PRAYER - "God Save Me As I Saved You"
Ziphites again revealed David's hideout. Saul pursued with 3000 men. That night, David found Saul and Abner in deep sleep from the LORD. Abishai wanted to kill Saul but David stopped him, refusing to touch God's anointed. Instead, he took Saul's spear and cruse of water. From afar, David taunted Abner for failing to protect Saul. David honored and respected the fallen king. Godly men respect authority.

1 Samuel 26:24 - "As thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD."
PRINCIPALS - "Ziklag"

After David got the best of Saul in the wilderness of Ziph, Saul promised not to pursue David any more. But David did not trust him. He fled back to Achish at Gath with 600 men. They stayed there sixteen months. David said to Achish, "If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country." Ziklag was David's headquarters until God took Saul out of the picture.

1 Samuel 27:6 - "Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day."

 

PRINCIPLES - "Consulting Familiar Spirits"

Saul faced a terrifying conflict with the Philistines. He sought the LORD, but God would not answer. Samuel was dead. Saul sent for a woman with a familiar spirit. She brought up a spirit appearing to be Samuel. The spirit rebuked Saul, reminding him that the curse was from the LORD. The spirit said Israel would lose the battle. Saul and his sons would die that day. Saul fell out on the floor, terrified. Seeking witches or wizards is an abomination to God.

1 Samuel 28:13 - "The woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth."

PROPHECIES - "Saul's Date With Destiny"

The Philistines fought hard against Israel. Many were killed. Archers hit Saul, sorely wounding him. He told his armourbearer, "Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not." Saul took his sword and fell on it, but an Amalekite came along and finished him off. The Philistines cut off his head, stole his armour, and flaunted it when they got home. Prophesied demise.

1 Samuel 31:6 - "So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together."

PRAYER - "Killed for Praying"
Saul hated Ahimelech the priest, partly for praying for David. Saul commanded his footmen to kill Ahimelech, but they refused. Like jealous Cain killing righteous Abel, sin laid at Saul's door. "A certain man ...was there that day, detained before the LORD" - Doeg was at Saul's door, killing 85 priests for him. Like Judas Iscariot, God turns evil men over to their devices, and the righteous suffer.

1 Samuel 22:13 - "Saul said unto [Ahimelech], Why have ye conspired against me, ...in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him?"

PRINCIPALS - "Achish, King of Gath"

Fleeing Doeg, David fled to Gath. The king's servants recognized him as the brave king of Israel who people sang and danced about. David feared King Achish was allied with Saul, so he feigned madness, scrabbling and drooling, to disguise himself. Achish ran him out of town. But they met again later and became fast friends. Achish donated Ziklag to David for a hometown. Sometimes, crazy situations can yet turn out for the good.

1 Samuel 21:15 - "Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence?"

 

PRINCIPLES - ""Mighty" Men"

From Saul at Jerusalem, to Ahimelech at Nob, to Achish at Gath, David kept running to the cave Adullam. There, his family and friends came to his defense. "Every one that was in distress, ...in debt, and ...discontented." What a motley crew! Whatever God gives you, take them. They became David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8).

1 Samuel 22:2 - "Every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men."

PROPHECIES - "Will they? Yes, they will."

Philistines attacked a town named Keilah. With his 400 men, David defeated them. But Saul came to Keilah to capture David. Abiathar the priest had the ephod, so David had him enquire of the LORD whether the men of Keilah would betray him to Saul. The LORD said that they would, so David took that warning, and he and his men scattered throughout the countryside. Thank God for His prophetic warnings.

1 Samuel 23:12 - "Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up."

PRAYER - "David Overcomes Doeg"
To escape Saul's assassination attempts, David fled to the priest Ahimelech at Nob (1 Samuel 21). But Saul's servant, Doeg, was nearby and threatened David. According to Psalm 52, David overcame his enemy with a bold statement of faith. Great men of God consistently assert their faith in God during their fearful trials.

Psalms 52:1 - " Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually."

PRINCIPALS - "Ahimelech"

Ahimelech was the priest at Nob. David fled to him to escape Saul's assassination attempts. Ahimelech gave David the day-old shewbread, and Goliath's sword for David's protection. But Saul's servant, Doeg, betrayed David to Saul. David escaped, but Saul came and ordered Doeg to kill Ahimelech and all 85 priests at Nob.

