Mr. M

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. What does it mean to know someone? How can we quantify such a claim? When someone you truly know calls you on the phone, (i.e. someone you cannot see), and they say, "it's me". They expect you to know them by their voice. John 10: 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Shemah=to hearken, to listen and obey. This is to know Him. This is to have eternal life, Today. Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

John 3:20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. Ephesians 5: 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

The flesh is the habitation of the sinful nature, which must be overcome by abiding in Christ. Romans 7: 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that does it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

I am not sure what you are referring to, but it sounds like lawlessness! Matthew 7:23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

All believers, but especially those in leadership should be deeply invested in understanding the "Woes!" against the teachers of the Law in Matthew 23, and other narratives. In addition, with regards to the Spirit of the Lord "calling out" leaders, see the prophets condemnation of pastors in Jeremiah 23, Ezekiel 34, and Zechariah 11. When Jesus was training His apostles to be shepherds of His flock, He taught them this: Matthew 5: 29 If your right eye causes you to offend, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to offend, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. He is making a direct reference to avoiding the judgment against a worthless shepherd found in Zechariah 11. Zechariah 11:17 Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye; His arm shall completely wither, and his right eye totally blinded. Just as relevant to the church is His review of church practices in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3. To be more than "believers", but faithful overcomers. Rev 2 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place—unless you repent. 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Revelation 17:14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Be Vigilant G1127 - grēgoreō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv) To be a watchman, [from G1453=arise, raised up] Revelation 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, Arise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. On the evening of His betrayal, the Lord taught His Disciples a most passionate and vital lesson: To remain vigilant, to be watchmen who prepare for their Lord’s return by abiding in His Precepts. Dare we tread in Gethsemane, in the sandals of James, John and Peter? Mark 14: 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch. While no one could bear what the Lord took on Himself that night, He invites His friends to enter into His supplications. To Watch, and Pray with Him, and for each other. We can feel the deep human need at distressing moments of life, when we immediately call on the Name of the Lord! When He returned from praying, the Lord spoke again to His Friends, and to our hearts. 37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. When the Lord returns, His Reward will be with Him, and this is portrayed in profoundly personal ways. Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, He will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that He will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. Paul warns of spirits arising, like savage wolves, that must be overcome by “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. Ephesians 4:3 Acts 20: 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you over seers, to shepherd the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch and remember, that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Closing with this word of exhortation 1 Corinthians 16: 13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all you do, be done with love.

Isaiah 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: The Spirit of the Lord is our covering. The question is one of access to that covering. To minimize the importance of this in any way is a mostly semantic exercise. Psalm 91:1 He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. You can say, "I don't know James, I don't see the word 'covering' in this verse", but let's not be misled. The covering of the spirit is throughout scripture, from the cloud abiding over the wilderness camp, to the anointing oil poured over the High Priest (Psalm 133), to the symbolism of the mantle worn by the prophets. After gaining access by faith, we are taught that we must abide. Abiding under that Anointing that defines our purpose individually, as well as binds us together in fellowship. To abide under the Anointing requires submitting to the requirements that the Lord has laid out. True, no man can claim to be a spiritual covering, but to think that parents do not provide a covering for their children, or that mature christians do not provide the same for others is to harmfully diminish the power of prayer and intercession. To attempt to be a "lone ranger" christian who doesn't need the prayer support of their fellow believers is to misunderstand the nature of a spiritual covering, and to ignore how often Paul solicited prayer from the churches. Regardless of how this idea has been abused over the years, this is without question an extremely important idea that cannot be easily dismissed with a "got questions" article. If that is not true, then why has the enemy made such an effort to misrepresent this to the church? Nor can we ignore the value of our fellowship, in discussing this matter in the forum, to dissolve all doubts! There is without question a Biblical mandate to submit to authorities at all levels, not because they provide the covering, but in order to maintain access to that spiritual covering, to abide.

