GOD CAN USE MIRACLES TO BLESS US AND FRIGHTEN OUR ENEMIES

Proclamation:

“And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites … and all the kings of the Canaanites … heard that The Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there any spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.”  Joshua 5:1 (KJV)

 

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  When the priests carrying The Arc of The Covenant stepped into the Jordan River, the water stopped flowing and they walked across on dry ground.  They stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground while all the Israelites walked around them into Canaan. (Joshua 3:17)  After the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan, The Lord God told Joshua to send twelve men back to where the priest were standing and gather twelve stones.  These twelve large stones were carried back on their shoulders and set up, one on top of the other as a monument, where they made camp. (Joshua 4:1-9)  Then Joshua commanded the priest carrying The Arc of The Covenant to out of the Jordan and the waters returned to their place and resumed flowing. (Joshua 4:15-24)  When the people of Canaan heard how The Lord God had dried up the Jordan for the Israelites, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. (Joshua 5:1)  The Lord God told Joshua to circumcise all of the males born during the forty years in the wilderness so that they would be circumcised before they went up against their enemy. (Joshua 5:2-8)

 

Application:

The miracles that The Lord God preforms in our lives to make a way out of no way for us, can be the same miracles that strikes fear in the hearts of our enemies.  All we have to do is trust and obey Him, and our blessings will cause our enemies to become afraid.  The very blessing which The Lord God uses to encourage us, He can also use to discourage our enemies.  When we glorify Him and proclaim His goodness to us, we encourage the hearts of other believers, and The Holy Spirit of God can use that to cause non-believers to become upset and worried, or to become convicted, convinced, and converted.

 

 

THE TWELVE STONE MONUMENT

Proclamation:

“And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as The Lord spoke to Joshua … and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.”  Joshua 4:8 (KJV)

 

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Joshua sent two spies to go scout out the city of Jericho and they returned with a good report, (Joshua 2:1-24) Joshua told the priests to take the Arc of the Covenant and go ahead of the people and step into the Jordan River. (Joshua 3:6-8)  When they stepped into the river, the waters stopped flowing. (Joshua 3:13)  Joshua twelve men, one from each of the twelve tribes, to each take up a stone from the midst of the Jordan and carry them to the west bank of the Jordan. (Joshua 4:8)  The Lord magnified Joshua in the eyes of Israel and they feared him. (Joshua 4:14)  Joshua set up the twelve stones in Gilgal just east of Jericho as a memorial to their crossing the Jordan river. (Joshua 4:19-24)

 

Application:

Believers should be able to see the hand of God in all of the good that happens to them.  We should acknowledge Him and thank Him for all that He has done for us. (Proverbs 3:6)  We are not charged with building a memorial but we are to witness and testify and share the good news with everyone. (Matthew 28:19)  We should want to brag on our God to all who will listen.  If we are ashamed or afraid to do so and we deny Him to men, He will deny us. (Matthew 10:33)

 

 

OBEY THE LORD AND HE WILL EXALT YOU

Proclamation:

“And The Lord said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.’ ”  Joshua 3:7 (KJV)

 

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After The Lord God had encouraged him, (Joshua 1:7-8) Joshua told the Israelites to get ready because in three days they would cross the Jordan River and enter the promise land. (Joshua 1:11)  The people answered him by saying that would do whatever he says for them to do, and they would go wherever he says for them to go.  They said they would obey him just as they had obeyed Moses. (Joshua 1:16-18)  Then Joshua sent two spies to go scout out the city of Jericho and they went to the house of Rehab, the prostitute, and stayed there. (Joshua 2:1-24)  Then Joshua told the priests to take the Arc of the Covenant and go ahead of the people and step into the Jordan River. (Joshua 3:6-8)  When they stepped into the river, the waters stopped flowing. (Joshua 3:13)  Just as Moses had led the Israelites across when The Lord God parted the Red Sea, so Joshua led them across the flooded Jordan River when The Lord stopped the flow of the river and it backed up and they crossed over on dry land. (Joshua 3:15-17)

