Worthy Christian Forums -> Study Group

Given the recent discussions regarding the future of Israel and the meaning of OT prophecies, I thought it would be helpful to list some basics of determining meaning. I obtained these from:

"The Navigator Bible Studies Handbook"

General Principles

1. As you study, work knowing that the Bible is authoritative
2. Let the Bible interpret itself (Scripture explains Scripture).
3. The Holy Spirit’s illumination is a prerequisite for understanding - as is a cleansed life, and willingness to obey
4. Interpret your feelings and experiences in light of the Word.
5. Be careful how you apply Biblical examples. Does the fact that Judas’ replacement was chosen by lots mean that we should choose our pastors that way?
6. Bible study should be done for application, not just an increase in knowledge. Application must be in line with the single meaning of the passage.
7. The church does not determine what the Bible teaches; the Bible determines what the church teaches.
8. Do not be presumptuous in claiming Biblical promises

Grammatical Principles

1. Texts have only one meaning and should be taken literally
2. Interpret words by their meaning in the time they were written, not how they are used today.
3. Interpret words in relation to their context and use in the sentence
4. When an inanitmate object is used to describe a living being, that statement may be said to be figurative
5. When life or action are attributed to an inanimate object, that statement may be interpreted figuratively
6. When an expression is out of character with the thing being descirbed, that statement may be seen as figurative
7. When interpreting a parable, only make applications from the principal parts and figures.
8. Interpret prophetic books literally unless the context demands a symbolic interpretation.

Historical Principles

1. Since the Bible is a historical book, it must be understood in its historical context
2. Both the Old and New Testaments are essential in understanding God’s full counsel.
3. Historical events become symbols of spiritual truth only when scripture says they should be.

Theological Principles

1. A text must be understood grammatically before it can be understood theologically
2. A doctrine is not biblical unless it includes all that the scriptures have to say about that doctrine.
3. When doctrines taught in scripture appear to contradict one another, accept both with the understanding that they will both resolve to a higher unity (election and free-will).
4. If a passage implies a truth, it may only be considered Biblical if related passages support the truth (Hebrews 6).

The Grace of God; It is, perhaps, the most sublime matter that can be found in all of Scripture. From beginning to end, the Bible is a revelation of God’s grace to fallen man. From the day that God first killed an animal to clothe Adam and Eve until that final day when we all be transfigured and clothed with the glory of God, one of the Bible’s uppermost themes, is the inestimable Grace of God.

I. The Definition of Grace
What is grace? Often grace is defined merely as “unmerited favor.” But that does not really do it justice. From Genesis, to Revelation, we see God showering grace upon a fallen, miserable, rebellious race known as the human race. From the day that Adam brought sin into the world through his rebellion to God’s command, mankind has been living in open rebellion against God.

We see God all throughout the Bible putting forth His hand in kindness calling and longing for man to both receive His love and to return it in kind. We see Him extending His love toward man only to have that love answered with contempt, pride, open rebellion, and an utter revulsion at the suggestion of His very existence. How would you react, if the very object of your love, the one who is your chief desire, responded with disdain at the fact that you were alive?

When God sent His Son, Jesus, it was His ultimate act of Grace taking precedence over all that He had done, or has done since. Jesus, God in the flesh, came unto his own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11). Jesus brought the grace of God down to fallen man in a way that man could see who God is, and how much He loves each and every person. He healed the sick, He raised the dead, He fed thousands, He reached out to the outcasts the misfits, the societal “throw-a-ways.” He brought forgiveness and hope to those that the religious leaders had given up on. Jesus showed that it was God’s will bless His us, not to harm us. Even to those who should have been destroyed according to strict adherence to the law, Jesus brought mercy and restoration. Jesus demonstrated that mercy is grace in action. The Hebrew word for “bless” is barakh. It means to kneel. It is not a reference to kneeling is subjugation, but rather “kneeling to enrich.” The word picture is that of a father who kneels to relate to his children face to face. Jesus did exactly that. He brought the love of God down to us. Jesus was the Father’s way of getting down on His knees to relate to us face to face, to pull us to Himself and hold us close; close enough that we can hear his heartbeat.