John 20:31 These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. The Gospel of John is written for the expressed intent to allow the reader to discern the Son of God, and the son of man. For example, Jesus meets Nathaniel. John 1: 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit! 48 Nathanael asked Him, How do You know me? Jesus answered and said to him, before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. 49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! So moved by this personal knowledge of himself, Nathaniel makes the true confession of faith, ‘you are the Son of God’. When the Lord responded however, He deflected the attention to the son of man. 50 Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these. 51 And He said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man. To see the heart of a man so clearly to discern no deceit is the power of the Son of God. Ministering angels are for the son of man. Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? The voice of the Son of God resurrects the dead, not the son of man. John 5: 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, He then sits in judgment as the son of man 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the son of man. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted and as without sin. He appears as a son of man, but speaks with the voice is the Son of God Revelation 1: 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lamp stands the appearance of the son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His Voice is as the sound of many waters. The Voice of the Lord manifests the Power and Majesty of God. Psalms 29: 3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. Only the Son of God could show man the Father [John 14:7-11], for no one else has seen the Father. John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared. The son of man ascends and descends, but has not seen the Father. John 3: 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven. The son of man who is in heaven. Here is where many get lost, thinking that the Son of God is Spirit, and the son of man pertains to flesh and blood. This is incorrect, the son of man is a spirit being that has existed since creation. The son of man ascends and descends to and from heaven. He made Ezekiel his habitation by which he was translated and received visions of heaven. His relationship to the Son of God is in the elementary knowledge of sets. The Son of God is the firstborn of ALL CREATION. This includes the son of man, and everything else in the Father’s imagination. The son of man has nothing of heavenly principalities or thrones of power. All these things submit to the Son of God. If any power that has no authority over the son of man tries to reign over or oppress, that spirit can be rebuked by the Word, in the name of the Son of God. We speak in the Name of the Son, who holds all authority in the Name of His Father. This is the restoration not only as the son of man, but also as an adopted child of God. The man Jesus of Nazareth took on the spirit of the son of man, to perfect the spirit of man, broken by the fall. He spoke the Father’s Word with all authority, as He is also confirmed to be the Son of God by His Resurrection. Romans 1: 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. For mankind to be partakers of the Son of God, the son of man had to be glorified. John 12:23 But Jesus answered them, saying, The hour has come that the son of man should be glorified. By the obedience of the faithful and true Son of God, the spirit of the son of man has been perfected. Hebrews 5: 8 Though He was a son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. The Son of God is glorified in His resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the throne of God. The son of man was glorified at the cross. John 13:31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, Now the son of man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. We can now live our lives in Christ to the glory of the Father. Philippians 2: 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Let's look at what the Word of God says about the poor just in Isaiah! Isaiah 3:13 The Lord stands up to plead, and stands to judge the people. 14 The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. 15 What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts. 10: 1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; 2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! 3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? 11: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 14: 30 And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant. 32 What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. 25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: Isaiah 32:7 Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans. To destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? The poor, the afflicted, the down-trodden, the oppressed, fatherless and widows will always have a place in the Father's heart.

Psalm 72: 1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with justice. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He shall judge the poor of the people, He shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. This statement is one of the most passionate of many scriptures that describes Our Father God's heart towards those who are oppressed by a minority who control the wealth, resources, and might of a people. Psalm 82: 1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.(rulers) 2 How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them from the hand of the wicked. The Testimony of the Law and the Prophets is that the afflicted ones are God's special people, and the righteous judgment of the Son will bring them justice. Righteous Judgment is not limited to deliverance for the victims, but demands punishment for the oppressor. With that in mind, I am proposing a Reformation from the Traditional View of Judgment. Many Christians believe that only people who confess Christ are saved, and that everyone else is damned to hell. No surprise that many have found this doctrine offensive and have forged an alternative Universal Reconciliation doctrine in which everyone is saved. I will now contend that both are flawed. In fairness, I will dismiss the Traditional View first. The Lord has shown me in my prayers and intercessions that the weakness of this doctrine results from a failure to rightly comprehend the doctrine of election, and predestination by the foreknowledge of God. The Gospel is clearly about identifying the elect sons and daughters of God, those who will fully commit to serving Him in His Kingdom. When the New Covenant speaks of those few who enter the Kingdom of God, the elect, this is being established in this lifetime, beginning with the apostles, and those who will reign with Christ in His Kingdom and is made up of both Jews and gentiles. And who will they reign over? Those specially chosen by the heart of the Father's Love, as is clearly established in the Law and the prophets: the poor, the afflicted, the oppressed, the widow and the orphan, and for the sake of the Patriarchs, natural Israel. At this late time let us simply observe what is happening in the world that is fulfilling the Word. I have contended for years that it is the wicked and cruel oppressors of mankind who will be condemned by Christ, and deliverance will come to all who call on God. The massive damnation of mankind for any unbeliever lays fertile ground for the alternative Universalist View. This is equally flawed by their inclusion of the wicked oppressors who will be destroyed by the Lord. So let us evaluate the present. We have heard that 10% of the world's population controls over 90% of the world's resources. This puts western Christians in particular who are directly engaged in the propagandized military industrial complex in a most precarious position. Another 10% of the world by statistics are living in extreme poverty. The other 80% can be generically referred to as "The World", and most sit in a position other than being a believer in the Gospel. But as a global tyranny arises, the upper echelon who controls the world will move from 10% towards what many are already saying is a 1%, "the world" will finally begin to seek deliverance. It is in this end time scenario that Joel writes "all who call on the God of Israel will be saved". This has clear and impressive results. Revelation 7: 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, to our God forever and ever. Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, Sir, you know. So he said to me, “These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." In conclusion, most would agree that we all, brothers and sisters, live in precarious, perilous times. If you feel that you are among the elect, then press into the Kingdom, start manifesting the sons and daughters of God to a groaning creation that is being pushed to the brink.

