BETRAYED BY A LOVED ONE

PROCLAMATION

“And Samson said unto them, ‘I will now put forth a riddle unto you; if ye can certainly declare it to me within the seven days of the feast … And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson’s wife, ‘Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father’s house with fire … And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted; and it came to past on the seventh day, that he told her … and she told the riddle to … her people.”  Judges 14:12-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  Samson was born and grew and The Lord blessed him, and The Spirit of The Lord began to stir within him. (Judges 13:24-25)  After he was grown, Samson saw a Philistine woman in Timnah and he told his father and mother to get her for him as his wife. (Judges 14:1-4)  On their way to Timnah they were attacked by a lion.  The Spirit of The Lord came powerfully upon him and he killed the lion.  Then he went to Timnah and talked with the young woman and he like her. (Judges 14:5-7)  Some time later he returned to Timnah with his father to marry the woman and held a marital feast as was their custom.  The Philistine citizens of Timnah chose thirty men to be his bridegroom’s men. (Judges 14:10-11)  It was to these thirty men that Samson put forth the riddle in order to determine whether he would give them gifts or they would give him gifts. (Judges 14:12-19)  They prevailed upon Samson’s wife to get her the get the answer to the riddle for them and she did.     

 

APPLICATION

While our enemies can cause us problems, our biggest hurt and disappointment comes from the betrayal of a family member, a loved one, or a close friend.  Sometimes those who are close to us are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing.  People rarely change, they just lose the ability to keep holding up their mask.  We need to pray and ask The Lord God for the ability to discern between the righteous and the wicked, so that we can see people for who they really are. (Malachi 3:16-18)  We should not be surprised when people turn on us.  Remember that Judas was one of the twelve disciples with Jesus, The Christ, and he betrayed Him. (Luke 22:48)   

 

CHOSEN BEFORE BIRTH TO BE A LEADER

PROCLAMATION

“For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines … now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing; for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.”  Judges 13:5-7 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After the Israelites again did evil in the eyes of The Lord, He let them be conquered by the Philistines. (Judges 13:1)  Afterwards, The Lord God raised up Samson, who was chosen before he was born, to lead His people. (Judges 13:2-14)  It was Samson who killed a young lion with his bare hands, (Judges 14:5-6) who killed thirty men to pay a debt, (Judges 14:12-19) and who took the jawbone of a donkey and slew a thousand Philistines. (Judges 15:14-16)  Then Samson led Israel for twenty years. (Judges 15:20)  Unfortunately, Samson had a weakness for the Philistine women.  His first wife was a Philistine woman, (Judges 14:1-8) who betrayed him. (Judges 14:15-17)  So was the second woman who was the love of his life, Delilah. (Judges 16:4)  It was Delilah who told the Philistine leaders the secret of Samson’s strength so that they could defeat him. (Judges 16:5-20)  When they seized him, they gouged out his eyes, bound him in shackles, and made him push the grain grinding machine in the prison. (Judges 16:21)  Samson killed more Philistines when he died than he did when he was alive.  The temple was filled with the rulers of the Philistines and there were about three thousand more people on the roof of the temple when Samson collapsed the two pillars which supported the temple killing more than three thousand Philistines. (Judges 16:27-30)

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God knows everything about each of us.  It was He that made us when we were in our mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13-16)  Each of us is unique.  The Lord God has something special for each of us to do and He knew what we would do before we were born. (Psalm 139:16)  Just as He knew what Samson would do, He knows what we will do.  Samson made some bad choices during his life but he never lost faith in The Lord.  Today we also frequently make bad choices but God can still use us.  We need to remember, just because we are in a bad situation does not mean that The Lord God is not with us or that He cannot hear us when we pray.  We are part of God’s plan and we just need to do our part.

DO NOT FIGHT WITH A MAN OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And the men of Ephraim … said unto Jephthah, ‘… we will burn thine house upon thee with fire … And Jephthah said unto them, ‘… are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?’  Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim; and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim …”  Judges 12:1-4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After Jephthah defeated the Ammonites, the men of Ephraim were mad at him because he did not call them to go and fight with him. (Judges 12:1)  Jephthah told them that he had called them but they refused to help him so he prayed and The Lord God gave him the victory over the Ammonites.  Then he asked them why they wanted to fight with him over this. (Judges 12:1-3)  They fought and Jephthah defeated them.  Jephthah led Israel for six years. (Judges 12:4-7)  When Jephthah died, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel for seven years.  When Ibzan died, Elon the Zebulonite judged Israel for ten years.  After Elon died, Abdon son of Hillel judged Israel for eight years. (Judges 12:8-15)   

 

APPLICATION

Occasionally we get into arguments and fights with people over some very silly reasons.  It is okay to disagree with a person, but the disagreement does not need to lead to a fight.  Most fights are not necessary.  However, a fight with the man of God is never a good idea.  The Bible says, “Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm.” (1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15)  Fighting with a man of God is akin to fighting with God.  That is a fight that you cannot win.  The Lord God is omnipotent, He is all powerful.  The consequences of a mere human fighting with God are just unfathomable. 

BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU PROMISE GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And Jephthah vowed a vow unto The Lord, and said, ‘If Thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace … I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”  Judges 11:30-31 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After Israel had sinned again and again and again, The Lord God let them be punished and then sent Tola the son of Puah, (Judges 10:1-2) then Jair of Gilead, (Judges 10:3-5) then Jephthah, the son of Gilead and a prostitute, to judge and lead them.  Jephthah was a mighty warrior but his half brothers forced him out of the house and the city because they did not want the son of a prostitute to share in their father’s inheritance. (Judges 11:1-3)  Some time later the Ammonites attacked the Israelites and the elders of Gilead went to Jephthah and asked him to be their captain and commander.  He reminded them that they drove him out of his father’s house, but they made it clear that they wanted him now and that they would follow him. (Judges 11:4-10)  Jephthah agreed to lead them and sent messengers to the Ammonite King asking why he had attacked Israel.  He replied that the Israelites had taken his land and he wanted it back.  He sent a message back to the king saying that The Lord their God had given them the land.  The king ignored his message.  Then Jephthah made a vow unto The Lord saying that if He allowed him to be victorious over the Ammonites, then he would offer the first to come out of his house to meet him when he returns as an offering to The Lord. (Judges 11:30-31)  Jephthah defeated the Ammonites and when he returned home his daughter and only child was the first to come out to meet him and he kept his promise. (Judges 11:32-40)

 

APPLICATION

In hard times when we are desperate, we will barter with God and make promises to Him stating what we will do if He does what we want.  All too often He does what we asked but we fail to keep our end of the deal.  I am not sure what our punishment will be for doing that, but I am sure that we will have to answer to Him for it.  We need to be very careful what we say when we are talking to God in prayer asking for something.  Some of the time that which we ask for may not be in our best interest.

AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY SINNED AND WERE FORGIVEN

PROCLAMATION

“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of The Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook The Lord, and served not Him.  And the anger of The Lord was hot against Israel …”  Judges 10:6-7 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  The Israelites were God’s chosen people but they repeatedly sinned against Him.  In addition to the murmuring that they did against Moses and The Lord God while they were wandering in the wilderness, (Exodus 15:24 and 16:7-8) and the making and worshiping a golden calf while they were at the foot of the mountain of God, (Exodus 32:19-24) the Israelites exhibited a pattern of doing that which was evil in the sight of The Lord God by worshiping idols. (Judges 3:7, 8:33-34, 10:6, and 13:1)  Each time that they did this, The Lord God would punish them, and they would cry out to be forgiven, and He would forgive them.  This time The Lord recounted their sins to them before He forgave them. (Judges 10:10-16)

 

APPLICATION

Today, most of us do not serve idol gods, but we put other things ahead of Him and that is just as bad.  Nothing should be more important to us than The Lord God. (Exodus 20:3)  We should put Him first in our lives. (Matthew 6:33)  However, just like the Israelites we have sinned, and we continue to sin, again and again, in one way or another.  But thanks be to God that He is a God of another chance, and we have been forgiven over and over again.  Our sins may differ, but a sin is a sin, whether it is in thought, spoken word, or deed.  He who is guilty of only breaking one point of God’s law, is just as guilty as if he had broken all of them. (James 2:10)  Each day we are given another chance to live to the glory of The Lord God, and to ask to be forgiven when we fall short by sinful omission or commission.  Again, we should thank The Lord God and be grateful that He is a forgiving God, and that He is a God of another chance.

AS YOU SOW SO SHALL YOU REAP

PROCLAMATION

“And he went unto his father’s house … and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone; notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.”  Judges 9:5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  Gideon, the mighty man of valor, had many wives who altogether bore him a total of seventy sons.  His concubine who was from Shechem also bore him a son who was called Abimelech. (Judges 8:29-31)  Gideon was called Jerubbaal (or Jerub-Baal), which means let Baal plead his own cause, after he demolished Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. (Judges 6:27-32)  When Gideon died, his son Abimelech went to his mother’s brothers in Shechem to seek their support for him to be king rather than any of his seventy brothers. (Judges 9:1-3)  They gave him money which he used to hire some reckless scoundrels to be his followers and do his dirty work, like killing all but one of his seventy brothers. (Judges 9:5)  After the people crowned Abimelech king, his younger brother Jotham, who hid and was not killed, led an effort to have Abimelech overthrown. (Judges 9:5-21)  The people turned against him after he had been king for three years. (Judges 9:22-25)  Gaal son of Ebed moved into Shechem along with his clan and they led an unsuccessful rebellion against Abimelech. (Judges 9:26-41)  After driving Gaal out of Shechem, Abimelech attacked the people of Shechem.  During one of these attacks Abimelech was struck in the head by a millstone thrown from a tower by a woman which cracked his skull.  He asked his armor-bearer to kill him because he was mortally wounded and did not want it said that a woman killed him. (Judges 9:42-57)   

 

