08 - The Book Of Ruth - Audio King James Version
RUTH
The record of the Moabitess who turned to Israel’s God, married Boaz of Bethlehem and became an ancestor of Jesus Christ!
Time of the Judges
The events in this lovely little book, only four chapters long, took place in the time of the Judges (see Ruth 1:1); it forms a link between the days when “there was no king in Israel” (Judges 21:25) and the time of King David, who sat on “the throne of the LORD’’, in Jerusalem.
The story starts in Moab: Naomi and her husband Elimelech had moved there, seeking relief from the famine in Judea. Elimelech died in Moab; their two sons also died, leaving Naomi with her daugh- ters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Orpah chose to stay in Moab, but—when the famine was over—Ruth accompanied Naomi back to Judea. Ruth the Moabitess learned from Naomi about the God of Israel, in whom she came to trust (2:12). In Bethlehem, Naomi’s home town, an elderly relation, Boaz, showed kindness to them both. Eventually he married Ruth and the happy result was the birth of a son, Obed, who was the grandfather of King David. Some 1,000 years later, Mary the mother of Jesus was born of this family line.
God’s Harvest
Ruth came to Bethlehem (the ‘house of bread’!) at the time of barley harvest. At first she was allowed to glean corn dropped in the field which belonged to Boaz. Later she was invited to share the meals he provided for his servants.
God is preparing a people for His coming Kingdom, where
believers from all down the ages will eat and drink with Jesus, the first-fruits of that final harvest! (Luke 22:30; 1 Corinthians 15:23).
Credits: http://scourby.com by Alexander Scourby narration of the King James. Litchfield Associates
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeExWHBMDM8
The Zulu Reed Dance
More than 25 000 Zulu virgins gather at the King’s Enyokeni Traditional Residence for this very colourful and meaningful ceremony every September which promotes respect for young women, and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until marriage. In the olden days, the women gathered at the Zulu Reed Ceremony (Umkhosi woMhlanga) and men at the First Fruits Ceremony (Umkhosi wokweshwama).
The Zulu Reed dance is an educational experience and opportunity for young maidens to learn how to behave before the Zulu King .
This is done whilst delivering reed sticks, singing and dancing. Maidens learn and understand the songs while the young princesses lead the virgins. The maidens wear ‘izigege’ and ‘izinculuba’ that show their bottoms. Traditional attire includes beadwork to symbolise African beauty at its best.
At this stage the maidens are taught by senior females how to behave themselves and be proud of their virginity and naked bodies. That allows maidens to expect respect from their suitors who intend approaching them during the ceremony.
The second phase is educating the young maidens ‘amatshitshi’ by their older sisters ‘amaqhikiza’ on how to behave in married life. Young maidens are encouraged not to argue or respond immediately but to wish the suitor well on his journey back.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ModZRdQNvCw
65 - The Book Of Jude - Audio King James Version
JUDE
This short letter reminds believers that there is an urgent need always to keep to the doctrines and practices taught by Christ and the Apostles, as now revealed in the Scriptures.
Jude, Brother of James
the brother of the James who was a step-brother of Jesus. Jesus, Jude, James, Simon and Joses had all been brought up in the home of Mary and Joseph, at Nazareth in Galilee.
During the ministry of Jesus in Galilee, his brothers did not believe on him, although he was the Messiah and Saviour, being the Son of God and not of Joseph (see John 7:5). After his resurrection, however, they became faithful followers.
Jude, Servant of Jesus Christ Now Jude wrote as “a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ”. In writing to fellow-believers he says they are “sanctified … preserved” (v.1). This means that they were set apart, separated and distinct from the beliefs and practices of the world around them. They will be preserved as God’s people, his “saints” through Jesus Christ, if they remain true to their calling. They will look for mercy at the return of Christ if they have been faithful.
He reminded his readers of Old Testament examples of false teachers and of the judgements reserved for such (v 5-15). Against such apostasy true saints, such as Enoch (v 14), had spoken out.
The Importance of the Truth The need to keep to the original gospel as taught in the Scriptures is underlined in this letter. It is particularly apt, coming as it does almost at the end of the Bible. Those who guard the truth and try to live by its principles can look for mercy and eternal life at the time of Christ’s return. They will form the faultless “Bride” to be presented on that day (v 24).
Judah, Man of Praise!
Jude’s name can also be written as Judah —a name which means ‘praise’. It is fitting, therefore, that the letter ends in a doxology of praise: “To the only wise God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (v 25).
To give God glory and praise is the ultimate purpose to which God’s saints are called.
Credits: http://scourby.com by Alexander Scourby narration of the King James. Litchfield Associates
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8HJ2TQ6Gs8
This is Eswatini’s (Swaziland’s) best known cultural event, and has a more open feel than the Incwala. In this eight-day ceremony, young girls cut reeds, present them to the Queen Mother (Indlovukazi) – ostensibly to repair the windbreak around her royal residence – and then dance in celebration. Up to 40,000 girls take part, dressed up in brightly coloured attired – making it one of the biggest and most spectacular cultural events in Africa.
The proper festivities kick off on day six, when dancing gets under way in the afternoon. Each group drops their reeds outside the Queen Mother’s quarters then moves to the main arena, where they dance and sing their songs. The dancing continues on day seven, when the king is present. This is the main day that most visitors attend. Each regiment dances before him in turn.
