BEWARE OF IMPATIENCE!!! SHE CAN TAKE BLESSINGS FROM US...

 Why Didn't Moses Enter the Promised Land?

 

Moses did not enter the Promised Land because in a moment of impatience he did not take the Word of God properly. Consequently, he failed to recognize the holiness and glory of God before the people.

The biblical text that explains why Moses did not enter the Promised Land is recorded in the Pentateuch, in the Book of Numbers. The Bible says that once, during the wanderings of the people of Israel through the desert, there was no water to drink, and the Israelites were very angry.

Then quickly they began to murmur and to oppose Moses and Aaron. Ungrateful for the deliverance that God had given them by bringing them out of Egypt, and unbelieving even after so many demonstrations of God's power, the Israelites began to speak that Moses and Aaron should not have led them into the wilderness.

According to them, it would have been better to have stayed in Egypt rather than to die in the desert of hunger and thirst (Numbers 20:2-5). The truth is that whenever the Israelites encountered any difficulty, they complained to Moses and Aaron, questioned their leadership, and regretted not having remained in Egypt.

Moses' Sin and the Lord's Discipline

When the people complained, Moses and Aaron fell down at the door of the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. Then God commanded Moses to take the rod and, together with Aaron, gather the Israelite community. Before the people, they had to speak to a rock, because water would flow out of it to satisfy all the people and their flocks (Numbers 20:8).

The problem was that Moses and Aaron gathered the people together as the Lord commanded, but they acted recklessly. The biblical text records Moses' statement: "Hear now, you rebels, shall we bring water out of this rock and give it to you?" (Number 20:10). Then the biblical text of the Book of Numbers says that Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his rod, and water gushed out of the rock, quenching the thirst of the people and their flocks (Numbers 20:11).

Soon after Moses' reckless attitude, God's rebuke also followed. The Bible says that the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me to honor my holiness before the children of Israel, therefore you did not bring this people into the land that I have given them” (Numbers 20:12) .

 

Moses did not enter the Promised Land

The Lord's disciplining statement helps us understand why Moses did not enter the Promised Land. First, Moses let his impulse take the lead in his faith. When this happens, man is vulnerable to the point of failing at his strongest point. The Bible says that Moses was the meekest man on earth; but at that moment meekness justly lacked (Numbers 12:3).

Second, Moses did not obey the Lord's command. God had told him to speak to the rock, but he did it differently. He acted violently and struck the rock twice. Then, thirdly, by his attitude Moses was not only disobedient and impatient, but also dishonored the holiness of God before the Israelites.

This point is best understood in light of the rock symbolism in connection with the Lord. Earlier God had already symbolically identified himself with a smitten rock to quench the thirst of his people (Exodus 17:6). And the New Testament interprets the rock smitten by Moses at Mass as a figure of Christ who bore the punishment on behalf of God's people (1 Corinthians 10:4).

That is why later the attitude of Moses when he struck the rock with violence when God had told him to only speak to the rock, despised the deep meaning of the manifestation of the Lord and did not honor his holiness.

Consequently, Moses ended up usurping God's place by doing as he pleased. Before the entire congregation of Israel, Moses spoke as if he and Aaron were truly responsible for quenching the people's thirst by bringing water out of that rock. This means that he inevitably glorified himself instead of glorifying the Lord.

So considering all these factors, we can understand why Moses did not enter the Promised Land. Even the fact that God rebuked Aaron on the same occasion indicates that he was also involved in his brother's act.

SOURCE: https://estiloadoracao.com/por-que-moises-nao-entrou-na-terra-prometida/

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WARNING!!!

 THE SIN OF ACH: GREED SELFISHNESS, GREED AND DISOBEDIENCE

Joshua 7:1-24

New International Version

Achan's Sin and Its Consequences

1 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to consecrated things. Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zimri[a], the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took possession of some of them. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

2 It came to pass that Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and commanded them, “Go up and spy out the region.” The men went up and spied on Ai.

3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “It is not necessary for everyone to advance against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to attack it. Do not weary the whole army, for they are few.” 4 So about three thousand men attacked the city; but the men of Ai put them to flight, 5 killing thirty-six of them. They pursued the Israelites from the city gate to Sebarim[b], and wounded them on the way down. At this the people were completely discouraged.

6 Then Joshua tore his clothes with the elders of Israel, fell on his face before the ark of the LORD, covering his head with earth, and remained there until evening. 7 Then Joshua said, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did you bring this people across Jordan? Was it to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites and destroy us? If only we were content to continue on the other side of Jordan! 8 What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has been defeated by their enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the rest of the land will know about this, and they will surround us and eliminate our name from the land. What then will you do for your great name?”