APPLICATION

As you sow, so shall you also reap. (Galatians 6:7)  Those who live by the sword will die by the sword. (Matthew 26:52)  Abimelech had his brothers all killed on the same rock (Judges 9:5) and it was a rock that killed him. (Judges 9:52-53)  We should be very careful how we treat people.  As you give to others, so shall it be given unto you. (Luke 6:38)  As Christians we are taught to do unto others as we would have them to do unto us. (Matthew 7:12)

 

WHEN THE MAN OF GOD ASKS YOU FOR HELP YOU SHOULD HELP HIM

PROCLAMATION

“And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, ‘Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?’ ’  And He took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.  And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.”  Judges 8:15-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After Gideon defeated the Midianite army, slew the two princes that led them, Oreb and Zeeb, (Judges 7:21-25) Gideon went after the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna.  While he was in pursuit of them, he crossed the Jordan River and entered the city of Sukkoth.  He asked the men of Sukkoth to give his men some bread and they refused. (Judges 8:4-6)  Because they refused him and mocked him, Gideon told them after he caught the two kings he would come back and deal with them. (Judges 8:7)  From there he went to the city of Peniel and made the same request and received the same response.  Gideon told them, “When I return in triumph I will tear down this tower.” (Judges 8:8-9)  After he caught up with, attacked and defeated the Midianite army, he captured Zebah and Zalmunna.  Then he returned to Sukkoth and beat the elders and the men with thorns and briers which tore the skin off of their bodies. (Judges 8:10-16)  Afterwards he returned to Peniel and pulled down the tower and killed all the men in the city. (Judges 8:17-21)  When he returned home the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them but he refused.  His only request was for a gold earring from each of them which he had melted down and made into an ephod. (Judges 8:22-27)  During the remainder of Gideon’s lifetime the land was at peace for forty years.  However when Gideon died, the Israelites again prostituted themselves and worshiped Baal. (Judges 8:28-35)

 

APPLICATION

It is not a very good idea to refuse to help a man of God, or someone who is working for The Lord, in their hour of need.  It is also not good to refuse to listen to people of God when they offer you The Word of God. (Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, and Luke 9:5)  Receiving a man of God, or a righteous man, embracing their doctrine and being kind to them will earn a person a reward. (Matthew 10:41)  Even giving them a glass of water to drink will you a reward. (Matthew 10:42 and Mark 9:41)  Be kind to people of God.

GIDEON DEFEATS THE MIDIANITES

PROCLAMATION

“And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put a trumpet in every man’s hand … When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side … and say, ‘The sword of The Lord, and of Gideon.’ ”  Judges 7:16-20 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After Gideon had gathered his men to fight the Midianites and the Amalekites who had joined forces against him, (Judges 6:34-35) The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men …” and he was told to send some of them back home.  He sent twenty-two thousand home and was left with ten thousand men. (Judges 7:2-3)  But The Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men …” and He devised a test to separate the men based upon how they drank water from a river.  Then He said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped water I will … give the Midianites into your hands.” (Judges 7:4-8)  That night The Lord told Gideon to get up and take his servant Phurah with him and go down to the enemy camp and listen to their conversations.  He did as God told him and found out that they were already afraid of him. (Judges 7:9-15)  Gideon returned to his camp, told his men to rise, and divided the three hundred men in to three companies.  He gave each man a trumpet, and empty pitcher, and a torch, and told them what to do.  Then he sent each company to a different side of the enemy camp.  When Gideon blew his trumpet, the men all blew their trumpets, broke the empty pitchers, held up their torch and shouted: “The sword of The Lord, and of Gideon.” (Judge 7:16-20)  The Midianites were frightened and confused, and some turned on each other while others fled.  The Israelites defeated the Midianites, slew their two princes, and brought their heads back to camp. (Judges 7:21-25)  

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God told Gideon that he had too many men to fight this battle because He did not want the Israelites to take credit for the victory which He was going to provide.  (Judges 7:2)  We need to recognize when The Lord God makes a way out of no way for us and give Him the credit for what He has done.  When the blessings that we prayed for are given to us, we should thank Him, praise Him, and tell others what The Lord has done for us.  We did not make it this far on our own, and we ought to acknowledge Him for making it possible. (Proverbs 3:6)  No one likes helping an ungrateful person.  Give God the credit and praise which He deserves.

GIDEON THE MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR

PROCLAMATION

“And The Angel of The Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, ‘The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.’ ”  Judges 6:11-12 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After Deborah the prophetess and judge and Barak captain of the army defeated King Jabin and his army, the Israelites sang a song of praise to them. (Judges 5:1-31)  The land was at peace for forty years, then the Israelites again did evil in the sight of The Lord.  Then The Lord God allowed them to be taken into the hands of the Midianites and to be oppressed for seven years. (Judges 6:1-6)  When the Israelites cried out unto The Lord because of the Midianites, He sent them the prophet Gideon to rescue them. (Judges 6:7-16)  Gideon asked for a sign from The Lord and he prepared an offering for The Lord.  Then fire flared up from the rock and consumed the meat and bread offering and Gideon knew that it was The Lord speaking to him. (Judges 6:17-22)  Gideon built an altar there unto The Lord.  Then The Lord told him to go and tear down the altar that his father had built to Baal, cut down the Asherah pole beside it, build a proper altar to The Lord, and offer a burnt offering. (Judges 6:23-28)  Then the Midianites and the Amalekites joined forces to attack the Israelites.  The Spirit of The Lord came upon Gideon and he blew a trumpet summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.  Again Gideon asked The Lord for a sign by letting dew fall on a wool fleece while the ground around it is dry.  The next day he asked God to let the fleece be dry and the ground around it be wet with dew.  The Lord God did this for Gideon. (Judges 6:33-40)

