You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new.

• Leviticus 26:10

With each bull there is to be a drink offering of half a hin of wine; with the ram, a third of a hin; and with each lamb, a quarter of a hin. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon during the year.

• Numbers 28:14

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

• Isaiah 61:1-3

The message ties to the Scriptures a little.  Big Hint:  The message is not “Happy New Year!”  But the Scriptures above each have the words “new” and “year” in them.  The third being Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the year of the Lord’s favor.  May God bless you and have His favor upon you this year.

As with mystery message quizzes, the first letter of the answer is the clue to the mystery message, but with this one there will be a twist.  If the answer is a number, like fifteen, then the clue to the mystery message will be “15.”  For the numbers, it is the entire number rather than the first letter of the word or the first digit of the number.  The message entries are in order, when complete, just read down the last column.

The Questions section will show the Bible verse with the answer as a blank. Thus, this part of the quiz is a simple (hopefully not too hard) fill in the blank.  The line between words, or large numbers, will be noted with an asterisk (*), and all punctuation will be given (also creating a break between words or numbers).  With any mystery message quiz, some questions may be easier, and you may guess the ultimate answer, the message, without getting all the questions.  Then you can use that clue to help with the question’s answer.

Of the questions, the numbers are all numbers of years, and are the most obscure Bible verses, but please do not over-think it, considering what day this is.

The Bible Reference section will have book, chapter, and verse for the quoted Bible verse.  Then the answers and the message will be displayed in the Answers section.

The Questions:

?	Scripture	Bible Verse(s)	Answer	Letter or Number
1	It was like this for the _____ years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times.
2	Zedekiah was ____ years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.
				*
3	Abraham gave the name ____to the son Sarah bore him.
4	Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the ____, in front of the tent of meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
				*
5	A champion named ____, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.
6	But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the ____ cheek also.
7	Those who know your ____ trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
8	Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and ____ with that person, and they with me.
				;
9	one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, ____ years old or more, a total of 603,550 men.
10	He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel ____ years.
				*
11	In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet ____ son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
12	But when he, the ____ of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
				*
13	Blessed are the pure in ____, for they will see God.
14	Now ____ the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”
15	As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a ____ citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”
16	When they had crossed, Elijah said to ____, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” ____ replied.		(answer given twice in the verse)
				!

The prophecy of Isaiah 61 is an End Times prophecy, but Jesus quoted it in Luke 4:21 as being fulfilled.  That was a partial fulfillment.  Jesus paid the price on the cross for the Spiritual redemption of His people, but any reference to living on earth in peace refers to the End Times and the millennium reign.

Yet, each year we begin with hope.  In Jesus Christ we have Hope, and Joy, and Peace.  In Heaven, our Hope will be reality, a new life, a new world, brighter as we will be in God’s presence, as if this world was a faint memory of a dream.  And our Joy and Peace will be pure and everlasting.

Bible References:

?	Scripture	Bible Verse(s)	Answer	Letter or Number
1	It was like this for the _____ years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times.	Genesis 31:41
2	Zedekiah was ____ years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.	2 Kings 24:18
				*
3	Abraham gave the name ____to the son Sarah bore him.	Genesis 21:3
4	Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the ____, in front of the tent of meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.	Exodus 3:38
				*
5	A champion named ____, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.	1 Samuel 17:4
6	But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the ____ cheek also.	Matthew 5:39
7	Those who know your ____ trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.	Psalm 9:10
8	Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and ____ with that person, and they with me.	Revelation 3:20
				;
9	one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, ____ years old or more, a total of 603,550 men.	Exodus 38:26
10	He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel ____ years.	Judges 10:3
				*
11	In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet ____ son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”	2 Kings 20:1
12	But when he, the ____ of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.	John 16:13
				*
13	Blessed are the pure in ____, for they will see God.	Matthew 5:8
14	Now ____ the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”	1 Kings 17:1
15	As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a ____ citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”	Acts 22:25
16	When they had crossed, Elijah said to ____, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” ____ replied.	2 Kings 2:9
				!

I hope you enjoyed this quiz.  I wonder if quizzes will be among the leading posts this year as was the case last year.  It may depend on subject matter.

I like this style of quiz.  When I thought of doing “Happy New Year” as the message, I thought, ‘The “Y” will be a nightmare.’  So, I hope you enjoyed this version.

   …

   …

   …

The Answers:

?	Scripture	Bible Verse(s)	Answer	Letter or Number
1	It was like this for the _____ years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times.	Genesis 31:41	Twenty	20
2	Zedekiah was ____ years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.	2 Kings 24:18	Twenty-one	21
				*
3	Abraham gave the name ____to the son Sarah bore him.	Genesis 21:3	Isaac	I
4	Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the ____, in front of the tent of meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.	Exodus 3:38	sunrise	S
				*
5	A champion named ____, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.	1 Samuel 17:4	Goliath	G
6	But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the ____ cheek also.	Matthew 5:39	other	O
7	Those who know your ____ trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.	Psalm 9:10	name	N
8	Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and ____ with that person, and they with me.	Revelation 3:20	Eat	E
				;
9	one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, ____ years old or more, a total of 603,550 men.	Exodus 38:26	Twenty	20
10	He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel ____ years.	Judges 10:3	twenty-two	22
				*
11	In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet ____ son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”	2 Kings 20:1	Isaiah	I
12	But when he, the ____ of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.	John 16:13	Spirit	S
				*
13	Blessed are the pure in ____, for they will see God.	Matthew 5:8	Heart	H
14	Now ____ the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”	1 Kings 17:1	Elijah	E
15	As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a ____ citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”	Acts 22:25	Roman	R
16	When they had crossed, Elijah said to ____, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” ____ replied.	2 Kings 2:9	Elisha (answer given twice in the verse)	E
				!

The Message:

2021 is gone; 2022 is here!

And regardless of how you did …  It wasn’t New Year’s when I was growing up unless Guy Lombardo and the His Royal Canadians played Auld Lang Syne.  The only video versions had his 45-minute program, leading up to midnight Eastern time.  Too bad my family lived in Central time. Sadly, Lombardo passed away in 1977 and ringing in the new year has not been the same since then.

And since the poem that forms the lyrics of this New Year’s standard is written by Robert Burns, here is the proper instrumentation.  Okay, it is the conclusion of a tattoo in Köln, Germany, but it is a pretty good mass pipe and drum corps.  Note to self:  Write something for Bobby Burns Day, on the poet’s birthday, 25 January.  Hmmm, a wee bit of poetry and bagpipes.  As the Scots would say, “Och Aye!”

This last song needs a little introduction.  My mother never discussed my ancestry until I had children of my own.  It seemed every one of my grandparents had some Scottish ancestry, and most with connections to Highland clans.  I heard that Stone Mountain, GA may not have the largest Highland Gathering, but it was one of the best and we lived a couple of hours down the road at the time.  And it was only a couple of weeks away after my mother shared her research.  We went there and as we were walking from the parking lot to the Games, we heard a single piper playing this tune.  It was the special guest pipe and drum corps of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guard.  This is not the same orchestration, but it builds to a crescendo with more pipers, drummers, and band instruments coming in, as did the one at Stone Mountain, with each new player, at Stone Mountain one at a time, emerging from the trees until the entire pipe and drum corps was playing in formation in the parade field – incidentally while the caber (the telephone pole) was being tossed on the athletic field.  I hope you enjoy, Highland Cathedral.  Once I heard this song, I was hooked, loving my Scottish ancestry, even the rogues, and I have loved bagpipe music ever since.  And finally, we have a piper in the family.

If you like these Saturday morning Bible quizzes, but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Saturday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.