 

Application:

It is not necessary for one to brag, or to boast, or to puff one’s self up in order to impress people.  When we humble ourselves and follow The Lord God, and do as He says for us to do, then He will exalt us. (Psalm 37:34, Matthew 23:12 and Luke 14:11)  He can work a miracle in our lives and cause the people around us to respect us.  We may not be well known throughout the nation but we will be well respected by those within our sphere of influence.  People who push their way to the front in order to be first, will end up being last in the minds and hearts of the people that they pushed aside and those who saw their behavior.  The Bible says that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. (Matthew 19:30, Mark 9:35, and Luke 13:30)  When we lift Him up, and do His will, He will lift us up. (Psalm 37:34)  

 

 

RAHAB AND THE SPIES

Proclamation

“And the king of Jericho send unto Rahab, saying, ‘Bring forth the men that are come to thee …’ and the woman to the two men, and hid them, and said thus, ‘There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were …’ ”  Joshua 2:3-4 (KJV)

 

Explanation

These are the words of God which were written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Joshua was filled with The Spirit because Moses had laid hands on him. (Deuteronomy 34:9)  After the Israelites had grieved for the death of Moses for thirty days, (Deuteronomy 34:8) The Lord God spoke to Joshua and told him that he would lead the people into the promise land. (Joshua 1:1-6)  Joshua sent out two men to secretly spy on the land of Jericho.  When they got to Jericho they went to the house of the prostitute Rahab and stayed there. (Joshua 2:1)  The king of Jericho heard that men from Israel had come to search out their land.  So the king sent men to Rahab’s house to get the two Israelite spies but she hid the men and told the messengers from the king that she did not know where they went. (Joshua 2:2-6)  Rahab had heard what The Lord had done for the children of Israel and the He had promised them the land of Canaan.  She told the spies that since she had shown them kindness, that they would show her and her family kindness when they take over. (Joshua 2:9-14)  Then she let them down the city wall through a window with a rope.  She told them to his in the mountains for three days before they return to their people.  When the two spies returned to Joshua they told him all that had happened and that the people in the land of Canaan were afraid of them. (Joshua 2:15-24)

 

Application

Joshua was chosen by Moses; he even went part of the way up The Mount of God with him. (Exodus 24:13)  The Lord God had spoken to him telling him that he was going to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. (Joshua 1:2)  Joshua sent two men to secretly spy on the land.  They returned with a good report that the people in the land were afraid of them and told how helpful Rahab had been.  Rahab sided with the spies from Israel against her own country.  God can use our enemies to work for our benefit.  He can strike fear in the hearts of our enemies before the fight or battle begins.  The devil may cause some people to oppose us, but this is a “fixed fight” because we already know that in the end we will win.

 

THE LORD GOD SAID AS I WAS WITH MOSES SO WILL I BE WITH YOU

Proclamation

“Now after the death of Moses the servant of The Lord it came to pass, that The Lord spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying ‘Moses My servant is dead.  Now therefore … as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”  Joshua 1:1-5 (KJV)

 

Explanation

These are the words of God which were written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The Lord God allowed Moses to climb to the top of Mount Nebo and to see the promise land, but He did not allow him to cross over into it. (Deuteronomy 34:1-4)  Moses died in Moab and The Lord God buried him somewhere in the valley. (Deuteronomy 34:5-7)  Joshua was filled with The Spirit because Moses had laid hands on him. (Deuteronomy 34:9)  After the Israelites had grieved for Moses for thirty days, (Deuteronomy 34:8) The Lord God spoke to Joshua and told him that he would lead the people into the promise land. (Joshua 1:1-6)  The Lord God also told Joshua to be strong and courageous, and to obey the law which Moses had given to them. (Joshua 1:7-9)  There were no written Scripture available to Moses, The Lord God spoke to him directly.  However, Moses had faithfully written all that The Lord God had spoken to him so the first five Books of the Bible were written and available to Joshua.