Yet for all that, Jesus was reviled, he was hated so much that a “kangaroo court,” a mockery and sham of a trial was instigated against Him. False witnesses were brought to accuse him, and nearly 200 laws from both the Torah and the Talmud had to be broken just put Jesus on trial. He was reviled and lied about, but He never opened His mouth. He was beaten, and scourged within in an inch of death, and he never once sought to defend Himself. Surely, those twelve legions consisting of 72,000 angels of the armies of the Living God stood ready with swords drawn, nearly busting the seams of heaven to come to the aid of their King if He would but give the word. Just one word from Jesus, and the earth would have been a cinder block hurtling through space.

Yet, Jesus as he never failed to do, continued to demonstrate God’s Grace by offering up prayer for His enemies. “Father, forgive them… they don’t know what they are doing.” Even on the cross in agony, His mind was not on His pain, his torn flesh, the splinters in His back, the torture of the nails that impaled Him to the cross. He thoughts were for His enemies. His thoughts were for His mother. His ministry did not end in Gethsemane. Even on the cross Jesus offered salvation and forgiveness. Jesus’ thoughts were not upon Himself, but upon us. Jesus was thinking about His enemies, the thief, His mother, and he was thinking about you.

It has been said that offering salvation was a greatest the act of God in the history of the universe. It was a greater demonstration of His power than the creation of the universe. This is so, because in salvation, God gave all He had. Jesus gave EVERYTHING to save you and me. We are rebellious, selfish, demanding, impatient, prideful, full of vanity, bitter, foolish, contemptuous, and yet God still loves us. He never gives up on us. He always is there to give a second chance, a third chance, a 56th chance. Even when we are faithless, the Bible says, He is faithful. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. We have spurned his love, and trampled it with our selfish desire to do our own thing. And once we have screwed everything up and made a horrible mess of our lives, He is there, waiting at the portals, watching like the Father of the prodigal son. Waiting to embrace us in His loving arms. No matter how much we have hurt Him, He is willing to receive us back with open arms. One thing you can be sure of; Jesus will never break your heart.

I posit therefore, that grace is NOT unmerited favor at all. Grace is the over-exhibited mercy, loving kindness and “favor” of God, given freely to those who merit His uttermost contempt, and disfavor.

Hello dear saints in the Lord,

Recently, we've encountered several threads dealing with a WORKS based salvation, so I thought I would express where I personally stand on the issue.

THERE IS a distinct DIFFERENCE in JUSTIFICATION and SANTIFICATION!

You see you cannot MIX the two, because once you do -- you start walking a fine line -- trying to "COMPLETE" your salvation through your works.

Let's go through line upon line and precept upon precept. First of all, salvation is 100% the work of GOD.

Romans 3:24-28 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

So the first part to understanding JUSTIFICATION is that it's the GIFT OF GOD, it's not something you CAN EARN -- it's not something you CAN WORK FOR -- you are JUSTIFIED through FAITH!

What is FAITH?

F -- FORSAKING
A -- ALL
I -- I
T -- TRUST
H -- HIM

We live by FAITH, we are JUSTIFIED by FAITH!

So where does WORKS become involved in our walk?

God has sent forth HIS SPIRIT to work in all of us once we become REGENERATED, and become a NEW CREATION! This work of the HOLY SPIRIT is SANTIFICATION! How long does this work of SANTIFICATION continue? YOUR ENTIRE LIFE! So what is SANTIFICATION? Santification is a cleansing of one's mind, one's heart, one's desires from the things of this world and a renewing of their mind, heart, and desires to that of the LORD.

What happens when your mind, your heart, and your desires changes -- so that you put on the MIND OF CHRIST, have a HEART that seeks to LOVE GOD above all -- then your desires will be that of GOD! Your life will START PRODUCING WORKS -- your regenerated life will START PRODUCING FRUIT!

