(1462 - 982 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1)
D. From Kadesh-Barnea to crossing of Jordan ~ cont.
5. Settling down in plains of Moab, east of Jordan ~ cont.
m. Instructions for holy conduct ~ cont.
(4) Governments to have judges, and other directives - Deuteronomy 16:18-22; 17:1-20; 18:1-14(5) The prophet to come - Deuteronomy 18:15-22
(6) National laws - Deuteronomy 19:14-21
(7) Future wars - Deuteronomy 20:1-20
{pages 314-318}
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: (Deuteronomy 17:18-19)
I realize this portion of scripture is in direct relation to the King of Israel, but find it an exhortation to all who call upon the Lord God to be diligently studying and internalizing our Father's Word. To wit:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. (Deuteronomy 18:9)
Israel was to be a physical manifestation of how to be set apart and holy unto the Lord. They failed time and time again. Lest we be puffed up in our imagination, how well do we look set apart and holy from the world we live in? As ambassadors of Christ are we giving a proper estimate of our heavenly home?
How influenced by the culture are we? Do we have the same conversations over the same topics as the heathen?
This was not the verse I was thinking about:
Psa 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
But seems applicable...if we are not salty, the world is not offended, and leaves us to wallow along with them in the mire of their vain imaginations.
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-7)
If our conversation with the *world* is no different after our stony hearts have been circumcised, wherein lies the issue? Agreeably there may not be a HUGE difference in the beginning, but there ought, as the days, months and years roll by, be such difference in the outward presentation to be noted.
Just as a fruitful tree is observed, not because its beginnings were known, but because of the abundant harvest; so too, a born again believer (as they age in maturity of spirit) ought to demonstrate such an abundance of fruit. If we spend our time in the things of the world, taking in its filthy movies, shows, music, rather than in the renewing of our mind, will, or can we be as fruitful a bough?
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:22)
There is, sadly, people who posture themselves as prophets desiring to foretell events. Yet, many of their *prophecies* do not come to pass. It is imperative for the Bride to be a Berean (Acts 17:11) and give no audience to those who are not speaking for the Lord.
I read the next passage and thought, what?!
When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. (Deuteronomy 20:10-14)
So Joshua making a league with those deceitful inhabitants was okay. Hmmm....searching, in Deuteronomy 21:17 Father specifically lists the nations that are NOT to be given such license. The Hittites ~ Amorites ~ Canaanites ~ Perizzites ~ Hivites and the Jebusites.
The ambassadors from a *far* country were Gibeonites (also known as Hivites), recorded in Joshua 9. They sad part? Joshua and the elders looked at the provisions and asked not counsel of the Lord.
I am sitting here, rather than condemning Joshua, et al, wondering, nay, knowing, that there have been times were I have just plowed through a situation and/or circumstance in my own wisdom. Rather than seeking the wisdom of the Lord.
O Lord, help us Your people to continually seek for Your wisdom, knowledge, discernment and guidance in and through all the issues in our lives. Help us Lord, NOT to rely on our own wisdom, but to seek You and Your counsel first and foremost in all areas of our lives.
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