Reference is to the foundation, upon which the church is built. Ephesians 2: 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Matthew 7: 24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

One example, The man's authority to annul vows made by his wife or daughter without his blessing. This is "time sensitive". Numbers 30:1-16 3 Or if a woman makes a vow to the Lord, and binds by some agreement while in her father’s house in her youth, 4 and her father hears her vow and the agreement by which she has bound herself, and her father holds his peace, then all her vows shall stand, and every agreement with which she has bound herself shall stand. 5 But if her father overrules her on the day that he hears, then none of her vows nor her agreements by which she has bound herself shall stand; and the Lord will release her, because her father overruled her. Speaking generally, anyplace where someone is said to be in authority, those who abide under that authority are under "the covering" of that authority. Paul kept the congregations that he was responsible for under the covering of his anointing, through his steadfast commitment to prayer. Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Never underestimate the power that results from the prayers of the faithful, the elders of the congregation, and especially wives and mothers, by abiding under the spiritual authority ordained in the Lord. This is the empowering of the Gospel, humble in submission>victorious in power Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

You are reading into the narrative that Paul was commanded to NOT go to Jerusalem. He is instructed by the Spirit, and the prophet Agabus as well, that prison awaits his arrival. He was never instructed NOT to go. His journey is made "bound by the Spirit", and ordained for the Lord's purpose, which the Holy Spirit would never oppose. Acts 9: 15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake. At no time does Paul renounce being a Jew, or instruct Jews that they were to do so. This was a false accusation made against his ministry that the brethren in Jerusalem tried to undo. Acts 21: 20 You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. This is inaccurate. What does it mean to void a vow? This is something a man could do against a vow made by His wife or daughter. Numbers 30 The Lord condemned a variety of practices and traditions that involved swearing oaths. Matthew 5:37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. The one Paul participates in is the Nazarite Vow prescribed by the Law. He does this for the stated reason, to show that he observed the Torah Ecclesiastes 5:5 Better is it that you should not vow, than that thou should vow and not pay. Vows are made in many ways and circumstances, James advises to refrain from such practices. James 5:5 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. There is no testimony that Paul ever opposed the Spirit, or refuse His words. He was bound by the Spirit to do so, as it was the Lord's stated intent for him to present his testimony before the thrones of kings in Jerusalem. Acts 9 Again, the words of the prophet were given as a warning that Paul had already received by the Spirit. There is no command to refrain from traveling to Jerusalem! Because he was forbidden to go. He is never forbidden to travel to Jerusalem. He delivered the offerings collected for the saints by the Greek congregations. He was bound in the Spirit to testify before the brethren, the elders of Jerusalem, both the Pharisees and Sadducees, which included the High priest and his brothers, and the secular kings and queens present in Jerusalem during the time of his detention.