1 Samuel 22:18 - "And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod."

PRINCIPLES - "Exile"

Exile is a major Bible principle, if not a doctrine. Virtually every major Bible character suffered a period of exile (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and more). Why does God ordain His people to be separated from home? Home represents the old pre-conversion life. Sin and the past are incompatible with the new life of righteousness. They cannot dwell together. Exile proves the animosity of evil against good. Exile is the inevitable companion to anointing.

1 Samuel 21:10 - "And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath."

PROPHECIES - "Thou Shalt Be In Safeguard"

God's anointing on David caused him a lot of trouble, but ultimately, it was his best protection. After Saul killed 85 priests for taking sides with David, only one priest, Abiathar, escaped with his life. David regretted the casualties, but assured Abiathar he would be safe with him. David understood he had a divine destiny that no enemy could change. We should have as much confidence in our place with God.

1 Samuel 22:23 - "Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard."

PRAYER - "God Responds Dramatically to Moses' Prayer" 
Numbers 11 records a dramatic exchange between Moses and God. The people were tired of manna and wanted meat. Moses was desperate for help. God vindicated Moses with two great miracles. He anointed seventy elders to prophesy over the people, then sent TONS of quail for thirty days.

Numbers 11:30 - "And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp,...as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth."
PRINCIPALS - "Leviticus" 
Leviticus is a seminal document, in many ways more profound than the United States Declaration of Independence or Constitution. How? First, Leviticus sets in order the priesthood, and organized religious service to God. Secondly, it contains the germ form of the universal code of civil and moral law that now rules not only Israel, but most of modern civilization. Although Hammurabi's Code (Babylon) predated "Moses' Law," Judeo-Christian ethics can be seen far more predominantly in governments worldwide.

Leviticus 8:5 - "And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done."

PRINCIPLES - "Fellowship" 

The Peace Offering was shared three ways. Part was burned on the altar unto the Lord. Part (the Heave Offering) was given to the priest to eat. The remainder was eaten by the people. It is often referred to as the fellowship offering because it brings the people together with God and the Priesthood.

Leviticus 10:14 - "And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings.".

PROPHECIES - "Killed By The Beneficiary" 

It seems somehow ironic that God required each person to slay their own sacrifice before presenting it to the priest for placement on the altar. The murderer would be the beneficiary of the atonement. That is exactly how Jesus' sacrifice was enacted. He was killed by the very people He came to save.

Leviticus 3:2 - "And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about."

PRAYER - "The Wave Offering"

When Israelites brought their offerings to the Lord, they were considered sacred tokens in the covenant between God and men. Certain offerings were "heaved" into the air as testimony of their presentation, then eaten by the priests. In other cases, the meat was "waved" before the Lord, and was eaten by the worshiper. Today, we wave our hands to the Lord as tokens of surrender to Him.

Leviticus 14:24 - "And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD."
PRINCIPALS - "The Body of Heaven"

We are forced to reconcile verses that appear to contradict. Again and again, the scripture says that God is invisible. But the seventy elders saw "the body of heaven in his clearness," on His throne upon a sapphire foundational stone. The key word here is "clearness." They saw a bright shining light representing God's presence. See, The Oneness of God

Exodus 24:10 - "And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness."
PRINCIPLES - "Ninth Commandment - No False Witness"

God defends the integrity of the individual by forbidding false testimony. Slander is a heinous, grievous sin against anyone. Lives are destroyed by lies, false accusations and misrepresentations. God demands truth and right-doing in our relationships with others. The devastating sinfulness of malicious gossip and scandalous rumor-mongering ranks equally with murder and adultery in this context. If you cannot say something nice about someone, do not say anything at all. Get the stick out of your own eye before assailing their splinter.

Exodus 20:16 - "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
PROPHECIES - "The Ephod"

The High Priest wore an elaborate vestment called the ephod. Two sardonyx (onyx) stones on the shoulders contained the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Twelve precious stones were mounted on the front on blue, red, and white embroidered linen. Also called the Urim and Thummin, when the Priest consulted God before the Ark of the Covenant, the stones illuminated if God blessed, or gave a "yes" answer. Dull stones meant God's cursing, or a "no" answer.

Leviticus 8:7 - "...and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith."

PRAYER - "Making a Vow"

Jacob made the first vow, promising to pay tithes as God blessed him. Under the law, in the absence of a sacrificial animal, a man could vow to pay later. It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay. You can negotiate with God, but you must be prepared to live up to your bargains.

