Friday, August 31, 2012

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday September 2, 2012
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THE LOYALTY DARE
(Promising loyalty to GOD in an uncertain future)
Joshua 14:6-15 & 15:13-17

Forty-five years after Caleb was called to scout out the land of Canaan by Moses, he leads a delegation from the tribe of Judah to a meeting with Israel’s present leader and friend, Joshua. Joshua was one of the eleven other scouts who went on that reconnoiter mission with Caleb at that time, and if you remember, only he and Joshua believed that GOD would lead them to victory over the Nephilim beings (giants) that dwelled in the great walled cities west of the Jordan River.
Caleb, as if he had to, reminded Joshua of Moses’ promise to them, that was relayed to him from GOD, all those years ago (Numbers 14:24 & 30 and Deuteronomy 1:34-36). Moses promised them that they would survive the “wandering in the wilderness” and ultimately receive their inheritance in the “Promised Land” of Canaan, simply because, “they followed the LORD completely”.
Here in Joshua 14, taking up at verse 10, we find a now, 85-year old Caleb, declaring to his friend Joshua, that he was as strong now as he was when they went on that faith-filled mission 45 years earlier, and, that he could still travel and fight just as well as he could in those days.
He goes on to tell Joshua that, “If the LORD is with me, I will drive out the Anakites (giants) who are still living there in their great walled cities, just as the LORD said”. And so Joshua blessed Caleb and gave him Hebron, a place that was named after the great Anakite hero, Arba, as his inheritance. In fact, in Joshua 15, beginning at verse 13, we see where the LORD actually instructed Joshua to give the city of Arba, which was a part of the tribe of Judah’s inheritance, to Caleb. 
And so Caleb, at the ripe old age of 85, went out and drove out the three remaining Anakite giants, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai (v. 14), and then, he went and fought against the people living in the town of Debir, which was formerly called Kiriath-sepher. It is here in this passage (Vs. 13-17), that we see Caleb beginning to set aside something for the next generation (however, they had to work for it). Here in verse 16 he announces to his young people that he will give his daughter, Acsah, in marriage to the man who was brave enough to attack and capture Kiraiath-sepher.
Othniel, the son of Caleb’s brother Kenaz, and who later became a judge of Israel, by faith, and by action, rose to the challenge, and captured the Canaanite town, and, at the same time, he secured his own family’s future, through deeds. Later, his new wife, by faith, suggested that he ask her father for an additional field in the Negev, and she also asked, by faith, that Caleb bless her with springs and wells to water the land, and Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs in the Hill country of the Negev.
And so, now the next generation, Othniel and Acsah, were already learning to fend for their family, using the same kind of “faith” and “actions” that had been exhibited to them by their parents. And it all starts with them being loyal to GOD, and, to their parents, and always “following GOD completely”.
And now we see that Caleb’s legacy of faith proved much more valuable to his family than the property he claimed for them. The older generation is responsible to provide for the next generation, both “materially”, and “spiritually”. It is also incumbent upon us to provide them with, most importantly, “courage” and “trust in GOD”, through our own behavior, or actions. If we don’t show that we have the courage and faith to trust in, and follow GOD completely, then, don’t be surprised, if our children don’t either.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com


                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


Friday, August 24, 2012

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
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BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday August 26, 2012
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THE ACCOUNTIBILITY DARE
(Accepting responsibility for our sins, and then, seeking GOD’s remedy)
Joshua 7

