Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Week 13: Jesus Teaches About Loving Enemies (Luke 6:27-38)
Bible Point: Jesus says to treat others as we want to be treated.
Luke 6:
Prior to our lesson for today . . .
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath (also in: Matt 12:1-8 and Mark 2:23-28)
1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first[a] that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”
3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?” 5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
Healing on the Sabbath (also in: Matt 12:9-14 and Mark 3:1-6)
6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”[b] 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man,[c] “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.[d] 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
The Twelve Apostles (also in: Matt 10:1-4 and Mark 3:13-19)
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain starts here
Jesus Heals a Great Multitude (also in: Matt 4:23-25 and Mark 3:7-12)
17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.
The Beatitudes (also in: Matt 5:1-11 … not in Mark?)
20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:
“ Blessed are you poor,For yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
Jesus Pronounces Woes
24 “ But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. 25 Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Love Your Enemies (Luke 6:27-38 also in: Matt 5:43-48 … not in Mark?)
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
These are offenses to us that invade our sense of honor and of property . . . two very important things to those that hold onto earthly desires
30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
If someone borrows something from you, don’t keep track of it
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
the Golden Rule (also Matthew 7:12)
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
It’s easy to do easy acts of kindness . . . how does that show that you’re a Christian … how does that separate you. It’s interesting how God thinks so little of returning love for love that He doesn’t even account for it here .. like even deserving a “thanks”
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Do Not Judge
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
also Matthew 7:1
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Into your bosom — Alluding to the loose sleeveless coats the Jews wore, into which a large quantity of corn might be received
Who exactly would have been characterized as enemies of the Jewish people? During Jesus' time, the Romans were the despised group. The Romans occupied the Palestine area and imposed heavy taxes on an already poor Jewish community. There was great animosity towards the Romans, as well as anyone who sided with the Roman Empire. Thus, tax collectors, being Jewish, were considered turncoats, because they helped gather together the taxes sent directly to Rome's coffers.
Romans were also hated for the way they controlled the Jewish religious system. Rome appointed the head of the Jewish Sanhedrin. In addition, the Romans appointed the Jewish high priest. This was irreligious meddling in the eyes of the Jewish people. No doubt, when Jesus spoke of enemies, the Jewish people thought about the Roman presence in their land.
These are hard lessons for us earthly creatures . . . BUT if we are well grounded in the faith of Christ's Love and have a personal relationship with Him, it will make these commands much easier for us.
- How can our enemies be kind to us if we are not kind to them first (for a little while anyway!)
- How can our children be kind to each other if we first are not kind to them
- How can our spouse love us in the way we want if we first don’t love them in the way they want
- . . . . .
- How does it feel to do something nice for someone else ??
- What is it like to be treated the way you want to be treated ??
Note on Luke the man:
Luke was not one of the original witnesses who had seen and heard Jesus. But Luke had met some of these witnesses and heard their stories. He spent two years in Caesarea while Paul was in prison there (Acts 24:27). Luke would have found it easy to travel from there to collect information
20100228
Luke 9:28-36
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Study 11: Jesus showed that he is God’s Son.
Bible Study: Moses and Elijah Appear With Jesus (Luke 9:28-36)
What has preceded in Luke Chapter 9
· Sending Out the Twelve
· Herod Seeks to See Jesus
· Feeding the Five Thousand
· Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
· Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
· Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
Luke 9: (also in Mark 9 and Matthew 17)
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
Luke does not name the mountain.
It was probably Mount Hermon, near Caesarea Philippi .. where Peter had said that Jesus was the Messiah.
However, it could be Mount Tabor if Jesus had returned to Galilee during the week.
These three witnesses were used earlier in Luke 8:51 and later in Matt 26:37
29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
Luke does not use the word transfigured (which Matthew and Mark used), perhaps because it had been used so much in the Pagan theology . . But uses a phrase telling that His face had changed far from what it had been
His face shone far beyond what Moses's did when he came down from the mount
Jesus’ robe was white and glistering: in Greek —bright like lightning (a word used only here), to cover himself with light as with a robe.
When Christ humbled himself to pray, he was thus exalted
Matthew 17:2 says that Jesus’ face shone like the sun. Peter, James & John were able to see for a short time what Jesus will be like in his glory
30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
Moses, through whom God gave the law, and Elijah, the great prophet, were both there.
This showed that Jesus was more important. He explained what the Law meant, and he made the message of the prophets come true.
Seeing Moses and Elijah would make Peter, James and John stronger in their belief that God’s servants would live again after they had died.
31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
It was said in Matthew and Mark that Moses and Elias appeared to them; here it is said that they appeared in glory, to teach us that saints in Heaven are in glory; they shine in glory.
The Greek word that Luke used for Jesus’ death is ‘exodus’.
By his death on the cross, Jesus would rescue men from sin. Moses had rescued the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt. That event was ‘the Exodus’.
Jesus’ death in Jerusalem would complete the purpose for which God sent him.
32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
These three were now asleep, when Christ was in his glory, as later on they were, when Jesus was in his agony;
see the weakness and frailty of human nature, even in the best people . . and what need we have for the grace of God.
Nothing could be more important to these disciples, one would think, than the glories and the agonies of their Master; and yet neither one would serve to keep them awake.
What need have we to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us not only alive, but lively!
33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
Peter did not understand why Jesus had brought them there
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.
The cloud showed that God was there (Like when Moses went up Mt. Sinai in Exodus 24:15-16).
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Like at Jesus’ Baptism in Luke 3:22 . . . God was very pleased
36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
be quiet for a time until they understand what God is doing through Jesus
Many years later, Peter wrote of this experience in his second letter (2 Peter 1:16-18).
In this scene the call to listen comes at two levels. There is the divine voice, which stops all discussion between the disciples and Jesus, and there is the central instruction to listen to Jesus. The point in both cases is that instruction is needed, because the path Jesus walks is unexpected. If disciples are to understand that walk and follow in its footsteps, they will need to listen to him.
Why Moses and Elijah?
Moses and Elijah represent Jesus’ connection with God’s long-term plan of redemption.
Jesus is connected to both the Old Testament law and prophets.
He is not canceling or abolishing either.
His connection to these great men of faith is normal and expected.
the scene shows how Jesus stands superior to both men, who were great leaders in the history of Israel.
Luke makes the Moses connection explicit in various texts (Acts 3:18-22; 7:35-37), while Elijah is consistently a figure of “end times” hope (Lk 1:16-17, when John is pictured as such a figure). The event suggests two great periods of Israel's history, the exodus and the end-time hope of deliverance.
We go to work and go to church with the same people all the time .. But how much do we know about them ??
The disciples sure learned a lot about Jesus at this event.
If you had to prove that Jesus is God, how would you do it.
How were the disciples feeling ??
NOTES:
Luke was not one of the original witnesses who had seen and heard Jesus. But Luke had met some of these witnesses and heard their stories. He spent two years in Caesarea while Paul was in prison there (Acts 24:27). Luke would have found it easy to travel from there to collect information
The disciples are trying to come to grips with what is happening. In their view Jesus is another great figure, like Moses and Elijah. He will found a people like Moses and sustain them through hope like Elijah. So Peter suggests they together celebrate Tabernacles, a feast that looked forward to the “end times” (also called the Feast of Ingathering, Ex 23:16; 34:22; Lev 23:34; Deut 16:13; Zech 14:16-21). They should build three booths in honor of Jesus and his colleagues. The suggestion is eminently reasonable, except that it understates Jesus' relationship to his two witnesses. Peter wants to enjoy the moment and prolong it in celebration. He wants to stay on the mountaintop for as long as possible.
But Luke makes it clear that Peter has spoken because he did not know what he was saying. The voice from heaven explains: they need to listen to Jesus so they will understand his uniqueness, call and destiny to suffer. Also, their role is not merely to contemplate Jesus but to serve him. Celebration awaits in the future, but now is a time for instruction, response and action.
The voice from heaven speaks before Jesus responds. As was the case with the baptism, the voice describes who Jesus is. With the voice came the cloud that envelops them and leaves them fearful. The cloud symbolism is significant, though its meaning has engendered some controversy. The cloud could indicate God's presence as the heavens descend to the earth. But more likely is the suggestion of the new age's arrival, an age like that which founded the nation of Israel, when God's glory was present and overshadowed the people (especially Ex 40:35 LXX; also Ex 13:21-22; 16:10; 19:16; 24:16; 40:34-38).
The voice speaks of Jesus as my Son, language that recalls Psalm 2:7. Whom I have chosen highlights Jesus' unique, elect status. The wording seems to be a conceptual allusion to Isaiah 42:1: here is God's chosen instrument of deliverance. The third remark is crucial, because it adds to the remark made at the baptism. Listen to him recalls the language of Deuteronomy 18:15. Jesus is a second Moses who brings a new way for God's people. The disciples must listen to this Jesus. Their tendency is to assume they know who Jesus is and what he is about, but as his instruction shows, there are some surprises coming. He is greater than his extremely illustrious witnesses. The disciples need to sit at his feet and learn.
Instantly everything returns to normal. The disciples are so overwhelmed that they remain silent about this event for years. The testimony of 2 Peter 1:16-21 tells us why. Only in light of the resurrection did they come to understand Jesus' majesty and glory. The transfiguration was confirming testimony to the glory of Christ, and the resurrection was the crowning endorsement. Revealed in light, he is the light. With the "exodus" came understanding--but only after much listening. When we are with Jesus, we experience the cloud of glory, if we have ears to hear.A Failed Miracle and a Call to Listen (9:37-43)
The transfiguration called the disciples to listen to Jesus.
Study 11: Jesus showed that he is God’s Son.
Bible Study: Moses and Elijah Appear With Jesus (Luke 9:28-36)
What has preceded in Luke Chapter 9
· Sending Out the Twelve
· Herod Seeks to See Jesus
· Feeding the Five Thousand
· Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
· Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
· Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
Luke 9: (also in Mark 9 and Matthew 17)
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
Luke does not name the mountain.
It was probably Mount Hermon, near Caesarea Philippi .. where Peter had said that Jesus was the Messiah.
However, it could be Mount Tabor if Jesus had returned to Galilee during the week.
These three witnesses were used earlier in Luke 8:51 and later in Matt 26:37
29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
Luke does not use the word transfigured (which Matthew and Mark used), perhaps because it had been used so much in the Pagan theology . . But uses a phrase telling that His face had changed far from what it had been
His face shone far beyond what Moses's did when he came down from the mount
Jesus’ robe was white and glistering: in Greek —bright like lightning (a word used only here), to cover himself with light as with a robe.
When Christ humbled himself to pray, he was thus exalted
Matthew 17:2 says that Jesus’ face shone like the sun. Peter, James & John were able to see for a short time what Jesus will be like in his glory
30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
Moses, through whom God gave the law, and Elijah, the great prophet, were both there.
This showed that Jesus was more important. He explained what the Law meant, and he made the message of the prophets come true.
Seeing Moses and Elijah would make Peter, James and John stronger in their belief that God’s servants would live again after they had died.
31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
It was said in Matthew and Mark that Moses and Elias appeared to them; here it is said that they appeared in glory, to teach us that saints in Heaven are in glory; they shine in glory.