Leviticus 22:21 - "...whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein."
PRINCIPALS - "The Tabernacle Materials"
God instructed Moses to collect a free-will offering from the people to construct and furnish the tabernacle. Gold, silver, brass, linens, skins, wood, oil, spices, precious stones, and much more. "...whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD," (Exodus 35:5). Soon, Moses had more than he needed. God's work is the most worthy cause. We should be excited to give all we can to support His work.

Exodus 36:7 - "For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much."
PRINCIPLES - "Eighth Commandment - Do Not Steal"

God supplies all our needs according to His riches. Every person receives what God has appointed to him. According to the talents and abilities that God gives, we earn our daily sustenance. God forbids you and me from taking anything that belongs to others. That is THEIR portion. Imagine the world descended into chaos, where no one could keep that which he has worked to attain; a world without borders, boundaries, privacy or safety. That is the world of thieves. Obedience to God's laws would prevent such a world.

Exodus 20:15 - "Thou shalt not steal."
PROPHECIES - "The Priests' Holy Garments"

A priest is an intercessor between God and men. From its inception, the priesthood was the highest office a man could occupy. Accordingly, God instructed Moses to dress them appropriately. Holy garments would be glorious and beautiful. Herein is a great precept. Our appearance should reflect our value. The world would have us "dumb-down", dressing grungy, sloppily, like worthless creatures. God would have us look holy, glorious, beautiful. Are you a godly person? Dress the part!

Exodus 28:2 - "And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty."

PRAYER - "Confessing Sins"
This is the first occurrence in the Bible of any requirement for confession. After Moses listed several sins, he called for the guilty party to confess his sin. A precedent for all time was set. As a general rule, the priests confessed all Israel's sins when they offered sacrifices. God requires that we acknowledge our wrong-doing. He is more interested in producing righteousness in us than in punishing our wrongs.

Leviticus 5:5 - "And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing."
PRINCIPALS - "The Golden Calf"
While Moses was in the Mount with God, the Israelites prevailed on Aaron to make a golden calf, which they called their god. Their worship was an abomination, and Moses was outraged, crushing the tablets written by the finger of God. God's Spirit planned to dwell in them, but gold makes a bitter god. He made them DRINK it!

Exodus 32:20 - "And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it."
PRINCIPLES - "Fifth Commandment - Honor Father and Mother"
This is the first commandment with a promised blessing. At the very least, your parents have a 15-20 year experience ahead of you. They provided shelter, food and clothing while you were otherwise helpless. But that is only a fraction of countless reasons why we should respect, reverence, esteem, even obey our parents - our elders! Our world would be radically improved if this generation would obey this command.

Exodus 20:12 - "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
PROPHECIES - "The Veil"
The veil prevented anyone from entering the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant was. The veil was blue, purple and scarlet. Blue is the color of water, and red is the color of blood. Purple is the color of royalty - kingship. By the blood of Calvary and the water of baptism, the Son of Man, prince of peace, Jesus, was exalted to royalty - King of Kings.

Exodus 26:31 - "And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made."

PRAYER - "Seeking After Wizards"
God Almighty is the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient Spirit. He is sovereign and able to do exceedingly above anything we can ask. Understandably, He is completely intolerant of those who put their trust in evil spirits of any kind. You can get the help you need from God. If God will not give it, you do not need it and should not want it. Consulting devils is the ultimate slap in God's face.

Leviticus 19:31 - "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God."
PRINCIPALS - "The Stone Tablets"
The first set of the Ten Commandments were hewn and written on stone by God Himself. Moses broke them in rage when he found Israel worshiping the golden calf. God made Moses prepare new tablets and bring them into the mountain where God would again write the law. Those tablets were stored in the Ark of the Covenant for centuries.

Exodus 34:1 - "And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest."
PRINCIPLES - "The Seventh Commandment - No Adultery"

An adulterer is someone who is married, but commits sexual intercourse with someone other than their lawful spouse. Strong's Concordance compares adultery to apostasy. An apostate abandons faith, departing former beliefs. Adulterers abandon wedlock - breaking vows and destroying the basis of matrimony. Since marriage typifies God's relationship with His holy people, an adulterer grievously trespasses against holy principle. The Hebrew language from which "thou shalt not" comes is "lo, lo, lo," which is "no, no, no" or "never, never, never" commit adultery. God says, "NEVER commit adultery."

