The unnamed warrior

 Christ in all the scriptures

Are you with us??   Joshua 5v13-15

Joshua chapter 6 is the historical drama of the battle of Jericho.  We shall see that no other conflict is like it in the annals of military history.  Little wonder, then, it is prefaced by a pre-incarnate Divine appearance.  There is no doubt that the unnamed man with the drawn sword is none other than Christ Himself.  We know that for He accepted worship from Joshua (v14/15), and no angel accepts worship (refer Revelation 22v8/9-all in heaven know that God alone is worshipped).  The Lord appeared in person to Joshua before his greatest battle.

"And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our enemies?  And He said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.  And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto Him, What saith my lord (the word is adon meaning sovereign lord and master) unto His servant?  And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from of thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.  And Joshua did so". 

Joshua knew this was the Lord in human form.  This is one of many such appearances of our Lord before He came as the babe of Bethlehem, and the Man of Calvary.  He came with sword drawn, and this places the narrative beyond the historical into the eschatological, for the bible ends with Him coming in battle mode (Revelation 19).  Brothers and sisters, this catapults the battle of Jericho into the last days when Christ will come to take the world for God.  We will find comparisons and contrasts, and the story applies way beyond the taking of Jericho.  There are a number of pre-incarnate appearances, which run from Genesis to the prophecy of Zechariah, which we can now consider.  They are called Christophanies, and are temporary manifestations of Christ before He came in flesh.

1) To Hagar as the Angel of the Lord to comfort her in her exile from the family, and to predict the future for her and her seed- Genesis 16v7-16.  Her understanding of it was in the proclamation, "Thou God seest me"

2) To Abram and Sarah in human form, with two angels also in human form, at the plain of Mamre.  He revealed the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which the two angels would enact-Genesis 18/19.  It was the Lord who appeared but seen as a man.  No less than 12 times in chapter 18, the title Lord occurs.

3) To Jacob at Peniel, when an unidentified man wrestled with him after separating from Esau.  Jacob's take on this was "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved"-Genesis 32v24-30.

4) To Moses at the burning bush, as the Angel of the Lord--"Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look upon God"-Exodus 3.  He revealed Himself as the great "I AM" who would deliver Israel.

5) To Joshua on the borders of Jericho, as he was preparing for battle.  He appeared as an unnamed man, later identified as "Captain of the host of the Lord"-Joshua 5v13/15.

6) To Gideon as the Angel of the Lord, immediately prior to the conflict with the Midianites, over whom they were assured of victory-Judges 6v7-40.

7) To Manoah's wife as the angel of the Lord to predict the birth of Samson who would free Israel from Philistine bondage-Judges 13.

8) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego as the fourth man in the burning fiery furnace, where the flames did not touch them.  This was at a crucial time for exiled Israel, and the fourth man was said to be "like unto the Son of God"-Daniel 3v13-30.

9) To Daniel as the Angel of God to preserve him from certain death in the lion's den-Daniel 6v10-28.

10) To Joshua the high priest as the Angel of the Lord confronting and rebuking Satan in the temple of worship-Zechariah 3.

Over approx. 1,400 years, the Lord appeared in person to many people in difficult circumstances, spanning the course of Israel's history.  The particular appearance to Joshua, the military commander, on the verge of the battle of Jericho, makes fascinating reading.  Not knowing who the man was, Joshua asked, Are you with us or with our enemies?  The answer, "Nay, but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come".  This turned the dialogue full circle.  It was as if to say, if you knew who I was, I should be asking you Are you with me?  On the cusp of a major battle Joshua is learning that without the Lord's presence, all actions will fail.  He would learn that in a short time when they moved without the Lord they were defeated (chapter 7v1-6).  The reason was there was sin in the camp and the Lord will not work with them.  He is holy and requires the same from His people.  

We know, today, that God is with us: the real question is, Are we with Him?  He is the captain of the host of the Lord and He requires humility and holiness if we are to be overcomers in a corrupt world.  He is Lord, and must be seen to be Lord.  We do well to ask if our practises conform to the Lordship of Christ, or if in reality He is Lord in name only.

Preparation for conquest

 Christ in all the scriptures

Gilgal   Joshua chapter 5

"And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you.  Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day"-Joshua 5v8.

This is a pivotal time in Israel's history.  Gilgal became synonymous with repentance, refreshment, and revival.   The name means "rolling" or "rolling away", possibly a reference to the circle of stones from the Jordan, representing all the tribes of Israel, set as a monument to the power and presence of God among them.  This marks Gilgal as a new beginning for the nation as they entered the promised land.  The reproach of Egypt, having been slaves for four centuries, followed by aimless wandering for forty years, must have weighed very heavily on the people, but now it is in the past, and their future is the promised land. 

They had the fear factor to their credit, because the sight of several million over their border, particularly after the demonstrations of Divine power, instilled the fear of God in the inhabitants.  However they did not proceed. immediately,  with the invasion for they were not quite ready.  The chapter is all about preparation of heart before they proceed.  Three whole days they were made to wait, while there were flaws in the camp that needed correction.  A modern day comparison would be that before engaging a gospel campaign, for which Divine power is indispensable, we should deal with internal problems that exist.  There is no point in going forward when the Lord is not with us us in the exercise, for He is holy, and requires His warriors to be also.

The chapter divides readily into three sections, dealing with the deficiencies in their midst.

1)  The covenant of circumcision Joshua 5v2-9

2)  The celebration of the Passover  Joshua 5v10-12

4)  The commander of the Lord's armies  Joshua 5v13-15

The covenant of circumcision   5v2-9   The generation which came out of Egypt had all passed on in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb.  It seems clear that the rite of circumcision had been abandoned in the wilderness, whether because of living conditions, or of rebellion, or both.  The second generation were uncircumcised, and according to the covenant with Abraham was a necessary part of their relationship with God (Genesis 17v9-12.  For forty years this had not been done, and must now be rectified if the Lord would go with them.  It seems absurd that an army facing the challenges of war would be asked to be so incapacitated, but they had to learn dependence on the Lord and not in their own power. Many struggle, today with the spiritual meaning of circumcision, but it is simply the cutting off of the flesh, symbolising the casting off of the works of sinful flesh as defined in Galatians 5v19-21.  It is important we understand that our faith in God demands a removal of these tendencies if we are to serve Him.  A study of each facet of what we are in the flesh, and a removal of those features that apply to us, would answer to biblical circumcision.

The celebration of the Passover  5v10-12   This was the first celebration of the Passover in the promised land.  It took place before they engaged in warfare, thus prioritising worship as the primary function of their existence.  Every tear, on the 14th day of the month Nisan they were to keep the memorial feast, recalling the slaying of the Lamb, and the application of the blood to avoid the vengeance of God against human sin.  This was followed by the eating of unleavened cakes, made from the old corn of the land, thus uniting Israel with the land in fellowship with the Lord.  The Manna, which had been their staple desert food for 40 years was now ceased and they fed on the good corn of the land.  Associated with the Passover was the eating of unleavened bread, in this case unleavened cakes.  In modern language, Christ did not die for our sins on the cross to enable us to continue in sin.  The application is made in 1st Corinthians 5v7/8 

"For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth".

Observance of our memorial occasions should have a moral effect on us.

The commander of the Lord of hosts  5v13-15    This pre-incarnate appearance of Christ to the commander of Israel's armies was crucial to their success.  Great military commander that he was (and Joshua had proved his military prowess against Amalek when Moses appointed him as commander-Exodus 17v8/16), yet he had to learn who it was who controlled the Divine conquests, without whom every one would fail.  Not knowing who He was, Joshua asked the wrong question, but he quickly realised he was in the presence of Divine majesty.  With a drawn sword in His hand, the Divine visitor revealed that He was "the captain of the host of the Lord".  Only one person could claim to be that and He controlled the armies of heaven.