The Greek word that Luke used for Jesus’ death is ‘exodus’.
By his death on the cross, Jesus would rescue men from sin. Moses had rescued the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt. That event was ‘the Exodus’.
Jesus’ death in Jerusalem would complete the purpose for which God sent him.
32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
These three were now asleep, when Christ was in his glory, as later on they were, when Jesus was in his agony;
see the weakness and frailty of human nature, even in the best people . . and what need we have for the grace of God.
Nothing could be more important to these disciples, one would think, than the glories and the agonies of their Master; and yet neither one would serve to keep them awake.
What need have we to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us not only alive, but lively!
33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
Peter did not understand why Jesus had brought them there
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.
The cloud showed that God was there (Like when Moses went up Mt. Sinai in Exodus 24:15-16).
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Like at Jesus’ Baptism in Luke 3:22 . . . God was very pleased
36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
be quiet for a time until they understand what God is doing through Jesus
Many years later, Peter wrote of this experience in his second letter (2 Peter 1:16-18).
In this scene the call to listen comes at two levels. There is the divine voice, which stops all discussion between the disciples and Jesus, and there is the central instruction to listen to Jesus. The point in both cases is that instruction is needed, because the path Jesus walks is unexpected. If disciples are to understand that walk and follow in its footsteps, they will need to listen to him.
Why Moses and Elijah?
Moses and Elijah represent Jesus’ connection with God’s long-term plan of redemption.
Jesus is connected to both the Old Testament law and prophets.
He is not canceling or abolishing either.
His connection to these great men of faith is normal and expected.
the scene shows how Jesus stands superior to both men, who were great leaders in the history of Israel.
Luke makes the Moses connection explicit in various texts (Acts 3:18-22; 7:35-37), while Elijah is consistently a figure of “end times” hope (Lk 1:16-17, when John is pictured as such a figure). The event suggests two great periods of Israel's history, the exodus and the end-time hope of deliverance.
We go to work and go to church with the same people all the time .. But how much do we know about them ??
The disciples sure learned a lot about Jesus at this event.
If you had to prove that Jesus is God, how would you do it.
How were the disciples feeling ??
NOTES:
Luke was not one of the original witnesses who had seen and heard Jesus. But Luke had met some of these witnesses and heard their stories. He spent two years in Caesarea while Paul was in prison there (Acts 24:27). Luke would have found it easy to travel from there to collect information
The disciples are trying to come to grips with what is happening. In their view Jesus is another great figure, like Moses and Elijah. He will found a people like Moses and sustain them through hope like Elijah. So Peter suggests they together celebrate Tabernacles, a feast that looked forward to the “end times” (also called the Feast of Ingathering, Ex 23:16; 34:22; Lev 23:34; Deut 16:13; Zech 14:16-21). They should build three booths in honor of Jesus and his colleagues. The suggestion is eminently reasonable, except that it understates Jesus' relationship to his two witnesses. Peter wants to enjoy the moment and prolong it in celebration. He wants to stay on the mountaintop for as long as possible.
But Luke makes it clear that Peter has spoken because he did not know what he was saying. The voice from heaven explains: they need to listen to Jesus so they will understand his uniqueness, call and destiny to suffer. Also, their role is not merely to contemplate Jesus but to serve him. Celebration awaits in the future, but now is a time for instruction, response and action.
The voice from heaven speaks before Jesus responds. As was the case with the baptism, the voice describes who Jesus is. With the voice came the cloud that envelops them and leaves them fearful. The cloud symbolism is significant, though its meaning has engendered some controversy. The cloud could indicate God's presence as the heavens descend to the earth. But more likely is the suggestion of the new age's arrival, an age like that which founded the nation of Israel, when God's glory was present and overshadowed the people (especially Ex 40:35 LXX; also Ex 13:21-22; 16:10; 19:16; 24:16; 40:34-38).
The voice speaks of Jesus as my Son, language that recalls Psalm 2:7. Whom I have chosen highlights Jesus' unique, elect status. The wording seems to be a conceptual allusion to Isaiah 42:1: here is God's chosen instrument of deliverance. The third remark is crucial, because it adds to the remark made at the baptism. Listen to him recalls the language of Deuteronomy 18:15. Jesus is a second Moses who brings a new way for God's people. The disciples must listen to this Jesus. Their tendency is to assume they know who Jesus is and what he is about, but as his instruction shows, there are some surprises coming. He is greater than his extremely illustrious witnesses. The disciples need to sit at his feet and learn.
Instantly everything returns to normal. The disciples are so overwhelmed that they remain silent about this event for years. The testimony of 2 Peter 1:16-21 tells us why. Only in light of the resurrection did they come to understand Jesus' majesty and glory. The transfiguration was confirming testimony to the glory of Christ, and the resurrection was the crowning endorsement. Revealed in light, he is the light. With the "exodus" came understanding--but only after much listening. When we are with Jesus, we experience the cloud of glory, if we have ears to hear.A Failed Miracle and a Call to Listen (9:37-43)
The transfiguration called the disciples to listen to Jesus.
Luke 4:22-30
Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010
Study 9: Jesus deserves our love and gratitude.
Bible Study: Jesus Is Rejected in His Hometown (Luke 4:22-30)
SCRIPTURE STUDY
We last left with Jesus reading/teaching at the Synagogue in his hometown.
Luke 4:
22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
They marveled at His words, but they could not even see that this was the Son of God
23 He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’”
24 Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;
26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
· This was talked about in 1 Kgs 17:9-24 during a drought God told Elijah to go there
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
· This was talked about in 2 Kings 5 when Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy
28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
Jesus, Elijah, and Elisha had done miracles at other places because of the disbelief here “at home”
Elijah and Elisha were going to the Gentiles.
This really got them upset!
SUMMARY
Jesus' audience, the Jews, failed to see his true identity.
Instead, they were enraged by his teachings.
Jesus referred to himself as called to go to all people. God wanted all people!
Jesus' audience rejected His teaching and rejected what was really great news--God came to love and help all people. They simply missed the point of Jesus' amazing message.
NOTES
· Zarephath -- a Phoenician coastal city located about 10 mi south of Sidon (in modern Lebanon) and thus in Gentile territory; the Greek and Latin form of the name is Sarepta
CONVERSATION
If you met Jesus face to face, what would your reaction be ??
What has Jesus done for you ?? (and how does that make you feel ??)
What are some practical ways that we can respond to Jesus in everyday situations ??
Study 9: Jesus deserves our love and gratitude.
Bible Study: Jesus Is Rejected in His Hometown (Luke 4:22-30)
SCRIPTURE STUDY
We last left with Jesus reading/teaching at the Synagogue in his hometown.
Luke 4:
22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
They marveled at His words, but they could not even see that this was the Son of God
23 He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’”
24 Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;
26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
· This was talked about in 1 Kgs 17:9-24 during a drought God told Elijah to go there
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
· This was talked about in 2 Kings 5 when Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy
28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
Jesus, Elijah, and Elisha had done miracles at other places because of the disbelief here “at home”
Elijah and Elisha were going to the Gentiles.
This really got them upset!
SUMMARY
Jesus' audience, the Jews, failed to see his true identity.
Instead, they were enraged by his teachings.
Jesus referred to himself as called to go to all people. God wanted all people!
Jesus' audience rejected His teaching and rejected what was really great news--God came to love and help all people. They simply missed the point of Jesus' amazing message.
NOTES
· Zarephath -- a Phoenician coastal city located about 10 mi south of Sidon (in modern Lebanon) and thus in Gentile territory; the Greek and Latin form of the name is Sarepta
CONVERSATION
If you met Jesus face to face, what would your reaction be ??
What has Jesus done for you ?? (and how does that make you feel ??)
What are some practical ways that we can respond to Jesus in everyday situations ??
Luke 4:14-21
Date: Sunday, January 24, 2010
Study 8: Jesus came for all people.
Bible Study: Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue (Luke 4:14-21)
Luke 4:
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
Jesus had just returned from His time in the wilderness being tempted by Satan
Word had gotten around that He did not give in to any of the temptations … which most would have
15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Showing that he had a desire to read the Scripture to the congregation (Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2).
It was the Jewish custom to read standing, but to preach sitting.
17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
So the scroll was given to Him and he read . . . As follows:
18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Holy Spirit = Triune God
Directly + Interpretation from: Isaiah 61:1 + 42:7 + 58:6
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
the year of jubilee, when all, both debtors and servants, were set free
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
You heard Me and hear I AM
Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth.
he did as was his regular custom -- Christ taught in their synagogues, their places of public worship
where they met to read, expound, and apply the word, to pray and praise.
The emphasis Luke places on this description shows that Jesus was a pious Jew. He showed consistency in his religious behavior.
All the gifts and graces of the Spirit were upon him
by Christ, sinners may be free from the bonds of guilt
He came by the word of his gospel, to bring light to those that sat in the dark, and by the power of his grace, to give sight to those that were blind.
He preached during the acceptable year of the Lord.
liberty is already “in season”
This was no doubt a divinely arranged moment, for the Scripture reading was specific to the identity of Jesus. Jesus handed the scroll back to the attendant, who then placed the scroll in its secure location in the synagogue. Jesus then sat to instruct on what he had read.
This story helps us understand synagogue procedures. Jesus used such a gathering to help people understand who he was, as well as his mission in the world.
THIS was when Jesus wanted to reveal Himself . . . Not at the wedding.
Study 8: Jesus came for all people.
Bible Study: Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue (Luke 4:14-21)
Luke 4:
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.
Jesus had just returned from His time in the wilderness being tempted by Satan
Word had gotten around that He did not give in to any of the temptations … which most would have
15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Showing that he had a desire to read the Scripture to the congregation (Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2).
It was the Jewish custom to read standing, but to preach sitting.
17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
So the scroll was given to Him and he read . . . As follows:
18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Holy Spirit = Triune God
Directly + Interpretation from: Isaiah 61:1 + 42:7 + 58:6
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
the year of jubilee, when all, both debtors and servants, were set free
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
You heard Me and hear I AM
Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth.
he did as was his regular custom -- Christ taught in their synagogues, their places of public worship
where they met to read, expound, and apply the word, to pray and praise.
The emphasis Luke places on this description shows that Jesus was a pious Jew. He showed consistency in his religious behavior.
All the gifts and graces of the Spirit were upon him
by Christ, sinners may be free from the bonds of guilt
He came by the word of his gospel, to bring light to those that sat in the dark, and by the power of his grace, to give sight to those that were blind.
He preached during the acceptable year of the Lord.
liberty is already “in season”
This was no doubt a divinely arranged moment, for the Scripture reading was specific to the identity of Jesus. Jesus handed the scroll back to the attendant, who then placed the scroll in its secure location in the synagogue. Jesus then sat to instruct on what he had read.
This story helps us understand synagogue procedures. Jesus used such a gathering to help people understand who he was, as well as his mission in the world.
THIS was when Jesus wanted to reveal Himself . . . Not at the wedding.
John 2:1-11
Date: Sunday, January 17, 2010
Study 7: Jesus did miracles to show us that He is God.