Exodus 20:14 - "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
PROPHECIES - "The Court"
The tabernacle plan included only one entrance, and that was on the east side. Nearly all the pagan religions worshiped the sun god, facing east. God made them face west when they entered the tabernacle. The single entrance typifies Jesus Christ, the ONLY door of our salvation. There is salvation in no other. We must turn our backs on all other gods.

Exodus 27:13,14 - "...the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three."

PRAYER - "Moses' Fast"
Moses spent forty days in the holy mount, presumably without food. God miraculously engraved the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. Moses descended and found Israel sinfully rioting. He broke the tablets in fury, and returned up the mount for another forty days without food and water - a truly miraculous fast. Ordinarily, no man could attempt that and survive. Nevertheless, his fasting yielded supernatural results. Holy fasting will sanctify you unto God with miraculous results.

Exodus 34:28 - "...he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water."
PRINCIPALS - "Anointed Craftsmen"

God gave Moses explicit instructions for the construction of all artifacts, vessels and furniture in the tabernacle. Better yet, He called specific men into service and gave them powerful anointing to do that work. When God wants a thing done, He will bring it to pass. Jesus' parable of the talents indicates that our abilities multiply as we apply ourselves to fulfill His will. You will do an outstanding job. God will enable you!

Exodus 31:3 - "I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."
PRINCIPLES - "Third Commandment - Keep His Name Holy"
God demands our respect. He is holy, even beyond our wildest imaginations. He will not tolerate disrespect, sacrilege, mockery, or any kind of insult. God is not mocked. This third commandment instructs us to protect the sacredness of God's name. It is NOT a swear word, nor to be used in making oaths. Be safe. Give maximum honor to the Lord's name.

Exodus 20:7 - "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."
PROPHECIES - "The Golden Candlestick"
Jews call it the Menorah. It was a beaten-gold candlestick with seven branches. Jesus is the light of the world. The oil that burned in the light represents the Holy Ghost of Jesus Christ burning in the seven original New Testament churches. Now, His Spirit fills everyone who will receive it. The candlestick was to burn continuously. This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.

Exodus 25:37 - "Thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it."

Moses asked to see God's glory, God showed him His "back parts." That could not possibly mean God's back, buttocks or thighs. He is invisible. Moses saw God's past goodness - the Genesis story revealed! 1400 years later, Moses saw the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Exodus 33:23 - "I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."
PRINCIPALS - "The Law"
God instructed Moses to command the people to eat unleavened bread at the first passover, before escaping Egypt, saying, "that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth."  The bread of God represents His awesome law, which nourishes us all. God's word is our life. Manna from heaven nurtured their bodies, but the Law handed down at Sinai gave life to the nation.

Exodus 31:18 - "And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God."

PRINCIPLES - "Second Commandment - No Idolatry"
Idolatry existed long before Abraham and his descendants worshiped the one, true God. But God will not share His glory with any other. Certainly, nothing man-made, whether carved, molten (molded) or beaten, could ever hear, and know, and respond like the true and living God.

Exodus 20:4-6 - "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them."
PROPHECIES - "The Table of Shewbread"

The second item prescribed for the Tabernacle was the Table of Shewbread, made of shittim wood and overlaid and crowned with gold. It had rings and staves so the priests could carry it when they traveled, and sat past the altar, before the golden candlestick. It ALWAYS contained a loaf of bread for each tribe of Israel. It foreshadowed Jesus Christ, the bread of life. God wanted us to know that there is always bread on His table. Hungry? Jesus will fill you.

Exodus 25:30 - "And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway."

PRAYER - "Hannah's Song"Hannah blessed the LORD after the sorrow of her barrenness and the torment of her enemy was lifted. Her song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 declares the everlasting truth that God ultimately favors the righteous over the wicked, no matter how present conditions appear.

 

1 Samuel 2:6-9 - "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. ...He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail."

PRINCIPALS - "The Child Samuel"



Wake Up Call

While the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before the High Priest, God awoke him three times in one night to tell him that Eli would soon be judged severely "because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not." Samuel feared to show Eli the vision, but Eli pressed him. God has often used a child as mightily as any man. Men, take note! You can be replaced.

1 Samuel 3:18 - "And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good."


Heaven's Blessings

PRINCIPLES - "You Cannot Outgive God"

 
After many years of barrenness and sorrow, God gave Hannah a son. But she had vowed to the LORD that she would "give him unto the LORD all the days of his life." That was an unimaginable sacrifice for a mother, but she kept her vow. One day, while visiting her son, Samuel, at the tabernacle, Eli the priest blessed Hannah and her husband. God gave her five more children. God will remember your faithful, sacrificial giving and reward you gloriously.

1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters."

PROPHECIES - "Death of Hophni and Phinehas"

Eli was the High Priest at the Tabernacle in Shiloh. His sons, Hophni and Phinehas were scandalous, having shameless greed for the offerings, and laying with the women who visited the tabernacle. God sent a messenger to Eli with dreadful judgment. Hophni and Phinehas would die in one day. God would raise up a new high priest (Zadok). Sin cannot prevail indefinitely. God will intervene.
1 Samuel 2:35 - "...I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house."

PRAYER - "Ruth"
One of the most heartwarming stories ever - suffering widowhood and poverty in a godless land, Ruth's heart bound to Naomi, her God-fearing mother-in-law. Word of her loyalty, godly devotion and commitment reached Boaz, who became her redeemer-husband. Greater than any Cinderella story! Ruth became Great-Grandmother to Christ!

Ruth 1:16 - "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."


PRINCIPALS - "Micah the Ephraimite"

This story is weird. A woman cursed the thief who took her 1100 pieces of silver. Her son, Micah, confessed to taking them, then returned them. As thanks, she dedicated the silver to make a graven image and molten image. Micah set up a house of gods, and hired a vagabond Levite to be his private priest. But shortly thereafter, travelers stole away both the priest and Micah's idols. Do not waste yourself on unbiblical religion. It is worthless at best, abominable and cursed at worst.

Judges 17:12 - "...Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest."

PRINCIPLES - "Complicated Consequences

You can open the Bible almost anywhere and soon find complicated consequences of someone's foolish behavior. Modern culture promotes a delusion that everyone should be free to do whatever is right in his or her own eyes, but history proves that to be the prescription for social chaos, anarchy and disintegration. The woman in Judges 19 who left her spouse to commit whoredoms precipitated a chain of events that drew 400,000 men into war. Over 65,000 people died before the dust settled.

Judges 19:2 - "And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him..."

PROPHECIES - "Ruth and Her "Hap"

Ruth made an epic consecration to be faithful to Naomi and her God, for which she was profoundly blessed. There is no "happen-stance" with God - no accidents! When Ruth went to the fields of Boaz to glean, it was "her hap" to be there. God was scrupulously leading her to Boaz, and into the bloodline of the Savior of the world.

Ruth 2:3 - "And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech."

PRAYER - "Praying Counsel from Hirelings"

One of the most pathetic stories in the Bible is about a vagabond Levite who hired out his priestly services to a man named Micah. Men from the tribe of Dan ignorantly prayed his counsel, and received phony blessings and fell into idolatrous deception. You will be duped if you trust phony ministries.

Judges 18:5-6 - "And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous. And the priest said unto them, Go in peace: before the LORD is your way wherein ye go."

PRINCIPALS - "How Gideon Became Jerubbaal"

Gideon's visitor instructed him to place the bread and meat he prepared for him on a rock. The angel touched it with his staff. Instantly, fire consumed it, and the angel vanished. God then commanded Gideon to destroy the local idols and altars to Baal, which he did. Never fear false gods. They are non- existent. Gideon built an altar to the LORD, calling it "Jehovah Shalom," meaning "God is Peace." The locals wanted to kill Gideon, but his father defended him. 

Judges 6:32 - "Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him..."


PRINCIPLES - "Supernatural Confirmations"

After Gideon destroyed Baal-worship, Midianites invaded Jezreel. Blowing a trumpet, Gideon called Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali to war. Laying down a woolen fleece, he prayed, "...if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand." Next morning, he wringed "a bowl full of water" from the fleece. Still, Gideon wanted ANOTHER sign.

Judges 6:39-40 - "...let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night."

PRAYER - "Praying About Family Sins"
When the perverse men of Gibeah (who were Benjamites) raped and killed the Levite's concubine, all Israel was inflamed. Phineas, the high priest, enquired of the Lord whether Israel should declare war on the Benjamites. God said "yes." You have to obey God.

Judges 20:28 - "And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before [the ark] in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand."