When Jesus was on earth, He proclaimed that He had at His disposal "12 legions of angels"-(Matthew 26v53).  These were myriads of angels ready for war in the cause of God.  In Revelation 19v11-15, when He returns to earth, He commands the armies of heaven and appears with a drawn sword, He is ready for war in a time yet to come.  Joshua had to learn, as we have to learn, that all conquest is futile without the Captain of the army being present.  Joshua bowed his head and his heart in reverent worship, as we should do, acknowledging that any victory is because of Him!  Hr has already stripped the demonic powers at Calvary (Colossians 2v15);  He is the "captain of our salvation leading us to glory".  It was necessary for Joshua to understand His Lordship in principle and practice.  It is also necessary for us to know who is Lord if we are to be overcomers for Him.

Divinely inspired memorials

 Christ in all the scriptures

Memorials    Joshua chapter 4

Great historical events call for tangible and visible memorials.  Passing on experience to rising generations is of paramount importance.   The bible calls them "Ancient Landmarks" which are not to be removed.  Many such memorials were raised in connection with God's dealings with Israel.  Such a memorial was set up at the crossing of Jordan.  We can, profitably, mark the historical memorials of the bible:

1)  God's covenant with Noah and every living creature on earth, by the rainbow in the cloud, guaranteeing that there will be no more flood to destroy the earth- Genesis 9v8-17. 

2)  The day of the Passover in Egypt, an event never to be forgotten, and remembered each year on the same day   Exodus 12v14-17.

3) The altar named Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord our banner) to commemorate victory over Amalek, with whom the Lord will have war in every generation-Exodus 17v14-16.  This was written n a book to be rehearsed in the ears of Joshua and all the people.

4)  The annual collection of the "atonement money", gathered each year for the maintenance of the priesthood and Levitical service-Exodus 30v11-16.

5)  The Holy feast day of the memorial of the blowing of trumpets, on the first day of the seventh month each year-Leviticus 23v24/25.  This was the start of the Jewish new (civil year).  It was also a commemoration of their journey from Egypt to the promised land.

6)  The spoils of war collected and held in the tabernacle of the congregation as a memorial for the children of Israel of their conquests-Numbers 31v54.

7) The crossing of the Jordan was marked by the erection of twelve large stones, representing the twelve tribes-Joshua 4vv1-10.  These stones were set up at Gilgal for a remembrance, where the story of the miraculous crossing of Jordan would be repeated in all generations.  Joshua also erected 12 stones in the midst of Jordan, which would become visible when the river was low. 

So important was the establishment of the nation in their God given land that each stage was set as a memorial for all generations.

In the New Testament, there is one divinely instituted memorial, which is observed by Christian believers today.  

It was instituted by the Lord, Luke 22v19-20, "And He took bread, and gave thanks , and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood which is shed for you."  Refer also Matthew 26v26-29 and Mark 14v22-25

It was practised by the early Church, Acts 2v42, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."  Note the repetition of "in the" in the original, therefore referring to an official gathering for a set purpose; making it read, "in the apostle's doctrine, in the fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers".  This distinguishes it from Acts 2v46 where it simply means having a meal together.  Refer also Acts 20v7, the gathering at Troas, 

"And upon the first (day is omitted in the original) of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow...".  

This corresponds to the morn of the resurrection (Matthew 28v1; Mark 16v2; Luke 24v1; John 20v1 and v19.  It is referred to in 1st Corinthians 16v2 as a regular weekly gathering when they came together.  As well as the breaking of bread, they were to give their contributions to the work on the same occasion.

It was taught  in the epistles  1st Corinthians 10v16-17, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?  The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  For we being many are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread".  

The practice was local, but Paul expands it to global, for the same memorial is enacted worldwide.  In 1st Corinthians 11v23/25, He establishes the principle that is to take place without sectarian division,

"For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament (covenant) in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me".  

This sacred memorial, which has been practised nigh on 2000 years, is described as "The Lord's Supper (11v20).  It is the most sacred occasion when Christians across the world meet on the first of every week, to commemorate the Lord's death, and resurrection on our behalf.

In Israel, what commenced as a Divine Institution, degenerated into a ritual run by humans. The sacred worship of the one true God, became occasions for idolatrous behaviour.  Refer Job 13v12; Isaiah 1v10-15; 57v8.  Jesus, quoting Isaiah 29, said to the hypocrite Pharisees, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"-Matthew 15v8/9.  In like manner, a sacred Divine institution has degenerated to a man made fellowship.  This is evident by sectarian practices that refuse fellowship to the Lord's people.  The memorial is for all God's people, not only those who are in our particular branch of the Church.  When Joshua instituted the memorial stones at the crossing of Jordan, there was one stone for each of the twelve tribes.  In like manner, as we have already quoted Paul said, "There is one bread and one body, and we are all partakers of that one bread".  The late Harry Lacey, author of the book, "God and the nations", posted in the Precious Seed magazine (1953, I believe) the following, "Refusal of fellowship to any of the Lord's people, whether for worship or for ministry, involves denial that they are the people of God".  Current practice in many local churches denies the truth of one bread and one body.  Sure there are biblical restrictions, but these are on extreme grounds of serious moral or doctrinal departure, not on sectarian distinction.  The Corinthians were guilty of schisms and party spirit at the solemn gathering within the church at Corinth (1st Corinthians 11v17-29).  Today our schisms are inter church and do not reflect the truth of God.  Have we tarnished a sacred memorial by man made rules, leading to a Phariseeical, vain kind of worship?

There is no more sacred occasion on earth than to remember the Lord, in fellowship with all His people worldwide.  We should not be using such a solemn occasion to perpetuate sectarian differences.  The Apostle Peter, in his second epistle, wrote "To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ".  That is the apostle said that the faith of other believers was of equal value to the faith of the apostles, and it was precious in the sight of God.  Faith is not measured by our status or achievements, but in the worth of the object of faith, that is Christ.  To bring it into present practice, the faith of the Baptists is of equal value to the Presbyterians, as is the Methodist to the Brethren, as is the Charismatics to the Mission Halls, etc. etc. and all in relation to each other.  There are true believers in many mainline churches whose faith is of equal value to ours.  It may be difficult to change practices, but out of respect for the Lord we should change attitudes.  May our solemn memorials be for His glory!   This memorial, which is a proclamation of the Lord's death, should be free from human rules, and out of heart worship to Himself. 

Crossing the Jordan

 Christ in all the scriptures

The miracle of the Jordan    Joshua chapter 3

"Crossing the Jordan", the subject of many a hymn, and of many sermons, but how are we to understand it?  I suppose the one way to introduce it is to ask the question, believer, have you crossed the Jordan yet?  You have definitely left Egypt (spiritually), and crossed the Red Sea (spiritually), but have you crossed the Jordan?  It is not an easy question to answer, for the teaching on this has been somewhat confusing, yet we must understand the beauty of it.

Much of hymnology, and some commentaries would characterise it as physical death, the passing from this life to the next.  However, precious as that would be, when they crossed they were in immediate conflict, and there is no conflict in heaven.

To understand it, we first make some observations of the river Jordan, which plays a vital role in the history of Israel.  "Jordan" in Hebrew, is Yarden, and is derived from the verb Yardah which means to "descend".  Geographers tell us that the Jordan is sourced from the snow capped Mount Hermon, which is 9,200 feet at its peak, and meanders down to the Sea of Galilee which is 680 feet below sea level, and ultimately pours into the Dead Sea which is 1420 feet below sea level.  The picture is clear that the Jordan is permanently descending downward, and ends in the Dead Sea!  If ever there is a picture of fallen humanity this is it!