 

APPLICATION

This is a case where The Lord God saw something within the man (Judges 6:12) that he did not see in himself, as he was the least in his father’s house. (Judges 6:15)  Here is a believer who had doubts that he was being chosen (Judges 6:17) and doubts about what The Lord was asking him to do. (Judges 6:36-40)  He was a believer who questioned God, but he was obedient.  We need to talk with The Lord God often enough that we recognize His still small voice when He speaks to us. (1 Kings 19:12-13)  We need to believe and we need to pray that God would remove our doubts and any unbelief. (Mark 9:24)  We need to recognize, understand, and believe that with The Lord God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26 and Mark 9:23)

 

THE LORD USES DEBORAH THE PROPHETESS

PROCLAMATION

“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.”  Judges 4:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After the judge Ehud died, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of The Lord. (Judges 4:1)  So The Lord allowed them to be taken by Jabin king of Canaan. (Judges 4:2)  After they had been cruelly oppressed for twenty years, the children of Israel again cried unto The Lord and He sent Deborah the prophetess to judge them and lead them. (Judges 4:3-5)  She sent for and told Barak to take ten thousand men and fight Jabin’s army.  But he said that he would not go unless she went with him. (Judges 4:6-8)  She agreed to go with him and together they defeated their enemy. (Judges 4:9-16)  However, Sisera the captain of Jabin’s army fled on foot and hid in the tent of Jael wife of Heber the Kenite. (Judges 4:15-17)  She hid him, and then she killed him as he slept. (Judges 4:18-24)

 

APPLICATION

It is clearly presented in this chapter that The Lord God spoke to and used a woman to carry out His will.  He sent Deborah to judge and lead Israel. (Judges 4:4)  Today there are a number of women who have been called of God to preach the gospel, to spread His Holy Word, and to lead local churches.  It is not our place to judge whom The Lord calls.  Each of us was created for a purpose (Romans 9:11, Ephesians 1:11, and 2 Timothy 1:9) and one day we will each have to give an account of our stewardship. (Luke 16:2)  Those who teach and preach will be judged and held to a higher standard.  Those who are called to lead and watch over God’s people must also give an account of the souls under their charge. (Hebrews 13:17)

 

THE LORD SENT JUDGES TO DELIVER THEM

PROCLAMATION

“And when the children of Israel cried unto The Lord, The Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.  The spirit of The Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war; And The Lord delivered … king of Mesopotamia into his hand …”  Judges 3:9-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  This new generation of Israelites, the children of those that Joshua led, did not know The Lord.  The generation that Joshua led to victory after victory did not drive out the Canaanites who were living among them. (Judges 1:27-36)  They not only lived with them but they married their daughters and they gave their own daughters to them to marry.  They also served their god, Baal. (Judges 3:5-6)  They did evil in the sight of The Lord and aroused His anger towards them.  He allowed their surrounding enemies to defeat, raid, and plunder them and take them into captivity for eight years. (Judges 3:7-8)  When they were in great distress, The Lord raised up a judge, Othniel, to save them from their enemies. (Judges 3:9-11)  But when the judge died, the Israelites returned to their evil ways and The Lord allowed Eglon king of Moab to attack and capture Israel.  They stayed in captivity subject to the king of Moab for eighteen years. (Judges 3:11-14)  Again they cried out unto The Lord, and He gave them another judge to be their deliverer, Ehud son of Gera the Benjamite.  Ehud killed king Eglon and led the Israelites against the Moabites and defeated them. (Judges 3:15-30) 

 

APPLICATION

Unfortunately as believers we mess up, we fall back into sin and it interrupts our fellowship and our communication with The Lord God.  Only after bad things begin to happen to us do we call upon The Lord in prayer.  We confess our sins and He forgives us and makes a way out of our bad situation for us.  We are thankful for a while, and then we fall back into our sinful ways again.  However, The Lord God is a good God.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) 

  

