Israel – The Feast Of Trumpets – Rosh Hashanah
Please notice the added information on the resurrection in “III. B. 3., ” c., d., and e.”
Month: September 2019
Israel – The Feast Of Trumpets – Rosh Hashanah
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I. Opening Video. The Fall Feasts. Join Michael Rydelnik, Avner Boskey, and Michael Brown, as they discuss the Fall Feasts of Israel in this clip from our video the Feast of Tabernacles. Bios on Michael Rydelnik and Michael Brown can be found on my Page, “About Sources and Links.” (Details on the video are provided below)
A. The Feast Of Trumpets – Rosh Hashanah.
1. We are entering into the time of the Jewish fall feasts. There is great significance in each of the feasts as to how they relate to Israel in the end times. The list of the feasts is provided by a Jewish site which is known as Chabad.org and is shown in I.A.3. The significance of the feasts is that, even though they are said to be Jewish feasts, they are spoken by God as being “My feasts” (Leviticus 23:2, “these are My feasts.”).
2. Rosh Hashanah begins the Jewish year. https://www.chabad.org/search/results.asp?searchWord=head+of+the+year
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/564757/jewish/Rosh-Hashanah-Calendar.htm
3. Upcoming Jewish Holidays. https://www.chabad.org/holidays/default_cdo/jewish/holidays.htm Rosh Hashanah
4. Rosh Hashanah Dates.
a. Begins sunset of Sunday, September 29, 2019 – Ends nightfall of Tuesday, October 1, 2019. No work is permitted. The Month of Elul – September 1 – 29, 2019. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and a day of judgment and coronation of G‑d as king.
b. On Sunday evening, following this weekly Sabbath, will be the beginning of the Feast of Rosh Hashanah/Feast Of Trumpets. The second video describes how Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
c. Based on my personal observation, the beginning of the Jewish New Year is much more cheerful a time than that which the rest of the world experiences on December 31-January 1 in its celebration of “bringing in the new year.”
D. The Jewish year 5779 is ending. This Feast of Trumpets announces the beginning of the Jewish year 5780.
E. Meaning of Rosh Hashanah.
1. Description of Rosh Hashanah. Literally meaning the “head of the year,” is the Jewish New Year. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, literally “day of shouting or blasting.” It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days specified by Leviticus 23:23–32 that occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere.
Observances: Praying in synagogue, personal reflection, and hearing the shofar.
Ends: End of second day of Tishrei. Also called: Jewish New Year.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Rosh+hashanah+definition&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS751US752&oq=Rosh+hashanah+definition&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.14831j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
II. Second Video. 4 Things Jews Do on Rosh Hashanah, Mayim Bialik (Details on the video are provided below).
III. The scriptural significance of “Rosh Hashanah/The Feast Of Trumpets” relates to the regathering of Israel at the end of the tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31), which allows the Jews to enter the Kingdom Age of the millennial reign of Christ, per Matt 24:40-41. (Those taken will be taken to judgment. Those left with be left to enter the Kingdom age. This event is not the rapture of the church, where believers in Christ will be taken to heaven by Christ (John 14:1-3, 6), and where unbelievers will be “left behind” to suffer in the tribulation (Rev 3:10). Consider the following information.
A. Civil New Year – Regathering Of Israel (to enter the Kingdom Age).
B. The Feast Of Trumpets has a two-fold purpose, per Ryrie and MacArthur study bibles.
1. Ryrie Study Bible, “the Feast of Trumpets” celebrates the beginning of the Jewish civil new year (Lev 23 note).
2. MacArthur Study Bible, “the Feast of Trumpets” celebrates Israel’s regathering by Christ (Matt. 24:31, Lev 23 note). (My note: The regathering of Israel is not the same event as the Rapture of the Church, which precedes the regathering: John 14:1-6, 1 Cor 15:50-54, 1 Thes 4:13-18).
3. The Feast of Trumpets and Second Coming of Christ binding scriptures:
a. The regathering of Israel occurs at the second coming of Christ (Matt 24:29-31), where He returns to earth with His raptured saints to save Israel (those whom had not been raptured) from the certain doom of their attackers (Matt 24:21-22, Zech 14:1-3, Rev 19:11-21).
b. The verses (Matt 24:36, 44) relate to “the second coming of Christ, the regathering, the Feast of Trumpets.” 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows..” 44 “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
c. The Feast of Trumpets relates to the time of the resurrection of the Old Testament Jews (Daniel 12:1-3). The Just will be resurrected at the time of the second coming of Christ, and will enter the Kingdom Age. The unjust will not be brought back to life until at the time of the end of the Kingdom age for judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment (Matt 24:40-41; Rev 20:5, 10-15) (Rev 20:5, “the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished”).
d. The Feast of Trumpets relates to deceased tribulation saints, in that they will be raised from death to rule and reign with Christ during the Kingdom Age/Millennial reign of Christ (Rev 20:4, “they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years”)
e. Prior to the tribulation, at the time of the rapture, “the dead in Christ” (the deceased believers in Christ), will be raised from death to be taken to Heaven by Christ (along with the raptured living believers in Christ) (John 14:2,3,6, 1 Cor 15:51-52, 1 Thes 4:16-17).
4. Will Jews be celebrating The Feast Of Trumpets during the Great Tribulation, preceding the second coming of Christ? Hardly! It is important to understand that the following events relate to Jews: The Feast Of Trumpets, the Second coming of Christ, and the Olivet discourse of Matthew Chapter 24-25 (Mt 24:20, “pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the “Sabbath.”). In the Olivet discourse, Christ was teaching Jews, and not gentiles. Only Jews had a relationship with the Sabbath, which had no significance in the lives of gentiles. This teaching relates to the Jews that were left behind from the rapture. They will be “running for their lives!” They will not be celebrating the Feast of Trumpets, unless in a hidden setting.
