Oh yes, the Bible is a Book of blessings, no doubt.

To the obedient man or woman, anyway.

But it is also a Book of warnings!

To the disobedient, rebellious soul.

Joshua 8:34 forms my conclusion, along with dozens if not hundreds of other verses in Scripture.

“Afterward he (Joshua) read (to Israel) all the words of the law, the BLESSINGS and CURSINGS, according to all that is written in the book of the law.”

Wow!

All told, for Israel in those ancient days … the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy) contained 613 different laws, rules, regulations … according to the godly rabbis anyway, august Old Testament scholars indeed.

And each of those had rewards or consequences attached, depending on one’s response. If not stated specifically then and there, these are implied generally again and again throughout the whole Genesis through Malachi Corpus.

The Hebrew word used here for “blessings” in our Text is “berakah,” occasionally meaning a “gift,” a “present!” Clearly a reward!

And the word used for “cursings” is “qelalah,” meaning “to be slighted!” To be despised, “vilified!” The verbal opposite of being “blessed.”

“Afterward he (Joshua) read all the words of the law, the BLESSINGS and CURSINGS, according to all that is written in the book of the law.”

Now to the New Testament … the Church Age, the “dispensation” of the Grace of God …

We are no longer under “Law,” granted.

But under “Grace,” praise God.

YET STILL … God expects obedience to His Word!

For example, Jesus’ Words in John 15:7, a clear Promise with rewards: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Wow!

And as well …

Revelation 3:16, written to a Church nonetheless! Jesus still the Speaker … “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Wow!

In conclusion …

We live for Jesus and obey Him … because we love Him. Because of Who He is!

But consequentially, He blesses those who do “walk in His Ways!”

And ultimately judges those who do not.

Amazing.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

The verse is clear, and quite frightening!

“But the children of Israel COMMITTED A TRESPASS in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, TOOK of the accursed thing: and the ANGER of the LORD was KINDLED against the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.” Joshua 7:1

The verb “to commit trespass” is “maal” in Hebrew. It means, essentially, “to act unfaithfully.” And in the verse we’re studying today the root word appears twice (once as a verb then as a noun) in the original Text! The children of Israel “maal” then again “maal” … toward Almighty God! They “sinned” a “sin,” basically.

Sounds serious.

They stole once … but in God’s Eyes it was an action with on-going consequences! So says the sense of “time” this verb exhibits!

The verb “took” is spelled “laqach” in Hebrew, meaning “to fetch, lay hold of, seize” something! Again, we only have a record of one theft … but the verb is one of “incomplete” action! Continual Discipline from God … until some kind of atonement is made!

Achan stole but once … yet remained a thief the rest of his life!

The City of Jericho and all its contents had been “cursed” of the Lord and “dedicated” to destruction! So the Jews were to maintain a “hands-off” policy toward it all. Take nothing … from that incorrigibly wicked place!

Thus God was “angered” at their light-heartedness, insincerity, rebellion!

The word picture Joshua used here is one of God’s being so mad He breathed hard and turned “red” in the Face … and became fiercely displeased!

The noun “aph” means one’s “nose” literally, but is only translated that way 12 times in our Bible. But (get this) a total of 172 times it is translated “anger!” Yes, the Jews are an emotional people.

Now let’s get the whole idea, if we can.

One man sinned.

Yet God is angry with a whole Nation?

YES.

Read the verse again. “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi … took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.”

Achan’s sin weakened all Israel!

It actually cost the lives of about 36 innocent men! (The remainder of chapter 7 here in the Book of Joshua explains in more detail.)

And a shameful defeat for the Jewish army!

And God would NOT further bless His people … until they had first dealt with the “sin in the camp!”

Now … based on this principle …

I wonder how 1,500,000 abortions a year (baby murders) in America has curtailed God’s Goodness upon us as a people.

Or our countless sexual sins?

Or ever increasing idolatries?

I do not know the specific answer to this question … but I do know individual sins can diminish a whole Nation’s potential!

Wow!

Pray for America today.

And for our President.

Remember, God still hates sin.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Text number: 770-844-7627

 

The Jews are marching again, straight toward their Promised Land. About to “conquer” it … “in the Name of the Lord.” And the first city of significance in their way is “Jericho.”

And somehow the gentiles of that place knew the Israelite army was coming!

Their reputation had preceded them!

According to one of the city’s women anyway, Rahab the harlot … “She had previously said unto the men (2 spies, Jewish infantrymen), I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For WE HAVE HEARD how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as WE HAD HEARD these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” Joshua 2:9-11, astounding!

Consequently Joshua 6:1 records this encouraging fact. “Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.”

The Jews had been so blessed of God, that a city known for its military prowess literally “cowered” in fear over their (the Israelite people’s) approach!

They placed their whole city in “lockdown” mode!

Godliness here has (as it will time and time again) “paralyzed” the dark world of wickedness which surrounds it!

“Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.”

The verb “straitly shut up” is “sagar sagar” in Hebrew, yes the same word doubled! Closed, no business, no access or egress! Intensely so!