PRINCIPALS - "Gideon's Snare"
Deuteronomy 7:25-26 says, "Thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God. ...but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing." Gideon's family was cursed because he disobeyed, by coveting jewelry from Israel's wars. One evil son killed Gideon's seventy other sons.

Judges 8:24 - "...Gideon said unto them, ...give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings)."

PRINCIPLES - "Spoiling A Legacy"

Gideon refused to be king of Israel. "I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you," (Judges 8:23). But Gideon sinned with the golden earrings, and his heroic legacy was lost. At Ophrah, where Gideon met the angel of the Lord, and built the altar to Jehovah Shalom, he caused Israel to go whoring after the golden ephod. He was buried there. His wicked son, Abimelech, manipulated the Shechemites into crowning him king.

Judges 9:5 - Abimelech "...went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren."


PROPHECIES - "The Parable of the Trees"

Gideon's evil son, Abimelech, usurped rule over Israel by killing all his brothers except Jotham, who escaped. Jotham prophesied a parable about trees who wanted a king over them. They asked the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine. All refused. The bramble (Abimelech) wanted to rule, but he ruled by terror. Jotham prophesied that the people would kill Abimelech.
Note: Have you, a friend, ever had a dream or prophecy that was hard to understand?  But was made simply when the interruption came.

Judges 9:53-56 - "...a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, ...and he died. Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren."

 

PRAYER - "Samson's Last Prayer"

Tragedy befell Samson for compromising his Nazarite vow to Delilah's ploys. She cut his hair while he slept, and the Philistines captured him, put out his eyes, and put him to grinding in prison. But his hair grew again, and Samson renewed his vow. The Philistines mocked him at a feast to their god, Dagon, but Samson prayed God to avenge him. God heard him, and Samson toppled the pillars on which the house stood

Judges 16:30 - "...So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life."


PRINCIPALS - "Judges"

Both Moses and Joshua could see a time coming when Israel would forsake God's commandments. There would be no king in Israel, and every man would do what was right in his own eyes. Yet, in those times, great men and women stood for God and righteousness, judging Israel in isolated circumstances. Gideon, Sampson, Deborah, Samuel and others were heroic. The moral: even in bad times, one person can save the day.

Judges 2:10 - "...there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel."
PRINCIPLES - "The Woman Gets Honor"

Deborah was a godly judge and prophetess in Israel during a twenty year oppression by the Canaanites. God commanded Deborah to send troops after Sisera, Canaan's army captain. She delivered the word of the Lord to Barak to lead an attack, but he would not go without her. Deborah showed herself a champion, but another woman, Jael, became the heroine who assassinated Sisera that day.

Judges 4:9 - "...I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman."

PROPHECIES - "Joshua Prophesies"

Modern Israel should read Joshua's prophecies again. His message as he was dying was essentially this: Remember the mighty things God has done for you. He will always defend you if you faithfully obey and serve Him. But if you compromise yourself with heathen nations, becoming like them, the LORD will stop defending you. They will become snares, traps, scourges and thorns to you, and you will perish off the land.

Joshua 23:15 - "...as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things."

PRAYER - "Need Water?"Samson miraculously slew 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. But when he finished, he was famished for a drink of water. He asked God to provide water.

Judges 15:18-19 - "And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived."

PRINCIPALS - "How Each Tribe Received The Land"

Three tribes, Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh, settled east of the Jordan River. Inside the Promised Land, God defined borders for every division. Joshua cast lots to give each tribe (except Levi) one division. God guided the lottery. The first lot went to Judah (15:1). Ephraim and Manasseh each received one lot (17:17). Each tribe gave individual cities by lot to Levi.

Joshua 19:1-40 - "...the second lot came forth to Simeon, ...the third lot..., ...Zebulun, ...the fourth lot..., ...Issachar, ...the fifth lot..., ...Asher, ...The sixth lot.. Naphtali, ...the seventh lot..., ...Dan." "...the lot of ... Benjamin," (Joshua 18:11).

PRINCIPLES - "A Fair Trial"

In Numbers 35, Moses introduced the plan for cities of refuge, where accused murderers could flee until they could receive a fair trial. When Joshua apportioned the land to each tribe, he also appointed the cities of refuge. This is one of many evidences of God's justice and mercy.

Joshua 20:9 - "These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation."

PROPHECIES - "Receiving the Promises"

After forty years of wandering, Israel finally possessed what God promised to them. God will do all He promised for you, too. Just persevere!