Little can prepare you for the sheer scale of the pageantry, with column upon column of girls advancing like vast ululating centipedes across the parade grounds of Ludzidzini, each dissolving in turn into the pulsating mass of bodies around the royal kraal. Up close, it’s an almost overwhelming immersion in noise and colour, as the girls stamp, sing and sway in step, anklets rattling, naked flesh and dazzling costume blurring into a living, chanting kaleidoscope. The warrior escorts, adorned with cow tails and clutching knob-stick and shield, are sternly intent on their duties and seem contemptuous of tourists, but the girls are all smiles. It’s Eswatini’s biggest holiday and, after days of tramping the hillsides, cutting reeds and camping out, they’re determined to party.
Today the Umhlanga is as well attended as ever. Indeed cultural historians marvel at how its ever-increasing popularity in Eswatini defies the apparent decline of traditional culture elsewhere. It offers the visitor a unique experience. There are no special visitor arrangements – except for a special grandstand to accommodate visiting dignitaries – but simply turn up at Ludzidizini and follow the crowds (Day 7 is the main day). Police will direct you where to go, and where to park.
The event takes place around the last week of August / first week of September in the Lobamba area, next to the Ezulwini Valley. The dates for the 2019 Umhlanga Reed Dance have now been confirmed. The festival will start on Tuesday 27th August, with day 7 (main day) falling on Monday 2nd September.
Tourists visiting the annual Reed Dance are allowed to take photographs on Days 6 and 7 (main day) – as the maidens walk to deliver the reeds to the Royal Residence, and then as they dance in the main arena. Photography at other times is restricted to accredited members of the media, who can check the Media Accreditation section on this page for further information.
Reed D
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2EfLdo2WB8
The Umhlanga Reed Dance is a traditional dance and ceremony where up to 40 000 Swazi maidens gather and dance for the Queen Mother. This Swazi cultural event is performed as a tribute to the Royal Family and dates back centuries in time. Taking place over a week, normally the last in August, it is largely private, however its final two public days (normally a Sunday and Monday) are a spectacle that is unrivalled in Africa today. Thousands upon thousands of maidens dress up in brightly coloured attire and sing, dance together as they deliver the reed or umlanga to the Royal Residence. Their enjoyment of this ceremony is quite apparent as they use the opportunity of bonding with girls of similar ages from across the country.
As the maidens dance, warriors and other spectators often join the dance kugiya or throw money at their feet in appreciation of their skill. The King sometimes makes use of the occasion to publically court a prospective fiancee or Liphovela. This young woman will be given a dominant position amongst the dancing princesses. Unfortunately this particular feature often distorts media coverage of the event, which becomes obsessed with the polygamous nature of traditional Swazi society. However, a traveller lucky enough to witness this event will appreciate its special purpose in bonding the nation, enstalling good morals (virginity is essential for attendance) and allowing rural girls to travel outside of their home areas. It is a massive logistical mission for the Swazi government, with food, water, transport and security concerns growing with each year...but Swaziland without Umhlanga is just not Swaziland.
The Zulu Reed Dance
More than 25 000 Zulu virgins gather at the King’s Enyokeni Traditional Residence for this very colourful and meaningful ceremony every September which promotes respect for young women, and preserves the custom of keeping girls as virgins until marriage. In the olden days, the women gathered at the Zulu Reed Ceremony (Umkhosi woMhlanga) and men at the First Fruits Ceremony (Umkhosi wokweshwama).
The Zulu Reed dance is an educational experience and opportunity for young maidens to learn how to behave before the Zulu King .
This is done whilst delivering reed sticks, singing and dancing. Maidens learn and understand the songs while the young princesses lead the virgins. The maidens wear ‘izigege’ and ‘izinculuba’ that show their bottoms. Traditional attire includes beadwork to symbolise African beauty at its best.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Qf_SPi_c0
Dance Culture of Swaziland Ndbele reed dance
Umhlanga [um̩ɬaːŋɡa], or Reed Dance ceremony, is an annual Swazi and Zulu event. In Eswatini, tens of thousands of unmarried and childless Swazi girls and women travel from the various chiefdoms to the Ludzidzini Royal Village to participate in the eight-day event.[2] The young, unmarried girls were placed in female age-regiments; girls who had fallen pregnant outside wedlock had their families fined a cow.
Umhlanga was created in the 1940s in Eswatini under the rule of Sobhuza II, and is an adaptation of the much older Umcwasho ceremony. The reed dance continues to be practised today in Eswatini. In South Africa, the reed dance was introduced in 1991 by Goodwill Zwelithini, the current King of the Zulus. The dance in South Africa takes place in Nongoma, a royal kraal of the Zulu king.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meAtF3Yw9us
03 - The Book Of Leviticus - Chapter 16 - New Heart English Bible
Leviticus 16: Once a year Aaron shall make atonement for the people. He shall bring one goat as a sin offering and release another as a scapegoat.
Credits: New Heart English Bible
World English Bible was made by narrator David Williams
https://bit.ly/2FFBJhk
https://bit.ly/323wRKm
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wichPjWI1Xc
Reed Dance - umemulo ka Nokwanda Manqele
Umhlanga [um̩ɬaːŋɡa], or Reed Dance ceremony, is an annual Swazi and Zulu event. In Eswatini, tens of thousands of unmarried and childless Swazi girls and women travel from the various chiefdoms to the Ludzidzini Royal Village to participate in the eight-day event.The young, unmarried girls were placed in female age-regiments; girls who had fallen pregnant outside wedlock had their families fined a cow.
Umhlanga was created in the 1940s in Eswatini under the rule of Sobhuza II, and is an adaptation of the much older Umcwasho ceremony. The reed dance continues to be practised today in Eswatini. In South Africa, the reed dance was introduced in 1991 by Goodwill Zwelithini, the current King of the Zulus. The dance in South Africa takes place in Nongoma, a royal kraal of the Zulu king
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUxosOiVWf8