Good Friday

https://youtu.be/OQhKg_du3Sw

Maundy Thursday

English 

Malayalam

Take Possession

The book of Joshua has encouragement and wisdom for the soldiers of the Cross more than any other book. This is the book of conquest or the battlefield of Canaan. In this book, Israel not only overcomes the enemy, but also occupies the land God promised them. Joshua completes what Moses began. The nation that was led out by Moses was led in by Joshua. This book focuses on overcoming the enemy and occupying the land.

The beginning of the book we see the children of Israel right on the border of the land of promise, near the banks of Jordan. Canaanites, the people of the land, were the descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham (Noah’s son). They were wicked and idolatrous. God tells Joshua, the leader to get ready to cross the Jordan River (Joshua 1:2). God said to him to be strong and courageous and not be discouraged as God will be with him wherever he go (Joshua 1:5,9). Joshua sent men through the camp to tell them that in three days they would cross the Jordan, and to be prepared for the journey (Joshua 1:10-11).  Joshua sends two scouts to bring a report of the land. Read the story of Rahab. the prostitute in Joshua 2. Rahab helped the spies and hid them and let them escape through the window of her house which was part of the city wall. Rahab hung a scarlet cord out of her window so that her house might be marked and spared when the city was destroyed by Israel. This same woman’s name is found in the genealogy of Jesus (Mathew 1:5).

Joshua instructed the people to sanctify themselves, for on the morrow the Lord would do wonders among them (Joshua 3:5). The children of Israel had followed the cloud in the wilderness. Now they would follow the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence of Jehovah. Joshua told the priests to take up the Ark and step into the Jordan. When the soles of their feet touched the waters of the Jordan, they stood on dry ground (Joshua 3:9-17). After they crossed the Jordan River, from the river bed where the priests stood, stones were taken and piled up on the other shore as a lasting memorial of the wonders God did for them (Joshua 4:3).

Children of Israel needed to break the walls of Jericho to proceed to conquer the Promised Land, for Jericho was the key to southern Canaan. For bringing the wall down, God’s directions seemed strange, but they obeyed him. They marched around the city with the priests, Ark and trumpets for six days. (Joshua 6). On the seventh day they shouted glory to God with trumpets and the wall fell down for them to conquer the city. God knew that a certain vibration would destroy the wall. It was struck in the sound of the trumpet and shout. God accomplished the destruction with or without scientific means. God gives us victories through ways that seem utterly foolish to the world.

The capture of Jericho gave the Israelites a chance to enter central Canaan. The next place was Ai, which is the entrance into the valley leading into western Canaan. As he had done in the case of Jericho, Joshua sent spies to Ai to learn the situation. Made overconfident by their recent success, they gave poor counsel on their return that they can capture Ai with less people (Joshua 7:3). A small force was sent and they were attacked and saw the withdrawal of God’s guiding hand. They understood that one man (Achan) was the cause of the defeat as he hid a wedge of Gold (Joshua 7). It states us clear that every sin you commit will hunt you down, find you out and make you pay. You cannot escape the law of God.

Israelites went out a second time to Ai and they were victors. The fame of Israel began to spread far and wide. The kings of Canaan formed a league against them. But Joshua routed the allied army (Joshua 10: 10-13), where even the sun stood still over Gibeon for their victory.

Finally we see the land rested from war (Joshua 11:23). We see the name Jerusalem mentioned this time. It is a city with great past history and a bright future history. Here Christ will reign when he comes again in power and great glory (Luke 21:27).

Joshua 13 to 24, we see the division of the land. Although all this land was allotted to the various tribes, all of it was not conquered until the time of David. In Joshua 14, we see Caleb asking his friend Joshua for the high walled cities as his portion. Joshua gave his as his will as he valued Caleb’s part and hard work in capturing the Promised Land.

In Joshua 24 we see him old. He called first the leaders and then all the people together and urged them to remember the power and faithfulness of God and asked them to be faithful to him (Joshua 24:14). The book closes with his death at the age of 110 years.

