Spong vs Spong Part 6

God easily overcomes educated, intelligent, so-called wisdom that denies Him:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” … Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1:18-20 NIV)

How powerful is our God? Who dares to challenge Him? Can anyone outsmart God?

God considers the wisdom of this world to be foolish. It is just as the Scriptures say, “God catches the wise when they try to outsmart him.” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19 CEV)

Revealed

What of those who refuse to believe? What about churches that have grown large, because the truth is watered down and smooth things are preached, instead of a repentance? God is angry with all of such human substitutes for the truth.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (Romans 1:18-19 NIV)

What to Do

How should we react when some become traitors to historic Christianity, seem to care nothing for God’s word and substitute their own words? Should we echo the words of the Psalmist?

Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word. (Psalm 119:158 NLT)

First of all, let’s ask what the Lord would say about those who pretend that their own words are the words of God? We don’t have to look far, because this is not a new thing.

“Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’ Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:30-32 NIV)

What Churches Must Do

Churches with leaders who reject the word of God, must remove them from office. In ancient Israel, the punishment was swift and unwavering, they were excommunicated from the faith community.

“But those who brazenly violate the Lord’s will, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the Lord, and they must be cut off from the community. Since they have treated the Lord’s word with contempt and deliberately disobeyed his command, they must be completely cut off and suffer the punishment for their guilt.” (Numbers 15:30-31 NLT)

This is not a new problem. The church has faced such people often throughout its history:

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. (2 John 10 NIV)

We are warned about such people:

… having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV)

We should be merciful in excommunication, restoring them, encouraging them to take time to rethink their errors, with loving letters of reassurance and discussion with church leaders.

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20 NIV)

Defend Scripture

Let’s not be afraid to stand up and defend Scripture.

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:16 NIV)

Jude’s Advice

During the Protestant Reformation, we contended for the Scriptures. We believed Jude who admonished earlier Christians.

I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was ONCE FOR ALL entrusted to God’s holy people. (Jude 3 NIV)

Why did Jude feel compelled to write as he did?

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have SECRETLY SLIPPED IN among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a LICENSE FOR IMMORALITY and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 4 NIV)

Those who think that Sodom and Gomorrah’s only sins were oppressing the poor have perhaps not noticed this next verse.

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to SEXUAL IMMORALITY and PERVERSION. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 7 NIV)

Ad-hominem becomes a logical argument when a person’s character is part of the problem. Unfaithful shepherds are part of the problem:

These people are BLEMISHES at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 12-13 NIV)

Here is another ad-hominem comment from Jude:

These people are GRUMBLERS and FAULTFINDERS; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. (Jude 16 NIV)

Jude gives us some wonderful advice amidst the onslaught of deceptive rhetoric.

But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. (Jude 17-23 KJV)

Conclusion

This series has been about believing the testimony of the Holy Scriptures and to not wander from them. We can quibble, argue, adopt the philosophies and cultures of our age, and ride the wave of our own egotistical imaginations, but we cannot outsmart God or His Word.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25 NKJV)

Walk on Water

Who do we look to for help when our lives are tossed about and we seem to be sinking? Let’s understand that the One who loves us will come to our rescue. Let’s look at the story of a small boat in a stormy sea in Matthew 14:22-33.

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. (Matthew 14:22-23 NKJV)

Sometimes Jesus sends us forth ahead of Him. Perhaps it’s because Jesus has a special miracle planned for us. The crowd wanted to make Jesus an earthly king. When seduced by worldly promotion that is not in God’s plan, find a solitary place to pray, and seek the Lord’s will.

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. (Matthew 14:24 NKJV)

When Jesus sends us forth, we may be tossed by waves. Shallow lakes are known for dangerous storm waves. Sometimes we doubt our calling. Jesus knows a storm is coming, winds of false doctrine, waves of temptation, and storms of mistreatment. We must walk by faith and not by sight.