10 The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you prostrate there? 11 Israel sinned. You have violated the covenant I commanded you. He took possession of consecrated things, stole them, hid them, and placed them with his possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot resist their enemies; flee from them because they have become worthy of their destruction. I will no longer be with you, unless you destroy from among you that which was consecrated to destruction.

13 “Go, sanctify the people! Say to them: Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: There are things devoted to destruction among you, O Israel. You will not be able to resist your enemies until you withdraw them.

14 “Report in the morning, one tribe at a time. The tribe the Lord chooses will come forward, one clan at a time; the clan the Lord chooses will come forward, one family at a time; and the family the Lord chooses will come forward, one man at a time. 15 Whoever is caught with the consecrated things will be burned in the fire with everything that belongs to him. He has violated the covenant of the Lord and committed madness in Israel!”

16 The next morning Joshua commanded the Israelites to come forward according to his tribes, and Judah was chosen. 17 The clans of Judah came forward, and he chose the Zerahites. He made the clan of the Zerahites come forward, family by family, and the chosen one was Zimri. 18 Joshua brought the family of Zimri forward, man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was chosen.

19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, to the glory of the Lord, the God of Israel, tell the truth. Tell me what you did; don't hide anything from me."

20 Achan replied, “It is true that I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I did: 21 When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak made in Babylon[c], four pounds of silver, and a six-hundred-gram bar of gold[d], I lusted after them and took possession of them. They are hidden on the floor of my tent, with the silver underneath.”

22 Joshua sent men who ran to Achan's tent; there were things hidden, with the silver underneath. 23 They took them out of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the Israelites, and they laid them before the LORD.

24 Then Joshua and all Israel took Achan, the great-grandson of Zerah, and his silver, his cloak, his bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had. belonged to the valley of Achor. 25 Joshua said, “Why have you brought this disaster on us? Today the Lord will bring you disgrace[e].” And all Israel stoned him, and afterward they stoned his also, and burned all and all of them with fire. 26 Over Achan they built a great heap of stones, which exists to this day. Then the Lord turned away from the fire of his wrath. That's why the name of the valley of Achor was given to that place, a name that remains to this day.

The “Achan Syndrome”

And he said to them, Beware and beware of covetousness; because the life of any man does not consist in the abundance of what he has (Luke 12:15 — Almeida Corrigida, Faithful to the Original Text, 2007).

Increasing wealth becomes a craze[1] for some. —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 490.

Additional Study: Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 493-498 (chapter 45: “The Fall of Jericho”); Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, pp. 489-495 (chapter 44: “Dishonesty in the Church”).

Biblical Year: Leviticus 8-10

1. THE CAUSE OF THE CURSE

A • Once Achan finally confessed his crime, after being identified by God as the culprit in Israel, how did Joshua act? Joshua 7:22 and 23.

Josh 7:22, 23 — Then Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and everything was hidden in his tent, and the silver was under the cloak. 23 They took those things from the middle of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the Israelites, and they laid them before the Lord.

B • Why was it so important that such sins be revealed? Proverbs 26:2.

Prov 26:2 — As a bird wanders, as a swallow flies, so the curse without cause will not come.

Achan well understood the meaning of what he had withheld, and that the gold and silver treasures he coveted belonged to the Lord. —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 269.

Achan's sin brought disaster to the entire nation. For one man's sin, God's displeasure will rest upon his church until the transgression is discovered and removed. The influence to be most feared by the church is not that of open opponents, infidels, and blasphemers, but that of those who incoherently profess Christ. These are the ones who hinder the blessing of the God of Israel and bring weakness to his people.

When the church is in trouble, when there is coldness and spiritual decline, giving way to the victory of the enemies of God, then, instead of folding their arms and lamenting their sad state, investigate the members if there is not an Achan in the camp. With humility and searching of heart, each one seeks to discover the hidden sins that exclude the presence of God. —Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 497.

 Biblical Year: Leviticus 11 and 12

2. ACAN IS RESPONSIBLE

A • What did God direct the people to do with Achan? Joshua 7:24, 25. Why is his end a warning to us who live so close to the end of probation?

Joshua 7:24, 25 - Then Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the descendant of Zerah, and the silver, the cloak, and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters, and his oxen, asses, and sheep. , and his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them into the valley of Achor. 25 And Joshua asked him, Why have you brought us disgrace? Today the Lord will bring disaster on you. And all Israel stoned him; they burned them in the fire and stoned them.