Joshua 21:43-45 - "And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: ...the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."

PRAYER - "Manoah's Prayer"
Again, Israel sinned against God, and oppressors overtook them: Philistines - for forty year. God sent an angel to Manoah's barren wife, informing them that they would have a son (Samson). He would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The angel ordered him to be a Nazarite, but Manoah wanted to know how they should raise him. He prayed that God would send the angel again to clarify the instructions. Ask God again, when you do not understand.

Judges 13:9 - "...God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman."

PRINCIPALS - "Caleb's Son-In-Law"

Joshua 15 contains a tedious description of the land God assigned to the tribe of Judah. Caleb received a portion including a place called Kirjathsepher, and offered his daughter as wife for any man who would conquer it. Othniel volunteered, took the city, and won Caleb's daughter, Achsah. Caleb's new son-in-law became a great hero - the first judge in Israel after Joshua and Caleb died. Heroes tend to inspire other heroes.

Joshua 15:17 - "...Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife."

PRINCIPLES - "Robbing Bees and Milking Cows"

The land given to Ephraim and Manasseh was the choicest of all the lands, but they complained of the Canaanites with their chariots of iron, and of the mountains with their heavy woods. Joshua simply told them, "You're a great people. Go and take it!" In this land which flowed with milk and honey, they were about to learn that you have to rob the bees and milk the cows.

Joshua 17:17-18 - "And Joshua spake, ...saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power... thou shalt cut it down, ...and thou shalt drive out the Canaanites."

PROPHECIES - "Joseph's Inheritance"

From his childhood, Joseph seemed to be under the powerful influence of prophetic destiny, due to his favor with God's chosen man, Jacob. Once inside the Promised Land, Joseph's inheritance included some famous places: Bethel - where Abraham and Jacob met the Lord; Jericho - first city taken; and many other cities. This land of Ephraim and Manasseh stretched from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, lush and well-watered; the choicest of properties.

Joshua 16:1,3 - "And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan... and the goings out thereof are at the sea."

PRAYER - "Who Shall Go Up First?"
When Joshua died, Israel asked God who should lead in battle against their enemies. The Lord said, "Judah." So Judah led the way, taking the Canaanites, Perizzites, Jerusalem, Hebron, Debir, Hormah, Gaza, Askelon and Ekron. Those victories should be remembered on "World News Tonight." God gave those cities to Israel 3400 years ago. It pays to pray.

Judges 1:1-2 - "...the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand."

PRINCIPALS - "The House Of Him That Hath His Shoe Loosed"

If any man in Israel died without leaving children, his brother was to take his widow and bear a child for his brother's namesake. If a man would not do this, the widow reported it to the city elders. They witnessed as she removed the man's shoe and spit in his face. His name was then called, "The house of him that hath his shoe loosed," (verse 10).

Deuteronomy 25:6 - "...the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel."

PRINCIPLES - "The Bill of Divorcement"

God requires sexual faithfulness in marriage. Fornication or adultery betrays a marriage. God allows an innocent person to divorce one who is an adulterer. But, "...whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery," (Matthew 5:32). Jesus added that a woman who puts away her husband and marries another commits adultery (Mark 10:12). What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Deuteronomy 24:1 - "When a man ...hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand."

PROPHECIES - "Fire in Hell"

The Old Testament concept of Hell is two-fold. The Hebrew word "sheol" is translated "hell" in more than half the verses it is used, and "grave" in the others. In most cases you can clearly see the references to burning, fire, pain, destruction and punishment. A lifeless human body may rest quietly in its grave, but that person's sinful soul will be tormented endlessly in hell. Moses taught that God's anger causes the fire that burns in hell.

Deuteronomy 32:22 - "...a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell."

PRAYER - "Crying For A Deliverer"
After Joshua died, the children of Israel began to forsake the Lord and turn to the gods of the heathen. God allowed their enemies to overcome them. From time to time, Israel came to their senses and began to repent and cry out to God for deliverance. The book of Judges recounts how God raised up several anointed judges who brought miraculous deliverance. Surely God yearns to hear our cry when we have sinned.

Judges 3:9 - "And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them..."

