The Coprpoate Body of Israel
Volume 2, Number 19Vol 2 - No 19, March 26, 2006Faith triumphs and judges:We left off at the point where the Nation of Israel entered the Promised Land and experienced God's provision for miraculous victory at Jericho. In this study we will see again the fact that Israel's identity before God was as a corporate body, that is, God's son (Exodus 4:22 & 23, see studies Vol 1, No 20; Vol 2, Numbers 6, 13, 17); as God's son Israel had to demonstrate complete faith in His Word in order to stay in right relationship; God cannot condone sin; God designated Israel to... Continue reading →
Rahab of Jericho's Faith
Volume 2, Number 18Vol 2 - No 18, January 31, 2006(A parenthesis in the defeat of the enemy: the faith of Rahab the harlot:)"By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace." Hebrews 11:31. Why was it that only one family was saved out of all Jericho, and that of a prostitute? (Joshua 2:1) The verse itself, Hebrews 11:31, answers the question. Rahab was the only one in Jericho that believed God's Word. However, it is interesting to note that she would not have had the opportunity to exercise her faith had... Continue reading →
Joshua Mets the Pre-Incarnate Lord at Jericho
Volume 2, Number 17Vol 2 - No 17, January 4, 2006Defeating the enemy by faith at Jericho - Part 4:Israel's preparation for victory at Jericho was studied in Vol 2, No 13 & 14. We then digressed to examine sanctification in Vol 2, No 15 and Christmas past, present and future in No 16. Now, we return for a last look at Jericho. It was brutal in the eyes of some, but it is God's way of dealing with sin. "And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God. And Joshua said, Hereby... Continue reading →
Christmas Past, Present & Future
Volume 2, Number 16Vol 2 - No 16, December 15, 2005A parenthesis: Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future:Past:"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.- - John 1:1 - 4."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John... Continue reading →
So Called Worship Music
Volume 2, Number 15Vol 2 - No 15, November 10, 2005(A parenthetic commentary on worship music / sanctification):Music is powerful and can influence for good or evil. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato has been quoted as saying "I do not care what subjects you teach in your schools and universities. Let me teach and control music and I will control your society." Music is mentioned many times in the Bible. It is prominent in most churches today where the practice thereof runs from old hymns at one end of the spectrum to so-called Christian rock at the other. It is a form of... Continue reading →
The Circumcision of the Believer
Volume 2, Number 14Vol 2 - No 14, October 16, 2005Defeating the enemy by faith - Part 3:We saw in the last study that before it could enter the promised land and gain victory over the enemy the corporate body Israel had to be chastised and tried 40 years in the wilderness, just as gold is refined and purified in a crucible of fire. The refining process was twofold: 1) the unbelievers had to die, Numbers 14:20 - 35 and; 2) those still alive had to be circumcised, Joshua 5:2 - 10. Only after being thus prepared could Israel enter the land and... Continue reading →
Israel's Lack of Faith
Volume 2, Number 13Vol 2 - No 13, September 27, 2005Defeating the enemy by faith - Part 2:Our last study dealt with the subject change in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews marked by the verse: "By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land and: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned." - Hebrews 11:29. In this verse Israel was on the defensive but by faith was saved and the enemy destroyed. In the very next verse they were on the offensive and by faith gained victory over the enemy: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after... Continue reading →
Defeating the Enemy By Faith - Moses & the Red Sea
Volume 2, Number 12Vol 2 - No 12, September 3, 2005Defeating the enemy, by faith - Part 1:In our studies to date it has become apparent that what was done through the Old Testament Saints described in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews pre-figures what God accomplished for us by His son Jesus Christ, that is, the pattern in the eleventh chapter points to the reality of God's finished work in the life of the believer today. The point to be developed in this lesson is the significance of the change in subject in the middle of the 29th verse of that chapter, and... Continue reading →
Overview of Hebrews 11
Volume 2, Number 11Vol 2 - No 11, August 16, 2005Faith - a recap overview of Hebrews 11 to date and look forward:In Hebrews 10:34 the author of the epistle acknowledges the compassion that those to whom he wrote had on him in prison and the pillage of their own belongings, with the knowledge they had better and everlasting wealth in heaven. He encouraged them to have patience, with the confidence that after they had done God's will they would receive the heavenly promise, Hebrews 10:35 & 36, assuring them of the Lord Jesus Christ's imminent return. - Hebrews 10:37. They are reminded... Continue reading →
Abraham, Moses & the Law in Hebrews 11
Volume 2, Number 10Vol 2 - No 10, July 17, 2005Abraham, Moses and the Law:The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has been our guide in these studies of faith. As already mentioned there are two (2) groups of eight (8) individuals named therein. The first group lived during the time recorded in the book of Genesis where Abraham stands out from the others as the primary figure - Hebrews 11:8 - 10 & 13 - 19. As we have begun Volume 2 our studies have had to do with Moses who is the primary person in the second group of eight (8) - Hebrews... Continue reading →