Early on in the Israelites quest to conquer the land of Canaan, they suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of a tiny city called Ai. When Moses described the “Promised Land” as “a place of hills and valleys with plenty of rain” (Deuteronomy 11:11), I believe he was speaking of much more than just the physical geographical landscape. Spiritually he was describing the ups and downs, and many disappointments, that, future generations would suffer with because of their propensity toward sin and disobedience to GOD.
In Joshua chapter 7, shortly after the Israelite’s annihilation of the great city of Jericho, Joshua sends spies to the tiny town of Ai, which was an Ammonite city located just east of Bethel near Heshbon. Its name means “Heap of ruins”, but as it turned out, they were one of the, more, stronger cities in the region, and because of their size, the proud Israelite spies would sorely underestimate they might.
The opening lines of this, now famous chapter, gives us the real reason why the Israelites would have to suffer defeat at the hands of this small pagan city. Verse 1 tells us that Israel had been “unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the LORD”. This unfaithfulness would manifest itself in the person of a man named Achan, who had stolen some of the things that the LORD had told Israel not to take up for themselves, while involved in this “holy war” campaign against the pagan civilizations of Canaan.
Achan had taken a beautiful robe, which the Israelites were supposed to burn at Jericho, and he also kept gold and silver for himself, which they were to take and keep to deposit in the LORD’s treasury (Joshua 6:18-19). Achan, instead, deposited those articles in his own personal tent, most likely in the witness of his immediate family, putting their lives in jeopardy along with his, as they had to have abetted him in keeping this disobedience a secret.
And so when the small Israelite regimen of about 3000 men invaded Ai they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai chased them out of town killing 36 Israelites as they retreated down the hill. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at what had happened to them and their courage melted away.
When Joshua and the other leaders heard about what had happened they tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed down facing the Ark of the Covenant until evening, praying and crying out to the LORD, asking why HE had abandoned them in their quest at Ai. The LORD replied to Joshua that it was because they had sinned and broken HIS Covenant, and that, hidden among them were things that had been set apart for HIM. HE told Joshua that they would never defeat their enemies again until these things are removed from among them and put in their proper places.
Joshua had rightly interpreted their defeat at Ai as the result of GOD’s withdrawal of HIS divine help from them. And now, through a divine process, GOD would show the Israelites exactly who the culprit was, living among them. In the original Hebrew, the phrase “nabalah beyisrael” in verse 15, is translated “a disgraceful thing in Israel”. It comes from the same root word as “nabal” which means “fool”. However, this word “nabal” actually describes “the gross immorality of one who denies GOD, and remains forever closed to HIM” (only a “fool” says in their heart, there is no GOD – Psalm 14:1a).
To commit a “disgraceful thing in Israel” is to actually defy the standards of the believing community, and, to selfishly gratify one’s own perverted desires. After Achan’s sin was exposed through GOD’s divine process, he and his entire immediate family were taken out and stoned to death, and their bodies burned. Achan’s sin caused the deaths of 36 Israelites soldiers, causing pain in the lives of those soldiers families, and then, ultimately, his sin also cost him his life, and, the lives of his entire family. He is forever remembered in biblical history as “the man who troubled Israel” (Joshua 7:25). 
Notice in this passage of the book of Joshua that GOD made it perfectly clear that “Israel” had sinned, not just Achan (Vs. 1 & 11). And why would GOD blame the whole nation for the sins of one individual? Because GOD looks at Israel as one people in HIS body, not just a collection of tribes, clans, families, and individuals.
Even today GOD’s people are one body in CHRIST, and consequently, we as Christians, belong to each other. We both, need each other, and, affect each other in what we do as individuals. CHRIST’ Church is one body, and any weakness or infection in one part of the body can ultimately infect the whole body (1 Corinthians 5:1-7).
When anyone in the body disobeys GOD, they automatically defile the whole camp. Each individual in the Church must strive to keep the church holy and in line with GOD’s plan. And so each individual has to also have a personal, experiential relationship with GOD, obtained through prayer and a deep study of HIS Word. It is the only way that we are going to be able to recognize the counterfeit that satan is so frequently handing to us, and more often than not, it seems, nowadays, we so readily accept.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander 



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com


                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

Friday, August 17, 2012

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
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BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday August 19, 2012

THE FAITH DARE
(Trust GOD’s protection)
(Joshua 2 & 6:22-23)