Oh, that we Christians today still had that kind of impact on the world!

That our “light” could overcome their “darkness!”

That our convictions would influence their thoughts!

That the “fear of the Lord” (in a healthy, righteous sense) would fall upon mankind once more!

This kind of power: “Now when they (the wicked rulers of Jerusalem) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they MARVELLED; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

To make the society in which we live “marvel” at the things of God!

The verb here (“thaumazo” in Greek) means “to admire.”

To be unable to take one’s “eyes” off a subject!

Wow!

Let us, with the Lord’s help, so live such godly lives!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Paul did. Even the devil knew Paul! “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” Acts 19:15

Impressive!

 

 

I recently taught/preached a series of Lessons/ Sermons on a paragraph in Ephesians, the material about our wearing “the whole armour of God.”

Today’s Text from Joshua also blends so well into Paul’s advice there, Ephesians 6:10-18.

Joshua is about to lead the Jews into battle. Their first encounter, the formidable city of Jericho! A little army taking on a huge metropolis!

But just prior (only a few days) to the engagement, Joshua 5:13-15 tells us of an event. An (I believe) Old Testament, pre-incarnate Appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ!

“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a MAN over against him with his SWORD drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as CAPTAIN OF THE HOST OF THE LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my LORD unto his servant? And the CAPTAIN OF THE LORD’S HOST said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”

Wow!

What a “militant” setting!

Jesus (the Prince of Peace) also being the CAPTIAN OF THE LORD’S ARMY! (Yes, “host” literally means “army” or “armies!)

And what an “encouraging” scene too, for Joshua! Soon to lead Israel into battle, primarily armed with the promises of God!

Yes, this is God, no doubt. God the Son … due to the fact that He accepts worship from a human being. No mere angel would have ever done that!

I’m wondering today …

When WE face trials and hardships and spiritual conflicts … can we claim His Presence? That of This Great Captain?

Hebrews 13:5 … “He (Jesus) hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Matthew 28:20 … “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Jesus being the Speaker!

2nd Corinthians 10:4 … “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” Wow!

Ephesians 6:14-17 … “Having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Did you notice? Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, and the Word of God … this is simply a way of restating JESUS, JESUS, JESUS!

Yes, He is with us.

Yes, He is still Captain.

Yes, there is victory in Him!

No wonder Paul avers … “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

For those of you who want to study more … compile a list of all the times Jesus appeared in the Old Testament, long before his Virgin Birth at Bethlehem!

 

 

 

It’s another miracle!

Performed, maybe “worked” is a better verb, by our great God!

The Jews, under Joshua’s leadership, were ready to cross the River Jordan and enter the Promised Land. And just like God “parted” the waters of the Red Sea for them to escape Egypt … He did it again! Except this time He parted the waters of the Jordan River, leaving the wilderness behind!

A River that was overflowing, in fact, out of its banks!

And once the transit was completed, God had the people collect “12 stones” (each retrieved from the middle of the temporarily “dry” river bed). Large stones, apparently, to be carried on the shoulders of 12 strong men! And these were (under command of God) piled in the middle of Israel’s first “other-side-of-Jordan” encampment, a place named Gilgal.

12 stones?

Yes, for a reason, too.

God explains to Joshua, and to us.

“And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. And those TWELVE STONES, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, WHAT MEAN THESE STONES? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.” Joshua 4:19-22

A collection of rocks, God’s Idea, as a reminder of this great episode of Grace and Mercy and Deliverance … from the Hand of the Almighty!

“Object Lessons” … we might call them.

So that when others ask “What does this mean?” we can answer … with specificity, our loving Heavenly Father in His Power and Wisdom did such and such, another act of His great Faithfulness!

Examples?

Grandma’s Bible, the one from which she read and studied and memorized all those years!

That picture frame enclosing a favorite Scripture Verse of some giant in the faith! (My Mom had one, displaying one of her favorite verses, Isaiah 26:3.)

Even the pulpit of some great preacher of yesteryear! (I personally have seen two of these, gleaning further determination to stay true to the Word of God, to my calling in life.)

Maybe even the baptistry where new believers follow Christ into the “watery grave.” A picture of Jesus’ Death and Burial and Resurrection!

I’ve even known a few adventuresome Christians to travel to some out-of-the-way place where great Revival once occurred, praying for some specific need in their lives, their family’s life! Or asking God to “do it again” in America!

I’ve even ridden through once strong-in-the-faith college campuses, pleading for God to rise up another institution to stand boldly for the Word of God!

The possibilities are limitless!

What mean these “stones,” or anything else of spiritual “significance?”

Yes … use the young folk’s curiosity to teach them about our great, powerful God in Heaven!

“Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.”

Praise the Lord!

Dear readers here today, this Lesson can be practiced … by us all.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today I am placing several photos of last Saturday’s 4 hour Bible Class (Ephesians 6:10-18, the Whole Armour of God Paragraph) on the “Standing with the Bagwell’s” Page. Intensive Study of God’s Word, I love the idea.