Picture the scene, 3 million people, plus their animals, standing on the borders of the promised land, and the fast flowing Jordan bars their way!  There is no bridge nor ferries to transport them, and, another factor is that it is the time of harvest when the Jordan overflows its banks.  Yet the Lord demanded His people to cross!

We are about to read of a miracle of mammoth proportions, that has spiritual implications down to the present day.  If the Red Sea speaks of the death of Christ, separating us from our bondage in Egypt, and escape from the pursuing enemy from Egypt; crossing the Jordan speaks of the resurrection of Christ initiating us into a new life, leaving behind years of disobedience and distrust and self will, moving into the realm of obedience and trust to enjoy rest in the promised land.

Notice, they moved from Shittim (the place of Acacia Groves) to the waters edge of the Jordan.  They moved out of their comfort zone.  After 3 days (it was on the third day He rose again) they were summoned to follow the Ark of the Covenant (symbolic of Christ).  They were to follow at a distance of 2000 cubits (approx. 1 kilometre).  No matter the nearness to God they were to remain a little apart for reverence to His holy character.  We have been reconciled to God, but that nearness is not to issue in familiarity,  Also the distance would ensure that all the people could see the Ark to follow it.  They marched in order with the Ark leading them.  The feet of the priests carrying the Ark touched the edge of the fast flowing Jordan, and the waters rose up in a heap, and were stayed; the waters cascading toward the Dead Sea dried up, and the people passed over to the other side.

The narrative says that God performed a gravity defying miracle, heaping up the waters some 18 miles north of Jericho, where Israel were congregated the other side of the river.  He made sure that the cities Adam and Zaretan were unaffected by the spray (the name Adam in this miracle is notable!)  The Ark of the covenant stood in the midst of the dried up Jordan, while the people, every last one of them, passed over on dry land.

Thus the relatively new congregation of Israel were witness to the God of Miracles.  Why would they ever doubt His ability or intention to prosper them.  He was also the God of Covenant Promise, symbolised in the Ark, which led them over.

So what is the crossing of Jordan all about?  God did not redeem Israel from Egypt to have them wandering aimlessly in a wilderness.  He saved them to prosper them, that they would enter into blessing.  The miracle of the Red Sea delivered them from Egypt: the miracle of the Jordan brought them into the promised land.  Out of Egypt, not to a no man's land, but into the promised land.  Spiritually speaking the same is true of all believers today.  Taken from one manner of life into another (better) life.  God did not save us to deny us a good life, He saved us to "walk in newness of life". 

it took Israel 40 years after their redemption to enter into the goodness of the Promised land.  We might well ask, how long has it taken us?  Crossing the Jordan is progress: it meant new challenges, but it is progress.  The New Testament is replete with this principle.  Rather than stagnating in a world of vacuum, we are to enter into the enjoyment of the blessings God has for us.  

This will mean casting off the shackles of the old life, and entering into the freedom of the new.

1st Peter 2v1/2 "Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby".

Hebrews 6v1 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection".

Ephesians 4v22/23 "That ye put off concerning the former conversation (manner of life) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts".

This will mean going to war against (not the people of the world) but against our own propensity to live like them

Colossians 3v5/7 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience, in which ye also walked some time when ye lived in them".

Crossing Jordan means entering into the possession of all that we have in Christ, but it will involve putting away the things of the old life.  Each of us must decide what that means for ourselves.

The Jordan is not death, but moving on to a better life. The promised land is not heaven, but heaven on earth!  Believer, are you there yet?  Such progress would revolutionise our churches today!

Remember. the Lord Himself was baptised in the Jordan, and it was from there John the Baptist initiated the revival which issued in thousands being saved in the early church.  The Jordan is very significant in scripture.

The remarkable faith of Rahab

 Christ in all the scriptures

The remarkable faith of Rahab the harlot      Joshua chapter 2

This is a truly amazing conversion story, almost unparalleled in holy scripture.  Only the Spirit of God could put together a narrative like this!  Israel, with their several million migrants are on the borders of Canaan, with the command to possess it and displace the depraved inhabitants.  As we have seen, this is the fulfilment of a 900 year old prophecy, and, later, a revelation to Abram that God would give this people time (400 years) to change their ways.  In the event they did not, and God knew from the beginning they would not (for He knows everything, including future events), and in fact their iniquity. had reached a level intolerable to God.  He now stands at their door, and the judgment is pronounced.  The Canaanites are to suffer Divine retribution.

Yet, remarkably, He begins with the conversion of a Canaanite woman!!  Not only so, but a woman who was an harlot, who earned her living by prostitution!   She is referred to as "Rahab the harlot"-Joshua 2v1; Joshua 6v25; Hebrews 11v31; James 2v25.  Four times over we are reminded what she was before God saved her.  The bible does not hide the depths of shame of individuals.  It is hardly surprising, for she grew up in a depraved society, where sin was rampant.  We must take a breath here to understand the great truth of God's salvation, which is freely available to all regardless of our past.

Firstly we note that God may condemn whole communities, but save individuals out of it.  There is such a thing as a "national trait", usually perverse, but God deals with us individually.  She lived in a perverse community, in Jericho, capital of Canaanite idolatry and debauchery.  Her faith in God is all the more remarkable because of it.  The bible draws attention to her outstanding faith:

In a chapter, displaying the history of faith through the ages (Hebrews 11), she is one of only two women who are named.  The other is Sarah, a godly woman who remained faithful all her life, and the harlot Rahab.  Both women are marked out as having outstanding faith. 

When James describes the faith of Abraham, the father of all who believe, he illustrates the reality of it by citing Rahab.  She stands with Sarah and also with Abraham as an example of notable faith leading to justification before God-James 2v21-25.

She appears as an ancestor of Jesus Christ in the genealogy of Matthew (1v5).  She went from being a marginalised outsider, living an immoral life, to propagating the genealogical line that would issue in the birth of Christ, the Saviour of the world.   She is a key factor in the history of salvation to this day.  She remained faithful to Israel and her family were also saved, as it says in Joshua 6v25, "And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho".

She risked her life by harbouring the spies, and releasing them to safety.  She is an example of faith in action, not just mental assent, but real belief in God in practical terms.  An insight into her inward belief, is given in Joshua 2v9/11,...

"She said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land (which was more than most of Israel knew) and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you...for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath".

Rahab stands as a beacon of faith for all today:

She heard of the ways of God with Israel and she believed.  Paul wrote in Romans 10v17, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God".  She opened her heart to God.

She knew that the gods of her people were false and she trusted the God of Israel.

She acted on her faith by receiving the spies of Israel, shielding them from harm, and releasing them from danger back to their leader.

She persuaded her wider family to join her in this life of faith.

When the Lord destroyed Jericho, she remained calm in her untouched home, trusting in God.

She joined the host of Joshua and became a mother in Israel and gave birth to Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, who is symbolic of Christ.

She stands in holy scripture as a woman of great courage and belief in the true God.

She was a woman of low morals living in a nation under the curse of God.  Her remarkable faith exalted her to become a woman of great honour who is mentioned alongside the greatest believers.  This is what the grace and power of God can do in a life trapped in sin.

What will be my story? and will I happily proclaim it to my nearest and dearest?

She risked her life for God's people.  We know that He gave His life for us.

This is what the grace of God can do in a person's life.  No matter your family or your country, or your personal weakness, God can lift you to the heights of honour, in the words of the song...

"Lord lift me up and let me stand, By faith on heaven's table land; A higher plain than I have found, Lord plant my feet on higher ground".  by Johnson Oatman jr.  (1856-1926)

God is saving idolators, harlots, and worse, today; somewhere in the world stories like Rahab abound and will be told endlessly in the great beyond.  