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. (Matthew 14:25 NKJV)

The fourth or last night watch was from about 3am to sunrise. Sometimes we go through most of the night before Jesus comes. He may come with a miracle, or supernatural event, like walking on water. God often intervenes just before we lose hope. He wants to teach us faith.

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. (Matthew 14:26 NKJV)

When God appears people are often afraid. We must remember that, like at Mount Sinai and the Sea of Galilee, God reveals Himself because we are highly favored. As they thought that Jesus was an apparition, we too can think that Jesus is somebody else. Remember, God comes to bless.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27 NKJV)

While tossed about with trials of faith, Jesus comes and speaks to us. Jesus calms the storms and provides safety. A church worship space is called the nave, meaning ship. As Noah was brought to safety (1 Peter 3:20-21), Jesus comes and carries us through the storms to eternity.

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. (Matthew 14:28-29 NKJV)

Peter asked Jesus to let him walk on water too, “So He said, ‘Come.’” Some people are bold like Peter and jump right in. There is no criticism of that personality here, in an initial rush of faith and desire to be with Jesus. Spontaneity is good. Perseverance is better.

But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30 NKJV)

After his impetuosity, Peter began to doubt. He was afraid. In the conflict between sight and faith, faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Sinking in life’s stormy waters, often we have more zeal than faith. In our tempestuous circumstances we cry out, Lord, save me.

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:31-33 NKJV)

Why do we doubt? Like Peter we sometimes step out on faith. Like Peter, we don’t continue in faith. Peter began with a prayer request, followed by an invitation from Jesus to “Come.” All this brings us to declare verbally, like the disciples, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Sometimes we seem to be all alone at night in a stormy sea. We step out on faith. We doubt and begin to sink. Tossed by waves of temptation and doubt, we cry out for help. Jesus comes to us in the dark, as we feel like we are about to drown, and calms the waters.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Readings

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 How many of us have been betrayed and sold out by others because of the favor we have with our heavenly Father?

Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b Do our hearts rejoice as we seek the Lord? Do we remember His marvellous works or call them myths? Remember: After thirteen years of slavery and imprisonment, God mightily blessed Joseph.

[1 Kings 19:9-18 In the midst of those who worship Ba’al, we may feel quite alone, yet in a still small voice God reminds us that 7,000 others believe as we do.

Psalm 85:8-13 God will speak peace to His people, His saints.]

Romans 10:5-15 Law-righteousness is surpassed by faith-righteousness. With the heart one believes unto righteousness.

Matthew 14:22-33 in Rhyme
---
Jesus sent His disciples away
While He went up a mountain to pray
When evening came, He was alone
But the boat was wave tossed and wind blown
---
By night He came walking on the sea
And they cried out, It’s a ghost we see
But Jesus told them, Be of good cheer!
It’s okay, it’s me, no need to fear
---
And Peter answered, Lord, if it is You
Tell me to walk on the water too
And on the water Peter did walk
But seeing the wind began to balk
---
Starting to sink he cried, Lord, save me!
And Jesus caught him, hearing his plea
O You of little faith, Jesus said,
Why did you doubt? Then the wind stopped dead
---
Then they worshiped Him, saying in laud
That, Truly You are the Son of God.

Spong vs Spong Part 4 God's Word

What is the word of God, or the word of the Lord, or similar phrases? Why is the Bible often referred to as the word of God? Is it a legitimate use of such phraseology? Does the Bible only contain the word of God? How is the phrase used in the Bible itself?

A Narrow Definition

Some people try to say that the Bible is not the word of God, but merely CONTAINS the word of God. In order to back this narrow definition up, they use a limited number of passages, such as where the phrase “word of God” or “word of the Lord” refers to a quote of what God said, to people like Abram, Shemaiah and Nathan.

And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, … (1 Chronicles 17:3 KJV)

A quote is the narrowest definition of the phrase “word of God” and is certainly the way that phrase is used in some contexts. In other contexts, it is obvious that a much broader definition of the phrase is being used as we shall see.

The Written Word of God

Notice that what Moses said and recorded in writing is also called the word of God. The word of God is still often nullified by vain human traditions.

