💥 Podcast: The children of Israel repeatedly did evil in the sight of God in the Old Testament

  

 

(This podcast was previously published on, October 27, 2021) 

 

Judges 3

5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:

6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

8 Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and HE sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.

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People in churches often think they will lead unbelievers to the Lord.  But it ends up those unbelievers cause the religious people to turn from God, setting aside certain scriptures in order to continue friendships with that unbeliever.

A woman told me of her teenaged daughter and a young man who had left their church group and how her daughter was going out to rescue this young man and bring him back to the church.  

I said to her, "He will draw your daughter away from the church."

The mother didn't believe me and she said, "My daughter will never leave the faith.  You don't know how strong she is."

The scriptures warn us.

Even Solomon was affected by the strange women who were his wives and concubines.  God warned Solomon, but he wouldn't heed the warning, thinking it wouldn't happen to him.

I Kings 11

1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept MY covenant and MY statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David MY servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.

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2 Corinthians 6

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be MY people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be MY sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

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Hebrews 6

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put HIM to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

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Hebrews 10

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God (The Word), and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know HIM that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto ME, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge HIS people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

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2 Peter 2

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

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I Corinthians 5

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

13 Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

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Titus 3

10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

(Warn him once or twice, then leave him alone.)

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God tested the children of Israel to see if they would cling to HIM.

Judges 3

1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which HE commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:

6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

8 Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and HE sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.

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, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

11  And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

In the days of the Old Testament, the children of Israel had to go to a prophet to inquire of God.  God did not give HIS Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to each of the children of Israel as God gives the Holy Spirit today to each person who is born again.

At that time, of the Old Testament, God gave "judges" to the children of Israel to deliver them when they fell into sins and bondages to other nations.  

After the judge died, the children of Israel returned to their own way of thinking which was evil and they did evil again in the sight of God.

Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Later, in the New Testament, God is going to give those born again a new heart and a new Spirit.

Ezekiel 36

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put MY spirit within you, and cause you to walk in MY statutes, and ye shall keep MY judgments, and do them.

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In the New Testament church today, every person who is born again by God by HIS Spirit is given by God the Holy Spirit to lead and guide him in the ways of God.

I Corinthians 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

John 14:26  Jesus says:  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in MY name, HE shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13  Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of HIMSELF; but whatsoever HE shall hear (from God), that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.

Unless we are born again, given another heart and another Spirit, we cannot serve God.

I Corinthians 2:14   But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

 

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💥 Scriptures:

 

Psalm 147:3  HE healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

 

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Psalm 9:10  And they that know THY name will put their trust in THEE: for THOU, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek THEE.

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Psalm 107:6-8  Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and HE delivered them out of their distresses.

 

7 And HE led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

 

8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for HIS goodness, and for HIS wonderful works to the children of men!

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Isaiah 26:7  The way of the just is uprightness: THOU, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

 

 

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💥 Luke 2 (Reading through the Bible)

 

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

²¹ And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

²² And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord;

²³ (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

²⁴ And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

²⁵ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
²⁶ And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

²⁷ And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law,
²⁸ Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
²⁹ Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word:
³⁰ For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
³¹ Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
³² A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

³³ And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him.

³⁴ And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
³⁵ (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

³⁶ And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
³⁷ And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years (84), which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

³⁸ And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

³⁹ And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

⁴⁰ And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him.

⁴¹ Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
⁴² And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
⁴³ And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it.
⁴⁴ But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought 
Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
⁴⁵ And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

⁴⁶ And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

⁴⁷ And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

⁴⁸ And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said unto Him, Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.

⁴⁹ And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?

⁵⁰ And they understood not the saying which He spake unto them.

⁵¹ And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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💥 Podcast: Changed by God

 

(This podcast was previously published on, October 27, 2021)

 

Genesis 6:5

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The minute man touches something, he pollutes it with his own flesh.

Therefore in the Old Testament, God would not allow them to bring "hewn" stones into the tabernacle.

Exodus 20:26   God says:  And if thou wilt make ME an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

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So God said:

Ezekiel 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:

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In the New Testament church, the new covenant of God, we are "born again", changed by God, given a "new heart" and a "new spirit", which is different from the heart and spirit with which we were born onto this earth by our natural parents.

After God causes this change to happen in us, we no longer follow after those things of the flesh as we once did. Now we want to know things of God and we consider what God wants us to do.

We are a new creature:

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

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We were once flesh, following the impulses of our own flesh.  But now we also have the Spirit of God so we choose to follow that which is shown us by the Spirit of God, desiring to please God.

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Think about the way you were before God changed you.  

Take the above list and circle those works of the flesh which you sought after before you were born again.

Consider how different you are now!

We don't all seek after each work of the flesh but we have tendencies toward doing certain fleshly things.

I never cared for drinking alcoholic drinks because I did not like the taste of the drinks.  But some people are very drawn toward such.

My interest was more in debating, striving, emulations.

I find the people and things I once enjoyed, I no longer enjoy.  God changed my heart and gave me a new Spirit, HIS Spirit.  After that, I wanted to know about God and I wanted to be with people of God.

Now I know things of this world mean nothing and all these things we can see with our natural eyes will be destroyed by God at the end of this world.