 

Application

Moses was clearly a man of God, and so was Joshua.  Both of them were leaders of God’s people.  The Lord God was with them to counsel and advise them, to guide and direct them, and to protect and defend them.  The same is true today for the men of God who are leading God’s people.  However, this also applies to all of the leaders of God’s people who are believers.  That also includes the patriarchs and matriarchs who are believers and leaders of our families today.  When they die, it passes on to us to obey The Word of God and to lead our families.  As leaders of God’s people, even if we only lead or influence a few of them, we must also obey The Lord.  If we will obey His Holy Word, then He will be with us as He was with Moses and Joshua.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5) 

 

 

THE COMMANDMENTS AND THE LAWS OF GOD

Proclamation

“And The Lord said unto Moses, ‘Come up to Me into the mount, and be there; and I will give thee three tablets of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.”  Exodus 24:12 (KJV)

 

Explanation

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the Israelites had crossed the wilderness and come to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God, they camped near it. (Exodus 18:5 and 19:1)  Moses went up into the mountain of God and came back down with messages for the people several times (Exodus 19:3-7, 19:8, 19:14, and 19:20-22) before coming down with the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-18)  The Lord God also gave to Moses instructions and laws for the Israelites The Ten Commandments and God’s Law were written on three tablets of stone. (Exodus 24:12)  The last time that Moses went up into the mountain of God, he stayed for forty days. (Exodus 24:15-18)

 

Application

The Holy Bible provides us with a set of instructions regarding how we ought to treat one another and how we ought to behave.  In addition to the Ten Commandments, (Exodus 20:1-17)  God gave Moses a number of laws which were to govern the behavior of the people.  These laws addressed everything from worship to acceptable and unacceptable behavior towards one another. (Exodus 20:22 to 23:13)  Jesus, The Christ, later summarized these into two commandments, love The Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind; and love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22:37-40)  Our problem today is not that we do not know the law of God, our problem is that we are not willing to deny ourselves and put God first.  Jesus said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:23)  We are too busy trying to satisfy our personal wants, needs, and desires that we put ourselves before God.  Jesus said that we are to “… seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

DO NOT SUBVERT JUSTICE

Proclamation

“And thou shalt take no gift; for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.”  Exodus 23:8 (KJV)

 

Explanation

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the Israelites had crossed the wilderness and come to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God, they camped near it. (Exodus 18:5 and 19:1)  Moses went up into the mountain of God and came back down with messages for the people several times (Exodus 19:3-7, 19:8, 19:14, and 19:20-22) before coming down with the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-18)  The Lord God also gave to Moses instructions and laws for the Israelites regarding justice and mercy (Exodus 23:1-9)

 

Application

The Holy Bible provides us with a set of instructions regarding how we ought to treat one another.  We are not to spread false reports or help a guilty person by giving false testimony.  If we are called upon to be a witness, we are not to let our testimony show favoritism to one side or the other. (Exodus 23:1-3)  We are to speak the truth, and nothing but the truth.  We should have nothing to do with false charges against the innocent, and we should not accept bribes to provide misleading testimony or false judgements. (Exodus 23:6-8)  “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16 and Matthew 19:18)  Our actions and our words and our witness should be above reproach.  If our words cannot be trusted then we are not trustworthy.

 

 

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Proclamation

“Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 22:21 (KJV)

Explanation

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the Israelites had crossed the wilderness and come to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God, they camped near it. (Exodus 18:5 and 19:1)  Moses went up into the mountain of God and came back down with messages for the people several times (Exodus 19:3-7, 19:8, 19:14, and 19:20-22) before coming down with the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-18)  The Lord God also gave to Moses instructions and laws for the Israelites regarding several things including the protection of property (Exodus 22:1-15) and social responsibility. (Exodus 22:16-31)