Bible Study: Jesus Performs His First Miracle (John 2:1-11)
· the exact location of Cana is uncertain
· it is certain that this was a town located in the region of Galilee (John 21:2)
· the name Cana literally means "the nest"
· Cana was also a point of origin for a particular nobleman who later sought out Jesus to help his ailing son (John 4:46)
· Cana is also the home of Nathaniel, one of Jesus' disciples (John 21:2)
John 2:
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
The third day after John the Baptist saw Jesus and Jesus went on choosing His disciples
2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Probably the wedding of a relative or a very close friend
3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine.
4Jesus said to her, Woman, what have I to do with you? my hour is not yet come.
Woman = not impolite, but does distance Jesus from Mary
Jesus uses the same term in love from the cross (John 19:26)
“your concern and mine are not the same”
He was not ready for His first miracle yet . . to be revealed as Christ
Mary is not worthy of the idolatry she receives
5His mother said to the servants, Whatever he said to you, do it.
6And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (1-firkin = 84-gallons)
7Jesus said to them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he said to them, Draw out now, and bear to the governor of the feast. And they bore it.
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not from where it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10And said to him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.
· Jesus not only changes water to wine . . . but to fine wine!
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
This transformation of water to wine is like the one He makes in us
MIRACLES . . . ??
Kids vs. Adults
Study 7: Jesus did miracles to show us that He is God.
Bible Study: Jesus Performs His First Miracle (John 2:1-11)
· the exact location of Cana is uncertain
· it is certain that this was a town located in the region of Galilee (John 21:2)
· the name Cana literally means "the nest"
· Cana was also a point of origin for a particular nobleman who later sought out Jesus to help his ailing son (John 4:46)
· Cana is also the home of Nathaniel, one of Jesus' disciples (John 21:2)
John 2:
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
The third day after John the Baptist saw Jesus and Jesus went on choosing His disciples
2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Probably the wedding of a relative or a very close friend
3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, They have no wine.
4Jesus said to her, Woman, what have I to do with you? my hour is not yet come.
Woman = not impolite, but does distance Jesus from Mary
Jesus uses the same term in love from the cross (John 19:26)
“your concern and mine are not the same”
He was not ready for His first miracle yet . . to be revealed as Christ
Mary is not worthy of the idolatry she receives
5His mother said to the servants, Whatever he said to you, do it.
6And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (1-firkin = 84-gallons)
7Jesus said to them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he said to them, Draw out now, and bear to the governor of the feast. And they bore it.
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not from where it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10And said to him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.
· Jesus not only changes water to wine . . . but to fine wine!
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
This transformation of water to wine is like the one He makes in us
MIRACLES . . . ??
Kids vs. Adults
Luke 4:1-13
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010
Study 6: With Jesus' help we can resist temptation.
Bible Study: Satan Tempts Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Matthew 4:1-11 ; Mark 1:12,13
Background The Nature of the Temptations
Jesus' temptations dealt with expectations people had about the coming messiah. Satan taunted, "If you do this, then…" Jesus resisted knowing he must be a messiah that brings more than what people thought they needed. The first temptation was to be a bread Messiah--"If you feed them, they will follow you." The second was for Jesus to be a spectacular Messiah--"Do miracles and wow the people. Then they will really appreciate you." Finally, Satan wanted Jesus to simply be a political leader, bowing to him and ruling the nations. Jesus knew that all these options were less than his real mission. He was to save people from their sins. Satan's temptations were diversions designed to knock Jesus off track. Jesus wouldn't have anything to do with it! Instead, the temptation experience focused Jesus towards his true purpose to take away the curse of sin.
Satan Tempts Jesus
1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
He was led by God into Temptation --- God never tempts us, but . . .
2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 8:3
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 6:13
9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
10 For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ 11 and,
‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” --- Satan quotes Psalms 91:11,12
12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 6:16
13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
Every one of Jesus’ responses are from Scripture . . . how important is it to know the Bible?
Jesus was tempted in the face of conditions like we are … Adam/Eve were not.
Jesus did not have the bondage to sin like we have … this was a question of conflict.
We (and the Israelites of the OT) are delivered from bondage . . . temptation comes from conflict.
The Israelites were delivered from Egypt, they did not fight there . . . it was in Canaan that they fought and had conflicts.
As Christians, we are delivered from our bondage to sin . . . we are still tempted by the conflicts we face.
the temptations are arranged according to their moral order:
Luke re-ordered some of them from Matthew’s account . . Luke occasionally wrote logically instead of chronologically . . . And also may have wanted to put the Temple episode last .. due to the times.
bodily need
the world
Spiritual
In each the Lord maintains the positions of obedience to and dependence on … God
A simple principle, which protects us in every attack, but by its very simplicity, is perfection.
We find that simple obedience directed by the Word is the only weapon employed by Jesus. This obedience requires dependence on God, and trust in God, in order to accomplish it.
Satan is overcome and powerless before us when we act according to the power of the Holy Spirit. Bodily need would have become lust if self-will had entered into it, instead of dependence on the will of God;
the world and all its glory is in fact the kingdom of Satan (and it was on that ground that Satan tried to bring Jesus, and showed himself to be Satan in so doing);
self-exaltation in a religious way through the things which God has given us-these were the points of the enemy's attack. But there was no self-seeking in Jesus.
It is in temptation that obedience, having no will but that of God, dependence, the use of the Word, and giving ourselves completely to God, that we can gain the victory over it.
In all this the first Adam failed.
After Christ's victory, we also as servants of Christ gain actual victories, or rather the fruits of the victory already gained in the presence of God.
We fall short so we have God’s Grace . . . we should not reject His Grace.
Matthew and Mark talk about angels ministering to Jesus afterwards.
The next verse in the Bible (in Luke):
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
— Being more abundantly strengthened after the conflict.
Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He who knew his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the other children of God, live in dependence upon the Divine Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword, and faith in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches, honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only. Christ will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father's protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abandon its use; but let us study it still, seek to know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults. Let this word dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Yet he departed but till the season when he was again to be let loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own head, Genesis 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season, we shall never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.
Study 6: With Jesus' help we can resist temptation.
Bible Study: Satan Tempts Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Matthew 4:1-11 ; Mark 1:12,13
Background The Nature of the Temptations
Jesus' temptations dealt with expectations people had about the coming messiah. Satan taunted, "If you do this, then…" Jesus resisted knowing he must be a messiah that brings more than what people thought they needed. The first temptation was to be a bread Messiah--"If you feed them, they will follow you." The second was for Jesus to be a spectacular Messiah--"Do miracles and wow the people. Then they will really appreciate you." Finally, Satan wanted Jesus to simply be a political leader, bowing to him and ruling the nations. Jesus knew that all these options were less than his real mission. He was to save people from their sins. Satan's temptations were diversions designed to knock Jesus off track. Jesus wouldn't have anything to do with it! Instead, the temptation experience focused Jesus towards his true purpose to take away the curse of sin.
Satan Tempts Jesus
1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
He was led by God into Temptation --- God never tempts us, but . . .
2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 8:3
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 6:13
9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
10 For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ 11 and,
‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” --- Satan quotes Psalms 91:11,12
12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” --- Jesus quotes Deut 6:16
13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
Every one of Jesus’ responses are from Scripture . . . how important is it to know the Bible?
Jesus was tempted in the face of conditions like we are … Adam/Eve were not.
Jesus did not have the bondage to sin like we have … this was a question of conflict.
We (and the Israelites of the OT) are delivered from bondage . . . temptation comes from conflict.
The Israelites were delivered from Egypt, they did not fight there . . . it was in Canaan that they fought and had conflicts.
As Christians, we are delivered from our bondage to sin . . . we are still tempted by the conflicts we face.
the temptations are arranged according to their moral order:
Luke re-ordered some of them from Matthew’s account . . Luke occasionally wrote logically instead of chronologically . . . And also may have wanted to put the Temple episode last .. due to the times.
bodily need
the world
Spiritual
In each the Lord maintains the positions of obedience to and dependence on … God
A simple principle, which protects us in every attack, but by its very simplicity, is perfection.
We find that simple obedience directed by the Word is the only weapon employed by Jesus. This obedience requires dependence on God, and trust in God, in order to accomplish it.
Satan is overcome and powerless before us when we act according to the power of the Holy Spirit. Bodily need would have become lust if self-will had entered into it, instead of dependence on the will of God;
the world and all its glory is in fact the kingdom of Satan (and it was on that ground that Satan tried to bring Jesus, and showed himself to be Satan in so doing);
self-exaltation in a religious way through the things which God has given us-these were the points of the enemy's attack. But there was no self-seeking in Jesus.
It is in temptation that obedience, having no will but that of God, dependence, the use of the Word, and giving ourselves completely to God, that we can gain the victory over it.
In all this the first Adam failed.
After Christ's victory, we also as servants of Christ gain actual victories, or rather the fruits of the victory already gained in the presence of God.
We fall short so we have God’s Grace . . . we should not reject His Grace.
Matthew and Mark talk about angels ministering to Jesus afterwards.
The next verse in the Bible (in Luke):
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
— Being more abundantly strengthened after the conflict.
Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He who knew his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the other children of God, live in dependence upon the Divine Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword, and faith in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches, honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only. Christ will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father's protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abandon its use; but let us study it still, seek to know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults. Let this word dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Yet he departed but till the season when he was again to be let loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own head, Genesis 3:15. Though Satan depart for a season, we shall never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil world.
Luke 3:7-18
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2009
Study 2: Repenting prepares us for Jesus.
Bible Study: John Prepares People for Jesus' Coming (Luke 3:7-18)
Historical Background:
Israel had forsaken the Lord.
The goodness of God had still left the people in their land; but the world was under control of the Gentiles (Greeks/Romans).
Israel was now called to repent, to be forgiven, and to take a new place through the coming of the Messiah.
Thirty years have now passed since the birth of John and Jesus and it is time for the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ.
John and Jesus are both around the age of thirty when John begins his ministry of announcing the arrival of the Messiah and about six months later the Messiah steps on to the scene.
It was a very private 30-years for Jesus and John .. they didn't have any public ministry for those 30 years.
All we know about Jesus during these years we find in chapter 2 verse 40, "And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." and verse 52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
God now breaks 425 years of prophetic silence. The last prophet that spoke was Malachi.
Before a king made a journey to a distant land, the roads he would travel were improved . . . In this same manner, moral and spiritual preparation for the Messiah was made by the ministry of John the Baptist.
What we have in the verses for today is just a sample of what John preached all day, every day, week after week, month after month. . . it gives us a pattern for our own preaching.
Luke 3:7-14 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
John uses strong words to address the crowd coming to him. They were coming to be baptized, which was a good thing. But John saw a deeper problem. They came to perform a religious act, but their hearts weren't changed. He called the whole lot of people a bunch of snakes.
Isaiah 59:5 -- They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.
--- Men spreading evil and taking delight in it ---
John deals with three specific groups
“religious” folks
They don't actually ask for John's advice on how to change their hearts
they were typically blind to their spiritual poverty
John tells this group that their religious games are no good, and that the Jewish religious types aren't given a free pass into God's kingdom
each was to be judged according to his fruits .. even the Jews
the tax collectors, ask for help.
they want to know how to be right before God.