The apostle Paul gives this testimony to the Ephesian elders: Acts 20: 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Paul is en route to Jerusalem when he stops over in Caesarea at the home of Philip the evangelist, when the prophet Agabus arrives and makes this prophecy: Acts 21: 10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Since Paul has already made it clear that he is aware of what awaits him in Jerusalem, what is the predictive value of the prophet’s words? They are directed to the others present. Going deeper into the narrative, we can ask, what is God’s purpose for sending the prophet to speak these words? Consider the reaction of those who heard. 12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. So now ask yourself, what if Paul had been moved by their entreaties and delayed going to Jerusalem. God could very well send someone else, and Paul’s ministry could have ended in Caesarea. Thankfully, the others recognized his resolve and accepted his words. 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. So we can see that God uses the prophet to test the resolve of his servants. This was presented previously in the OT in what I found to be a very sad narrative. The Message of the Man of God 1 Kings 13 1 And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the Lord, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. 2 Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar! Thus says the Lord: Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you. 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the Lord has spoken: Surely the altar shall split apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured out. 4 So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, Arrest him! Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself. 5 The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord. 6 Then the king answered and said to the man of God, Please entreat the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me. So the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and became as before. 7 Then the king said to the man of God, Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward. 8 But the man of God said to the king, If you were to give me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. 9 For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came. 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way he came to Bethel. 11 Now an old prophet dwelt in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel; they also told their father the words which he had spoken to the king. 12 And their father said to them, which way did he go? For his sons had seen which way the man of God went who came from Judah. 13 Then he said to his sons, Saddle the donkey for me. So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it, 14 and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak. Then he said to him, Are you the man of God who came from Judah? And he said, I am. 15 Then he said to him, Come home with me and eat bread. 16 And he said, I cannot return with you nor go in with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. 17 For I have been told by the word of the Lord, You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came. 18 He said to him, I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with you to your house, so that he may eat bread and drink water. He was lying to him. 19 So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water. 20 Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; 21 and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, Thus says the Lord: Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, 22 but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the Lord said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water, your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers. 23 So it was, after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, the prophet whom he had brought back. 24 When he was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his corpse was thrown on the road, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the corpse. 25 And there, men passed by and saw the corpse thrown on the road, and the lion standing by the corpse. Then they went and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. 26 Now when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard it, he said, “It is the man of God who was disobedient to the word of the Lord. Therefore the Lord has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to him.” 27 And he spoke to his sons, saying, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled it. 28 Then he went and found his corpse thrown on the road, and the donkey and the lion standing by the corpse. The lion had not eaten the corpse nor torn the donkey. 29 And the prophet took up the corpse of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. So the old prophet came to the city to mourn, and to bury him. Then he laid the corpse in his own tomb; and they mourned over him, saying, “Alas, my brother!”

This stark contrast of worldly activity should provide a reference for ease in comprehending the meaning of sanctification! 1 Thessalonians 4: 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.

Mark 10:15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. Immediately after making this statement, the Lord and His disciples are approached by the rich young ruler, who inquires as to the way to inherit eternal life. Verses 17-22. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! Trust in the way of mammon undermines child-like faith, by which we enter the kingdom. Acts 14: 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Tribulations prove the child-like faith to enter the kingdom of God. 1 Peter 1: 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will lead us to desperate circumstances as necessary to break self-confidence. 2 Corinthians 1:9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. One of the biggest failings of a believer is to not acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing us to the circumstances that strengthens our bond of trust. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Psalms 121:8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in: From this time forth, and even forevermore. How would you describe your "going out and your coming in"? Here is an instruction from Leviticus: Leviticus 18: 1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: I am the Lord your God. 3 According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. 4 You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. Christians are said to be brought "out of the world", but what are they brought into? A megachurch environment? A home fellowship? A traditional denomination? Is there a point in common with these instructions? Matthew 23:3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. The context for this is the Pharisees and Moses seat. But many people enter the faith and into a church only to immediately find fault with the leadership and members of the church. There is no perfect church, because the church is people. It takes faith to abide in where the Lord places. "Look unto the Lord, maker of heaven and earth". "And grow in grace". Were the Israelites not forever ‘coming out’ of Egypt? It is a Memorial of the Torah every seven days! Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that thou were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought you out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded you to keep the Sabbath. In regards to your going out and coming in, are you in a wilderness trek to "a promised land", or returning to the tents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? The "promised land" of course is the age to come: 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. In this age, we live as "strangers and sojourners". Hebrews 11: 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul....