Our great God begins a campaign of judgment against the ungodly by saving a believing family/ Blessed be His name!  

Spiritual warfare

 Christ in all the scriptures

Spiritual warfare   Joshua chapter 1

The book of Joshua corresponds to the New Testament epistle to the Ephesians.  Believers today are no longer involved in land grab or physical warfare.  The conflict we face is spiritual, unseen, but nevertheless very real.  One division of the epistle has been given, based on Moses' words in Deuteronomy 1v8, "Behold I have set the land before you (corresponding to Ephesians 1-3), go in and possess the land...(corresponding to Ephesians 4-6).  This brings us into conflict with powerful enemies stated in Ephesians 6v10-13.  Unseen, yet very real enemies who will use every form of  deception to destroy our peace.  They cannot touch our relationship with God, but they can rob us of the enjoyment of spiritual life (the enjoyment of the land in O/T terms).  This section opens in Ephesians 6v10, "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" and mirrors Joshua chapter 1, where four times over the people are advised "to be strong and of a good courage"-Joshua 1v6, v7, v9, and v18.

This brings us to a most important aspect of spiritual life today.  God did not redeem Israel from Egypt to leave them in a barren wilderness, but to possess "the land flowing with milk and honey", and enjoy its fruits.  However, there are enemies in the land that are too great for us, and we must rely on the strength of the Lord.  Thus we must adopt a war mentality while in this world as is evident throughout the New Testament.

The land equates to the "heavenly" places in Ephesians-1v3; 1v20; 2v6; 3v10; 6v12.  In that land there are spiritual riches that we can enjoy-1v7; 1v18; 2v4 and 2v7; 3v8; 3v16.  However, there are also the spiritual powers of wickedness, seeking to destroy our fellowship with God, and the enjoyment of our blessing.  So we must be aware, and alert to stand in the strength of the Lord.  As Paul says in Ephesians chapter 3v16, "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man".   The conflict today is not of land or material things, but of spiritual riches for the enjoyment of the things of God.  We are reconciled to God according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1v7).  We are empowered by God to enjoy riches this world cannot supply, according to the riches of His glory (Ephesians 3v16-20).  The O/T land, in N/T terms, is not heaven, for in heaven there is no conflict.  The land is heaven upon earth for us to enjoy.

Spiritual life is not for the fainthearted, we need courage to possess our benefits now.  Paul writes to Timothy, his younger brother in Christ.   "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare"-1st Timothy 1v18; again   "Thou therefore be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ..."-2nd Timothy 2v1-4.  The enemy is not the people around us but the unseen powers of spiritual wickedness with their false doctrines, and satanically inspired wicked ways.  We must not allow these to rob us of our Divine inheritance.

Joshua was told in chapter 1v3 how to possess the land, "Every place that the sole of your feet shall tread upon, that I have given unto you, as I said unto Moses".   To walk on it was to possess it, and Paul spells this out in Ephesians for us...walk on the land!

Walk worthy of the calling    Ephesians 4v1

Walk not as other Gentiles in the vanity of their mind   Ephesians 4v17

Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us   Ephesians 5v2

Walk as children of light  Ephesians 5v8

Walk circumspectly. not as fools but as wise   Ephesians 5v15

All this will demand strength and courage with the help of the Lord to possess the rich land. 

The conquest of Canaan

 Christ in all the scriptures

Joshua-the conquest of Canaan  (overview chapters 1-24)

The book is a record of the military conquest of Israel, led by Joshua, to take possession of the land of Canaan.  This was commanded by God to fulfil His covenant promise to Abraham (Genesis 12v1/3; 13v14/17; 15v18/21; again in Genesis 17v7/8; 22v2; 28v13; Deuteronomy 34v5; Joshua 1v2/4 etc. etc.).  Repeatedly, throughout their journeys, God re-iterated His promise of a land to a people who had spent over four centuries in exile, and, at that, in servile bondage.  In the book of Deuteronomy, alone, "the land" occurs more than 100 times.  When God makes a covenant, He will fulfil it regardless of the passage of time.  Centuries are as nothing to an eternal God, who transcends time.  For those who need to be persuaded today that this land belongs to Israel by Divine decree, they should consider that this covenant was made almost 4,000 years ago, is established by Divine power, and is recognised by most to be the home of Israel.

Now the time has come, Israel stand on the borders of the land and they are to take possession of it.  

Chapters 1-5       Preparation for conquest

Chapters 6-12     Possession of the land

Chapters 13-22   Process of land distribution

Chapters 23-24   Pastoring of the nation

There are many sceptics and infidels who will point to this book as evidence that religion causes wars.  They point out that the God of Israel commanded genocide on the Canaanites.  This is true, according to Deuteronomy 20v16/18 and other scriptures.  The Lord did command the extermination of the inhabitants of the land.  Horrified as some are, we must not judge the Lord by human standards.  There are two outstanding factors, if we are to fully understand the reality of this: 1) the unfettered  sovereignty of God, and 2) the unique suffering of God. 

The sovereignty of God

In a world devoid of absolutes, the God of heaven rules without question.  The angels of His presence never question or challenge Him, so why would mere mortals criticise His actions?God has a right to do whatever He pleases (Psalm 115v3).  If He chooses to be done with one people, no one can question it, or challenge it.  There are hundreds of thousands of deaths every single day, and it is God who gives life and it is God who takes it away.  He brought a flood on the world of the ungodly (Genesis 6/7; He destroyed the cities of the plain (Genesis 19).  Consider the following: Acts 17v24, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth..."-refer also Acts 14v15.  Daniel the prophet declared, "...that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will..."-Daniel 4v17.  Kingdoms rise and fall at His decree, and no one dare oppose it.

The suffering of God

The Canaanites were a depraved people, indulging in rank idolatry, ritual prostitution and child sacrifice, according to the historians.  God knew this would be their character, and pronounced a curse on Canaan, even before he was born (Genesis 9v25).  This was approx. 900 years before Joshua entered Canaan to effect the extermination.  In Genesis 15v13-16, at the covenant with Abraham, God declared that the seed of Abraham (Israel) would suffer affliction in Egypt for 400 years, but after that they would come out.  The reason He left them so long in bondage was given as, "Because the iniquity of the Amorite was not yet full".  The term Amorite refers to the descendants of  Canaan (refer Genesis 10v15-20).  Let us grasp what this is saying!  God knew 900 years before that Canaan would be a bad lot.  For 400 years he kept His people in bondage in Egypt to allow the iniquity of the Amorite to come to a head, to the point where God would no longer tolerate it.  When Joshua stood on the borders of Canaan, their time was up.  Centuries of iniquity, unacceptable to God, had been allowed to pass, and He would now act without mercy.  Truly He is a God who is slow to anger, who gave this nation time to repent, but they never did.  The time has now come to bring their depravity to an end.  He suffered long their ways, now it must end.

Joshua was commissioned by God to possess the land and exterminate the inhabitants (refer Exodus 23v25-33).  The land promised to Abraham and the forefathers would become the dwelling place of Israel, God's chosen people.

The link to Jesus is obvious...Joshua means "the salvation of Jehovah", and points to Jesus.  The name Jesus is from the Hebrew Jehoshua, meaning "Jehovah Saviour".  The story of Joshua is intertwined with the story of Jesus.  In fact Joshua did not fully possess the land, as is documented several times throughout the book.  What Joshua failed to do in one land, Jesus will do in all lands of the earth.  He will exterminate all evil and reign in righteousness, as Psalm 72, prophetically declares, "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth".

Our heavenly Joshua is coming to remove all evil from this world and usher in a new dawn, when His people can dwell in peace.