John tells them to operate with integrity as they collect taxes.
a group of soldiers ask for help
these were most likely Jewish soldiers (not Roman)
John encourages the soldiers not to use their authority to scare and bully people.
The professions of tax-collector and soldier were not condemned .. But the common, unethical practices associated with them were.
John speaks to a variety of people in the crowd--both the religious achievers and the religious dropouts.
Generically:
All need to love and help others on a personal basis.
All needed a change of heart as they prepared for the coming of Jesus.
They had to leave their sins behind and move towards their Savior
Repentance was necessary for the remission of sins
the baptism of water was an outward sign of that inward cleansing and renewal of heart
fulfilling of the Scriptures in the ministry of John . . . Isaiah 40:3
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“ Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.
removing all that hinders us
If we are not really holy, both in heart and life, our profession of religion and relation to God and his church will be meaningless and will end us up apart from God
John knew that judgment of the Jews was about to come .. And it did 40-years later when Jerusalem was destroyed.
Requirements for Salvation ??
Luke 3:15-18 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.
John did not let pride overcome him
John could only tell the people to repent and assure them of forgiveness upon repentance
he could not work repentance in them, nor give them remission on their sins
John can only baptize with water as a token that they ought to purify and cleanse themselves
but Christ can and will baptize with the Holy Ghost and give the Spirit to cleanse and purify the heart
Man was to repent … God Himself was coming
He baptizes with the Holy Ghost not just a renewal of desires, but power in grace in the midst of evil.
He baptizes with fire. This is judgment that consumes the evil.
What behavior(s) in your life most distracts you from experiencing faith in Jesus Christ?
What steps will you take to prepare your heart for Jesus during this Christmas season? Where do you need to apply an attitude of repentance?
A threshing-floor: Threshing Floors were used in the ancient world to separate grain from the chaff. This was usually a two step process. First, the cut stalks of grain were spread on the threshing floor and a threshing sledge was pulled over the stalks by oxen. The sledge was a simple wooden sled or heavy board with stone or metal spikes on the bottom that would break the heads of grain from the stalks (Isa 41:15-16). The same thing could be accomplished by having the oxen walk over the stalks (Deut 25:4) or by beating them with heavy sticks (Judg 6:11).
The second step was to toss the broken stalks into the air with a large forked tool, usually made out of wood. The wind would blow the lighter chaff to one side, while the heavier grain would fall into a pile, which could then be gathered. This process of separating grain from chaff by wind is called winnowing (Ruth 3:2, Isa 30:24). Because of the need for wind, threshing floors were normally located on hilltops or in large open fields, and were often used as landmarks (Gen 50:10, 2 Sam 6:6) or meeting places (1 Kngs 22:10). Since threshing floors were so crucial to the life of the people, they were highly valued, and were often vulnerable to raids by bandits or rival tribes (1 Sam 23:1).
Because of the process of separating the good from the bad, threshing and winnowing became common metaphors for judgement (Dan 2:35), especially in the prophets (Isa 21:10, Jer 15:7, 51:2, 33, Hos 13:3, etc.). John the Baptist picked up this metaphor and used it as warning of the activity of the Coming One (Matt 3:12, Luke 3:17). Only rarely is the idea of threshing used metaphorically in a positive context (Joel 2:24).
Archaeology –
in 1961 there was discovered a dedication plaque on a building called the Tiberium and on that plaque is the name "Pontius Pilate." Pontius Pilate is a real person. He has the dedicatory plaque because he built the building in honor of Tiberius and called it "Tiberium."
On that plaque he is called "Prefectus." Prefectus was the official title. He was a Roman Prefect...a Roman Prefect. Later on that word in verse...in I think 46 A.D. was changed to Procurator. Sometimes you hear Pilate called a procurator, but that wouldn't have been true until 46 A.D. and Pilate was through in 36, so he was never called a procurator. In 70 A.D. they changed it to alegate(?), he wouldn't have been called that either. By then he was certainly dead. But he was a prefect.
One other person is named, Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene. He's the only Texan in the group. I don't know if you people realize that Abilene is a Bible name, but it is. And for years critics said Luke is wrong here, he doesn't...Luke's history is bad here because the Lysanias we know about in history lived...died 34, 36 B.C. and he was killed by Marc Antony, so Luke's way off because Lysanias has got to be dead for fifty-some years by this time. That was until recent archaeologists have discovered some tablets with inscriptions showing Luke's accuracy to be precise. The record of these inscriptions tells us there was another man named Lysanias who ruled precisely in the time of John and precisely in the region of Abilene which is north of Galilee and west of Damascus. And so the archaeologists have aided us in supporting the testimony of Luke.
John received the Word:
If you go back in to Genesis 15 you run into the great patriarch, the father of Israel, the greatest of all Jews because he's the first one that launched the Jewish people by the covenant with God, his name is Abraham. And in Genesis 15:1 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Abraham." In 1 Samuel 15:10 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Samuel." In 2 Samuel 7:4, "The word of the Lord came to the prophet Nathan." In 1 Kings 17 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Elijah." And so the word of the Lord, or the word of God coming to someone was indicative of a calling from God, and we find that particularly illustrated among the prophets.
Study 2: Repenting prepares us for Jesus.
Bible Study: John Prepares People for Jesus' Coming (Luke 3:7-18)
Historical Background:
Israel had forsaken the Lord.
The goodness of God had still left the people in their land; but the world was under control of the Gentiles (Greeks/Romans).
Israel was now called to repent, to be forgiven, and to take a new place through the coming of the Messiah.
Thirty years have now passed since the birth of John and Jesus and it is time for the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ.
John and Jesus are both around the age of thirty when John begins his ministry of announcing the arrival of the Messiah and about six months later the Messiah steps on to the scene.
It was a very private 30-years for Jesus and John .. they didn't have any public ministry for those 30 years.
All we know about Jesus during these years we find in chapter 2 verse 40, "And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." and verse 52, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
God now breaks 425 years of prophetic silence. The last prophet that spoke was Malachi.
Before a king made a journey to a distant land, the roads he would travel were improved . . . In this same manner, moral and spiritual preparation for the Messiah was made by the ministry of John the Baptist.
What we have in the verses for today is just a sample of what John preached all day, every day, week after week, month after month. . . it gives us a pattern for our own preaching.
Luke 3:7-14 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
John uses strong words to address the crowd coming to him. They were coming to be baptized, which was a good thing. But John saw a deeper problem. They came to perform a religious act, but their hearts weren't changed. He called the whole lot of people a bunch of snakes.
Isaiah 59:5 -- They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.
--- Men spreading evil and taking delight in it ---
John deals with three specific groups
“religious” folks
They don't actually ask for John's advice on how to change their hearts
they were typically blind to their spiritual poverty
John tells this group that their religious games are no good, and that the Jewish religious types aren't given a free pass into God's kingdom
each was to be judged according to his fruits .. even the Jews
the tax collectors, ask for help.
they want to know how to be right before God.
John tells them to operate with integrity as they collect taxes.
a group of soldiers ask for help
these were most likely Jewish soldiers (not Roman)
John encourages the soldiers not to use their authority to scare and bully people.
The professions of tax-collector and soldier were not condemned .. But the common, unethical practices associated with them were.
John speaks to a variety of people in the crowd--both the religious achievers and the religious dropouts.
Generically:
All need to love and help others on a personal basis.
All needed a change of heart as they prepared for the coming of Jesus.
They had to leave their sins behind and move towards their Savior
Repentance was necessary for the remission of sins
the baptism of water was an outward sign of that inward cleansing and renewal of heart
fulfilling of the Scriptures in the ministry of John . . . Isaiah 40:3
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“ Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.
removing all that hinders us
If we are not really holy, both in heart and life, our profession of religion and relation to God and his church will be meaningless and will end us up apart from God
John knew that judgment of the Jews was about to come .. And it did 40-years later when Jerusalem was destroyed.
Requirements for Salvation ??
Luke 3:15-18 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.
John did not let pride overcome him
John could only tell the people to repent and assure them of forgiveness upon repentance
he could not work repentance in them, nor give them remission on their sins
John can only baptize with water as a token that they ought to purify and cleanse themselves
but Christ can and will baptize with the Holy Ghost and give the Spirit to cleanse and purify the heart
Man was to repent … God Himself was coming
He baptizes with the Holy Ghost not just a renewal of desires, but power in grace in the midst of evil.
He baptizes with fire. This is judgment that consumes the evil.
What behavior(s) in your life most distracts you from experiencing faith in Jesus Christ?
What steps will you take to prepare your heart for Jesus during this Christmas season? Where do you need to apply an attitude of repentance?
A threshing-floor: Threshing Floors were used in the ancient world to separate grain from the chaff. This was usually a two step process. First, the cut stalks of grain were spread on the threshing floor and a threshing sledge was pulled over the stalks by oxen. The sledge was a simple wooden sled or heavy board with stone or metal spikes on the bottom that would break the heads of grain from the stalks (Isa 41:15-16). The same thing could be accomplished by having the oxen walk over the stalks (Deut 25:4) or by beating them with heavy sticks (Judg 6:11).
The second step was to toss the broken stalks into the air with a large forked tool, usually made out of wood. The wind would blow the lighter chaff to one side, while the heavier grain would fall into a pile, which could then be gathered. This process of separating grain from chaff by wind is called winnowing (Ruth 3:2, Isa 30:24). Because of the need for wind, threshing floors were normally located on hilltops or in large open fields, and were often used as landmarks (Gen 50:10, 2 Sam 6:6) or meeting places (1 Kngs 22:10). Since threshing floors were so crucial to the life of the people, they were highly valued, and were often vulnerable to raids by bandits or rival tribes (1 Sam 23:1).
Because of the process of separating the good from the bad, threshing and winnowing became common metaphors for judgement (Dan 2:35), especially in the prophets (Isa 21:10, Jer 15:7, 51:2, 33, Hos 13:3, etc.). John the Baptist picked up this metaphor and used it as warning of the activity of the Coming One (Matt 3:12, Luke 3:17). Only rarely is the idea of threshing used metaphorically in a positive context (Joel 2:24).
Archaeology –
in 1961 there was discovered a dedication plaque on a building called the Tiberium and on that plaque is the name "Pontius Pilate." Pontius Pilate is a real person. He has the dedicatory plaque because he built the building in honor of Tiberius and called it "Tiberium."
On that plaque he is called "Prefectus." Prefectus was the official title. He was a Roman Prefect...a Roman Prefect. Later on that word in verse...in I think 46 A.D. was changed to Procurator. Sometimes you hear Pilate called a procurator, but that wouldn't have been true until 46 A.D. and Pilate was through in 36, so he was never called a procurator. In 70 A.D. they changed it to alegate(?), he wouldn't have been called that either. By then he was certainly dead. But he was a prefect.
One other person is named, Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene. He's the only Texan in the group. I don't know if you people realize that Abilene is a Bible name, but it is. And for years critics said Luke is wrong here, he doesn't...Luke's history is bad here because the Lysanias we know about in history lived...died 34, 36 B.C. and he was killed by Marc Antony, so Luke's way off because Lysanias has got to be dead for fifty-some years by this time. That was until recent archaeologists have discovered some tablets with inscriptions showing Luke's accuracy to be precise. The record of these inscriptions tells us there was another man named Lysanias who ruled precisely in the time of John and precisely in the region of Abilene which is north of Galilee and west of Damascus. And so the archaeologists have aided us in supporting the testimony of Luke.