Application

The Holy Bible provides us with a set of instructions regarding how we ought to treat one another.  We are not to steal the personal property which belongs to someone else. (Exodus 22:1-4)  We are also responsible for the personal property which was entrusted to us for safe keeping. (Exodus 22:7-13)  Men are not to take advantage of virgins. (Exodus 22:16-17)  We are not to mistreat strangers or foreigners, for we are strangers in this land. We are of Christ and He is not of this world. (Exodus 22:21 and John 8:23)  We are not to take advantage of widows or the fatherless. (Exodus 22:22-24)  We are not to blaspheme God, and we are not to curse our leaders. (Exodus 22:28)  The Lord God has allowed those who lead to be put in their leadership positions. (Psalm 75:6-7)

GUIDELINES FOR HOW WE TREAT PEOPLE

 

GUIDELINES FOR HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE

 

Proclamation

“He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.”  Exodus 21:12 (KJV)

 

Explanation

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the Israelites had crossed the wilderness and come to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God, they camped near it. (Exodus 18:5 and 19:1)  Moses went up into the mountain of God and came back down with messages for the people several times (Exodus 19:3-7, 19:8, 19:14, and 19:20-22) before coming down with the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-18)  The Lord God gave Moses instructions and laws for the Israelites regarding how they should treat Hebrew servants (Exodus 21:1-11) and regarding personal injuries to one another. (Exodus 21:12-36)

 

Application

The Holy Bible provides us with a set of instructions regarding how we ought to treat one another.  This verse, Exodus 21:12, is the basis for the death penalty in our current legal system.  It is also supported by Exodus 21:14 which deals with premeditated taking of a life.  We are not to curse or strike our mother or father. (Exodus 21:15-17)  If we injure someone, then we are responsible for their medical bills and for the income which they lost while they recovered. (Exodus 21:18-19)  There are also guidelines for punishment of anyone who causes a pregnant woman to be injured and to lose her unborn child. (Exodus 21:22-25)  There are consequences for our actions, especially if they cause someone to be injured or killed.  We need to be careful about how we treat people and how we behave around other, especially while driving as we are more likely to injure someone in a motor vehicle accident.

 

DO NOT WORSHIP ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE LORD GOD

Proclamation:

“For thou shalt worship no other god; for The Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”  Exodus 34:14 (KJV)

 

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After The Lord God gave Moses specific instructions for the Israelites regarding the Sabbath Day, He gave him two tablets of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments and His covenant law. (Exodus 31:18)  However, because Moses stayed on the mountain of God so long, forty days, the people made themselves a god.  They made an idol cast in gold in the shape of a calf and they worshiped it. (Exodus 32:1-8)  When Moses came down from the mountain God he saw the golden calf and the people dancing.  He threw the stone tablets at them and then he destroyed the golden calf. (Exodus 32:19-20)  Then he said, “Whoever is for The Lord, come to me.”  All those who did not come to him were killed. (Exodus 32:26-29)  The Moses then chiseled out two smooth stone tablets, like the one he had broken and went back up to the mountain of God. (Exodus 34:1-5)  This time when Moses came down from the mountain of God, his face was radiant and the people listened to him. (Exodus 34:29-35)  Then the Israelites gathered all of the materials as The Lord God had instructed and the built the tabernacle (Exodus 36:8-38), the Arc of The Covenant (Exodus 37:1-9), and all of the other things as He had instructed them. (Exodus 37:10 through 40:33)

 

Application:

The first of the Ten Commandments is: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)  In His explanation of the second of the Ten Commandments He said, “… for I, The Lord your God, am a jealous God …” (Exodus 20:5)  Here in this text, He is reiterating that He is jealous, and that He wants nothing to be worshiped but Him.  Unfortunately, today some people worship other gods, and some people worship other people as their god.  Some people worship their spouse, their loved ones, or their children.  Some people even worship their cars, their homes, or some other material object which they possess.  The people that do this say they are not worshipping these things but anything that is put before The Lord God is an idol which is being worshipped.  Worship of anything other than The Lord God is a sin, and that offends His jealous nature.  Nothing should be placed above The Lord God.