C. Specific scriptures that relate to the Feast of Trumpets are shown in the following verses.
1. Lev 23:23-25 (NASB). 23 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’”
a. Note: MacArthur Study Bible. 23:23–25 memorial of blowing of trumpets. This feast, called the Feast of Trumpets, consecrated the seventh month (Sept./Oct.) as a sabbatical month (cf. Num. 29:1–6).
b. Note: NKJV Study Bible. 23:24 The seventh month … first day falls in mid-September. a memorial: Israel remembered God’s goodness, which was expressed in the covenant, and asked God to continue to remember that covenant. Blowing of trumpets marked solemn, joyful, and urgent occasions in ancient Israel.
2. Numbers 29:1-6 (NASB). Offerings of the Seventh Month. 1 “Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets. 2 You shall offer a burnt offering as a soothing aroma to the Lord: one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs one year old without defect; 3 also their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, 4 and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs. 5 Offer one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you, 6 besides the burnt offering of the new moon and its grain offering, and the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings, according to their ordinance, for a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord.”
a. Note: NKJV Study Bible. 29:1–6 The celebration of the Feast of Trumpets involved blowing rams’ horns (contrast the silver trumpets in 10:2). Later, this festival became identified with the new year festival.
b. Note: NIV Study Bible. 29:1–6 The Festival of Trumpets came at the beginning of the seventh month, a busy month for the worship of the Lord in holy festivals (see Lev 23:23–25; see also chart). Later in Jewish tradition this festival came to commemorate the New Year (Rosh Hashanah). The trumpet used was the ram’s horn (shophar).
3. Numbers 10:2 (NASB) 2 “Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out.”
a. Note. NIV Study Bible. 10:2 trumpets. Long, straight, slender metal tubes with flared ends. They were blown for order and discipline.
b. Note: MacArthur Study Bible. 10:2 trumpets. According to a Jewish tradition, these instruments were between 12 and 20 in. long and had a narrow tube that was flared at the end. hammered work. The same description is given concerning the cherubim above the mercy seat. See Ex. 25:18; 37:7.
IV. God’s Appointed Times. God has identified certain days and feasts as being “appointed times.” The Feast of Trumpets, also known Rosh Hashannah, is one of those appointed times (NASB).
A. God’s Appointment. Lev 23:1-2 “The Lord spoke again to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord’s appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations—My appointed times are these:”
B. Appointed people. Lev 23:1-2 1 The Lord spoke again to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel.”
C. Appointed times. Lev 23:2 “The Lord’s appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations—My appointed times are these”
D. Appointed Feast of Trumpets. Lev 23:23-25. 23 Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’”
E. Appointed Holy convocations. Listed in Lev 23:3-44.
F. Appointed people restated. (Lev 23:44) “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord’s appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations—My appointed times are these: (beginning with Lev 23:3).
V. The Jewish year 5780 is approaching. The following link has a view of the Jewish year 5779, as it relates to things that affected Jews around the world.
https://www.chabad.org/tools/subscribe/email/view_cdo/i/8A35D917402345A2:479F3DE43C78F1C847FDA04E6B86C2EA3371FAD22FB9601A7DAFE38B2A24F425#utm_medium=email&utm_source=14_news_en&utm_campaign=en&utm_content=header
VI. Video Credits.
A. The Fall Feasts. 2,957 views•Jul 26, 2013. Day of Discovery 9.22K subscribers. View part 4 of The Appointed Times at http://dod.org/programs/the-appointed…Today in Israel and throughout the Jewish world the annual cycle of holy days continues to be observed. See in stunning detail how together, the sacred feasts of Israel unfold God’s grand story of redemption for the entire world. Join Michael Rydelnik, Avner Boskey, and Michael Brown as they discuss the Fall Feasts of Israel in this clip from our video the Feast of Tabernacles. ©2013 Our Daily Bread Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Follow Day of Discovery on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dayofdiscovery
B. 4 Things Jews Do on Rosh Hashanah. Mayim Bialik. 737K subscribers. Hi everyone! Mayim Bialik here from The Big Bang Theory and Blossom. We release a video each week, so make sure to subscribe! This week, I talk about what all the Jewish people you know do on the Jewish new year (it starts Wednesday night and ends Friday night!). If you don’t already know, this fun little video about #RoshHashanah will get you in the know.
Find me on social media: https://www.facebook.com/MissMayim/
Shabbat Shalom!
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Israel – Joshua 10 – The Sun Stilled?
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I. Opening video in scripture. (See Bill and Gloria Gaither video details below, V.)
A. The song, “Blow The Trumpet In Zion” is based on the future time of tribulation. (The Day of the Lord relates closely to the teaching of this article. The Day of the Lord consists of “The Tribulation, and The Second Coming of Christ, and The Thousand-year Millennium/Kingdom Age).”
B. The Day of the Lord.. Consider Joel 2:1, NKJV. “Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand.” (The Moody Bible Commentary note. “near” is used, to refer to sudden and terrifying judgment.)
C. Consider the MacArthur Study Bible note. 2:1–17 With an increased level of intensity, Joel utilized the metaphor of the locust plague and drought as a backdrop from which to launch an intensified call to repent in view of the coming invasion of Judah and the Day of the Lord, present and future (MacArthur Study Bible).