John received the Word:
If you go back in to Genesis 15 you run into the great patriarch, the father of Israel, the greatest of all Jews because he's the first one that launched the Jewish people by the covenant with God, his name is Abraham. And in Genesis 15:1 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Abraham." In 1 Samuel 15:10 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Samuel." In 2 Samuel 7:4, "The word of the Lord came to the prophet Nathan." In 1 Kings 17 it says, "The word of the Lord came to Elijah." And so the word of the Lord, or the word of God coming to someone was indicative of a calling from God, and we find that particularly illustrated among the prophets.
Luke 1:68-79
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009
Winter Week 1: Zechariah Prophesies About Jesus (Luke 1:68-79)
Bible Point: the world needs Jesus.
Background Who Was Zacharias ?
Zacharias was a priest in Jerusalem. His name meant, "The Lord (Yah) remembered." He was married to Elizabeth and the father of John the Baptist. A monumental moment for Zechariah came when he was serving in his priestly role at the Jerusalem temple. While burning incense, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel promised a child to Zechariah, who was quite old at the time. Knowing that his wife was past the childbearing years, Zachariah asked for a sign. The angel responded to his lack of faith by taking away his capacity to speak until the day of his son's birth. Once Zechariah's son was born and named John, his voice returned. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah then prophesied about the greater meaning of John's birth, namely the coming of Jesus.
Read Luke 1 : 68-79
v69 -- horn of salvation — a glorious and mighty Savior.
v70 -- who have been since the world began — there were prophets from the beginning.
v74 -- serve him without fear — Without any slavish fear. Here is the substance of the great promise. That we shall be always holy, always happy: that being delivered from Satan and sin, we shall joyfully love and serve God, in every thought, word, and deed.
v76 -- And thou, child — he speaks of John; not as a parent, but as a prophet.
v77 -- give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins — The knowledge of the remission of our sins being the grand instrument of present and eternal salvation, Hebrews 8:11,12. But the immediate sense of the words seems to be, to preach to them the Gospel doctrine of salvation by the remission of their sins.
v78 -- The day spring — Or the rising sun; that is, Christ.
Zacharias told of the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah.
The gospel brings light with it
In John the Baptist it began
The gospel is discovering;
it shows us where we are in the dark
it gives light to those that sit in darkness
It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death
It is directing … it guides our feet in the way of peace, love, and happiness
let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.
Luke 11:33-36 . . . 33 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”
John 1:4-9 .. 8:12 . . . 1 : 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
8 : 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Acts 26:13-18 . . . 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
2 Corinthians 4:6 . . . 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 . . . 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 John 1:5-7 .. 2:9-10 . . . 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2 : 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
Over the span of your life, think about the ways Jesus has been described to you. Has he been described as someone you "need" in your life, or someone you might "want" in your life?
How would a sense of "needing" Jesus differ from "wanting" Jesus?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you feel like you depend on Jesus in your everyday routine?
Winter Week 1: Zechariah Prophesies About Jesus (Luke 1:68-79)
Bible Point: the world needs Jesus.
Background Who Was Zacharias ?
Zacharias was a priest in Jerusalem. His name meant, "The Lord (Yah) remembered." He was married to Elizabeth and the father of John the Baptist. A monumental moment for Zechariah came when he was serving in his priestly role at the Jerusalem temple. While burning incense, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel promised a child to Zechariah, who was quite old at the time. Knowing that his wife was past the childbearing years, Zachariah asked for a sign. The angel responded to his lack of faith by taking away his capacity to speak until the day of his son's birth. Once Zechariah's son was born and named John, his voice returned. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah then prophesied about the greater meaning of John's birth, namely the coming of Jesus.
Read Luke 1 : 68-79
v69 -- horn of salvation — a glorious and mighty Savior.
v70 -- who have been since the world began — there were prophets from the beginning.
v74 -- serve him without fear — Without any slavish fear. Here is the substance of the great promise. That we shall be always holy, always happy: that being delivered from Satan and sin, we shall joyfully love and serve God, in every thought, word, and deed.
v76 -- And thou, child — he speaks of John; not as a parent, but as a prophet.
v77 -- give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins — The knowledge of the remission of our sins being the grand instrument of present and eternal salvation, Hebrews 8:11,12. But the immediate sense of the words seems to be, to preach to them the Gospel doctrine of salvation by the remission of their sins.
v78 -- The day spring — Or the rising sun; that is, Christ.
Zacharias told of the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah.
The gospel brings light with it
In John the Baptist it began
The gospel is discovering;
it shows us where we are in the dark
it gives light to those that sit in darkness
It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death
It is directing … it guides our feet in the way of peace, love, and happiness
let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.
Luke 11:33-36 . . . 33 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”
John 1:4-9 .. 8:12 . . . 1 : 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
8 : 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Acts 26:13-18 . . . 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
2 Corinthians 4:6 . . . 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 . . . 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 John 1:5-7 .. 2:9-10 . . . 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2 : 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
Over the span of your life, think about the ways Jesus has been described to you. Has he been described as someone you "need" in your life, or someone you might "want" in your life?
How would a sense of "needing" Jesus differ from "wanting" Jesus?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you feel like you depend on Jesus in your everyday routine?
Joshua 6:1-27
Date: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Study #13: God's power works for good in our lives.
Bible Study: God Gives Victory Over Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27)
REVIEW: in chapter 5,
God told Joshua to circumcise everyone (all males under 40)
God stopped providing manna (no longer needed)
Jesus appears to Joshua as the Commander of the army of the Lord.
Background Joshua's Strategy
Joshua had a well thought-out strategy for how he would lead the Israelites in conquering the land of Canaan (see Joshua 5-12). His method was to divide and conquer the major kingdoms in the land.
First, the cities of Jericho and Ai were destroyed.
Next, Joshua moved into the central part of Canaan. In a battle that was soon to follow, Joshua--with God's leadership, guidance, and divine intervention--defeated a coalition of five Canaanite kings.
Then he moved to defeat Canaanite cities to the south.
Finally, he led a campaign into the north. The whole campaign lasted five years with very little Canaanite resistance left!
Joshua 6 . . . The Destruction of Jericho
the siege of Jericho. (vv. 1-5)
Jericho was afraid of Israel and what they had heard about them .. So it shut itself up being well fortified.
They were foolish, strengthening themselves against God.
No warlike preparations were to be made.
the Lord honored the ark (Jesus) and showed that all the victories were from Him.
The faith and patience of the people were proved and increased.
I imagine these words to Joshua spread around to the marching Israelites . . . Imagine the anticipation of the marchers on that seventh time around on the seventh day!
A relationship with Jesus allows us to walk in confidence … with solid anticipation of things to come
How do you think the Israelites WERE preparing for battle before God gave them their instructions ??
Prepared their weapons
Talked strategy
How do you think the soldiers reacted after hearing God’s instructions ??
Shocked
Silly
but they must have trusted God
the city is surrounded. (vv. 6-16) 12 … early in the morning, …15 … they rose early …
Wherever the ark went, the people attended it.
We also must follow Jesus in this same way.
and promised deliverances must be expected from God .. In His time.
The shout:
was a shout of faith for they believed the walls of Jericho would fall
it was a shout of prayer; they cried to Heaven for help, and help came.
Jericho is taken, Rahab and her family are saved. (vv. 17-27) 25 … to this day … 26 … “Cursed be
They DID destroy the entire city.
Jericho was a sacrifice to the Justice of God
As with Rahab and us, our portion of Justice must be assigned as we posses or disregard the signs of Salvation
Rahab did not perish with those that did not believe in God . . Rahab’s Faith “in Christ” brought her Salvation.
God shows the weight of His curse … there is no getting out from under it … it brings ruin
Another event, like the destruction of the Amorites who never turned to God, where God uses His people to give punishment to those who do not believe in Him
Archaeologists have found the cities of Jericho, but don’t know which one the Israelites destroyed … because every one of them were destroyed! (Joshua’s curse in 6:26)
What’s the most surprising thing about this event ??
That the Israelites did what they were told
That the wall really did fall down and Jericho did not attack
Why do you think God waited for the seventh rounding on the seventh day ??
How did God use His power here . . and why ??
Where in your life, right now, do you need God's powerful intervention ??
Study #13: God's power works for good in our lives.
Bible Study: God Gives Victory Over Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27)
REVIEW: in chapter 5,
God told Joshua to circumcise everyone (all males under 40)
God stopped providing manna (no longer needed)
Jesus appears to Joshua as the Commander of the army of the Lord.
Background Joshua's Strategy
Joshua had a well thought-out strategy for how he would lead the Israelites in conquering the land of Canaan (see Joshua 5-12). His method was to divide and conquer the major kingdoms in the land.
First, the cities of Jericho and Ai were destroyed.
Next, Joshua moved into the central part of Canaan. In a battle that was soon to follow, Joshua--with God's leadership, guidance, and divine intervention--defeated a coalition of five Canaanite kings.
Then he moved to defeat Canaanite cities to the south.
Finally, he led a campaign into the north. The whole campaign lasted five years with very little Canaanite resistance left!
Joshua 6 . . . The Destruction of Jericho
the siege of Jericho. (vv. 1-5)
Jericho was afraid of Israel and what they had heard about them .. So it shut itself up being well fortified.
They were foolish, strengthening themselves against God.
No warlike preparations were to be made.
the Lord honored the ark (Jesus) and showed that all the victories were from Him.
The faith and patience of the people were proved and increased.
I imagine these words to Joshua spread around to the marching Israelites . . . Imagine the anticipation of the marchers on that seventh time around on the seventh day!
A relationship with Jesus allows us to walk in confidence … with solid anticipation of things to come
How do you think the Israelites WERE preparing for battle before God gave them their instructions ??
Prepared their weapons
Talked strategy
How do you think the soldiers reacted after hearing God’s instructions ??
Shocked
Silly
but they must have trusted God
the city is surrounded. (vv. 6-16) 12 … early in the morning, …15 … they rose early …
Wherever the ark went, the people attended it.
We also must follow Jesus in this same way.
and promised deliverances must be expected from God .. In His time.
The shout:
was a shout of faith for they believed the walls of Jericho would fall
it was a shout of prayer; they cried to Heaven for help, and help came.
Jericho is taken, Rahab and her family are saved. (vv. 17-27) 25 … to this day … 26 … “Cursed be
They DID destroy the entire city.
Jericho was a sacrifice to the Justice of God
As with Rahab and us, our portion of Justice must be assigned as we posses or disregard the signs of Salvation
Rahab did not perish with those that did not believe in God . . Rahab’s Faith “in Christ” brought her Salvation.
God shows the weight of His curse … there is no getting out from under it … it brings ruin
Another event, like the destruction of the Amorites who never turned to God, where God uses His people to give punishment to those who do not believe in Him
Archaeologists have found the cities of Jericho, but don’t know which one the Israelites destroyed … because every one of them were destroyed! (Joshua’s curse in 6:26)
What’s the most surprising thing about this event ??