THEY DID EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers and there arose another generation after them, which knew not The Lord, nor yet the works which He had done for Israel.  And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of The Lord, and served Baalim;”  Judges 2:10-11 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, across the Red Sea, (Exodus 14:21-22) to the edge of the promise land. (Exodus 16:35)  Because of their lack of faith, that generation wandered in the wilderness for forty years until the adults all died. (Numbers 14:16)  Joshua then led their children, the next generation, across the flooded Jordan River into the promise land (Joshua 3:15-17) and through a series of victorious battles over the inhabitants of the promised land. (Joshua 12:1-24)  Then he divided the lands that they conquered among the tribes of Israel, (Joshua 13:8 to 19:51) and that generation served The Lord God.  After the death of Joshua, the Israelites fought and defeated the remaining Canaanites on their west side, but they did not drive out the Canaanites who were living among them. (Judges 1:1-36)  When this generation died off, the next generation did not know The Lord God or what He had done for their parents and grandparents.  This new generation of Israelites did not serve The Lord God as their ancestors had, and they did evil in the sight of The Lord. (Judges 2:10-11)

 

APPLICATION

It is our responsibility as believers to teach our children, the next generation, about The Lord God and all that He has done. (Leviticus 10:11, Deuteronomy 6:7, and Proverbs 22:6)  It is our job to raise up our children in the fear and admonition of The Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)  We should not only tell them about His many miracles and His commandments, but we should be living examples of His Holy Word.  Our children should see in us that which we expect them to exemplify.  If we do not teach them the ways of The Lord God, then we should not be surprised when they stray and begin to do that which is evil in His sight. 

THE DEATH OF JOSHUA

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of The Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old.  And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnah-serah, which is in Mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.”  Joshua 24:29-30 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In chapter twenty-three Joshua addressed all of the leaders of Israel.  In chapter twenty-four he addresses all of the people of Israel.  They gathered at Shechem because it is the place where they would conduct the solemn burial of the bones of Joseph.  The purpose of this gathering was a rededication of the people and the solemn renewing of their covenant with The Lord God. (Joshua 24:1)  Joshua told the people what thus saith The Lord.  He recounted how He took Abraham from beyond the Euphrates River and led him throughout Canaan.  He gave him many descendants.  He gave him Isaac, and to Isaac He gave Jacob who went down into Egypt. (Joshua 24:2-4)  He said that He sent Moses and Aaron to bring them out of Egypt.  He parted the Red Sea and led them into the wilderness where they lived for a long time.  Then He brought them across the Jordan River and gave them Jericho and all of the land that He promised their forefathers. (Joshua 24:5-13)  Joshua then told them to fear The Lord and serve Him faithfully.  They were to put away all of the idols that their ancestors worshiped on the other side of the Euphrates River, and while in Egypt, and the gods of the Amorites in whose land they lived.  The people said that they would serve The Lord. (Joshua 24:14-18)  Joshua made a covenant for the people with God there at Shechem then he dismissed them. (Joshua 24:19-28)  Joshua died at the age of one hundred and ten years old and was called a servant of God.  The bones of Joseph, which were brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem. (Joshua 24:29-32)  

 

APPLICATION

Moses was a servant of The Lord God.  Joshua, who served Moses and took over after him, was called a servant of The Lord God but only at the end of his life.  It is an honor to be given the title “Servant of God.”  This is the title which all Christians should strive for.  At the end of our life, we all want to hear The Lord God say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant …” (Matthew 25:21)

JOSHUA'S FINAL FAREWELL

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass a long time after … that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.  And Joshua called for all Israel, and for the elders … and said to them, ‘… ye have seen all that The Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for The Lord your God is He that hath fought for you.’ ”  Joshua 23:1-3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After years of peace and rest from their enemies which were all around them, Joshua calls all of Israel together.  He tells them that he is old and stricken in age.  He tells them that The Lord God has fought their battles for them and defeated all of the nations around them. (Joshua 23:1-3)  He says that God has done great things for them and they should remain close to Him and follow His commands. (Joshua 23:6-11)  Then he cautions them and says that if they turn from The Lord God they could lose the land which He has given to them. (Joshua 23:12-13)  He tells them that he is about to die and he warns them that if they transgress and serve other gods, the anger of The Lord God will burn against them and they will be driven from the land. (Joshua 23:14-16)

 

APPLICATION

Sometimes the worst thing that can happen to us is to be blessed with success, prosperity, and plenty.  We tend to get an over inflated image of ourselves and we forget about God.  We have all been blessed in more ways than we can count and we should be grateful and thank Him daily.  If we do not acknowledge The Lord God and give Him praise, honor, and glory for all that He has done, then we may lose the blessing which we have been given.  If we turn from Him, He will withdraw from us and we will also lose the protection from our enemies.  All that we have, and all that we are, is the result of the goodness of God and we need His continued grace and mercy in order to maintain what we have.