D. Zion refers to the city of Jerusalem https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1543702/jewish/What-Is-Zion.htm
II. The Jewish Timeline Continues. The content of this article is very important to understand.
A. Joshua and Israel were in battle with the armies of five kings (Joshua 10:1-11, NASB).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua+10%3A1-11&version=NASB
B. God encouraged Joshua: “And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you,” (Josh 10:8, NKJV).
C. During the battle, Joshua prayed to God: “Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon,” (Josh 10:12, NASB).
D. Consider the answer of God to Joshua’s prayer: “So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day,”(Josh 10:13 (NASB)
E. God’s Words were followed by His action: ” the LORD fought for Israel,” (Josh 10:14 KJV.)
F. Video – Did The Sun Stand Still – Joshua Chapter 10
1. https://youtu.be/6uR5Y4GWvNc
Hugh Ross – “Is There Any Evidence for Joshua’s Long Day?” – Hugh Ross Details Follow (See VI below.)
2. https://www.reasons.org/about/hugh-ross (See VI. below)
3. Video details.
28:19 RTB 101: Is There Any Evidence for Joshua’s Long Day? 1,834 views•Published on Feb 16, 2019
Reasons to Believe – 17K subscribers (See VI. below.)
E. Consider the words, “sun” and “stand still,” in Josh 10:12. Probably, the most important word to consider is “sun” (Hebrew, שֶׁמֶשׁ). We will refer to Strong’s Concordance, which is contained within the pages of Bible Hub biblehub.com Consider the many words that are shown to be possible definitions for “sun” and “stand still.” But, we must also ask a very compelling question; “Was Joshua actually referring to “the sun standing still?” For instance, in Matthew 3:11, the Greek word “baptizo” (βαπτίζω) is translated into the English word, “baptize.” In Greek, baptizo (βαπτίζω) means, “to dip or sink.” Its literal usage is: “dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; baptize.” The following words are also considerations: 907 baptízō – properly, “submerge” (Souter); hence, baptize, to immerse (literally, “dip under”). 907 (baptízō) implies submersion (“immersion”), in contrast to 472 /antéxomai (“sprinkle”). The starting point for all of this consideration for “baptize” is the Greek word, (911.0) “bapto,” meaning “to dip.” However, “baptize” has been taken incorrectly to mean “sprinkle and pour.” The following information should help you to understand the proper understanding of “sun” and “stand still.” Keep in mind the original Hebrew words: “שֶׁמֶשׁ” (sun) and “do·vm” (stand still).
1. Joshua 10:12 – sun – NASB Lexicon https://biblehub.com/lexicon/joshua/10-12.htm
NASB – sun
Hebrew – mesh
Strong’s – 8121: sun
8121. shemesh https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8121.htm
Strong’s Concordance
shemesh: sun
Original Word: שֶׁמֶשׁ;
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: shemesh
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh’-mesh)
Definition: sun
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
sun
NASB Translation
battlements (1), daylight (1), daylight* (1), east side* (2), east* (7), sun (109), sun’s (1), sundown* (1), sunrise* (3), sunset* (6), west* (1).
2. Joshua 10:12 – stand still – NASB Lexicon – https://biblehub.com/lexicon/joshua/10-12.htm
Hebrew – (do·vm,)
Strong’s – 1826a: to be or grow dumb, silent or still
1826a – 1826a. damam https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8121.htm
Strong’s Concordance
damam: to be or grow dumb, silent or still
Transliteration: damam
Definition: to be or grow dumb, silent or still
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be or grow dumb, silent or still
NASB Translation
ceasing (1), destroyed (1), doomed (1), have…rest (1), keeps silent (1), kept silent (3), made silent (1), motionless (1), perish (1), quieted (1), relax (1), rest (1), silenced (4), silent (5), silently (1), stand still (1), stay still (1), still (1), stood still (1), wait (1), wait in silence (1).
3. Consider translation and and understanding.
a. The Bible contains other scriptures that relate to the scriptures being read to the total nation of Israel. Exodus 24:7, Nehemiah 8:1, 8, 13, 9:3. 13:1. Jeremiah 36:15.
b. The scriptures were read and understood by the Jews. Nehemiah 8:8 (NASB) “They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.”
F. Joshua’s situation. Consider the information about astronomy that Joshua, and the Jews, “did not know.”
1. The sun does not rotate around the earth; the earth rotates around the sun. Earth’s average orbital speed is about 30 kilometers per second. In other units, that’s about 19 miles per second, or 67,000 miles per hour, or 110,000 kilometers per hour (110 million meters per hour).
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/about-us/41-our-solar-system/the-earth/orbit/91-at-what-speed-does-the-earth-move-around-the-sun-beginner
2. The terms, “sunrise, and sunset,” have been used for many years, and still are being used by meteorologists to describe the length of time that the earth is lit by the light of the sun. But, such terms are words of convenience. The sun does not rise or set; it is stationary before the planet Earth.
3. The sun is at the heart of the solar system. All of the bodies in the solar system — planets, asteroids, comets. Earth orbits the sun at an average of 92,955,807 miles etc. — revolve around it at various distances. https://www.space.com/17081-how-far-is-earth-from-the-sun.html
G. Joshua’s reality. The sun was not rotating around the earth so that it could stop rotating and stand still. Such wording, as we see in Joshua 10:12-13 explains, that which God did for the Jews by extending the daylight. The information that has been provided for this article would not have been known by the Jews of Joshua’s time, or by any of the Jews that were present for any of the scripture readings that are mentioned above (E.4.a.). For the Jews that were present at the time and place of Joshua Chapter 10, “the only thing that they knew” was that they had experienced, “a…real…long…day!”