That the Israelites did what they were told
That the wall really did fall down and Jericho did not attack
Why do you think God waited for the seventh rounding on the seventh day ??
How did God use His power here . . and why ??
Where in your life, right now, do you need God's powerful intervention ??
Joshua 3, 4
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009 (Thanksgiving)
Study #12: Remember what God has done.
Bible Study: The Israelites Cross the Jordan River
REVIEW: the Israelites have prepared to cross (Chapter 1) and then sent spies in to case the place (Chapter 2) and now are ready to actually Cross the Jordan River.
Joshua 3
the Israelites come to Jordan. (vv. 1-6)
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”
5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.”
So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.
· the Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having been told that they should pass it.
· let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on the Lord.
· Those who would bring great things to pass, must rise early.
o Proverbs 20:13 --- Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
· The people were to follow the ark. We must walk after the rule of the word, and the direction of the Spirit, in everything
· For us to experience the effects of God's love and power, we must put away sin.
the Lord encourages Joshua-Joshua encourages the people. (vv. 7-13)
7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.’”
9 So Joshua said to the children of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.” 10 And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites: 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from every tribe. 13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap.”
The miracle of the Red Sea is repeated here
God has the same power to finish the salvation of his people, as to begin it
He was with Joshua as He was with Moses
God's work is perfect, he will keep his people
Jordan's flood cannot keep out Israel
Canaan's force cannot turn them out again.
Very Neat: In Abraham’s days: God gave the Amorites 420 years to “get right”
While God was making a Covenant with Abraham:
Genesis 15:13-16 13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
the Israelites pass through Jordan on dry land. (vv. 14-17)
14 So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), 16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.
the people crossing the Jordan now (except Joshua and Calab) were kids when they crossed the Red Sea
A very similar experience .. Ones they can tell/teach their kids about
Jordan overflowed all its banks . . about 10-12 feet nowadays .. about how the Red Sea crossing was described in the Bible (covering the Egyptian chariots)
Memory / Tradition / National Heritage
this magnified the power of God, and his kindness to Israel
Like the Israelites, after we finish our wanderings in this sinful world, Jesus, typified by the ark, goes before us
What experiences of His faithful and tender care in our lives can help our faith and hope during the rest of our time here ??
Joshua 4
Stones taken out of Jordan. (vv. 1-9)
1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”
8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the LORD had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.
The works of the Lord are worthy of remembrance but the heart of man so easily forgets them.
God gave orders for preparing this memorial . . It must be important to remember God’s Blessings in our lives.
“to this day” … remember that Joshua, and especially Moses before him, are writing these books after the fact . . . their autobiographies .. So even now as I write this book many years later (to this day), they are still there.
the people pass through Jordan. (vv. 10-19)
10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. 11 Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. 12 And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. 13 About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life.
15 Then the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 16 “Command the priests who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.” 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up from the Jordan.” 18 And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before. 19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.
the priests with the ark did not move until the crossing and then the retrieval of the stones was complete . . honoring God during this miracle
five days short of exactly forty years from the time of their coming out of Egypt, which was on the fifteenth day of the first month.
What timing !!! . . . This was the day that God told Moses & Aaron to take up lambs for the first Passover .. eating the lambs and using their blood to mark their doors . . . Now was the time to “take up” the Israelites to their Promised Land.
Exodus 12:3, 6 (1st Passover) . . . 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. 6 Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight.
the twelve stones placed in Gilgal. (vv. 20-24)
20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 23 for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”
Such memorials were important in the life of Israel
Each memorial told a story of how God intervened on behalf of his people. As time passed and younger generations would be born, the need to help people remember what happened in the past would become important. It was a way of letting future generations participate in the story of God's activity with His people. Each memorial directed the Israelites to remember that something amazing and divine had happened.
note v.23: God is the same yesterday, today and forever
It is the duty of parents to tell their children of the words and works of God so that they may be aware of them and their lives may be shaped “in the right direction”.
Reading them as bedtime stories is a great way.
In all the instruction parents give their children, they should teach them to fear God.
Serious Godliness is the best learning.
Shouldn’t we praise God in our own families for bringing us through dangers and distresses?
Gilgal became their base of operations for the next 6-years and then later on became a religious center for them.
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How comfortable are you with the idea of miracles? Do you even believe they occur?
What do miracles tell us about God?
What's your favorite miracle?
How about in your own lives ?
Why is it so important that we remember what God has done?
Study #12: Remember what God has done.
Bible Study: The Israelites Cross the Jordan River
REVIEW: the Israelites have prepared to cross (Chapter 1) and then sent spies in to case the place (Chapter 2) and now are ready to actually Cross the Jordan River.
Joshua 3
the Israelites come to Jordan. (vv. 1-6)
1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”
5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.”
So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.
· the Israelites came to Jordan in faith, having been told that they should pass it.
· let us proceed as far as we can, and depend on the Lord.
· Those who would bring great things to pass, must rise early.
o Proverbs 20:13 --- Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
· The people were to follow the ark. We must walk after the rule of the word, and the direction of the Spirit, in everything
· For us to experience the effects of God's love and power, we must put away sin.
the Lord encourages Joshua-Joshua encourages the people. (vv. 7-13)
7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.’”
9 So Joshua said to the children of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.” 10 And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites: 11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan. 12 Now therefore, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from every tribe. 13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap.”
The miracle of the Red Sea is repeated here
God has the same power to finish the salvation of his people, as to begin it
He was with Joshua as He was with Moses
God's work is perfect, he will keep his people
Jordan's flood cannot keep out Israel
Canaan's force cannot turn them out again.
Very Neat: In Abraham’s days: God gave the Amorites 420 years to “get right”
While God was making a Covenant with Abraham:
Genesis 15:13-16 13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
the Israelites pass through Jordan on dry land. (vv. 14-17)
14 So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), 16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.
the people crossing the Jordan now (except Joshua and Calab) were kids when they crossed the Red Sea
A very similar experience .. Ones they can tell/teach their kids about
Jordan overflowed all its banks . . about 10-12 feet nowadays .. about how the Red Sea crossing was described in the Bible (covering the Egyptian chariots)
Memory / Tradition / National Heritage
this magnified the power of God, and his kindness to Israel
Like the Israelites, after we finish our wanderings in this sinful world, Jesus, typified by the ark, goes before us
What experiences of His faithful and tender care in our lives can help our faith and hope during the rest of our time here ??
Joshua 4
Stones taken out of Jordan. (vv. 1-9)
1 And it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying: 2 “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight.’”
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; 5 and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”
8 And the children of Israel did so, just as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones from the midst of the Jordan, as the LORD had spoken to Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them to the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there to this day.
The works of the Lord are worthy of remembrance but the heart of man so easily forgets them.
God gave orders for preparing this memorial . . It must be important to remember God’s Blessings in our lives.
“to this day” … remember that Joshua, and especially Moses before him, are writing these books after the fact . . . their autobiographies .. So even now as I write this book many years later (to this day), they are still there.
the people pass through Jordan. (vv. 10-19)
10 So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. 11 Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people. 12 And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them. 13 About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life.
15 Then the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 16 “Command the priests who bear the ark of the Testimony to come up from the Jordan.” 17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, “Come up from the Jordan.” 18 And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before. 19 Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.
the priests with the ark did not move until the crossing and then the retrieval of the stones was complete . . honoring God during this miracle
five days short of exactly forty years from the time of their coming out of Egypt, which was on the fifteenth day of the first month.
What timing !!! . . . This was the day that God told Moses & Aaron to take up lambs for the first Passover .. eating the lambs and using their blood to mark their doors . . . Now was the time to “take up” the Israelites to their Promised Land.
Exodus 12:3, 6 (1st Passover) . . . 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. 6 Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight.
the twelve stones placed in Gilgal. (vv. 20-24)
20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 23 for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”
Such memorials were important in the life of Israel
Each memorial told a story of how God intervened on behalf of his people. As time passed and younger generations would be born, the need to help people remember what happened in the past would become important. It was a way of letting future generations participate in the story of God's activity with His people. Each memorial directed the Israelites to remember that something amazing and divine had happened.
note v.23: God is the same yesterday, today and forever
It is the duty of parents to tell their children of the words and works of God so that they may be aware of them and their lives may be shaped “in the right direction”.
Reading them as bedtime stories is a great way.
In all the instruction parents give their children, they should teach them to fear God.
Serious Godliness is the best learning.
Shouldn’t we praise God in our own families for bringing us through dangers and distresses?
Gilgal became their base of operations for the next 6-years and then later on became a religious center for them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How comfortable are you with the idea of miracles? Do you even believe they occur?
What do miracles tell us about God?
What's your favorite miracle?
How about in your own lives ?
Why is it so important that we remember what God has done?
Joshua 2:1-24
Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Lesson 11: We can have faith that God will do big things in our lives.
Bible Study: Joshua Sends Spies to Jericho (Joshua 2:1-24)
REVIEW: We left the Israelites in Joshua 1 as they prepared to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
Background Jericho
Jericho may be one of the oldest cities known on earth with archaeological evidence suggesting some of the earliest humans were here.
Archaeology has unearthed remains that date back to 9,000 B.C. .. the Bible dates Creation to be 4,000 B.C.
Archaeology suggests that Joshua conquered the city around the beginning of the 13th-century BC. (1290’s B.C.) … the Bible dates it at 1451.B.C. . . . much closer!
This city is well known from a biblical perspective because of the story of Joshua's siege (Joshua 6), Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), and Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10).
Very little of the Jericho, which would have existed at the time of Joshua's siege, remains to this day. Joshua is recorded as having completely destroyed the city. This would have been consistent with the standards of the time for invading armies. Joshua cursed the town, and it was not rebuilt until ninth-century BC. (300 - 500 years later!)
· What "big thing" do you believe God wants you to do in life?
· What is helping you move towards achieving this “big thing”?
· What is hindering you?
Joshua 2 (vv. 1 – 24)
Rahab receives and hides two Israelites (vv. 1-7)
1 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”
So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.”
3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.”
4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” 6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) 7 Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.
The Knowledge of God directed the spies to the house of Rahab. God knew where there was one that would be true to them, though the spies did not.
That which seems to us to be accidental, is often driven by God to serve great ends.
It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace, against whom her king and country had war.
We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of by the apostle, James 2:25 and in Hebrews 11:31 … and she did it by Faith
Those only are true believers, who find in their hearts to venture out for God
The spies were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab entertained them out of regard to Israel and Israel's God
Not twelve, as Moses did, because those were to view the whole land, these but a small parcel of it.
Probably Israel had but one friend in all Jericho: and God directed them to her! Thus what seems to be most accidental, is often to serve the great ends of God.
For those that acknowledge God in their ways, He will guide them with his eye.
Rahab and the spies (vv. 8-21)
8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”
14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”
15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. 16 And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.”
17 So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. 19 So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.”
Rahab had heard of the miracles that the Lord did for Israel. .. Another reason for their wanderings!
She believed that His promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threats!
and that there was no way of escape but by submitting to Him
The conduct of Rahab proved that she had the real principle of Divine faith.