This book gives us an account of how God will lead and guide his children to overcome all the odds, if they are truthful to him. Even though this book is about children of Israel, through Jesus Christ whoever believes in the sacrifice of Christ is New Israel and God is going to guide them to victory over all enemies. The enemies may be an addiction, or a sickness, or an abuse, through Christ Jesus, the victory will come to you when you believe in him and his salvation.

May the Spirit of God lead you to understand the sacrifice of Christ Jesus and help you to born again in Christ Jesus and possess the victory as New Israel.

Rules and Regulations

The book of Deuteronomy is a collection of orations and songs of Moses he gave as his farewell to the children of Israel. This book shows the blessings of obedience and the curse of disobedience. Everything depends on obedience – life itself, possession of the Promised Land, victory over foes, prosperity and happiness. Moses did this to remind the people what God had done for them and what they were to do to serve him when they reached the Promised Land.

As the book opens we see the children of Israel on the border of the land of Canaan, in a place where 11 days journey, some 40 years before, could have brought them. Yet it had taken them 40 years. How slowly they covered the ground. How often we have to go over the same ground again and again. We marvel at Israel’s slowness. We can rather marvel at our own. We, like they, are kept back by unbelief. We should be ashamed at the time it takes us to learn or lessons. God is a faithful teacher. He never lets us pass to another grade until we are ready.

Here God is putting before the children of Israel the conditions summed up in one great word, Obedience. The children of Israel entered the Promised Land under the conditions of Law. Moses gives the children of Israel a look back. He recalls the history of Israel and reviews their wanderings. He reminds them of Gods faithfulness and urges them to be grateful and obedient. He likens God’s care of them to a loving father who cherishes his little ones lest they should be lost in the wilderness or be injured by the heat of the sun. He supplied all their needs; they lacked nothing (Deuteronomy 2:7).

Moses repeatedly reminds them that they are a people of holy to the Lord (Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2, 21; 26:19). Because Gods people are his, he wants them to walk in the world in the way that befits them, separating themselves from evil (Deuteronomy 14). They should show charity toward their fellow humans (Deuteronomy 15). They must gather together to worship (Deuteronomy 16).

We see Moses giving the people some solemn warnings. He first spoke of the blessings the children of Israel could enjoy if they would be obedient. He then told them the results of disobedience. Misfortune would follow them in everything they would undertake – in business, in farming and in health. They would suffer for their disobedience to God.

Deuteronomy 28 is a most remarkable chapter. It traces what Israel might have been through obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and is yet to be in the millennial age to come (Isiah 60-62; Zechariah 14:8-21; Jeremiah 31:1-9; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Romans 11:25-31). Deuteronomy 28:47-49 refers to the Roman invasion (70 AD) which can be found in history. Deuteronomy 28: 63-67 describes the Jewish people in last century. God spoke these more than 3000 years ago.

The end of the book is the calling of Joshua. The charge that Moses gave to the people and to Joshua was built on one great fact, “The Lord is with you; be strong”. If God is present, fear is baseless.

In Deuteronomy 32, Moses closed his life’s work with a song.  After the song, in Deuteronomy 34, Moses went up to Mount Nebo (Pisgah) and there God showed him the Promised Land and there he died and Lord buried him.

In Deuteronomy 30:1-10, we see the present Israel. Everything which was said about their future got fulfilled and they cried and called the Lord and the Lord brought them back to their land. Now they are prosperous.

History and Old Testament tells about Israel’s curses and blessings. As believers of Christ, the New Testament Israel should analyse their life on what they are going through. If these curses are there in their life, do what children of Israel did – cry and call unto the Lord. Confess the sins, accept Christ as saviour and live a holy life. Whatever blessings the country of Israel is enjoying, the same can be inherited through the son of God Jesus Christ.

May God help you to analyse your life and confess before him and enjoy his blessings of salvation.

Wilderness Wandering

It was God’s plan that the children of Israel should go straight into the land he had promised them, the land of Canaan, but the people would not. God said that all those at Kadesh over 20 years old, except Joshua and Caleb, would have to die. A new generation arose during a 40 year wandering, but at the end the nation was about as strong in numbers as the day they left Egypt.