When a crisis finally comes, [...] and God speaks on behalf of His people, those who have sinned, who have been a cloud of darkness and an obstacle to God's work on behalf of His people, may even be alarmed that they have gone so far in grievances, and to have brought dismay to the cause. Like Achan, they may even recognize that they have sinned because of the terror they feel. But their confessions come too late, and are not of the kind that benefit them, even as they lighten the cause of God. These people do not confess because of a conviction of their true state and a sense of how offensive their conduct has been to God. —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 271.

There are many at present who would regard Achan's sin as of little account, and would excuse his crime; but it is because they do not have an understanding of the character of sin and its consequences, of the holiness of God and His requirements. It is often said that God is not exacting as to whether or not we pay heed to his word, or whether or not we obey all the commandments of his holy Law; but the record of his dealings with Achan should be a warning to us. In no way will God exonerate the guilty. —The Review and Herald, March 20, 1888.

B • How and why was Achan's end to be kept in memory? Joshua 7:26. What should this mean for us?

Josh 7:26 - And they raised a great heap of stones over it, which remains to this day. And the Lord turned away from the fierceness of his wrath. That's why to this day that place is called the valley of Achor.

Have you ever considered why all who were connected with Achan also received divine punishment? It is because they had not been trained and educated according to the instructions given in the great standard of the Law of God. Achan's parents had educated their son in such a way as to make him feel free to disobey the Word of the Lord. The principles imprinted in his life led him to deal with his own children in such a way that it also corrupted them. Minds act and react with each other, and the punishment that included Achan's family reveals the fact that everyone around him was involved in the transgression. —The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 2, p. 998.

 Biblical Year: Leviticus 13 and 14

3. THE SLUDGE OF GREED

A • What had drawn Achan to sin? James 1:13-15.

Jas 1:13-15 — When tempted, no one should say: I am tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and no one tempts. 14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, after being consummated, generates death.

Achan's covetousness was aroused by the sight of that costly Babylonian cloak; even when, for her sake, he was brought face to face with death, he called it “a good cloak” (Joshua 7:21). One sin had led to another, and he appropriated the silver and gold dedicated to the Lord's treasury—robbing God of the firstfruits of the land of Canaan.

The mortal sin which led to Achan's ruin had its root in covetousness, one of the most common of all sins, and the most lightly regarded. While other offenses face investigation and punishment, breaking the tenth commandment is seldom censured. The lesson of Achan's story represents the enormity of this sin and its dire consequences. —Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 496.

B • Explain how the sin of covetousness is a denial of faith. Hebrews 13:5.

Heb 13:5 — Let your life be free from greed, and be content with what you have; for he himself said: I will never leave you, I will never forsake you.

Greed is an evil of gradual development. Achan fed his greed for profit until it became a habit, binding him in chains that were nearly impossible to break. While harboring this evil, Achan would have been filled with horror at the thought that his actions would bring disgrace on Israel; but his perceptions were lessened by sin, and when temptation came, he fell an easy prey.

Are not similar sins still committed, notwithstanding such clear and solemn warnings? We are given as direct a prohibition on feeding covetousness as Achan was on misappropriating the spoils of Jericho. [...]

Everywhere the slimy trail of greed is seen. It creates discontent and disagreement in families; it stirs up the envy and hatred of the poor against the rich; encourages the tyrannical oppression of the rich against the poor. And this evil does not exist only in the world, but in the church. As is common to find in the community selfishness, avarice, excesses, neglect of the work of charity and theft from God in “tithes and offerings”. Among the church members “in good and regular standing” there are, unfortunately, many Achans. — Ibid., p. 496 and 497.

 

Biblical Year: Leviticus 15 and 16

4. ESCAPE FROM THE TRAP

A • What warnings are repeated to us against coveting anything that does not belong to us? Luke 12:15; 1 John 2:15-17. How does this sin hinder God's work?

Lk 12:15 — And he said to the people, Beware! Avoid all kinds of covetousness; for the life of man does not consist in the multitude of things he possesses.

1Jo 2:15-17 — Do not love the world or anything in it. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in goods, is not from the Father, but from the world. 17 Now the world is passing away, and so are its desires; but he that does the will of God abideth forever.

It is this growing devotion to earning money—the selfishness that the desire for profit breeds—that removes God's favor from the church and weakens its spirituality. When head and hands are constantly occupied in planning and working for the accumulation of wealth, the claims of God and humanity are forgotten. —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 82.

Instead of giving our all to Christ, many of us have taken a part of the gold and a good Babylonian cloak, hiding these things in the camp. If the presence of one Achan was enough to weaken the entire camp of Israel, are we surprised at how little success our efforts achieve when every church and nearly every family has its Achan? — Ibid., vol. 5, p. 157.

B • What other sins related to covetousness does God especially hate? Proverbs 6:16-19. How does God see us when we feed these sins?

Prov 6:16-19 — Six things the Lord hates, even seven He abhors: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are quick to do evil; 19 a false witness who speaks lies and who sows enmity among brothers.

Various sins which are cherished and practiced by professing Christians bring the displeasure of God upon the church. In the day when the record book of Heaven is opened, the Judge will not express man's guilt in words, but will cast a penetrating and convincing look, and every act and transgression of life will be vividly recorded in the memory of the wrongdoer. A person will not need to be sought from tribe to family as in Joshua's day, but his own lips will confess his shame, selfishness, covetousness, dishonesty, dissimulation, and fraud. His sins, hidden from the knowledge of man, will be proclaimed, as it were, from the housetops.

The influence most to be feared by the church is not that of open opposers, of infidels and blasphemers, but of the inconsistent followers of Christ. These are the ones who take away the divine blessings from Israel and bring weakness to the church; a shame that is not easily eliminated. — Ibid., vol. 4, p. 493.

The Spirit [of God] is offended by the pride, extravagance, dishonesty, and fraud to which some who claim to be godly indulge. All these things bring God's displeasure upon his people. — Ibid., p. 491.

 

Biblical Year: Leviticus 17-19

5. TRADE TRANSPARENCY

A • What understanding can help us put God and our neighbors ahead of our natural desire for secular gain? Proverbs 15:3; Colossians 3:1-3.

Prov 15:3 - The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.

Col 3:1-3 - Since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things; 3 for you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

The worldly custom of cheating in business is no example for Christians. They must not deviate from perfect integrity, even in the smallest things. Selling an item for a price greater than its real value, taking advantage of the buyers' ignorance, is fraud. Illegal gain, little business tricks, exaggeration, competition, offering a lesser amount to a brother who is trying to do an honest business—these things are corrupting the purity of the church and ruining its spirituality.

The business world is not outside the bounds of God's government. Christianity is not merely to be shown on the Sabbath and displayed in the sanctuary; it's for every day of the week and everywhere. Its demands must be recognized and obeyed in the workplace, in the home, and in business dealings with the brethren and with the world. —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 494.

The first Christian church did not have the privileges and opportunities that we have. They were poor people who felt the power of truth. The goal before them was enough to encourage them to invest everything. They felt that the salvation or damnation of the world depended on their doing their part. That's why they donated everything and were willing to come or go according to the will of the Lord.

We always say that we are governed by these same principles, that we have the same spirit. Let us individually set out to the work of encouraging others by our example of disinterested benevolence. — Ibid., vol. 5, pp. 156 and 157.

 

Biblical Year: Leviticus 20-22

FOR YOU TO REFLECT

1. What else hinders God's blessing and weakens his people?

2. How can I influence youth the way Achan influenced his children?

3. How can I avoid giving in to the initial roots of greed?

4. What danger surrounds us, especially when we buy or sell something used?

5. How can I escape the common trap of lusting after secular gains?

SOURCE: https://crescermais.org/artigos/ler/licao6-1-2019

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 LEARNING FROM RAABE

The fear of God brings salvation / Rahab a harlot who feared God

Basic text: Joshua 2:1-24

The story of Rahab shows us that the fear of God is fundamental for a person to bring salvation to his life, his home, his family.

Proverbs 14:27 - The fear of the LORD is a source of life, to turn away from the snares of death.

Furthermore, God supernaturally uses the lives of God-fearing people, no matter how insignificant, simple or complicated that person's life is, at any time, situation or place, God uses it as He wants and in the way He wants. , in favor of its purposes.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your house

                        Acts 16:31 

 By faith and God fearing Rahab showed that her life and the life of her family could be spared even before knowing what would happen, she believed that somehow God would be doing something very important in favor of her people, she heard about the signs and wonders that God was doing in his time, and that God was so powerful to carry out any plan on behalf of his people.

Proverbs 2:5 - Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and you will find the knowledge of God.

In order for us to understand Rahab's life, we need to check the text, step by step:

When Joshua was leading and preparing the people to enter the Promised Land, he sent two spies to examine the next city to be conquered: Jericho.