The home call of Moses

 Christ in all the scriptures

God calls His servant Moses home    Deuteronomy 34

He was the vice regent of Egypt; the man God commissioned at the burning bush; the powerful leader who released Israel from centuries of bondage; the lawgiver who established the Divine worship; the pastor/shepherd who led his people to the promised land; the prophet like no other who knew God face to face.

He is introduced at the end as, simply, "Moses the servant of the Lord".   That is as high an accolade that it gets, even the angels describe themselves as "fellow servants"-Rev. 22v9.

"So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord"-34v5.

His passing from this world was unique, just as his life was unique.  Famous world leader that he was, yet he was buried alone, without any human present at his burial.  We know that Satan was present, as was the archangel Michael, who "contended with the devil, disputing about the body of Moses"-Jude v9.  No doubt the devil wanted to make his passing public, to create some hero worship.  That is the way of the world who make gods of mere mortals.  The most powerful man, who ever lived in close communion with God, died alone, with no one present, and his burial site is unknown to this day.  Men have said, foolishly, that "you can judge a man by the number of people at his funeral" (I quote what was said several times in my hearing in church gatherings).  John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said, "Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11v11): his funeral was attended by a few disciples (Matthew 14v12).  Moses the greatest prophet and spiritual leader (Deuteronomy 34v10-12), was buried by the archangel with the devil in dispute.   And what about Jesus, who was lovingly taken by the hands from a Roman cross, by two godly men, and buried away from the public gaze.  No one but His loyal disciples would see Him, e'er He left this world for the glory of heaven.

The phrase used, "Moses died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord", deserves attention.  The word of the Lord is "the mouth of the Lord", and the Rabbis say this can stand the translation, "by the kiss of the Lord".  It seems God kissed him to sleep!  Verse 7 says, "Moses was an hundred and twenty years old, when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated".  He did not die of old age, nor of illness, He died by the kiss of the Lord.  The man who wrote in Psalm 90v10, that life expectancy was seventy years, and if by strength, eighty years, lived to 120!  He commenced service for God when the strongest people die.  God preserved him 40 years to serve Him, and when He took him it was by Divine caress!

His life is divided into three periods of 40 years: 40 years in the palace of Egypt learning the wisdom of Egypt; 40 years in the wilderness of Midian learning the ways of God; 40 years with the people of God learning the wonder of God.  As others have put it, he learned he was somebody; then he learned he was a nobody; then he learned God was everything who could do great things with nobodies.

He found God at Mount Horeb as he pastored sheep (Exodus 3v1).  He saw God on Mount Sinai as he led Israel to the promised land (Exodus 24v9-18).  He died by the mouth of the Lord on Pisgah, of Mount Nebo.  Moses lived his life in the heights and died there.  Great man, though he was, he was denied entry into the land, but was allowed to see it from the height of Pisgah.  This must have been a supernatural vision for there is no possible vision as described of the entire land even from Pisgah, 4,000 ft. up.  Something of the nature of the supernatural vision of Christ in the temptation scene in the wilderness must have taken place here.  Great man, though he was, he was not perfect, and his imperfection points only to the perfection of Christ who is the only One who can truly finish the work.  May we be suitably humbled by this!

Moses was great in his humility   He really longed to enter the promised land but the Lord denied it to him (Deuteronomy 3v24/26).  He did not question the Lord again, but, in obedience to His will, he walked silently to the top of Mount Nebo.  One word was enough for Moses who accepted God's command.  The Divine author notes that "the (noble) man, Moses, was very meek, above all the (ordinary) men which were upon the face of the earth"-Numbers 12v3.  This is in the context of family criticism.  So humble was he that he let the Lord speak for him.  When the Lord restrained him from entering the land, he obeyed without question.

Moses faith was great  

The details are in Hebrews 11v23-29.  He was born into a family of faith; when he came of age he relinquished the opportunity to be Pharoah over all Egypt.  He did so by choice, one which involved giving up a life of luxury and power.  This was because he esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.  He endured the affliction this brought to him by a permanent vision of the invisible God,  By faith he forsook Egypt and returned to keep the Passover, which freed his nation, then led the, through the Red Sea, miraculously parting the waves to cross to the Sinai desert.  This great man of faith led Israel for 40 years, tending to their needs, chiding them for failure, and suffering their criticism and rebellion for the space of 40 years, during all of which he was past the normal life expectancy.

Moses loyalty to God was great  Hebrews 3v3 records that "Moses was faithful in all God's house", a description that will surely challenge every one of us.  He spoke only the words of God.  He applied them in difficult situations, even those affecting his closest family.  God is faithful to us, we must ask, how does He view our loyalty to Him?  God attested to this in Numbers 12v7/8, He says "My servant Moses...with him I will speak face to face".  When Moses spoke, it was the direct words of God; he did not compromise for the sake of popularity.  

Moses foresight was great   He knew his time would come to an end, and he prepared and trained the young Joshua to continue the work.  Joshua was present at Sinai, and all the way through.  The spiritual baton was passed, and Joshua took over the work on the promise of God, that, "As I have been with Moses, so will I be with you"--Joshua 1v5.  

And so an amazing life ends, but he will be back.  He appeared in the transfiguration with Elijah, and they both shall return as untouchable witnesses during the time of Israel's greatest trouble (refer Revelation chapter 11).

The God of Jeshurun

 Christ in all the scriptures

The incomparable God of Jeshurun  Deuteronomy 33v26-29

"There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in His excellency on the sky.  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say, Destroy"-Deut. 33v26

The God of Jeshurun is the One true God who has made  a people upright before Him.  He does so by judicially, and positionally making them right with Himself.  He could only do this because of the blood of the Paschal Lamb sacrificed in Egypt.  The Lamb points to Christ, the Son of God, who was sacrificed for the sins of the world.  Israel were anything but morally perfect, but they were judiciously so by Divine grace.  In the course of time they will be morally so by His Divine power.  What other entity called God could redeem fallen humanity by His own sacrifice for their sins.  The world concept of God is of One superior, sovereign, majestic, making demands on lesser beings; one who is remote, transcendent, all powerful, capricious.  The God who makes human beings perfect in His sight by His own personal humiliation and sacrifice is greater than all.  To the worldly wise this is foolishness, but to those who are saved He is Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1st Corinthians 1v24).  There is none like the God of Jeshurun!

Not only does He save them, He keeps them:

He rides on the heaven in their help   Moses uses poetic language to describe God's activity in the help of His people.  "He rides on the heavens".  the Psalmist pictures God on a chariot bestriding the extremities of the universe in the interests of His people, Psalm 68v4. "Extol Him that rideth upon the heavens (the desolate places-the extremities of the universe) by His name JAH, and rejoice before Him...".  There is not one cubic metre in all of space where He is not active to help His people in need, like the fatherless and the widows.

He rides in the majesty of His Person  As supreme ruler, creator and sustainer of all creation, He moves everywhere, is aware of all things, and He is active at all times.  He commands an innumerable host of angelic beings, which are at our help whenever we need Him.  All in existence, including the evil spirits who occupy space are subject to Him.  Let this wonder enthral us.

He is the refuge of all His people in the face of troubles   He is the eternal God, He has spanned all time and beyond,  He will be present and active forever.  Such an One is our refuge, the One to whom we can flee and rest when necessary'  We cannot fall so far down beyond the everlasting arms which hold us.  All those who oppose us has God to deal with.  God's righteous people enjoy the ultimate security.  Refuge can be translated "dwelling place"-a place where they live (as in Psalm 90v1, "Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations").

He has no comparison in all existence.  His people are the most privileged on earth.  God is their helper, their home, and their warrior.  C. H. Spurgeon put it like this, "He is around them (eternally present); He goes before them (in battle); and He is underneath them when they fall (the everlasting arms).