Matthew 24:1-2  And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and HIS disciples came to HIM for to shew HIM the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Everything we now see with our eyes will be destroyed by God at the end of this present world.

Matthew 24:35  Jesus says:  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but MY words shall not pass away.

Now I know the only thing worth following is the Word from God which continues forever.

Some people worship historical objects, cultural objects.

Some focus on buildings created by man, wonders produced by man.

Some are impressed by intellect of man.

All these will pass away and are very temporary.

The Word of the Lord is forever, an investment worthy of giving all in order to follow that Word which God speaks to us.

We are greatly blessed when we understand this!

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After God gives us a new heart and a new Spirit, HIS Own Spirit, the Holy Spirit, we then begin to follow what HE says to us, doing HIS things.

And when we do that which God tells us to do by HIS Spirit, we end up producing the fruits of the Spirit by doing those things.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:

This is totally different from that fleshly spirit which we once followed.

And we thank God continually that HE changed us from that person we once were!

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💥 Scriptures:

 

1 Peter 2:20  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

 

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Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that HE which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:   

 

(Comments from Linda Rodgers:  Gives me great hope.)

 

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Isaiah 33:5-6  The Lord is exalted; for HE dwelleth on high: HE hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.

 

6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.

 

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John 17:23-24  (Jesus praying to the Father) I in them, and THOU in ME, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that THOU hast sent ME, and hast loved them, as THOU hast loved ME.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom THOU hast given ME, be with ME where I am; that they may behold MY glory, which THOU hast given ME: for THOU lovedst ME before the foundation of the world.

 

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Ephesians 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

 

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Psalm 107:1  O give thanks unto the Lord, for HE is good: for HIS mercy endureth for ever.

  

 

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💥 Luke 1 (Reading through the Bible)

 

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

²  Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

³ It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus (lover of God),

⁴ That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

⁵ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

⁷ And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
⁹ According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

¹³ But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

¹⁴ And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

¹⁵ For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

¹⁷ And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

¹⁹ And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
²⁵ Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus.
³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:
³³ And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.

³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

³⁶ And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible.

³⁸ And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

And the angel departed from her.

³⁹ And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
⁴⁰ And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

⁴¹ And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

⁴² And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
⁴³ And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

⁴⁴ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
⁴⁸ For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
⁴⁹ For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name.
⁵⁰ And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
⁵⁴ He hath helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
⁵⁵ As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

⁵⁶ And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

⁵⁷ Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
⁵⁸ And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

⁵⁹ And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

⁶⁰ And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

⁶¹ And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

⁶² And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

⁶³ And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

⁶⁴ And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

⁶⁵ And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

⁶⁶ And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

⁶⁷ And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

⁶⁸ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people,
⁶⁹ And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David;
⁷⁰ As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
⁷¹ That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
⁷² To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant;
⁷³ The oath which He sware to our father Abraham,
⁷⁴ That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear,
⁷⁵ In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.

⁷⁶ And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways;
⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins,
⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
⁷⁹ To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

⁸⁰ And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

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💥 Podcast: After the death of Joshua, God raised up judges to deliver HIS people from the evil of the nations around them

 

(This podcast was previously published on, October 25, 2021)

 

The children of Israel passed over river Jordan and fought the nations and took the land which God had promised to Abraham 400-years earlier.

Joshua grew old and died after he had divided the land and had given that land to the 12 tribes of the children of Israel.

The people began living on their inheritance.

But when they failed to drive out the nations around them, they began to take on the gods of those nations and sinned against God.

God sent HIS angel to them to deliver the following message.

Judges 2

1 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break MY covenant with you.

2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed MY voice: why have ye done this?

3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

4 And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

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Judges 2

7  And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that HE did for Israel.

10  and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which HE had done for Israel.

11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and HE delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and HE sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.

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God raises up judges to set the children of Israel in the right way:

Judges 2

16 Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.

18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

20 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and HE said, Because that this people hath transgressed MY covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto MY voice;

21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:

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The children of Israel brought upon themselves curses by their disobedience to the Lord God. And they could no longer stand against their enemies and the nations of worldly men ruled over them and put them back into various bondages and the children of Israel served the gods of the nations of men.

From time to time God would raise up a judge, such as Samson, to avenge the children of Israel against the Philistines, but the real answer would come later through Jesus and HIS sacrifice and HIS Holy Spirit which God would give to all who belonged to God and believed in the Word of God.

The promise was this:  God would give them "a new heart" and God would give HIS people "a new Spirit."

Ezekiel 36

16 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

17 Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before ME as the uncleanness of a removed woman.

18 Wherefore I poured MY fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it:

19 And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.

20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned MY holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of HIS land.

21 But I had pity for Mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for Mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

23 And I will sanctify MY great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put MY spirit within you, and cause you to walk in MY statutes, and ye shall keep MY judgments, and do them.

28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be MY people, and I will be your God.

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Therefore God gave HIS people a new covenant and a new Spirit, HIS Own Spirit, so when we follow that Spirit, that Holy Spirit, there is no condemnation for us.

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:

As long as we follow that which the Holy Spirit of God shows us to do, we walk in the Spirit, and we produce the fruits of the Spirit of God doing that which is righteous in the sight of God.

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