Being a spy was not easy at all, it was a cautious job, it took men of great courage, in the first attempt to spy on the land, when Moses was alive and still leading the people, the plan was not successful, among the 10 spies, eight of them did not give a favorable opinion, they were afraid to face obstacles, when only 02 of them did a work worthy of courage and hope, but most of the spies ended up frustrating and discouraging the people.

This time Joshua must have handpicked who were the men who should carry out such a task again of spying on the land to be conquered, so that the plan again would not be thwarted.

At that time the great cities were well protected by walls, and we see here that Jericho was a very prosperous city, and was the next target of conquest of the people of God, but for that, as usual, it was first necessary to ascertain the conditions of the city. , that is, it was necessary to spy to know what its defense strategies were and how its residents were preparing for an eventual invasion of enemies.

Well, in the face of all this, the 02 spies were sent, they should have entered the city as pilgrims, disguised in the midst of the people, but they immediately raised suspicions and soon the information reached the King, who mobilized soldiers to capture them - this represented a great risk for spies

Now the scenario of the story is Rahab's house, a house built on top of the city wall, with the window out, she was a prostitute, the spies using a lot of cunning, they must have thought: "let's enter this prostitute's house , being a neutral person, who works for money, maybe she can give us a lot of information, just pay and she can help us calmly.

But it didn't take that much effort, immediately God touched this woman's heart in a supernatural way.

Soon she realized that these 2 men were from God, that they were there precisely because God had sent them, she must have known the miraculous stories that God had made in favor of the Israelites, the whole story of conquests of God's people had spread among the nations at that time, and a fear of God was already in Rahab's heart.

Immediately Rahab began to position herself in favor of the spies, as soon as armed men appeared in front of her house, to capture them, right away, in the pressure of the moment Rahab lied, a beneficial strategy, to protect God's plan, the enemy appears and it is necessary to outwit him (no lie is beneficial, but in this case it worked in favor of God's purposes), perhaps at the moment no better idea came to Rahab, but by faith she used this resource...

By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the unbelievers, receiving the spies in peace.

Hebrews 11:31

if the spies were captured, it would interfere with Joshua's plans, but it was God who was in control of everything, and the fear of the Lord in Rahab's heart made all the difference (the fear of God in people's hearts makes all the difference, for the God's plans are fulfilled on earth)

When people fear the Lord, there is a principle of wisdom, people know exactly how they should proceed, how they should work for the good, they cooperate even if unconsciously, at the time of any pressure, knowing that what they do is the best they can do. and act with the heart

Everything the spies need to know, God used Rahab, right at the entrance of the city, he didn't need to go further to gather information, right there in that house, every spy report was carried out, all quickly and very easily, despite the imminent fear there be great, the spies should have panicked, and now, we are trapped, how are we going to escape this one, but God provided everything through that Lord fearing woman

She deceived the guards, hid the spies on the roof, informed them how they should escape the snares, the pursuit outside the city and most importantly, gathered the main information from the city: the residents were all terrified of their presence and feared the advance of the enemy. people of God in the plan to conquer those lands.

This information that the people of Jericho were afraid was enough to fill the people of God with courage, so whoever is afraid is an easy target to be defeated, a frightened people makes the enemy stronger, from there to the fall and surrender of those fearful people is only a matter of time.

Here we learn 3 things, that the fear of God in people's hearts facilitates their plans and facilitates the lives of those who fear the Lord, that a simple information that things are going to be easier than we think animates our hearts and that fear and the fear that is not of the Lord is fatal to lose any battle

Rahab was benefited in all the positive aspects of these facts, for fearing God and believing she was on his side, doing the right thing, she and her family were saved when the Israelites took the city, because they remembered everything she had done in God's favor...

The spies left safely, happy for the information of the city, that despite being very protected by the walls, there was a fragile people inside it, and it ended up unfolding once again an infallible plan of God, the city of Jericho was conquered and one more step in the conquest of all the promised land has been carried out, the plans of those who serve God always work out, but once God shows that he is in complete control of all things and everything works together for the good of those who serve him with fear and obedience

Psalm 111:10 - fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; good understanding have all those who do his commandments

Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the LORD leads to life; he who has it will be satisfied, and no evil will visit him.

 

Rahab was a prostitute used by God, collaborated with the Lord's plans and saved her life.