1. The Jews that were present during the battle between them and the five kings of the Amorites (Josh 10:5) were very aware of that which God did to bring about that victory: “The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you” (Josh 10:8). God stood by his promise: “And the Lord confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter” (Josh 10:10). God’s judgment upon the Amorites was mighty: “As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw ‘large stones’ from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword” (Josh 10:11). In this battle against the enemies of God’s chosen people, we see similarity to the miraculous stones that God will fling down on earth during the future wrath (Rev. 16:21). Consider the MacArthur study note: 16:21 a talent. The heaviest weight a normal man could carry (about 75 lbs.). The huge size of the hailstones indicates unparalleled atmospheric convulsions. Such massive chunks of ice will cause unimaginable devastation and death. In this Joshua chapter 10 battle, God closely protected Israel, and will continue to do so until Christ returns to earth to save the Jews (Cf. Zech 2:8, Ps. 17:8; Prov. 7:2. “Matt 24:22: the elect are the Jews of the tribulation.”) The difference between God’s judgment through hailstones of Joshua 10, and those of Revelation 16, is that God’s judgment on the enemies of Israel are confined to Canaan in Joshua 10, but are spread out upon the whole world in Rev 16, per Rev 3:10.
2. Joshua was present at the events of Joshua Chapter 10, and throughout that book. But, an assistant would have had to complete the book at the time of Joshua’s death (MacArthur Study Note). Joshua wrote an account of the events of Chapter 10; he knew that which he saw, and God’s Holy Spirit led him to write a journal of this battle, and of all of his other actions (2 Timothy 3:16). A person who has not been born again, does not have the guidance of the Holy Spirit for correct translation. The NRSV is a prime example of such translation that has not been inspired by God. Consider Isaiah 7:14, in the NRSV and KJV.
a. Isaiah 7:14 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” (notice, “young woman.”)
b. Isaiah 7:14 King James Version (KJV) “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (notice, “virgin.”)
c. https://biblehub.com/lexicon/isaiah/7-14.htm
The English word, “virgin,” is translated, as follows.
Hebrew: הָעַלְמָ֗ה, (ha·’al·mah)
Strong’s: 5959: a young woman, a virgin
5959. almah.
Strong’s Concordance
almah: a young woman, a virgin
Original Word: עַלְמָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine; Transliteration: almah; Phonetic Spelling: (al-maw’); Definition: a young woman, a virgin;
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin: fem. of elem; Definition; a young woman, a virgin;
NASB Translation: girl (1), maid (1), maiden (1), maidens (3), virgin (1).
3. The prophecy of our Lord can only be made to state that He would be born of a virgin, and not of a young woman. Anything, other than the word “virgin,” would allow for a less than spiritual conception of our Lord to have taken place. The liberal translators of the NRSV were not being led by the Holy Spirit, which would suggest that they were not born again…not having God’s Spirit dwelling within their spirit. That which they were doing was, “moving words around.” The NRSV translators clearly demonstrated that they were not being led by the Spirit of God, but were being led by their own “non-spiritual human understanding,” thereby including in “their bible,” incorrect and confusing words. Here is a question for consideration. Because Isaiah 7:14 has been so greatly mistranslated by the NRSV, what other NRSV scriptures are there that might also be equally mistranslated? (The NRSV was translated by National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Council_of_Churches_members).
4. The importance of scripture is that it be understood. Joshua and the Israelites understood that which happened at the place of the events of Joshua Chapter 10. It is also important for anything else that has been written in the Bible to be correctly understood. The purpose of this Equipping Site is to “equip the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12).
5. Btw, it’s okay to say, “sunrise and sunset.” (lol)
IV. Video details, from I.
Bill & Gloria Gaither – Blow the Trumpet (Live)
Gaither Music TV – 1.22M subscribers
Official video for “Blow the Trumpet [Live]” feat. The Homecoming Friends
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V. Hugh Ross Details, from II, D., 1. and 2.
RTB 101: Is There Any Evidence for Joshua’s Long Day? 1:22
With Hugh Ross Dig Deeper: https://www.reasons.org/explore/blogs…
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Israel – Joshua 7 – 8, Ai
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The Hoppers – Jerusalem [Live] – 2,606,275 views
Gaither Music TV – 1.21M subscribers –
The Hoppers – Official Video for ‘Jerusalem [Live]’, available now!
Buy the full length DVD/CD ‘Jerusalem’ Here: http://smarturl.it/GM.Jerusalem
Available at iTunes: http://smarturl.it/GM.Jerusalem.iT
I. Opening video.
In this timeline study of the children of Israel, we are traveling with they as they move on to the earthly Jerusalem. In the video, the Hoppers sing of the heavenly, “New Jerusalem,” Revelation 21:1-2.
II. Preface.
From the time that the sons of Noah exited the ark and moved throughout the earth to repopulate it, God made a choice to travel with the covenant seed of Noah’s son, Shem, which continued through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob’s bloodline, the Israelites, had God present with them as He (God) prepared the children of Israel for (1) a kingdom, and (2) a King (2 Samuel 7:8-17). The Old Testament shows an intimacy of relationship That God had with the Israelites that is not seen in the lives of the other descendants of Noah (Ham or Japheth). God told the Israelites that He had chosen them to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth (Deu 14:2).
III. To do, or not to do.
A. Law. As we continue our travel with Israel, as they proceed onward to Jerusalem, we must be aware of certain scripture texts that may, or may not, relate solely to the Jews of the Old Testament. In this article we will take a look at the words of Joshua 1:8, as we consider “this book of the law.”