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Do you see the DIFFERENCE?

One is JUSTIFICATION -- how we can be justified before GOD.
The other is SANTIFICATION -- how our lives will change once we've been JUSTIFIED.

Next time, I'll share the DANGERS of trying to be JUSTIFIED with a MIXING of WORKS AND FAITH!

We'll continue this study until we've exhausted the subject so feel free to ask questions,

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

Verses:

"God is faithful, through whom you were called into the felloship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:9)

"That which we have seen and heard we report also to you that you also may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3)

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin." (1 John 1:7)

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." (1 Cor. 13:14)

"And they continued steadfastly in the teaching and the fellowship of the apostles, in the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42)

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the fellowship of the body of Christ?" (1 Cor. 1:10)

~~~~~~~~~~

Fellowship is basically two things: First it is the receiving of fellowship from the throne of Grace, through the Son (1 Cor. 1:9). It is the fellowship of the Father and the Son, by the Spirit, to the believer. Second, fellowship is the mutual fellowship of the Body of Christ, between the members of the Body, in that same flowing of fellowship from the throne of Grace (1 John 1:3; 7; 2 Cor. 13:14; cf Acts 2:42; cf. 1 Cor. 10:16). So the flowing out of fellowship goes out from the throne of Grace, into the believers, and from the believers out to one another.

The word in the Greek means "joint participation, common participation." It is actually the issuing of the eternal life from the throne of Grace and it is the flow of eternal life within all the believers. It can be illustrated by the flowing out of the river of water of life from the throne in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1). All regenerated believers participate in the flow of fellowship from the throne of Grace. This flow is carried out by the Holy Spirit in our regenerated spirit. Therefore, it is called "The fellowship of the Holy Spirit" (2 Cor. 13:14), and the fellowship of our spirit (Phil. 2:1). It is in this flow of fellowship that we, the believers participate in all that the Father, Son, and Spirit are and have done for us.

Fellowship is not simply a discussion among Christians. It is not simply a "meeting of minds" or a debate over topics. One need not be a Christian at all to discuss topics or debate over issues. Anyone can do that. To have genuine fellowship with the Body of Christ a believer must first be in the fellowship of the Triune God. He must first "walk in the light" of fellowship (1 John 1:7). Without the light of fellowship of the Triune God, it is impossible to have fellowship with the members of the Body of Christ. Cutting off the fellowship from the throne also cuts off the fellowship from the Body; just as cutting off the circulation to your hand deprives your fingers of the precious blood, so does the believer who cuts off the flow of fellowship from the throne of Grace.

To have an attitude of fellowship one must first be open to the light of fellowship from the throne. Second, he must also be open to the fellowship of the members of the Body of Christ. Again, this is like the flow of blood in your body. All the members of your physical body must receive the flow of blood as well as send the flow of blood to the other members. In the Body of Christ this requires sacrifice. It requires the cutting of of self and the flesh. It requires that every member be open to the fellowship, regardless if that fellowship is a faithful word for building up, or it is a corrective word that sometimes wounds our pride.

(More to come as the Lord inspires me.)

Ovedya

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

The purpose of establishing the Study Group Forum was for senior members and administrators of Worthy Ministries to lead specific Bible studies. Recently there were Bible studies posted that denied the deity of Messiah and for this reason I have limited the starting of topics to Royal Members and those who are part of the ministry. Anyone may reply to these Bible studies.

Because we want to have open dialogue with even those who disagree with the leadership of Worthy Ministries, please post your threads in the appropriate forums, i.e. Controversial issues, Doctrinal Questions.

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

I like to learn more about strongholds in our life and how to recognize them, I came to this website and thought it gives us alot to think of, some things we forget...but we can't forget that no matter how hard the enemy tries to take controle its the Lord who will have the last word!

http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Spiritualwar.htm

As far back as I can remember I have been fascinated with a certain point in time that seemed to literally jump from the pages of the OT and right into my brain. The pagentry, action and plot are things you find in a good novel. This, however, isn't a work of fiction but a superb chunk of history that calls to us from the ancient past to teach and guide us even today. And, though I have posted on this many times in years past on this forum, I have never attempted to "flesh it out" as I like to do. The reason is simple. Fear. I was afraid of seeming to downplay the significance of this era, or of missing a vital point, or of injecting an opinion of mine that could be in grave error. However, events and conversations and other things in my "real life" keep bringing me back to this story, again and again. So, here I go again.