Joshua 2:1-24

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

And likewise was Rahab (WOMAN WHO FEARED GOD), the harlot, also justified by works, when she gathered up the emissaries, and sent them away by another way? James 2:25

 

So Joshua gave life to Rahab the harlot, and to her father's family, and to all that she had; and she has dwelt in the midst of Israel to this day; because she had hidden the messengers that Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6:25

SOURCE: https://aprendendocomosgrandes.blogspot.com/2013/09/aprendendo-com-raabe.html?m=0

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Joshua 1:8 Obedience to the Eternal, even without understanding anything...

 JOSHUA: EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE AND FAITH

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31:7 - And Moses called Joshua, and said to him in the eyes of all Israel, Be strong and be of good courage, for with this people you shall enter into the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, and you shall do it. inherit it.

Joshua 1:1 and 7- It came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord that he spoke to Joshua... Only be strong and very courageous, that you may be careful to do according to all the law (holy scriptures), that my servant Moses commanded you, do not turn aside from it, either to the right or to the left, that you may have success wherever you go.

Introduction: Joshua, was a Leader chosen by the Lord, to finish the Mission given to Moses: to lead the Israelites to the dominion of the promised land. Moses for forty years was at the head of the people. But it was up to Joshua, after the death of Moses, to lead the people in search of what God had promised: the possession of the promised land.

What characteristics were decisive for Josué's success?

Joshua, was a man filled with the Spirit of God, and extremely obedient to God (Num. 27:18-Deuteronomy 34:9). The Book of Joshua is a continuation of the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible: authored by Moses). It was up to him to prepare the people to enter Canaan. And also conquer it and populate the earth. The approximate biblical date of Israel's invasion of Canaan was 1450 BC.

The book of Joshua covers approximately 25 to 30 years of history, and tells how God "gave ..to Israel all the land which he had sworn to give to their fathers" (Joshua 21:43).

The personal background that made Joshua a person qualified for such a task: Joshua lived the oppression that the Egyptians imposed on Israel, he witnessed the ten plagues used by God to deliver his people, he celebrated together with his brothers the first Passover (Passach =Passage), He crossed the Red Sea on dry feet. Miraculously he saw the sea split and passed along with his people. He led fights and defeated enemy peoples. He miraculously crossed the Jordan with all the people (God caused the waters to subside so that they could pass over - Joshua ch 1, from verse 10). He was an eyewitness to all the signs performed by God among his people. He served Moses as a commander in battle against the Amalekites shortly after leaving Egypt (Ex 17:8-16). He alone accompanied Moses on the ascent of Mount Sinai, when God gave Israel the Ten Commandments (Ex 24:12-18). As Moses' helper, he displayed intense devotion and love for God, and he often remained in the Lord's presence for a long time (Ex 33:11). He was a man who delighted in the holy presence of God. At Cates Barnea, when the ten spies presented a report, after they had returned from seeing the land, in fear, he and Caleb energetically condemned the people's unbelief (Numbers 14), for they believed that God would give them the victory. Joshua proved to be a man of Faith, Courage, Loyal, Obedient, Prayerful and dedicated to God and his word. Joshua died about 1375 BC. C, at 110 years of age (Joshua 24:29), after fulfilling all that God expected of him.

What Lessons Can We Learn from Joshua?

First, that every Christian must trust God with all his heart. He must be persevering. Use faith and obey even without understanding anything. We learn from him too, that every Christian should value the word of God. Keep it in your heart and practice the commandments of the Eternal. We learn from him the value of faithfulness to God and friends. We learn the value of prayer. In investing time to be in the presence of God and depend on the Eternal. We learn from him the value of wisdom (Deut 34:9), We learn from him that a Leader needs to prepare himself to be able (Ex 17:9-13).

Conclusion: Like Joshua, he was totally dependent on God. Our lives depend on Christ. Only in Christ and through Christ will our victory be assured. Christ makes us triumph, because he is victorious in everything he does. There is always a promise of victory to say, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of testimony..." (Rev. 12:1).

to be victorious, we need to take the same stance taken by Joshua 3,400 years ago: 'As for me and my household, we will serve God' (Joshua 24:15). Choosing to serve the Lord made all the difference in Joshua's life. , and it makes all the difference in our lives. This is the secret to being victorious. Serving the Lord and following his commandments is paramount in the life of any Christian.

There is no other way for us to be victorious. Joshua's victories are recorded in his Book.

Our victories are written by God, and witnessed by men, as we give ourselves to the Lord, without reservation.

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 CAUTION! THE DANGER OF REBELLION...