B. Law. Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
C. Prosperity. The Jews were told that if they obeyed the law that they could be prosperous and have success. So, how does that statement relate to Jews and non-Jews in the world today? The fulfillment of Joshua 1:8 will be to the Jews in the promised land, of the Kingdom Age, during the millennial reign of Christ. Many Christian hymnals have the song, “Showers Of Blessing.” Congregations sing that song, thinking that it relates to heaven, and Christians in heaven, which is incorrect. Ezek 2:3 states that the prophecies of Ezekiel are directed to Jews, and only to Jews. Ez 34:26, Gen 32:26 and Ps 115:12, from which “Showers Of Blessing” is drawn, all relate to Jews in the promised land, of the Kingdom Age, during the millennial reign of Christ.
D. 613 Torah Laws. The Law contains more than the Ten Commandments. Consider the 613 Torah Laws. The following link shows a listing of the 613 commandments (mitzvot), as recorded and classified by Maimonides in the 12th century. This listing is taken from his classic compendium of Jewish law, the “Mishneh Torah,” which contains 14 primary “books” or sections. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-613-mitzvot-commandments.
E. Leviticus Requirements. The original Hebrew title of this third book of the law is taken from the first word, translated “And He called.” The opening and closing words of the book of Leviticus show God’s law for the Jews to, “comply with,” thereby creating the term, “Torah Compliant.” No one is Torah complaint without complying with all of the Law, which points to the fact that following the Law involves much more than Sabbath worship.
F. New Testament Considerations. James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” This verse is very pointed toward those whom claim to be Torah complaint; such people have to be honest with themselves about whether they really keep “all of the law.” Within the law are such requirements that relate to stoning, animal sacrifices, and even the tithe. Within the four gospels, the law is kept. However, from the time of the day of Pentecost, there is no mention of law-keeping being passed onto Christians. Titus was not a Jew, and was not circumcised (Gal 2:3); he carried the gospel of Christ to Dalmatia (2 Tim 4:10), which became Yugoslavia, and is now Croatia (see following link). In the letter of Paul to Titus, there was no instruction on law keeping, either by Titus, or by the people that he would tell about Christ. The overwhelming message of the New Testament is “Christ and Him crucified,” 1 Cor 2:2. This link discusses Paul, Titus, Dalmatia and Croatia: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/hr-history-dalmatia.htm
G. The giving of the Law to the Jews (and only to the Jews) (1491 B.C., Scofield Study Bible).
1. The Law given on Mt. Sinai (Ex 19:1-25). 2. The Ten Commandments given to the Jews (Ex 20:1-17).
H. Consider non-Jews who traveled with the Jews, as to their responsibility for being Law observant.
1. The Law In Leviticus. The opening and closing of the Book of Leviticus show that the contents of the book, which contains much of the law, relate to Jews, and only to Jews. There was an exception to non-Jews (strangers) that decided to travel with the Jews (See Ex 12:43-51).
2. Exodus 12:43-51. Strangers/Gentiles.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex+12%3A43-51&version=NASB
12:43–51 Additional regulations given for the holding of the Passover contained prohibitions on any uncircumcised foreigner, stranger, or hired servant being a valid participant. To partake of this meal, non-Israelites had to be “as a native of the land” (v.48). (MacArthur note)
3. Exodus 12:48-50 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
48 But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. 49 The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you.” 50 Then all the sons of Israel did so; they did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.
I. Strangers that traveled with the Jews had to adhere to the law. Male strangers had to be circumcised (Ex 12:48). God’s command was given to Jews, through Moses and Aaron.
J. Consider the Law. Notice that Leviticus opens and closes with a statement to Jews.
1. Leviticus 1:1-2 “1 Then the Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them”
2. Leviticus 27:34 “These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai.”
K. All of the commands to the Jews in the Book of Leviticus, as well as the other books of the Torah, are commands that must be followed to be Torah compliant. A careful study of the Torah law should show that Torah compliance can not be attained. Also, salvation does not come through the law (John 3:16-18). However, if anyone thinks that he, or she, is keeping the law, the following Torah requirements should shed light on that subject.
1. Stoning/Put to death: (1) disobedient children (Deu 21:18-21), (2) adulterers (Lev 20:10), (3) homosexuals (Lev 20:13), (4) mediums (Lev 20:27), (5) working on Sabbath (Ex 31:15), (6) gathering sticks on Sabbath (Num 15:32-36), (7) blasphemy (Lev 24:10-23)…Animal sacrifices (Lev 6:8-13)…”‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material (Lev 19:19)…Tithe (Lev 27:30-34), Num 18:21, Mal 3:10-12)…Offerings: Lev Burnt (1:1-17), Grain (2:1-16), Peace (3:1-17), Sin (4:1-5), Guilt (5:14-6:7)…(and about 600 others).
2. Question. Can any honestly say that they are Torah complaint?
IV. The Jewish Timeline Continues.
A. Battle Failure. This article follows the Israelites as they experience military failure for the first time in the Promised Land. Joshua and all of Israel are witness to the loss and devastation that comes from sin.
B. Battle Instructions. The following verse shows the severity of the instructions that God gave to Joshua and the Israelites concerning their attack on Ai:
Joshua 8:2 “You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.”
C. Battle Triumph. In this article we will look into the details of the triumph of the Israelites over the people of the city of Ai.
D. Halley’s Bible Handbook on Israel And Ai.
Right after the miraculous crossing of the Jordan, and the miraculous fall of Jericho, Israel met with a dreadful defeat at Ai—because of one man’s disobedience. It was a terrible shock to Israel. It was a disciplinary lesson. God was with them, but He meant them to understand that He expected obedience.