I don't know how much I'll cover, and if I go beyond what I have in mind for now, then I'll simply do it in separate threads. For now, however, I plan on starting at the beginning. I won't have a fictional eye witness for this story, because our subject is alone at a critical part of his life. I don't tell stories from first person, mainly because I cannot inject myself into their thoughts. Were it a fictional character I could, and have, but I will not be so presumptuous with one that lived and breathed and became Israel's greatest king.

Please join me as I attempt to reveal the making of a king.

1Sa 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

1Sa 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.

To Be Continued........

I was compelled to post this, as I have heard much opposition to the teaching and expounding on the fear of the Lord. It is SO necessary to our relationship with Him and our well-being.

Proverbs 1

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 15

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.



Wisdom was once explained to me as the ability to make decisions based on the Word of God. I am finding how it is much like the pearl described in Matthew.

Understanding is to see God at work around you and to be in agreement with Him.

Proverbs 3

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens;

What is Wisdom and Understanding?

Proverbs 4

4 He also taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. 5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.


The Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs 1

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The fear of the Lord is as this:

8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.

3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; 18 For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

19 Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. 20 Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.


The Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs 1

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

It is so very valuable!

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.


Proverbs 4

4 He also taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. 5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Matthew 13

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

It is of great worth to hear and love and obey the Word of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of this.



In His Love,
Suzanne

Have we considered the cost? Do we realize how vital enduring is/will be? We've got to consider the cost NOW! As I studied the following passages, one REALLY stood out:

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Mr 4:17 - Show Context
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

Mr 13:13 - Show Context
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

2Th 1:4 - Show Context
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

2Ti 2:3 - Show Context
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2Ti 2:10 - Show Context
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

2Ti 4:3 - Show Context
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2Ti 4:5 - Show Context
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Heb 12:7 - Show Context
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Heb 12:20 - Show Context
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

Jas 5:11 - Show Context
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

1Pe 2:19 - Show Context
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

I want to be sure that I do not endure, just for "a time". I want to continually consider the cost and endure for "eternity". This can only be done, if we abide in Christ Jesus, Whose Name is The Word.

Have you considered enduring, and how far it will take you? I am reminded continually of what the Father says to His child..............about enduring.

When we think that our opposition has become great, we are reminded that we have not had to endure the shedding of "our" blood.

Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

This is my word of encouragement to you.

In His Love,
Suzanne

For the last year or so, there have been some subtle changes taking place within the body of believers…or so it seems so to me. It seems that we are losing our spirit of worship and becoming focused on the work at hand. The best example I think is how American Family Radio has transformed into talk radio with very little if any worship music played. I use to love listening to AFR for the contemporary worship music they played but I can no longer find a time of day when they have anything on but talk radio.

I understand these are crucial times and the Enemy is actively seeking and devouring the naïve and blind BUT are we all turning into Martha’s? Have we backed away from sitting at the Lord’s feet like Mary was doing in Luke 10:39 and rather gone to work in the kitchen focused on the work at hand? Remember what Jesus told Martha when she complained about Mary not helping?

But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." [Luke 10:41,42]

So I had an idea.

Let’s have an ongoing Study of God’s Word sharing examples of Worship and examine the results of that worship. I will start out with the first example but I would hope that others post their favorite examples from God’s Word. Feel free to share some personal experiences too BUT let’s keep the focus on the Word of God for HE and only HE is worthy!

I will try and visit often but this study is for YOU to express your WORSHIP.

May the Lord Bless you richly,
wayne

Deut 1