 

 

REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY AND KEEP IT HOLY

PROCLAMATION

“And The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ‘Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, ‘Verily My sabbaths ye shall keep;’ For it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am The Lord that doth sanctify you.’ ”  Exodus 31:12-13 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After The Lord God gave them the Ten Commandments and the laws, He told them that He was sending an angel to guard them, and to guide them to the place that He had prepared for them. (Exodus 23:20)  Then He confirmed the covenant that He had made with Moses. (Exodus 24:1-4)  After that He gave them specific instructions for the making of The Arc of The Covenant (Exodus 25:10-30), the making of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1-36), the making of the altar (Exodus 27:1-8), and for the courtyard of the tabernacle. (Exodus 27:9-19)  The Lord God also gave them specific instructions regarding the making of the garments for the priests (Exodus 28:1-43), and regarding the consecration of the priests. (Exodus 29:1-46)  Then He gave them instructions for the making of an altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-10), a basin for washing (Exodus 30:17-21), and for the use of anointing oil and incense. (Exodus 30:22-38)  Then The Lord God gave them specific instructions regarding keeping the Sabbath Day holy. (Exodus 31:12-18)

 

APPLICATION

After giving the people of God instructions regarding how they should worship Him, The Lord God told the Israelites to remember the Sabbath Day and to keep it holy.  This He repeated from the Ten Commandments, (Exodus 20:8-11) He emphasized its importance to Him, and He expounded upon it. (Exodus 31:14-18)  The Sabbath Day, which is the seventh day of the week, would be our current Saturday.  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, The Christ, rose from the dead on the first day of the week, on Sunday.  The church began on the day of Pentecost.  The feast of Pentecost began on the day after the Sabbath, on Sunday.  As Christians we now celebrate Sunday as the Israelites celebrated the Sabbath.  Sunday is to be a day of rest and worship, and not a day of work.  It is to be a day of celebrating The Lord and fellowshipping with other believers.  This is a day for corporate praise and worship.  To God be the glory for He is worthy of our praise, honor, and worship.

 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

PROCLAMATION

“I am The Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  Thou shalt have no other gods before Me … Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house … nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.”  Exodus 20:2-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the Israelites had crossed the wilderness and come to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God, they camped near it. (Exodus 18:5 and 19:1)  Moses went up into the mountain of God and came back down with messages for the people several times (Exodus 19:3-7, 19:8, 19:14, and 19:20-22) before coming down with the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-18)  The Lord God also gave to Moses instructions and laws for the Israelites regarding idols and alters (Exodus 20:22-26), Hebrew servants (Exodus 21:1-11), personal injuries (Exodus 21:12-36), protection of property (Exodus 22:1-15), social responsibility (Exodus 22:16-31), justice and mercy (Exodus 23:1-9), and the Sabbath. (Exodus 23:10-13)  The Ten Commandments were written on tablets of stone. (Exodus 24:12)  The last time that Moses went up into the mountain of God, he stayed for forty days. (Exodus 24:15-18)

 

APPLICATION

When The Lord God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, He knew that the people then and now would not be able to keep them.  We were to use them as a mirror to show ourselves that we were sinners who fell short of God’s Word. (Romans 3:23)  We sin with our actions and words, and even when we have sinful thoughts we have committed a sin. (Matthew 5:28)  Additionally, The Bible teaches us that if we have broken one of these commandments, we are just as sinful as if we had broken all of them. (James 2:10)  The Ten Commandments are: we should have no other gods (Exodus 20:2-3), not make any images of God (Exodus 20:4-6), not use God’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7), remember to keep the Sabbath Day holy (Exodus 20:8-11), honor our father and mother (Exodus 20:12); and that we should not kill (Exodus 20:13), commit adultery (Exodus 20:14), steal (Exodus 20:15), lie (Exodus 20:16), or covet anything that belongs to our neighbor. (Exodus 20:17)  We needed the Ten Commandments because we had to be shown that we were lost sinners and that we needed a savior.