E. Video – Battle of Ai. Joshua Chapter 7 – 8
Old Testament Bible Stories Joshua Ai – Discipleship 4 Kids – Published on Sep 21, 2018
The first three minutes of this video discuss Joshua Chapters 7 and 8.
F. Details of Chapters 7 and 8 (Key NASB Verses and Ryrie Study Bible notes).
1. Joshua 7
a. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+7%3A1-15&version=NASB
Joshua 7:1-15 – Israel Is Defeated at Ai
1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel. (Note. “acted unfaithfully.” Lit, broke faith. Achan’s action was a breach of covenant law (v 11).)
2 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. (Note. Ai was located in the central hill country of Palestine, East of Bethel, and about 15 miles from Jericho.)
3 They returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few.” (Note. “few” In reality there were 12,000 (8:25).).
11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. (Note. “Israel has sinned.” The sin of Achan was imputed to the nation.)
13 Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said, “There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.” (Note. Consecrate yourselves by acts of purification. See Ex 19:10-15.)
b. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+7%3A16-26&version=NASB
Joshua 7:16-26 – The Sin of Achan
21 when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.” (Note. “a beautiful mantle from Shinar.” A long robe woven of gold and silk threads.)
24 Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the mantle, the bar of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent and all that belonged to him; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. (Note. Achan’s family must have been accomplices (cf Deu 24:16).)
25 Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.” And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. (See Deu 17:6-7).
26 They raised over him a great heap of stones that stands to this day, and the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the valley of Achor to this day. (Note. “Anchor” means “trouble.” The valley is about one mile south of Jericho.)
2. Joshua Chapter 8
a. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+8%3A1-29&version=NASB
Joshua 8:1-29 – The Conquest of Ai
2 You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” (Note. This time the Israelites could keep the spoil. Achan should have been more patient!)
3 So Joshua rose with all the people of war to go up to Ai; and Joshua chose 30,000 men, valiant warriors, and sent them out at night. (Note. “30,000.” A seemingly large number for an ambush. It has been suggested that “thousand” should read “chief.” If so, Joshua sent 30 chiefs on a commando-type ambush.) See links. https://biblehub.com/lexicon/joshua/8-3.htm https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7970.htm
4 He commanded them, saying, “See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready. (Note. “behind lit. i.e., on the west side (. 9).)
12 And he took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. (Note. This second force of 5,000 men was sent to prevent attack by the men of Bethel. Joshua’s main army on the nort (v. 11) was to decoy the men of Ai out of their city.)
18 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” So Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city. 19 The men in ambush rose quickly from their place, and when he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it, and they quickly set the city on fire. (Note. Joshua’s javelin signaled the ambushing party by reflecting the sun from its flat blade.
29 He hanged the king of Ai on a tree until evening; and at sunset Joshua gave command and they took his body down from the tree and threw it at the entrance of the city gate, and raised over it a great heap of stones that stands to this day.(Note. “hanged.” Note from Deu 21:22-23. Hanging was not the usual means of death but a sequel to death, in order to expose the corpse to ultimate disgrace.)
b. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+8%3A30-35&version=NASB
Joshua 8:30-35 – The Lord Renews His Promise with Israel – Joshua Renews the Covenant
30 Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal, (Note. The “fortress” city of Shechem, which guarded the entrance to the valley between “Mount Ebal” and “Mount Gerazim,” may have surrendered, been captured, or been friendly at this time.)
31 just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings. (Note. “an altar. Note from Ex 20:24-26. An acceptable altar had to be made of earth or natural (unhewn) stone, and without steps (to prevent indecent exposure while climbing up to the altar.”
32 He wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel. (Note. “stones.” Not of the altar, but of a large pillar.)
G. Video Of Archaelogical Study Of Ai
Notice the presence in the video of Dr. Eugene Merrill of Dallas Theological Seminary.
sourceflix – Published on Jun 14, 2010 – Dr. Bryant Wood believes he may have found the city of Ai written of in Joshua chapters 7 and 8 in the Bible. Watch some shots from our recent excavations there.
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Israel – Joshua 6 – Jericho
Click on the image to see the text. Click on the arrow to see the video.
I. Opening video.
The Martins – Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho [Live]
Gaither Music TV – Published on Aug 9, 2012 – The Martins – Official Video for “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho (Live)”, available now!
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II. Preface.
Beginning with “Israel – 1 – A Pagan Breeds A Nation,” through “19 Israel – Honoring The Seventh Day – Keeping The Law – A Discussion,” we have studied the nation of Israel, going back to the time of God’s covenant promise with Abraham. We have discussed such times of God’s covenant people, as their four hundred thirty years’ stay in Egypt (Exodus 12:40-41), and their departure from Egypt. We have studied such gifts of God to Israel, as the Sabbath and the Law. We have seen God’s presence in the Tent of Meeting (the tent of Moses, Ex 33:7-23), where He would speak with Moses, where Joshua was also present. We saw God’s command to Moses to build a Tabernacle in the desert (Ex 25:8), in which His presence was so strong that the following experience was realized at its completion: “34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Ex 40:34-35. NASB 77. Note that the Tabernacle in the desert was also called the tent of meeting). In this timeline of Israel’s travels, we will see God’s covenant people leaving the Sinai desert, crossing the Jordan River, and entering into the Land of Canaan (Joshua 1:2; 3:17). We will see that Canaan was God’s gift to the Israelites, and was a land gift for Israel to conquer and possess (Josh 1:3), although it was not the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. Canaan will also be an inheritance for the Jews during the Kingdom Age of the millennium (2 Samuel 7:8).