Those who will be conscientious in keeping promises, are cautious in making them ... The spies make needful conditions.
The scarlet cord, like the blood upon the doorpost at the Passover, is similar to the sinner's security under the atoning blood of Christ
The same cord Rahab used for the saving of these Israelites, was to be used for her own safety.
What we serve and honor God with, we may expect He will bless, and make useful to us.
The return of the spies (vv. 22-24)
21 Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.
22 They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. 23 So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. 24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”
The report the spies brought was encouraging.
All the people of the country faint because of Israel.
They have neither wisdom to yield, nor courage to fight.
Those terrors of conscience, and that sense of Divine wrath, which dismay the ungodly, but don’t bring them to repent, are fearful forebodings of approaching destruction. But His Grace still abounds to sinners … let them go to Christ immediately and all shall be well.
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Joshua was a great general, born a slave in Egypt.
40 years old at time of Exodus (one of spies),
80 years old when he received his commission,
110 years old at his death.
He was a man of prayer, courage, dependence upon God, faith, leadership, enthusiasm, and fidelity. He is a type of Christ in name and work.
Joshua shows that a man of average ability may become a
leader in the church. He received his call not in flaming letters
across the sky, but from an old man, who knew God and knew
Joshua, and saw that he was fitted by God to be a leader.
PURPOSE: Completes redemption out of Egypt. Salvation is not only a redemption from hell, but it is a redemption to heaven.
TRANSITION: Up to this point Jehovah had spoken by dreams, visions, or by angelic ministry. Now a new method is introduced. The Law of Moses is the written voice of Jehovah (Joshua 1:8).
Chapter 2 — Spies are sent in, not to see if they could enter the land, but to explore the best way. The report of these spies is in verse 24. God turns aside to save the harlot Rahab. She believed God (vv.
10-13; cf. Hebrews 11:31). The mayor of Jericho could have been saved had he, too, believed God. No one needed to have died.
Matthew 1 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.
Rahab’s house was against the outer wall of Jericho and yet it was preserved, as promised, when the walls of Jericho came down. In 1907-1909, German excavations of this Jericho site found some houses still standing against a lower wall while everything else had been demolished.
Abraham’s days:
Genesis 15:16 -- But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
Count with me please from Abraham (around 1900 B.C.) :
1. Isaac -- 2. Jacob -- 3. Joseph -- 4. Moses/Joshua (1400’s B.C)
God gave the Amorites over 400 years to “get right”
Lesson 11: We can have faith that God will do big things in our lives.
Bible Study: Joshua Sends Spies to Jericho (Joshua 2:1-24)
REVIEW: We left the Israelites in Joshua 1 as they prepared to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
Background Jericho
Jericho may be one of the oldest cities known on earth with archaeological evidence suggesting some of the earliest humans were here.
Archaeology has unearthed remains that date back to 9,000 B.C. .. the Bible dates Creation to be 4,000 B.C.
Archaeology suggests that Joshua conquered the city around the beginning of the 13th-century BC. (1290’s B.C.) … the Bible dates it at 1451.B.C. . . . much closer!
This city is well known from a biblical perspective because of the story of Joshua's siege (Joshua 6), Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), and Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10).
Very little of the Jericho, which would have existed at the time of Joshua's siege, remains to this day. Joshua is recorded as having completely destroyed the city. This would have been consistent with the standards of the time for invading armies. Joshua cursed the town, and it was not rebuilt until ninth-century BC. (300 - 500 years later!)
· What "big thing" do you believe God wants you to do in life?
· What is helping you move towards achieving this “big thing”?
· What is hindering you?
Joshua 2 (vv. 1 – 24)
Rahab receives and hides two Israelites (vv. 1-7)
1 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”
So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.”
3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.”
4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” 6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) 7 Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.
The Knowledge of God directed the spies to the house of Rahab. God knew where there was one that would be true to them, though the spies did not.
That which seems to us to be accidental, is often driven by God to serve great ends.
It was by faith that Rahab received those with peace, against whom her king and country had war.
We are sure this was a good work; it is so spoken of by the apostle, James 2:25 and in Hebrews 11:31 … and she did it by Faith
Those only are true believers, who find in their hearts to venture out for God
The spies were led by the special providence of God, and Rahab entertained them out of regard to Israel and Israel's God
Not twelve, as Moses did, because those were to view the whole land, these but a small parcel of it.
Probably Israel had but one friend in all Jericho: and God directed them to her! Thus what seems to be most accidental, is often to serve the great ends of God.
For those that acknowledge God in their ways, He will guide them with his eye.
Rahab and the spies (vv. 8-21)
8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”
14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”
15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. 16 And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.”
17 So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. 19 So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.”
Rahab had heard of the miracles that the Lord did for Israel. .. Another reason for their wanderings!
She believed that His promises would certainly be fulfilled, and his threats!
and that there was no way of escape but by submitting to Him
The conduct of Rahab proved that she had the real principle of Divine faith.
Those who will be conscientious in keeping promises, are cautious in making them ... The spies make needful conditions.
The scarlet cord, like the blood upon the doorpost at the Passover, is similar to the sinner's security under the atoning blood of Christ
The same cord Rahab used for the saving of these Israelites, was to be used for her own safety.
What we serve and honor God with, we may expect He will bless, and make useful to us.
The return of the spies (vv. 22-24)
21 Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.
22 They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. 23 So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. 24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”
The report the spies brought was encouraging.
All the people of the country faint because of Israel.
They have neither wisdom to yield, nor courage to fight.
Those terrors of conscience, and that sense of Divine wrath, which dismay the ungodly, but don’t bring them to repent, are fearful forebodings of approaching destruction. But His Grace still abounds to sinners … let them go to Christ immediately and all shall be well.
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Joshua was a great general, born a slave in Egypt.
40 years old at time of Exodus (one of spies),
80 years old when he received his commission,
110 years old at his death.
He was a man of prayer, courage, dependence upon God, faith, leadership, enthusiasm, and fidelity. He is a type of Christ in name and work.
Joshua shows that a man of average ability may become a
leader in the church. He received his call not in flaming letters
across the sky, but from an old man, who knew God and knew
Joshua, and saw that he was fitted by God to be a leader.
PURPOSE: Completes redemption out of Egypt. Salvation is not only a redemption from hell, but it is a redemption to heaven.
TRANSITION: Up to this point Jehovah had spoken by dreams, visions, or by angelic ministry. Now a new method is introduced. The Law of Moses is the written voice of Jehovah (Joshua 1:8).
Chapter 2 — Spies are sent in, not to see if they could enter the land, but to explore the best way. The report of these spies is in verse 24. God turns aside to save the harlot Rahab. She believed God (vv.
10-13; cf. Hebrews 11:31). The mayor of Jericho could have been saved had he, too, believed God. No one needed to have died.
Matthew 1 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, 6 and Jesse begot David the king.
Rahab’s house was against the outer wall of Jericho and yet it was preserved, as promised, when the walls of Jericho came down. In 1907-1909, German excavations of this Jericho site found some houses still standing against a lower wall while everything else had been demolished.
Abraham’s days:
Genesis 15:16 -- But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
Count with me please from Abraham (around 1900 B.C.) :
1. Isaac -- 2. Jacob -- 3. Joseph -- 4. Moses/Joshua (1400’s B.C)
God gave the Amorites over 400 years to “get right”
Joshua 1
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009
Study #10: God helps us accomplish His plans.
Bible Study: Joshua Becomes Leader of Israel
REVIEW:
Wandering .. battling .. learning . . . and now they are finally ready to go into the Promised Land!
Moses died.
Joshua is the history of Israel's passing into the land of Canaan:
conquering and dividing it under the command of Joshua
the power and truth of God in
fulfilling his promises to Israel
executing his justly threatened vengeance on the Canaanites
God encourages Joshua and introduces and initiates the nation into a new way of life. The wilderness journey is over. They are no longer nomads of the desert, but dwellers in the land.
Background Who Was Joshua?
Joshua was born in the land of Egypt during the period of slavery. He was witness to the exodus from Egypt and with the Israelites during the 40 years of wandering in the desert. His name means "Yahweh delivered."
In the eyes of God, Joshua was the one to follow in the footsteps of Moses. He was the one whom God would use to actually bring the Israelites into the land promised to them. During his time under the leadership of Moses, Joshua served as general, leading Israel's armies. He was a general and also a servant to Moses. He was the only one to go onto the mountain of Sinai when Moses received the 10 Commandments. As well, he was one of the spies who went into the Promised Land (Number 13:8). Only he and Caleb came from the spying expedition with a vision for what God could do.
God had in mind for Joshua to be the next leader for Israel. They would need a military leader and Joshua was just the man to do the job--but not just for his military wit. He was a man of faith who knew to trust God in the battles and challenges he would face once the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River.
Joshua 1
The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses (vv 1-4)
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.
· Joshua had served Moses
· Those who are best to lead have first learned to obey
· Jesus came in the form of a servant
· at this time the banks were overflowed
Joshua had no bridge or boats
he must believe that God would open a way.
Trust and Faith
God promises to assist Joshua (vv 5-9)
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
· Proverbs 4: 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
· Psalm 1:1,2: 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
· Joshua is to make the law of God his way of life
· Joshua must himself be under the command of God
· He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God.
· we have reason to be strong and very bold .. for God is with us!
The Order to Cross the Jordan
Preparation to pass over Jordan (vv 10-15)
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
· Joshua tells the people that they will cross the Jordan river and take possession of the land
· We don’t need to be surprised at the promise of God
KEY WORD: Possession
Israel’s ownership was unconditional (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21; 17:8).
Genesis 12:7
7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 15:18-21
18 On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying:
“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— 19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”
Genesis 17:8
8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
Israel’s possession was conditional (Deuteronomy 29:9 — 30:20).
· We must follow God and Love Him.
The Key word is not “victory” — God gets the victory .. Israel gets deliverance and possession.
Joshua 1:4 — Extent of Promised Land
300,000 sq. miles … versus 30,000
Study #10: God helps us accomplish His plans.
Bible Study: Joshua Becomes Leader of Israel
REVIEW:
Wandering .. battling .. learning . . . and now they are finally ready to go into the Promised Land!
Moses died.
Joshua is the history of Israel's passing into the land of Canaan:
conquering and dividing it under the command of Joshua
the power and truth of God in
fulfilling his promises to Israel
executing his justly threatened vengeance on the Canaanites
God encourages Joshua and introduces and initiates the nation into a new way of life. The wilderness journey is over. They are no longer nomads of the desert, but dwellers in the land.
Background Who Was Joshua?
Joshua was born in the land of Egypt during the period of slavery. He was witness to the exodus from Egypt and with the Israelites during the 40 years of wandering in the desert. His name means "Yahweh delivered."
In the eyes of God, Joshua was the one to follow in the footsteps of Moses. He was the one whom God would use to actually bring the Israelites into the land promised to them. During his time under the leadership of Moses, Joshua served as general, leading Israel's armies. He was a general and also a servant to Moses. He was the only one to go onto the mountain of Sinai when Moses received the 10 Commandments. As well, he was one of the spies who went into the Promised Land (Number 13:8). Only he and Caleb came from the spying expedition with a vision for what God could do.