30'The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes,

31and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.'

32"But for all this, you did not trust the LORD your God,

33who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go.

34"Then the LORD heard the sound of your words, and He was angry and took an oath, saying,

35'Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers,

36except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and to his sons I will give the land on which he has set foot, because he has followed the LORD fully.'

37"The LORD was angry with me also on your account, saying, 'Not even you shall enter there.

38'Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there; encourage him, for he will cause Israel to inherit it.

39'Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it.

40'But as for you, turn around and set out for the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.'

41"Then you said to me, 'We have sinned against the LORD; we will indeed go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us.' And every man of you girded on his weapons of war, and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country.

42"And the LORD said to me, 'Say to them, "Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; otherwise you will be defeated before your enemies."'

43"So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. Instead you rebelled against the command of the LORD, and acted presumptuously and went up into the hill country.

44"The Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do, and crushed you from Seir to Hormah.

45"Then you returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD did not listen to your voice nor give ear to you.

First - an apology. My "storytelling" really shouldn't be in the study forum - but frankly I've no idea where else to put them. Next - another reminder that I write as I understand it, and certainly not as any type of scholar. This telling will be in extreme story form - so be warned.



I used to groan when my daily readings took me through Leviticus, Numbers and then Deuteronomy. After all, didn't the really good stuff begin in Joshua? But like a reluctant student, I muddled through it again and again. Eventually, I began to see patterns. Eventually I came to 'see' the people in their distress and hardships. Eventually, I became emotionally involved. I recently told a dear friend that I was guilty of allowing my emotions to direct my reasoning and conclusions. I know now that I was wrong to do that. However, I do think that a passion for the beautiful foundation and blueprint that our Father has left for us is vital not only in the interpretation but also in the personal application of that to our lives. It is the passion that drives the heart to find the answers.

Please come with me as we step backward in time and onto the land that lies just across the Jordan River from Jericho. We will be joined with a multitude of stragglers, ready to face the most challenging times of their lives. To set the stage I promise not to go back too far in time like I normally do. Frankly, I believe that I can sum it up in these few words: the 40 years of wandering were over.

The people that are waiting to cross the river are not the same people that left Egypt. This is a new generation that was born in the wilderness. The desert sands and heat of the Sinai Peninsula have tempered them into lean, strong nomads. They roamed through the deserts of Paran and Zin before moving in a northwesterly haphazard line to just west of the Dead Sea. They are in Moab country. It is at this time that Moses stops to once again give them the law.

That's what the name Deuteronomy means, by the way - Second Law. I just recently discovered that, actually. It's something I should have known before now, as names can give us a first-glance clue as to what it's all about.

OK - picture this: Moses, in all his flowing robes, whiskers blowing in the gentle breeze, stands upon a mound that raises just high enough to be seen by the multitude. He first looks to the heavens to say a silent prayer, and then begins what is called the greatest sermon ever told up until the time of Christ. It is from this very book, these very words, that Jesus, our Lord and Savior quotes to the enemy when He is tempted in the wilderness. Now how dramatic is that? However, for now we will do as Moses and begin at the beginning.

Deu 1:3 And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first [day] of the month, [that] Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;
Deu 1:4 After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:
Deu 1:5 On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,
Deu 1:6 The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:
Deu 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all [the places] nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
Deu 1:8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.


Moses went on to tell this generation how God said to not be afraid, that He would go before the people and fight for them to drive out the inhabitants of the land. The people though, sent scouts into the new land and became afraid. They refused to go, thinking that God had led them from Egypt to die by the hands of the Anakims. Remember, God said “do not be afraid for I will go before you.”

Moses told the people how God cared for them, as a man would his own son. How He gave them shelter and even provided the fire that would lead them in the dark. In his own words – because they are so beautiful –

Deu 1:32 Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
Deu 1:33 Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents [in], in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.