III. KEY CONCEPT OF JOSHUA (See Conclusion, Ephesians 2:1-10).
The key concept of the book of Joshua is possession through conflict by the power of Yahweh, the Captain of the Lord’s host. In this regard, the Book of Joshua is also like Ephesians, for though we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, we must realistically face the fact of our enemies (Eph. 6:12) and strengthen ourselves by putting on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-11, 13-18). It is important to realize that Israel’s ownership of the land was unconditional under the Abrahamic covenant, but possession of the land was conditional upon faith and obedience. And so today, conflict and conquest by faith go with laying hold of that which we have positionally in Christ; the experience of our blessings in Christ comes through faith in the midst of conflict. (J. Hampton Keathley III, Deceased, Th.M., 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-and-background).
IV. In this article we continue our prophetic journey of Israel, as opposed to a verse-by-verse scripture discussion. We have had a brief look at Joshua in Israel 20 and 21 (I will no longer number Israel posts). In future articles, we will discuss how the Israelites in the Book of Joshua relate to the nation of Israel in the times of the millennium (Kingdom Age), and the eternal state.
V. The following data (A-D) was gathered from the commentary of Joshua by Dr. David M. Howard, Jr., Ph.D.
A. Joshua’s name means, “Yahweh saves,” or “Yahweh delivers.” His name is the same form as Jesus’s name in the New Testament (Iēsoûs, ee-ay-sooce’; of Hebrew origin (H3091)). Joshua was present with Moses at the Tent Of Meeting (tent of Moses) in the wilderness, when God was Present (Ex 33:11). When Moses was about to die, Joshua went with him to the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle in the desert) to meet God (Deu 31:14). “Israel served the LORD all of the days of Joshua,” which speaks well of his leadership (Joshua 24:31).
B. Joshua’s original name was “Hoshea,” which means “salvation,” or “deliverance,” (Num 13:8, Dt 32:44). Numbers 13-16 explains that Moses gave Hoshea the new name “Joshua.” He accompanied Moses up to Mount Sinai (Ex 24:31). He was one of the 12 spies that went into the land of Canaan, and he and Caleb were the only ones who brought back a positive report (Num 13-14).
C. Joshua was designated as the successor to Moses by the Lord, and Moses took him before the Lord to commission him (Num 27:15-23). During the ceremony, Moses passed his authority to Joshua through the laying on of his hands. Along with Eleazar the priest, Joshua was to distribute the lands to the tribes (Num 32:28; 34:17), a role they carried out when they reached the land (Josh 14:1; 19:51).
D. God used Joshua to save His people by conquering Canaan and apportioning it to Israel as their promised land. The purpose of the Book of Joshua is to give an official account of the historical fulfillment of God’s promise to give Israel the land of Canaan. Specifically, the conquest of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership was based on the Abrahamic Covenant.
E. It is important to understand that the people of Canaan were cousins of the Israelites (very sinful cousins, which we will discuss), whom also descended from the Ark to repopulate the earth (Gen 9:2,18).
VI. In Leviticus 18, God states His laws on moral relations. In that chapter, the many sins of Canaan are exposed by God to Moses. The Israelites were bound by the Law. Lev 18 verses 4-24 state the moral condition of the Canaanites (cousins of the Israelites).
A. Leviticus 18:1-3 (NASB) 1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘I am the Lord your God. 3 You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of “Canaan” where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes.
B. Leviticus 18:4-24, God listed the sins that the people of Canaan were committing: seeing the nakedness of family members, presumably for sexual relations; fornication; adultery; child sacrifice; homosexuality; and bestiality. (https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/40868/what-sin-did-the-residents-of-jericho-commit)
VII. The following verse shows the severity of the instructions that God gave to Joshua and the Israelites concerning their attack on Jericho:
Joshua 6:17 (NKJV) “Now the city shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.”
VIII. Consider the comment that comes from The Moody Bible Commentary on the Canaanites.
The city was to be destroyed and burned. All of the people and livestock were to be killed. The destruction had been ordered by God (Dt 7:2, 20:16-18) because He wanted these people eradicated: indigenous pagan survivors would bring compromise and syncretism to Israel. These people were unredeemable, exterminated for their wickedness. God had told Abraham 430 years earlier that “the sin of the Amorite was not yet complete” (Gen 15:16). Now it was. ….. They (Israelites) were to kill or drive the Canaanites into exile (Dt 20:16-18)….. Amidst the chaos of the battle, God’s grace came to one believer and her family. Rahab was spared, along with anyone wise enough to separate from their countrymen and join with Israel.
IX. Was Joshua’s conquest justified? Yes it was! Consider the following article from NAMB Blog:
X. In this article we will look into the details of the triumph of Joshua and the Israelites in the promised land of Canaan, in the conquest of Jericho. In following articles, we will discuss other Israelite triumphs. As we continue forward in our study of God’s plan for His chosen people, Israel (Deu 14:2), consider Joshua’s excellence, integrity, and godly character.
XI. Joshua 6 The Conquest of Jericho (click onto link to see verses)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+6&version=NKJV
XII. Consider the following video on the battle of Jericho.
The Walls of Jericho – Joshua 6 | Sunday School Lesson and Bible Teaching Story for Kids |HD| –
Sharefaith Kids – Published on Aug 26, 2016
Sunday School lessons for Kids! Try 4 FREE Lessons: http://sharefaithkids.com
Download the full Sunday School Lesson: http://www.sharefaith.com/set/joshua-…
XIII. God had a strange plan for the battle of Jericho. He told Joshua to have the armed men march around the city once each day, for six days. The priests were to carry the ark, blowing trumpets, but the soldiers were to keep silent. On the seventh day, the assembly marched around the walls of Jericho seven times. (https://www.learnreligions.com/battle-of-jericho-700195)
XIV. The following information (A through D) comes from the works of Pastor David Guzik, Calvary Chapel of Santa Barbara, Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Blue Letter Bible.