God had in mind for Joshua to be the next leader for Israel. They would need a military leader and Joshua was just the man to do the job--but not just for his military wit. He was a man of faith who knew to trust God in the battles and challenges he would face once the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River.
Joshua 1
The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses (vv 1-4)
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.
· Joshua had served Moses
· Those who are best to lead have first learned to obey
· Jesus came in the form of a servant
· at this time the banks were overflowed
Joshua had no bridge or boats
he must believe that God would open a way.
Trust and Faith
God promises to assist Joshua (vv 5-9)
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
· Proverbs 4: 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
· Psalm 1:1,2: 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
· Joshua is to make the law of God his way of life
· Joshua must himself be under the command of God
· He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God.
· we have reason to be strong and very bold .. for God is with us!
The Order to Cross the Jordan
Preparation to pass over Jordan (vv 10-15)
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
· Joshua tells the people that they will cross the Jordan river and take possession of the land
· We don’t need to be surprised at the promise of God
KEY WORD: Possession
Israel’s ownership was unconditional (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21; 17:8).
Genesis 12:7
7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 15:18-21
18 On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying:
“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— 19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”
Genesis 17:8
8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
Israel’s possession was conditional (Deuteronomy 29:9 — 30:20).
· We must follow God and Love Him.
The Key word is not “victory” — God gets the victory .. Israel gets deliverance and possession.
Joshua 1:4 — Extent of Promised Land
300,000 sq. miles … versus 30,000
Numbers 22:1-38
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009
Study #9: God does amazing things to show his power.
Bible Study: Balaam's Donkey Talks … Numbers 22:1-38
REVIEW:
Romans 8:14 -- For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
More wanderings, more distrust of God, more lessons for future generations
The Israelites had defeated a few adversaries in their travels .. including the Amorites
They were approaching the Promised Land again
Psalm 66
1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
4 All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.”
5 Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
Background Who Was Balaam?
2 Peter 2:15-16
15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
Balaam was a prophet within the network of eastern religions representing the land of Canaan, Moab, Edom, and so on. As a religious leader, Balaam was known as conferring with the gods of all the religious movements.
Balaam is very “Big” throughout the Bible
More is said about Balaam than there is about Mary the mother of Jesus and more than ten of the Apostles.
Balaam was a Midianite
He was covetous and selfish . . . Always out for himself.
an ancient text found at Deir Alla, Jordan, in 1967 tells about the activities of a prophet named Balaam. Three times in the first four lines he is referred to as “Balaam son of Beor,” exactly as in the Bible
Numbers 22
Balak fears Israeil and Sends for Balaam Numbers 22:1-14
1 Then the children of Israel moved, and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho. 2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel. 4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! 6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. 8 And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9 Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’” 12 And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” 13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you.” 14 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
King Balak of Moab employed Balaam to call down a curse on Israel.
This was an alternative to King Balak having to face Israel's forces in battle.
Balak Sends for Balaam a 2nd time and Balaam goes to Balak Numbers 22:15-21
15 Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; 17 for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’” 18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me.” 20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.” 21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
Balaam's corruptions at the same time inclined him to go contrary to the command.
He seemed to refuse the temptation; but he expressed no abhorrence of it.
He had a strong desire to accept the offer, and hoped that God might let him go.
He had already been told what the will of God was. It is a certain evidence of the ruling of corruption in the heart, to beg to let us sin.
God gave Balaam up to his own heart's lusts. As God sometimes denies the prayers of his people in love, so sometimes he grants the desires of the wicked in wrath.
The opposition to Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel Numbers 22:22-35
22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” 30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.” 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.” 34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.” 35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Just because God lets us sin, does not mean he approves it
those whose hearts are fully set to do evil, will push on through the difficulties God lays in their way.
God made the donkey speak … this was a great miracle
Balaam, for now, has his eyes opened.
God has many ways to bring down the hard and un-humbled heart.
When our eyes are opened, we shall see the danger of sinful ways, and how much it was for our advantage to have God intervene.
Thus many leave their sins, only because their sins have left them.
The angel declared that he should not only be unable to curse Israel, but should be forced to bless them: this would be more for the glory of God, and to his own confusion, than if he had turned back.
Balaam and Balak meet Numbers 22:36-38
36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” 38 And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.”
Balak has now nothing to complain of, but that Balaam did not come sooner.
Balaam bids Balak not depend too much upon him.
He wants to please Balak, as ever he had pretended to be to please God.
See why we need to pray every day not to be led into temptation.

Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God with my voice— To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.
4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times.
6 I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search.
7 Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more?
8 Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?
10 And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11 I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
15 You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were afraid; The depths also trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water; The skies sent out a sound; Your arrows also flashed about.
18 The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightning lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, And Your footsteps were not known.
20 You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Balaam gave four of the most remarkable prophecies in the Scriptures regarding Israel:
1st prophecy — Numbers 23:8-10
2nd prophecy — Numbers 23:20-24
3rd prophecy — Numbers 24:5-9
4th prophecy — Numbers 24:17-24
Balaam had some knowledge of God, and God used him
(Numbers 22:9, 20, 22, 31). He is a strange anomaly. The
Scriptures have a great deal to say about him — see Numbers
31:16; Deuteronomy 23:4, 5; Joshua 13:22; Joshua 24:9, 10;
Nehemiah 13:2; Micah 6:5; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation
2:14.
Scripture distinguishes between the way of Balaam, the error
of Balaam, and the doctrine of Balaam:
“The way of Balaam” (2 Peter 2:15) was that he prostituted
his gift for gain, he was covetous, he commercialized his
office.
“The error of Balaam” (Jude 11) was that he concluded a
righteous God must curse Israel. He was unaware of the
grace of God revealed in God’s redemption of Israel out of
Egypt.
“The doctrine of Balaam” (Revelation 2:14) was his counsel
to Balak. Finding that he could not curse Israel, he showed
Balak how to break down the wall of separation by marriage
with women of Moab (Numbers 31:15, 16).
7. The prophet Balaam, Chapters 22 — 25
a. “The way of Balaam” — covetousness,
(cf. 2 Peter 2:15, 16), 22
b. “The error of Balaam” — ignorance of God’s
righteousness (cf. Romans 8:31-34), 23
c. “The doctrine of Balaam” — fornication with
Moabites; embrace their idolatry, 24, 25
Study #9: God does amazing things to show his power.
Bible Study: Balaam's Donkey Talks … Numbers 22:1-38
REVIEW:
Romans 8:14 -- For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
More wanderings, more distrust of God, more lessons for future generations
The Israelites had defeated a few adversaries in their travels .. including the Amorites
They were approaching the Promised Land again
Psalm 66
1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
4 All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.”
5 Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
Background Who Was Balaam?
2 Peter 2:15-16
15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
Balaam was a prophet within the network of eastern religions representing the land of Canaan, Moab, Edom, and so on. As a religious leader, Balaam was known as conferring with the gods of all the religious movements.
Balaam is very “Big” throughout the Bible
More is said about Balaam than there is about Mary the mother of Jesus and more than ten of the Apostles.
Balaam was a Midianite
He was covetous and selfish . . . Always out for himself.
an ancient text found at Deir Alla, Jordan, in 1967 tells about the activities of a prophet named Balaam. Three times in the first four lines he is referred to as “Balaam son of Beor,” exactly as in the Bible
Numbers 22
Balak fears Israeil and Sends for Balaam Numbers 22:1-14
1 Then the children of Israel moved, and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho. 2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel. 4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! 6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. 8 And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9 Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’” 12 And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” 13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you.” 14 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
King Balak of Moab employed Balaam to call down a curse on Israel.
This was an alternative to King Balak having to face Israel's forces in battle.
Balak Sends for Balaam a 2nd time and Balaam goes to Balak Numbers 22:15-21
15 Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; 17 for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’” 18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me.” 20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.” 21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.
Balaam's corruptions at the same time inclined him to go contrary to the command.
He seemed to refuse the temptation; but he expressed no abhorrence of it.
He had a strong desire to accept the offer, and hoped that God might let him go.
He had already been told what the will of God was. It is a certain evidence of the ruling of corruption in the heart, to beg to let us sin.
God gave Balaam up to his own heart's lusts. As God sometimes denies the prayers of his people in love, so sometimes he grants the desires of the wicked in wrath.
The opposition to Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel Numbers 22:22-35
22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” 30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.” 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.” 34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.” 35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Just because God lets us sin, does not mean he approves it
those whose hearts are fully set to do evil, will push on through the difficulties God lays in their way.
God made the donkey speak … this was a great miracle
Balaam, for now, has his eyes opened.
God has many ways to bring down the hard and un-humbled heart.
When our eyes are opened, we shall see the danger of sinful ways, and how much it was for our advantage to have God intervene.
Thus many leave their sins, only because their sins have left them.
The angel declared that he should not only be unable to curse Israel, but should be forced to bless them: this would be more for the glory of God, and to his own confusion, than if he had turned back.
Balaam and Balak meet Numbers 22:36-38
36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” 38 And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.”
Balak has now nothing to complain of, but that Balaam did not come sooner.
Balaam bids Balak not depend too much upon him.
He wants to please Balak, as ever he had pretended to be to please God.
See why we need to pray every day not to be led into temptation.

Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God with my voice— To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.
4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times.
6 I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search.
7 Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more?
8 Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?
10 And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11 I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
15 You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were afraid; The depths also trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water; The skies sent out a sound; Your arrows also flashed about.
18 The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightning lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, And Your footsteps were not known.
20 You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Balaam gave four of the most remarkable prophecies in the Scriptures regarding Israel:
1st prophecy — Numbers 23:8-10
2nd prophecy — Numbers 23:20-24
3rd prophecy — Numbers 24:5-9
4th prophecy — Numbers 24:17-24
Balaam had some knowledge of God, and God used him
(Numbers 22:9, 20, 22, 31). He is a strange anomaly. The
Scriptures have a great deal to say about him — see Numbers
31:16; Deuteronomy 23:4, 5; Joshua 13:22; Joshua 24:9, 10;
Nehemiah 13:2; Micah 6:5; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation
2:14.
Scripture distinguishes between the way of Balaam, the error
of Balaam, and the doctrine of Balaam:
“The way of Balaam” (2 Peter 2:15) was that he prostituted
his gift for gain, he was covetous, he commercialized his
office.
“The error of Balaam” (Jude 11) was that he concluded a
righteous God must curse Israel. He was unaware of the
grace of God revealed in God’s redemption of Israel out of
Egypt.
“The doctrine of Balaam” (Revelation 2:14) was his counsel
to Balak. Finding that he could not curse Israel, he showed
Balak how to break down the wall of separation by marriage
with women of Moab (Numbers 31:15, 16).
7. The prophet Balaam, Chapters 22 — 25
a. “The way of Balaam” — covetousness,
(cf. 2 Peter 2:15, 16), 22
b. “The error of Balaam” — ignorance of God’s
righteousness (cf. Romans 8:31-34), 23
c. “The doctrine of Balaam” — fornication with
Moabites; embrace their idolatry, 24, 25
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