The purpose of the book of Joshua is to give an official account of the fulfilling of GOD’s promise to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that HE would deliver their ancestors into the “promised land” of Canaan. Specifically, the “holy war” and subsequent conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, is based solely on the “Abrahamic Covenant” that was originated between GOD and Abram (Genesis 15). However, GOD’s ultimate intention has always been, to reach the “lost world” through Abraham’s seed, which culminated with the first advent of JESUS CHRIST.
The Apostle Paul teaches us of the similarities in the exodus from Egypt, and the conquest of Canaan by Joshua in the 14th century B.C., and, that of the ministry of JESUS CHRIST in the first century A.D. In the biblical Greek, the name “Joshua” means “YAHWEH saves”, or “YAHWEH is salvation”, and the name “JESUS” means the same. Joshua led his people to a physical victory over their physical enemies in Canaan, the Promised Land, and he also interceded for them when they had sinned and been defeated. JESUS leads us to victory over our spiritual enemies, sin and death, and HE intercedes (Romans 8:34) to bring us into the “Promised Rest” (Hebrews 4:8-10) that GOD is offers us when we accept HIS “will” for our lives.
In Joshua chapter 2, two spies are sent by Joshua on a reconnoiter mission to scout out the city of Jericho, both its structure, and, the morale of its people. Jericho was a walled city that was the key citadel of the Jordan Valley and it controlled all roads leading up into the central highlands of Canaan. In order to be successful in their attack on Canaan, Joshua felt that he had to have as much information as possible, before devising a strategic military offensive campaign against them. This military offense had to start with the taking, or conquering of the city of Jericho. 
And so the two men set out from Shittim, about seven miles east of the Jordan River, and traveled north along the river before crossing and approaching Jericho from its west side. They soon were inside the gates of the city mingling with the people in the streets, and they eventually came across the house of a prostitute named Rahab.
No one really knows how the two spies came across the residence of Rahab, but one could probably attribute this chance rendezvous to the providence of GOD. A thinking Christian can most easily see GOD’s purpose and grace here at work to save a lost sinner from the coming divine judgment upon the city of Jericho. Oftentimes the LORD moves in mysterious and unexpected ways in order to achieve HIS divine agenda, and here in this passage we see just such a time.
Here, two Israeli military spies are put together with a pagan harlot, to the ends that, first, would protect the representatives of GOD’s agenda, and then later, extend HIS grace and mercy to the likes of a “repentant sinner” who wished to convert her life, and the lives of her family, into the agenda of GOD.
Rahab made the decision that day to trust in the divine protection of GOD, rather than to trust in the protection of the fortified cities of men. When we choose to honor GOD and HIS agenda above men, something wonderful always happens to our lives. William Barclay once wrote, “When history judges us, will its verdict be that we were “helpers”, or “hinderers” in the work of GOD? That is a question that every individual, and every nation must eventually answer”. Rahab chose not to hinder the work of her newly found GOD, but rather, to help the workers of GOD move forward, by joining them in their quest.
In the biblical Greek, the word used for “encourage” is “parakaleo” (par-ak-al-eh-o), and it means not only “to be a comfort to”, but also “to invoke, or call upon for support and inspiration”. Rahab made a decision to be a “comfort” to the spies, in their time of need, and, in return, she was able to call upon the spies for “support and inspiration” that would save her life, and the lives of her family, later on (Joshua 6:22-23).
We, as Christians, must first be concerned with giving priority to GOD’s agenda, and then, trust that HE will always protect us when we do. In fact, the fundamental priority in life must always be GOD, and not, our own wishes and desires. And when we come to rest in the thought of “putting GOD first”, and trust in HIS protection, just like we see with the ex-prostitute Rahab, suddenly, wrong things will no longer fascinate, and have power over us. 
Our relationship with GOD, through JESUS CHRIST, will grow to become our greatest asset as we become more and more estranged from the love of the things of this world, and, from worldly behavior altogether. We, as believers, demonstrate courage, when we respond to difficult situations by putting our faith in GOD. And, our faith in GOD is the key that opens the door, to the Kingdom of Heaven.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com


