the throne, two
prophets of Israel began to prophesy in the
Lord‟s name to the children of Israel. With
some encouragement, several strong leaders
again began to rebuild the temple, and the
prophets helped them. However, the enemy
was not going to give up that easily. Their
officials approached the builders and asked
by what authority they rebuilt the temple.
They said in King Cyrus‟s authority.
God was watching out for them, and thus the
labor was not hindered. King Darius checked
the records to see if the information they had
given him was true, and he discovered that
King Cyrus had, in fact, decreed that the
temple should be rebuilt. So king Darius
gave his full
support and
favor and com-
manded gov-
ernment offi-
cials to help.
The temple was
finally finished
and dedicated
because God
had caused the
King‟s favor to
be on His chil-
dren.
Is it surprising
that when good
things happen and God‟s will is being per-
formed that there would be opposition? We
fool ourselves if we think the enemy of our
souls will give up without a fight! Have you
ever noticed this in your life when you made
a decision to walk in obedience to God, or
made a choice to follow Him more fully?
Our family has experienced this frequently in
the last several years. If you are serious about
God, you WILL have opposition! Sadly, this
opposition often comes from those closest to
us. It is during these times we must not give
up. It can be very difficult and challenging,
but if we are assured of being in God‟s will,
He will be behind us, leading the way even
when the going is difficult.
Notice that even though it was God‟s perfect
will that the temple be rebuilt, the Jews still
had a season of severe opposition and a time
when they were forced to stop.
Don‟t you think they were discouraged and
questioned whether it was God‟s will?
Do you think they asked if it was even worth
it?
Judging by some of my natural reactions, I
am sure they had doubts. I am sure there
were those who did give up. But when God
sent His prophets to speak His word, there
were men who were ready and willing, and
rose to the challenge once again. This time
God removed the roadblocks for them. He
was behind them the entire time even when
the work was opposed and stopped.
Opposition gives us strength. Sometimes we
may need a time of rest. There are probably
many reasons why God allows obstacles. We
can be sure if we follow God‟s plan, we will
have obstacles because Satan will not be
pleased. God may also test us to see how
serious we are about Him.
Continued on next page
Expect Opposition
—by Lynn Miller
Even when everyone has aban-
doned you… I am here.
Even when it feels like you are
praying to the ceiling… I am
listening.
Even when you don‟t have
enough money to pay the
bills… I am still providing.
Even when you can‟t see the
end of this dark time… I am
still the light of the world.
Even when you feel like I am
not there… I am all around
you.
Even when it seems like you
don‟t need me… I hold all
things together.
Even when you are lost in the
pit of sin and destruction… I
am the One who seeks and
saves the lost.
Even when you have no hope
on this earth…I have eternal
hope for you.
Even when you walk away
from me…I am still waiting
for you.
Even when you don‟t think
anything good is happening…I
am God and I am at work.
I am God at work in your life.
———————————
Romans 9:20-21:
Nay but, O
man, who art thou that repliest
against God? Shall the thing
formed say to him that formed
it, Why hast thou made me
thus? Hath not the potter pow-
er over the clay, of the same
lump to make one vessel unto
honour, and another unto dis-
honour?
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