For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ … Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that. (Mark 7:10, 13 NIV)

In His defence for calling Himself the Son of God, Jesus referred to the “word of God” as synonymous with Scripture.

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken) (John 10:35 NASB)

The Taught Word of God

When confronted with the needs of certain widows in the church, the apostles saw that it was a job for others, and that they should focus on teaching the “word of God.” This use of the phrase “word of God” is broader than merely repeating a list of quotes from God.

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. (Acts 6:2 NLT)

The Gospel Message

The “word of God” is also the Gospel message, which continues to spread around the world. After a confrontation with Simon the Sorcerer, who thought he could buy God’s free gift with money, Peter and John continued speaking the word of the Lord. Proclaiming the word of the Lord is also referred to as “preaching the gospel.”

After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. (Acts 8:25 NIV)

Referring to the permanence of life in Christ, and the temporary nature of physical life, Peter calls the word of the Lord which remains forever, the Good News, the Gospel.

As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24-25 NLT; Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:6-8)

The Heard Word of God

When asked about His physical family nearby, Jesus replied, referring to the “word of God” or “God’s word” as something that was heard and obeyed or put into practice.

But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21 NASB)

The Word Judges

Christians are sometimes accused of using the Bible like a club. The Bible has a much more penetrating description, calling the word of God a sword that should be used with surgical skill. The word of God diagnoses the heart. It discerns or gives insight into our own hearts, so that we may repent and be blessed. Those who hardheartedly refuse to be cut to their inner consciences by the sword of the word of God, don’t know what wonderful blessings they are rejecting.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)

The Preached Word of God

What did God inspire Jeremiah to write about right preaching?

Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: “Because you have spoken this word, behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire, and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them. (Jeremiah 5:14 ESV)

Sometimes the preached word of God is like a consuming fire and our hearts burn like kindling. But, if the preaching in our churches is only a watered-down, feel-good pablum, we may never have experienced anything like this. The word of God is to be spoken with boldness.

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31 ESV)

When we have substituted our words for the words of God, what would God have to say about that? Would He say something similar to what He spoke to unfaithful priests through the prophet Malachi? How often do preachers redefine what the Bible calls evil as good today?

Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? (Malachi 2:17 KJV)

It’s really nothing new to be ridiculed and mocked. Faithful preachers have faced worse. The apostles prayed for boldness in the face of threats from the Roman government, Gentiles and the people of Israel.

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. (Acts 4:29 NIV)

The Call of God

The call of John the Baptist to his ministry was described as the “word of God” coming to him.

Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (Luke 3:2 KJV)

Jesus the Word

Of course, the word of God is also a Person, God the Son.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14 NASB)

Summary

The Word of God can be a quote from God, the written Word of God, the taught Word of God, the Gospel message, the heard Word of God, the preached Word of God, the call of God and Jesus the Word. It all depends on context.

Spong vs Spong Part 5 The Hebrew Scriptures

What did Jesus and the Apostles say about the Hebrew Scriptures?

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19 NIV)

Is this contradicted in Luke?

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. (Luke 16:16 NIV)

The law pointed to Jesus. The principles or spirit of the law have not changed. Paul used the Old Testament to explain about Jesus.

He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. (Acts 28:23 NLT)

Are there lesser laws and weightier matters?

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. (Matthew 23:23 NASB)

Is there a difference between essentials and man-made traditions?

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NLT)

Do we nullify the Old Testament by New Testament faith?

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. (Romans 3:31 NIV)

Was the law evil as some moderns insist? Paul wrote:

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. (Romans 7:12 KJV)

Book of the Law

Would Moses’ law profit society?

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8 KJV)

The Book of Moses

Moses was chief editor, compiler or redactor of the first five books. They are the book of the law of the Lord which was given through Moses.

While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. (2 Chronicles 34:14 NIV)

Clearly the phrase “law of Moses” refers to him as the inspired writer or editor, not the originator of the law.