"Israel then shall dwell in safety alone; the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew."  Deut. 33v28

Unlike the present situation, when Israel (for the most part) is in denial of Jesus as Messiah, in the day when they repent and turn to the Lord, they shall dwell in safety, without outside help: they will be secure, and also sustained with the best of food and drink, and thrive with the dew of the heavens watering and enhancing their produce.  Genesis 27v28 defines the function of the dew from heaven as that which produces "the fatness of earth and the abundance of corn and wine".  Not only are they secure but they are sustained in the best that earth can provide.

"Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee?, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency, and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread their high places?" Deut. 33v29

They are secured; they are sustained; and they are satisfied!  They are a people like no other people, just as their God is like no other God.  They are happy, safe, saved by the Lord, defended, victorious, and prosperous.  Everything that men on earth strive for (but never achieve) will be theirs through simple faith in the glorious God of Jeshurun!  Scripture goes on to reveal that through their temporary fall, salvation will come to the nations, which, as we know is now a blessed fact!  They (Israel) will return one day in numbers, and the blessings of scripture will follow, and will usher in a period of prosperity, never seen before in all history.  The best is yet to come for the faithful.  Until then, the Lord bless you all in your corner of the world that is about to change forever!!

The twelve tribes part 2

 Christ in all the scriptures

Continued blessings of the twelve tribes    Deuteronomy 33v13-25

Joseph   v13-17   "And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath". 

The most space is devoted to Joseph, and the blessing is ultimately given to his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (v17).   Numerically, the sons of Joseph were larger than any of the other ten tribes, and their land mass was also greater.  The blessings are of the land, referring to rain from heaven, dew on the ground, and springs of water underneath, producing unlimited fruit and grain.  How fitting it is that Joseph, who supplied bread to the nations in a time of famine, should be blessed by providing food for his own people!  In this he symbolises Christ who is the "true bread from heaven" (John 6v32); "the bread of God which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world " (John 6v33); "the bread of life" (John 6v35 and v48); "the living bread which came down from heaven" (John 6v51) .  This is amazing enough in material terms, but when applied to spiritual life is even greater.  According to v17 the influence of the sons of Joseph will be majestic (his glory like the firstling of the bullock- the highest form of land animal for food); they will be powerful and will extend their authority to the ends of the earth ("horns like the horns of unicorns; with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth"),  This confirms Jacob's prophecy on Joseph (Genesis 49v22) that his fruitfulness would extend beyond the borders of Israel.  Ephraim would be the more powerful of the two tribes.

Zebulon and Issachar   v18/19  "And of Zebulon he said Rejoice, Zebulon in thy going out; and Issachar, in thy tents.  They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas; and of the treasures hid in the sand". 

Zebulon and Issachar are called to rejoice, and they will have cause to rejoice, because the Lord will prosper them in their trade,  Zebulon will be seafaring traders, and outgoing in character; Issachar will be tent dwellers working the land (refer Genesis 49v13-15).  They both had the same mother and dwelt in close union.  Zebulon is predicted to attract foreigners away from idolatry to worship the true God and they will enjoy the "abundance of the seas, and the treasures hid in in the sand".  It is thought that Zebulon traded in the produce of shellfish, notably the purple dye used in fine clothing;  also they used the sand to make glass products for all.  There is no evidence in biblical history that this kind of prosperity was ever achieved, but today the Port of Haifa, on the coast of Zebulon and Issachar, has become an important maritime hub for export yielding great riches for Israel.  This modern fulfilment of predicted riches underlines the veracity of Divine decrees spanning centuries of time.  Haifa is Israel's largest seaport, handling an estimated 30 million tons of cargo each year and employing many people.  No wonder they were called to rejoice!  Well might our faith be strengthened as we consider that God's plans for Israel transcend the ages of time!

Gad  v20/21  "And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.  And he provided the first part for himself, because, there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the judgment of the Lord, and His judgments with Israel".

The Gadites were a fierce people in combat, who, when invaded, overcame their enemies (Genesis 49v19).  Moses refer to the one who would enlarge Gad, presumably in land mass and population.  Only the Lord can do this, and Gad became defenders on the east border of Israel, as well as fighting the cause of all the tribes in their conflicts.  1st Chronicles 12v8 confirms this, "And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David in the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains".  The Lord blessed them who were prepared to war for the national cause.  He describes them as lions, (or more accurate as lionesses) who sought and obtained provision and security for their tribe.  They became the most loyal and dependable of all the tribes, who exercised justice and judgment in Israel.  Gad would be an overcomer, a noble achievement in the face of adversity.  The same was said of our Lord who "overcame the world" (John 16v33), and of the churches in Revelation 2/3.  Paul wrote of true believers in Romans 8v37, "...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us".

Dan  v22  "And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan".

Jacob predicted that Dan would judge his people, a possible reference to Samson who judged Israel in opposition to the Philistines.  Little else is recorded of Dan, save that he abandoned the strip of land allotted to him in the south west.  Instead he invaded Laish in the north, and settled there.  Perhaps the reference "he shall leap from Bashan" alludes to this.  Little of a complimentary nature is reported of him, and little is said of him.  His father said he would be "a serpent by the way", one who not only went astray but was troublesome to others.  What we do know is that he is omitted from the list of tribes in the end times.  He fell into idolatry and practiced it publicly.  This is a sharp reminder of the potential to apostasy amongst God's people.  There are those posing as the people of God, but their lives deny it.  Unlike Gad, Dan succumbed to their enemies and migrated north, leading to rank idolatry and ultimate spiritual failure.

Naphtali   v23  "O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full of the blessing of the Lord: possess thou the west and the south". 

Naphtali means "my wrestling" and refers to the struggles of life.  In no one is this more illustrated than Christ in His life and death on earth.   Jacob said "Naphtali is a hind let loose; he giveth goodly words"-Genesis 49v21; apparently a better rendering is "Naphtali is a hind (deer) let loose who spawns beautiful fawns".  In Psalm 22, in the title, reference is made to Aijeleth Shahar, which means "hind of the dawn".  The picture is of the hind which has struggled all night to escape predators, and is set free to leap and dance in freedom when the dawn comes.  Naphtali, being the most northerly of the tribes, was always first to be attacked by the marauding neighbours, and knew endless struggles.  She will be set free in a picture of the resurrection of Christ.  A study of Psalm 22 presents this twin picture of Christ's trauma on the cross (Psalm 22v1-21) and His triumph in resurrection (Psalm 22v22-31).  Moses depicts Naphtali as "satisfied and full of the blessing of the Lord".  She shall possess the west and south of her allotted territory without fear of her enemies.

Asher  v24/25  "let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.  Thy shoes shall be of brass and iron; and as thy days so shall thy strength be".

Asher means happy or blessed, and is a synonym for the well being of the whole nation.  Moses predicts their posterity (blessed with children); their popularity (acceptable to his brethren); and prosperity (he shall dip his foot in oil- a reference to the olive trees in abundance in their land).  Together with Genesis 49v20 this blessing indicates prosperity and abundance as well as national unity.  Wealth, fertility and favour marked the tribe of Asher.  Their allotted territory, described in Joshua 19v24-31, was known for its rich soil, olive oil, and agricultural abundance.  What a lovely picture of a community of God's people!

And so each tribe was named and blessed, and their corporate significance to the entire world is evident, and will be more so in the future,  God said to Abraham in Genesis 12v2-3, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed".  Genesis 17v6, "And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee; Genesis 18v18, "Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him"; Genesis 22v18, "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice".

It was Israel who brought Christ to the world (Romans 9v5); it is Israel who will rule the world through Christ (Revelation 14v1 and others).  All today who oppose Israel are opposing God, and there is only one outcome to that.  