(https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/joshua-6/)
A. Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel (Joshua 6:1): Jericho itself was on full alert; from a human perspective, this would be a hard, if not impossible, battle. From God’s perspective, the battle was already over, because He can say to Joshua, “I have (in the past tense) given Jericho into your hand,” (Joshua 6:2).
1. Up to this point everything had been more or less preliminary and preparatory. Now, the real task before them must be faced and tackled. The Canaanites must be dispossessed if Israel is to occupy that which God has promised them.
2. Jericho was not an exceptionally large city; but it was an important, formidable fortress city. If Israel could defeat Jericho, they could defeat anything else that would face them in Canaan. Again, we see the wisdom of God as opposed to human wisdom, in that Israel faces their most difficult opponent first.
B. You shall march around the city (Joshua 6:3): The method of warfare was one that made absolutely no sense according to military intelligence. It required total dependence on God. It required great faith from Joshua because he had to explain and lead the nation in this plan. It required great faith from the elders and the nation, because they had to follow Joshua in this plan (Joshua 6:4).
C. The wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him (Joshua 6:5): It was a plan for victory whereby it would clearly be the work of the LORD. Yet God gave them something to do, so that Israel could work in partnership with God.
D. Obviously, it was something that God could have done without Israel’s help at all, but He wanted them to be a part of His work – as He wants us to be a part of His work today.
E. The Moody Bible Commentary. “It likely indicates that the walls fell “outward” and down the slope.” (My note. Consider the walls falling “outward!”)
XV. Video Of Archaelogical Study Of Walls Of Jericho.
Walls of Jericho – Whispering Past – Published on Aug 8, 2017 – The evidence for the ancient city of Jericho and it’s walls falling is there for the pondering!
XVI. Considering the sin of Jericho, Sodom, and Gomorrah (we must consider all three cities).
A. Did God make a mistake? After God ordered the destruction of Jericho, did He say,”Oops!” Has God changed His mind on the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? Consider that it was sin that caused Adam and Eve to be kicked out of the Garden of Eden, and that it was sin that put Christ on the Cross. Sin is “serious stuff.” Let’s consider the sin that caused the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
B. There are many that hold to the view that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was a lack of hospitality. e.g., “Sodom’s sins are blasphemy, plundering, and persecuting the poor, not homosexual behavior.” https://affirmation.org/sodom-and-gomorrah-arrogant-overfed-and-unconcerned/
C. Let’s take a look at the facts of the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah.
1. Genesis 18:20 (NASB) “And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.”
2. God Questions. https://www.gotquestions.org/Sodom-and-Gomorrah.html (see excerpts below from article.) Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion.” …..while homosexuality was not the only sin in which the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah indulged, it does appear to be the primary reason for the destruction of the cities…Those who attempt to explain away the biblical condemnations of homosexuality claim that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was inhospitality…Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a powerful example of how God feels about sin in general, and homosexuality specifically.
3. Ryrie Study Bible. Genesis 19:5. “that we may have relations with them, i.e., have sex with them. God’s attitude toward the sin of homosexuality is seen in the destruction of Sodom and in Lev 18:22,29; 20:13; Rom 1:26; 1 Tim 1:10.
4. Consider the sin of Gen 18:20 in the world in which we live today, “their sin is exceedingly great.”
(a) Recently, as I was watching the various news reports of Hurricane Dorian, I heard a reporter say, “the storm has a mind of its own.” Really? That is like saying that “Mother Nature” is directing the things that are happening in our world. First of all, let me say that, “there is no Mother Nature!” However, there definitely is, “Father God,” with the following verse of scripture that describes His sovereignty:
(b) Psalm 103:19 (NKJV) “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.”
(c) After 911, “god,” little “g,” was welcomed into our nation’s “churches,” little “c.” However, Christ, our Lord and Savior, has been denied His proper place of honor and deity ever since that day, to include “so-called religious places” and places of influence, such as “news, government, media, employment, academia, entertainment, new world order, et el.”
XVII. Conclusion. God’s Love.
There are many people that can not understand how “a loving God,” can destroy complete cities of people, such as Jericho and Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as other cities, to include the destruction that will come during the “yet future” tribulation. Such people cite the unfairness of God, as it relates to those whom may be “the innocents” of His judgments. Psalm 103:19, and other similar scriptures tell of God’s sovereignty over His creation, also His love and mercy over “all.” Consider the nature of God in the following verses:
A. 1 John 4:8 (NKJV) “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
B. Psalm 136:1 (NKJV) “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
C. We are told in scripture that, “we must be born again.” We are also told that God causes the New Birth to take place.
1. John 3:3 (NKJV) “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2. John 3:8 (NKJV) “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
3. Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV) “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;”
4. Ephesians 2:1-10 shows a result of the new birth.
D. Whether the situation of God’s judgment falls on such circumstances as “Jericho and Sodom and Gomorrah,” or where small children are taught by their parents to hate God’s chosen people, Israel (Deu 14:2),” remember the truth of Psalm 136:1. There has never been an instance of Christ expressing anything that is less than love for children (Matthew 19:14). God is ready, willing, and able to cause anybody’s spirit to be born again which, upon death, causes such a person to be in the immediate Presence of God. Consider the account of a beggar, whose name was Lazarus.
1. Context: Luke 16:19-23 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+16%3A19-23&version=NKJV
2. Specific verse. Luke 16:22 “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.”
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Eternity 