RETURNING HOME AND MISUNDERSTOOD

PROCLAMATION

“And now The Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as He promised them; therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of The Lord gave you on the other side of Jordan.”  Joshua 22:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Now that all of the battles had been won and all of the promised land allocated to the various tribes, Joshua called together the tribes which had been given land on the other side of the Jordan River. (Joshua 22:1)  He told them that they had been faithful, that they had done all that was asked of them, and the could not return home to the land which had been given to them. (Joshua 22:2-4)  Joshua blessed each clan, told them to remain faithful, and sent them on their way. (Joshua 22:5-9)  After they had crossed the Jordan River, they built an altar on their side of the Jordan similar to the one that was built when they all first crossed the Jordan. (Joshua 22:10)  When the children of Israel heard about the altar they were upset and wanted to go to war with them.  They thought that the altar was for idle worship and they sent a priest and ten men as a convoy to find out why they had done such a thing.  (Joshua 22:11-20)  The children of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh answered them saying that it was built as a reminder for their children and future generations of what The Lord had done for them. (Joshua 22:21-29)  When the priest and the princes heard this they were pleased and returned home.  The children were also pleased when they heard this and there was peace in the land for the altar was for a witness between us that The Lord is God. (Joshua 22:30-34)

 

APPLICATION

Soldiers returning home after having been at war can be misunderstood.  Some behave strangely suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.  Some were greeted as heroes, the World War II veterans, while others were vilified because the war in which they fought was unpopular, the Viet Nam veterans.  Years later, after some meeting of the minds, we now have memorials to all of the veterans.  We should thank The Lord God, and thank veterans, for the freedoms that we enjoy today in our land.

LEVITICAL CITIES

PROCLAMATION

“Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua … saying, ‘The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.’  And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance …”  Joshua 21:1-3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The Levites were not granted land as an inheritance because their royal priesthood was their inheritance. (Joshua 14:3 and 18:7)  Instead they were given towns to live in within the lands allocated to each of the tribal clans of Israel. (Joshua 21:3)  The Levites did not inherit any land but they were give land to live on.  Chapter twenty-one list the cities which were given to the Levites from each of the tribes of Israel. (Joshua 21:3-45)

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God provided for His people, the children of Israel, all of the land that He promised to their forefathers, (Joshua 21:43) and He also provided for His servants, the Levites, the priests and men of God. (Joshua 21:3)  He kept His promises in years long past, and He still keeps His promises today.  The Bible is full of the promises of God, and not one of them has been broken.  Heaven and earth will pass away before one portion of His word is unfilled. (Matthew 5:18)  He keeps His promises, all that remains is for us to live up to our end of the bargain and keep our promises to Him. 

SAFE HAVENS

PROCLAMATION

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses; That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.’ ”  Joshua 20:2-3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After dividing up the promised land, The Lord God spoke to Joshua and told him to designate several cities of refuge to be safe haven for individuals who had accidentally killed a person and was seeking to flee from someone seeking revenge. (Joshua 20:1-3)  He that flees shall present himself to the elders of that city and they shall take him in and give him a place to stay and dwell among them.  If someone pursues him, the elders will not turn him over to them because what he did was accidental. (Joshua 20:4-6)  There six such cities of refuge designated for the children of Israel. (Jordan 20:7-9)

 

APPLICATIONS                                                                          

There are no such cities of refuge for us today.  The closest thing we have to a save haven is under the protective wings of our Lord and Savior. (Psalm 17:8, 36:7, and 91:4)  He offers us protection from all that would do us harm for whatever reason they might have.  That which He does not keep from us, He will go with us through whatever it is and protects us.  We are never alone (Hebrews 13:5) for He is always with us. (Matthew 28:20)  He can calm the storm or just keep us safe through the storm. (Mark 4:37-41)

RECEIVING AN INHERITANCE

PROCLAMATION

“When they had made and end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them.  According to The Word of The Lord they gave him the city which he asked …”  Joshua 19:40-50 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In chapter fourteen, Joshua details the division of the promised land among the tribal clan of Israel. (Joshua 14:1-15)  In chapter fifteen, he details the allotment for the tribe of Judah. (Joshua 15:1-63)  In chapter sixteen, he details the allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, but focuses on Ephraim. (Joshua 16:1-10)  In chapter seventeen, he details the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh, Joseph’s firstborn son. (Joshua 17:1-18)  Chapters eighteen and nineteen details the division of the rest of the land to the remaining seven tribes including the allotment to Benjamin (Joshua 18:11-28) and Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.  (Joshua 19:1-48)  When they had finished dividing the land into allocated portions, the Israelites gave Joshua the son of Nun an inheritance among them. (Joshua 19:49-51)  Those who were faithful were rewarded.

 

APPLICATION

The children of Israel finally received the land which had been promised to them as an inheritance because they were heirs of Abraham.  One day we will receive that which is our inheritance that The Lord God has promised us.  Our inheritance has our name on it and it will not be given to anyone else.  And, it has been written that the “… eye hath not seen … neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)  Believers whose faith has been tried and who endured temptation will receive the crown of life which The Lord has promised to them that love Him. (James 1:12)  “And this is the promise that He promised us, even eternal life.” (1 John 2:25)

 

THE DIVISION OF THE PROMISED LAND

PROCLAMATION

“This is the land that yet remaineth; all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri … These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side of Jordan, by Jericho, eastward.”  Joshua 13:2-33 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The Lord God spoke to Joshua and said unto him, “Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. (Joshua 13:1)  The remainder of chapter thirteen presents the land and the borders of each of the countries which Israel had yet to conquer and take possession thereof.  It also presents the tribes of Israel to which that land is to be distributed. (Joshua 13:1-33)  Joshua had conquered the northern and the southern kingdoms.  What remained to be conquered were the kingdoms to the east.