THE FIRST REBELLION OCCURRED IN HEAVEN. ALL REBELLION BEGINS WITH THE FEELING OF ENVY AND PRIDE. LUCIFER, AN ANGEL OF LIGHT, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, WHO DID PRAISE TO THE ETERNAL CREATOR, LET HIMSELF BE CONTAMINATED BY THE FEELING OF ENVY AND PRIDE. HE STARTED TO QUESTION THE ETERNAL CREATOR, PROUD, DARE TO THINK HIMSELF BETTER AND SUPERIOR TO THE POINT OF TAKING HIS PLACE... HE CONTAMINATED A THIRD PART OF THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN, WITH HIS SPEECH OF REBELLION. WHAT HE DIDN'T KNOW, IS THAT THE ETERNAL CREATOR, KNOWS EVERYTHING, PROBES EVERYTHING, SEES EVERYTHING AND PRESCRIBES HEARTS AND INTENTIONS. THE PLAN OF LUCIFER, WAS PERMITTED BY THE CREATOR. AT NO TIME, THE ETERNAL WAS Caught BY SURPRISE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, SATAN AND THE THIRD PART OF THE FALLEN ANGELS WERE EXPELLED FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH. FROM THAT MOMENT, EVERY HUMAN BEING THAT COMES INTO THE WORLD IS A TARGET OF SATAN AND HIS FALLEN ANGELS (DEMONS). CHRISTIANS AND NON-CHRISTIANS ARE VICTIMS OF TEMPTATIONS, THAT WILL USE THE WEAKNESS OF THE HUMAN BEING TO DESTROY THEM PHYSICALLY, MENTAL AND SPIRITUALLY. THE HUMAN BEING IS ATTRACTED BY THE EYES, BY HIS FLESH AND BY HIS PRIDE OF LIFE, BY HIS DESIRES, PRIDE, HIGHLIGHT, HAUGHTY, HURRY, THIRST FOR MONEY, THIRST FOR LUXURY, LOVE FOR MONEY, AGREEMENT, SELFISHNESS, PROSTITUTION AND PORNOGRAPHIES, BEYOND MURMURING. AND SATAN WILL USE THESE WEAKNESSES TO MAKE HUMAN BEINGS SUCK IN HIS SINS AND DRIVE HIM AWAY FROM THE ETERNAL CREATOR FOREVER. THAT IS THE GREATEST PURPOSE OF SATAN! SO HE DID WITH MANY MEN IN EARTH'S HISTORY. THESE REPORTS, DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE FOR OUR LEARNING AND EXHORTATION!

EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS TO WATCH HIS HEART SO THAT HE DOES NOT GIVE INTO ENVY, PRIDE AND OTHER HARMFUL FEELINGS, WHICH WILL GIVE BREAKS, OPENINGS FOR SATAN TO ENTER THE SINKING HEARTS AND DESTROY THEIR LIVES.

LIKE THE PASSAGE BELOW FROM NUMBERS 16: MOSES WAS CHOSEN BY THE ETERNAL FROM THE WOMB. MOSES WAS PROTECTED BY HIS PARENTS AND PUT IN A BASKET ON THE RIVER NILE. THE ETERNAL LEADED HIM TO THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH, HE WAS CREATED AS AN EGYPTIAN PRINCE AND PREPARED FOR YEARS, TO FULFILL THE PURPOSE OF RELEASING THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL FROM EGYPTIAN SLAVERY. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH KORA, DATAN AND ABIRAM ARE HEBREW. EVEN HAVING SEEN ALL THE PLAGUES THAT WERE SPILLED IN EGYPT AND EGYPTIANS. EVEN WATCHING THE RED SEA OPEN AND WALKING ON DRY FEET. EVEN BEFORE SO MANY MIRACLES: BITTER WATER GETS SWEET, BREAD FALLS FROM THE SKY, QUAILS FALL INTO THE CAMP, WATER BLOWS OUT OF THE ROCK, MINORITY VICTORY OVER ENEMY PEOPLE, A PILLAR OF SMOKE DURING THE DAY AND A PILLAR OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT. , AFTER THE TABERNACLE ASSEMBLED. THOUGH THEY HAD THE PRESENCE OF THE ETERNAL CREATOR IN THE MIDST OF THEM, THEY ENVYED MOSES AND AARON. THEY NO LONGER WANT TO BE GOVERNED BY MOSES. THEY FEEL BETTER THAN THEM, SUPERIOR. “We are also men of God”. LET US WATCH AT ALL TIMES THAT WE DO NOT FALL INTO SUCH TRANSGRESSION! FOR YOUR END IS DEATH!!! AND THE WORST, THE SEPARATION FROM THE ETERNAL CREATOR!