At the start of this book we see the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. The law had been given, the Tabernacle had been built and the priests had been assigned to their service. Now God was going to prepare the nation for its work. In chapter 1 and 2, God numbered and arranged the tribes, choosing and assigning duties to the priests and Levites (Chapter 3, 4). Moses was commanded to take a census.

God gave his children a cloud to guide them by day and a pillar of fire by night. They were guided a step at a time. They did not know when they were to go and when to stop, but the Ark of the Covenant (signifying God’s presence) went on before, the pillar of cloud always leading (Numbers 10:33). Sin came into this camp life as well. The people began to murmur against God. God sent judgement of fire (Numbers 11:1-3). Then they complained about their food (Numbers 11:4). As a result of their complaining, God sent them quails for 30 days. Then we see the sin of Aaron and Miriam, the brother and sister of Moses. God had chosen Moses to be the leader of this great people and Aaron and Miriam were only his assistants. Jealousy crept into their hearts. They wanted more honor and Miriam got the punishment as she was smitten with leprosy for 7 days (Numbers 12:1-16).

After one year at Mount Sinai, the Israelites journeyed to Kadesh. This is at the southern border of the Promised Land.  Afraid to enter, they turned back and wandered in the wilderness to the south and east till that generation died. After 2 years in the wilderness, people could have gone into the land of promise immediately had it not been for the sin of unbelief. They listened to the discouraging words of most of the spies. When the spies came back and told them about the giants in the lands and the high-walled cities, their hearts failed them. They would not listen to Joshua and Caleb who agreed with all that was told, but added, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30). When they refused to enter Canaan, the door was closed to them. It meant wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. God said that he would not allow any of those who were over 20 years old to enter Canaan, except Joshua and Caleb. 11 days from the land of promise. But they turned back. They could have made 11 days of progress, but they chose 40 years of wandering. God opens doors that no human can close, and he closes doors that no human can open (Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:8). Their fear disqualified them to take over the land of promise. Oftentimes our fear keeps us from enjoying all that God wants to give us. We fear what others will say. We fear what might happen if we put our trust completely in Christ.

Chapter 20 describes how the people complained bitterly to Moses and Aaron and said they wished they had never been brought out of Egypt. Moses patience was at an end. The people had complained about everything. In a fit of anger he called the people rebels and instead of speaking to the rock he struck it. The water gushed out. Even though Moses disobeyed, God was faithful and kept his promise. Moses put himself up as God – “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10). This dishonoured Jehovah God. Because Moses smote the rock a second time (Exodus 17:5,6) instead of speaking to it, he was not permitted to enter the Promise Land.

In Numbers 17, Aaron’s priesthood got questioned, so God himself was to confirm it. Moses gathered 12 staffs, one from the leader of each tribe, and placed them overnight in the tent of meeting. God put life into Aaron’s alone, causing it to sprout and bud. All authors of the religions of the world have died, even Christ died. But only Christ was raised from the dead and exalted to be our rich high priest (Hebrews 4:14; 6:4-10).

While the people camped in Kadesh, Miriam, Moses sister died and Aaron, his brother also died. Israelites battled with the Canaanites and became discouraged. Then they grumbled because they had to march around the land of Edom instead through it. They growled again against God and against Moses because they loathed the manna (Numbers 21:5). This time God sent venomous snakes’ among the people, which caused suffering and death. After they confessed their sin, Moses prayed for deliverance of his people. God did not take away the venomous snakes, but told Moses to make a bronze snake and fasten it to a pole so that all could see it. As soon as they looked, they would live (Numbers 21:6-9).

The only way people can live is by looking to the one who took upon himself the likeness of a human and was lifted up on the cross to take the sting of death upon himself (Philippians 2:7-8). If we look on him, our saviour, we shall live (John 3:14, 15). Even though God chosed the people of Israel to be his chosen one, through the death and resurrection of Christ, the entire world got saved and become chosen, if they accept Christ Jesus.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 6:23

May God help you to know Christ and be the chosen one.