 

APPLICATION

As long as we are here on earth there will always be battles to be fought.  There will always be people that the devil can use to attack us or to block our progress.  As believers we are soldiers on the battlefield for The Lord and we should always be prepared to withstand the attacks of the devil.  That is why we should put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11-13)  That which is our inheritance that The Lord God has for us will not be given to anyone else.  And, it has been written that the “… eye hath not seen … neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

 

GOING FORTH FROM VICTORY TO VICTORY

PROCLAMATION

“Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side of Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto Mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east … all the kings thirty and one.”  Joshua 12:1-24 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this twelfth chapter, Joshua records the kings, and the land over which they reigned, which the Israelites fought and were victorious over. (Joshua 12:7-24)  After defeating Jericho and Ai, Joshua and the Israelites were victorious over the kings of thirty-one lands. (Joshua 12:24)  As the Israelites conquered these lands in successive battles as they went from victory to victory over their enemies.  This was how Joshua and the Israelites took possession of the land that was promised to them.

 

APPLICATION

It is easy for us to be negative and to focus upon the bad times, and upon our losses.  However, some of our losses were to teach us a lesson, (2 Corinthians 12:7) or they were our punishment for our disobedience. (Joshua 7:2-5 and 7:12)  The Lord God has promised us the victory through Jesus, The Christ. (1 Corinthian 15:57)  All we have to do is believe in Him and obey His Holy Word, and we will be victorious.  When The Lord God is with us, our enemies will not be able to stand against us. (Joshua 1:5)  He will fight our battles for us. (2 Chronicles 32:8)  We will be victorious if we do all things His way.  If we believe and pray; trust and have faith in Him; read, study, and live The Holy Word, then we will enjoy victory after victory, in this life and the next one.  The Lord God is omnipotent!  He already has the victory over the world. (1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 98:1, and Isaiah 25:8)  As believers we are born again, and whatsoever is born of God can overcome the world, and that is the most important victory of all. (1 John 5:4)

 

VICTORY OVER THE ENEMIES

PROCLAMATION

“And The Lord said unto Joshua, ‘Be not afraid because of them; for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel; thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.’ ”  Joshua 11:6 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Joshua had defeated the kings of the five southern kingdoms, the kings of the six northern kingdoms came together to war against Israel. (Joshua 11:1-5)  The Lord God told Joshua not to worry because he would slay them all. (Joshua 11:6)  Joshua did as The Lord had directed him and he defeated them.  Then he systematically defeated each of their royal cities and killed every person in each city. (Joshua 11:7-13)  The Israelites completely destroyed them all, killing all the people and then carried off all of the plunder and livestock. (Joshua 11:14)  Joshua and the Israelites took over the entire land that was promised to them, (Joshua 11:15-23) and they killed all of the inhabitants of the land except for the Hivites living in Gibeon who had made a treaty with them. (Joshua 9:15)

 

APPLICATION

Although they were outnumbered, they defeated their enemies because The Lord God was with them.  If we believe in Him and obey His Holy Word, then He will also be with us.  And, if God is with us, no one can stand against us. (Romans 8:31)  We do not have to worry about any battle we face down here because He has already given us the victory. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

 

THE DAY THAT THE SUN STOOD STILL

PROCLAMATION

“Then spake Joshua to The Lord in the day when The Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, ‘Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.  And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies …”  Joshua 10:12-13 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Joshua had made a treaty with the Gibeonites, the king of Jerusalem joined forces with the four kings of the Amorites, the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, and they attacked the Gibeonites. (Joshua 10:1-5)  They sent word to Joshua that they had been attacked and Joshua took his entire army, marched all night, and they took the enemy by surprise. (Joshua 10:6-9)  There was confusion within their ranks and a lot of the enemy fled from the Israelites.  But The Lord God caused large hailstones to rain down upon those that fled, and more men were killed by the hail than by the swords of the Israelite army. (Joshua 10:10-11)  On the day of that battle, Joshua asked The Lord to let the sun stand still until they had defeated their enemies.  That day the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down for almost a full day. (Joshua 10:12-14)  The Israelites defeated the five armies. (Joshua 10:16-21)  Then Joshua killed all five of the kings. (Joshua 10:22-27)  After that, one by one, he attacked, destroyed, and killed every person in each of their five fortified cities. (Joshua 10:28-43)

 

APPLICATION

There has never been another day, before or since, like that day when the sun stood still at the request of Joshua. (Joshua 10:14)  That is positive proof that The Lord God hears and answers prayers. (1 Peter 3:12)  It is also positive proof that the fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)  The Lord God can fight our battles for us, (2 Chronicles 32:8) even the battles against enemies that we cannot see. (Ephesians 6:12)  Nothing is impossible for our God, (Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, and Luke 1:37) and those of us who believe are His children. (John 1:12)

  

DECEIVED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT PRAY FIRST

PROCLAMATION

“And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying ‘Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, ‘We are very far from you;’ when ye dwell among us?’ ”  Joshua 9:22 (KJV)