Deuteronomy 31: 19 Now therefore, write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel. 20 When I have brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey, of which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them; and they will provoke Me and break My covenant. 21 Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of their descendants, for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them. 24 So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: 26 Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there as a witness against you. Joshua Brings Witness Against The Congregation Joshua 24: 19 But Joshua said to the people, You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good. 21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord! 22 So Joshua said to the people, You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord for yourselves, to serve Him. And they said, We are Witnesses. The Witness of Samuel 1 Samuel 12: 3 Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you. 4 And they said, You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand. 5 Then he said to them, The Lord witness against you, and His anointed witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand. And they answered, We are Witnesses. 6 Then Samuel said to the people, It is the Lord who raised up Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. 7 Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord which He did to you and your fathers. 14 If you fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God. Covenant With David As A Faithful Witness Psalms 89: 35 Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: 36 His seed shall endure forever and his throne as the sun before Me; 37 It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky. Selah The Sure Mercies of David Isaiah 55: 3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David. 4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people. The witness of the apostle Paul Acts 13: 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. The Glory of Yahshua, King of kings, and Lord of Lords Psalms 21: 1 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah 3 For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. 4 He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—Length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great in Your salvation; Honor and majesty You have placed upon him. 6 For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the Lord, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.

John 11:40 Jesus said to her, Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God? To be among the elect is to be a witness in the midst of the circumstances that God the Father has so ordained. You are there as necessary to testify on behalf of His Name, and the gospel of His Son, Christ Jesus. Isaiah 43: 10 You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior. 12 I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, and not foreign among you; Therefore you are My witnesses, says the Lord, that I am God. The faithful receive that glimpse into Glory, witnessed by Peter and James, John and Paul, and even Steven. Acts 7: 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! Steven’s Witness earned him a standing ovation! The apostle John's testimony is true to the Word of Life, found in Christ alone. 1 John 1: 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— There are false teachers who make claims that a statement by one apostolic witness contradicts the testimony of the son of man Christ Jesus. Their efforts are directed towards discrediting the witness of their Acts and letters. This is the working of a reprobate mind. If there is an apparent contradiction, the issue is with human logic and reasoning. We are informed by the mind of Christ and the Spirit of truth, that there is always at least one additional testimony that can be called upon to bring clarity. Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. To this end we have been assured and so informed: “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1 Matthew 18: 15 Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ As established in the Law concerning witnesses Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. You Are My Witnesses Isaiah 44: 6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the First and I am the Last. Besides Me there is no God. 7 And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them. 8 Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not.

Ezekiel 14: 22 Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their means. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. 23 And they will comfort you, when you see their ways and their means; and you shall know that I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it, says the Lord God. derek aliylah=ways and means This Word informs us that the remnant will demonstrate a right way of living based on pure intentions from a heart directed by the Lord. Not just the ways that the people accomplish, but also the means by which they fulfill them. When people see their works, they will be comforted that God is still with the people, even in the face of great catastrophe or hardship. The Brenton Septuagint renders this expression ‘their ways and their thoughts’, the emphasis on the reasoning behind the action being expressed. Psalms 99:8 You answered them, O Lord our God: you were a God that forgave them, though You took vengeance of their inventions. Rather than ‘inventions’ for aliylah here , most modern translations state ‘misdeeds’. The Septuagint is translated by Brenton as ‘devices’. Simply punishing deeds without correcting the faulty reasoning behind the acts would accomplish very little. The Lord desires to lead in the right way. 1 Samuel 2:3 Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth. For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him aliylah is assessed.

The Blessing of Joseph: Genesis 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. To be separated for the Lord’s Purpose led Joseph to this conclusion concerning his past experiences Genesis 45: 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God… This is to know and to love Him Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. After walking in the Lord’s Purpose, we see His Life forming Christ in us, and this Way of Life in our making convinces us that we were His from the beginning. Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace… He who has saved us has also called us for His Own Purpose 2 Timothy 1:9 Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. Our Inheritance obtained in accordance with His Will Ephesians 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His Will. Separated for the Eternal Inheritance of the sons and daughters of God 2 Corinthians 6: 17 Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. 18 I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