Moses and the Prophets

When moderns disparage the Hebrew scriptures, they also disparage those who quoted and believed them, including Jesus, the Apostles and Paul.

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen — that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:22-23 NIV)

The Law and the Prophets

The law contains some things that even moderns would agree with.

“...what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’” (Zechariah 7:9-10 NIV)

The golden rule is based upon the Hebrew Scriptures:

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NLT)

Law, Prophets and Psalms

Jesus affirmed the Hebrew Scriptures.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44 NIV)

Paul admitted something that many moderns could not confess.

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets … (Acts 24:14-15 KJV)

The Command of God

God warned Israel through Moses, not to add or subtract from His commands.

Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you. (Deuteronomy 4:2 NLT)

Faulty human traditions may neglect the commandment of God.

"Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition." (Mark 7:9 NASB)

Are God’s commandments negative? What would John say?

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3 NLT)

Christians keep His commandments in the spirit.

… our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NKJV)

Nobody wants to live in a society of fear, under the law of the jungle, where the strong oppress and kill the weak at will. If we are just cosmic accidents, then moral codes are irrelevant. All the evidence plainly points to a designer, and He laid down a moral code based on eternal principles that still benefit us today.

God Provides

What can a church do with meager resources? Let’s learn about the abundant resources of heaven, by examining the miracle of feeding the 5,000 in Matthew 14:13-21.

When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:13-14 NKJV)

Among the sins of the church is a lack of compassion. Blaming poverty on laziness alone is hardhearted ignorance. More often the poor are victims of corruption, crime, overpopulation, low wages, inefficient distribution, bad education, environmental degradation, political oppression, colonialism, disease and war. Jesus feeding 5000 radically contradicts selfish religion.

When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:15-16 NKJV)

Like many of us, the disciples wanted to send the crowds of people away, Jesus told them, YOU give them something to eat. Can we hear the selfish political lies that many Christians believe? The saying, God helps those who help themselves, is a lie, not found in the Bible?

And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” (Matthew 14:17-18 NKJV)

God took a child’s packed lunch to feed a large crowd. God showed Elisha a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around. God provided a Kinsman Redeemer for Ruth. God helped David slay a giant with the smallest weapons. God gave Abigail wisdom to save the day.

Throughout scripture God promises His providence. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you” (Psalm 55:22). “He will feed His flock like a shepherd” (Isaiah 40:11).

“Fear not, I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6, 7). Of the small offering, Jesus said, Bring them here.

Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. (Matthew 14:19 NKJV)

Jesus BLESSED the small offering. We give thanks at a meal, because God created all things good. We acknowledge that we need God in our lives, that we live because of His Providence and we give thanks. When Jesus blessed the loaves and fishes, he was preparing an extraordinary Provision.

So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:20-21 NKJV)

Jesus fed the huge crowd. They all were FILLED. God provided. Communion reminds us of our daily bread and the Bread of eternal life, Jesus. Our offering is also small. God multiplies our efforts. He will supply. We cannot provide all that our world needs. He multiplies our small offerings.

Our physical resources are small and the task is overwhelming, but we are in the miracle business. Let’s not look to what we can bring, but to what our Lord provides.

Readings

Genesis 32:22-31 Are we quitters, or do we struggle with God and men and prevail?

Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Do we purpose that our mouths do not transgress? Will we only be satisfied when we awake in God’s likeness?

Isaiah 55:1-5 Why do we spend money for what does not satisfy?

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 How patient is God with us? How does God satisfy our desires? Do we speak the praises of God?

Romans 9:1-5 Would we give everything up for our wayward nation to be saved?

Matthew 14:13-21 in Rhyme

Jesus departed there by boat
To a deserted place remote
Crowds followed Him from the cities
He was moved for them with pities

Healed their sick, but His disciples
Said send them to buy some staples
But then Jesus said you feed them
They said with some fish and a crumb?

Jesus took the fish and the loaves
He blessed and gave them to the droves
So they all ate and they were filled
With twelve baskets left they were thrilled