 

  

The twelve tribes

 Christ in all the scriptures

The blessings of the twelve tribes   Deuteronomy 33v6-25

A few observations:

Talk of "lost tribes" is devoid of wisdom.  Scriptures, to the end, establish the twelve tribes as a permanent entity.  James writes to "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad"-James 1v1.  Scattered they may be at present, but they will be gathered by Divine power, and they will reign over the earth in the future-Matthew 24v31; Romans 11v12; Deuteronomy 28v1 etc.  They become powerful witnesses in a day yet future-Revelation 7v1-8.  Their names are on the 12 gates of the city, the New Jerusalem-Revelation 21v12.

There are times some names are omitted for disciplinary reasons, and the order in which they appear can change.  The tribe of Simeon is omitted in this chapter.  They were part of the couple of tribes Simeon and Levi, who committed the atrocity against the people of Shechem, one of whom had defiled their sister.  The comment by their father Jacob in Genesis 49 was, "Cursed be their anger for it was fierce, and their wrath that it was cruel".  He described them as "instruments of cruelty in their habitations".  Scripture is clear that "The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God".  Angry men are not used by God. Levi repented and were reinstated for their loyalty to serve as priests, but they were denied land inheritance in Israel.  Simeon remained vengeful and were diminished, ultimately being joined to Judah.  Their numbers declined from 59,300 men of war in Numbers 1, to 22,200 in Numbers 26, almost 40 years later.  However in the future, according to Revelation chapter 7, they are included in the list of tribes witnessing for God.  Earthly failure does not mean ultimate loss.

A comparison between Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33 reveals the following:

Genesis 49 is by a father to his sons: Deuteronomy 33 is by a spiritual leader to the tribes.

Genesis 49 is prophetic in nature and predicts good and bad: Deuteronomy 33 is prayerful in nature and promises only good.

The predictions and prayers are, and will be, fulfilled to the letter.  An Omniscient God, knows all things, and He is also Omnipotent to secure their future.  He is the God of Covenant promise, and nothing and no one can alter His decrees.

God's blessing does not assume freedom from problems, nor does it preclude the blessed from personal responsibility.  What it does is overcome problems and inspires holiness.  The failures of men are in contrast to the perfections of Christ the Messiah.

Reuben  v6 "Let Reuben live and not die; and let not his men be few".  Reuben was firstborn in Israel who disgraced his father (Genesis 49).  This gave him authority and influence over the twelve tribes, but he lost that status.  Christ is firstborn in all creation (Colossians 1v15) and in the Church (Colossians 1v18 with Romans 8v29), He glorified His Father.  Reuben will survive, rather than thrive.  Christ presides over numberless saints with unfettered authority....Psalm 89v27, "I will make Him my first born higher than the kings of the earth".  The lesson of Reuben is that past failure does not negate future mercy, for Divine mercy in Christ is complete.  

Judah  v7  "Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies".  

Judah is promoted above Reuben (Genesis 49 and Revelation 7v5) and is given the sceptre and the staff (symbolic of spiritual rule-Genesis 49v10) until Shiloh come (Christ the Messiah-literally "He whose right it is to rule").  It was out of Judah Christ came (Hebrews 7v14) and when He comes again He will reign supreme.  Judah means praise and Moses calls on the Lord to hear the praise of His people, to make provision for their needs and to protect them from their enemies.  Judah will prosper and overcome all enemies.  Christ is the "Lion of Judah, the Root of David" who will open the seven seals of Judgment on a rebellious world-Revelation 5v5

Levi  v8-11  "...Bless, Lord, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again".

Jacob cursed the brutality of Simeon and Levi, and the Lord separated them.  However Levi recovered and stood for God in the matter of the golden calf in Exodus 32v25-28.  This they did in the sight of all Israel and the Lord rewarded them with priestly and support roles.  They alone were in close relationship with God (the Urim and Thummim, God made the "covenant of Levi" as promotion and recognition (refer Malachi2v5/8, "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.  For the priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts").  The Levites became teachers of God's law, and officiators of the sacrificial offerings, a status of great honour and of responsibility.  This honour points to the priesthood of Christ who is of a superior order (that of Melchisedek) who presides over the teaching and worshipful service of all His people.

Benjamin  v12 "And of Benjamin he said, the beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him, and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders".

Benjamin was Jacob's youngest son, born to his beloved  Rachel, who died giving birth.  Before her death, she named him Benoni (son of my sorrow); Jacob named him Benjamin (son of my right hand)  Thus Benjamin always held a special place in Jacob's heart, and the rest of the brothers adored and protected him.  He was beloved of the family, and also beloved of the Lord.  All this points to Christ who was beloved of the Father God-at His baptism, Matthew 3v17; Mark 1v11; Luke 3v22: on the mount of transfiguration, Matthew 17v5; Mark 9v7; Luke 9v35.  Believers today are "accepted in the beloved"-Ephesians 1v6; in Colossians 1v13, we are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son (the Son of His love).  God loves many people but His special love is for His Son, and we are blessed in Him.  A special Son has a special place, and Christ fulfils the true meaning of Benjamin (Son of the right hand).  

Hebrews 1v3, "...when He had by Himself purged our sins (Benoni son of my sorrow) sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Benjamin, son of my right hand).

Colossians 3v1 "...above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God".

Ephesians 1v20, "Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavens".

Hebrews 8v1, "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens".

Hebrews 12v2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith; who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God".

The change from his father Jacob's description in Genesis 49v27 is remarkable.  There Jacob characterised him as a predatory wolf, and a relentless operator (day and night activity).  A similar trait is painted of Paul the apostle, who came from Benjamin in his unconverted days.  Acts 9v1 records "And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord..."; 1st Timothy 1v13, "Who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy , because I did it ignorantly and in unbelief". This is the same man who travelled land and sea, giving up a lucrative lifestyle to serve the Lord amongst His people.  Benjamin was the smallest tribe, yet out of them notable characters emerged: like Ehud, the left handed judge of Israel who delivered them from slavery to Eglon king of Moab (Judges 3v12-30; Saul the first king of Israel, strong in military prowess, yet who never seemed able to cast off his family trait (1st Samuel 9 onwards; Esther and Mordecai, who played a prominent role in Israel's release from foreign exile (the book of Esther); and Paul who wrote most of the New Testament epistles, and whose writings are authoritative even now.

The Divine view of Benjamin is given in this chapter; "The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him...".   All God's believing people are beloved of the Lord-refer Romans 1v7; Colossians 3v12; 1st John 3v1.  Intimacy with God and security from God are the twin thoughts here.  "...and the Lord shall cover him all the day long...".  Cover is surrounded, shielded, protected every hour of the day.  Beloved, are we aware of this Divine presence with us daily??  "...and he shall dwell between His shoulders".  The shoulders are symbolic of strength, and we are carried by Him, particularly when our strength is weak.  Remember the cameo in Luke 15v4/5; He found the lost sheep and carried it upon His shoulders.  Those strong shoulders of Christ is the resting place for every saint.  We recall Isaiah 9v6, where it says, "...and the government shall be upon His shoulder!"  The government of the whole world will be on His one shoulder; until then His people shall dwell between His shoulders.

To be continued.....

  

Divine blessings on the tribes of Israel

 Christ in all the scriptures

Blessed is the state of ultimate well being

As a young believer, growing up in a church community, and learning the ways of God, I was frustrated by biblical words which I did not understand, and no one explaining their meaning. Words like justification, redemption, reconciliation, predestination etc. were obviously wonderful words, but they were lost on me for the first decade of my spiritual life.  Knowing church culture as I do, it is no different today, and there is a need to illuminate the minds of believers as to the amazing meaning of these things, and the wonder of what we have been given.  It is fruitless to be parroting words with no understanding.  For this reason I want to preface the study of the blessings upon Israel in Deuteronomy 33v6-25 by considering the marvellous scriptural meaning of the word blessed. 