 

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.  And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether of the mount.”  Exodus 19:16-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  On the first day of the third month after the children of Israel had left Egypt, they arrived at the foot of Mount Sinai in the desert of Sinai. (Exodus 19:1-2)  The Lord God called Moses and told him to come up to Him on the mountain.  Moses went up the mountain and God gave him a message for the people. (Exodus 19:3-6)  When Moses came back down the mountain, he met with the elders and told them what thus saith The Lord.  They agreed to do all that The Lord had spoken, and Moses returned up the mountain to give the words of the people to The Lord. (Exodus 19:7-8)  Then The Lord told Moses to tell the people to consecrate themselves, and He would come down Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.  He also told Moses to set boundaries around the foot of the mountain that the people were not to cross. (Exodus 19:9-12)  On the third day, a thick cloud covered Mount Sinai and there was thunder and lightning, and a very loud trumpet blast, and the people trembled. (Exodus 19:16)  There was smoke billowing up from the mountain because The Lord descended upon it in a fire.  The whole mountain began to quake violently. (Exodus 19:17-19)  And The Lord again called Moses to come up mountain, and he went up and spoke with Him.  Then He sent Moses back down to speak to the people. (Exodus 19:20-25)

 

APPLICATION

When we pray, we are talking to God.  The Holy Bible is The Word of God and it represents God talking to us.  Many of us have heard “the old folks” say that we should be still and be quiet during a storm when there is thunder and lightning because God is talking.  That saying was based upon this Bible verse. (Exodus 19:16)  Many Bible scholars believe that this was a sermon preached by The Lord God directly to the people in the wilderness which Moses had to interpret for them. (Exodus 19:16-18)  Today, The Lord God speaks to us whenever we read His Holy Word.  The more often we read it prayerfully, the more we will hear Him speak to us.

 

EVEN LEADERS NEED TO LISTEN TO GOOD ADVICE

PROCLAMATION

“Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee; Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God; And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shall show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.  Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens; And let them judge the people at all seasons; and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge; so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.”  Exodus 18:19-22 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the defeat of the Amalekites, Jethro the father-in-law of Moses came to visit him.  He brought with him Zipporah, the wife of Moses, and their two sons Gershom and Eliezer. (Exodus 18:1-6)  Moses told Jethro all that The Lord God had done unto Pharaoh and how He had delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.  Jethro rejoiced for all of the goodness of The Lord.  Then he offered a sacrifice unto God. (Exodus 18:7-12)  The next day, Moses sat and judged the people from morning until evening.  Jethro saw this and told Moses that this was not good.  Then he gave Moses some advice on how he ought to change the way the people were judged. (Exodus 18:17-22)  Moses listened to his father-in-law and took his advice. (Exodus 18:23-27)

 

APPLICATION

All of us should listen to good advice.  Even those leaders who are in charge should listen to the advice of wise counsel.  Leaders should surround themselves with wise people and then listen to their suggestions.  Sometimes the old traditional ways that we have always done things needs to change to a more efficient way of doing things.  However, when we give advice, or correct, or offer constructive criticism, we should do so in private and it should be done with love.  We should choose our words carefully in order to help people, and build them up, not to embarrass them or tear them down.

 

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO HELP THE MAN OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“… When Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, one on the one side and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady ...”  Exodus 17:11-12 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  While they were in the wilderness, the Israelites wandered from place to place as The Lord God directed them.  When the camped in Rephidim, there was no water for them to drink and again they began to murmur against Moses. (Exodus 17:1-3)  Then Moses prayed unto The Lord and He said, “… smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it …” (Exodus 17:4-6)  While they were camped in Rephidim, the Amalekites came and attacked them. (Exodus 17:8)  Moses sent Joshua and some of the men out to fight them.  He said that he would stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God and raise his hands. (Exodus 17:9-10)  Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill with him.  While his hands were held up, the Israelites were winning; but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites prevailed.  By raising up his hands, whether in prayer or praise, Moses acknowledged that The Lord God is in control.  When Moses grew tired physically from holding up his hands, Aaron and Hur helped him by giving him a rock to sit on and by holding his hands up.  Ultimately, Joshua and his men defeated the Amalekites. (Exodus 17:10-13)