A Vivid Description of a Walk of Faith Matthew 6: 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Proverbs 30: 7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die) 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. At first glance, the wisdom of Agur is to avoid the extremes of poverty and wealth. However, being full and denying the Lord is hardly a description of great prosperity. Simply forgetting to be thankful for our blessings fits the bill. Neither does it take great poverty for someone to turn to stealing. Many wealthy people have experienced a downturn in fortunes and resorted to fraud, embezzlement and other criminal activity to maintain the lavish lifestyle they had grown accustomed. Clearly, this not a condition of the pocketbook, but a spiritual condition of the heart. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. 1 Timothy 6: 6 Now godliness with contentment is a great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. "Remove falsehood and lies far from me" The lies of the enemy are not contradictions, they are subtle modifications that defile the purity of God's Word. Proverbs 30: 5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you are found to be a liar. This is the Law... Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. And this is the final word... Revelation 22: 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and the things which are written in this book. "Godliness with contentment" requires trust in His faithful Word Philippians 4: 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 50:24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from hence. [H6485]-pakad=to visit; [H6486]-pekuddah=visitation The Israelites for 400 years in Egypt clung to this prophetic promise from Joseph. This covenant oath between Joseph and the people continued as a memorial and became the words used by God to introduce Moses as their deliverer. The fulfillment of this promise becomes a remembrance of the Lord and is prominent in the narrative. Exodus 3:16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt”. Exodus 4:31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped. Exodus 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.” The Good News in the Old Testament Job 10:12 You have granted me life and favor, and your visitation has preserved my spirit. A deeper comprehension of this word is needed to fully grasp the statement: “your visitation has preserved my spirit”. Pakad appears 90 times in the book we call Numbers, and is the basis for using this title. The first four chapters recall a series of censuses that the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to take of the Congregation. Numbers 1:2 Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; 3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. Verse 2 describes a numerical count “take the sum” and is a head count. “By the polls” literally means “by the skulls”. Verse 3 uses the word pakad, “number them by their armies”. So then what is the relationship between “to visit”, and “to number” when the word pakad appears? The word more accurately means “to make an assessment”; to observe to determine the mental, physical, and spiritual condition. The key here is the phrase “that are able to go forth to war”. More than simply a head count, it is a skills and abilities assessment. And so in Exodus 4:31, “He looked upon affliction”. The visitation is concerned with the state of being. This correct understanding of visitation forms the basis for ministry and fellowship. James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. This verse does not limit ministry to orphans and widows, but to all who are oppressed, with these two as prominent examples from the Law. Visitation also aids in defining the role of leadership within the Congregation. Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Remembering the words of Christ: John 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Many translations use “your care”, rather than “your visitation”. This must be clarified to include the understanding that the visitation can result in discipline, and even judgment. For example; Jeremiah 10:15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. And so this is found in the New Testament Luke 19:43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 4 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because “you did not know the time of your visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God on the day of visitation.

Joshua 24:31 Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the Lord which He had done for Israel. Before Messiah Yeshua came to earth, this time prior to the falling away in the Judges era would be the Golden Age of Israel as viewed from a heavenly perspective. This is profoundly demonstrated here. Nehemiah 8:17 So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness. This also gives us a unique lesson in faith from an Old Testament narrative. This period stands out by a complete lack of description for the era. One verse! One statement! 2 Corinthians 4:18 For we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. In the absence of a narrative, we have to believe that God’s Word is True, without a testimony for confirmation. For if Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, AND all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, then we must believe that they lived under the blessings promised for them when faithful. Deuteronomy 28: 1 Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Clearly, the people did not abide under the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 long enough to see themselves set over all nations of the earth. However, as a people who served the Lord for a generation, the blessings would have been tangible. Even more so, after using only 14 verses to describe the blessings of a faithful people, Deuteronomy 28 goes on to use over 50 verses to describe the curses to be brought on by disobedience! Surely this generation avoided all of these calamities. By faith, we must believe that life was more bountiful for Israel at this time than any other. Because: Numbers 23:19 God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? What stands out immediately even from this scant information is that even after the leader Joshua passed away, the elders of his generation were able to keep the people walking in the Way of the Lord, without a central figure. We can now contrast this period with the time of the monarchy of Israel. There was no king in Israel, and there was no intention in the heart of God for there ever to be one. When the elders demanded a king from Samuel, he received this word from God; 1 Samuel 8:7 And the Lord said to Samuel, Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.