PRINCIPALS - "Inaugurating the Promised Land"

Moses instructed Israel to do several things upon entering the Promised Land. 1.) Keep all the Commandments I taught you. 2.) When you cross over Jordan, build a stone memorial, and write the Commandments on it. 3.) Build an altar, offer sacrifices and rejoice. 4.) Stand half the tribes on Mount Gerizim and recite the blessings I promised. 5.) Stand the other tribes on Mount Ebal and recite the curses I promised if you forsake. 6.) Have the Levites curse everyone who breaks the laws of God.

Deuteronomy 27:11 - "And Moses charged the people the same day..."

PRINCIPLES - "Dress Code"

The twentieth century was a revolutionary period for gender identity. Never in history was there such a massive, radical shift in dress codes. Women in war defense jobs began wearing masculine garments. Hollywood starlets promoted the trend. Since that time, sexual identities have become muttled and homosexuality is epidemic. God says men should be men, women should be women.

Deuteronomy 22:5 - "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God."

PROPHECIES - "Moses Blesses The Tribes"

Each of the twelve tribes of Israel had a divine posterity. Moses took time to speak to them again before he died. Each tribe received a blessing, except for Simeon. Jacob, their father, had prophesied that Levi and Simeon would be scattered because of the war over Dinah at Shechem. Moses affirmed that Levi would be scattered among all the tribes, but completely ignored Simeon. Over time, Simeon left an erratic history. Blessings and curses are very real.

Deuteronomy 33:1 - "And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death."

PRAYER - "Othniel, First Judge"
It often takes a crisis to make us pray. Such was the case in Israel after Joshua died. The people began worshiping Baalim and groves of idols, so God sent the king of Mesopotamia to rule harshly over them. Finally the people cried unto the Lord for a deliverer, and He sent to them a godly leader: Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother; Israel's first judge.

Judges 3:10 - "And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand."

PRINCIPALS - "Joshua"

Moses' protégé', Joshua, is one of the squeakiest clean characters in the Bible. His testimony was virtually flawless - great faith, courageous, loyal to God and leader. It is no surprise that God handed the reigns to him when Moses died. Here is a great lesson for all would-be men and women of God. God rewards obedient faithfulness.

Joshua 1:5 - "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

PRINCIPLES - "Be Strong and Courageous"

Joshua made an inspiring "pep talk" to Israel before crossing Jordan. "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest," (Joshua 1:9). Do you think they would have conquered Canaan if they had been weak and afraid? Of course not! Every person faces weakness and fear eventually, but it has to be overcome. God commands it! Toss out all the self-doubts right now, and move forward.

Joshua 1:18 - "...only be strong and of a good courage."

PROPHECIES - "The Death of Moses"

At 120, Moses viewed the Promised Land from Mounts Nebo and Pisgah, across Jordan, near Jericho. He could see where several tribes would settle. Then he died in the mountain. God buried him in a secret place near Bethpeor. Michael the archangel contended with Satan over Moses' body, rebuking him in the name of the Lord (Jude 1:9). Peter, James and John saw Moses standing on the mount with Jesus 1400 years later.

Deuteronomy 34:5 - "So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD."

PRAYER - "Treasure Your Audience With God"
This one is pretty scary. God reminded Israel of a long list of nations He had delivered them from. "Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation," (Judges 10:11-16). Israel went into mortifying repentance and "they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD." Do not jeopardize your audience with God. Nothing is worse than losing access to Him.

Judges 10:16 "...and His soul was grieved..."

PRINCIPALS - "Distributing the Inheritance"

Even though Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, he had a pretty good understanding of how the land would be divided, and put it in the record before he died. When Joshua took over, God gave him more specific boundaries for dividing the land. We should never discount the divine component of this conquest. It was all written in the mind of God long before it happened. So is OUR inheritance.

Joshua 13:32 - "These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward."

PRINCIPLES - "The Premise of Possession"

The premise upon which the nation of Israel is founded is God's jealousy over the world He created, and His sore displeasure with the sins of heathen nations. God is not arbitrarily prejudiced against any nation, but He certainly hates their worship of false gods, their idolatries, their moral depravities, and more. God does not owe anyone apologies for saying to Joshua and Israel, in effect, "Take this land." It is His land.

Joshua 12:7,24 - "...these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote... all the kings thirty and one."

PROPHECIES - "Give Me This Mountain!"

Joshua and Caleb had been the only two men among 600,000 who really believed they could take the Promised Land. "Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God," (Joshua 14:9). At 85 years old, Caleb boasted that God had kept him strong, and he was still ready to take the land. He and his descendants inherited Hebron.

Joshua 14:12 - "Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day."