 

APPLICATION

Pastors, preachers, ministers, and all men of God are human and from time to time they need a little help.  They may need physical help during illness, or periods of weakness; or they may need psychological and emotional support.  Even the strong men among us occasionally needs, and appreciates, a little encouragement. (Deuteronomy 1:38 and 3:28)  We have heard about “the Amen corner” in church, that small group of supporters who offer encouragement to the preacher when he is presenting The Word of God.  They do a good work.  Telling him that the message he delivered helped you, can mean a lot to the man of God.  A kind word spoken to him every now and then can help him to keep on going. (2 Chronicles 10:7)  Actually, it is The Holy Spirit of God who is doing the work but He is using and working through him.  There is a special blessing in store for those who even give the man of God a glass of water. (Matthew 10:41-42)  When we help him, he is able to help others and advance the kingdom of God. 

 

BREAD FROM HEAVEN

PROCLAMATION

“And The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ‘I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel; speak unto them, saying, ‘At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread;’ and ye shall know that I am The Lord your God.’  And it came to pass, at even the quails came up, and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.”  Exodus 16:11-13 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  When Moses then led the children of Israel into the desert, they soon they forgot about the miracles they had just witnessed, the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the drowning of Pharaoh’s army, and the changing of the bitter water of Marah into sweet water that was fit to drink.  After they left Elim, the people again began to murmur against Moses and Aaron. (Exodus 16:2-3)  The Lord God told Moses He heard their murmuring.  Then He rained down bread, manna, from heaven for them to eat in the morning (Exodus 16:4-5 and 16:31) and provided them with meat, in the form of quail, in the evening. (Exodus 16:13)  He did this for them daily, except on the Sabbath. (Exodus 16:21-27)  They wandered about in the desert for forty years, from place to place as The Lord God directed them. (Exodus 16:31-35)

 

APPLICATION

Oh, how soon we forget what The Lord has done for us.  We treat The Lord God like the worldly people treat each other by asking, like the Janet Jackson song, “What have you done for me lately?”  The people of God should not ask Him that question.  We know that our very existence, waking up, each breath and heartbeat are all blessings from God.  Not to mention that we are blessed to have some material things, our family and friends, and those who love us.  The Lord God has provided us an abundance of blessings, blessings upon blessings. (Proverbs 28:20)  We may not have or ever get all that we want, but He will supply all of our needs. (Philippians 4:19)  Jesus, The Christ, said, ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever …” (John 6:51)

 

THE LORD PROVIDES FOR HIS PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; And they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.  And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter … And the people murmured against Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’  And he cried unto The Lord; and The Lord showed him a tree, which when he cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet …”  Exodus 15:22-25 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After they crossed the Red Sea, they celebrated with songs of praise unto The Lord. (Exodus 15:1-21)  Then the Israelites went three days into the wilderness of Shur without water.  When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water because it was bitter, and the people began to murmur against Moses. (Exodus 15:22-24)  He prayed to The Lord and He showed Moses a tree which when he cast it into the waters of Marah, the water changed from bitter to sweet. (Exodus 15:25)  When they left Marah they came to Elim, where they found twelves wells of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped by the waters of Elim. (Exodus 15:27)

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God not only protected His people, but He also provided for them.  God also offers us protection and provisions.  He is able to supply all of our needs. (Philippians 4:19)  He knows what we need before we even ask for it. (Matthew 6:8)  God cares for His own.  He can change bad to good, and bitter to sweet. (Exodus 15:25)  He doesn’t do more for us because of our behavior.  He said, “If My people, which are called by My name …;”  If we would humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, then He would hear us. (2 Chronicles 7:14)