Numbers 16:1-50

1 And Korah the son of Izar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, took with him Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, the sons of Reuben.

2 And they rose up before Moses with two hundred and fifty men of the children of Israel, princes of the congregation, called to the assembly, men of rank,

3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, It is enough for you: for the whole congregation is holy, all are holy, and the LORD is in the midst of them; why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?

4 When Moses heard this, he fell on his face.

5 And he spake to Korah and to all his congregation, saying, Tomorrow morning the Lord will make known who is his, and who is the holy one that he will bring to him; and he whom he chooses will bring to himself.

6 This do: Take ye censers, Korah, and all his company;

7 And put fire in them to-morrow, put incense on them before the LORD; and it shall be that the man whom the Lord chooses, he shall be the holy one; enough for you, sons of Levi.

8 And Moses said to Korah, Hear now, ye sons of Levi:

9 Is it too little for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, and to minister to the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them;

10 And he brought you near, and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? are you still seeking the priesthood?

11 So you and all your company are against the LORD; and Aaron, who is he that you murmur against him?

12 And Moses sent and called for Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, We will not go up;

13 Is it a little thing that you brought us up from a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in this wilderness, but do you want to make yourself a prince over us?

14 Neither hast thou brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us fields and vineyards for an inheritance; wilt thou gouge out the eyes of these men? We will not go up.

15 Then Moses was very angry, and said to the Lord, Do not consider his offering; I did not take a single donkey from them, nor did I harm any of them.

16 And Moses said to Korah, You and all your company, stand before the LORD, you and they, and Aaron tomorrow.

17 And each one take his censer, and put incense therein; and bring every man his censer before the LORD, two hundred and fifty censers; you and Aaron, each his censer.

18 So they took every man his censer, and put fire on it, and put incense on it, and stood before the door of the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron.

19 And Korah gathered all the people against them at the door of the tent of meeting; then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation.

20 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

21 Separate yourselves from the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them in a moment.

22 But they fell on their faces, and said, O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be angry with all this congregation?

23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

24 Speak to all this congregation, saying, I came up from around the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

25 Then Moses arose, and went to Dathan and Abiram; and after him followed the elders of Israel.

26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Turn away, I pray you, from the tents of these ungodly men, and touch nothing that is theirs, lest ye perish in all their sins.

27 So they went up from around the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Dathan and Abiram went out, and stood at the door of their tents, together with their wives, and their children, and their children.

28 And Moses said, By this ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these deeds, which proceed not out of my heart.

29 If these die as all men die, and if they are visited as all men are visited, then the Lord has not sent me.

30 But if the LORD creates anything new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they go down alive into the abyss, then you will know that these men have angered the LORD.

31 And it came to pass, when he had finished speaking all these words, that the earth that was under them split apart.

32 And the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up with their houses, and all the men that belonged to Korah, and all their possessions.

33 And they and all that were theirs went down alive into the abyss, and the earth covered them, and they perished from the midst of the congregation.

34 And all Israel that was round about them fled at their cry; for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

35 Then fire came out from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense.

36 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

37 Tell Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest to take the censers from the midst of the fire, and spread the fire far away, for they are holy;

38 As for the censers of those who have sinned against their souls, let them make spread leaves for the covering of the altar; because they brought them before the Lord; for what saints are; and they shall be a sign to the children of Israel.

39 And Eleazar the priest took the brass censers, which brought those that were burned, and spread them out in leaves for the covering of the altar,

40 As a memorial to the children of Israel, that no stranger, who is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to burn incense before the LORD; lest he be like Korah and his congregation, as the LORD had spoken to him through Moses,

41 But the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, You have killed the people of the LORD.

42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and they turned towards the tent of meeting, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.

43 So Moses and Aaron came before the tent of meeting.

44 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

45 Rise up from the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them in a moment; then they fell on their faces,

46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take thy censer, and put fire therein from the altar, and put incense on it, and go quickly to the congregation, and make atonement for them; because great indignation went out from before the Lord; the plague has already started.

47 And Aaron took it, as Moses had spoken, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague had already begun among the people; and put incense therein, and made atonement for the people.

48 And he was standing between the dead and the living; and he ceased the plague.

49 And those who died of that plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, apart from those who died for the cause of Korah.

50 And Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tent of meeting; and the plague ceased.

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