It is good for us to understand the depth of meaning of a word which is at the centre and circumference of Divine revelation.  We begin by focusing on the root words used, of which there are a number of variations.  The Hebrew word Barak occurs 330 times in O/T scripture and the Greek Makarios at least 50 times in N/T.  Furthermore , the first reference is in Genesis 1, the first chapter of the bible, and the final reference is in Revelation 22, the last chapter.  In the central book of the bible, the Psalms (Psalm 117 is the very centre in terms of chapters), there are over 100 references.  Psalm 1 begins with God blessing man, and Psalm 150 ends with man blessing God.

The root meaning of Barak is to kneel; it is a bestowal of Divine favour which causes us to bow the knee in humble adoration.  

The root meaning of Makarios is to enlarge or lengthen; it describes the favour of God which has increased our persona in the universe.  A kindred word Eulogetes which means "to speak well of" occurs 8 times in N/T.

Taken together, such is the favour of God upon us, it has both humbled us and exalted us to a new position entirely.  Blessing is conferred upon us beyond anything we have or are naturally.  When God blesses us, He extends His benefits to us, He enlarges His mercy toward us.  There is nothing small minded about God's grace to us, He enlarges us, He enriches us, He prospers us spiritually.  When Jesus uttered the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, He was not saying this is what you must do to be blessed, He was saying this is what you are because you are blessed!  Perhaps we should re read these blessings with this new perspective.  The Amplified version, translating Matthew 5v3, in attempting to extract the full meaning of Makarios, puts it like this, "Blessed (Happy, to be envied,, and spiritually prosperous-with life joy and satisfaction in God's favour and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".   Biblical scholars are agreed that this word can stand the translation, "Congratulations!" 

"Got questions.org" puts this in a lovely way: "the blessedness Jesus speaks of, rather than being a fleeting, transient, happiness, is a deep, abiding, unshakeable joy, rooted in the assurance of God's blessing in the present and in the future.  Life in the kingdom is one of profound joy and inner well being that no person or circumstance can take away.  They represent a counterculture, exhibiting values not welcomed by the world at large, but gladly embraced by every follower of Jesus Christ".

Blessing in scripture means Divine grace and favour bestowed upon mortals.  It is the state of ultimate well being, in contrast to cursing which is the permanent cessation of well being.  It also presumes the return of human blessing to the Divine as the fruit of reconciliation.  To be honoured by an earthly dignitary, or institution is sought after by not a few.  To be honoured by the Majesty of Heaven is the highest dignity we can possess.  This we have by simple and real faith in Christ.  It is important we fully understand how privileged and honoured we are as the recipients of Divine grace.  All this and more is intrinsic to the biblical word blessed.  Congratulations to all reading this who are blessed of God.  You have a status greater than you could ever imagine.  Even the angels of heaven will call you a fellow servant of the great God (Revelation 22v9).

This blessing does not presume the absence of worldly problems as the Beatitudes suggest.  There we read of humility, mourning, hunger and thirst within; also persecution from without in Matthew 5v3-12.  All these may come in abundance, but nothing can diminish the grace of God lavished on us, or the indescribable glory of the future.

The creation took place in the context of Divine blessing.  Everything was made to perfection, and He pronounced all good in Genesis 1v10; v12; v18;and all very good in v31.  In verse 28 He blessed the man and the woman and gave them dominion over all the work of His hands.  It was not until the fall of man in Genesis 3 that God pronounced a curse on the earth and all its inhabitants.   Fellowship with God brings blessing (ultimate well being that lasts forever): rebellion brings Divine curse that is irreversible.  Israel were taught the ways of blessing, and the ways of cursing, and God is the final arbiter. True belief in the Saviour brings God's approval in limitless favour: sham religion brings only the curse of God.  The 8 blessings of Matthew 5 (if we take the two relating to persecution as one) are in sharp contrast to the 8 woes of Matthew 23.  Examples of classic declarations of blessing in scripture are as follows: 

Genesis 12v2/3, God to Abraham, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee, and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed".

Ephesians1v3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with (better "in") every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ".

And on a personal level, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile"-Psalm 32v1/2.

Blessing in scripture means Divine favour bestowed on us from above that changes our destiny and character forever.  May we all live in the good of it, and the best is yet to come.

 

God with them

 Christ in all the scriptures

The God who blesses Israel      Deuteronomy 33v1-5

It is no coincidence that the chapter which details the blessings upon Israel (v6-25), begins and ends with God; the presence of God with them (v1-5), and the power of God for them (v26-29).  All blessings flow from God as redeemed people walk step in step with Him.  Moses ends his public service for God with blessings on Israel; Jesus begins His public ministry with blessings on His disciples (the beatitudes of Matthew 5v1-12).   

The Presence of God with them   33v1-5

"And he said, the Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them, He shined forth from mount Paran , and He came with ten thousands of saints...".

The description is amazing, for it likens God's majestic presence with them to the rising of the sun each and every day, as He displays His holy light in their midst.  Notice the progression: He came...He rose up...He shone forth!  From the darkness the sun comes each morning, it rises high at midday, and it shines forth its blazing light until dusk.  This is God's daily care over His people.  They are no longer in the darkness of the fall, they dwell in the brilliant rays of His sunshine.  Each day of their life, and every place they go. He mentions Sinai, Seir, and Paran, each one taking them closer to the promised land, at whose borders they now gathered.

The thought here is of progression; God's people are journeying to a better land.  Each place mentioned reflects the high point of the migration.  Sinai, the place of covenant promise: Seir, the place of Divine comfort and compensation following the rejection by Edom, the land of the descendants of Esau, the brother of their father Jacob: Paran the place of Divine care where He sustained them in wilderness conditions.  He appeared to them first at Sinai. when He descended among them and set a table on the mount.  He remained with them throughout the wilderness journey.  This reminds us of Jesus, who said to His apostles, "Lo, I am with you always (literally all the days), even unto the end of the age" (Matthew 28v20)

He was with them in glorious manifestation.  

"He came with ten thousands of His saints..." (saints is holy ones, the holy angels who dwell in His presence).    All the power of heaven is with them, note the repetition of this in scripture...Exodus 24v9-18; Daniel 7v9/10; Hebrews 12v11; Revelation 5v11.  The number 10,000 is the highest number in Hebrew, according to scholars; it is at least this number , but could be many more.  Myriads, countless, innumerable, are terms used to describe the angels of heaven who protect God's people.  Again this points to Jesus on the throne for His people, "All power (authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth"-Matthew 28v18.

He gave them holy instruction from His word, 

"...from His right hand went a fiery law for them...they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words".

Jesus said to His apostles, "...teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"-Matthew 28v20.  Fundamental to fellowship with God is obedience to His word.

He was with them in love, and the power of heaven was for their sanctification and protection

"Yea, He loved the people; all His saints are in thy hand...".  

The angels of heaven, who are "greater in power and might" (2nd Peter 2v11) than man, are at Jesus' disposal from the throne-refer Hebrews 1v13/14; Matthew 18v10; Matthew 26v53.  The love of Christ for His people, together with His protection of them are major themes in the bible.  His love for them is not mere sensual love, but sacrificial love for their eternal good, "Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it;  that He might sanctify and cleanse it through the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish"-Ephesians 5v25-27.

He was their royal majesty among them

"He was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes were gathered together".

What distinguishes God's people from all others is the majestic, authoritative, and blessed presence of a loving God among us.  This will be the theme at the end of the chapter.  Would that in all our gatherings we could be aware of this!