Do you see what's being done here? Moses is recapping for the children step by step what happened to them, from the very beginning, till now. It was all spelled out for them, but ultimately rejected by a murmuring people that failed to look solely to God for their provision and protection. For this story, let’s watch it unfold from the eyes of a man who might have sat close to the front of the crowd for the past forty years.

As Moses speaks, Asher remembers……..

The woman stood at the doorway and watched as Jabin’s men retreated from Baraks advancing forces. When soldiers approached her tent she would wave them on. “Nothing to see here,” she muttered to herself. A few times she had to step back so the soldiers could look inside. “No men in here?” they would ask. Jael would wave her hand in the direction of her large empty room and they would nod, and then be on their way. The room, of course, was empty except for piles of rugs and carpeting for sitting and sleeping.

Jael thought of the things left behind when they made their move to Kadesh. Her husband Heber insisted that the break from their own tribe, the Kenites, would improve their lives. Jael, however, thought that highly unlikely. She remembered the stories that were passed down from generation to generation. She knew that the Kenites had been allies to Israel since Moses led them from Egypt.

1Sa 15:6 And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

Her own husband was descended from Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law.

Jdg 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite, [which was] of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which [is] by Kedesh.

Now, however, all was changed for the two of them since her husband’s new alliance with Jabin, the Canaanite king of Hazor.

These past twenty years Jabin oppressed the Israelites with heavy tributes. Jael watched her friends suffer under Canaanite rule. Despite her husband’s wishes, Jael remained in contact with many Israelites. This is how she came to know of Deborah.

To be continued...

Here are some thoughts I have had regarding the issue of people who have never heard the gospel

1. Isn’t it egotistical of the church to maintain that their way is the only way?

If the church had come up with this system on its own and was trying to say that the system they came up with was the only system, it would be egotistical and exclusive. But the idea of Jesus being the only way to God did not originate with the church. It originated with Jesus Himself. This is what Jesus said:

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6 CSB)

Jesus maintained that the only way a person could establish a relationship with God was through Him. That is because Jesus was uniquely qualified to fix the situation that we (humanity) broke. Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent human. Because God is just, Jesus was able to make every sin that was ever committed right. The punishment for every murder that was ever committed, every child that was ever abused, every lie that was ever told, every piece of gossip that was ever shared, etc, was placed on Him. This is not an idea that began with the church. It came from the lips of Jesus 2000 years ago.

2. If Jesus is the only way, aren’t people being treated unfairly who have never heard about Him?

This is a fair question and one that can be very personal for some of us who have known folks that have not heard. The Bible is very clear about the way people receive eternal life from God:

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved." (Act 4:12 CSB)

Jesus is the only way to God. The Bible does not specifically address how God will deal with people who through no fault of their own never hear the about Jesus. Since it is very clear in scripture that Jesus is the only way, we know that God will not provide a “different” way for people who don’t hear. So what are we left with? The Bible does tell us some things that we can take comfort in, even though it does not give us the specific answers we are looking for. As I looked into this for myself, these gave comfort to me:

a. It is God’s desire that no one miss out on the gift that Jesus offers. In other words, God did not set up a “secret system” with the hope that only a few lucky ones would catch on:

The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. (2Peter 3:9 CSB)

b. God is truly just. He will always do the absolutely right thing. After all is said and done, no one will look at the way God handled things and say “I was treated unfairly”.

The Rock-- His work is perfect; all His ways are entirely just. A faithful God, without prejudice, He is righteous and true. (Deuteronomy 32:4 CSB)

c. God is love. Everything He does will be motivated by love

The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1John 4:8 CSB)

d. God is merciful and compassionate

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and full of faithful love. (Psalm 103:8 CSB)

e. God has promised that those who want to find Him will do so

So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9 CSB).

f. God has a bigger view than we do. He has placed everyone in the time and place they live that gives them the best chance to find Him and know Him

From one man He has made every nation of men to live all over the earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live, so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. (Act 17:26-27 CSB)

So while God does not give us all the details, He tells us enough about Himself so that we can trust Him with those details. That is not to say everyone will ultimately be saved. But, we can trust God that He will treat people justly.