The Sword of the LORD

My wife and I love jigsaw puzzles. It's one of those activities that challenges the brain while at the same time providing an opportunity to talk, laugh, and share a sense of accomplishment when we finish. We have our own strategy when we solve jigsaws. First we empty all of the pieces on the table and turn them all over right-side up. Then we start searching for the straight-edged pieces that make up the outside border of the puzzle. Once the border is complete, we start sorting out pieces based on similar colors, patterns, or hues; or if they appear to belong together to form some outstanding feature in the picture - a person, farmhouse, or a bridge for instance. We both work on separate sections initially (she accuses me of taking the easy parts), but then work together toward the end to finish the sky, or sea, or some other featureless expanse. Sometimes a piece of the puzzle will be particularly elusive. We will search and search, and just not see it. Even though ...

"And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof. And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus. And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon. And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar. And he brought also the brasen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar. And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening m...