                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

BIBLE STUDY LESSON
For the week beginning Sunday August 5, 2012
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THE LEADERSHIP DARE
(Why I need to be a leader)
(Joshua 1)

The book of Joshua is the first book of what we now call, “the Historical Books” of the Holy Bible. The others are Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The book of Joshua tells the story of how the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan under the spiritual and military leadership of Joshua, the man whom GOD choose to succeed Moses, and, who was charged by GOD to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River, and into the “Promised Land”.
Joshua, whose name means “YAHWEH SAVES”, is also considered to be the first judge of Israel. His appointment marked the beginning of a 450-year period during which a succession of judges would rule over GOD’s chosen people. This “period of the judges” would end with the prophet Samuel, who would appoint Saul as Israel’s first king, and then, subsequently, replace Saul with David, by a divine order from GOD.
The book of Judges introduces us to a new generation of Israelites who, for the most part, started out on the right foot, by trusting in, and were committed to, obeying GOD. Through their obedience to GOD, they were able to win, by warfare, the land that had been promised to them by GOD, since the time of the towering and faithful patriarch, Abraham. The book of Joshua, reminds us most of all, of the faithfulness of GOD, and how, through our obedience to HIM, we can claim HIS promises, and realize spiritual victory in our own lives, even in this day.
It is appropriate that the book of Joshua opens up with a description of GOD’s preparation of this young leader for his role in HIS divine plan and strategy (vs. 1-5). Like all of GOD’s divine appointments, Joshua’s would call for him to be faithful, strong, and courageous. GOD’s promises can only be claimed by carefully following His laws and instructions (vs. 6-8), and as Joshua walks the path that GOD’s law defines, the LORD will be with him wherever he goes (v. 9).
Obeying the whole law of GOD is the dominant theological theme in the book of Joshua. It is a theme that is tightly woven into the annals of Israel’s history. Theologians have, over time, defined three great functions of Old Testament law;

·         First of all, the law reveals to us, the character of GOD HIMSELF.
·         Secondly, the law serves as a standard by which human behavior can be measured, and, by which all mankind can be judged.
·         And finally, the law guides our choices, making it possible for us, as believers, to please GOD, and enjoy HIS blessings, while we live out our lives here on earth.

It is primarily this third function that is highlighted in this passage of the book of Joshua. Biblical history seems to demonstrate quite clearly, that, when GOD’s people keep HIS laws, HE invariably blesses and enables them to succeed. By contrast, when GOD’s people fail to obey HIM, or HIS law is abandoned, such disobedience is always followed by some sort of national disaster, or economic down turn.
All of scripture is written, most specifically, to leadership, whether it is leadership in the home, church, government, or place of business or employment. The LORD’s promises are iron-clad, and we see, over time, just how those promises were passed on from generation to generation. GOD is committed to allowing for an inheritance to the faithful.  Joshua was a model leader whose legacy will never embarrass his mentor, Moses. The mission of the Old Testament leader was to enable Israel to claim, and to hold, to the promises of GOD. The effectiveness of their leadership depended upon the divine presence of the Almighty GOD in their program. GOD is the only ONE able to provide HIS people with victory, then and now. 
The prime responsibility of a GODly leader is that he must always maintain a commitment to carefully obey to the letter, the laws of GOD. This passage also tells us that the chief characteristic of the GODly leader is that he or she have strength and courage that can only come through one’s confidence and trust in GOD, and not in themselves.
There will be many times when it will seem risky to obey GOD completely, but it is in just such times, that a person’s faith can best be measured. As leaders, we must always rely on GOD’s presence, and always respond to GOD with obedience. And as followers, we will need to rally behind an obedient leader with enthusiastic affirmation, because, for the task that GOD calls us to do, it will take all of our hearts, all of our minds, and all of our hands to accomplish.  When we believe in our hearts that GOD’s promises are true, we will always ultimately obey HIM, and GOD says, our obedience is always the most essential ingredient in our success (v. 8).

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander



larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com


                                 
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website