 

“Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, ‘Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way from you;’ while actually you live near us?’ ”  Joshua 9:22 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Joshua and the Israelites defeated Jericho and Ai, the kings in the surrounding areas heard what had happened and united to war against Joshua and Israel. (Joshua 9:1-2)  However, when the Gibeonites heard what had happened to Jericho and Ai, they decided to use deception to protect themselves.  They put on old clothes, packed their donkeys with worn out sacks, and filled their food sacks with dry moldy bread, then they went to the Israelite camp at Gilgal and said that they were from a far away land and wanted to make a treaty with them. (Joshua 9:3-6)  Joshua and the Israelites questioned them and sampled their provisions, but they did not inquire of The Lord and made a treaty with them. (Joshua 9:7-15)  Three days later, when the Israelites attacked the surrounding cities, they found out that the Gibeonites were their neighbors.  They did not attack the Gibeonites because they had sworn an oath and made a treaty with them but the Israelites were upset with their leaders for making a treaty with the enemy. (Joshua 9:16-19)  When the Israelites questioned the Gibeonites, they admitted what they had done and told them why they did it.  The Israelites did not kill them but made them servants, wood cutters and water carriers, for the nation of Israel. (Joshua 9:20-27)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible teaches us that we ought to always pray. (Luke 18:1 and 21:36)  In all things, before we act, or speak, or make decisions, we ought to pray.  We would not make so many bad decisions, or get in so much trouble, if we would just pray beforehand and ask The Lord God for guidance and direction.  In everything, before we do anything, pray first.

DO IT AGAIN THE RIGHT WAY THIS TIME

PROCLAMATION

“And The Lord said unto Joshua, ‘Fear not, neither be thou dismayed; take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land;  And thou shall do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king; only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves; lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.”  Joshua 8:1-2 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The first time that Joshua led the Israelites against the army at Ai, The Lord God was not with them for they had sinned and broken their covenant with Him. (Joshua 7:11-12)  The first time, Joshua listened to his spies and did not speak to The Lord God before going into battle. (Joshua 7:2-5)  The second time Joshua prayed, listened to God, and followed His plan when he attacked Ai. (Joshua 8:1-8)  The Lord God had to encourage Joshua because the Israelites had been routed by Ai the first time they fought them.  This time, he had renewed his commitment to The Lord God.  This time Joshua did it the right way, God’s way, and this time he was victorious. (Joshua 8:10-29)

 

APPLICATION

All too often we do things our way, without going to The Lord God in prayer first.  The Bible teaches us that we should pray about everything. (Matthew 21:22 and Luke 21:36)  We need to show our love for, and our obedience to, The Lord God with our life and our lifestyle.  Jesus, The Christ, said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)  And, if we love Him, then we should not be afraid to step out on faith and do what He says do. (1 John 4:18)  We should not let the fear of failure, or the fear of rejection, cause us to stop doing something God’s way.  Even if we failed the first time, we should do it again, but prayerfully do it the right way this time.  Do it God’s way.  Let’s not go into battle unprepared.  Let us pray first, then let us put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18)  If we do it His way, the victory is ours. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

 

GOD PUNISHES HIS DISOBEDIENT PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them; for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.  Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their back before their enemies, because they were accursed; neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accused from among you.”  Joshua 7:11-12 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The Lord God told the Israelites not to keep any of the spoils from Jericho after they took the city.  The precious metals were to go into the treasury of The Lord. (Joshua 6:18-19)  But Achan, from the tribe of Judah, took some of them for himself and this angered The Lord God. (Joshua 7:1)  So when they went to war against the army of Ai, God was not with them and they were routed. (Joshua 7:4)  Afterwards, Joshua asked God why they lost and what were they to do? (Joshua 7:6-9)  The Lord God told him that Israel had sinned and violated His covenant.  They had taken from the spoils of Jericho which was to go into the treasury of The Lord. (Joshua 7:11)  Then Joshua examined the people, tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family, and man by man, until Achan was found and admitted what he had done. (Joshua 7:16-21)  They gathered all that he had taken, and his family, and his animals, and all that he owned and took them to the Valley of Achor.  There they stoned him, and them, and then burned them, and then buried them all under a large pile of stones. (Joshua 7:22-26)

 

APPLICATIONS

Don’t play with God.  Don’t say that you are a believer, and then go about and act like a non-believer.  We should search ourselves, our hearts, and our homes to make sure that we are not harboring something which The Lord God abhors, or holding back something which should be given to Him.  Unrepentant sin can not only bring God’s wrath down upon the individual sinner, but also upon his children, his grandchildren, and on their children. (Numbers 14:18)  One day, all that we thought, said, and did will be judged, it will all pass through the fire of judgment.  All of it that gives God glory will pass through the fire, and we will be rewarded for it.  However, everything else will be burned up and we will suffer a loss, but we ourselves will be saved. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)  Let us do all that we can to the glory of God.  When we pray, let us ask to be forgiven for sins of omission as well as sins of commission.